Thinking about a new Daily Driver

[rmcdaniels]

Now that I'm getting a big fat pay increase, I'm thinking about upgrading the DD.

Current DD:

1995 Geo Prizm with 164,000 miles
-runs/drives perfect
-ice cold AC
-everything works
-gets 32-35 MPG
-looks like crap, interior is trashed, paint is flaking off, etc.


I have a project car sitting around:

1992 4-door Civic, unassembled, but with
-B16 motor -w- RLZ head
-GSR trans -w- LSD
-Integra rear disk conversion
-new Integra suspension
-SS log manifold with 2nd-gen DSM turbo
-chipped ECU, set of RC 440cc injectors
-decent condition, good interior



Or with my newfound wealth I could build something like this:

http://www.full-race.com/r14/

I know a guy with an S14 roller that he'd sell me for $2K, and I know somebody else who will get me a very good R32 clip for $4K.



If anyone else has any other ideas, please chime in. Here are my requirements:

-Under $30K
-four seats, must be able to get two kids in the back of it
-relaible, this will be a DD
-should be able to beat a CTS-V in a drag race

[Skaterkid]

If you don't mind throwing some mods at it, an used 05 RX8 with a Greddy turbo would fulfill all of those under 30k.

[rmcdaniels]

I thought about an RX-8. The only drawback to that is that it would be hard to conceal how much I spent from my wife. Those do have amazing handling/brakes though. Plus if I had one of those then I'd probably track it, they are just too good on a track.

[Skaterkid]

Used 8's are around 20k and the greddy stuff is about 3500 after the reliability mods needed so it wouldn't be that expensive. Plus the Greddy hides pretty well.

[rmcdaniels]

Doh! I forgot about the Pettit SC system for an RX-8. That makes it even more interesting.

[rmcdaniels]

Just looking at AutoTrader, I see tons of used 8's for 18-20. I didn't realize they were that cheap.

[Skaterkid]

Doh! I forgot about the Pettit SC system for an RX-8. That makes it even more interesting.
Once it comes out it could be interesting, but its taking a long time. The greddy builds boost so soon it might as well be a supercharger though. Avoid 04's though, they have problems that has caused an engine replacement recall. Later cars don't seem to suffer the same problems.

[rmcdaniels]

Yeah, oil injection metering pump problems, especially with synthetic oil, same stuff that used to happen on the old RX7's. I owned an FD and I'm pretty familiar with Mazda rotary gremlins.

[Skaterkid]

Well at least the RENESIS seems to handle boost very well. I've been reading RX8 club for almost a year now and the only engine failure that was boost related was from someone who did his own tune and had had the engine knock several times because of over boost and doing his own timing adjustments. I'm pretty sure I'll be buying one soon and boosting it afterwards.

[rmcdaniels]

That probably would be the easiest. I've been wanting to try the new AEM F/IC piggyback controller too, I think it would be good for this application.

[rmcdaniels]

Although I don't know, there's something about 500 WHP in an AWD car that would probably be awesome. I know a guy with a stock RB25DETT in a 240 and it is fast as hell.

[myshtern]

It's not your style but look at the new Pontiac G6 GTP, they're actually really cool.
I think I'll get an a G6, but not the GTP.

[Skaterkid]

A G6 won't outrun a CTS-V.

[myshtern]

A G6 won't outrun a CTS-V.
Yeah but dont they start at over $50k?
I think a fully loaded GTP with their opening roof thingy costs $29k.

I looked under the hood and they look really similar to the supercharged V6s GM used before so I'm sure it wouldnt be too difficult to find a s/c kit.

[Skaterkid]

-Under $30K
-four seats, must be able to get two kids in the back of it
-relaible, this will be a DD
-should be able to beat a CTS-V in a drag race

He wants a car that will outdrag a CTS-V for under 30k. An Evo, MS6, used STi or turbo'd RX8 all do that better than the G6.

[myshtern]

Oh gotcha, didnt read that until now.

RX8 would probably suck as a daily driver especially with kids.

[Skaterkid]

Why? It's got about the same amount of room in the rear as an STi and the small rear doors.

[rmcdaniels]

I wouldn't mind the RX8 as a DD, and I hardly ever need to take the kids anywhere in my car, I just need to be able to do it if I have to.

I think I'd like the G6 if I wanted a new car that I'd drive and not mess with, but I'd rather get something used that I can modify a bit.

CTS-V's go for about $30K used, my brother just bought one, hence my need to be faster.

[myshtern]

Why? It's got about the same amount of room in the rear as an STi and the small rear doors.
I remember sitting in the back of hung's STi, you're right.

What about the volvos we were talking about a while ago? 5 cylinder, turbo, awd, and sexy.

[-=[Juztin]=-]

Get a used TT'd Z! There's a few onsale on the Z boards hehehe.

If you caught me about 2 months ago I would of sold mine for 18k :p

[Zach]

i think you should do the s14 project. it might be more work, but ive never seen you intimidated by that. plus you could make it as nice as you wanted. 30k is a hell of a lot of play money when you are talking about only having around 10k to get it all up and running.

or you could get a used sti, ive seen tons of examples that make over 300WHP and 350TQ and still function as relaiable daily transportation.

[rmcdaniels]

I thought about an STI/Evo, but they are pricey, especially STI's, and I've seen way too many broken Evo's to be comfortable making one fast. The Volvo S40 T5 would be interesting, but it's too new and I don't know how the drivetrain would stand up. I could easily do a Mustang or T/A, but the R14 sounds more interesting, and that drivetrain should be bulletproof to 500-600 WHP. Plus it would be relatively unique. I also like the thought of dialing over/under-steer with the front-rear bias. Of course if I really wanted to go fast for cheap, I could drop an RB25 in an S13 and go, I know a guy who did that and it rocks.

[boostedEG]

am i the only one that wwants to see a 400HP geo?

[boostedEG]

also forgive my ignorance, but i know almost nothing about nissans...
isn't the 240 a rear wheel drive car? how much fabrication is required to make it AWD?

[JL LGT]

30k$ daily driver? WoW!

2000 or so (that gen anyway) Audi S4?

4 doors, bi turbo w/ room to modify.

[Zach]

30k$ daily driver? WoW!

2000 or so (that gen anyway) Audi S4?

4 doors, bi turbo w/ room to modify.

Depending on what you want out of your new DD ( including the aforementioned criteria) there are actually several Audi's that would make for a great DD. they are definately a heavier alternative, however an 2000-02 S4 has the bi turbo 2.7t, which responds extremely well to modifications.

the 03-04 S4's are dropping in price significantly, and have a 340hp V8 with lots of torque (relatively). they dont respond as well to modifications, and like any other european car they are more expensive to maintain, but they are a hell of a lot of fun to drive, have a 6 speed, and plenty of room to throw the kiddos in the back seat.

the Allroad with the 2.7t or the 4.2 is yet another alternative, although they are more function oriented than performance. they do have a 4 position air suspension, have decent towing capacity (enough for a race car) and PLENTY of room. another plus is that they come in a six speed, have have decent aftermarket support.

[rmcdaniels]

Check the link in my first post for a link to the fabrication process for making a 240 AWD. It costs $13K, and the car will have new suspension and drivetrain. My tuner saw one at SEMA and it looked pretty good. Then you just buy a Skyline GTR R32 clip ($4K-$6K, depending on year, transmission) and bolt it in. You have to splice the wiring harness, but that's not too difficult.


As far as a B5 S4, it would cost around $15K for a decent one, and modifying them gets very expensive. Then it's also pretty heavy. It's a nice car, but I'd rather do something simpler.

[rmcdaniels]

I was thinking about something a friend of mine did a few years ago, Subaru 2.5RS coupe (can be bought for less than $5K) with a JDM STI swap (full swaps can be had for under $4K). For the most part it bolts in, but there is some work involved in the wiring harness, but I can do that myself. It would make a lot of power, be relatively light (2800 lbs.), and the JDM STI drivetrain is supposed to hold up well.

[Zach]

or you could get a USDM STI drivetrain... the extra .5 liter of displacement really helps low end torque.

[rmcdaniels]

I'll have to do some Subie research, the only stuff that I know about them is from one guy that I know who modified one. I kn ow of a group of Subie tuners that gets together on Tuesday nights for wings though, I'll have to talk to them about it. One of them has an insanely fast Forester wagon.

[Skaterkid]

I would get the STi 6 spd and diff for sure. It'll be a lot stronger than the 5spds.

[rmcdaniels]

Looking at the local boards, I see a '95 Impreza L AWD with an RS2.5 swap in it. If it's easy enough to do a swap, it would be interesting to see an STI drivetrain in a 2600 lb Impreza.

[rmcdaniels]

I called a couple of shops that do Subie swaps today. How about a Version 1 or 2 STI swap in a GC8 Impreza? From what I'm reading, it's mechanically a bolt-in, but electrically it's a nightmare and there aren't good Subaru engine management options for it. The early EJ20 STI motor looks solid though, 8.5:1 CR, forged internals, and a closed deck. It wouldn't have variable valve timing or adjustable front-rear diff bias, but for a street car it should be fine. Bolt it in and screw Subaru engine management, use a standalone EMS, with the money I save I could get a pimpy Universal EMS.


I've found a couple of other people who did this, they get 300-350 WHP (with a bigger turbo, you can make 400+ with it, but I'd like to keep it reliable) and run high 11's on street tires. Can you imagine an 11.8 in this:

http://s115271005.onlinehome.us/images/Impreza1.jpg

The pictured car is for sale at a dealer, they are asking $1999, it is mechanically perfect and the interior is flawless (according to a used car dealer).


Version 1 and 2 STI swaps, including full wiring harness and rear suspension/diff, go for less than $4K shipped. I don't think my wife would even look twice at this if I came home with it.

[Zach]

i say go for it, although a 2.5liter swap should be easier electrically and make more power.

[JL LGT]

I'd prefer the newer WRX on looks alone.

Then with a 2.5 swap w/ the 6spd would be buttah.

Than some slow mods... unless of course you could afford (and had the patience for) a Crawford build.... it'd be a very sexy sleeper.

With the whale tale as opposed to that obvious STi wing would be real nice!

I just wish Subaru would have implemented a telscopic wheel a while back. I'd own an STi right now if so cause everything else on the car is very choice.

It REALLY sucks being teh GrapeApe!