Modern DD Alternatives for the Garage Impaired?

[Nomad_K]

I will be headed back to the US this summer and am looking for a new ride. While I would love to pick up an early GTO or Gen I Camaro, I will probably not have a garage and don’t know about daily driving either of the above without time and space to work on them regularly.

So - what are some fun, reliable daily drivers on the used car market? At the moment I have considered a CTS-V (solid other than the rear end?) or a Pontiac G8 GT (relatively low profile). I have thought about a C6 (can you have more fun with a used car for 30K?) but I would like something a little more 'low profile.'

If anyone has other ideas - later model, RWD/AWD, decent economy, above average reliability and a few airbags for driving the other half around - give me a shout!

[Shiro666]

I assume your price range is aroung 20-30k?

'09 WRX '08, '09 STI: Rugged, comfortable, all weather. Plenty of room in the hatch for stuff/dogs.

350/370Z: Not my cup of tea, but people seem to like them.

Audi S4/RS4: Nice, if under warantee.

Trailblazer SS: Just 'cause I kinda want one.

-Shiro666

[monza]

I'm sure I'll get flamed but I've always liked Volvo's. A CTS-V is a nice choice, fast cars in Cadillac clothing...

[subtlez28]

Sounds like you are a GM guy (as am I), so I would say G8 or CTS-V. A low mile newer GTO may also work nicely. A low mile 4th Gen Z28 or Formula are kinda low profile, though admittedly not the most ideal daily driver.

However, I must admit with the exception of the lack of a manual trans I like 300Cs and Chargers. They are on an old Mercedes platform, not your typical Chrysler product. And modern Hemis are impressive. You can get a stick in a Challenger though (if 2 doors will work for you - though not real low profile).

And to be honest, Ford is my least favorite of the big three, but, 05 to current Mustangs are pretty nice.

[WS6]

modern GTO, CTSv, or G8 GT would be my choice.

[724tim]

dodge magnum srt
jeep grand cherokee srt
chrysler 300c srt
ford tarus sho

[jski67]

My daily driver is a C6 and I have no regrets...I got it to replace my daily driven C5. Awesome cars and very easy to live with on a daily basis.

I hear you about the "lower profile". My '04 was silver and my new one is cyber gray...both look awesome without shouting, "hey, look at me". (which is not the reason I bought it)

Just my opinion, but daily driving my vette makes it ten times more enjoyable to me...

[Chad-1stGen]

C6 is lower profile than an old GTO or Gen 1 Camaro IMO :)

[Bishop73]

G8, low profile with all the power you'll need and the comfort to boot. Think, 4 door Vette.

[Norwoodx55]

I'm sure I'll get flamed but I've always liked Volvo's.


No flaming here, I like Vulvas too!:naughty:

[Nomad_K]

Hey guys,

Thank you all for the fantastic responses! As for price - I did forget to mention a range but Shiro nailed it 20-30K.

Volvos - the family had a 240 for 20 years :) I am partial to them and there are some kicking deals on the S80. Current Volvo fans recommend passing them along when the warranty is up though - maybe that is not such a bad thing. Same deal with the Audi S4 (previous platform, V8 is a brilliant car but the engines suffer from $$$ carbon build up).

The Subaru STI and Lancer Evo (IX or X) make sense. A great deal of sense. However, I was looking for something built 'back home.'

Chrysler - the Challenger/Charger/300c all look good - really good. You can laugh at someone considering all of these V8 cars, but the difference in fuel economy between the SRT-8 cars and a C6 blows me away. Obviously, I have not asked for anyone's thoughts on a Prius, but I would like to burn a little less gas if possible. Now, if anyone finds a way to register a diesel 300 from Europe :)

As far as being a GM guy - everyone sees the light eventually! Some time in Australia and a few spins in the odd Monaro/GTO and Commodore/G8 provided a great awakening of sorts. I like the looks and drivetrain on the 4th Gen Camaro - I never got comfortable with (imho) restricted visibility out the rear though. I came really close to picking up an SLP equipped convertible a few years ago - perfect solution for the visibility issue.

At the end of the day though - I am leaning towards a CTS-V or C6. And yes, with so many of them floating around, the C6 is probably more low profile than a Gen I Camaro or GTO.

Thanks again for all of the thoughts and advice!

[Nomad_K]

G8, low profile with all the power you'll need and the comfort to boot. Think, 4 door Vette.

Bishop - I do like the low profile of the G8 - a lot. My only 'hang up' as such would be Pontiac having faded into history versus Cadillac being around to support the CTS-V with frequent rear differential replacements :hand: should the need arise. And I make that last comment mostly in jest - I realize that no car will be perfect.

[MonzaRacer]

Stop in Indiana had a southern Indiana Ford dealer selling a Roush Blackjack for like $25k! or:http://www.bedfordford.com/index.cfm?action=inventorysearch&subaction=searchlistnew&sortfilter=make&inventorytype=New&expanddescriptions=0&sortdirection=ASC&currentpage=1&make=Ford&model=Mustang

[-The Stig-]

I'll sell ya my Pontiac G8.. good price. https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/04/runrofl2-1.gif (http://smiliesftw.com)


Serious though.https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/04/squintrun-1.gif (http://smiliesftw.com)

[srh3trinity]

I would get a CTS-V, a perfect blend of practicality and complete impracticality. The G8 would be high on my list too. I love C6's, but if I bought one, every time I passed a C6 Z06 my stomach would turn bec1use the Z06 is so much cooler.

[Nomad_K]

I would get a CTS-V, a perfect blend of practicality and complete impracticality. The G8 would be high on my list too. I love C6's, but if I bought one, every time I passed a C6 Z06 my stomach would turn because the Z06 is so much cooler.

Too true about the V - I just need to find one with a recently repaired rear end.

As for the Z06 vs a standard C6... you know, by the end of summer, I could probably find a 2006 Z06 for... :yum:

Stig - I will drop you a note.

Ford fans - I have been a classic Mustang fan for ages and the Roush suggestion has rekindled the flame. I have send a few emails about Stage 3's and Blackjack's floating around. If someone here is looking to unload a Blackjack, drop me a PM! The Taurus SHO - twin turbo 6, Haldex AWD, and... 44xx pounds :eek: . If there was a weight reduction program for that beast... The Saab 9-3 Turbo X would be a tempting alternative coming in 700 lb's lighter but I wonder how long the brand will be around.

[surlyjoe]

I thought the cts-v diff problem was cured by suspension mods to get rid of excessive wheel hop. Cts-v would be my recommendation, I will be looking at one myself in the next year or so.

[CamaroAJ]

my girlfriend drives a '04 CTS-V. the diff problem is fixed with a '06 diff.

and yes i turned her into a gearhead and she loves driving that thing.

[ConnorB]

Not "home built", but my DD is a 2001 M5. I'm honestly in love with this thing. It's Comfortable, good looks (opinion), reliable, and a god damn blast to drive. It honestly reminds me of a modern day muscle car with some German flavor. It's got a 5L V8 - 400 hp, tons of torque everywhere. I've got headers, x-pipe and different mufflers on it and the sound will stand the hair up on the back of your neck. My buddy with a C6 Z06 says is sounds better than his car...

Might be worth looking into, at least!

[Nomad_K]

Good info on the 2006 and up CTS-V; I thought the 06 and 07 still had a few issues so I will have to check and see whether they changed the housing (thought it was still aluminum) or internals.

Connor - E39 M5 - an unexpected but damn nice compliment to the 67 Firebird. The E39 M5, W210 E55, and older RS6 are all bad, bad cars. I would just loose sleep over the potential for some $$$ part to let out the week after I bought it. Do you handle most of the work on it, have a good independent BMW mechanic, or an unusually helpful dealer?

[12meni]

QUOTE=ConnorB;663754]Not "home built", but my DD is a 2001 M5. I'm honestly in love with this thing. It's Comfortable, good looks (opinion), reliable, and a god damn blast to drive. It honestly reminds me of a modern day muscle car with some German flavor. It's got a 5L V8 - 400 hp, tons of torque everywhere. I've got headers, x-pipe and different mufflers on it and the sound will stand the hair up on the back of your neck. My buddy with a C6 Z06 says is sounds better than his car...

Might be worth looking into, at least![/QUOTE]

Wow. You mean there's 2 of us in this world? I absolutely love my E39 528i. I just finished installing a set of Vogtland Springs/shocks this weekend and would drive it across the country tomorrow. My 67 F/B conv. is the perfect combo of fun to drive and cruise the family:).

37636

[ConnorB]

Connor - E39 M5 - an unexpected but damn nice compliment to the 67 Firebird. The E39 M5, W210 E55, and older RS6 are all bad, bad cars. I would just loose sleep over the potential for some $$$ part to let out the week after I bought it. Do you handle most of the work on it, have a good independent BMW mechanic, or an unusually helpful dealer?

I do a lot of the work myself, but the more involved stuff I usually leave to an independent shop. Over the past year I replaced the front suspension arms/ball joints, did my valve cover gaskets, put in new plugs and a few other small jobs.
I am good friends with a mechanic at a local shop, so he gets all my more involved jobs done. He replaced a leaking rear main seal, and tomorrow it is going in to have the steering box replaced.

The car has 90k miles on it, so things are going to need to be replaced/fixed. A lot of the stuff I replaced because I want everything perfect with it, but wasn't completely necessary. If I had a lift available to use, I would feel much more comfortable doing more work on it.

They were made from '00 to '03. '01 and up had the infamous VANOS issues pretty much fixed, as well as the secondary air system carbon build up issues. If you found a well kept '01 to '03 example with maintenance records, it would likely serve you very well.


QUOTE=ConnorB;663754]
Wow. You mean there's 2 of us in this world? I absolutely love my E39 528i. I just finished installing a set of Vogtland Springs/shocks this weekend and would drive it across the country tomorrow. My 67 F/B conv. is the perfect combo of fun to drive and cruise the family:).

37636

Twins!!

:idea:

We've talked before, I'm Firebird400 on bimmerforums :)

[turbo kid]

I have a 1999 c5 vette and love it.They are very cheep with 100k on them and they are still very nice cars for a daily driver.

[12meni]

Twins!!

:idea:

We've talked before, I'm Firebird400 on bimmerforums :)[/QUOTE]

Hey, great minds think in the same rut, what can I tell ya.:1st:
Geoff

[Nomad_K]

Turbo Kid - thank you for the thoughts on a C5 - I was looking at C5 Z06's but two 'Vette friends recommended a C6.


Twins!!

:idea:

We've talked before, I'm Firebird400 on bimmerforums :)

Hey, great minds think in the same rut, what can I tell ya.:1st:
Geoff[/QUOTE]

Glad to see a random question bringing a few PT people back together!

I have put in an inquiry about one or two C6's (not Z06 - budget), and one Roush Stage 3. Now I have to wonder about an '08 Roush vs a 2011 GT with the new Coyote engine when the Ford Racing SC for the 2011 comes out...

[93Polo]

As a former C5 owner, I would pull service records on any 05/06 C6. The early C6s had their share of problems. I know a few guys that regretted giving up their C5 for an early C6. The late C5s really had the bugs ironed out

[jy211]

For $30K or close to it, you can get a brand new RT Challenger :idea:

[madmax]

For $30K or close to it, you can get a brand new RT Challenger :idea:

You can also pick up an '06+ C6 for 30k now. '06 Z06s are starting to hit $35k.

[-The Stig-]

I still say buy my G8... cheaper than all those options. lol

[madmax]

i still say buy my g8... Cheaper than all those options. Lol

gt?