Hmmmm, L88 427 anyone

 

Good luck with that....

 

You obviously haven't a bloody CLUE.

The Elise is one of the best chassisd ever engineered for road use, and is HARDLY a scion. It's bonded alluminum and CF, ultra stiff, ultra light, and the closest thing to an open wheel racecar as you can buy. Alot of engineering and technology went into it, and that's why it's $40k.

Lotus started with the toyota block, but re-enfineered for their purposes. The McLaren F1 has a BMW engine in it, but at $1m, is it just an "overpriced" BMW?

 

JPandes,
If you want a new car great, but I'd look first at why you're blowing coolant seals in the first place... there's really no excuse for that.

Who's building your motors, and why are they overheating?

 

I agree; however, I can't imagine buying an Elise. I'm not a big guy (5' 11" 175 lbs), but I found getting in and out of that car to be a huge PITA. As a dedicated track car, it might be an option, but as a daily driver, no freakin way.

 

um, because it's a rotary?

i kid, i kid...

 

I have a local friend who bought one, and while it is fabulous in some ways, i'm not sure I'd buy one either, and I'm 5'9" 175 lbs.

If you think the FD is a little raw, this is a whole new level. It is a pain in the *** to get into, but so is my FD with a race seat. Thing is, when you get in, your shoulder will actually be butted up against the shouldder of the person in the other seat... and that person will need to move his/her knee for you to shift. There isn't so much as a cubby for stuff in there either.

I was looking one over at the PFS shop (they were putting a turbo in it), and the door windows don't even seal. It'll definately leak rain water since i could easily stick my finder through the gap, so daily driving is out.

That's a weekend/track only car for the small guy with a big garage and a small wife.

 

Mine doesn't overheat... never even caps 100C, even on track. The only temp problems i have are AIT's.

 

Why not start a poll with all the cars you like in your price range...that way you get a better gauge of where all of our opinions are. Anyway, I would have to say c5 Z06 or Elise/Exige.

 

Drive the Z06 Corvette (C5's are getting cheaper because they're not King Chevy anymore), then drive the Elise, then drive a Subaru STi because I've heard those are fun too. I haven't driven the C5 or the STi, but I think I'd pick the V8-RX7 unless I needed the cargo capacity of a 4-door.


NeedFD, you've obviously never been inside an Elise. I doubt most people could stand to own one as a daily driver, however.

-s-

 

Another option if you would like to have some speed performance and everyday drivability would be an Audi S4 2.7 Twin Turbo. These are quick stock, handle well and have four doors and AWD. These respond very well to mods and still maintain a great level for streetability.

Just another thought to put out there for consideration.

 

Based on several peopl'es experiences with Adi/VW in general, and S4's in particular, I wouldn't take an Audi S4 as a gift if I was planning on modding.

 

Good call there...

 

Used 911 turbo..early 90's.

 

Strongly considered that too. You can find them in the $30k price range. Just pray nothing breaks...

 

i know i already replied, but i reconsidered and my vote is for an ariel atom and a poncho.

 

I second this recommendation, lol.

 

Can't argue with 400+ rwhp on stock turbos
It's the only piston driven car i will drive sub 100k.

 

Great cars! Will be my next purchase for "business"/Daily Driver. But, if you are replacing an FD you gotta go BIG. And IMO a S4 is not a replacement car, much more of an accessory/2nd car.

I would like to vote for the Noble MK12 with the Twin Turbo V6. Or something the Corvette, LS1 FD, or a 911 Turbo. Something along those lines. more true sports car than luxury performance.

 

Keep in mind, he does not have a place to do extensive repairs/upgrades. Needs to be reliable, fast and handles.
Forgot about the Noble, saw one of those at Laguna Seca - yummy!

 

well...for the last 18 mths I was debating selling my 94 and settled for a 06 C6 (cant afford the C6 Z06 right now).

Last Friday after smoking a C6 from 3rd - 4th...the 7 stay.

Case rest.

 

The cars you've chosen represent a funky mix. I have a bunch of assumptions about your choices:

The fact that you threw the LS1 3rd gen in there means you're are definitely interested in acceleration/speed. You are also probably lovesick for your FD Choosing the NSX means appearance is important to you, while the G35 suggests you want to roll around in a "stunna" mobile (albeit a big, fat one).

But the FD's chassis is old (and apparently, the one you're interested in sounds more like a project car than a daily driver). Stuff breaks (you're well aware of this), and will keep breaking--probably with more frequency as the years go on. Also, if the V8 powered FD breaks down, who's going to fix it? Furthermore, I'd imagine that this particular car is NOT comfortable, unlike the G35 or even the ZO6.

Based on your overall "attitude" about this issue, I'd avoid the V8 FD. The other cars are great... I'd definitely pick the ZO6.

However: If it were me trying to avoid a rotary powered, I'd pick up an uber-clean LS1 FD OR a Toyota Tacoma Prerunner V6 But if I could have another car, I'd def. be a 3 rotor single turbo FD. Good luck with your decision man, I know it's gotta be tearing you up.

 

The more I think about, the more an M3 jumps out at me. Or an M5. Howbout that new STi, the cleaned up one without the wing and stuff.. whats it called.. the A-line. Dont know if its available in the US or not though.... nice *** car.

 

Read my posts about my NSX: https://www.rx7club.com/3rd-generation-specific-1993-2002-16/trade-my-rx-7-nsx-585046/