I personally am NOT a fan of BMW. I have driven several different ones including (back in 06) the brand new Z4 roadster. My 97 maxima would stay with it in a straight line and the car was nearly $40,000 new. Yes it would out handle the heck out of my max but wasnt as fast as i expected. I also drove a 2007 328i, 2007 750Li, and an 07 X5, and an 2008 M5. Dont get me wrong, They were extremely nice cars. But not worth the price in my opinion. They were all extremely heavy and boatish to me. I just couldn't justify spending that kind of money on something that a car for a 1/3 of the price could outrun.

(btw, I was dated a very rich girl lol)

I would personally consider the Infiniti over all.

Just my .02.

 

I'm not a big fan of the newer model BMW's. There's just too many electronic gadgets (idrive) for me that take away from BMW's core philosophy of being a driver's car.

 

Well, I just bought this...


so, maybe you can guess what my opinion on the topic is. Although, my dad really loves his 05 G35 Sport, too, so I would recommend either.

 

So how fast does it go on the Autobahn?

 

Well coming from BMW I can say this. The E34 M5 is an AWESOME car but anything with M in front of it is no joke. In the Bimmer world "M" stands for M-ore money. I had an E39 myself and did all of my own work. To get into the real work you need to buy some decent software to talk to the modules and what not. Carsoft is out there and there are more expensive options of course. If you don't mind buying parts and working on your own car then an E39 is a great option. I would go with a 2003 530I sport in 5 speed. Getting really hard to find. Cooling systems on those cars are disposeable. Figure about 80K before you have to swap everything out. Early Dual Vanos had issue's with the Vanos Seals in the M52TU and M54 motors. Easy fix just time consuming. The V8's models in the 5 Series and 7 Series also had timing chain guide issue's. Thats an expensive repair. Best bet if you want a V8 6 speed is a pre facelift V8 with single vanos. Those where just straight up V8 motors. Oh one thing also on the early ones are bad ABS modules also.
Thats why I went back to Japanese cars.
Hope this helps. Jump on Bimmerforums.com to get more info!

 

Well I've got a 6MT Acura TL Type S (Kinetic Blue Pearl) . I love it. Great car, fuel economy is great, good size as well. The clutch is a bit tricky and takes some time to get used to.

I picked up my 01 Maxima SE as a winter beater as the TL is stored. The Max is a great car as well for it's age. The motor has decent power to it for a 3.0L, I guess where it falls short is the 4speed auto. I wanted auto for the winter simply due to the horrible traffic I have to drive through when the snow hits plus I'd like to pass the max off to my wife for the summer.

Definitely give the TL a test drive however 6 speed manual is sooooo hard to find in Toronto. The one I got was from an Acura dealership and when I had called and went in the car was pending approval from finance for another buyer, fortunately it fell through and I got it!

 

You have pegged precisely my thoughts and wants there my friend. Unfortunately that is a super rare car here. This climate kills off most nice cars, especially older ones.

 

And thanks everyone for the great advice and knowledge especially on the Bimmers.

There's a C300 6speed I might have to run off to check out. Out of my price range, but it's a 2009 and a great price, rare as hell too.

 

Your car looks amazing as it is and has good mods added to it. To freshen up the things with the car and get some speed - get a swap, it will also bring up some numbers for efficiency (if driven not too fast).

Maxima is a great family car (for you son to be on the back) and you can start saving for a Viper in next 7 or 8 years as you mentioned.

Someone already said that Altima SE-R worth attention, just a lack of RWD - and that will help you in the winter.

We forgot to bring to you attension couple more cars - Volvo S60R - fast and safe, but comes with AWD and millage will not be that great. And you have one more - Audi A6 with 2.7 biturbo and 6 speed manual, that is only FWD or AWD.

It will be really hard to find something fast with good millage and V6 (almost all cars from you list). And selling a car with mods done to it doesn't bring up the price too much, but you know that.

 

Are you able to buy a car here in the U.S. and legally register it to drive in Canada, or is there alot of red tape, fees, etc that you have to get around?

 

^ quite a PITA now-a-days. They've made it tough due to the overwhelming number of people doing that when the dollar first came to par with yours. Instead of fixing the huge difference they just made it harder/more expensive to purchase things externally. Ridiculous. I'd have a JDM car if it weren't for the ridiculous Insurance and import fees that have been imposed in the last few years. Soon they'll have them black-balled completely I'm sure.

In either case, Shaks, thanks for your points. I've decided undoubtably I want RWD, so the Maxima will be sold and I'll be getting something else.

I took out a RX-8, I was impressed, rear seat access is fine, the only issue is a small trunk, but for the size of the car it's actually not bad at all. Might just do.

I have more research to do though, the rotary engine reliability and e-testing scares me a bit. Still might have a chance of getting on my list though.

 

I have seen horror stories about an RX8.... They are not exactly a reliable car after 80,000 miles. You will be looking at replacing Apex seals and rebuilding the motor. from what I understand, As long as they run they are nice but can not be expected to run for long. I kid I graduated with had his for 6 months and at 81,000 miles the motor was toast.
I would steer far far away from the rotory... just my .02

 

I've also not heard good things about that engine regarding reliability and repair cost, etc. Only known one person with an RX8, however.

Also, your mileage will tank. Those rotary engines get horrible mileage. Might as well own a big-block V8 if you're willing to accept those kinds of numbers.

But as far as design goes... super unique, and passably practical, with the hidden rear doors and all. Kind of "over-designed", IMO. But cool, nonetheless.

 

I know this will sound WAY off base considering the cars you've mentioned. Would a Mustang be something you'd consider as a reasonably fast RWD machine with upgrade potential. It might meet your price, mileage, reliability criteria, and IMHO the (retro) 05+ models aren't bad looking.

 

Mustang's still a coupe though, if it had a little hatch door I'd be interested for sure!


And yeah, the RX8 is off the list. I came to the same reliability, emmisions, and fuel consumption issues you guys mentioned while researching a bit today. Oh well. For now the list remains the same.

OT>>OT>>.....I still really really want a Viper......OT>>OT>> The guy around the corner from me had his white SRT-10 outtoday, must have beenc leaning the garage. I get a chub everytime I see that thing....I hope that doesn't make you all uncomfortable, but it's just ridiculous, I mean really, it's "free lap dance from the hottest stripper at the club" territory. That's a really lazy metaphor, it's quite a bit nicer than that but I'm tired. Feel free to come up with something better.

 

I suppose I could just buy a G35 sedan 6MT for around 10,000-13,000 and toss a few grand at it, lip kit, spoiler, tailight covers or something, maybe dual exhaust.

Ok that's already over a couple few grand..... car shopping is killing my pocketbook....

 

Oops forgot about that! HEY !!! How about the Viper's little brother the Charger?

 

No 6MT in the Charger, even when you get the SRT8. And the previous model Charger is hideous. The 2011 model is pretty sharp... at first glance. Up close, the interior fails, as does the fit & finish.

 

I like car shopping, you already have a nice car so you can just take your time too really hash out what you want. Selling sucks.
My vote is still for an E39 540i, only real compromise being mileage...but horses need too drink.

Also, the Viper....Yeah, I've never wanted one until this past summer when a friend bought one. I've driven it a handful of times now, its just pure raw power, Its too hot, too cramped and loud as hell with headers and straight pipes...but I love it.
Its the displacement experience that is simply unmatched. The throttle response, the instant kick in the back of the head torque, its something everyone should feel at least once.

 

This

Yes there is a 540i locally I'm going to try and test out in the next week or two. It's hideous, butchered with ebay lights, etc. I'd never buy this one specifically, but at least I can get a feel for how they drive, and the interior, etc.

Yes the viper is just nuts, as you well understand. I've always loved them, the 'new' style took a while to grow on me, but now I can't stop looking at it. Ah well I live in Canada that's a car I won't have until I have a good garage and some decent cash flow. But I will get one At that point hopefully I can stop playing with my DD, and I wont need to be so picky about my DD... down the road...

It really is too bad that the owner of your old car backed out of selling, I was at the minimum looking quite forward to taking it out for a test drive to see what a 'built' 3.5l Maxima could do.

 

There are some pretty basic life-constraints that get in the way of this, which is a commonly shared ambition for people like us.

• It's far easier to have a DD and a toy if you're single.
• Easier yet if you don't have any kids.
• And easiest still if you're income comfortably exceed your automotive funds.

However, all those considerations can be side-stepped if you have a 3-car garage.

Something to keep in mind for your next house, Tuner.

 

The Challenger SRT8 is available with a 6 speed manual. Nice driving car. The Viper on the other hand, not so much. If you want a weekend car, you could probably live with it. They just ride horribly. The huge rear tires aren't cheap either, and you'll be lucky to get 10 to 15K of mileage out of them. Despite the fact that they have massive rear tires, they can break traction alot easier than you think. There's no traction control or stability management if you decide to grow a pair. If you can live with the harsh ride, they can be fun to drive as long as you can exhibit self control to keep yourself from ending up in a ditch.

Another car to consider in the price range is surprisingly a 911 turbo. For the same amount of money, you can get a car that is quieter, handles better, gets better fuel economy, and is daily driveable, and faster. You don't have to worry about signing your death warrant if you have to drive in the rain. 911's with snow tires can also be driven during winter. The rear seats in a 911 are a joke and aren't meant for anyone larger than a 12 year old kid, but you can fold the seatbacks down which makes a flat shelf for stowing away luggage, or other stuff. The front trunk is also large enough to put several bags of groceries in.

Having worked at a sports car/luxury dealership for over 10 years, I have driven both the Viper and the 911 Turbo many times. If you want a play toy that you drive on occasion during good weather, the Viper is a fun car for that. If you want to drive something that is daily driveable and is the overall better car, get a 911 Turbo. And that is my two cents, and then some.

 

He's right about the 911. I had a friend with a 911 Twin-Turbo with AWD, and it was a very drivable, realistic car. Kind of low to the ground, but you guys seem to like that for some reason. It was also insanely fast... probably the fastest car I've ever been in. Too fast, IMO.

OAN, the car was sprung so tight... word to the wise, never get into a 911 if you have to pee. It will make for a very uncomfortable trip.

 

This does not calculate in our brain.

 

I know, I would have thought the same myself.

But when you get a car like that into traffic, you find you can do things that seem impossible. I suppose it all comes down to how much you trust yourself to restrain teh crazy.

My friend often told me that on the Porsche forums, the 911 GT is commonly referred to as "widow-maker". The AWD Twin-Turbo, not so much. But still, many, many accidents in those cars.

 

I love both of these cars. But comparing the 2 is kind of pointless. They each offer their own driving experience, I doubt there would be many people cross shopping these 2 very different animals.

I'll agree that the 911 Turbo could be considered "better" because its more diverse, quiet and comfortable.

It could also be argued that the Viper is "better" because it offers a much more raw, visceral experience.

On the note of handling I think that all comes down too the driver. Anyone can hop in a 911 Turbo and go fast, in a Viper you need too have skill and *****. I think the latest iteration of the ACR Viper holds some sort of Nurburgring ring record. Given the amount of Tech in 911 Turbos and GTRs its amazing that an N/A 2wd manual transmission car can compete and win.

 

You're right (naturally), I just checked since I was astounded by that revelation. I assumed it had an MT option. But NO MT is offered in any current Charger, a sacrilege for what was once a proud performance marque. I stand embarrassingly corrected, Charger my eye Bah!

 

Dodge is a funny thing. The Challenger turns my head with a visceral "gotta have it" response. But then when you get up close, study the car, sit in it... it feels like an impractical POS.

I rather imagine the Charger is more of the same, so I went to Dodge and looked at one last week. And I wasn't disappointed... meaning I was disappointed.

Didn't drive it, though. I wonder, would I be impressed with their new 8AT?

Probably not. Dodge.

 

The fastest car I've ever been in was a heavily modded MkIV Supra Turbo. It had been clocked by radar at 187 MPH top speed. When I went for a ride in it the owner took it easy, ONLY went ~170 and courteously slowed to take a corner at 150. The car was so brutally fast it could pull up along side a Buick Grand National running WFO, then punch it and pull away with enough thrust to push you back in the seat. Which probably to this day has a permanent impression of my bunghole!

 

The SRT 8 Challenger does have nicer interior over the lesser Challengers. There are thick bolstered seats that are comfortable yet sportingly supportive. The modern twist of the classic pistol grip shifter is cool, and makes shifting fun (I have driven one) However, you do get some of the cheap plastics as you get in most new cars today. The only thing that kills the car for me is the steering wheel. It's basically the same steering wheel they put on their minivans, and it ruins the interior feel of the car.

As far as driving it, they're fun. The torque backed by the 6 speed manual, and the clutch engagement are sporty. The ride is good, and the suspension is taught yet not abusive and soaks up bumps very well. They are heavy, so when you toss one around, it does feel a bit clumsy, but it's not all that bad. A good set of springs will do the car some good. It's not as sharp as a lighter sports car, but the handling is predictable. You do get some nose heavy understeer at slow cornering speeds, but a little throttle to rotate the rear around solves that.

Would I choose one over a new 5.0 GT Mustang? That's a tough call.

 

SAD! I remember back in the day, it was always the Chevy vs. Ford controversy. Until a Mopar showed up and settled who was fastest. I agree the Challenger is probably the best redux retro muscle car of the current bunch. It visually conjures up those old memories, which is why it has that visceral effect. The 05 Mustang did the same for me, since I owned a 65 Mustang "Fastback". But when you look up close the illusion fades. Sort of like the 'Goddess' sitting at the end of the bar when you're drunk. The next morning when you're sober...Not so good!

 

The "Boss" Mustang would be no contest. Of course the ONE car that always gives me a nut is a REAL 427 AC Cobra.

 

If I remember correctly, the chassis was from a European manufacturer, and the engine, drivetrain, and other go fast goodies were from Ford.

 

British specialist manufacturer, AC Cars had its small-volume production, AC Ace 2-seater roadster. This car had a hand-built body with a steel tube frame, and aluminium body panels. Carroll Shelby airmailed AC a letter asking them if they would build him a car modified to accept a V8 engine. AC agreed, provided a suitable engine could be found. The first 75 Cobra Mark I (including the prototype) were fitted with the 260 (4.2 L) Ford V8. The remaining 51 Mark I models were fitted with a larger version of the Windsor Ford engine, the 289 (4.7 L) V8. AC's chief engineer completed a major design change of the car's front end and was able to fit it with rack and pinion steering while still using transverse leaf spring suspension and was designated Mark II. A new car was designed in cooperation with Ford in Detroit and designated Mark III. A new chassis was built using 4 in (102 mm) main chassis tubes (up from 3 in (76 mm)) and coil spring suspension all around. The new car also had wide fenders and a larger radiator opening. It was powered by the "side oiler" Ford 427 engine (7.0 L) rated at 425 bhp (317 kW), which provided a top speed of 164 mph (262 km/h) in the standard model and 485 bhp (362 kW) with a top speed of 185 mph (298 km/h) in the competition model. The car would accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds, from 0 to 100 mph in 10.3 seconds and a quarter-mile in 12.4 seconds. The car could accelerate from 0 to 100 mph then decelerate to 0 in 14 seconds. The Cobra was the inspiration for the Viper, since Shelby was also involved in the Viper design. The Viper is capable of marginally exceeding the Cobra's performance with (~1.5 L) more displacement and ~40yrs. newer technology.

 

The car could accelerate from 0 to 100 mph then decelerate to 0 in 14 seconds.

[/quote]

Way ot, but that is quite an amazing feat for it's generation.

 

I've never driven a viper or a 911.... I think I need to go rent a car come spring, wonder how they deal with tire wear? Cause I'm going to roast some tires if I can. If I can't, I'll be tempted to abandon the idea.

That said, that RX-8 was fun to drift around the local streets. It was a crisp wintery morning with frost/snow on theground and the car had Directional summer tires with little tread, it was a good sideways adventure!

I am young enough to be foolish, but old enough to keep my cool and know limits, so I truly feel ready for a 300 SAE HP RWD car. There's a G35 Sedan in London for a great price, if it's still there and wasn't crashed up (price is a couple grand lower than par) I may buy it right there.

I can't stop wandering over to G35driver.com and eye-humping the Twin Turbo G35 sedan buddy has over there. It's incredible, 650 ft/lbs and 650 WHP, ****ing weapon, and you can still fit your buddies in the back!
He's also done a good job (IMO) of dealing with the back end fugliness.




Thread if anyone cares:

http://g35driver.com/forums/g35-seda...ddy-twins.html

 

There, I brought it back toward the topic, by adding the Shelby/Cobra/Viper connection.

 

That's funny for some reason.

I've been registered as "Rochester" on MyG37.com for over a year now, in prep for my next car... although I've hardly posted, since I don't actually have the car yet, you see.

IDK about G35driver.com, but I have a strong opinion that MyG37.com has far less to offer than Maxima.org. Most of the discussion on MyG37 has to do with BS factory options, tires, who paid the most for their *automatic* AWD car, etc. It feels to me that there are very few people there who mod their car. To be honest, it's kind of boring.

 

That G you posted is insane Tuner, a little over the top for my taste but a gorgeous car none the less.

For that kind of money you could be into a serious factory ready car though....

Once you drive a Viper you'll love it, sure you CAN roast the tires if you want but it also has an insane amount of grip. On public roads you are hard pressed too push its limits.

 

I can't speak for Vipers, but I do know that 911's tend to go through a set of rears in 15-20K miles, if equipped with high performance tires that they're supposed to have.