so, what's next?

NYSpeed Automotive
1

so i got rid of the swap car just this past weekend, but i’ve been itching for a change since the early part of 2015. I am pretty set on a C5Z but throw out some ideas at me in case I’m missing something cool…

MUST haves:

2 door coupe/hatchback, i’ve never owned a “small” car before and have a second vehicle for daily use
RWD, LSD
Manual trans
at least a 6 cyl or larger, not into the whole FRS/Miata/Genesis Coupe thing
new-ish (2000-2007)
No more than 75K miles
MUST be generally reliable, of course I don’t mind the usual maintenance and tinkering, but I don’t want to be constantly chasing down sensors and leaks (which is why the germans bother me a bit)
MUST be comfortable enough to take on long road trips, I don’t plan on doing any tracking/racing other than an autocross and dragstrip visit once or twice a year so all out performance isn’t a priority. Of course most modern cars are already capable of this.
Has to have somewhat of a “premium” feel and some exclusivity - not really interested in the boy racer 350Z/GTO/S2000/Mustang/Cobra/Camaro/Trans Am thing
Not really interested in swapping another car, don’t have the time anymore

Want to spend no more than $18K

In no particular order:

Option 1 2002-2004 C5 Z06

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x242/Dave01NBMZ28/dsc3949.jpg
dsc3949.jpg900×598
in silver or blue or red
@LZ wants me to come over to the dark side

http://cdn3.volusion.com/ekutc.vrlsy/v/vspfiles/photos/49923-2T.jpg

Option 2 E46 M3
i kind of always wanted one of these but after the power I just came from it may not do it for me

http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--Ai4GcVvl--/c_scale,fl_progressive,q_80,w_800/sggs0mpvjjtpmmg5otsk.jpg
sggs0mpvjjtpmmg5otsk.jpg800×600

Option 3 Clean, unmodified E36 M3
have loved these since they came out, but again I probably won’t love the power level. also, finding one that hasnt been beaten to death and had everyone’s sister’s cousin’s boyfriend “fix” is tougher each year

http://www.bmwe36blog.com/images/photos/estroil-blue-bmw-e36-m3/estroil-blue-bmw-e36-m3-12.jpg
estroil-blue-bmw-e36-m3-12.jpg800×600

Option 4: CTS-V Coupe
http://allfotocars.com/data_images/gallery/01/cadillac-cts-v-coupe/cadillac-cts-v-coupe-02.jpg
Haven’t checked pricing but I’m sure it’s up there. I also can’t really wrap my head around the styling

Option 5: BMW M-Coupe S54 ![http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y202/samtrak/mcoupeemmawoodlower-1_zps57faa8b3.jpg](http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y202/samtrak/mcoupeemmawoodlower-1_zps57faa8b3.jpg) The shape is obviously wacky and the front end is seriously outdated but the S54 might make up for it in a fun small package. Unfortunately these are going up in price (S54 models)

Option 6: Porsche 911 (996) C2
http://vpstestbringatrailercom.c.presscdn.com/wp-content/plugins/PostviaEmail/images/1999_Porsche_911_LS1_For_Sale_Front_resize.jpg
Love the shape, styling, etc. The underwhelming performance and high cost of maintenance/parts don’t make this a very strong contender.

Option 7: 335i Coupe

http://starmoz.com/images/bmw-335i-coupe-3.jpg
bmw-335i-coupe-3.jpg1024×765

Again love the shape and styling but the horror stories of turbos, wastegates, and fuel pumps scare me

Option 8: C6 LS2 Coupe
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8176/8046259871_35f5d4057b.jpg
HATE the fact that there’s no FRC body style and pop up headlights, which is why I’m leaning towards the C5Z more. But, the interior and refinement is worlds ahead of the C5 I hear.

Feel free to discuss and add suggestions…

2

I’d take the 911 all day long over anything on that list, but I don’t live my life a 1/4 mile at a time. :slight_smile:

3

C5z feel pretty fast, i forgot i drove one once. 3rd gear pull felt like holy shit.

4

Such a contradiction saying “I want something generally reliable,” then you post options of a 335i, an M3 that is at newest 15 years old or whenever the E36 ended, and a 996. You want a “premium feel” whatever the fuck that means, but post up a C5 and C6. I’m a huge C5Z fan but the interior is far from premium feeling-buy that for the LS engine, not to jerk off over the interior. The CTS-V coupe is going to be over $18K. Buy the C5Z and quit being a faggot. And this is me being my new positive Krant.

5

:orly:

6

C5 and C6 IS premium compared to its shitbox F-Body brothers, I don’t want something you can find at the local high school parking lot. I miss the old Krant, fuck you too

911 is gorgeous but I can’t help but feel it would be like driving a time bomb, same applies to all BMW stuff but to a lesser extent

7

If you got one with the old IMS bearing issues I agree.

8

this doesn’t fit a bunch of your criteria BUT…amg.

http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/cto/5354636743.html

9

Moneypits, ehhhhh

10

I’d go for the 335i or the Porsche, or even a 135i. If you go the BMW route almost every used 335 has had its’ turbos and waterpump/thermostat replaced at this point. I drove my 135i back from Oklahoma and a friends’ 335i back from Boston a few weeks later and both were incredibly comfortable. My only complaint is that the suspension is pretty floaty sometimes even with the sport package.

Also, I never understood your signature until I got a BMW… haha

11

12

point made

13

find one of these bastards?

http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--4jeFJSTI--/18n4kqhsq1bzajpg.jpg
18n4kqhsq1bzajpg.jpg799×602

14

I really liked my GTO. Wasn’t a kids car when I had it and it was comfy and ample power. I didn’t have any of the issues that people cried about, diff whine, oil consumption, and whatever that I can’t remember. But I also didn’t drive it off the lot sideways like most of the people did. You can still find those that were taken care of and be in your price range.

15

no fixed top on a C6 is a stupid reason to not like them. its not a gutted caged race car where rigidity is going to be so significantly fuk’d.
they’re fun as hell with the top off. better than a convertible IMO because it doesn’t look retarted. if its a glass roof, you’d probably like it better even with the top ON too.
that gets my vote. make it loud

16

option 5

17

It seems odd to mention when a corvette is on the table, but a GTI is a great do it all car and you could get into a pretty new one for high teens that is in fantastic shape. Could even look at audi S3. As far as premium feel goes that is where you area at, but in all reality you should be buying a non AMG SL and love life. They range from quick to bonkers depending on how much you want to spend. You could pick up a SL55 cheap.

The porsche 911 I drove 5 years ago was hands down the best driving car I have ever been in. There is something special about the way they drive.

or go buy this.

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?zip=14072&endYear=2016&modelCode1=BMWMCOUPE&sortBy=derivedpriceASC&showcaseOwnerId=6048143&startYear=2007&makeCode1=BMW&firstRecord=0&searchRadius=0&mmt=[BMW[BMWMCOUPE[]][]]&listingId=412064283&Log=0

18

I’m bored with my c5. Mine is not a Z, and isn’t in fantastic condition, but it does make ~385hp which is pretty much on par with the zo6. At this point I really use it as nothing more than a summer daily to get better gas mileage and keep miles off of my truck. The interior is honestly terrible, and the total lack of refinement gets old.

My choice would be an ls2 c6. I think my plan this winter is going to be to try to sell my camaro and c5 and replace them with a decent condition early year c6.

19

^ if you still have the C5 on the road I’d like a ride sometime. aren’t you in Lancaster too? Recall seeing you out there once

20

Yup, I keep it on the road through the winter. I’m in Townline, off of Townline. We can set something up if the weather holds. I’ve started pulling some stuff to replace the ac compressor and clean up the interior in my spare time…but I’m not too far into it yet…