Buying a Mustang. Any better Ideas?
 

Hey Guys

The camaro has finally broken me. Im getting old and just tired of daily driving it, it rides like a bag of asses and is loud, and very tempermental.

So I'm looking for a dd. Things Im looking for.
-Relatively reliable
-Quick
-Not FWD
-Around 20 mpg
-Nothing that old, want something relatively new with low mileage, tired of the creaks and rattles.
-Under 15K

Looked at an early NC, always liked them, but had only driven them at city speeds where all the gear makes them feel quick in the first 2 gears, finally drove one on the highway and it was just dog slow when you try to wind it out. And I have no desire to buy a car then have to put an SC on it immediately to enjoy it.

Looked at GTO since Im a GM guy, love the interior and the LS2 in the 05 and 6s, but there isnt alot of part support for the car, through gm or otherwise. Replacement parts are hard to find and performance stuff thats not for the motor itself is the same way, its either expensive or doesnt exist. plus if I bought one I would almost immediately have to replace most of the front suspension bushings and they are expensive, like over 100 dollars for two bushings. Buddy has an 06 and I love it but hes had alot of trouble.

Looked at C5s, always wanted one but I dont want to pay the vette tax. Vette specific parts are high and GM is starting to discontinue some of the parts, making it damn near impossible to fix some issues. Talked to a vette recycler and he says he has a list of about 17 people looking for some type of sensor GM doesnt carry anymore.

Like the 05+ mustangs because the aftermarket is huge parts are decently priced, pretty reliable, very familiar with them, hold value pretty well, comfortable, nice. Only reason I dont like them is because I HATE Ford, but most of that stems from working on the trucks and Ive seen alot fewer problems from the mustangs.

Anyone have any better ideas?

Get a newer camaro

mazdaspeed 6

http://www.diyautotune.com/catalog/m...04763a28c1ff53
I think one of the newer GRM magazines said something about Gen2 PNPs for C5 vettes, I could be wrong, but if I'm not that might solve a lot of your issues with them.

---- - I figured it out.

Get a GSXR-1000.

Doesn't just meet all of your requirements, it exceeds them with flying colors.

-Relatively reliable - Check
-Quick - Double-check in italics
-Not FWD - Check
-Around 20 mpg - Try 50+
-Nothing that old, want something relatively new with low mileage, tired of the creaks and rattles. Brand fukking new - off the showroom floor. Quadruple Check.
-Under 15K. How about under 12k?

03-04 Mustang Mach 1 (unless you can get a 03-04 Cobra under 15k, I doubt it)
WRX

Newer camaro is either an '02 or a 2010. You won't find a '10 for 15k.

If you don't mind jap, how about a lexus is300? You can get one with a 5sp and they are RWD and have an excellent engine.

http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:A...4nEsiE9EFHSap7

My dad dailys an 06gt, picked up for 14k. 20city 26 highway. Quick, super comfortable. Only complaint is the weight, but for how heavy it is it will still get it

No Bikes

Havent looked at WRXs. I will.

I have always wanted one of those mach 1s, but I would never own one, I really dont like the 99-04 mustangs, the interior, working on them and especially hate the clutch, it is ridiculously stiff. I have a clutch good for 700 ftlbs in the Z28 and its way nicer than even a stock clutch on one of those. Plus

It was a suspension sensor, I dont know if a MS would run that. plus when the sensor was available it was 350 dollars. No go on the vette tax, plus I wouldnt want to change the PCM as the factory GM one is very capable and Im pretty well versed in it. Love me some HP tuners

Not a big fan of the LS1 fbodies, plus Id have the most of the same issues. Im undecided wether I keep the Z or not but if I do sell it I will replace it with a low milegae bone stock 96-97 WS6 and start all over again. I prefer the Lt1s

Havent looked at those with the stories Ive heard on here.

Solstice gxp

S2000
BMW 540i, Hell e39 M5s are approaching this price, e36 M3 for sure, e46 M3 maybe(salvage title probably)
rx-8(ok maybe the mileage thing would be problem unless you drove it like a grandmother)
various AMG cars probably easiest would be older E55
Nissan/Infiniti 350z/G35
Some Infiniti M45s might be that low
Lexus gs400

Used to really want one, but never drove one, I need to go do that I know the ecotecs are dead nuts reliable. Ill try and find one to drive this week
S2000- I dont know if its just me but I have had horrible experience with S2Ks (all 2.0 models NA1 i think?) A guy I used to race with went through 3 motors in 2 years, and I condemned many motors in S2ks at the shop, and you dont see many out here in hick country. I think the motor is just too high strung to be reliable. I dont know if its widespread or if it was just the ones Ive been around, but Id still be scared everytime I drove one.

BMWs-NO, I work on too many BMWs to know better, plus a buddy had a Dinan supercharged E36 M3 and that ---- is retardedly expensive to fix.
Benz-See reason above

RX-8- misses on the reliable part. Cool engineering fact about them, actually made to burn oil as in there is a pump that pushes oil into the intake track, this causes the cat to clog (expensive) which very commonly leads to engine failure. No thank you. On the older rotaries we used to plug the Oil metering pump and then run two cycle oil in the gas and then put sythetic in the motor and it made them reliable as hell, but I dont know if its possible on the new ones.

350z-Been thinking about this one lately, kinda like them, motor is pretty much tapped unless you go FI (small con) and If I get a used one Ill probably have to replace most of the bushings in the front end, which on a 350z means I have to replace whatever they sit in, as in a whole control arm. Still kinda like them, Ill have to see where they are price range.

Have you considered a 599xx?

I always thought the is300 would be a great DD. Toyota reliability, 4 doors, rwd, straight 6... They sound great with aftermarket exhaust too. I suppose it might not have the power that you are looking for unless you go FI though.

Yeah think you might be asking the impossible
Recent low mileage, fast, cheap, cheap and easy to repair/mod, dead nuts reliable(more reliable than a Honda that is). I don't think such a car exists.

If you gave up the relatively new fewer creaks and groans maybe an old 240-260Z provided you could find one relatively rust free.

I really like the g35 Sedans, BMW 5 series, or EVO's in that 15k price range for a DD. Out of the 3 I would look hard a G35 sedan 6mt. Great handling car, great motor, and can drive cross country in comfort.

I saw one on craiglist in my budget, but the lack of cupholders is a big turn off.

Im not saying more reliable than a honda Im saying more reliable than an S2000. An S2000 is no civic when it comes to reliablility.

Are you looking for a 4 door car or a light 2 door driver?

That is really odd. Mine has 110k on it and the engine is strong.

We have a lot of them tracked around here and I've only seen 1 engine failure (and that car had a TON of track days on it).
The IS300 is a pretty crappy car in all honesty. Bad gas mileage, 215 horsepower, lackluster performance, mediocre interior (for a luxury car), manuals are hard to find, etc. I've never understood why people buy them.

You can buy a 2005ish Acura TL 6 speed for similar money and it's a better DD in every way.