Automobiles

[nahtnoj]

treadonme, lets say you buy the car for 22K. The IMS bearing is "only" about 2K. No reason not to go get that done right away for piece of mind. If you take a chance on it and lunch your engine, your 22K car is now a 37K car. There are probably better ways to spend 37K on an automobile than a 996.

I studied the 996 situation pretty carefully, but decided to get a S2000 instead. 996 values are starting to increase a bit - cars that were high teens 18 months ago are now low 20s. Good time to get in.

[twowheels]

IMS usually just seeps. If they were made in England, folks would say its normal.

I love the 996 turbos and particularly the GT3s. Both are pretty high value in comparison to the regular 996s. They have very different and far superior motors and transmissions. But, if you get a regular old 996, expect to want to put some suspension on it and have it corner balanced.

The 996s are great driver's cars. Set up properly, you can really manipulate them with technique--you can induce understeer, oversteer, or neutrality, based on corner entry speed, throttle position, and trail braking. All Pcars, and especially the older ones, are happiest with the driver holding a fairly neutral throttle position during cornering.

Once you figure out how to drive a rear engine Pcar, you really get to love them.

[nahtnoj]

IMS usually just seeps. If they were made in England, folks would say its normal.

I love the 996 turbos and particularly the GT3s. Both are pretty high value in comparison to the regular 996s. They have very different and far superior motors and transmissions. But, if you get a regular old 996, expect to want to put some suspension on it and have it corner balanced.

The 996 Turbo and GT3 both have Mezger engines. Very different than the stock 996. Your GT3 engine could leak because it had a 1960s crankcase design. The M96 engines don't have adequate lubrication on the bearing behind the IMS seal, which gradually introduces metal shavings into the engine...

[twowheels]

The 996 Turbo and GT3 both have Mezger engines. Very different than the stock 996. Your GT3 engine could leak because it had a 1960s crankcase design. The M96 engines don't have adequate lubrication on the bearing behind the IMS seal, which gradually introduces metal shavings into the engine...

My GT3 never had an oil leak, in fact it never used a drop of oil and it always purred like a kitten after pulling off the track after a 30 minute session of full throttle redlining. My Carrera 996, on the other hand, did have an IMS replaced, periodically smoked like a Subaru on initial startup, and often burned oil during a track session. That's why I tend to steer folks towards 996 turbos and GT cars. The motors in those beasts are direct descendants of the most successful endurance racing motors in history.

[winmonster]

I'm more conservative than you guys. When I was on the hunt, potential IMS issues spooked me. I was looking at Cayman Ss, though.

[jerk]

I'm more conservative than you guys. When I was on the hunt, potential IMS issues spooked me. I was looking at Cayman Ss, though.

it's why i bought my 2008 Cayman from Carmax with the extended service warranty anything breaks we fix it scam..... it actually makes a lot of sense on a car like this.

i drove my Cayman today...despite the fact that it is not an S, has a slush box, and is red- I really love driving that car.

[winmonster]

Smart man, Craig! And the chassis, regardless of motor, is a joy.

[xjoex]

It has a cummins turbo diesel swap ... be still my heart.


This has 4 wheel steering,.


Heck of a flat fender


This... wow.


EJS is a pretty neat week for car spotting.

-Joe

[Nierman]

This... wow.


EJS is a pretty neat week for car spotting.

-Joe

Had to look into that one. Wow is right.

[xjoex]

This one is super cool too. It is built on a 1990s lexus chassis.


More pics of it: Joe on Instagram: “Another amazing rig from #ejs219 #moab #fj4”

-Joe

[Jason Musgrave]

Someone talk some sense into me and keep me from buying a Fiesta. I'm a truck guy and really want a 4runner or another FJ but if I am totally honest with myself all I really need is a cheap commuter now that I am an urbanite. They can be had for ~$14k, come in a manual, and their ubiquity in the rally world has me duped into thinking one is the way to go. There is a fair amount of aftermarket rally support and I keep thinking a LSD upgrade, some Bilstein HD's, all-terrain tires, and a homebrew skid plate and I can get to any trail head I realistically need to and still makes a way cheaper and easier to drive commuter than the 4runner/etc. Plus my oldest is only 3 years away from driving so I'd better start thinking about that soon too.

Save me from myself...

[sk_tle]

As long as it isn't an eurolike entry level sub 1L displacement model you could do worse than a Fiesta.

[Saab2000]

Someone talk some sense into me and keep me from buying a Fiesta. I'm a truck guy and really want a 4runner or another FJ but if I am totally honest with myself all I really need is a cheap commuter now that I am an urbanite. They can be had for ~$14k, come in a manual, and their ubiquity in the rally world has me duped into thinking one is the way to go. There is a fair amount of aftermarket rally support and I keep thinking a LSD upgrade, some Bilstein HD's, all-terrain tires, and a homebrew skid plate and I can get to any trail head I realistically need to and still makes a way cheaper and easier to drive commuter than the 4runner/etc. Plus my oldest is only 3 years away from driving so I'd better start thinking about that soon too.

Save me from myself...

I rented a Fiesta 4-door hatchback a few months ago and it was way better than I expected it to be. And then I saw one the other day with some really nice wheels, cloth seats and a manual and I thought to myself, "I could actually see myself with this car". It looked like a small GTI killer.

The only thing thing I'd say is that it is smaller than a GTI and if you're more than 6' tall or like to carry bulky items like a bike with the rear seat down this could be an issue. But the solidity and drivability of the Fiesta I rented was so much better than I had anticipated. In fact, most of the Fords I have rented over the years have not disappointed whereas most other brands have felt about as exciting as a paper grocery bag or a bar of soap. In other words, just things you use. The Fiesta felt like something more than that.

So if it fits, I won't talk you out of it. But be sure to drive it and get in and out because it is smaller than a GTI or Focus-sized vehicle. I'm 6' tall and this would be a serious consideration if I were going to buy one for myself.

[dgaddis]

Someone talk some sense into me and keep me from buying a Fiesta. I'm a truck guy and really want a 4runner or another FJ but if I am totally honest with myself all I really need is a cheap commuter now that I am an urbanite. They can be had for ~$14k, come in a manual, and their ubiquity in the rally world has me duped into thinking one is the way to go. There is a fair amount of aftermarket rally support and I keep thinking a LSD upgrade, some Bilstein HD's, all-terrain tires, and a homebrew skid plate and I can get to any trail head I realistically need to and still makes a way cheaper and easier to drive commuter than the 4runner/etc. Plus my oldest is only 3 years away from driving so I'd better start thinking about that soon too.

Save me from myself...

Keep in mind that Ford will soon stop selling cars in the US, focusing on just trucks and SUVs. And the mustang. For whatever that's worth...

[j44ke]

Someone talk some sense into me and keep me from buying a Fiesta. I'm a truck guy and really want a 4runner or another FJ but if I am totally honest with myself all I really need is a cheap commuter now that I am an urbanite. They can be had for ~$14k, come in a manual, and their ubiquity in the rally world has me duped into thinking one is the way to go. There is a fair amount of aftermarket rally support and I keep thinking a LSD upgrade, some Bilstein HD's, all-terrain tires, and a homebrew skid plate and I can get to any trail head I realistically need to and still makes a way cheaper and easier to drive commuter than the 4runner/etc. Plus my oldest is only 3 years away from driving so I'd better start thinking about that soon too.

Save me from myself...

When has Ford made a good inexpensive car? I mean really. At $14K you aren't buying a rally car, and I doubt the rally version bears any real resemblance to the car you would be buying underneath its outer shell. The Ford Fiestas in the US aren't even the same as European Ford Fiestas. I've driven Euro Ford Fiestas and they have actual suspensions, turbo diesel, and good tires. And I've driven US Ford Fiestas. And I'd say the nice thing about renting a car is that you give it back when you are done with it.

You'd be 100% better off with a Honda Fit.

[nahtnoj]

You'd be 100% better off with a Honda Fit.

This. You can do all the rally shit you want to with it. I sold my 2011 base automatic last month for 6 grand with 57K on it.

Actually, now that I think about it, buy whatever car you can get comfortable in. Honda's have an absolutely garbage relationship between the seat, pedals, and steering wheel for people our size. You'll be hunched over. The Fit is not an exception to this.

I was at the dealer recently, and I sat in everything they had in the showroom. Not one single car in which I could get the wheel back far enough to assume a proper driving position.

[Jason Musgrave]

When has Ford made a good inexpensive car? I mean really. At $14K you aren't buying a rally car, and I doubt the rally version bears any real resemblance to the car you would be buying underneath its outer shell. The Ford Fiestas in the US aren't even the same as European Ford Fiestas. I've driven Euro Ford Fiestas and they have actual suspensions, turbo diesel, and good tires. And I've driven US Ford Fiestas. And I'd say the nice thing about renting a car is that you give it back when you are done with it.

You'd be 100% better off with a Honda Fit.

I don't think I'd be buying a rally car - I'm simply saying I admit to being intrigued by their popularity in the rally world and the amount of rally parts for them. I've watched all the vids from Team O'Neil on the conversion R2 spec for example and know full well what a true rally car is. Someone once told me the Fiesta is basically a MKII Golf with a Ford motor. I've never owned a Ford...heck the last time I owned anything but a Toyota was over 20 years ago. I agree 100% that a Fit is a better car (I dig the new Corolla hatch too) which is why I asked someone to talk me out of a Fiesta.

Saab - 6'3" here. I drove a Fiesta ST and it's small but doable at least as far as leg-room goes. Liked the Turbo but not worth the extra coin imho. We have a Sienna for hauling the kids/stuff around.

[nachetetm]

I'm currently driving a 2013 Fiesta with the 1.0 (125hp) Ecoboost engine (EU model). The engine is surprisingly nice and the chassis very playful. It really does its job very well, and if you don't need more space it is really a good option.

[cp43]

I don't think I'd be buying a rally car - I'm simply saying I admit to being intrigued by their popularity in the rally world and the amount of rally parts for them. I've watched all the vids from Team O'Neil on the conversion R2 spec for example and know full well what a true rally car is. Someone once told me the Fiesta is basically a MKII Golf with a Ford motor. I've never owned a Ford...heck the last time I owned anything but a Toyota was over 20 years ago. I agree 100% that a Fit is a better car (I dig the new Corolla hatch too) which is why I asked someone to talk me out of a Fiesta.

Saab - 6'3" here. I drove a Fiesta ST and it's small but doable at least as far as leg-room goes. Liked the Turbo but not worth the extra coin imho. We have a Sienna for hauling the kids/stuff around.

I'm also 6'3", the problem I have with driving positions isn't leg room. It's that by the time the seat is far enough back to get my legs comfortable, the wheel is too far away. I end up leaning forward to reach it. It's not noticeable on a test drive, but on a long road trip, I get a really sore back.

I'm more legs than torso, so maybe that plays into it too, but, pay close attention to the wheel placement when test driving.

FWIW, this problem is worse in my Tacoma than it was in my wife's old Fit. It's there, but not terrible in her current CR-V.

Chris

[rmplum]

Someone talk some sense into me and keep me from buying a Fiesta. I'm a truck guy and really want a 4runner or another FJ but if I am totally honest with myself all I really need is a cheap commuter now that I am an urbanite. They can be had for ~$14k, come in a manual, and their ubiquity in the rally world has me duped into thinking one is the way to go. There is a fair amount of aftermarket rally support and I keep thinking a LSD upgrade, some Bilstein HD's, all-terrain tires, and a homebrew skid plate and I can get to any trail head I realistically need to and still makes a way cheaper and easier to drive commuter than the 4runner/etc. Plus my oldest is only 3 years away from driving so I'd better start thinking about that soon too.

Save me from myself...

Assume you are talking Fiesta ST. If that's the case I'd never attempt to talk you out of one. They are fantastic little cars - even when driven back to back with REALLY nice rigs. Too bad we don't get the new one, but the one available here is still pretty damn solid.