New Daily Driver - Getting rid of Mazdaspeed3 Possibly
 

Hi guys,

So I'm throwing around the idea of selling my 2012 Mazdaspeed3. Right now I switch between a 2000 Miata and a 2012 Mazdaspeed3 driving around. I also have a 1990 Turbo Miata but that is more driven for a track car.

I bought the Mazdaspeed in November of 2012 and it currently has 2900 miles on it, so you can tell its not driven much.

I'm thinking of selling the car and then buying another car but only for around $10-$15K and putting the rest in the bank as I save up for another house and a ring.

I'm looking for something that is fun to drive, comfortable and something I can "tinker" with. Obivously I don't want another 2 seater and I'll need something to lug around golf clubs and essentials.

Looking for any suggestions to start my search on.

Scooby.

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1375677774

it was one of my favorite cars thus far.
and I had some really cool cars in my day.
380whp 380wtq

oh man I miss it so bad

Volvo c30?

What is that 18? Forester?

Yup

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1375679521

some videos in there of it vs my friends bolt on Nismo 350z
https://www.miataturbo.net/build-thr...39/#post997718
The videos was on pump gas though, only 320/320
;)

What is your normal drive like? Lots of stop-and-go traffic, empty and winding backroads, mostly straight and flat highways?

If you could only pick two of the following, which would they be? acceleration, big power, handling

Does your $15k top of the range including modifications and initial maintenance/repair?

I love that car and think something along those lines (my first thought was a WRX wagon) might be the right answer, but I do not think you could replicate your particular XT for $15k. The car itself would fetch closer to $18k around here, I'd guess.

I sold it for a bit under 15 actually. Looking back I think that's really low and I was silly to let it go that low. But I got a killer deal on it, drove it for 2 years, and sold for more than I bought it so I'm not too upset over it :)

But yeah, with the mods it was closer to 20k. But who counts mods? lol. I got every single penny back for the mods, quality parts hold value really good.

My normal drive is basically communiting from home to work which is about a 15 minute, 6 mile drive of flat freeway so yes, nothing special and is the reason why the miles on my Mazdaspeed3 are still so low. You're talking about 50 miles a week for commuting if I drive it every day to work.

When I was first looking into daily drivers (had a 2005 GTO getting 12mpg) I thought Miata because of the MPG. Didn't expect any power and thought it'd be boring driver. Well now I have two of them and think they are the most fun cars to drive haha. So if I had to choose, I'd say I want low end torque (like a turbo Miata has) plus handling. I've always liked smaller cars (had an RX8, two FD RX7s, Audi S4, etc) but again, this time I have to get a "bigger" car but still handles and has that acceleration power.

$15K will be just to get the car in great shape. Modifications can come at a later date and will not be influenced in the price. I mean if I could find a well put together already built car for that price, then great the better. But my concern is to ensure that the car is well put together, documented and has it's standard maintenance up so I don't run into a trouble pit after spending $15K cost of the car.

What the- ?! I assume you parted it out and put back to near-stock for that price? Or it was higher mileage than I am assuming?

This is a challenge. You are asking for a "bigger" car that still handles, has torque, and acceleration power but saying you prefer smaller, more nimble cars.

How much stuff are you talking about carrying and how often? How many people and how often? One set of golf clubs will fit in pretty much anything bigger than a roadster.

One option you could consider, though I have not priced them out recently, is a 2005 - 2006 G35 sedan. The 5AT is pretty good and they are available (but rare) with a 6-speed, 3-pedal gearbox. Handling is very neutral, they are a little luxurious, and they can look very sharp with some subtle mods like wheels and tires. It's also something your significant other won't be embarrassed to ride in on date night.

The VG35 engine aftermarket (at least for bolt-ons) is well established so some minor tweaks could fulfill your desire to tinker without killing reliability.

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1375714477

yeah mostly back to stock except the wheels and suspension. 40k miles and in tip top shape.

the guy bought it on the spot, literally in like 10 minutes.

As soon as that happened I realized I priced it WAYY low lol

oh well...he better treat it well

Wait...wut.

18 duzn't have a 400hp lezwagon anymore?

Where was I when this all happened. Did you sell it when you got the Corvette? Did I miss out on the FXT part out too?

WTF

(lol at thread drift...)

Yep. Sold and bought the corvette. The corvette is cool and all, but nowhere near as cool as the lezwagon was, and I really miss it.

But fear not, for another subaru will soon be mine :brain:

slightly used civic si. Ya it's a honda... but i think they're a great mix of comfort with just a touch of performance to not get too boring as a daily. Plus great reliability, easy to find used oem parts and a good aftermarket support.

they're dangerous beause many fall asleep and die before vtak kicks in

All it needs is a kpro and set vtak engagement at 2000 rpm. Or maybe make it idle with vtaks. No low end torque tho.

Also maybe an Acura TSX 6 spd. IMO perfect daily driver. (Maybe i just miss my old hondas).

I've had 4 RSX's and a TSX.

After experiencing cars with actual torque, I do not miss any of them.

Maybe I should never turbo my miata so I will never know what a good torque to weight ratio car feels like and mediocre cars will keep me entertained. Ignorance is bliss.

Haha, I've owned two FD RX7s and although I brought one to single turbo and it was pushing 400rwhp+ I rather have that low end torque to power around on the streets than a wild n crazy ride at the top end.

That is actually pretty sound logic.
After getting into awd turbo cars where you get over 200wtq early in the rev range and can actually get it to the ground without spinning, you basically hate life in a torqueless fwd.