View Full Version : What to do with the Mazdaspeed?
John V
07-12-2017, 01:33 PM
Our fleet is pretty satisfactorily full right now. Marisa is enjoying the CX-5 (and I'm learning to be OK with it... though I still hate the transmission). The truck is effing awesome. The Boxster is, well, it's a Boxster. I love it. And the race car is doing what it should do. My Silverado is gone to its new owner, who is enjoying it.
So where does that leave the Mazdaspeed? Our original plans were to sell it once I had time to clean it up. I did that a couple of weekends ago, and have been commuting in it on days that are too hot or too rainy or otherwise crappy for taking a two-seat convertible that I try to keep in nice shape. And... I kind of like it. It gets reasonably good fuel economy, is peppy, has really good A/C and has a ton of space. It's got great seats. It handles pretty well. It's fast enough to be entertaining. And I already have winter tires for it.
The other thing is that I don't think it's worth much. Retail blue book value is something like $4k on it. I can't see parting with it for $4k, or even $5k. Maybe not even $6k. I'm not sure what they reasonably sell for. Ones that are in not nearly as nice of shape as ours have been listed for $7k on autotrader, but that's asking price. I don't know what they realistically trade hands for in this condition.
The car is really nice (paint and interior are like new.. it's been garage kept and well detailed and it got a new windscreen last year) but it does have 180k on it. It will need a clutch soon. It really should get the timing chain tensioner and guides replaced (common problem with these engines). And it has a light clunk and a little on-center vagueness in the front end that I suspect is tie rod ends but could be ball joints. So, doing all the work myself, about $1k in parts and a solid weekend's worth of work to do.
Options:
1) Sell it, and do what I did last year which is drive the truck on really nasty winter days and drive the Boxster as much as I can during the winter (last winter was very mild ... I drove it a lot). The money would just go into investments.
2) Keep it, fix the issues, and use it as a winter beater and crappy-weather daily driver.
I was going to include another option: Keep it and don't fix any of the issues, just drive it until it stops running. But I know myself, and I can't / won't do that.
So what say ye?
wdc330i
07-12-2017, 01:42 PM
I guess I'd vote for running it into the ground first, then fixing the issues if you still want to keep it around at that point. Selling it for $4k probably won't recoup the hit to the Porsche if you put the miles on it instead. And who really wants to commute in a pickup all the time?
Seems like it makes the perfect beater car for bad weather and messy errands. Or parking someplace sketchy.
John V
07-12-2017, 01:49 PM
That's very logical. I won't do that. It's either fix it and keep it, or ditch it.
Nick M3
07-12-2017, 01:54 PM
Keep it.
wdc330i
07-12-2017, 01:57 PM
That's very logical. I won't do that. It's either fix it and keep it, or ditch it.
:lol:
Ditch it and use the funds to buy AF's RX8 and fix that instead. :)
John V
07-12-2017, 02:01 PM
:lol:
Ditch it and use the funds to buy AF's RX8 and fix that instead. :)
But then what would I do with the rest of the money? :lol:
No, as much as I'd like an RX-8 to play with, it would have to be a series 2 car, it would have to not be a grand touring (aka leather and sunroof) car, and either way I don't have time for another project for the foreseeable future.
The Fix it and drive it option sounds reasonable to me.
When you find it sitting for long periods of time then you can look into selling it knowing that everything is in top shape. It's not like a few thousand in profit and/or parts is going to impact your bottom line. :dunno:
kognito
07-12-2017, 02:35 PM
Maybe this is something you have never considered, and I have no idea what type of tax returns you have to file, but . . . When we left our home in NJ to hit the road RV'ing, I had a ford taurus winter beater. I donated it to a local church group that provided "stuff" for needy people. (for all I know, they used it for their own use, who cares)
They gave me a very official tax receipt, and told me to fill in the blanks. Saved me a lot on my 2006 tax filing (but you can't be ridiculous on the value you asign to it) I also figured it gave me some positive karma points
If you've got the space, keep it. It's a nice in-between car, and since you have the time and talent to keep it running, the benefit from keeping miles off the Porsche on shitty days probably far outweighs what you'll spend maintaining it.
Alternately, fix it up, do a thread like you did for Matt's car, and list it for (relatively) big $$$. I suspect you could get top-of-market for the car, given the way you take care of and document things, and if you don't, keep it.
But then what would I do with the rest of the money? :lol:
No, as much as I'd like an RX-8 to play with, it would have to be a series 2 car, it would have to not be a grand touring (aka leather and sunroof) car, and either way I don't have time for another project for the foreseeable future.
Sheesh the sunroof thing again .. I totally forgot to look and see if it has one ...
I'd keep your mazdaspeed and put the maintenance into it ... I kind of know what you're going through ... I still have my sons white A3 and I just can't get myself to give it back to Audi. I drive it and it feels good but more importantly it was his first car and I think that gets me right in the heart.
clyde
07-13-2017, 01:10 AM
Fix it and keep it. Or sell it at book value to a teenager in need :eeps:
John V
07-13-2017, 08:16 AM
If you've got the space, keep it. It's a nice in-between car, and since you have the time and talent to keep it running, the benefit from keeping miles off the Porsche on shitty days probably far outweighs what you'll spend maintaining it.
Alternately, fix it up, do a thread like you did for Matt's car, and list it for (relatively) big $$$. I suspect you could get top-of-market for the car, given the way you take care of and document things, and if you don't, keep it.
Yes, I think the value of it as a "shitty day" car is greater than the book value or likely market value.
I hear what you're saying about fixing everything and putting it up for sale with a big number on it, but I don't sense that the market would bear that for this car. One reason being the mileage is too high - when we're talking about a low mileage example (like my buddy's '04 STi) I think that approach works. But when mileage approaches 200k I sense people shy away no matter how well the car drives and looks. I can understand because I have the same psychological block when I'm car shopping.
rumatt
07-13-2017, 08:38 AM
But then what would I do with the rest of the money? :lol:
: ohsnap: :lol:
Forget the money you'd get by selling. How often would one of you drive it? Do you care about the extra car sitting clogging things up?
Personally, I don't like having only the two ends of the spectrum (boxster + truck, Cayman + wagon, etc). I value having that middle-ground car.
But keeping a car you don't use is a pain in the ass and isn't worth it. So... will you drive it?
wdc330i
07-13-2017, 09:30 AM
It sounds like he already is driving it pretty frequently.
Funny to consider that our M240i is the middle ground car of the fleet. But coupe/sedan platforms are great for that purpose. It's really their strength.
rumatt
07-13-2017, 09:35 AM
Funny to consider that our M240i is the middle ground car of the fleet.
No, it's exactly perfect for that!
Keep it.
The backstory is how (over a decade / decade and a half) many on this forum moved from a one car solution (zhp/m3/something like it) to a two car solution (2-seater + big) to now a three-car solutions with a "middle ground" car which ends up being like the first car in the one-car solution after all.
Josh (PA)
07-13-2017, 10:06 AM
How are the secondary expenses, such as insurance, etc? If the cost to keep it is low and there's not something that's ~$6k in value (like a motorcyle) you'd rather have, then keep it and minimize the wear and tear on the boxster.
wdc330i
07-13-2017, 10:28 AM
Keep it.
The backstory is how (over a decade / decade and a half) many on this forum moved from a one car solution (zhp/m3/something like it) to a two car solution (2-seater + big) to now a three-car solutions with a "middle ground" car which ends up being like the first car in the one-car solution after all.
:lol:
So true. :ack:
Biggins
07-13-2017, 10:39 AM
What will you get out of it that you need right now vs. a few months/year from now?
If it were me, I'd keep it for at least another few months or until the next registration bill comes. By then, you will have an idea if you can go without it and just get a gauge on how much you're actually driving it.
I'm in the same predicament with my old '99 CR-V, but your MS3 is a lot cooler and has at least some value and doesn't need check engine lights cleared every month or so... My wife got her new CR-V in November, and we kept the old one as a winter beater. It's now mid summer and can't bring ourselves to get rid of it for those odd times we might need it. I felt like we've used it a lot for hauling random crap and my father-in-law borrowed it a couple times. When I looked at the odometer, the reality is that we've put less than 500 miles on it since Christmas... but it's a third car and it doesn't hurt to have alternatives. I'd say keep an eye on the odometer to see how much you are actually driving it. If it's more than a couple thousand miles per year, there's no way I'd get rid of it.
Nick M3
07-13-2017, 11:01 AM
:lol:
So true. :ack:
Don't forget the 8 car solution. :p
wdc330i
07-13-2017, 11:51 AM
:lol:
I have an architect friend who built a mid-rise building for his own house, just so he could use several underground levels for his car collection. His firm in on one floor. And his dwelling is the top two levels. Retail (wine bar) on the street level.
He hosts design lectures in the garage with the collection, followed by receptions/socializing in the penthouse.
Nice life!
rumatt
07-13-2017, 02:42 PM
The backstory is how (over a decade / decade and a half) many on this forum moved from a one car solution (zhp/m3/something like it) to a two car solution (2-seater + big) to now a three-car solutions with a "middle ground" car which ends up being like the first car in the one-car solution after all.
Yes, exactly.
Not to get too nerdy with a bicycle analogy.. but it's relevant if you squint enough. A while back most bikes had a triple chainring on the front. Then it got trendy to simplify to a double. It is lighter and simpler and has nearly the same range. The problem is that you spend most
of the time in that awkward gap between gears, where you're cross chaining and need to shift every time the terrain changes slightly. You're rarely in the sweet spot.
The triple was simple: leave it in the middle ring most of the time, and you have a nice straight chainline. Come to a big hill and you shift down. Downhill or want to go super fast you shift up. Couldn't be simpler.
Conclusion: clearly you need 3 (or more) of everything in life to be happy. :lol::speechle:
Jeff_DML
07-13-2017, 03:50 PM
Yes, exactly.
Not to get too nerdy with a bicycle analogy.. but it's relevant if you squint enough. A while back most bikes had a triple chainring on the front. Then it got trendy to simplify to a double. It is lighter and simpler and has nearly the same range. The problem is that you spend most
of the time in that awkward gap between gears, where you're cross chaining and need to shift every time the terrain changes slightly. You're rarely in the sweet spot.
The triple was simple: leave it in the middle ring most of the time, and you have a nice straight chainline. Come to a big hill and you shift down. Downhill or want to go super fast you shift up. Couldn't be simpler.
Conclusion: clearly you need 3 (or more) of everything in life to be happy. :lol::speechle:
I love my 1x bike drivetrain, never going back to multiple, guess that is why I only have one car :lol:
Both my road bikes are triples and I agree about usage. Probably faster folks can get away with doubles.
John V
08-22-2017, 08:01 AM
It's been a month and a couple weeks and I've been using the Mazdaspeed a lot. Like, drive it to work pretty much every day. I drove the Boxster today because well, it's not supposed to rain and it was gorgeous this morning and I'm not going to be hopping between facilities (I have a garage to park in at my office, but at our other buildings parking is pretty cramped so I park far away and have a long walk if I take the Boxster).
I priced out a clutch, flywheel, timing chain, guides and tensioners and came to about $1k. I figure I can knock that work out in a weekend once I have a weekend to actually work on something. $1k and a weekend's worth of work to have a reliable car that I'll use regularly seems like a bargain. If I'm sick of it next spring I'll let it go. But for now it stays.
rumatt
08-22-2017, 08:36 AM
Makes total sense to me
John V
08-11-2020, 12:24 PM
Hard to believe it's been three years since I posted this. I still have the Mazdaspeed, I drive it pretty much every day and it's about 300 miles away from rolling over 200,000 on the odometer. I replaced the clutch, the timing chain and all of the variable valve-timing parts, adjusted the valves, put new tires on it and fixed a couple of other niggling things. Oh, and added Bluetooth, which I should have done a long time ago.
We keep talking about selling the CX-5. We originally bought it because Marisa was always shuttling clients around. Well, those days are done, and she's WFH 100% of the time and probably will be for the foreseeable future. It's the only car payment we have left at this point and just seems to make no sense to keep around. So we'll see what happens there.
Josh (PA)
08-11-2020, 01:36 PM
Awesome that the MS3 is still chugging along. What year is the Cx-5? My daughter may be looking for her first car in a few months.
John V
08-11-2020, 02:03 PM
Awesome that the MS3 is still chugging along. What year is the Cx-5? My daughter may be looking for her first car in a few months.
It's a 2017 AWD Grand Touring (first year of the new body style). It's a pretty great vehicle and has been typical Mazda - dead nuts reliable, quiet, comfortable.
Not sure Marisa is ready to give it up and it's not my call but I'll keep you posted if she decides to.
clyde
08-11-2020, 02:05 PM
What would she want to replace it with?
Josh (PA)
08-11-2020, 02:45 PM
It's a 2017 AWD Grand Touring (first year of the new body style). It's a pretty great vehicle and has been typical Mazda - dead nuts reliable, quiet, comfortable.
Not sure Marisa is ready to give it up and it's not my call but I'll keep you posted if she decides to.
Sounds good, my daughter is in no hurry. She is starting a new job at Penn Hospital and moving into Philly this week. She'll be walking/biking distance to work, but I think she'll quickly tire of not having transportation. What do you think it would be worth? Feel free to send me a PM if you want to keep the conversation off the main board.
John V
08-11-2020, 04:05 PM
Sounds good, my daughter is in no hurry. She is starting a new job at Penn Hospital and moving into Philly this week. She'll be walking/biking distance to work, but I think she'll quickly tire of not having transportation. What do you think it would be worth? Feel free to send me a PM if you want to keep the conversation off the main board.
Probably around $24k private party
John V
08-11-2020, 04:07 PM
What would she want to replace it with?
Immediately? Nothing.
Eventually, once things get back to "normal" and she's making work trips up and down the east coast? Maybe a turbo 3? GTI? She really, really likes the CX-5 but is annoyed with the "up high" ness of it. Initially she liked it and I hated it. Over time she's much less enamored with it and I am just "meh" on it.
It's a great trucklet, IMO better than anything else in its price range (and better than some more expensive stuff) but I really think small SUVs like this are just dumb.
It's a great trucklet, IMO better than anything else in its price range (and better than some more expensive stuff) but I really think small SUVs like this are just dumb.
I've probably mentioned it before, but I drove a rental stick-shift CX-5 in Holland for a week and I loved it.
Great to hear the mileage on the MS3...
Biggins
08-11-2020, 09:53 PM
Hire clyde to do his Carvana thing for the CX-5? I would think you would get good money for it now?
I think GTI, Golf R, Veloster N, Civic Si, Mini would be your usual ones to consider and test drive?
John V
08-12-2020, 07:24 AM
Hire clyde to do his Carvana thing for the CX-5? I would think you would get good money for it now?
I think GTI, Golf R, Veloster N, Civic Si, Mini would be your usual ones to consider and test drive?
I think if it were up to me, we'd just invest the cash and wait for the 2022 GTI to come out. C+D did a little teaser on that car and Marisa was really into it. As much as I don't want another VW that constantly needs fixing, I'd much rather have that than an automatic SUV. But it's her car so who knows.
I can say for sure that the Golf R isn't on the list - way too expensive. The only car on the list I'd personally veto is the Mini - way too unrealiable and too much of a pain to work on. Neither of us think much of the Veloster and the Civic is just too ugly. If Honda ever brings the styling back out of insta-vomit territory I'd consider one. The Mazda 3 with a stick is definitely on the list. As is the 3 2.5 turbo, maybe?
2022 S3?
https://youtu.be/JanfHehJQTg
Nick M3
08-12-2020, 10:19 AM
2022 S3?
https://youtu.be/JanfHehJQTg
If the Golf R is too expensive, it's hard to see how the S3 would work. Plus, presumably no chance of a stick.
If the Golf R is too expensive, it's hard to see how the S3 would work. Plus, presumably no chance of a stick.
Right. Sorry.
Nick M3
08-12-2020, 10:26 AM
Right. Sorry.
Don't be sorry!!!
John V
08-12-2020, 12:28 PM
The S3 is appealing for sure, but Nick's right, it's going to be way too expensive. It's basically a way to spend a lot more money than a GTI but not add any practicality nor much additional fun.
The S3 is appealing for sure, but Nick's right, it's going to be way too expensive. It's basically a way to spend a lot more money than a GTI but not add any practicality nor much additional fun.
IMO, the GTI is the best overall value in the market. I convinced my BIL of this and he is getting one this fall.
John V
08-12-2020, 01:16 PM
IMO, the GTI is the best overall value in the market. I convinced my BIL of this and he is getting one this fall.
It is.
And as I get to the point I can see the light at the end of the tunnel that is retirement, the more I look at the cars in the garage as extra days I have to go into the office :)
I definitely want to keep racing and we want to have something fun to drive, but the desire to own expensive cars is really going away quickly.
IMO, the GTI is the best overall value in the market. I convinced my BIL of this and he is getting one this fall.
Are they still making the 7.5?
It is.
And as I get to the point I can see the light at the end of the tunnel that is retirement, the more I look at the cars in the garage as extra days I have to go into the office :)
I definitely want to keep racing and we want to have something fun to drive, but the desire to own expensive cars is really going away quickly.
Even though I seem like (and probably am) a yuppie snob, as you know, I don't make big purchases easily. That said, age and events in my life have shifted me a bit to a YOLO attitude, hence the M3 purchase. The LR4 was pricey, but not crazy and should average out to a reasonable expense over time.
Again the only financially silly purchase has really been to go for the M3 over the GTI, but the reasons why I did it are well-documented here. I'm over it.
I have no vices or expensive hobbies.
Jeff_DML
08-12-2020, 02:08 PM
Are they still making the 7.5?
I think so, VW always seems to delay releasing new cars for the NA market.
John V
08-12-2020, 02:21 PM
Again the only financially silly purchase has really been to go for the M3 over the GTI, but the reasons why I did it are well-documented here. I'm over it.
My post wasn't a judgment on your decisions or anyone else's. The virus has just shown us what we really value in life, and number one is time with our family and friends. We can't buy more time but putting as much money away in investments will get me to the "finish" line that much sooner. I actually really enjoy my job, so the "finish" line is probably where I cut my hours to half-time and spend the rest of that time on extra trips to ski with my brother or whatever.
The other part of it is most cars have gone the exact opposite direction of what I want. I really just want them to be entertaining and engaging. New cars are just so distant-feeling and digital when I want them to be analog. And if I want something bonkers I'd prefer to just build it myself (like my RX-8).
My post wasn't a judgment on your decisions or anyone else's. The virus has just shown us what we really value in life, and number one is time with our family and friends. We can't buy more time but putting as much money away in investments will get me to the "finish" line that much sooner. I actually really enjoy my job, so the "finish" line is probably where I cut my hours to half-time and spend the rest of that time on extra trips to ski with my brother or whatever.
The other part of it is most cars have gone the exact opposite direction of what I want. I really just want them to be entertaining and engaging. New cars are just so distant-feeling and digital when I want them to be analog. And if I want something bonkers I'd prefer to just build it myself (like my RX-8).
Not to derail the subject, but to your point about COVID, one positive is that it has changed a lot of companies' attitude towards productivity working remotely. My wife and I are seriously considering considering renting a place for a few weeks in western Europe one of these summers and pitching the idea to our employers to work remotely from there with a good a couple of weeks of vacation in the mix.
John V
04-09-2021, 05:54 PM
Well... shit.
I noticed something that looked a little odd with the Mazdaspeed a couple days ago.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/ACtC-3dxZ1veMM2hzfVl4j8eNI-LKpCKfGdkR2RFr6Gy8InEi-By8Iq3rKHyPkny7hkuik4XQeO4hwjaQY2AW5A5cJ_vznR10Hoc rEzQiazaUONkV2bok8JQvHaoIP85gxiC85lH5msgakDk9-rdnGPQfzYQ=w434-h771-no?authuser=0
This is annoying because the car has literally no (visible) rust anywhere else on it. Guess I'm learning how to do bodywork this summer.
wdc330i
04-09-2021, 07:41 PM
Even though I seem like (and probably am) a yuppie snob, as you know, I don't make big purchases easily. That said, age and events in my life have shifted me a bit to a YOLO attitude, hence the M3 purchase. The LR4 was pricey, but not crazy and should average out to a reasonable expense over time.
Again the only financially silly purchase has really been to go for the M3 over the GTI, but the reasons why I did it are well-documented here. I'm over it.
I have no vices or expensive hobbies.
Funny. Just noticed this post and the fact hat you ended up with a GTI AND the M3...
wdc330i
04-09-2021, 07:42 PM
Well... shit.
I noticed something that looked a little odd with the Mazdaspeed a couple days ago.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/ACtC-3dxZ1veMM2hzfVl4j8eNI-LKpCKfGdkR2RFr6Gy8InEi-By8Iq3rKHyPkny7hkuik4XQeO4hwjaQY2AW5A5cJ_vznR10Hoc rEzQiazaUONkV2bok8JQvHaoIP85gxiC85lH5msgakDk9-rdnGPQfzYQ=w434-h771-no?authuser=0
This is annoying because the car has literally no (visible) rust anywhere else on it. Guess I'm learning how to do bodywork this summer.
And apropos this post, I had no idea cars still rust. :dunno:
John V
04-09-2021, 08:04 PM
It is common for these cars to rust in this particular location.
I figure I have nothing to lose by trying to fix it. At 210,000 miles it's pretty much worthless on the used market but still holds value to us.
kognito
04-10-2021, 08:06 AM
At 210,000 miles it's pretty much worthless on the used market but still holds value to us.
You would not believe what morons here in SC ask for cars with over 200K miles :rolleyes: Yours could list for 2500-3000 bucks Probably more as you have taken care of it
John V
04-10-2021, 07:23 PM
You would not believe what morons here in SC ask for cars with over 200K miles :rolleyes: Yours could list for 2500-3000 bucks Probably more as you have taken care of it
2500-3000 = "basically worthless" to me, because the cost to replace it with something I'd rather drive is much greater than the money I could get out of it. Every once in a while I think I'd rather have a GTI, then I drive one of my friends' cars and realize I'm wrong. The GTI is a much nicer car, but if I'm spending real money I want something RWD.
My odd personality tic is I'm unable to tolerate driving around in a car with visible rust, but I'm perfectly find driving around in something with rust that has obviously been remediated in by a rank amateur in a suburban garage :lol:
Good time to install box flares
wdc330i
04-10-2021, 08:27 PM
2500-3000 = "basically worthless" to me, because the cost to replace it with something I'd rather drive is much greater than the money I could get out of it. Every once in a while I think I'd rather have a GTI, then I drive one of my friends' cars and realize I'm wrong. The GTI is a much nicer car, but if I'm spending real money I want something RWD.
My odd personality tic is I'm unable to tolerate driving around in a car with visible rust, but I'm perfectly find driving around in something with rust that has obviously been remediated in by a rank amateur in a suburban garage :lol:
A match made in heaven. Or is it Howard County?
Funny. Just noticed this post and the fact hat you ended up with a GTI AND the M3...
Yeah. Pretty funny. That's life. I got the M3 back when my commute was 4 miles each way. I didn't even get the car in the US and it had been bumped to 13 miles. Now I am at 24.
John V
04-20-2021, 09:12 AM
I have nothing to add to this beyond my general sadness that practical, fun, manual, RWD cars are basically nonexistent.
I have nothing to add to this beyond my general sadness that practical, fun, manual, RWD cars are basically nonexistent.
Basically?
John V
04-20-2021, 09:39 AM
Basically. Are you arguing they're totally nonexistent?
Basically.
I mean, I can't think of any.
does practical = below a certain price? or 4 seats?
John V
04-20-2021, 10:20 AM
I suppose not for cars currently in production but there are older (still new-ish) options. 1er, 3er (at least until recently). Charger / Challenger / Camaro / Mustang. RX-8.
I guess the unicorn I'm longing for has a back seat.
clyde
04-20-2021, 10:39 AM
I suppose not for cars currently in production but there are older (still new-ish) options. 1er, 3er (at least until recently). Charger / Challenger / Camaro / Mustang. RX-8.
I guess the unicorn I'm longing for has a back seat.
The Charger had manual options? I thought that was a Challenger exclusive?
I will broaden the discussion a bit...the decent $4k teenager-appropriate beater market is not as robust today as it was in January 2020. Need to add another one to the fleet.
If anyone runs across an eighth gen (2008-2012) Accord sedan (V6 or I4) in good mechanical shape without a salvage title that can be had for $4k, please let me know.
Open to other possibilities, but that's what I keep coming back to.
I suppose not for cars currently in production but there are older (still new-ish) options. 1er, 3er (at least until recently). Charger / Challenger / Camaro / Mustang. RX-8.
I guess the unicorn I'm longing for has a back seat.
All of those are good options but none (save the 3er) have a practical rear seat. I also don't really think of the American muscle cars as "practical" and "fun" in the way that, say, a 2002 might be. Like, they're fun, but they're sort of like driving overpowered torpedoes. Not so much "practical" as "missile-like."
The Mark VI GTI/Golf R was practical and fun but not RWD. The Mark VII GTI/Golf R was also practical, but less fun.
An M2 is probably the closest I can think of, but that's also eyewateringly expensive.
EDIT: No manual for the Charger.
This SS is not a bad option, but hammer price is still TBD and it might easily be goofy. https://bringatrailer.com/listing/2015-chevrolet-ss-sedan-3/
wdc330i
04-20-2021, 11:00 AM
Isn't there some rumor the new Mazda 6 will be RWD? But will it have a stick?
Isn't there some rumor the new Mazda 6 will be RWD? But will it have a stick?
Yes, and almost certainly no.
The Charger had manual options? I thought that was a Challenger exclusive?
I will broaden the discussion a bit...the decent $4k teenager-appropriate beater market is not as robust today as it was in January 2020. Need to add another one to the fleet.
If anyone runs across an eighth gen (2008-2012) Accord sedan (V6 or I4) in good mechanical shape without a salvage title that can be had for $4k, please let me know.
Open to other possibilities, but that's what I keep coming back to.
manual only? or is auto fine
https://www.truecar.com/used-cars-for-sale/listing/1HGCP26718A011914/2008-honda-accord/
https://www.truecar.com/used-cars-for-sale/listing/1HGCP26809A054439/2009-honda-accord/
John V
04-20-2021, 11:38 AM
All of those are good options but none (save the 3er) have a practical rear seat. I also don't really think of the American muscle cars as "practical" and "fun" in the way that, say, a 2002 might be. Like, they're fun, but they're sort of like driving overpowered torpedoes. Not so much "practical" as "missile-like."
The Mark VI GTI/Golf R was practical and fun but not RWD. The Mark VII GTI/Golf R was also practical, but less fun.
An M2 is probably the closest I can think of, but that's also eyewateringly expensive.
EDIT: No manual for the Charger.
This SS is not a bad option, but hammer price is still TBD and it might easily be goofy. https://bringatrailer.com/listing/2015-chevrolet-ss-sedan-3/
I'm with you that the Challenger isn't fun. I think a Camaro or Mustang would be. And like those cars, a 1er has a big enough back seat for the dog as well as a human, at least for short trips.
The use case here is for a daily driver and winter beater, and weekend runabout when we have the dog with us. So pretty much every weekend when we go hiking.
As much as I hate to admit it, the best option is something like a 128. Cheap enough that I won't care about driving it through the winter. Sized properly for two adults and an occasional third passenger. RWD, stick, with a reasonably charismatic engine. The problem is they are so fucking ugly I can't bring myself to buy one :lol:
Hence why I'll be having this conversation two years from now :ack:
I'm with you that the Challenger isn't fun. I think a Camaro or Mustang would be. And like those cars, a 1er has a big enough back seat for the dog as well as a human, at least for short trips.
The use case here is for a daily driver and winter beater, and weekend runabout when we have the dog with us. So pretty much every weekend when we go hiking.
As much as I hate to admit it, the best option is something like a 128. Cheap enough that I won't care about driving it through the winter. Sized properly for two adults and an occasional third passenger. RWD, stick, with a reasonably charismatic engine. The problem is they are so fucking ugly I can't bring myself to buy one :lol:
Hence why I'll be having this conversation two years from now :ack:
As much of a Ford partisan as I have been/am, I just...can't see driving the Mustang for duty like this. Admittedly I haven't driven a new EcoBoost performance pack or whatever, but I recall renting a Mustang turbo and an A4 at the same time on our trip to AZ and that Audi was just...more fun to drive. All around, all the time, in the canyons, on the freeway, everywhere. The fact that the Mustang was RWD and the Audi was AWD really didn't help the Mustang.
Audis with sticks are hard to find, but I'd buy an A4 manual before a Mustang as a practical daily every single time, esp if winter driving was one use case.
You know what you need, and I'm not even kidding? A 996. Get a cheapish one. They don't cost a ton these days, even with 911 prices what they are, and while the IMS issue is an Achilles heel, you could do the retrofit in a weekend if you find a car that hasn't already had it done. With winter tires even a RWD 996 is good in the snow. It doesn't have a lot of space inside but it's not that much less than a Mustang.
EDIT: Like this one. I don't love the aerokit and probably could do without the AWD, but it's had the IMS bearing done and also has the slick PCM Classic upgrade, which is pretty cool.
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1999-porsche-911-carrera-4-28/
clyde
04-20-2021, 12:01 PM
manual only? or is auto fine
Auto is probably preferred.
https://www.truecar.com/used-cars-for-sale/listing/1HGCP26718A011914/2008-honda-accord/
https://www.truecar.com/used-cars-for-sale/listing/1HGCP26809A054439/2009-honda-accord/
Should also have also added caveat that I don't really want to travel more than 75 miles for it. They're as common as Honda Accords.
clyde
04-20-2021, 12:04 PM
I'm with you that the Challenger isn't fun. I think a Camaro or Mustang would be. And like those cars, a 1er has a big enough back seat for the dog as well as a human, at least for short trips.
The use case here is for a daily driver and winter beater, and weekend runabout when we have the dog with us. So pretty much every weekend when we go hiking.
As much as I hate to admit it, the best option is something like a 128. Cheap enough that I won't care about driving it through the winter. Sized properly for two adults and an occasional third passenger. RWD, stick, with a reasonably charismatic engine. The problem is they are so fucking ugly I can't bring myself to buy one :lol:
Hence why I'll be having this conversation two years from now :ack:
I don't see a Mustang/Camaro checking the dog in the back seat box. I know it won't for the Camaro and it's hard to think the Mustang would be much better.
John V
04-20-2021, 12:37 PM
The idea of a winter beater 996 is hilarious.
The idea of a winter beater 996 is hilarious.
I had a winter beater NC Miata with a soft top.:dunno:
The idea of a winter beater 996 is hilarious.
:dunno:
Put it on safari tires, too!
John V
04-20-2021, 01:26 PM
I was surprised to learn that Paco doesn't sell a lift kit for the NC. Seems like an obvious thing to have given how cheap and unloved the early NCs are.
Wait, RWD, back seat, four(ish) doors...you need an LS swapped RX8 as a winter beater.
John V
04-20-2021, 01:33 PM
Wait, RWD, back seat, four(ish) doors...you need an LS swapped RX8 as a winter beater.
So interestingly...
My first thought when I found the rust on the Mazda was "I should buy another old Mazda."
I don't think I want to go the LS route, because that would make too much sense. I was actually thinking of doing another Duratec 2.5 swap, except instead of turbocharging it I'd build a high compression street engine. Or maybe a K-series. I wanted to make an S54 work and I think I could, but not easily. I also considered a 3.6L GM V6 swap, as that's becoming more popular in the RX-8 community. But I hate how they sound.
Ok, new Civic hatch looks…fine. Doesn’t set my world on fire but it’s pleasant. Specs seem decent, too, for a commuter—and this is before we see an Si or Type R version.
https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a36719686/2022-honda-civic-hatchback-revealed/
Jeff_DML
06-24-2021, 12:13 AM
Ok, new Civic hatch looks…fine. Doesn’t set my world on fire but it’s pleasant. Specs seem decent, too, for a commuter—and this is before we see an Si or Type R version.
https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a36719686/2022-honda-civic-hatchback-revealed/
Nice blue but guessing most of us would not be happy with the way it drives. Yes, type r or maybe si would be ok.
John V
06-24-2021, 07:23 AM
The back end looks an awful lot like the Model 3.
The back end looks an awful lot like the Model 3.
The back end of the sedan looks a lot more like the Model 3. At least the hatch has a heckblende.
But the Model 3's back end is pretty derivative, and looks quite a bit like a Jetta and...one of the Hyundai's, I can't be bothered to look up which one.
Anyway, I'm pretty psyched about this car because it seems like the perfect answer to the "what car to get for a teenager" question, assuming you're going to get a teenager a new car (which I realize is a separate issue).
wdc330i
06-24-2021, 10:04 AM
Anyway, I'm pretty psyched about this car because it seems like the perfect answer to the "what car to get for a teenager" question, assuming you're going to get a teenager a new car (which I realize is a separate issue).
Was thinking about this, too. Although, I think the more likely answer is used Mazda3 hatchback, if I can find one.
Edit: Here's one in Va. https://www.carmax.com/car/20640276
Not much of a discount off of new, though.
John V
06-28-2021, 09:31 AM
Civic, Mazda 3, Focus, etc, all make sense to me as cars for new drivers. Something with as many distracted-driver aids as possible. :)
Civic, Mazda 3, Focus, etc, all make sense to me as cars for new drivers. Something with as many distracted-driver aids as possible. :)
This. My daughter has done great with her Mazda 3, and has actually admitted to me the nannies have saved her butt a couple of times.
John V
06-28-2021, 03:31 PM
This. My daughter has done great with her Mazda 3, and has actually admitted to me the nannies have saved her butt a couple of times.
Pretty durable little cars, too.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AM-JKLVH-yw1EFQMuoQHcQ-CqiBx4NzI_2jOlMuuL8e98nWvcn-J7hUretnM87GYo0p26XbHXaLh9_3sMrDxh2HaS8WngWwgKLGld NbRsaxdiQOshvtafG0a1Im3PhJBx1fbtBfq8uGi6oMIKXpPNpT vTA7cTw=w1371-h771-no?authuser=0
Nice. And it's a plus that they don't completely suck to drive. Worst flaw is underpoweredness IMO.
John V
06-29-2021, 07:52 AM
Well the turbo version fixes the power issue :D
Though I think the new version with a turbo is only available with an auto :(
Well the turbo version fixes the power issue :D
Though I think the new version with a turbo is only available with an auto :(
{sad trombone}
John V
06-30-2021, 05:44 PM
{sad trombone}
Hence why (well, one reason why) I'm still driving around the one we bought new in 2009.
John V
12-20-2021, 08:22 AM
So my trusty Mazdaspeed might not be so trusty after all. It just rolled over 220,000 and recently it has been going through oil at quite a rapid rate yet it doesn't smoke out the exhaust and it doesn't leak. I needed to get it on the lift to swap to the winter tires and change the oil so I gave it a quick checkover. Plugs look good and it's not leaking anything. No oil in the charge pipes, so that's a positive. I did a quick leakdown test and came back with 2% leakdown on cylinders 1, 2 and 4, and 16% on cylinder 3. With pressure applied to number 3 at TDC I can hear air coming out the hole for the oil fill cap. So, that's rings (or more likely a cracked ring land, pretty common on the 2.3 DISI engines).
As crappy as this car is, I kind of like driving it and my wife is a bit attached to it. I also can't easily replace it without spending a pile of money. It still runs fine, I just need to keep an eye on the oil level. I'm seriously contemplating swapping out the 2.3 bottom end for a 2.5 (like I have in the RX-8). They're pretty robust and the local salvage yard has a pile of low mileage units they are happy to sell me for $275 a pop. It would just be a weekend job to yank the 2.3, swap the cylinder head and accessories over to the 2.5, and drop that in. Even in its current state, the 2.3 is worth around $500 so I'd be roughly neutral on cost... it's just a lot of labor.
Decisions...
SARAFIL
12-20-2021, 08:55 AM
So my trusty Mazdaspeed might not be so trusty after all. It just rolled over 220,000 and recently it has been going through oil at quite a rapid rate yet it doesn't smoke out the exhaust and it doesn't leak. I needed to get it on the lift to swap to the winter tires and change the oil so I gave it a quick checkover. Plugs look good and it's not leaking anything. No oil in the charge pipes, so that's a positive. I did a quick leakdown test and came back with 2% leakdown on cylinders 1, 2 and 4, and 16% on cylinder 3. With pressure applied to number 3 at TDC I can hear air coming out the hole for the oil fill cap. So, that's rings (or more likely a cracked ring land, pretty common on the 2.3 DISI engines).
As crappy as this car is, I kind of like driving it and my wife is a bit attached to it. I also can't easily replace it without spending a pile of money. It still runs fine, I just need to keep an eye on the oil level. I'm seriously contemplating swapping out the 2.3 bottom end for a 2.5 (like I have in the RX-8). They're pretty robust and the local salvage yard has a pile of low mileage units they are happy to sell me for $275 a pop. It would just be a weekend job to yank the 2.3, swap the cylinder head and accessories over to the 2.5, and drop that in. Even in its current state, the 2.3 is worth around $500 so I'd be roughly neutral on cost... it's just a lot of labor.
Decisions...
If it comes down to a weekend of labor and you like the car, what do you have to lose? It’s probably less effort & stress than you’d put into finding a replacement car right now.
How come a 2.3 lower end with a cracked ring land is worth the same as a 2.5?
The 2.5s have the same bore, just a different stroke?
Seems like a no brainer to do the swap if you’ve got a free weekend.
clyde
12-20-2021, 09:18 AM
I think the answer writes itself
wdc330i
12-20-2021, 09:26 AM
I think the answer writes itself
Yep. Especially considering the state of the auto industry currently.
John V
12-20-2021, 10:45 AM
How come a 2.3 lower end with a cracked ring land is worth the same as a 2.5?
The 2.5s have the same bore, just a different stroke?
Seems like a no brainer to do the swap if you’ve got a free weekend.
I think because there are orders of magnitude more 2.5s out there than there are 2.3 DISIs. The 2.3 DISI also has a forged crank and the block is set up with an oil drain. But really, I don't know? :dunno:
2.5 is a larger bore (89mm vs 87.5mm) and a larger stroke (100mm vs 94mm).
Larger bore but the 2.3 head bolts up?
John V
12-20-2021, 11:32 AM
Larger bore but the 2.3 head bolts up?
The entire line, 2.0, 2.3 and 2.5, share bore centers and chamber dimensions.
John V
08-10-2022, 03:22 PM
It rolled over 230,000 on the way to work this morning.
The 2.5L that was supposed to end up in this car is now in the RX-8. With an EcoBoost 2.3 crank and some other goodies. So I guess I need to go pick up another 2.5 :lol:
I'd really like to keep this thing on the road long enough that something used and electric (that I wouldn't be ashamed to drive) becomes cheap enough for me to pick up. Figure that's another ~ 3 years, at which point it'll be close to 300k miles. Adding oil every other fuel stop is annoying.
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