I've got $12k to spend and open to suggestions.

[AndyMpire]

Alright guys here's the deal. I'm PCSing from Korea to Ft. Benning,GA in 27 days. The wife has given me the go ahead to spend $12k on anything I want. My issue is I find something different like a million times a day and can't decide for sure. I'm not asking you to make my decision for me and I know I'm gonna need to ultimately test drive a bunch of vehicles before I pull the trigger I'm simply looking or suggestions as multiple minds can accomplish more than one (usually).

*things vehicle must have

Room for car seat. (wife is pregnant and she has a SUV but would be nice to switch it up)
RWD or 4x4/AWD only. Trucks/SUV's are an option.
Miles under 150k
Nothing crazy on maintenance.
Preferably manual trans(if a car)
No crazy colors. I like gray, white, silver etc.
I'd like to stay away from 4cyl. Just a preference. Gas mileage is not an issue.
Can be lowered or lifted.

* about my usual activities with vehicles.
I go to track days once in a awhile.
Drag strip a few times a year.
I ride dirt bikes and quads a lot.
I enjoy off roading as much as road racing.
I'm not manufacturer biased. but I prefer American and European models over Japanese.

I'm just looking for something that I can have fun with whether it be an off road rig or a 10 second boosted camaro or even autoX/ track beast. Stock vehicles are good too. Just looking for thoughts and suggestions.

Thanks ahead of time for any input, but I ask that you don't troll this thread I'm just not about all that crap.

[Nick475]

get a newer m3 or m5. thats what i would do if i ever had money lol

[johnnytsunami]

i would buy a unimog.

[244Brick]

Evo (not 12k) or STI

[Kielan]

get a newer m3 or m5. thats what i would do if i ever had money lol

Both of those in good shape are out of his price range.

S2000
Low miles E36M3
IS300
B5 S4 (I know you said maintenance, but whatever it had to be said)
E46 ZHP
E39 540s (again maintenance)

I know nothing about the truck market so I'm out of suggestions.

[AndyMpire]

Keep em coming. I'm looking into a few of these.

Evo & Sti are 4cyl. As is S2000. No 4cyl.

Also s2000 no baby friendly.

Lol@ unimog. Dem bitches are cool as fuck.

[Kielan]

Keep em coming. I'm looking into a few of these.

Evo & Sti are 4cyl. As is S2000. No 4cyl.

Also s2000 no baby friendly.

Lol@ unimog. Dem bitches are cool as fuck.

Well we went from "prefer to stay away from 4cyl" to no 4 cyl so now we're making progress.

[P78]

if they weren't such crappy cars (maintenance wise)

land rover

[MommysLittleMonster]

E36 m3.

[coconutt]

Early G35 sedan.

[MommysLittleMonster]

Early G35 sedan.

As long as it isn't an Up-Rev and doesn't burn a quart of oil every week.

[Skraight.]

Want something cheap on maintenance, easy to make a 10-11 second car, or an auto-x monster.

Go domestic, 2000+ camaro z28 or trans am. 2000+ have the LS6 goodies and put down around 350rwhp stock in m6. Maintenance is dirt cheap, and you can easily get in the low 10s with a few grand.

You could get a clean 2000+ with under 100k miles for 7-8k and use the rest for goodies. A lot are already modded decently for that price too.

[coconutt]

^ I agree with that and have thought those cars. But I just don't see that car seat being friendly in those.

[Ieatpeople]

crown vic, 99-11. dirt cheap to buy and maintain. plenty of room for car-seats, i would know.

can be made very low:







i got an 07 crown vic with 102k miles on it for $4700, that leaves plenty of money for mods and maintenance.

[244Brick]

there aren't many "fast" 4dr non 4cyl cars for under 12K