Help me choose my 8's replacement
 

I think the time to part with my 8 has finally arrived.
It has been a great 4 years but I would like to move on to something more powerful.

I am having a rough time deciding between these, and due to their rareity, not many are close for me to drive.
I am hoping the forum will help me narrow my options so I'm not driving all over the state to test drive 12 different cars.

I need something that seats 4. It doesn't need 4 doors though.
Manual transmission is greatly preferred, but maybe not necessary.
The more power the better :) It must not handle like a tank. (I realize whatever my next car is the handling will be lacking compared to what I'm used to)

05 Pontiac GTO
+ = 400hp v8, 6 speed manual, low key appearance, fairly rare around here, can be had with under 50k miles in my price range, can be upgraded for more power, i'm told it has decent handling

- = less than exciting styling, it's sort-of a domestic, i fear it will handle like a boat, not much sex appeal

01 BMW M5
+ = 400hp v8, 6 speed manual, BMW suspension, comfortable interior, very rare, easy access to spacious back seat

- = expensive to repair if something breaks, models in my price range will be around 100k miles, expensive to mod

02 M-B E55 AMG
+ = 362hp v8, classic styling, comfortable interior, somewhat rare, good reliability track record

- = only available with a slushbox, expensive to mod, higher mileage on cars i'm looking at

03 Mitsubishi EVO
+ = 300hp turbo, AWD, 5 or 6 speed manual, very easy and cheap to mod, limitless power available, rediculous handling

- = more common, screams at police officers for attention, lame interior, often abused by previous owner (not sure just how tough the 4g63 really is)


I am open to suggestions also, mostly looking in the $15k and under ballpark.

Thanks for the help!!!

no sti? whats wrong with u?

GTO...thats what I was also looking at before getting my 8 (the better deal at the time)

you can always through a set of coilovers on it to make it handle a little bit better and as long as you get an 05 06 it has plenty of sex appeal. Not to mention its rocking an ls2 engine which will give you good hp gains from mods without going FI

gto

Apparently sti's hold their resale value better than Evo's. I couldn't find any sti's around my area for under $17k or so. Otherwise that would be a great option. My friend has a stage 2 wrx and it is a blast to drive.

I'm telling you already 3 for the GTO....thats gonna be your winner

Evo gets my vote.

seeing the gto is the newest i pick it

Well, it makes NO sense to get a car that is older than your current one... I'm going to assume you have an 05.

On top of that, buying a bmw or mercedes is suicide, you'll be in the shop 3 times a week. The mitisu, like you said, is ugly inside. So that's out.

Really, the gto is the only competitor.... but I don't know why you want to ditch your 8 for that... The 8 has quite a bit of power for the size and weight of it. Plus, unless you're gonna be drag racing or something stupid like that.... I don't see the point?

But, since it is your car, my vote is gto

Why does it make NO sense to get something older than the 8?

I suppose I didn't mention but this will not be my daily driver. I have an 04 Mazda 6s, an 02 Mazda Protege5 and a 91 Nissan 240sx.

The BMW and Mercedes models I am considering have much higher reliability ratings than average, but I know if something does go wrong, it will be expensive.

And the 8 has quite a bit of power for its size and weight? I think it is now the least powerful car in it's class. 160lb/ft of torque? That's a decent amount of torque for a compact that weighs 2400lbs, but not a midsize car that is over 3000lbs.

It sounds like I need to find a GTO to test drive.

You can do a lot more than just drag race with a gto. and seeing how the op is getting rid of his 8 he probably doesnt track the car so maybe just spirited driving :dunno:. if thats the case then anyone of those cars could qualify as a legitimate replacement

GTO...that is what I was going to get before I decided with my 8.

Well, true, if he must get rid of the 8. I just don't see why you would get rid of the 8 for one of those cars.

BUT

That's my opinion, if I had to, I'd take the gto.

FWIW, except for the EVO, you're compromising handling for power.

I think the fun of power stales much quicker than good throttle response and handling. You'll never get enough of power once adjusted, especially when one has little public outlet for it.

I'd pick the EVO, just because it's probably the most fun to drive of the lot.

I'd go for the M5. If you aren't going to use it for your daily driver, then reliability is a non issue because if it breaks, you can let it sit for a while if you need to save up for repairs.

Why the 01 M5 though? Why not go for a newer E39 model? I don't think the 01 had the angel eyes, did it?

Also, ever consider a Jaguar XJR or XKR or S type R? They all have around 400 hp and can be picked up for under 20K used.

Of the cars listed, I'd have to say the Evo. . . its the best power and performance. . . However, the Evo sucks because its a 4 door sedan. . . this is supposed to be your fun car. EI, fun to look at too.

BUT, because its not your daily driver, go ahead and get something sexy, the BMW and Mercedes won't pose too many reliability issues because you probably won't drive it enough to put any serious wear on them. . .

While the GTO has many good traits, I just think its too tame to be the dedicated "fun car."

I know its not on the list, but I would pick an M3 over an M5. . .

Or just order a supercharger for your 8. . . cheaper than every other option and solves your "power" problem. :fingersx:

If it were me, Id stay away from the Bimmer & mercedes, but only b/c of repair costs... all 4 are nice choices though.

I like the M5 because its a bit more rare of a car

Yeah, I'd pick this if it's on the list.

sti

Definitely the GTO, but do the Holden bumper and lights swap, the Pontiac version looks like a POS 1980's Grand Am.

You won't be able to afford to maintain the Germans, and it will take forever to find an Evo that old that hasn't been absolutely raped by now.

You have learned nothing in 4 years. If you want more power, get a diesel pickup. ;)

snare - snare - kick/crash! (<-- drum sounds)

you can get a used evo IX for around 20 grand.. it has 4 doors, and it has very high potential. it can blow the doors off all the other cars you got on that list (with the right mod/tune of course)

m5 would be my pick.