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So, my Toyota Tacoma's as good a truck as any I know of, but it's fifteen years old. I don't really use it like a truck, don't need to haul stuff around. I do a lot of zipping around all over the L.A. area visiting other people's jobsites, I live up on the 101 a bit but during the week I often stay at my boss's place in the Hollywood Hills since he has a guesthouse that's part of my comp package, with the housekeeper and the pool and so on. Pool's not Olympic sized but I'm not an Olympian, so...
I miss small zippy cars. I'm too old for an Old School sports car like a Miata or a Z3/Z4, too much hassle getting in and out and there's also the Cop Magnet part of it. And I hate FWD and AWD, I'm just more comfortable with RWD.
So, I'm ready to lose the Tacoma and get into a small, righteous coupe I can drive on the PCH every chance I get, maybe do a little hobby racing, etc. My budget is a generous $20K, maybe $25 for a great specimen, and sell my truck for $8K-9K. These Bimmers were cheaper a year or two ago but they're starting to get "collectible" and the prices are up, especially for the turbo cars. What was $16-18K a year ago in a 135i is now offered for ten or twelve thou more. And any of them that Carvana gets their hands on, you can add a few thou more just to pay for the TV commercials.
I welcome input from @Lokmar and any other gear heads. I've kinda narrowed it down to one car with engine options.
The BMW 1-Series was a critically acclaimed return to the lightweight, moderately powered sports cars inspired by the Neue Klasse sedans and sports coupes of the 1960s and '70s. It was immediately recognized as an excellent driver car with precise handling characteristics and a punchy engine. All 3 of the BMW choices use an I-6 of 3.0 liters, but there are 4 engine versions that vary by year and state of tune, and the turbo question. All these cars were built in Leipzig or Regensburg. EVERY ONE of them is a tuner's dream.
If I really wanted a turbo motor I'd maybe look at Benzes or Audis because I don't think turbos are a strong suit with BMW. High maintenance, the wastegates are noisy, and I don't need the extra power or the hassle. The N52 motor in the later 130i makes over 250 HP, with an 0-62 time in the mid fives, quarter mile in the low 14s, that's all the punch I need and the package is nondescript.
I've added the Genesis as a choice but it's a bit larger and lacks integrity and refinement. Kind of a Boy Racer sled, I think, and since alla them will have had at least a couple of previous owners in their twenties, I doubt I'd find one that didn't have PTSD.
I miss small zippy cars. I'm too old for an Old School sports car like a Miata or a Z3/Z4, too much hassle getting in and out and there's also the Cop Magnet part of it. And I hate FWD and AWD, I'm just more comfortable with RWD.
So, I'm ready to lose the Tacoma and get into a small, righteous coupe I can drive on the PCH every chance I get, maybe do a little hobby racing, etc. My budget is a generous $20K, maybe $25 for a great specimen, and sell my truck for $8K-9K. These Bimmers were cheaper a year or two ago but they're starting to get "collectible" and the prices are up, especially for the turbo cars. What was $16-18K a year ago in a 135i is now offered for ten or twelve thou more. And any of them that Carvana gets their hands on, you can add a few thou more just to pay for the TV commercials.
I welcome input from @Lokmar and any other gear heads. I've kinda narrowed it down to one car with engine options.
The BMW 1-Series was a critically acclaimed return to the lightweight, moderately powered sports cars inspired by the Neue Klasse sedans and sports coupes of the 1960s and '70s. It was immediately recognized as an excellent driver car with precise handling characteristics and a punchy engine. All 3 of the BMW choices use an I-6 of 3.0 liters, but there are 4 engine versions that vary by year and state of tune, and the turbo question. All these cars were built in Leipzig or Regensburg. EVERY ONE of them is a tuner's dream.
If I really wanted a turbo motor I'd maybe look at Benzes or Audis because I don't think turbos are a strong suit with BMW. High maintenance, the wastegates are noisy, and I don't need the extra power or the hassle. The N52 motor in the later 130i makes over 250 HP, with an 0-62 time in the mid fives, quarter mile in the low 14s, that's all the punch I need and the package is nondescript.
I've added the Genesis as a choice but it's a bit larger and lacks integrity and refinement. Kind of a Boy Racer sled, I think, and since alla them will have had at least a couple of previous owners in their twenties, I doubt I'd find one that didn't have PTSD.