Cool, Inexpensive Cars

[my porsche]

Hey guys, just toying with an idea here, but what are some cool cars that won't break the bank?

Basically, if I go this route on my next car (still probably a year away at the very minimum) I'd want something that was very good looking, reliable, will turn a lot of heads, and is relatively quick, but I'm lost as to where to start. Old hot rods? Classic German? Something newer than that?

This would be my daily driver, so it would need to be accessible and professional looking (ie not outlandish in style). Anything I find so far that fits my extensive list of criterion is painfully expensive.

Any and all help is greatly appreciated.

[Ferrer]

Definition of inexpensive?

[roosterjuicer]

get an LS1 camaro/firebird! You sound like you were in exactly my same situation when i bought my camaro.

you can find one for cheap, they are extremely reliable, maintenance is cheap. Low 5 second 0-60, 1/4 mile in the 13's. 18-19 mpg in the city, 27-28mpg on the highway. 4 seats, decent size trunk. Rear Wheel drive, 6 speed transmission.

[my porsche]

Definition of inexpensive?

Well, tying in my "reliable" stipulation, it must be relatively cheap to run, and I don't really have a fixed purchase price in mind, but if it's old, it will likely need several thousand dollars in cleanup/repaint/repair.

There are two scenarios playing in my head right now, one is to get a new car in about a year and a half (going into the summer of 2011), the other is to wait until I graduate (May 2013, tentatively) and get something really nice. For the first line of thought, let's go with $15-20,000 maximum purchase price, the latter $35,000.

The prevalent idea right now though is to just hold off until post-graduation and lease something like an M3 or the next generation S5. This is pretty far ahead in the running since the car would be under warranty, new, and very quick.

I don't know if any of that really made since, but in short, I'm debating between something old and cheaper in a year and a half, or something new and more expensive in three and a half years.

Was that the most confusing answer you've ever gotten to such a simple question? Probably.

get an LS1 camaro/firebird! You sound like you were in exactly my same situation when i bought my camaro.

you can find one for cheap, they are extremely reliable, maintenance is cheap. Low 5 second 0-60, 1/4 mile in the 13's. 18-19 mpg in the city, 27-28mpg on the highway. 4 seats, decent size trunk. Rear Wheel drive, 6 speed transmission.

Are these the mid/late 90s Camaros? If so that's not really my style, the only Camaro I'd consider is a 1967-1969ish, and those are pretty expensive as of late.

[Rockefella]

A Toyota Prius

[Ferrer]

Well, tying in my "reliable" stipulation, it must be relatively cheap to run, and I don't really have a fixed purchase price in mind, but if it's old, it will likely need several thousand dollars in cleanup/repaint/repair.

There are two scenarios playing in my head right now, one is to get a new car in about a year and a half (going into the summer of 2011), the other is to wait until I graduate (May 2013, tentatively) and get something really nice. For the first line of thought, let's go with $15-20,000 maximum purchase price, the latter $35,000.

The prevalent idea right now though is to just hold off until post-graduation and lease something like an M3 or the next generation S5. This is pretty far ahead in the running since the car would be under warranty, new, and very quick.

I don't know if any of that really made since, but in short, I'm debating between something old and cheaper in a year and a half, or something new and more expensive in three and a half years.

Was that the most confusing answer you've ever gotten to such a simple question? Probably.

Alright...

What about a BMW E24? Relatively modern, relatively simple, 100% proper Bimmer. Very cool.

Or if you are feeling brave, try finding a Citroen DS.

[my porsche]

Or if you are feeling brave, try finding a Citroen DS.

I'm in the US.

I'll look at the E24. That was BMW's first 6 right?

My ideal choice is a Porsche 911. However, I don't fit in anything pre-996, but if I were already doing extensive work on it, welding a custom seat bracket in couldn't be too difficult. I could do an 1984-1988 Carrera to 1973 Carrera RS retromod.

[Ferrer]

Yep E24 is the first 6er. They are dirt cheap here, so I can only imagin that in the US they will be even more affordable.

[IBrake4Rainbows]

an E36 328i Coupe is always a reliable, sexy fast choice.

or if you can stretch to an M3?

[my porsche]

an E36 328i Coupe is always a reliable, sexy fast choice.

or if you can stretch to an M3?

I don't think that would be a stretch, but I'd like to stick with something new, or something very old, avoiding the kind of grey area in between.

I should just start my own car company, I'm way too damn picky.

[my porsche]

Yep E24 is the first 6er. They are dirt cheap here, so I can only imagin that in the US they will be even more affordable.

I'll look into them a bit more. Was there an M variant?

[IBrake4Rainbows]

the M635Ci would be your bet if that was the case.

The E36 is a future classic. Keep it standard and clean, for about 10-15 years, watch the awesome.

Otherwise just buy yourself a Scion TC coupe and get your geek on.

[Ferrer]

I'll look into them a bit more. Was there an M variant?

Yep, the M635 CSI, with the same engine as the contemporary M5. I think it was called M6 in the US though.

[my porsche]

Hmm, the M6 seems to be just over $30,000. For that money I think I'd get something else.

[pimento]

Volvo 850R. Faster than anyone will believe it is, very sleepery.