Does it have the stock exhaust? What's your ask(ish)?

I’m probably going to ask something in the 15-17k range. And yes, stock exhaust.

I think you have to decide whether you really want to wrench on it yourself. German cars are likely going to be more involved/expensive to fix (even an older one like a 928). They do generally have the advantage of being logically laid out and satisfying to work on though.

Do you ever read Peter Egan articles in R&T? He always makes old british roadsters seem like a good idea. But it sounds like you want 4 seats.

Is there any affordable iteration of older 911/912 still available? Or has that ship completely sailed? I'd vote no on the e36/46 since you've been there/done that.

Early Golf GTI?

Or, what about a 70s Datsun 280Z? 2+2 and 6 cylinder.. Beautiful cars.

997 911 TT?

yeah 911 but I would vote a rwd 911(997.2 is safe bet) to maximize rear engine feeling since he has not had one

Great point. 997 or 991 GTS?

I agree with the "get something to wrench on" view. I wouldn't even look at driving it as a consideration becuase a wrenchable project is always there when you have time.

There's only so much driving enjoyment to be had anywhere near a metro environment. Simple things like running to the grocery store for a couple things becomes an exercise in frustration becuase of the Camry in front of you or getting stuck behind a bicycle on an otherwise fun twisty road (not hating on them, just it is what it is).

Tracks days, autocrosses, car shows, and other things are dictated by other schedules. When life happens and you have to skip, you it leaves negative feelings one way or another.

Something to wrench on is available at 1:00am when you can't fall asleep. It's there when you suddenly have an unexpected couple hours to fill.

The car as a, uh, vehicle to get somewhere is better as something that doesn't actually go anywhere.





Or maybe I'm just projecting, and my own issues are best left to another thread.

Clyde makes great points, plus wrenching on things allows some degree of creativity. I'm not exactly a competent mechanic, but I have enjoyed the small personalizations I've done to my various cars. I'd like to do more of that.

If I'm going to work on something, it's an older BMW. Maybe a Porsche, but they've gotten so expensive that seems out of reach. Older BMWs are where my heart is, I guess.

What I'd really like is an S50B32-swapped E36 M3/4.

But the garage space is a real barrier, and not one I can see an easy way to overcome. I guess I could rent a space/buy something farther out, but then you have to drive to get to your project and that means you'd never have time to work on it. Frustrating.

On the 911 front, I continue to think that the 997S is about the perfect car, apart from the GTs, which I can't afford. That might be a reasonable daily driver, though they're expensive for a car that is going to be ~10 years old.

A 991 911T might be an interesting compromise, but would almost certainly require getting rid of the current fleet and going with something bigger as the second car.

Has to be a ‘95 if you want to tag it.

It took me a long time to learn this, but I don't really like working on what I need to drive. I really enjoy working on stuff that doesn't need to be relied on to get to work.

So, a track car that you can wrench on with no detriment is nice. Because while it sucks to miss a track day, it's not going to make you lose your job. It's also nice to wrench on something that has little or no value so if (when) you screw something up, it's not stressful.

In short, I recommend buying a $2,000 RX-8 and putting a turbocharged four-cylinder in it. Or a 2JZ turbo. Or an LS2. With two turbos.

Alternatively, you can come up to my shop and I'll hand you tools and give you some tasks, because my shit isn't getting done on schedule :lol: