Help choosing weekend car..

Hi there. I'm looking for an old weekend car for fun on b roads, originally I was thinking a mk1 mr2 but I can get up to £6k together so was looking at my other options. I would really like a mk2 escort but looks like they're out of price range, thought about a capri as they're a good but cheaper but worried about handling? I could afford an ae86 but it's the top of my budget and I'm not so sure about its looks. I'm in love with the looks of first gen celicas and ta12 but I'm worried they're not going to be fast enough to enjoy driving and I can't do much in the way of modifying due to insurance, like the datsun SSS as well but again the same worry.

So any recomendations?

No MX-5 on the list?

Thought about them but looking for something a bit different

You are in the UK? How about R32 Skyline GTS-T or S13 Silvia. Those can be had for what you are looking for and you have a lot of local support for Skylines.

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/nissan/skyline-r33/nissan-skyline-r33-gtst-2-5t-manual-spec-2/2681454

Here's a R33 GTS-25T for £4,400 in Bristol

You seem to like 80s style though so idk how you feel about these but it would fit weekend car, build up, cheap, handling, and power boxes.

edit: heres some more from that site. Under $6k, turbo rwd, manual. http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/nissan/skyline-r32/1993-4-door-skyline-gts-t-rb25-conversion-gtr-front/2660829 modded R32 with RB25 5400

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/nissan/skyline-r33/nissan-skyline-r33-gtst-low-miles-300-bhp/2671079 modded r33 5250

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/toyota/mr2/toyota-mr2-gt-turbo-t-bar/2582615 MR2 Turbo that needs some work 2000

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/toyota/mr2/toyota-mr2-1997/2666689 modded mr2 turbo 5200

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/nissan/skyline-r33/nissan-skyline-r33-gts-t-type-m-spec-2-manual/2483747 stock R33 skyline 4750

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/toyota/mr2/toyota-mr2-gt-turbo--mk2-rev2/2491374 modded mr2 turbo 1900 (why are these so cheap there?)

Everything else that is turbocharged, which imo is best value per dollar, and rwd is over your price from what i'm looking at.

kanaric wrote: http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/nissan/skyline-r33/nissan-skyline-r33-gtst-2-5t-manual-spec-2/2681454 Here's a R33 GTS-25T for £4,400 in Bristol You seem to like 80s style though so idk how you feel about these but it would fit weekend car, build up, cheap, handling, and power boxes.

They both look nice. Damn, who knew they are so cheap?

that 2nd was an auto but I posted a bunch more I found on that site that were manual.

R32s seems to be higher in price for whatever reason. Which is weird because at least for the RWD skylines the R33 is better. Far stronger trans, far better engine if you want >300whp, etc.

It sounds like you are looking for something with a little more classic flair than the 90's. Fairlady's are always a fun choice. BMW 2002 as well. I don't know the pricing of those in england though. You could also go R30 Skyline too.

bmw88rider wrote: It sounds like you are looking for something with a little more classic flair than the 90's. Fairlady's are always a fun choice. BMW 2002 as well. I don't know the pricing of those in england though. You could also go R30 Skyline too.

I was looking at prices of all that stuff and they would all be over 6k it seems.... at least on piston heads classifieds, that's the only car site I know of over there.

DR30 would be great but they cost quite a pretty penny. I saw in Japan they are selling for GTR prices now. Tried looking for Sierra cosworths as well. Seems all the interesting 80s stuff has appreciated.

All that I found was the only stuff, aside from a Alfa 75 and a XR4i Sierra which I didn't think were worth posting, that was under 6k, turbo, manual, rwd. Even 90s Silvia/200sx were higher.

edit: forgot to mention I also put 100k miles max, i'll remove that and see what else I can find.

Heres all 80s cars, any aspiration, under 6k

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/tvr/wedges/1986-350i-convertible-stunning/2414927?isexperiment=true TVR 350i - don't know about parts availability and mod potential for these cars. TVRs always interested me.this is a Rover V8 TVR so huge potential on the power front. 4995

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/porsche/944/porsche-944-s-1988/2681252?isexperiment=true 944S old man owned 3450 160k miles

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/tvr/classics/1987-tvr-tasmin-2-8i/2495156?isexperiment=true TVR Tasmin 2995

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/tvr/wedges/tvr-350i-wedge-stunning-crimson-red/1814059?isexperiment=true TVR 350i that looks great. 5995

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/porsche/944/porsche-944s2/2595685?isexperiment=true 944S2 4295, i highly recommend these.

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/reliant/scimitar/a-sorted-scimitar-gte--over-4k-spent-in-last-4-months-ready-to-enjoy/2495193?isexperiment=true Scimitar GTE, cool shooting brake car similar to the Capri you like.

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/tvr/t350/tvr-350i-3-5-2dr-convertible-low-mileage-1985/2630935?isexperiment=true another TVR 350 similar to those above

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/porsche/924/porsche-924-s-1988/2652546?isexperiment=true Cheap 944s at 2k

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/porsche/944/porsche-944-s--1988/2652341?isexperiment=true nice 944s at 3.5k

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/toyota/mr2/toyota-mr2-t-bar-sports/2649767?isexperiment=true AW11 MR2 at 5k

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/bmw/e30-3-series-82-94/bmw-3-series-325i-sport-e30/2260373?isexperiment=true 325i at 3795, pics look good

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/tvr/wedges/for-sale-tvr-350i-s2/2641538?isexperiment=true again, rover v8 TVR

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/ford/capri/ford-capri-2-8i-black-1983/2639689?isexperiment=true 5k capri

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/porsche/944/porsche-944-2-5-aug-1982/2496271?isexperiment=true 944 non-s at 4k

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/tvr/wedges/tvr-tasmin-1984/2487712?isexperiment=true another v6 tvr

If you want something ridiculous fast I would skip these and get a skyline above. Don't know anything about the 350i TVRs but if they check out that might be a good option actually. If you like the Capri that Scimitar is cool.

Of all of these I would check out that 944S2 first. That would be a tremendous buy if it's good. If they are around 4k in the UK and you don't want a turbo car that would be one of your best options.

These are all good enthusiast cars though where i'm from TVRs do not have a good reputation.

All the 80s stuff that I really like are more money. If it were me I would get a Skyline that I posted previously though the 944S2 would be tempting.

Alfa 75s are fun cars, they certainly handle really well, and there are lots of suspension parts available for them.

Travis_K wrote: Alfa 75s are fun cars, they certainly handle really well, and there are lots of suspension parts available for them.

I would of posted it if it were a 3.0 v6, it was a turbo 4 cylinder version with mods.

I like this car quite a bit the more I look at it. I probably wouldn't buy it for any serious performance driving though, it would be purely a refresh/show car for me.

In the description it's been owned by club members and has had recent mechanical refreshing throughout. Good buy, here, if you like Capris and Scimitars.

If it's still for sale this might, in fact, be a good US import car for other people posting here.

Scimitars need very careful inspection - there was a reason I looked at a lot of them and never bought one when living in the UK . Check chassis for rust (and boy can it rust), water ingress, usual fibreglass car 'leccy problems, plus they like to overheat. Great car if you can get a good 'un, though.

I can't help but notice that 6k should get one into a decent older Westfield...

kanaric wrote:

Travis_K wrote: Alfa 75s are fun cars, they certainly handle really well, and there are lots of suspension parts available for them.

I would of posted it if it were a 3.0 v6, it was a turbo 4 cylinder version with mods.

The modifications part doesn't sound so great, but even if its not a 3.0 they are still cool. We didn't get 4 cylinder ones in the USA, but I had a 2.5 v6 one for a while and it was plenty of fun. Stuff like the headlights and hvac were not quite up to daily driver standards, but it was mostly pretty reliable and easy to work on, and plenty of fun to drive.

only saying this because I want one for a weekend/track car and I can't easily get on here in the U.S.:

e30 touring. The goodness e30 and the awesomeness of a wagon. With 80s style.

Thanks guys for all the sudgestions and yeah I'm in the UK. DR30's are awesome but they're out of budget and newer skylines aren't quite my thing (basically I want 80s styling!). Would really like a fairlady 240z but there's no chance of me getting one in budget, do like the 350i TVRs but worry about reliabilty.

What caught my eye was this e30 http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/bmw/e30-3-series-82-94/bmw-3-series-325i-sport-e30/2260373?isexperiment=true seems to have everything I'm looking for 80s styling with plenty power for me and good handling, good choice? Also like the look of the 2002 as well but don't really know much about them, what're they like?

Looks like it's between an e30 and a capri although still tempted with the mk1 mr2 for some cheap thrills, edging more towards the e30 though.

2002s are rawer than an E30. They are also much better at composting themselves (btw, that's a common problem for the Mk1 MR2s as well, check those over very carefully before buying).

The E30 you linked to sounds interesting, it does look clean in the pictures but I'm surprised they have no engine bay picture after the 3.5L conversion. That engine isn't exactly small so I'd check very carefully for short cuts that may have been taken to shoehorn that engine in. I think it also makes the car a bit more nose heavy.

That E30 would be a good choice. I would pick a 944 over it but only marginally and this E30 is cheaper.

Look at my avatar to see what I recommend