Time to choose a new car! Suggestions help?

[GMichie]

Hello, well ive almost paid off my old car, and its time to look for a new one!
My last car was an s2000, and it ended in a small accident.
Im 21 years old, and have been driving for four years.
I drive about 10-12k miles a year, and this will be used as a daily, so needs to be semi-reliable

Basically ive narrowed my car choice down to 3 cars, they are 3 totally different cars.

1. Honda integra DC5

I like this car as it is FWD, fun to rev it to 9k, and takes alot of punishment. You could hit the redline all day long and it will thank you for it! Since I had an accident in a RWD car, FWD is attractive at the moment!

2. Subaru Impreza P1

Totally different car to the DC5, 4WD, more power, and a turbo. It will be more expensive to run, but the looks of the 3door is gorgeous, and the power puts a big grin on your face!

3. 350Z

Again, totally different car. RWD 270-300bhp, but slightly heavier. Only 2 seats, but to be honest, I hardly have more than 2 in my car, but theres always going to be that time when extra seats would be handy. RWD, so im a little hesitant to buy this. But supposidly one of Tiff Needells favourite cars, so it cant be too shabby!


So 3 different cars, but a little help deciding would be nice!
3 different types of cars, any other car suggestions will be taken into account.
Im going to test drive them all again to see which I like best, but if anybody knows anything about reliability ect, please share.

[dazwalsh]

I would buy another Honda S2000 over any of them lot. They are still great looking machines

[GMichie]

I was thinking about another s2k, but it would have to be a second car, they just arent daily drivers.

[MajorProblem]

P1

[GMichie]

Gaz. said:

Of course they are, just not for you.

By the sounds of it, youve never driven an s2k.

[R I C H]

GMichie said:

By the sounds of it, youve never driven an s2k.

Does he need to have done? Anything you like can be a daily driver, there's just different levels of commitment and comfort between vehicles.

[hammerrr7]

I know you've narrowed your search down, however have you considered a E46 M3?

Great for daily drivers, similar sort of power output as your top 3 and with additional seats in case you need them?

[GMichie]

hammerrr7 said:

I know you've narrowed your search down, however have you considered a E46 M3?

Great for daily drivers, similar sort of power output as your top 3 and with additional seats in case you need them?

Yes I have looked into an m3, I prefer the e36 to the e46, but I already own an e36 325, so fancy something a bit different!

[Riknos]

GMichie said:

Gaz. said:

Of course they are, just not for you.

By the sounds of it, youve never driven an s2k.

He has. Gaz owns an S2000

The majority of people daily drive their S2000. I can't see why it's an issue?

It's not some old unreliable bit of kit? It's not uncomfortable? or impractical? (like a kit car impractical?)

I daily drive mine, do long motorway trips etc and it's 100% up to the task!
Load of rubbish spouted on here...

[ORD]

You had an accident from bad luck and/or driving, not from having a RWD car. If you dump RWD in favour of FWD because of an accident that was nothing to do with your car/driving, that makes no sense; if you dump RWD for an accident that was your fault, you should instead learn to drive more safely/defensively.

(I am not trying to be rude. I am only concerned that you not let an accident accident limit your car choices.)

[CrouchingWayne]

A good P1 would be great, but I think there is an issue with engine reliability due to Subaru not mapping it correctly for UK fuel, just in case you weren't aware.

[jamieduff1981]

ORD said:

You had an accident from bad luck and/or driving, not from having a RWD car. If you dump RWD in favour of FWD because of an accident that was nothing to do with your car/driving, that makes no sense; if you dump RWD for an accident that was your fault, you should instead learn to drive more safely/defensively.

(I am not trying to be rude. I am only concerned that you not let an accident accident limit your car choices.)

+1

There's nothing wrong with the car or the drive configuration. From your apprehension towards RWD now, it sounds as though you suffered from a lack of due care at some some in your journey. RWD will make you a more aware driver. AWD is something you can exploit if RWD can't go fast enough on a rally stage. It is not, IMHO, a substitute for having a basic level of awareness of how much loud pedal you can apply on a given road surface with a given lateral G.

If you screwed up with RWD and ended up having a small accident, you'll screw up with FWD or AWD too, only you'll possibly be carrying more speed in to the crash when you do.

[Shaw Tarse]

GMichie said:

Gaz. said:

Of course they are, just not for you.

By the sounds of it, youve never driven an s2k.

By the sounds of it you haven't looked at his garage?

[Clivey]

jamieduff1981 said:

ORD said:

You had an accident from bad luck and/or driving, not from having a RWD car. If you dump RWD in favour of FWD because of an accident that was nothing to do with your car/driving, that makes no sense; if you dump RWD for an accident that was your fault, you should instead learn to drive more safely/defensively.

(I am not trying to be rude. I am only concerned that you not let an accident accident limit your car choices.)

+1

There's nothing wrong with the car or the drive configuration. From your apprehension towards RWD now, it sounds as though you suffered from a lack of due care at some some in your journey. RWD will make you a more aware driver. AWD is something you can exploit if RWD can't go fast enough on a rally stage. It is not, IMHO, a substitute for having a basic level of awareness of how much loud pedal you can apply on a given road surface with a given lateral G.

If you screwed up with RWD and ended up having a small accident, you'll screw up with FWD or AWD too, only you'll possibly be carrying more speed in to the crash when you do.

I also agree with the above. Don't let it limit your choice OP! - If RWD was a "problem", why is it the default choice for a sports/supercar?

Of the above, I'd choose a 350Z...but an E46 M3 above that if I could afford to run one as a daily. As it is, my own plan is to eventually get a TVR Tuscan S, with an E46 330Ci as "backup".

[GMichie]

I agree, my hesitation to drive a rwd car is because of my accident, I was driving too fast on roads I thought I knew in a car I wasn't used to with a bad attitude to driving. My inexperience caused the crash. So I am slightly weary of having a rwd car again.

But an s2k is not an option for me to drive daily, I am an electrician, and sometime require to have a few tools with me at times, so if I need a set of steps I couldn't use the s2k.

And yes thanks, I know about the p1 map with 99ron feul, but if you get a looked after one it's fine!

[hammerrr7]

Clivey said:

jamieduff1981 said:

ORD said:

You had an accident from bad luck and/or driving, not from having a RWD car. If you dump RWD in favour of FWD because of an accident that was nothing to do with your car/driving, that makes no sense; if you dump RWD for an accident that was your fault, you should instead learn to drive more safely/defensively.

(I am not trying to be rude. I am only concerned that you not let an accident accident limit your car choices.)

+1

There's nothing wrong with the car or the drive configuration. From your apprehension towards RWD now, it sounds as though you suffered from a lack of due care at some some in your journey. RWD will make you a more aware driver. AWD is something you can exploit if RWD can't go fast enough on a rally stage. It is not, IMHO, a substitute for having a basic level of awareness of how much loud pedal you can apply on a given road surface with a given lateral G.

If you screwed up with RWD and ended up having a small accident, you'll screw up with FWD or AWD too, only you'll possibly be carrying more speed in to the crash when you do.

I also agree with the above. Don't let it limit your choice OP! - If RWD was a "problem", why is it the default choice for a sports/supercar?

Of the above, I'd choose a 350Z...but an E46 M3 above that if I could afford to run one as a daily. As it is, my own plan is to eventually get a TVR Tuscan S, with an E46 330Ci as "backup".

+1 on the E46 330ci as a backup. I throughly enjoyed any drive in that car, perfect all rounder!

[hammerrr7]

GMichie said:

hammerrr7 said:

I know you've narrowed your search down, however have you considered a E46 M3?

Great for daily drivers, similar sort of power output as your top 3 and with additional seats in case you need them?

Yes I have looked into an m3, I prefer the e36 to the e46, but I already own an e36 325, so fancy something a bit different!

You have good taste!

[randomman]

I can't help but put another vote into the S2k tin, I think it would be faster and revvier than the Integra, more reliable and better on fuel then the Impreza and so much more fun with the top off then the 350z.

With regards to daily driving - I have a MK3 MR2 Roadster and use it as a daily all year round - where there is a will there is a way!

[blasos]

I'd have the DC5. It looks great and will be cheaper to run than the others. There is plenty of performance there too.

[Clivey]

GMichie said:

I agree, my hesitation to drive a rwd car is because of my accident, I was driving too fast on roads I thought I knew in a car I wasn't used to with a bad attitude to driving. My inexperience caused the crash. So I am slightly weary of having a rwd car again.

In that case, the best investment you can make is some driver training. - It's no use having "All the gear, no idea" and you'll find that training will let you get the best out of whatever you buy. - More power makes you faster on the straight bits; being a better pilot makes you faster everywhere else and you have more fun doing it!

GMichie said:

But an s2k is not an option for me to drive daily, I am an electrician, and sometime require to have a few tools with me at times, so if I need a set of steps I couldn't use the s2k.

And yes thanks, I know about the p1 map with 99ron feul, but if you get a looked after one it's fine!

In that case, have you seen the boot space of a 350Z? It's got a rear suspension brace right across, making it not very practical.



Z4 Coupé for comparison:



The Z4 3.0Si is also a bit better on fuel than a 350Z, if that's a concern.

If you need more space, try a 330Ci / Alpina B3 / E46 M3 depending on where on the "performance : running costs" ratio you want to be.

hammerrr7 said:

+1 on the E46 330ci as a backup. I throughly enjoyed any drive in that car, perfect all rounder!

I'm currently looking for a "keeper" (Have a 320i saloon at the moment).