YACST... Sports car or commuter?

[SpatiallyAware]

(Yet Another Car Suggestion)

I used to ride sportbikes all the time, including commuting + weekends. I racked up a shit ton of miles over 10 years and I'm just sorta... done with it for awhile. I'm at the point with work where I simply cannot be laid up in a hospital for a month (or worse....)

I still have a bike, and thus need a truck (also have a house, so need a truck for that). I currently drive a 10+ year old Ranger (5sp, 4cyl, manual everything w/ 140k miles) ~80 miles a day commuting.

I really miss having a 'sports' vehicle.. I love feeling connected with the road, tooling around in the mountains fpr 4-5 hours, and even don't mind commuting with them.


Thoughts? My truck isn't worth much, probably not worth selling. I'm looking at z4 M coupes, but the 'logical/getting responsible' side of me is saying to get a reliable cheapish commuter.. I'd rack up miles quick in the car, and I'm done commuting in my truck.

I could..

Get a cheap Miata/other, and nice commuter (M45/545i maybe? I like techish stuff)

Get a nice M car, and cheap commuter (Corolla, something where MPG is great)

Get a nice M car, commute with it and keep my truck.


In the past I tend to cycle through bikes/cars because I never really buy exactly what I want.. But those years of responsibility have paid off, I really wouldn't have an issue buying any of these vehicles. I can't move closer to work for 6-12 months and that's not a factor in this.

I'm not at all concerned with maintenance but I don't want a car with a bunch of 'known issues' you have to watch out for. I'm assuming the S54 motor is good for 100k+ miles if maintained?

 

[amdhunter]

Sport car. You only live once.

 

[Vette73]

Get a sporty econo car.

Off the top of my head like something like the Hyundai genesis turbo 4cyl.
With a car like that you can beef up the suspension with aftermarket items and when just crusing to work the turbo will spool down so you get decent gas milage.

Of course I have a CTS for baby hauling, old truck, and a Corvette. So I have a little of all.

 

[SpatiallyAware]

Get a sporty econo car.

Off the top of my head like something like the Hyundai genesis turbo 4cyl.
With a car like that you can beef up the suspension with aftermarket items and when just crusing to work the turbo will spool down so you get decent gas milage.

Of course I have a CTS for baby hauling, old truck, and a Corvette. So I have a little of all.

I would rather buy a car that is already close to what I want then have to mod and mess with it.. I like the CTS but I'm a single guy with little need for a back seat.. If anything maybe a G35

I'm also not too stressed out about mpg. The difference between 20mpg and 30mpg is about $700/yr, and within 12 months I'm moving much closer.

 

[Vette73]

I would rather buy a car that is already close to what I want then have to mod and mess with it.. I like the CTS but I'm a single guy with little need for a back seat.. If anything maybe a G35

I'm also not too stressed out about mpg. The difference between 20mpg and 30mpg is about $700/yr, and within 12 months I'm moving much closer.

Well the Hyundai genesis does have the R-spec (or something like that) model with the upgarde susupension already.
http://blogs.automotive.com/6446812...oupe-r-spec-geared-for-tuner-crowd/index.html


Just saying there are plenty of fun cars that get decent milage, that being one that was on the top of my head as I read your question.

 

[vshah]

if it were me, i'm sure i would just end up driving the fun car all the time. the commuter would get no use. so i suggest you find a car that is fun yet comfortable enough to commute in. you said it yourself, economy isn't all that important to you. i would get a 335is if i were you.

 

[thedarkwolf]

Get a miata. I use mine as my commuter. I have a beater minivan for when I need to haul crap.
S2000s are pretty nice and getting fairly cheap now too.

 

[yhelothar]

I'd second the S2000. Closest thing to a sportsbike while retaining a luxurious leather interior with a fully decked out sound system and climate control.

 

[StageLeft]

Sport car. You only live once.

If he's used to sport bikes he'll need a murcielago to compare.

If you want a good commuter check out--this month--Toyota Prius leasing. Their rates really are great and no reason to get a smaller, lamer corolla given how good the Prius is on gas. You can get one for a couple thousand out of pocket only and then $180-190/month. Put in gas savings and it's an attractive price. That is only if you're considering a soulless commuter, though. If you have some spare cash you can probably live richer, get the G

 

[coxmaster]

If he's used to sport bikes he'll need a murcielago to compare.

If you want a good commuter check out--this month--Toyota Prius leasing. Their rates really are great and no reason to get a smaller, lamer corolla given how good the Prius is on gas. You can get one for a couple thousand out of pocket only and then $180-190/month. Put in gas savings and it's an attractive price. That is only if you're considering a soulless commuter, though. If you have some spare cash you can probably live richer, get the G

Can we just make a sticky for Skoorb? Then he wouldnt have to advertise the prius deal in every thread

 

[JeffreyLebowski]

Well what's your budget?
If you're talking about M series BMW's, screw that, buy a vette and be done with it. Keep the truck for hauling crap.
The Vette is going to be more reliable than the M3 series BMW, cheaper and get better highway milage.

 

[vshah]

If he's used to sport bikes he'll need a murcielago to compare.

not in the corners...

 

[MotF Bane]

Sports car for sure. You'd lose your sanity in a shitbox.

 

[ayabe]

Leasing wouldn't work for him since he'd probably hit the mileage cap in a little over a year and a half.

80 miles a day comes out to 20800 miles a year just to drive to and from work.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Honestly, I say to keep the truck whatever you do.

Of the options, I say that you should get the M car and commute with it. I definitely believe in driving the "fun car" for everyday uses as much as is possible. If you got a fun car and a Corolla, you'd be cursing the Corolla all the time and wishing you were commuting with the fun car anyway, so might as well find a car that can do both.

ZV

 

[vshah]

if you're looking for a cheaper option, any of the sporty compacts could work. GTI/mazdaspeed 3 etc. I don't commute in my SI anymore, but when I did last summer i was happy for the excuse to drive it every day, and it got me 35mpg If i was careful on the gas, although i rarely was

so many options on the new and used market that can fulfill both purposes well....what exactly is your budget and do you have any other preferences?

 

[SpatiallyAware]

I've pretty much settled on a M coupe, it's just a matter of finding a decent private party one.

 

[vshah]

most excellent decision

don't wimp out like ZV did (i kid, i kid)

 

[yh125d]

This could realy go anywhere, if you're ranging from commuter cars to M cars.

Depending on what you decide to spend and where in the commuter----------------sports car spectrum you land, here's a few idears...

5.0 'stang
genesis 3.8
STI/evo?
GTI
335
RX8
G8 GT/GXP

And don't rule out sedans just cause you're single. I'm single too and I drive a Fusion. Having the back seat was nice when I bought my 52" TV, it fit in there

 

[LordMorpheus]

(Yet Another Car Suggestion)

I used to ride sportbikes all the time, including commuting + weekends. I racked up a shit ton of miles over 10 years and I'm just sorta... done with it for awhile. I'm at the point with work where I simply cannot be laid up in a hospital for a month (or worse....)

I still have a bike, and thus need a truck (also have a house, so need a truck for that). I currently drive a 10+ year old Ranger (5sp, 4cyl, manual everything w/ 140k miles) ~80 miles a day commuting.

I really miss having a 'sports' vehicle.. I love feeling connected with the road, tooling around in the mountains fpr 4-5 hours, and even don't mind commuting with them.


Thoughts? My truck isn't worth much, probably not worth selling. I'm looking at z4 M coupes, but the 'logical/getting responsible' side of me is saying to get a reliable cheapish commuter.. I'd rack up miles quick in the car, and I'm done commuting in my truck.

I could..

Get a cheap Miata/other, and nice commuter (M45/545i maybe? I like techish stuff)

Get a nice M car, and cheap commuter (Corolla, something where MPG is great)

Get a nice M car, commute with it and keep my truck.


In the past I tend to cycle through bikes/cars because I never really buy exactly what I want.. But those years of responsibility have paid off, I really wouldn't have an issue buying any of these vehicles. I can't move closer to work for 6-12 months and that's not a factor in this.

I'm not at all concerned with maintenance but I don't want a car with a bunch of 'known issues' you have to watch out for. I'm assuming the S54 motor is good for 100k+ miles if maintained?

The 2011 Mustang GT makes around 440 horsepower (at least that's what the journalists have seen when they dynoed one) and gets high 20s mpg on the highway.

You could do worse.

 

[Arkaign]

Are you talking E85 Z4M? The land shark? Unless you're dead set on a 'vert, have you considered getting an E46 M3? They're in the same price neighborhood, will offer approximately equal straight-line performance, but IMHO are a lot more predictable/stable in the corners. Something about the BMW Z4 doesn't 'feel' right to me. I haven't driven the M model, but I really preferred the old Z3s, but those still didn't have that magic feeling of being planted and ready to go wherever you want. Maybe it's a weight-distribution issue, TBH I don't know.

I'm just throwing my 1.5 cents in there, I've driven every BMW I can get my hands on, and the Z4 just isn't my cup of tea. Nice car though, and the '09+ look really sweet (haven't driven one yet, probably won't unless someone tells me they're much different).

 

[lastig21]

If you're going to keep it as long as the Ranger, I vote for the M35. Not as much power as the M45, but a proven engine. Admittedly, I am biased

Having the M35 though, I still find myself wanting the sports car for the weekends. I wonder if I had bought the sports car, if I would find myself wanting the sedan? The easiest cure may be to just buy both. I vote M and Vette!

 

[JulesMaximus]

Can we just make a sticky for Skoorb? Then he wouldnt have to advertise the prius deal in every thread

Well, hold onto your hat cockmaster because I'm about to recommend a...ehem, Lotus Elise.

You can pick up a slightly used Elise for around $30k. Nothing is more fun for canyon carving and motorcycle like responsiveness than...not in that price range anyway and if you could live with commuting on a bike 5 days a week then a Lotus Elise would be downright cush in comparison. Oh, and the Elise gets nearly 30mpg city too.

 

[Arkaign]

Well, hold onto your hat cocksmaster because I'm about to recommend a...ehem, Lotus Elise.

You can pick up a slightly used Elise for around $30k. Nothing is more fun for canyon carving and motorcycle like responsiveness than...not in that price range anyway and if you could live with commuting on a bike 5 days a week then a Lotus Elise would be downright cush in comparison. Oh, and the Elise gets nearly 30mpg city too.

As a bonus, it's relatively easy to add power to the Toyota-sourced motors in the Elise/Exige.

 

[ayabe]

As a bonus, it's relatively easy to add power to the Toyota-sourced motors in the Elise/Exige.

Yeah and the Evora(sp?) has the Camry V6, some wacky times we live in my friends.