Just curious to see what people think are practical cars to have here. I was talking to Dinan (Pat) and it appears ALL of my cars would never pass HI inspection and it might be more of a PITA to bring them into compliance than to ship them out (provided that I come here).

I have seen a lot of people with lifted trucks here -- I actually have a lifted 5.5" jeep; but, would like to have a 6 cylinder vs. my 4 banger. I am geared well at 4.88 gears; but, miss the power. I actually like the older 4-runners with 3-4" of lift. How do these pass inspections? The lifted vehicles are everywhere.

I also thought about buying just an E36 M3 to daily drive. I would be working downtown at bishop. Currently, I have current gen M3, last gen M5, last gen 996, 2nd gen M3 race car, and a few others. I probably would only need 1-2 cars ... should I bring or buy? I was thinking of maybe an S52 roadster and bringing it there ... or buying there and get a lifted wrangler or bring mine.

The M5 - can't see it being practical with gas being high. No place to really stretch it's legs out. The E46 -- maybe. The p-car -- it's lowered (PSS9), and has a bunch of stuff on it ... All cars have aftermarket exhausts on them (yes, you can tell and hear the difference - so, can't exactly hide it). Is the convertible a good car to have over here? I only see the tourists really driving them.

TIA

p.s. -- I do not remember Kauai being this humid or hot ...

Sell the E46 and bring the M5 and 996. Why? The M3 is a fast fun car and so is the 996, you only need one. The 996 is a sports car with no real provisions to carry rear seat passengers. You will need a 4 door car in case you need to take clients out to lunch. In doing so, 4 doors is much easier than 2 doors. Many years ago, a banker picked up my old boss in a Ferrari and took him to lunch. It was kind of hard for him as he was a tall old guy in his 70s.

Sell the race car as we won't have a track for quite a while. Sell the 4x4 as you can always get another one here.

Btw, with your P car and BMW, I know where you can get a safety check. :D

You also need one of these to keep yourself safe in Honolulu. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8avOiTUcD4Y

get a dodge caliber, they get decent gas mileage , and i saw one yesterday (walkin' back from taco bell) go over 3 of those parkin' spot barriers. I laughed , but anyways it withstood that so it should be good for hawaii roads ... right?

lol..

You also need one of these to keep yourself safe in Honolulu. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8avOiTUcD4Y


thats awesome!!! :buttrock :redspot :devillook :alright :lol :eyecrazy :shifty :evil2 :mad i just have soo many mixed emotions over that ...

get a dodge caliber, they get decent gas mileage , and i saw one yesterday (walkin' back from taco bell) go over 3 of those parkin' spot barriers. I laughed , but anyways it withstood that so it should be good for hawaii roads ... right?

I'm hoping my mpg improves with more miles. it's a good cruiser wagon though.

given the collection this guy has I'd say get any damn car you feel like having here. bring over a ferrari or something fun. then you can buy beasties M5 for people hauling.

Sell the E46 and bring the M5 and 996.


Ditto, though I am a bit biased:)

Well... practical... there's the McLaren SLR, the Ferrari F430, the Porsche Carrera GT... lol...

I'd say just get a hybrid car.

Honda Fit or Toyota Yaris FTW...

might as well buy Beastie's M5. If you ship two cars here, that's about $2k for just shipping from the west coast. That'd be like picking up his M5 for $8.5k. With 4 doors, cold a/c, and "only" a 6 banger (umm..better gas mileage than your last gen M5?), you could have your cake and eat it too ;)

guess it really depends...are you looking long term or short term? Our roads aren't the greatest, and one guy in the local PCA wrecked a pair of 19s on his 996. However, I don't know if it was the pothole, or if it was the driver. :D

might as well buy Beastie's M5. If you ship two cars here, that's about $2k for just shipping from the west coast. That'd be like picking up his M5 for $8.5k. With 4 doors, cold a/c, and "only" a 6 banger (umm..better gas mileage than your last gen M5?), you could have your cake and eat it too ;)

guess it really depends...are you looking long term or short term? Our roads aren't the greatest, and one guy in the local PCA wrecked a pair of 19s on his 996. However, I don't know if it was the pothole, or if it was the driver. :D
I've seen those guys, I'm sure it was the driver. :D

I have the E34 one as well; but, will be selling that one shortly. It's a great car -- light years ahead of it's time when it came out. I'll miss it; but, parts on the car were freakin' expensive, and, not many qualified people to work on them.

Problem is -- coming to hawai'i requires sacrifices -- in a huge financial sense and possibly even personally. Although it costs more to live here -- I would make significantly less -- significantly less. Ironic since I saw in today's advertiser it is the 5th highest avg. cost of housing. So, a lot of lifestyle changes would need to occur; which, would not be a bad thing. I would just be happier to own a home rather than any of my cars.

For practicality -- I was thinking of a mini cooper S. They are small, fun to drive, and can easily park and get places. Not sure how they are in terms of reliability/maintenance/gas mileage/safety. I was also wondering how easy 325is's were for sale or any E36? Are they commonly available, and if so, condition of them? I did a search on craigslist and not much availability.

Reverend -- can you pm me the cost of shipping your vehicles to VA to give me an idea on how much it would cost?

The servicing of the MINI is the big problem. Our local BMW/MINI dealership is up to the gills in repairs so you will have to wait for an appt. There are lots of E36s on CL, but not right now. An E36 M3 is a great car to have for a daily driver.

Yes It Is!!!

I have the E34 one as well; but, will be selling that one shortly. It's a great car -- light years ahead of it's time when it came out. I'll miss it; but, parts on the car were freakin' expensive, and, not many qualified people to work on them.

Problem is -- coming to hawai'i requires sacrifices -- in a huge financial sense and possibly even personally. Although it costs more to live here -- I would make significantly less -- significantly less. Ironic since I saw in today's advertiser it is the 5th highest avg. cost of housing. So, a lot of lifestyle changes would need to occur; which, would not be a bad thing. I would just be happier to own a home rather than any of my cars.

For practicality -- I was thinking of a mini cooper S. They are small, fun to drive, and can easily park and get places. Not sure how they are in terms of reliability/maintenance/gas mileage/safety. I was also wondering how easy 325is's were for sale or any E36? Are they commonly available, and if so, condition of them? I did a search on craigslist and not much availability.

Reverend -- can you pm me the cost of shipping your vehicles to VA to give me an idea on how much it would cost?


curious where you are coming (back) from?

minis seem to be pretty reliable, safe and good on gas - depending how you drive of course. Problem is like Beastie said, if you aren't a DIY person you will have to deal with dealer issues/inconveniences.

Someone posted last week that to ship to CA was 975, if you are only bringing one car why not drive to the coast and go from there? That's what I plan on doing. If you don't care to do that I would add another 600+ from the VA area, I had a car shipped from NJ to OH and it was right around 550, IIRC.

NoSoup is in Cinci.

NoSoup is in Cinci.

thanks, I can definately see the desire to get back to the island then. The center of the mainland is my least favorite part. Only appeal is cost of living (to me), those of you who have only lived in HI would probably choke when you saw what 400,000 can get you there :eyecrazy but there is no ocean.....anywhere and its as flat as the mainland gets.

OH to CA would definately run 600-700 I bet, plus a grand to cross the pond.

what's predicating the move if I may ask? enough to dispose of 5+ very nice rides and making "significantly less". why not make more and move when you ready? supposedly this is the top of the market too though not like we haven't heard that before. who knows, wait loong enough and that rail system just might be reality :p all kinds of cars on CL Honolulu and scads more sitting on dealer lots. that's one thing not in short supply here, cars.

Since you bring up a Cooper S for practicality, I'm thinking practicality for parking, gas, and fun factor, but not necessarily cargo space... Get a motorcycle! :D
I know this is a car forum but you can get a decent used Japanese bike for less than $7k-8k. A little more will get absolute dynamite. 30-40 mpg, guaranteed parking everywhere. Plus performance to match.
Or you could get a used Ducati 996. Then when people ask you "what car do you drive?" you can say "a 996," and when they ask "what bike do you ride?" you can say "a 996 :eyebrows " and they will be "WTF? :95 "
:stickoutt

Since you bring up a Cooper S for practicality, I'm thinking practicality for parking, gas, and fun factor, but not necessarily cargo space... Get a motorcycle! :D
I know this is a car forum but you can get a decent used Japanese bike for less than $7k-8k. A little more will get absolute dynamite. 30-40 mpg, guaranteed parking everywhere. Plus performance to match.
Or you could get a used Ducati 996. Then when people ask you "what car do you drive?" you can say "a 996," and when they ask "what bike do you ride?" you can say "a 996 :eyebrows " and they will be "WTF? :95 "
:stickoutt
EXACTLY! And some guy with a cargo van can simply load your bike in the back and go.

Since you bring up a Cooper S for practicality, I'm thinking practicality for parking, gas, and fun factor, but not necessarily cargo space... Get a motorcycle! :D
I know this is a car forum but you can get a decent used Japanese bike for less than $7k-8k. A little more will get absolute dynamite. 30-40 mpg, guaranteed parking everywhere. Plus performance to match.
Or you could get a used Ducati 996. Then when people ask you "what car do you drive?" you can say "a 996," and when they ask "what bike do you ride?" you can say "a 996 :eyebrows " and they will be "WTF? :95 "
:stickoutt

or you can get a Honda VTR 1000 (aka Superhawk) which displaces 996cc and say you have a 996...:rolleyes

EXACTLY! And some guy with a cargo van can simply load your bike in the back and go.

that's what insurance is for...;)

you can find good condition 96-98 M3's for around 14-18K ...

i picked up my 99 M3 for $19K with 62K on the odo, little higher than what I wanted, but it already had some mods which I was interested in, and had a second set of rims included

you are right though, a clean E36 M3 is a GREAT DD

You guys/gal got it all wrong!
He wants practicality, so sell all your cars and when you get here find a nice E30 318is with a/c, seats 4, has a trunk large enough to carry a floor jack, 3 wheels w/track tires, tool bag, chair, and helmet. The car also gets 26 mpg driving aggressively, and about 28 - 29 conservatively. Handles the road and track as good as any ///M car will (not as powerful though) and is easy to park. Insurance will be less, and no one will want to steal your car.

Hawaii is too small and has too much traffic to have a high powered car. There isn't much space for you to open it up, and the times you are able to, you'll need to shut it down before you even get into 5th gear.
Those cars are nice to have, if you have somewhere to actually use it's potential. Now if a track opens here, then you'll be able to use those cars, but by then there will be much faster/quicker/better handling cars on the market.

Now if you want power and might along with ooohhs and aaahhs then bring the cars you got they will do just fine!


:D :D :D

You guys/gal got it all wrong!
He wants practicality, so sell all your cars and when you get here find a nice E30 318is with a/c, seats 4, has a trunk large enough to carry a floor jack, 3 wheels w/track tires, tool bag, chair, and helmet. The car also gets 26 mpg driving aggressively, and about 28 - 29 conservatively. Handles the road and track as good as any ///M car will (not as powerful though) and is easy to park. Insurance will be less, and no one will want to steal your car.

Hawaii is too small and has too much traffic to have a high powered car. There isn't much space for you to open it up, and the times you are able to, you'll need to shut it down before you even get into 5th gear.
Those cars are nice to have, if you have somewhere to actually use it's potential. Now if a track opens here, then you'll be able to use those cars, but by then there will be much faster/quicker/better handling cars on the market.:D :D :D

is this a sales pitch for your 318?...:confused

is this a sale pitch for your 318?...:confused
It just might be...you want to start the bidding? :D

Thanks guys. I'm not interested in a motorcycle -- I've seen how people drive here :eek: ... A bike on another island might be feasible; but, do not really see it on Oahu. Plus, I've never really been a motorcycle fan -- kind of scared of them.

I've thought about an E36 325i, or, even better, an E36 M3/4 plus the MCS. I like to do autocross -- so, thinking maybe DSP or BSP. Those cars do well, get good gas mileage, and, I basically can do almost 95% of the maintenance myself except for engine/tranny rebuilds. The M5 does not seem practical -- especially with concerns of carbon build-up in stop and go traffic. Little chance I saw to really open it up, even on H3, unless I want to drive around at 7500 rpm's in 2nd gear. :stickoutt

Well, the home prices here are steep; but, coming from D.C. area, it's fairly comparable. So, not a huge sticker shock. Ahh, yeah, a lot of people think I'm crazy -- but, I took a huge pay cut coming to my current job and will take another one it appears. So, I'm going backwards instead of forwards. :( However, money is not everything -- it buys nice things; but, that's about it. I live pretty simple ... I have a few nice cars; but, I've kept it real compared to what I could really buy if I wanted. Most of my money has gone into savings and paying down my student loans. I started with $200K+ of loans - so, it was substantial. I've knocked it down to a more manageable level ... but, still owe unfortunately :(

I've always wanted to return to hawai'i -- and, did what I've done in my career thus far to further that goal. So, I am willing to make financial sacrifices to achieve that goal. It still might not be the right time though. Ideally, I would love to have a bit more cash. I'm not sure if I could save enough if I came now ... I'm thinking that the proper time to buy property in HI is 2-3 years from now. I think a smarter move is to rent for the next few years in hawai'i and see how the I/O loans and ARM's affect some of the residents when the rates re-adjust for them. I've seen in the Honolulu Advertiser, it is already starting to affect some people tremendously, i.e., changing their payments from $300 to $1300. We'll see how everything pans out though ... I'll let the winds blow me in the direction they want rather than try to force something. The whole job whirlwind of interviews was actually something completely unplanned -- I just wanted to initiate contact and the few I contacted were actually looking right now.

come back via pay cut, screw that noise. if they want you then there should be COLA adjustment *up*, relocation assistance, etc. IMO otherwise setting yourself up for a tough time in paradise. get rid of so many cars, get rid of your debt. cuz the house will be the big mammajamma when it's time. and it's going to be a doozy (but don't overbuy there neither). you can always visit here easy enough and plan your attack. :p go make the money so you can return in good shape, fat stackin' so to speak. no worries. you only young once.

Well, the home prices here are steep; but, coming from D.C. area, it's fairly comparable. So, not a huge sticker shock. Ahh, yeah, a lot of people think I'm crazy -- but, I took a huge pay cut coming to my current job and will take another one it appears. So, I'm going backwards instead of forwards. :( However, money is not everything -- it buys nice things; but, that's about it. I live pretty simple ... I have a few nice cars; but, I've kept it real compared to what I could really buy if I wanted. Most of my money has gone into savings and paying down my student loans. I started with $200K+ of loans - so, it was substantial. I've knocked it down to a more manageable level ... but, still owe unfortunately :(

I've always wanted to return to hawai'i -- and, did what I've done in my career thus far to further that goal. So, I am willing to make financial sacrifices to achieve that goal. It still might not be the right time though. Ideally, I would love to have a bit more cash. I'm not sure if I could save enough if I came now ... I'm thinking that the proper time to buy property in HI is 2-3 years from now. I think a smarter move is to rent for the next few years in hawai'i and see how the I/O loans and ARM's affect some of the residents when the rates re-adjust for them. I've seen in the Honolulu Advertiser, it is already starting to affect some people tremendously, i.e., changing their payments from $300 to $1300. We'll see how everything pans out though ... I'll let the winds blow me in the direction they want rather than try to force something. The whole job whirlwind of interviews was actually something completely unplanned -- I just wanted to initiate contact and the few I contacted were actually looking right now.

I would think selling your cars would provide you with a little more freedom financially (cash up front if you own them and cash flow if you don't) and if you own in the DC area you could always rent your home while you rent in HI then sell out when you plan to buy - continued equity growth while you are a renter. That's my plan anyway, we'll see how well it works out.

If you're in DC maybe we can get a group buy from a mover ;)

The whole job whirlwind of interviews was actually something completely unplanned -- I just wanted to initiate contact and the few I contacted were actually looking right now.I was shocked to see you back yesterday :eek: :eek: