what would you build or buy?

[scott5]

Say you got 12-15k to spend on a DD. What would you buy or build. Now the max is between 12-15k and NO more. After that was spent no more future mods, or changes or anything. After that money is spent you gotta live with what you made or bought.
Requirements:
25-30 mpg mixed driving
Fun to drive
Be able to fit groceries, car parts, and other misc things
Run 11.5s or faster
Have ALL accessories meaning ac/heat/power everything
Reliable
Be cheap to maintain

What would you build or buy? And you can only purchase one vehicle. Not spend 500 on a beater and buy a cobra for 14500. Money is to only be spent on the one vehicle

[PaxtonShelby]

I will never own something that gets 25-30 mixed mpg.

[Mark Aubele]

LS1 swapped E36 BMW. Have wanted to build one for years. Should be able to get it done around 15K, and should go near the 11.50 goal with some bolt ons since it should come in around 2800-2900 lbs.

If you babied it I imagine you could get the MPG but no matter what I drive I have never gotten that kind of MPG in mixed driving.

[John4cam]

C5 and a little gear, exhaust and spray.

[SlowSix]

I don't think there is really anything that would meet all those criteria, imo.

[speedracer]

1 gen Probe GT... Put a chipped ecu and turn up the boost to 18 psi and a Addco rear sway bar and Polly bushings... 17"wheels and tires, spare set of winter tires and put about $12,000 in the bank. Lol flame away

it won't go 11.5... Big whoop

[scott5]

Money is for car only. If you don't spend it you lose it. I'm basically is this boat right now and those are my criteria. Whatever I don't spend on the DD will go right into the camaro anyways so I consider it a loss anyways. here is what I was thinking.

Modded srt4 but already had one
Or
Heads/cam/spray ls1 swapped s10 truck (which is highily in the plans)
or
K20 swapped bubble civic

Just looking for some other options

[Monkeygrits]

I would say an ST1 focus. I bet you can get a used one now for a little more than your top number. I've never heard anyone say bad things about the driving experience and it would actually go in the snow if your running it year round with winter tires. Dunno about the 11.5 thing but I bet at fun as hell to drive.

[SlowSix]

What about an evo Scott ?

[keithd]

What about an evo Scott ?

ford lightning

[SlowSix]

Also decent option, but I doubt they get 25 mpg

[somethingclever]

I think john already called the best choice that meets all criteria.

C5 and juice

[John4cam]

Yeah John.....you can find decent c5's right now for below Scott's bottom price....

[RUTHLESS]

If it's a DD, I would give up some mpgs and get a trailblazer SS. I will not have a DD without awd or 4wd.

[John4cam]

he lives in a warmer climate....

[RUTHLESS]

he lives in a warmer climate....

I should have looked. Lol.

[Mark Aubele]

Snow tires. When it is bad out we leave the 4wd Yukon at home and take the rwd BMW, car goes 10x better than the Yukon does with normal tires and they are practically new. Speaking of all around driving in the snow, obviously the Yukon will go through anything, it just doesn't stop or steer anywhere near how the car does on the General Altimax's.

[scott5]

Those two have cross my mind as well. Was just seeing what kind of ideals other people would have. Evo is one of the tops on my list with the s10 but the new generation will have to come out first to drive the price down alil more

[scott5]

If it's a DD, I would give up some mpgs and get a trailblazer SS. I will not have a DD without awd or 4wd.

Tbss, been there done that and will never ever own another one

[scott5]

And yea we rarely if ever get snow here

[ERR0RMACR0]

Evo would be a great car, but not sure about the current market. I've always liked Evos--not sure if they are your cup of tea, but they would fulfill the fun DD role pretty well, in my opinion.

[John4cam]

LSx swapped coupe? 6 speed trans. That would be cheap to maintain. Should get mpg too...

[travj31]

I thought I was going to love mine, but that wasn't necessarily the case. I can say too I really don't miss mine at all and can almost guarantee I'll never own another one.


Tbss, been there done that and will never ever own another one