New or nearly-new car purchase

[Timmmy]

Hi Taka and all.

I currently own a 5KTQ that was very fast until I broke it. and a 2001
Miata LS 6 speed. I just did my first ever autocross school and event in
the MIata and I have to say it was awesome (I finnished 4th in the stock
class out of 25 people in the first race of the season).

The Miata is the prefect choice for you handling wise. I looked long and
hard as you are now for a perfect toy and the Miata was it for the
following reasons. (bear in mind I am an Audifan too)

1. its a 'real' sports car, front engine, RWD, Manual with LSD as stock on
later models. (plus its convertible)
2. Its been around for 20 odd years and there is a huge knowledgebasae out
there.
3. Price - they are relatively cost affective, my 2001 bought in 2002 was
$17K for a very limited edition with all the bells and whistles (leather ,
bose CD, sport suspension and brakes, 6 speed, 16" rims with yoko's etc)
with only 7K miles on it.
4. Reliability - all the bugs are worked out now (all of them!), these
cars are regularly being run way past 250K miles without rebuilds.
5. Aftermarket parts and Mods - There are a plethora of very high quality
race proven aftermarket parts available off the shelf to bolt on. these
include huge brakes, suspension, chassis, roll cages, motor, superchargers
and turbochargers.

I would recommend a 2001 model as the chassis is stiffer than the earlier
years, pick one up for about $16K now. then call flyin miata
www.flyinmiata.com and have them send you a suspension package, cage and a
flyinmiata turbo iV kit. bolt it all on in a weekend and you have a 250
wheel HP, race car for the road for under 25K. It will cream evo's, wrx's
and most other machines without even trying.

Not that I am biased, but I saw it happen last week at my first autocross.

down side is that you probably want a winter car too as they are a
handfull in the snow! - hence my 5K.

Look here for miata autocross and turbo pics

http://thepointoforgasm.com/gallery/Autocrossing

and here for my 5K stuff

http://thepointoforgasm.com/gallery/Audi-5KTQS



cheers

Timmmy

Timmmy (Imlivinalie)
86 5KTQ - Fast...Broken
01 MX5 - RWD Toy
98 Triumph Daytona 955i - Cop Bate.
91 RM125 - Aaaarghh my leg!
Various others!



I'm soliciting suggestions/advice on what car to
purchase for under $25k.

Priorities are handling, performance, reliability,
ease of service, refinement.

Must have a manual transmission, must be 2000 model
year or newer, significantly smaller than an A6.

To give you an idea of what I'm looking for, a Mazda
Miata falls into the marginal category of performance,
but an excellent handling car and otherwise a potential
candidate- the Mazdaspeed version is a bit pricey.

The Audi S4tt is excellent in terms of performance, but
marginal in the reliability and ease of service categories,
midpack in handling.

Camaro SS would be marginal in reliability, otherwise
good all-around, very unrefined, though.

Thanks.

Taka