Finding a 1M Substitution

[redux]

I'm taking a position in Germany that's going to keep me out of the states for a couple of years and it seem that my 1M may not be able to come with me (TUV and massive suspension mods don't seem to play nice). So, I figure that it's about time to start searching for a new toy to play with during my exodus. I've eye-banging the 991 GT3 pretty hard, but I have a feeling that it's going to be a little fast for my liking. After thinking it over for a few nights, I've decided that I should get something that is forbidden fruit in the states.

So far I've narrowed the list down to:

Renault Sport Clio V6
Escort Cosworth
Lancia Delta Integrale



Does anyone have any other suggestions?

[robertm]

959

[redux]

The cost of ownership for one of those is a terrifying prospect if you're not worth billions. My price cap is about 150,000 Euro, which would just about cover an oil change for a 959. I have no plans of owning a garage queen, the chassis is going to be beat to dust by the time I'm done with it.

[IEDEI]

Renault R26-R. you won't regret it. do a search.

another great option is the Audi RS3. blistering speed and a beautiful 5 cylinder turbo that sounds amaaaaaaaazing

also the older Audi RS2 (manufactured by Porsche)

[Chapman1977]

If you're going down this route, make sure to take a look at our fellow British icons

- Lotus Elise MkI (S160, S190!)
- Lotus Exige MkI
- Lotus 340R
- TVR's

etc.

Pure heart and soul, and not (much) more maintenance than the ones you mentioned.

Cheers

[redux]

Originally Posted by IEDEI

Renault R26-R. you won't regret it. do a search.

another great option is the Audi RS3. blistering speed and a beautiful 5 cylinder turbo that sounds amaaaaaaaazing

also the older Audi RS2 (manufactured by Porsche)

I played with an R26-R back in 2010; while fun, I just don't see me owning one or doing the FWD thing again.



The 340R is the list, but all things lotus are a bit small when you are 6'1" 220 pounds.

[lcrain]

TVR Sagaris.

Or an M3 CSL. Either way you must get something cool that we have/will not get here in the states.

[greensto]

TVR Sagaris!!!! I feel in love with that car the second I saw it, but probably not very practical though for a dd... If you decide to go that route, you need to let me know what you think!!

[Dackelone]

BMW M550d Kombi(Wagon) they sell for about 90K euros new.

Maybe a regular 911. ?

IF your looking for a daily driver I would not go with something old and exotic. Your gonna need a 2nd car then. And remember most Germans park on the street! lol Insurance is also rediculous over here.


(new)cars over here are very expensive. Your typical e9x M3 sells for 100K euros. A GT3 is probably close to 200K euros new. Of course the used car market is much cheaper. But most Germans only buy new(or more likely Lease) a car. They keep it for two or three years and then ditch it. The reason is by the time the car is three years old your gonna need new tires(both summer and winter!) and brakes and services.

Germany is the land where an oil change at most dealerships runs 300 euros(for say a 1M or M3). Oil service(trans and diff and engine oil) is probably more like 600 euros. And don't forget the Krauts, tax the car every year(and it always costs more each year) bc they want you to buy a new car every few years. lol

Its like the tour guide at the Lamborghini factory told me... "...everyone can afford a Lambo... BUT not everyone can afford to keep(service) them"!!! lol That made me laugh, but its true.

Also... a German driver's license will run about 1,300 euros. Let teh fun begin!

Dack

[Robin_NL]

Originally Posted by redux

I'm taking a position in Germany that's going to keep me out of the states for a couple of years and it seem that my 1M may not be able to come with me (TUV and massive suspension mods don't seem to play nice). So, I figure that it's about time to start searching for a new toy to play with during my exodus. I've eye-banging the 991 GT3 pretty hard, but I have a feeling that it's going to be a little fast for my liking. After thinking it over for a few nights, I've decided that I should get something that is forbidden fruit in the states.

So far I've narrowed the list down to:

Renault Sport Clio V6
Escort Cosworth
Lancia Delta Integrale



Does anyone have any other suggestions?

I drove all 3 of them:

Clio V6 (Phase II)= Awesome looks, limited, but not enough grunt, and the interior gets very hot(midengine) plus the mid engine swb makes it a difficult car on the limit. Always choose a Phase II imo.

Escort Cosworth: Traction but turbolag. I drove a 300BHP Gr A rallything almost 20 years ago Rallypedigree. Very powerful. Great car , parts and maintenance arent as costly as the:

Delta Integrale. Traction.Beautiful boxy looks, just like the 1M. Rally pedigree(Stratos/037/Delta S4 etc) , strange drivingposition. Costly to maintain. And Italian way of doing things(dashboard layout, functions)

Those cars are older(10-20 years) so don't expect them to be doing the same things you can do with a 1M(as a daily etc)

If money is no object I'd choose a nice Integrale HF Evo 1 or Evo 2(they(good ones) don't come cheap) , but not as a daily.

Cheers
Robin

[Artemis]

Originally Posted by redux

I've decided that I should get something that is forbidden fruit in the states.

Consider a BMW M135i.

Originally Posted by redux

So far I've narrowed the list down to:
Renault Sport Clio V6

If you're into Renault, check the Renault Mégane RS 265 Trophy. Lapped the Nürburgring in 08:08, a lap record for a FWD (http://www.carscoops.com/2011/06/ren...ap-record.html)

BMW M135i versus Renault Mégane RS

[redux]

Thankfully I'll have a Golf to tool around in, so this car remain a toy. I can't seem to kick the memory of the run I had in Clio V6 about six years ago. It's hard to think of anything that would be as fun at road speeds.

[Ollieb7]

22B

[LukeM3]

I like the look of the current VW Scirroco
Something you can't get stateside

[ozinaldo]

I would go for a used German "classic" in Germany! In your particular case a M3 CSL or a RS2 could really deliver the thrills you are looking for. Or if there was something missing from the ranks of Porsche in US market that you always wanted to get...that too would make good sense. Germany should be the best place to find a well kept one for both models. And when you do find, they will cost as much if not more than your 1M in States but I would be surprised if you would regret having any of them.

[Jay-K]

Originally Posted by Dackelone

BMW M550d Kombi(Wagon) they sell for about 90K euros new.

Maybe a regular 911. ?

IF your looking for a daily driver I would not go with something old and exotic. Your gonna need a 2nd car then. And remember most Germans park on the street! lol Insurance is also rediculous over here.


(new)cars over here are very expensive. Your typical e9x M3 sells for 100K euros. A GT3 is probably close to 200K euros new. Of course the used car market is much cheaper. But most Germans only buy new(or more likely Lease) a car. They keep it for two or three years and then ditch it. The reason is by the time the car is three years old your gonna need new tires(both summer and winter!) and brakes and services.

Germany is the land where an oil change at most dealerships runs 300 euros(for say a 1M or M3). Oil service(trans and diff and engine oil) is probably more like 600 euros. And don't forget the Krauts, tax the car every year(and it always costs more each year) bc they want you to buy a new car every few years. lol

Its like the tour guide at the Lamborghini factory told me... "...everyone can afford a Lambo... BUT not everyone can afford to keep(service) them"!!! lol That made me laugh, but its true.

Also... a German driver's license will run about 1,300 euros. Let teh fun begin!

Dack

thanks for the info, nice

[Jay-K]

how about another 1M there?

[RKR]

Not sure if you get the GTS stateside but this would surely keep you entertained;

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifie...xperiment=true

[redux]

Getting another 1M, plus the cost of modding it to the point where I'm happy with it, seems like a waste. The M3 GTS is too big for my tastes...

[Johnny-J5]

Audi TTRS, Audi RS6 or B5 RS4

e46 m3 CSL

AlfaRomeo 8C

European diesels aren't too shabby either!

[MightyMouseTech]

I would be picking up an RS3 in a heartbeat.

[Artemis]

Originally Posted by redux

I've eye-banging the 991 GT3 pretty hard, but I have a feeling that it's going to be a little fast for my liking.

Go retro with the 2014 Porsche Targa 4S. The roof concept is an innovation.