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I am looking for a car under $15K that could do double duty for Autocross (regionally competitive) and DD. Make that triple duty. It also needs to fit one rear facing car seat, one front facing car seat, a passenger, a full size stroller in the trunk, and golf clubs.
Ideally we could do all of that at the same time
Is this too much to ask?
P71 & a miata, and enough left over to upgrade them both.
spending money I don't have to buy parts I don't need to impress people I don't know
Mazda 3 hatch/5-door.
The only problem I have with the P71 is the fact the back seat may have seen all sorts of ...um... fluid. And well a Miata doesn't really seat 4. I wonder if a standard Civilian Crown Vic would work.
Protege5 should fit the bill
Inanimate objects are classified scientifically into three major categories - those that don't work, those that break down and those that get lost.
'04 Forrester XT.
Carpe Cerevisi!
Volvo S60R
I never thought of the XT or the S60R. I should check if the Volvo comes in a manual. This is why I love reading this board, you can get some cool car ideas that the average human wouldn't even think about.
Replacement interiors are cheap for P71's, I bought an all new one as my first mod... 
But yeah, it sounds like 2 cars might suit you better as anything big enough to fit all of that won't be stellar at an autocross. Depending on which car seats you have you may want to look at a Neon SRT4. They are very good at cone dodging and have a surprisingly big back seat.
Mazdaspeed 3 or Mazda 3 hatch might fit the bill.
A great compromise "fun to drive" car is the Mazda 5. You cant get it with a manual and they are huge inside.
Michael Pinto
I second the 04 forester xt, though manuals seem tough to find. A wrx wagon would also fit the bill.
Actually no on the WRX wagon, due to the fact that I can't fit my stroller in one. Wasn't there some dealer that did reconditioning of P71 interiors?
stroller fits in my wrx wagon just fine. What sort of monstrosity of a stroller do you have?
senador wrote: Actually no on the WRX wagon, due to the fact that I can't fit my stroller in one. Wasn't there some dealer that did reconditioning of P71 interiors?
I can't imagine why. As P71 (the board member) stated, salvage yards can just sell you another for pretty cheap. Additionally, at even half your price point, you can be a choosy son of a gun and buy one like mine. The interior was immaculate and it had never had any holes or emblems attached. I'm still not sure what they used it for, but it was completely odor and stain free.
And get a miata + trailer that your ford will effortlessly tow.
spending money I don't have to buy parts I don't need to impress people I don't know
I found a new in the box back seat, in the right color, in my small po-dunk town, within 2 days of buying the car. Same thing for the used front seats (Sheriff's car that got totaled very early in service). I bought a new civvie carpet set on eBay for $89 and got the uncut dash from a junkyard for $25 along with all new trunk liners. Then I got an NOS console and new rear belts. It's super easy to do the interior yourself.
Definitely a good tow platform. I'm looking out for a trailer so I can start towing the 7 and go further...
Michael Pinto
I think the mazda 3 would be a good fit, won HS at this past year's nationals I believe.
We have a local 3 series BMW (E46 Chassis) on street tires that regularly gets top pax. We do have a street tire class here that they run in.
mmmmmmmm, get a touring...
spending money I don't have to buy parts I don't need to impress people I don't know
I am not sure how good your negotiation skills are but if you can get $18.9k down to $15k you could have 400hp w/ a 6 speed that should fill all your wants and you will even look good at the golf course.
Not mine, just something i came across.
As previously stated, the P71 plus a trailer plus a Miata. All you need is an E30 and you have attained the Trinity.
Peace be with you.
What about rwd 9c1 impalla? Or just a rwd impalla?
I love this board !!
A CTSV would work! I could also pass as wealthy in my parts. I should check on that.
CTS-V's are very, very nice. I like them a lot! 4-door Corvette C5 Z06.
Michael Pinto
shut up, shut up, shut up, I'm going to go insane thinking about everything that I'll be able to afford a year from now!!!!
Inanimate objects are classified scientifically into three major categories - those that don't work, those that break down and those that get lost.
Legacy GT wagon..
6 speed 250 hp 250 lb ft
You know you want to buy it: 5341DeepBlue.MarikaKary.com
+1 on the Subaru Legacy. A B-Spec would be the shizzle, but an older Coupe or Wagon could be hopped up to really move. It won't be regionally competative, but let's face it, the only thing with back seats and trunks that will win regionally are EVOS and STis. (OK, there are a few more, Mustang KR?) Unless of course you can drive like a Solo II Ninja! Short of that, get a WRX sedan or wagon. Smaller, but $15K can get a pretty decent setup.
Are older Audi S4's coming into that price range yet? What about an M3 Sedan or modified 3-Series anything?
As far as I know neither CTS-Vs or B-body impalas/caprices are known for long transmission life. Just for that I would tend to avoid them. Id say get a subaru forrester new enough to not blow head gaskets, and a ES 2nd gen mr2 or miata.
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