Help me find a new old car (unusual requirements :)

I have an itch that needs scratching.

I've been autocrossing my Miata for the last few years, and have no plans on parting with it. I love it, and it's literally been a life saver http://www.miata.net/motm/2007/thomson.html

I've been working on an 01 Focus ZX3 for the last few months....Eibach Pro susp kit, SVT header swap, wheels/tires, tune, etc. with the plan of a trackday or two and maybe some rallycross.

Now the question of the moment...I'm considering parting with the ZX3 in favor of something older, cooler, and with some competition history in the family....think John Morton tribute Datsun 510, Parnelli Jones tribute Mustang, or similar.

My unusual requirements are: auto trans (I know I know...yuk....but it's better than not driving at all), power steering, power brakes, and preferably a/c. Going to have to be able to transport a rigid framed wheelchair too.....one of the original attractions to the ZX3.

This may sound odd....I want the visual impact more than true grit performance, as it will be primarily street driven. The Miata gets a lot of attention, kids pointing, people waving, etc....and I kind of like that.

My budget will be modest at @$5K to start with mod money available as time goes by.

I prefer small, light cars over brawny V8 streetfighters. Any ideas out there?

thanks for any ideas.....mark

I'm going to think on that one, but I want to know more about this SVT head swap.

N Sperlo wrote: I'm going to think on that one, but I want to know more about this SVT head swap.

All you need to know right here: http://www.focusfanatics.com/forum/showthread.php?t=114486

Datsun 240 through 280z. Could go all the way up to z31 style 300zx with BRE livery tribute.
Big hatch area for your spare wheels.

BTCC-liveried 850 T5-R?

http://www.supertouring.co.uk/the_cars/volvo_850_estate.html

Keep the Focus. Seriously. They are as fun to drive as any econobox--almost sportscar-like, have lots of space, have good aftermarket and all of the modern reliability that won't be in most 30 year old cars. You want a visual statememt--paint it up like a WRC car, get some appropriate wheels and call it a day.

BTCC Volvo 850 Estate? It meets all of your criteria, depending on how you define old. It also shares a colour scheme with your miata.

http://horsepowercalculators.posterous.com/volvo-estate-racer-an-icon-of-90s-btcc

jrw1621 wrote: Datsun 240 through 280z. Could go all the way up to z31 style 300zx with BRE livery tribute. Big hatch area for your spare wheels.

I've considered those....seriously, but power steering seems to be very rare.

ST_ZX2 wrote: Keep the Focus. Seriously. They are as fun to drive as any econobox--almost sportscar-like, have lots of space, have good aftermarket and all of the modern reliability that won't be in most 30 year old cars. You want a visual statememt--paint it up like a WRC car, get some appropriate wheels and call it a day.

This is another serious consideration. All of the things you've mentioned are why it's still in my garage :)

mw wrote: BTCC Volvo 850 Estate? It meets all of your criteria, depending on how you define old. It also shares a colour scheme with your miata. http://horsepowercalculators.posterous.com/volvo-estate-racer-an-icon-of-90s-btcc

Hmmmm...another idea worth serious consideration...

I think it would be easier to put a wheelchair in the back seat of a 510 (but when you say rigid, do you mean it doesn't fold up?)

In the 1978 movie Coming Home, Jon Voight played a wounded Viet Nam vet and he was driving around in a '68 Shelby GT500, so it can be done with a Mustang. Pics here: http://www.imcdb.org/movie.php?id=77362

Also, how about a Colin McRae Impreza?

Can you get a VW GTi with the DSG in that price range? They always look great lowered over BBS rims and they have a big hatch.

1985 Datsun/Nissan Stanza (badged as both believe it or not)

Big hatchback, 5-speed, old, unique, and you don't ever see them. Drop in the Nissan turbo motor of your preference.

Considering the wheelchair requirement, I don't think the trans of choice in ^that^ is going to work.

Bloody hell, it's awesome though.

Visual impact, modest budget, automatic, power everything, lots of cargo room - how about a C4 Corvette?

stuart in mn wrote: I think it would be easier to put a wheelchair in the back seat of a 510 (but when you say rigid, do you mean it doesn't fold up?) In the 1978 movie Coming Home, Jon Voight played a wounded Viet Nam vet and he was driving around in a '68 Shelby GT500, so it can be done with a Mustang. Pics here: http://www.imcdb.org/movie.php?id=77362

Correct, rigid means non folding, however the back folds down and the rear wheels pop off.

The Mustang is on the short list so far...but dayum, fastbacks are expensive!!!

szeis4cookie wrote: Also, how about a Colin McRae Impreza?

For whatever reason Subies don't really do it for me.

How about a fox Mustang hatchback painted up in Trans Am / Whistler colors? That'd be cool, carry a ton, and you can go to the moon on suspension mods. Nice and light to boot.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3094/2916249750_7592b00f25.jpg

wonky formatting - not sure if it will show up - but bmw 2002 - autos go for a couple grand cheaper than manuals. A touring would be awesome.

MadScientistMatt wrote: Visual impact, modest budget, automatic, power everything, lots of cargo room - how about a C4 Corvette?

I'm not sure how the OP usually gets his wheelchair into the car but I'm not sure it'd work that well in a C4 without a helper. The trunk on the coupe is probably big enough to hold a wheelchair, though - on the 'vert it won't work as there is not enough space for a non-folding wheelchair and the trunk isn't externally accessible.

A Miata is also a hell of a lot easier to get into than a C4 'vette due to the high sills on the C4.

mthomson22 wrote: I've been working on an 01 Focus ZX3 ... with the plan of a trackday or two and maybe some rallycross...something with some competition history in the family...I want the visual impact more than true grit performance...I prefer small, light cars over brawny V8 streetfighters.

If you're looking to rallycross, and want something with visual impact and competition history, it seems pretty obvious to me - paint the ZX3, get some new wheels and you're done.

Bob

Schmidlap wrote:

mthomson22 wrote: I've been working on an 01 Focus ZX3 ... with the plan of a trackday or two and maybe some rallycross...something with some competition history in the family...I want the visual impact more than true grit performance...I prefer small, light cars over brawny V8 streetfighters.

If you're looking to rallycross, and want something with visual impact and competition history, it seems pretty obvious to me - paint the ZX3, get some new wheels and you're done.

My biased opinion is: Keep the Focus. With the variety of aftermarket parts available you can build it up any way you want. Put an early Colin McRae paint job on it and it will attract more attention than your Miata.

What about something like this (not sure if it's got power steering though):

http://reno.craigslist.org/cto/2688471825.html

1962 Dodge Dart wagon