|
|
|
|
|
|
BMW Garage | BMW Meets | Register | Today's Posts | Search |
|
BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum
>
Recommendation for a cheap, fun and reliable 6MT...
|
|
02-25-2014, 12:05 PM | #1 |
Captain
246
Rep 735
Posts |
Recommendation for a cheap, fun and reliable 6MT...
I know that cheap, fun and reliable are not three descriptions that go well together when it comes to pre own cars, but I'm willing to compromise.
So here's the deal, my wife's mother is no longer using her parking spot at her apartment, which means that I can get an extra car to fill the spot. I've been wanting to get a 6MT, but the fact that my family occasionally drives my car made this impossible. Now that I have an extra spot, I can finally get a manual. My only requirements are 6MT and RWD. I also don't want a car that I'll have to dump a lot of $$ in for maintenance. I like in Hong Kong, so American cars are out of the question. Given my constraints, what should I go for and how much should I be prepared to spend?
__________________
Current: BMW F32 435iA M-Sports; BMW E92 M3, M-DCT; Mercedes W221 S550 4matic; Ford Fiesta ST; Nissan Silvia S15 Spec-R Retired: BMW E93 323iA; BMW E85 Z4 3.0i, SMG; Lexus IS 250 AWD; Lexus GX 470; Mercedes W203 C230 Sportscoupe; Peugeot 206 S16; Peugeot 206 RC |
02-25-2014, 12:23 PM | #3 |
is probably out riding.
6057
Rep 2,292
Posts |
__________________
"There is no greater tyranny than that which is perpetrated under the shield of the law and in the name of justice. -Charles de Secondat"
|
Appreciate
0
|
02-25-2014, 01:12 PM | #4 |
Chief Senior Executive Managing VP of Orange Sales
597
Rep 2,578
Posts |
Maintenance wise - Japanese is the way to go.
In addition to those so far mentioned, Old school Mazda RX7 could be fun, rotary engine (eta: apparently it only had 5MT though). Toyota Celica - the latest body style, maybe an early 2000's model. Higher maintenance but lots of fun - E36 325 or E46 325... Last edited by ddk632; 02-25-2014 at 01:19 PM.. |
Appreciate
0
|
02-25-2014, 03:03 PM | #5 | |
Second Lieutenant
52
Rep 298
Posts |
Quote:
Also, I'm pretty sure the Celica was FWD in the latest incarnation. If the OP is open to FWD, the RSX (or integra) type S (type R) is a 6MT that's pretty fun to drive with very few things to fix (used to own one and drove it to 100k miles with mods before i sold it and it easily could have lasted much longer, only had to replace a starter and engine mounts, having a timing chain really makes it easy to keep around). The S2000 is a little more expensive but is rwd, MT and fun to drive Of course, the internet will also tell you that the answer is always Miata lol. My personal favorite will always be a nissan 300zx though, RWD, 6MT, those good looks too.... |
|
Appreciate
0
|
02-25-2014, 03:30 PM | #6 |
Captain
123
Rep 685
Posts |
G37S coupe... no question.
__________________
|
Appreciate
0
|
02-25-2014, 03:50 PM | #7 |
Chief Senior Executive Managing VP of Orange Sales
597
Rep 2,578
Posts |
@druu Good point about possible maintenance on the rotary. It's also a 5MT so we can strike it.
I thought the Celica was RWD but it seems that was a long long time ago. Suggestions FAIL. |
Appreciate
0
|
02-25-2014, 05:26 PM | #8 |
Lieutenant Colonel
5810
Rep 1,975
Posts |
|
Appreciate
0
|
02-25-2014, 05:53 PM | #9 |
Captain
123
Rep 685
Posts |
my G coupe with SPL arms, tein / tokico spring / strut combo, AP Racing brakes, a proper alignment and properly stanced wheels and tires (stanced for driving not to attract boys) held the road better than the 2013 335i Msport i test drove before the M3... the 335i would have been an upgrade in power only.
if i were to go backwards from an M3 it would be right back into a G coupe.
__________________
|
Appreciate
0
|
02-25-2014, 11:54 PM | #12 |
NOOB
1603
Rep 1,356
Posts |
Fellow HKer here. What's your budget btw?
Looking at your current stable, you seem to have a lot of fun cars but just not one in MT. I myself had this same problem and solved it with a 1998 M-Z3 5-MT which was my favorite car growing up. I love it and drive it a lot more than my Z4. Here's a list of MT/RWD cars that I also considered: BMW 1M (couldn't find one around $600k at the time) FT-86 (Overpriced in HK imo) S2000 (Too many hands) E46 M3 (maintenance) E36 M3 (hard to find a nice one) 04-05 Gallardo (Maintenance)
__________________
@BMWclassicdivision
|
Appreciate
0
|
02-26-2014, 04:14 PM | #13 | |
Second Lieutenant
52
Rep 298
Posts |
Quote:
The G37S coupes (skylines) are nice, but I feel like (at least in the states) the prices for used models haven't gone down enough to warrant getting that over a new car. Speaking of the used car market used e92/93 335i's with decently low mileage are a fraction of what they are new and an ecu tune + an LSD (not a ton of cash for these mods) and you have a pretty fun machine. A 335is is a bit more money but probably a bit more fun too. |
|
Appreciate
0
|
02-26-2014, 04:18 PM | #14 |
Lieutenant Colonel
359
Rep 1,762
Posts
Drives: Porsche Panamera
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: USA
|
Nothing really beats the S2000 in cheap/reliable/fun category.
Under $50k, there's no better 6MT than the one in S2000. It simply has the most precise and short throw feel, and coupled with VTEC, you will find yourself staying constantly above 5k rpm. I see some suggestions on G37 and other imports but...they are pretty much boxy "go fast" kind of a car compare to S2000. No true refinement. I've owned S2000/Z4/G37/335, but I still love the S2000 the most in terms of "fun". Only other car that I liked under $50k was the Lotus elise. It is much more fun, but it is too hard to get into the car. My GF(now wife) HATED to get in. Basically, if a girl wear a tight skirt, she will HAVE to roll it up to her waist to get in, period. And you should note that S2000 has very minimal interior. All it's got is the one flip down panel that has CD player in it. There's nothing else. If you decide to go with S2000, just make sure you test drive both AP1(Pre LCI) and AP2(LCI). AP1 has higher rev limit (I think 8200 or so) but AP2 has more torque. Also, cluster gauge is more formula 1 like in AP1 model. Also with used model, make sure you check the soft top for any wear. It tends to wear a hole right on the collapsing arm at each corner. Last edited by jlstyle; 02-26-2014 at 04:31 PM.. |
Appreciate
0
|
02-26-2014, 07:57 PM | #16 |
is probably out riding.
6057
Rep 2,292
Posts |
What part of cheap do you guys not get? haha
Although, i suppose cheap is different for different people. Maybe cheap is $50k?
__________________
"There is no greater tyranny than that which is perpetrated under the shield of the law and in the name of justice. -Charles de Secondat"
|
Appreciate
0
|
02-26-2014, 08:57 PM | #18 | |
Lieutenant Colonel
359
Rep 1,762
Posts
Drives: Porsche Panamera
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: USA
|
Quote:
It feels faster when you drive it right. I sure felt faster in S2k then my 335i because of screaming engine noise and tight balance it has. If you want something that you press gas and go fast, S2K surely isn't a contender. |
|
Appreciate
0
|
02-26-2014, 09:01 PM | #19 |
Captain
132
Rep 638
Posts |
I vote Miata. Really fits the bill if you can overcome how it makes you look. Handles and feels like nothing else, and arguably it has the best transmission ever -- comparable to, if not better than, an S2k.
I would also add MR2 as an option. I think 2nd gen might be a bit unreliable, but 3rd gen certainly is. Handles great as well. Another notable: 350Z. |
Appreciate
0
|
02-26-2014, 09:21 PM | #20 |
Banned
52
Rep 26
Posts |
I've seen someone on this forum literally suggest getting a Ferrari as a practical alternative to I think a used GTR or used R8 or something in the << $100k range.
|
Appreciate
0
|
02-27-2014, 01:08 AM | #21 | |
Second Lieutenant
20
Rep 266
Posts |
Quote:
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
Bookmarks |
|
|