993c2cab

Audi s4 is an excellent choice.

Bull

Here are a couple of links to an excellent car if you want a fun 540i Sport 6spd. I know the owners very well and they maintain their cars, etc. very well:

http://www.nnjr-pca.com/site/modules...l&cat=7&de=329

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...g=en&cardist=0

Give Mark a call and he will fill you in on the details......

Deanriffs

How about something with a more commanding ride height (already have low-to-the-ground 993)? Here's a link:

New Ride

Alternatively, it's hard to go wrong with a 5-series or S4/A4. I do like the interiors much better on the Audis, having owned a couple of them.

curveraider

I think David you are refering to the older e34 535i, that is the model prior to the e39. I had one of those with a 5 speed and it was a torque monster. Great engine and trans combo. The car had lots of room and was really fun to drive. The reason I moved from the e34 to the e39 was that my left leg was getting worn out from traffic and I decided to go with a slush box. The e34 in an auto are dogs...

Good hunting,

Arrwin

Ooof...wish I was in the market! Very nice car.

stedge

I just went through this and took a different tack. I am sellin gmy S2000 as I need a back seat now with my 2 kids going different directions for various practices and lessons...

Bought a Subie STI. Ugly, so I don't care if it is clean or not. Decent trunk, more comfy than the S2000 (certainly no Audi or BMW 5), and fun as anything. Also very good in a crash and reliable. Not great with gas, but depends a lot on how judicious you are with the BOOST. And relatively cheap and easy to mod for more HP/TQ (for $3600 total with install, I can mod the suspension (springs/ adj sways/ drop) and bump the HP/TQ to about 360 HP/385 TQ). My kids love it, and I think it is a hoot. It'll work on the track. It's great in crappy weather with appropriate rubber, of course. I got it at invoice without any effort.

andrew911

I would think an e39 530i sport would be a great balanced car to drive, a 540 w/sport & 6-speed gives more acceleration (that's what I have as my everyday car) if you want to spend some more money on gas and on a comparable condition car, and if you want to spend even more, the e39 M5 is the ultimate. Personally, with 62K miles on my car it's still a great car & I'm keeping her for a few more years. One of the only car's I'd consider if I were looking to replace my car is the e39 M5- to get a low mileage one (say 35K or less) may be in the low-mid $40's range still though, which is above your target price.

I personally hate the new 5 with the idrive, Ikea interior, etc, so e39 is my recommendation. The torque of the 540's 4.4 V8 is great- such a smooth car at 60mph...90mph....145mph....etc.- if you get a 6-speed, make sure the clutch delay valve is removed (or have it removed)- this improves the clutch feel and is a cheap fix. I'm not sure if the 530 has it, but I think the M5 does- its a dumb valve that delays for a split second the engagement of the clutch, and is probably what was experienced by whomever posted they throught the clutch/shift was sloppy on the 540

CP

Andrew,

The 530i has the clutch delay valve, the E39 M5 does not, but the z8 does. Go figure.

If I get the 530i sport, I would delete the CDV, change to a metal radiator, get a SSK, and put in a Power Chip. That would tide me over for a while. The next mods would be 18" deep dish wheels, just for looks though.

Where the 530i (rack and pinion) wins over the 540 (recirculating ball) is the handling. The 530i has much better road feel and sharper turn ins. With a good suspension (PSS9 say) the car is brilliant in the corners. Of course, it also gets 27+ MPH cruising down the highway and a 18.6 gallon tank. I really love those attributes.

CP

Frank 993 C4S

I can highly recommend the Audi S4 as a "daily beater". Lot's of fun for the money.

There is also currently one '01 Audi RS4 for sale in the US. It's probably outside your price range. Here's my "beater":

993Brendan

I bought a 540 a few months ago for a daily driver and absolutely love it. The V8 drinks alot of gas, but I don't really mind yet....the car is too much fun!

Jastx

With your nice budget, a slightly used BMW 330i is the ticket. The three-series is just a great all around automobile. It does everything well in a balance that other brands cannot touch. It is the pinnacle of its class.

Before getting my low-end daily driver and my Porsche, I had a 330ci as my only car. It was one of the most satisfying cars I have owned.

curveraider

Hey Frank,

Nice "daily beater", I love that color.

Frank 993 C4S

Thanks - one of the few times it's been clean. Cars get absolutely filthy over here.

mikey175

Couldn't agree more. If you don't need the 5's extra room and you're biased to Beemers, the 330i in my view is more fun and economical than the 5 (esp since you need to get the 8 cyl for comparable acceleration).

-- M

Ray S

I'll put in the 6th vote for the S4. It's a little heavy, but a great all around car.