mwmorph

Diamond Member
Dec 27, 2004
8,877
1
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Alright fuys, it's that time again I have a decent pc, my mortagage is going wel and I have an excess of money and I'm still young. Now what better way to spend it than on my favorite hobby, a car.
I have a few choices.

Audi TT(coupe 2000)

Toyota MR2(Convertible 2002 Sequential Manual Tranny[6spd])[I already have a heavily modded sleeper MR2 but I dont want to pile on the miles on that thing. I want that car to last for the rest of my lifehopefully another 50-60 years.{I :heart: my MR2 Spyder}]

Porsche Boxster(coupe 1997)

BMW Z3(1997 2.8L or 1998 1.9L Convertibles)

Mazda Miata (2002)

What im looking for is quality which is a big if for my personal fave, the Porsche. I know quality has pick up as of late, but back in 1997 I dont really know, how reliable is the boxster and how much would matinence cost.

Also, it has to ba able to be a good daily driver. I drive around 50 miles a day so it has got to be able to hold up to high mileage.

Performance is fine all around. No complaints from me since if i want to drive something realyl fast, ill drive my soon to be weekend only MR2.

Obviously all the cars will be manual.
 

CraigRT

Lifer
Jun 16, 2000
31,440
5
0
I'd go for the newer Miata.. actually namely a Mazdaspeed if possible.. those are great cars, a BLAST to drive... and pretty economical too.
 
May 10, 2005
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I'm gonna vote boxster. Why? The Audi is a little overpriced for what you get (and looks..... different), you have an MR2, with the Z3, you'll experience more of the MR2 you have. Then it comes down to the Miata or Boxter. And when given the choice between a Porsche and a Mazda, what would you choose?
 

andylawcc

Lifer
Mar 9, 2000
18,183
3
81
Z3 had a 1.9L engine??

anyway, I'd pick a Miata, it would last longer than the others, and it's cheaper to maintain
 

mwmorph

Diamond Member
Dec 27, 2004
8,877
1
81
10-14K about price. S200 is just slightly out of that range i think.

early Z3 have a 1.9L 4 banger.
I'm not looking for power. All the cars i like are small and lightwhight(like me) and handle well.
 

SilentRavens

Senior member
Aug 20, 2003
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www.mhughes.info
Well the Prosche will be a blast to drive, and will probably take the miles fairly well, but, but, but maintanence will not be cheap. Same goes with the Z3 2.8, another good car.

Not entirely sure I would recommend the MR2, based on that fact that you already own one, and that I have yet to hear of or read about a good SMT for daily driving(I think you mean SMG).
 

mwmorph

Diamond Member
Dec 27, 2004
8,877
1
81
anyone know about reliability record for 1997 porsche boxsters? I dont want something that will cost too much in the long run. I mean, I can fix most thing myself saving in labor costs but I dont want to pay through the roof for a porsche engine.(i am ASE certified in most aspects but I dont have a lift in my garage[yet])

Originally posted by: SilentRavens
Well the Prosche will be a blast to drive, and will probably take the miles fairly well, but, but, but maintanence will not be cheap. Same goes with the Z3 2.8, another good car.

Not entirely sure I would recommend the MR2, based on that fact that you already own one, and that I have yet to hear of or read about a good SMT for daily driving(I think you mean SMG).

It's a SMT tranny. Same as in F1 cars.
 

andylawcc

Lifer
Mar 9, 2000
18,183
3
81
Originally posted by: mwmorph
early Z3 have a 1.9L 4 banger.
I'm not looking for power. All the cars i like are small and lightwhight(like me) and handle well.

look no further, a miata or a Elise is perfect for you. and with your budget, I guess that leaves you with the Mazda :)
 

mwmorph

Diamond Member
Dec 27, 2004
8,877
1
81
after reading some JP Power ratings, The Porsche had great long term, average mid term and good initial quality. The Audi TT had abysmal quality. Miata ahd best and BMW was about same as porsche(a little worse). My only problem with a miata is that it's a "chick car" and I already have 1 already(it really sucks when during spring break, some guy comes up to you and tells you your car is for gays).
 
May 10, 2005
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Originally posted by: mwmorph
anyone know about reliability record for 1997 porsche boxsters? I dont want something that will cost too much in the long run. I mean, I can fix most thing myself saving in labor costs but I dont want to pay through the roof for a porsche engine.(i am ASE certified in most aspects but I dont have a lift in my garage[yet])

Originally posted by: SilentRavens
Well the Prosche will be a blast to drive, and will probably take the miles fairly well, but, but, but maintanence will not be cheap. Same goes with the Z3 2.8, another good car.

Not entirely sure I would recommend the MR2, based on that fact that you already own one, and that I have yet to hear of or read about a good SMT for daily driving(I think you mean SMG).

It's a SMT tranny. Same as in F1 cars.

Companies call it different things. I think the generally-accepted term is SMG. Don't confuse this with Audi's DSG, which is a totally different technoligy. An SMG uses the same principal as a standard transmission, but the gears are situated for fast shifting, and the clutch is delt with electronically (obviously). In a DSG setup, there are two clutches, only one of which is engaged at any given time. One clutch is responsible for the odd gears, while one is responsible for the evens. Thus, while in first gear, second gear is spinning freely on the second clutch. When the user shifts to second, the number one clutch disengages as the number two clutch engages.
 

dethman

Lifer
Oct 12, 1999
10,263
3
76
if you already have a roadster, why buy another one?

SMG is more commonly known because that's BMW's transmission, which was produced much more than the little known toyota MR2/S version. anyway my SMG is a fine daily driver.
 

mwmorph

Diamond Member
Dec 27, 2004
8,877
1
81
well, my roadster rides very harsh right now and with the stress of a turbo(low boost) on a 9000rpm vvti 1.9l(modified 2zzge), i'm not sure how long it'll hold out before i wear it out.

I'm not looking to start a family in a while(I asian os i wont get married until im 30 or so. My parents werent even confortable with me dating until college.

I need a car that's fun and small(i'm 5'9", 150lbs) to drive around in the meantime.
 

dethman

Lifer
Oct 12, 1999
10,263
3
76
Originally posted by: mwmorph
My only problem with a miata is that it's a "chick car" and I already have 1 already(it really sucks when during spring break, some guy comes up to you and tells you your car is for gays).

BAHAHAHAHA i just read this.