UNDER $100,000 GARAGE

I know this was supposed to be a weekly thing, but I've decided it's going to be whenever I feel like doing something. So, I was reading through some old CarThrottle posts and I found a post that I found very interesting. It was a question for all car enthusiasts to really think about. The idea is: You have a ten car garage and only $100,000 to fill it, what would your ten cars be?  This was a very interesting concept, so immediately I started thinking about what cars I would put in there, and this is what I came up with. All prices are the average price of an excellent condition, low miles, used example according to KBB.com. Also, I'm trying to think of cars available here in the US, so don't think I've forgotten about every amazing car we never got, *cough* EVO II, Mitsubishi Pajero, Renault Clio V6 *cough*

1. 2006 Saab 9-2x = $5706

My first post was on this car, so I don't really need to say anymore about it, but its a Subaru for half the price and its sexy as f*ck.

2. 2003 Mazdaspeed Protege = $3177

The Mazda Protege (or Familia to almost the entire rest of the world) is, as a basic sedan, fairly boring with the exception of a pretty aggressive front fascia and nice smooth riding but tight suspension. But then Mazdaspeed took the Protege MP3 from 2001, which was already sporty with a 170 hp turbo and Racinghart wheels and made everything tighter and more race car...ish. With minor changes from a 2003 to a 2003.5 model year, which just included color changes to the body and wheels and a new, more aerodynamic body kit, its a fun car for the price and easy enough to improve upon from where it is, if you feel the need to do so.

3. 2005 Mazdaspeed 6 = $8610

Yes, another Mazda. Deal with it. A car that I've had a real eye for in the last year, the 6 (or Atenza to the rest of the world), is another Mazdaspeed work of art, having a 274 hp turbo 4cyl and AWD, it is easily comparable to an Evo or STI with some minor tuning. But being as sporty as it is, it stays subtle and is an unexpected surprise to those that pull next to you in another, more popular, more expensive AWD sedan and scoff at the thought of a Mazda defeating them.

4. 1998 Mitsubishi 3000GT VR4 = $8480

In the past year, I have been driving an 03 Eclipse GT along side my Volvo, and as unimpressive as that car is at some times, being heavy and FWD, this car makes up for that one hundred times over. AWD with a twin turbo v6 and pretty decent handling for how big it is, this car is, in my opinion, one of the most under-appreciated, underrated cars ever. Being more then a match for the much more popular 300Z, these go for much less, and also have a slightly more available convertible version than the Datsun, although both are QUITE rare and a lot more pricey. You can also get the Dodge Stealth, just being a rebadged Mitsubishi, but I feel that getting the Dodge form of this car defeats the purpose. It is kind of like getting the Eagle Talon over the Mitsubishi Eclipse. Some names just hold better reputations than others. 

5. 1997 BMW M3 E36 Sedan = $5044

I am sure anyone reading this is more then aware of the technical specs for an E36, so I'm going to explain why I chose the sedan over the coupe. Practicality for one, and the fact that on average, they are 23 whole dollars cheaper then the 2-door. If you never expect to have kids or back seat passengers with normal size legs, then sure, get the 2-door, but having the exact same specs except for the wheelbase, it shouldn't make a difference to anyone whether you have a 2 or 4-door. An M3 is an M3.

6. 1999 Volvo V70R AWD = $5440

Anyone thats read my blog, even after just two entries, or just knows me in general, knows I love Volvos more than any car, and that I have been lusting after one of these for a long time. One like the example above has a 247 hp T5, which is the same basic engine in my C30 but for some reason, the V70R has 20 more horses, and is fully loaded for the price, leaving very few extra options, having luxuries like leather and sunroof standard. 

7. 2004 Pontiac GTO = $8688

For some reason, I like the unusual or rare, but strange rare, so unique...I guess, so I have always had a fascination with Holden, the Australian GM company not available anywhere else (except Europe as Opel or Vauxhall or the American markets as Saturn or the Pontiac GTO above). This is a rebadged third gen Monaro, which when they introduced here, made me absolutely ecstatic, however they didn't last long due to its lack in sales followed by being deemed unsafe for continued sales because of a "faulty" seatbelt design. Although you can find a used example at almost any used car store because people are trading in for the new Camaro, and they are easy enough to tune having either the LS1 or LS2 V8. I went for the LS2 which even still goes for the modest price shown above. The only bad thing is that it handles like an aircraft carrier, but what else do you expect from a huge, Australian muscle car? Still a good, cheaper alternative to the Camaro if the you dont have the coin for the comparable ZL1. 

8. 1999 Plymouth Prowler = $8911

Look at the cycle fenders and the obnoxious plastic body panels and tell me that despite only having a 3.5L V6, you wouldn't want to own Chrysler's desperate attempt to save it's Plymouth division. It's either that or this is Pymouth's equivalent to when a TV show knows its going to be cancelled, so they say "f*ck it, cursing and sex and violence everywhere, because what are they going to do, cancel us? HAHAH!" When I was about 6 or 7, my neighbor had one of these in purple, and it's the car that he kept the longest, only getting rid of it in January of 2012, probably for a huge loss, for a Challenger SRT8, then a Viper a month later, then a Taurus SHO by the end of 2012. This tells me that despite the technology and the constant #TBT car makers are doing nowadays with every single muscle car on the market, Chrysler had it right before anyone else and that this car is an icon not to be messed with. Pick one up if you can find one because I guarantee they are as cheap as KBB says they are and will one day be a very valuable collectors item. 

9. 2004 Jaguar X-Type = $3734

I used to see these everywhere. The Jaguar everyone could buy, so everyone did. The one I'm interested in is the 2.5L V6 which made 191 hp. With the AWD and how light it was for being a fully loaded Jag, it was damn quick. If you find a FWD example, which there are a few of, don't bother. Not worth it. But these have the same motors as the European Ford Mondeo, so they're extremely easy to tune to your liking even with the simplest of modifications. And if you find the wagon version, grab that because they added such little weight for so much more space. It makes a very sexy, sporty estate.

AND FINALLY

10. 1995 Land Rover Discovery = $1430

My favourite 4X4 of all time. And I'm a sucker for a tough Brit. Being Land Rover its functional, luxurious, all the while being impervious to anything short of an Roland Emmerich style apocalyptic situation. Definitely go for the V8 though. Even though its a Rover engine, they're bulletproof, though hard to work on. Its worth not being able to work on easily to avoid the nasty I4 option. And for the price, adding a lift kit, off road tires, a snorkel, and some push bars with fog/spotlights, will get you a tough-mudder to fight with the best of them. 

GRAND TOTAL = $59220

As I was compiling my list, I thought why would I spend this money on ten cheap cars instead of a Nissan GTR or used Audi R8, and I've always thought about having tons of money and buying every cheap car I liked to fix it up. Quantity over quality I always said. But this little scenario proves that you don't have to choose one or the other. All these prices were of excellent condition examples according to the KBB average value. Plus, since I have $40K left, I got money for the insurance, gas, and a little upgrade money for the lot. Quantity AND quality.