A fun Daily Driver, but not dirt cheap

[RatFink]

Ok, copying the other post, but this is about a daily driver that is fun, but costs an actual amount that will get you more than a go-cart. Something that costs around 15K used to 25k new. My first submission is: Chevy HHR SS
Reason: It has a lot of room. 4 adults can fit comfortably and its intercooled turbocharged. Several vendors are offering tuners, exhaust, intercoolers and better turbos. They come with a boost gauge installed and they offer a mini dash mounted info center that tell A/F ratio, fuel pressure, torque and some other useful info for tuning.

 

[TTA850]

For a fun used daily driver I submit my daily driver, a W210 E55 AMG. Mine is a 2000 model and unfortunatly the prices have dropped into the $15-20K range for ones in good condition with reasonable mileage.

Reason why, well go drive one and you'll find out Rock solid reliable 5.5L V8 turns 6K rpm, makes 349hp/391TQ, will smack into the 155mph speed limiter in a touch over 30 seconds, ride and handling of a hand built AMG Mercedes, and my car personal car has turned 13.25 1/4 at over 107mph bone stock while having many features many brand new cars dont have and plenty of room for 4 adults and a large trunk.


YouTube - 2000 E55 AMG 0-155mph

 

[RatFink]

sweet. Nice color too.

 

[Turbota6]

For $15k on the used side you could pick up an '06-'07 Grand Prix GT, SC 3800 Series III, 260hp stock. Easy to mod, easy to work on, reliable, good mileage.

For $25k new the options are starting to open up. Not sure I'd go with a 4 cyl, turbo or not. For that money you could get a base V6 Camaro with 300+ hp stock. Or opt for a stripped down Pontiac G8 GT, 361hp, RWD, IRS, plenty of room and trunk space. Sticker on these start at $31k but with all current incentives could be had right around $25k.

I've been looking at 3 choices recently, but not for a daily driver. Need a new toy. :yes: Either G8 GT or GXP, Camaro SS, or used C6 Vette. Current incentives bring the price down on the GXP to $33k-$34k range. Possibly the last collector's car from Pontiac (figures say production around 1500 units) and the most powerful one they'll ever make!

 

[RatFink]

For $15k on the used side you could pick up an '06-'07 Grand Prix GT, SC 3800 Series III, 260hp stock. Easy to mod, easy to work on, reliable, good mileage.

For $25k new the options are starting to open up. Not sure I'd go with a 4 cyl, turbo or not. For that money you could get a base V6 Camaro with 300+ hp stock. Or opt for a stripped down Pontiac G8 GT, 361hp, RWD, IRS, plenty of room and trunk space. Sticker on these start at $31k but with all current incentives could be had right around $25k.

I've been looking at 3 choices recently, but not for a daily driver. Need a new toy. :yes: Either G8 GT or GXP, Camaro SS, or used C6 Vette. Current incentives bring the price down on the GXP to $33k-$34k range. Possibly the last collector's car from Pontiac (figures say production around 1500 units) and the most powerful one they'll ever make!

Yep, my brother has a GTP and it halls booty. All the rides you mention are really nice. I'm just needing something that I can hall more stuff. :chat:

 

[Turbota6]

Yep, my brother has a GTP and it halls booty. All the rides you mention are really nice. I'm just needing something that I can hall more stuff. :chat:

What kind of stuff? Dead bodies? LOL

On the Grand Prix GT the entire rear seat folds down flat (split design) and most have the option where the passenger seat folds forward flat. See attached pic.
View attachment 1041

I've stuffed all kinds of stuff in my Bonnie SSEi, including my Gorilla ladder that extends to 18'! Amazing what you can get in there when you recline the passenger seat all the way back!

 

[RatFink]

What kind of stuff? Dead bodies? LOL

Nahh, just living illegals.:cowboy:

I would like to be able to hall paintings and framed prints. I've done a few art shows around town and it's a real biotch to hall paintings in a car. I paint on a large scale, like 5ft x 4ft. I can only get about 3 at a time in my current ride. So, I have to make more than 1 trip.

 

[Quiky One]

Local dealer here has 25 G8's on the lot..I bet you could get one for cheap.

But if you are hauling paintings and such you might not want it.

 

[RatFink]

Local dealer here has 25 G8's on the lot..I bet you could get one for cheap.

But if you are hauling paintings and such you might not want it.

I think the G8's are really cool, If I had a truck or van then maybe.
What's your pic Dog? You still drive your white truck as your DD?

 

[RatFink]

Found a pic of an HHR half panel. Did some photochopping,
maybe some wheels, front facia enhancements, stock LS grill and a splash of color may make for a fun cruisin ride as well as daily D.

Stock

Orange Two Tone

Candy dark red 2 Tone

Flame job over charcoal 2 tone

 

[Rodimus_Prime]

whats in my sig. 2007 Cobalt SS Supercharged

Manufacturer Options

• G85 option (Limited Slip Differential and Recaros)
• In Dash 6 CD changer MP3 head unit
• No Sunroof

MODIFICATIONS
Engine:

• Harrop 1320LSJ TVS Supercharger 80MM pulley (20psi)
• LS4 77mm Throttle Body
• Rebel Auto Worx LS4 Throttle Body Adapter plate with 1/8NPT tap for water injection nozzle
• Quaife Limited Slip Differential
• OTTP Rotated Aluminum Transmission Mounts
• GM Performance Parts Dual Pass Option B kit
• HP Tuners Tuning Software
• Fujita F5 Intake
• CX Racing Heat Exchanger
• ZZP Midlength Header Ceramic Coated
• ZZP 304 Stainless 3 inch downpipe with Magnaflow High Flow Cat
• ZZP 3inch Whisper Catback Exhaust System
• AEM Water Methanol Injection Kit 550cc Nozzle
• Siemens 660cc Injectors
• Ingalls Stiffy Torque Dampener

Suspension/Wheels/Brakes:

• EBC Front Green Stuff Pads
• EBC Front Drilled and Dimpled Rotors
• 08-09 Cobalt SS Turbo 18inch Wheels
• Eibach Sportline Lowering Springs

Interior:

• Heated Recaro Leather Seats
• Autometer Boost/Vac Guage
• Dual Aeroforce Scan Guages
• PLX Wideband o2 Sensor
• Autometer Triple Guage Pod
• Hurst Shifter

Exterior:

• Shaved Wingless Trunk

Audio:

• Pioneer Speakers
• Kicker CVT 10inch Subwoofer in the stock enclosure
• Phoenix Gold Bass Cube
• Kicker ZX400.1 Amp

Miscellaneous:

• Mio Knight Rider GPS
• Redline Ion 17 inch wheels (for winter)
• 38mpg highway capable
• 13.9 @ 106.5 Oct 08 (faster now)

Future:

• more than you can imagine

 

[RatFink]

Yeah, I like the Cobalt. I was thinking of getting one last summer, but then I went to the New auto show back in October and realized that after looking at the HHR and Cobalt that I needed something that would be able to hold more stuff. I need a truck actually I guess. I wanted to paint one to look like a GS vette from 96:

 

[RatFink]

Hey Rodimus, Are you running meth? How much did it pick you up?
Whats your current et with your latest setup?

 

[Quiky One]

I think the G8's are really cool, If I had a truck or van then maybe.
What's your pic Dog? You still drive your white truck as your DD?

Sure am and will until the wheels fall off. Atleast 6 more years.

 

[Rodimus_Prime]

yea im running 50/50 water methanol and a pretty huge nozzle as well, it richens me by about a half point on AFR which is good because my injectors are maxed out

I'm expecting low 13s on street tires and mid to high 12s on drag radials, just havent had the time to get to the track

 

[buickrob]

I'm thinking 2005ish CTSV. Seen a few on ebay under $20k at dealers.

 

[tta299]

Trailblazer SS 's are pretty reasonable now ... 4 doors tv dvd sunroof and can haul 6,800lbs
plus run 13's stock ... not bad for an suv

 

[Turbota6]

I'm thinking 2005ish CTSV. Seen a few on ebay under $20k at dealers.

Good motor, bad half shafts. I've heard of them breaking with very few miles on them. I think the new CTS-V has different size half shafts left to right to compensate for wheel hop and the previous problems.

 

[RatFink]

Good motor, bad half shafts. I've heard of them breaking with very few miles on them. I think the new CTS-V has different size half shafts left to right to compensate for wheel hop and the previous problems.

Breaking under usual driving conditions or racing?

 

[RatFink]

yea im running 50/50 water methanol and a pretty huge nozzle as well, it richens me by about a half point on AFR which is good because my injectors are maxed out

I'm expecting low 13s on street tires and mid to high 12s on drag radials, just havent had the time to get to the track

Cool, Sounds like you got a tight set-up. I like the Ecotec motor. I'd love a Saturn sky with the Turbo, those motors are cool, kinda like the BuickV6 back in the 80's. Small cubes , but fast.