koenig928 Report post Posted May 8, 2016 I'm thinking of getting a fun commuter. I go into downtown Vancouver 3 to 4 times per month. Parking is either underground garage type parking, small, tight stalls. People ding the doors. Other option is on the street. The area I frequent has high bicycle traffic, they ding cars, scratch them, knock side mirrors off. Second use daily grocery shopping. The stores here have small lots. Door dings galore. I want a good freeway car. I'm a fast driver. Must be rock solid at speed. Here are my choices: An early 70's Nissan/Datsun 240Z. My Dad had one new in 72, my uncle began collecting them. So its somewhat nostalgic to have one. 93 and up VW Corrado VR6 I bought one new in 93. Not bad for a 21 year old kid. Only problem was the price of the car at the time. You could get a slightly used 928S4 for the same money. And that's exactly what I did traded it for an 88 S4. 92 Corvette ZR1 you can get them for reasonable money here. I did have an 85 Corvette, traded that for the Corrado. Love hate for these cars. 90 Mazda Miata. My Dad saw some magazine article on the Miata before they went on sale. He ordered one because he thought Id like it. Paid an extra $5k to be first on the wait list. It was a fun car when it first came out. Nobody knew what it was. It was like driving an exotic! Pure nostalgia want. 80's XJ12 series III another nostalgia pick. In my opinion the best looking sedan ever made! Now for the crazier picks: http://auction.pacificcoastjdm.com/stats/?...209523247&s http://auction.pacificcoastjdm.com/stats/?...210180768&s http://auction.pacificcoastjdm.com/stats/?...209523686&s http://auction.pacificcoastjdm.com/stats/?...209904572&s http://auction.pacificcoastjdm.com/stats/?...210215981&s http://auction.pacificcoastjdm.com/stats/?...209474113&s The reason I posted the links. If I said a Ferrari 550 because you can buy them for under $60k U.S. you'd think that I was nuts! At under $60k for a 550 or even a F360 Modena at those prices you'd be nuts not to buy one as a commuter car! The auctions in Japan, since Canada exempts cars 15years or older from crash and emissions compliance. Its easy to import most cars. A few dealers here specialize in the Japanese cars not available new here, like the Skylines. These guys for a $1k fee will bid on cars for you in Japan. Arrange shipping and handle import. You pay duty and taxes. Its very tempting. Look around the site Countach's and Diablos are very reasonable there! The only problem is what to buy? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
porter Report post Posted May 8, 2016 You make downtown Vancouver sound like a warzone lmao. If you can't afford a nice car just say so, nobody on here gives a shit. But to justify a Miata purchase by stating one can't drive a nice vehicle in Vancouver without damage is ridiculous. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
topcabron Report post Posted May 8, 2016 Im confused, you want to drive fast in these cars you listed? i would add a subaru wrx sti Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
koenig928 Report post Posted May 8, 2016 It depends on the area. I mostly go Hastings and Thurlow area and Davie and Marineside. Both have limited underground parking. The hotels in the first area are packed. Tour buses on the road. Many cyclists due to the waterfront. Second location is Urban Fairs lot. Busy grocery store and near waterfront with many joggers and cyclists on the street. Grocery stores out here, limited choices. Most are in very busy strip malls surrounded by stores. Non have a back lot option. I've come out of stores with a shopping cart against my car many times. In Vancouver I've lost 3 side mirrors in four years. Technically the Miata was my first solely mine car. Again pure nostalgic. I want fun to drive still looks good. Doesn't necessarily have to be cheap. My cheap choices all have some sort of emotional connection to me. Like I wouldn't buy a Jetta or GTI or even a mustang because I've never owned one! I would use my truck, but its near impossible to park downtown. It doesn't fit in most underground parking lots. I want if it gets ding an oh darn car, as opposed to wanting to go postal. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cake Report post Posted May 8, 2016 If you are using as a DD for trips into city, grocery - isn't reliability a priority? How many of the cars you've listed will start EVERY time or not be at risk for more frequent mechanical issues? I'd buy an inexpensive but reliable car (BMW 328 or Subaru or something similar) that has a reputation for reliability and decent quality. My year round DD is BMW 328 xi sport wagon. I love it. Rock solid at any speed, fun to drive, practical as hell, I happen to love the look (much more than the sedan), very reasonably priced. I treat it like any car I drive (park far away, keep it pristine) but I'll take it through a car wash, I'll park as carefully as I can but it'll go into parking garages or wherever. Haven't gotten a door ding yet but if I do....it won't be as upsetting as another car, and of course it can be fixed. I would not want a decades old car, nor would I want an older Ferrari or Jag. They don't have the best reputation for reliability, still attract more attention than I'd want for a DD, and are relatively expensive to maintain (which may not be an issue in affordability - but for me would not be worth the inconvenience of potential down time or getting stuck somewhere). I want a problem free DD and am willing to sacrifice "exclusivity" for the other priorities. Although BMW wagons are very rare (at least around here) and I like that I hardly ever see another. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrDoctor Report post Posted May 8, 2016 If you are using as a DD for trips into city, grocery - isn't reliability a priority? How many of the cars you've listed will start EVERY time or not be at risk for more frequent mechanical issues? I'd buy an inexpensive but reliable car (BMW 328 or Subaru or something similar) that has a reputation for reliability and decent quality. My year round DD is BMW 328 xi sport wagon. I love it. Rock solid at any speed, fun to drive, practical as hell, I happen to love the look (much more than the sedan), very reasonably priced. I treat it like any car I drive (park far away, keep it pristine) but I'll take it through a car wash, I'll park as carefully as I can but it'll go into parking garages or wherever. Haven't gotten a door ding yet but if I do....it won't be as upsetting as another car, and of course it can be fixed. I would not want a decades old car, nor would I want an older Ferrari or Jag. They don't have the best reputation for reliability, still attract more attention than I'd want for a DD, and are relatively expensive to maintain (which may not be an issue in affordability - but for me would not be worth the inconvenience of potential down time or getting stuck somewhere). I want a problem free DD and am willing to sacrifice "exclusivity" for the other priorities. Although BMW wagons are very rare (at least around here) and I like that I hardly ever see another. This 100%. A wagon is a great choice. I wonder how much BMW Z3 wagons go for now a days. Seems like a good fit. http://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-Z3-/2624221895...em=262422189566 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
koenig928 Report post Posted May 8, 2016 I'm somewhat looking for an emotional connection. Also started because I know others are the same. Not necessarily a cheap priced car. Just something you are more willing to park anywhere. Its still fun to drive. I know from living in Toronto. Many people there have winter cars. Like my friends son worked at Gentry Lane. They have an underground garage beneath their building. They have many customer cars there over winter; Lotus, Lamborghinis and Ferraris. These same customers wanted year or two old BMW's and Mercedes. The surprising most popular was a late 70's to early 80's Mercedes 300D. Being a teenager in the 80's and young adult in the 90's. I tend to want cars from those eras. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
IanMan Report post Posted May 8, 2016 Are you Wheels' dad? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cake Report post Posted May 8, 2016 Are you Wheels' dad? Hey koenig928 - it's your car, you should do what makes you happy. I get the emotional connection thing. I'm just too practical (at this point in my life) to want to deal with a 240Z or (insert your choice here) stranding me someplace. When that happens the emotional connection goes down the drain (for me) and all I want is convenience, comfort and reliability. To each their own! Good luck and post up once you have it in the garage. I'll be curious to see what you decide. One suggestion: make sure you have a couple reliable flat bed tow operators that can handle whatever you buy. You need more than one in case your first choice isn't available. This is not meant as an insult. One night I cut a sidewall on my Cayman R and needed a flat bed. My main guy wasn't available. I was lucky and found someone quickly who turned out to be great. Both contacts are in my phone and I hope I never need them again - but if you are driving any of the choices you mention it's possible you'll run into trouble at some point. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fortis Report post Posted May 8, 2016 Are you Wheels' dad? Sorry but that was funny, as for cars, I don't get some people, I work my ass off because I want to enjoy myself every single minute I am awake, I don't care about a material possession, its sole purpose is to make me feel good, I drive a new C63s wagon as a daily, I take it everywhere, construction sites, shops, hardware stores, fill it up with all sorts of construction materials, etc. I take care of it but if it dings I am not too stressed about it just spend few hundred dollars and fix it. Life's too short, just enjoy it! I agree with Cake, why drive a shitbox which can leave you stranded if you can afford a proper car, Koenig928 go and buy yourself a nice Toyota Corolla under warranty, best cars ever, very cheap, extremely reliable, you don't have to worry about any car park damage, I drove them until my business picked up, there is zero shame in that, good luck! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
koenig928 Report post Posted May 9, 2016 I did think of a corolla or Chevy whatever they are called. Or a Camry. Non seem fun. I tend to stay around 120km/h to 140km/h on the freeway. So needs to be good at those speeds. To me, two kinds of cars. A more collectible, want to keep near showroom new. Drive, yes. But careful the places it goes. I don't want scratches or dings. The other it could go anywhere. Not really cheap, just don't really want to buy new and use it until its worthless. My truck is almost a year old now. Main reason I bought, I drive in the mountains. Breaking up a property into building lots. I've taken potential buyers on a tour, means light off road. Last I have a boat. But using it off road and like a truck, I've put some big scratches on it. Its driving me crazy! Ok its worth it for the new entertainment system, but still, kind of a shame. The other I bought my Cayenne new. 190k kilometers on it now. I'm glad I bought it. Just wish it was still near new in shape. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fortis Report post Posted May 9, 2016 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
topcabron Report post Posted May 9, 2016 I hate taking my boat off road. I too get scratches when I do so. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fortis Report post Posted May 9, 2016 I hate taking my boat off road. I too get scratches when I do so. You obiously don't have the Miata boat. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
emanon Report post Posted May 9, 2016 Buy a used mini-cooper S. Good reliable car, a lot more room than you expect, and the most fun you can have for the price point. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murcie612 Report post Posted May 9, 2016 Last time I took my boat off road I got a flat tire, now that really pissed me off...........may force me to buy an off road plane! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
escobar Report post Posted May 9, 2016 Buy a used mini-cooper S. Good reliable car, a lot more room than you expect, and the most fun you can have for the price point. Anyone, including mechanics, I have spoken to about the Mini Cooper S have steered me off the purchase due to reliability/running costs vs. value. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
CallMeJarob Report post Posted May 9, 2016 Fiat 500 Abarth Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
emanon Report post Posted May 9, 2016 Anyone, including mechanics, I have spoken to about the Mini Cooper S have steered me off the purchase due to reliability/running costs vs. value. It's made by BMW so not 'free' to drive like a Toyota or Hyundai would be, but they aren't obscenely expensive by any stretch (even for a DD). I know quite a few people who have run them well past 100k with minimal issues. The recommended maintenance is a lot more extensive than most cars in that price range, I also attribute this to being BMW and them wanting to keep the car at a higher level. Regardless, compared to the cars he has listed here, it's going to be a 100x improvement in all areas. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roman Report post Posted May 10, 2016 Ive got the 240z listed for sale in the classifieds section... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
topcabron Report post Posted May 10, 2016 Last time I took my boat off road I got a flat tire, now that really pissed me off...........may force me to buy an off road plane! i could not fit the plane on the narrow roads due to wing issues, so I gave up Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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