Cougar Replacement

[Jeff Stuart]

Yeah.... when I find an '01 Z06 with 24k miles for $18k, it's tempting enough to make me rethink my guidelines.

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?c ... RCHUSDTEXT

[Virgil Wilkins]

1. Used C5 Z06.
2. Co-driver (who buys tires.)
3. Drive your tail off.

28 mpg highway, room to carry the R compounds inside (admittedly, it's a tight squeeze), and 400 hp sound like a great combo.

Mike

That sounds like a blast, but it doesn't meet Jeff's criteria.

What part doesn't meet his criteria?

.... the Auto Insurance Bill ...

[Kristoffer Gjevre]

Yeah.... when I find an '01 Z06 with 24k miles for $18k, it's tempting enough to make me rethink my guidelines.
...

In case you do not know, the 01 was he first year of the Z06 and had less hp and tq (385 & 385 v.s. 405 & 400) and some of the engines had oil usage and/or piston slap issues IIRC, which I believe all was fixed in 02 and later.

[Jeff Stuart]

Yeah.... when I find an '01 Z06 with 24k miles for $18k, it's tempting enough to make me rethink my guidelines.
...

In case you do not know, the 01 was he first year of the Z06 and had less hp and tq (385 & 385 v.s. 405 & 400) and some of the engines had oil usage and/or piston slap issues IIRC, which I believe all was fixed in 02 and later.

I didn't know, thanks for the heads up. If I ever settle on a car, I'll certainly do my research before I actually buy one.

I'm not in any particular hurry either, I have a ton of fun in the Cougar, and a ton of life left in the tires too.

[Kurt Rahn]

However, tires will be EXPENSIVE!

That's what I was referring to. He wants a car he can run in SK.

[Mike Simanyi]

However, tires will be EXPENSIVE!

That's what I was referring to. He wants a car he can run in SK.

Z06s are legal there too.

[Max Hayter]

However, tires will be EXPENSIVE!

That's what I was referring to. He wants a car he can run in SK.

Z06s are legal there too.

C5 vette (non Z06) for AS?

Isley won the SD Tour in one.

[Leonard Cachola]

How about a Volkswagen GTI? Stephen Yeoh did pretty well in one in SK2 several years ago.

[Steve Ekstrand]

ES MR2's are a ton of fun. Just go the second car route... Small mini truck. Used MR2. Flat tow until you can find a tiny lightweight trailer. Now you're set for events like Wendover and Nationals! Feed the addiction.

And of course there are always ST civics and STS CRX.

[Jeff Stuart]

ES MR2's are a ton of fun. Just go the second car route... Small mini truck. Used MR2. Flat tow until you can find a tiny lightweight trailer. Now you're set for events like Wendover and Nationals! Feed the addiction.

And of course there are always ST civics and STS CRX.

I don't have room to store two vehicles. I live in an apartment and only have one carport spot.

[Steve Ekstrand]

Dodge Sprinter van and an F125 shifter kart!

[Kristoffer Gjevre]

However, tires will be EXPENSIVE!

That's what I was referring to. He wants a car he can run in SK.

Z06s are legal there too.

If you were to consider a Z06 for SK1 you may want to review several related comments about how not fun that is in this thread: viewtopic.php?f=6&t=3523" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

This is one of the reason I really enjoy these "what car to drive" threads as I want to do something to get the heck out of the SK1 class but I am not sure yet on where I want to go...

[Jeff Stuart]

If you were to consider a Z06 for SK1 you may want to review several related comments about how not fun that is in this thread: viewtopic.php?f=6&t=3523" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

This is one of the reason I really enjoy these "what car to drive" threads as I want to do something to get the heck out of the SK1 class but I am not sure yet on where I want to go...

Yeah, that is definitely a consideration. One thing I'm certain I don't want to do is buy racing tires.

Leonard - Thanks for the VW GTI suggestion, it looks like a fun car. Anyone have any opinions on them?

[Max Hayter]

Leonard - Thanks for the VW GTI suggestion, it looks like a fun car. Anyone have any opinions on them?

I once drove Palero's Jetta GTI. God, it was awful. Inside front tires spinning everywhere - I hated it with a passion.

[Leonard Cachola]

I once drove Palero's Jetta GTI. God, it was awful. Inside front tires spinning everywhere - I hated it with a passion.

Can't be any worse than what he's driving now! And it wasn't a Jetta GTI, it was a GLI.

[Max Hayter]

I would rock a Golf R32 - that might fit the bill. I think Tom Berry might have one for sale.

[Leonard Cachola]

Didn't the Palero Cash for Clunkers Accent do well in HS?
Great gas mileage, room for 4, and low cost tire size.

Yes, he did quite well in it. I drove it the first time he brought it out - bad shifter, bad clutch, wheezy engine, bleah seats, and lots of body roll but once it got up to speed, it handled pretty well. Mind you, we were on borrowed tires when I drove it, but it was fun.

[Tom Berry]

I would rock a Golf R32 - that might fit the bill. I think Tom Berry might have one for sale.

Thats sooo last year!

[Rad_ Delgado_]

I'm thinking about replacing the Cougar, but I'm not really sure what I want to replace it with, so I figured I ask you guys for some suggestions. I have a few guidelines, though none of them are set in stone:

* I'd like to stay in an SK class, preferably SK2, but SK1 is cool too.
* This car will be my daily driver, so it needs to have a bit of cargo room (more than a Miata or S2000).
* I'd prefer something either new, or with low miles. As was discussed at length in the National SK Class thread, I'm not exactly knowledgeable when it comes to working on cars (though I'm learning), so I don't think it would be a good idea to get an old/high mileage car that is more prone to breaking down/needing work.

With all that said, the Impreza WRX ('09-'10 non-STi) is on my radar, but I'm hearing they're not great stock.

In terms of price, I'm comfortable with the thought of buying a new Impreza WRX, but that's getting close to my limit.

Very interested to see what you recommend, and feel free to try and talk me out of my guidelines ;)

Thanks in advance!

In this economy, buying a brand new car is giving away a lot of money. Go for pre-owned certified cars.

Do you want 4 or 2 doors, 2 or 4-5 seats, big trunk, etc. Lots of cars are competitive in SK. I would go for a 1999 Carrera (LSD), very cheap, well built, plenty of cargo space, decent fuel economy, A-stock legal. You can carry 4 wheels in the back with 8"/10" 245/285.

[Mako Koiwai]

Nice suggestion Rad !

[Max Hayter]

Nice suggestion Rad !

How much for one of those?

[Bob Beamesderfer]

I would rock a Golf R32 - that might fit the bill. I think Tom Berry might have one for sale.

Yeah, the R32 is very racy and nimble, doesn't feel like a FWD econo-box at all.

[Bob Beamesderfer]

I've got a friend and former colleague who writes a personal finance column on msn.com and she backs what Rad says. When you finance a new car you're paying interest on the heavy depreciation that happens during the first two years. Buy a two-year old car and that depreciation is someone else's loss.

[Marshall Grice]

I would rock a Golf R32 - that might fit the bill. I think Tom Berry might have one for sale.

Yeah, the R32 is very racy and nimble, doesn't feel like a FWD econo-box at all.

with good reason. it's an AWD VR6

[Bob Beamesderfer]

I would rock a Golf R32 - that might fit the bill. I think Tom Berry might have one for sale.

Yeah, the R32 is very racy and nimble, doesn't feel like a FWD econo-box at all.

with good reason. it's an AWD VR6

Well, that explains it.