$10k, most bang for the buck?

[Dan]

Say you have $10k burning a hole in your pocket. What`s the most bang for your buck you can get? Some base rules to keep it interesting:



-less than 10 years old

-less than 75,000 miles

-stock, though mod friendly cars are a bonus

-price based on KBB private party sale in excellent condition

[Dan]

I`ll get it started with one possibility:



2001 Audi S4 Sedan

2001 Audi S4 - Private Party Pricing Report - Kelley Blue Book (http://www.kbb.com/kbb/UsedCars/PricingReport.aspx?YearId=2001&Mileage=75000&VehicleClass=UsedCar&ManufacturerId=4&ModelId=10&PriceType=Private+Party&VehicleId=3759&SelectionHistory=3759%7c32636%7c20175%7c0%7c0%7c&Condition=Excellent&QuizConditions=)



Pros:

2.7 bi-turbo engine - plenty fast stock, the sky is the limit with mods

All wheel drive

Nice interior



Cons:

Maintenance - often compared to a boat... its never done breaking

Parts prices and mods are expensive

Hard to find a clean used one

[Accumulator]

Noting I`m an Audi nut....I`d also look at the BMW e36 M3. Finding a low mile one in your pricerange might be tricky though.



While I sure loved my turbo quattros back in the day, I do *NOT* like turbo Audis compared to no-boost-lag powertrains and I simply despise the combination of turbos and DBW in most cases. Eh...I have issues with Audi`s DBW period, though it`s not an issue if (big "if" IME) you get a good one.

[rdorman]

Find Your Car: BMW 740i Listings Near Columbus, OH 43214 - AutoTrader.com (http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/searchresults.jsp?lastStartYear=1981&num_records=25&search_lang=en&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&search_type=both&distance=0&address=43214&marketZipError=false&style_flag=2&body_style=SEDAN&make=BMW&model=740I&make2=&start_year=2000&end_year=2011&min_price=0&max_price=14000&seller_type=b&transmission=&engine=&drive=&doors=&fuel=&max_mileage=75000&color=&keywordsrep=&keywordsfyc=&keywords_display=&sort_type=priceDESC&body_code=8&certified=&advanced=y&highlightFirstMakeModel=&showZipError=n&default_sort=&awsp=false&systime=&rdm=1268162274629)



Geesh that is a long link! I have a 740 with the sport package, LOVE IT. And just think, it wasn`t that long ago that I thought that a car with more then two doors was a waste of sheet metal and a car could not be sporty with a slush box.

[Accumulator]

rdorman- Yeah, I really like the SWB 7-series, but I don`t think most people share our appreciation of big sedans.

[rdorman]

rdorman- Yeah, I really like the SWB 7-series, but I don`t think most people share our appreciation of big sedans.



I hear you. Yakky`s rules where pretty general. Buying this car eight years old for $60,000 under sticker was great!





http://www.clubcobra.com/photopost/data/500/bimmer1.jpg





With the sports package, this thing does not handle like a big sedan, unless you drive it that way. So, you can toss it around, or cruise at 150 in total luxury. I ran it back to back with another car of mine on a large auto-x track and the times where similar.... a big suprise to be sure:



http://www.clubcobra.com/photopost/data/500/12993mini-126_26.jpg



And I have won SCCA E-Mod events in that car (local events). Now in all fareness, the times where similar only when I had street tires on the Cobra. With the TD`s on it would smoke the 7. Of course, regardless what tires where on the 7 it would never keep up in a straight line. No amount of technology in the 7 was going to over come the Cobra 5 pounds per horsepower.



Regardless Yacky, have fun in the search!

[Dan]

Noting I`m an Audi nut....I`d also look at the BMW e36 M3. Finding a low mile one in your pricerange might be tricky though.



While I sure loved my turbo quattros back in the day, I do *NOT* like turbo Audis compared to no-boost-lag powertrains and I simply despise the combination of turbos and DBW in most cases. Eh...I have issues with Audi`s DBW period, though it`s not an issue if (big "if" IME) you get a good one.



Lol, too funny, we have a 3.2 equipped Audi and IMO that DBW setup is laggy and too sensitive. Its really fun to watch someone drive that for the first time. My A4 2.0T is just fine with me. I love boost, always have, the rush of power is more fun to me than immediate response.



I also am a fan of the big bimmers. I think a 540 would be a nice setup too, though not sure if it meets the price criteria. Anyway, keep`em coming.

[manticore33]

I would suggest a BMW e39. I recently picked up a 2001 530i/5 for well under 10k. If you want more power, the same 4.4l V8 found in the above e38 740i can be had in the 5 series as well. I vote e39 because I prefer manual transmissions, else I would probably have a 7-series (which looks great with the sport package).



If you do like German cars, be careful with Mercedes-Benz from 2000 to mid-2003. They had a rust proofing issues which lead to the S-Class and E-Class rusting prematurely. This problem was fixed in late 2003.



Jaguars are another one I have taken somewhat of an interested in. Before buying my current 5-series the older supercharged Jaguar XJR caught my attention. But, I have manual transmission sickness. :)



(Admitted Euro car nut)

[rdorman]

A 540 sport with a stick is a great package. Great. Be aware that the sport package on the e38 was purely cosmetic on the 740il. Only the 740i got the suspension, rear diff, torque converter etc. Also be aware that they can cost a fortune to maintain. In two years I have put $8000 in maintenence and repairs in my car and that is at bargain shop prices and lots of shopping. Diy would have cut a few g`s off that number.

[longdx]

Real easy, Mazda Miata; perfect weight balance, reliable and mod friendly and reasonably priced. (plus relatively easy to work on)



Love Audi but hate maintenance cost



BMW`s are pretty reliable but expensive to repair



Mustang: great vehicle that takes to tuning //cons: trying to find one that was adult driven

[JosephBrehm]

05-07 Volvo s40 t5

[shake]

Lexus IS300



-Modable

-reliable

-RWD

[Adam's Polishes]

2001-2002 ish Camaro Z28 or SS... extremely easy to mod, massive aftermarket support, goes like stink with a little tweaking, and can be found damn near anywhere for under $10k

[focus2069]

2002-2004 SVT Focus.



find one for 5-8k, then turbo the hell out of it.



do 150`ish MPH, while getting 25 MPG :evilgrin:





Of course, owning 7 Foci (including 3 SVT`s) my opinion is rather biased.....



http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e328/focus2069/driveway/IMG_0143.jpg



http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e328/focus2069/driveway/IMG_0142.jpg



The 3000GT was the slowest car in my driveway :)



yes, I owned 5 (the 5th one is at my engine builders house, getting a stroked out 4.6 dropped in it) at one time.



I am down to 3 now, lol.

[The Enforcer]

My vote is an LS1 F-Body. No explantion needed....everyone knows about them and what they can do for cheap.