Car people, solve my dilemma!!!!!

[Scatterbrained]

The real question is: can you afford to live with the BMW? Not just fuel costs, but maintenance and unexpected repairs? If you think you can then go for it. If you have a passion for driving then drive the car that best fuels that passion, just don't let it break your bank. BMWs can get real expensive real fast, although in my personal experience (as a mastertech) it's usually the electronics that really bite you.

 

[Kendall9991]

Chevy K5 Blazer FTW

 

[limr]

That aside, what really bothers me about the GT86 is the over all quality of the car. I don't like it, and while many of you said why drive such a high powered and gas drinking monster on long daily commutes, I will also ask, why spend so much time in a car that I don't like that much, let alone spending the money on it. Yes it will be more hassle free, more efficient and cost less to run, I am afraid that it will eventually become something I have to put up with as opposed to something that makes me wanna drive in it more.

All practical matters aside, this is a very important factor. Some people don't care what they drive because cars are like toasters - just appliances that get a certain job done. As long as it gets me from A to B, who cares? You're not one of those people (neither am I, btw!) A driving commute can be kind of soul-crushing anyway, and to spend it in a car that is also siphoning joy out of life could end up being just as stressful as dealing with the higher costs of maintaining the BMW. I guess you have to figure out what will ultimately be less stressful: driving a boring car or spending money on maintaining the more exciting car.

 

[minicoop1985]

Why not take a peek at the Subaru version of the GT86 platform? Ride quality's not going to be any better, but that's to be expected.

Of those two, I'd take the 135i. That car's been on my drool list for way too long. Sure, the wastegates are known to die and it's a little older, but that gives you an opportunity to upgrade them with aftermarket ones (far less expensive too I'd bet).

 

[BananaRepublic]

After reading what others have said here, and no disrespect to anyone ( note that I have previously commented) but a photography forum would be among-st the last places Id go for advice on a car.

It seems to me that you have already made up your mind about which car your going to buy and to be honest I would pick the BMW if given a free choice because it is a better car overall. the concerns I would have about the BMW are fuel consumption, insurance costs, big engine big premium, maintenance, the cost of tires, genuine BMW parts are not cheap I think you said yourself there was some issue with the turbo. Also it may be worth bearing in mind that there is a honking big engine in a small car that means allot of electronics to keep the car drive-able that could go wrong $$$$$. Resale price, do these type of cars hold there value, in the private second hand market probably but role up to a dealer looking for a trade in with a 6 + year old model , but the same could be said for the Toyota. Also the guy who owned that BMW for those six years could well have driven the ring off that car.

I'd go for a nice Honda accord long before Id go with the Toyota, again it seems to me like a poor mans Nissan GTR, a Vtec accord is an actual performance car that is comfortable and has all the mod cons, ya there not RWD and there also a bit of a pig on fuel but not more than the BMW. There are two further things I would like to point out.

If you don't like having to brake before a corner consider taking your foot of the gas, a rear wheel drive will punish you just as quick as a front drive, probably quicker, no amount of traction control will make up for idiocy. You also commented on some of the features of the Toyota body work " air intake vent being plastic" I've got news for you, most of that stuff like big rear spoilers are only ascetic and do nothing whatsoever for the car performance in fact are more like dead weight.

Further to the last comment all boy racers who put rear spoilers on front wheel drive cars are complete bell ends and no nothing about cars.

 

[Braineack]

The GT86 could use a little more power. The reason why I say this is, I used to drive a 97 Prelude. 2.2 liter vtec. It was old by the time I sold it (14 years), and while it drove absolutely fine on the regular roads and highway, it became apparent that I wish it has more power when I finally took it to the mountains. I couldn't even keep up with a first gen Scion TC going up hills. Where I live there are many mountain roads. I have never taken a 86 to the mountains before since I can't get access to one, but I wish it has just that bit more to make a mountain trip more fun.

The Scion has a hell of a lot more tq than the H22. I think it makes 140rwtq from like 1.5K all the way to 5K, where starts to putter out by 6K. The H22 makes only about 110rwtq from 1.5 to 5K, then the cam profile changes (vtech) and you have about 140-150tq almost all the way out to 8K. Both cars weigh about the same. Next time: shift down and use the revs Honda gave you.

I still own a 2001 prelude, and had a 97 before that. The FR-S has a very similar power output; actually when I drove it, it felt like it had less torque than my prelude. But that's not the point of the FRS and i've you can't understand that, then that's sad. It's a absolutely dream of a sports car. It's light and nimble and was breaking track records left and left with just a nice set of tires. This is also why miatas are so popular with performance addicts.

Still a big dilemma. I wish there are either more to choose from, or none to consider.

The BMW is not in the same league as the FRS; It's a completely different car.

BTW my friend has a GTI and his brother has a Golf R. Both are super excellent cars, except that GTI is FWD and the Golf R is totally out of my league price wise.

The Golf R is an overpriced, overweight, underpowered, lame, POS.

If I was to look at any Golf/GTI/Audi it would be a TDi model.

That aside, what really bothers me about the GT86 is the over all quality of the car. I don't like it, and while many of you said why drive such a high powered and gas drinking monster on long daily commutes, I will also ask, why spend so much time in a car that I don't like that much, let alone spending the money on it. Yes it will be more hassle free, more efficient and cost less to run, I am afraid that it will eventually become something I have to put up with as opposed to something that makes me wanna drive in it more.

The FRS is a cheap economy car. The BMW is a luxury car.

I made the mistake of buying a performance car as a commuter. I changed jobs after buying it and doubled my commute, I put 350 miles on my car a week...in a WRX. I can at best squeeze 22mpg out of it daily driving. I am saddened while I sit in traffic with all the Prisuses around me. My 240rwtq miata made better gas mileage and probably out accelerated it. While I always wanted a WRX and it's an absolute blast, it's not the smartest choice for my commute: It's loud, it's rugged, the straight cut gears whine/chatter, it rattles, and it drinks gas. I recognize that and I'm actually, as much as I love it, debating replacing it after only owning it for about 2 years with something more sensible.

With a drive like yours, I'm assuming 30-40 miles each way, I wouldn't trivialize comfort and mpgs. You're going to be spending about $60 a week on gas (assuming $4.00 a gallon), I dunno what the cost is in Taiwan. Plus you have silly fuel/license taxes in Taiwan each year based on motor size don't you?

The FRS is the better choice between the two. The BMW is too expensive to own in every aspect. Example: Go price out a 245/35/18 tire vs. a 215/45/17 and then expect to replace the BMW tires every 20K or so. The same tire for the Scion at $100 each is $170 for the BMW and needs to be replaced twice as often.

But I don't really like how small the FRS is personally. The trunk and rear seat are useless, might as well made it a 2-seater like the 370z, but they did it for insurance purposes. If I wanted a similar car, I'd go for the larger Genesis Coupe. I'd only buy an FRS/BRZ if I had plans to autox or track the car; it's a toy car to me.

Something you may want to consider is the Focus ST. It's very practical (5-dr), powerful (250hp), handles very well, gets good gas mileage (high 20s mixed), and since it's FWD you can drive it in the winter without the real need for snow tires.

 

[BananaRepublic]

Braineack, when you say 8K I assume you mean RPM revs per minute? in which case you would want a fuel truck following if you drive like that this guy is talking about regular roads. When you see those Prius drivers just think of the environmental costs of manufacturing such a car and relies that they have bought into a marketing ploy.

OP: If you want a fun rwd car that actually is different to all the other garbage sports car mentioned and you're not worried about fuel tires or grief in general look at a Mazda RX8,

The BMW is a luxury car that will cost in the long run. but if you go in eyes open that wont come as a shock.

 

[Braineack]

yes, the prelude has a 8100RPM rev limiter.

I dont understand why you'd want a fuel truck behind you just because it has a high rev limiter? The prelude gets abysmal gas mileage in the city...that's when you need it to follow you.



rofl at suggesting the nemesis motor, it makes AWFUL mpgs and you would void the warranty by using the proper oil weight on it. They car went out of production because it couldn't pass the simplest of emissions standards and no one wants to buy a car with such awful mpgs, required an oil tanker to follow you since it consumed oil, and generally had no thrills behind it.

The RX8 has a 8500-9000 rev limit, fwiw. Better hire a fuel truck to follow you as well...

It does have one of the best chassis out there...

 

[Braineack]

actually, is the v6 mustang available in your area?

 

[Stevepwns]

I was a professional auto technician for a decade, BMW's will destroy your pocket with cost of upkeep and repairs, and they arent that reliable. The Toyota will run forever and doesnt cost a lot to maintain, and IS the mot reliable car in the world. Thats a no brainer, Toyota all the way.

 

[BananaRepublic]

I perhaps wrongly assumed that you drove on the limit the whole time. Was the Nemesis motor comment directed at me? The RX8 is a guzzler, the rotary engine makes it different to anything else is all.

The mustang is awful hunk of tacky plastic, with a big engine.

 

[Braineack]

I agree, the mustang's interior, like all american cars (besides ford recently) are awful. But the exterior is admittedly very pleasant.

But that 3.7 v6 motor makes 300hp and lots of owners are reporting upwards of 40mpg on the highway with it (there a lot of technology in that motor). It runs on 87 octane as well, even the v8 does; that's incredibly impressive. If I wasn't such a 5-dr fan, I'd probably own one.

It's also has a usable rear seat and trunk, handles itself quite well in the twisties, and is reportedly very comfortable to drive.

I suggested he down shift the car if he cant keep up to tC and actually use the powerband of the h22 as honda intended. the honda should easily out accelerate and outhandle the tC.

 

[gsgary]

Make sure the BMW does not have an N47 engine big problem with cam chains snapping

 

[BananaRepublic]

Yes it does have looks and that mpg seems very good for that type of car. The new mustang will be available in Europe (right hand drive) later this year I think but it will still have a big engine by standards over hear, they tax fuel here Euro 1.60 per liter that's around $6 per US/gallon,3 litres = 1 US gallon, 95% octane fuel is standard in Europe, and then insurance goes by engine size. I have no idea about Tawain

 

[gsgary]

yes, the prelude has a 8100RPM rev limiter.

I dont understand why you'd want a fuel truck behind you just because it has a high rev limiter? The prelude gets abysmal gas mileage in the city...that's when you need it to follow you.

rofl at suggesting the nemesis motor, it makes AWFUL mpgs and you would void the warranty by using the proper oil weight on it. They car went out of production because it couldn't pass the simplest of emissions standards and no one wants to buy a car with such awful mpgs, required an oil tanker to follow you since it consumed oil, and generally had no thrills behind it.

The RX8 has a 8500-9000 rev limit, fwiw. Better hire a fuel truck to follow you as well...

It does have one of the best chassis out there...

And an oil truck they burn loads of oil