Peculiar, semi-specific what car for me thread

If you like the Miata, would you consider adding a cage? If you don't have a lot of upper body strength, the top bar might actually make ingress and egress easier. I always grabbed the bar just behind the windshield to climb in and out.

I don't have a photo of either of my caged Miatas with a stock seat, but this might give you an idea. Hard Dog is an easy company to work with. You might be able to get one without the angled door bar.

93gsxturbo, thank you for the offer to take measurements!! As awesome as the GTO sounds from everything I've read here, I just don't think it's the car for me.

Woody, I don't have any hand 'grip', so unfortunately the presence of an upper bar wouldn't be much benefit. But another good idea, thanks.

I forgot about the GTO.. I agree that might make a good car for you

Would any of you guys know 240SX seat height from floor relative to a Miata's?

I don't know of any local to me to personally check out.

I've always liked the lines and size of the 240SX, and my budget should allow for some fun mods on a clean example.

I always like your threads. It's refreshing to see the car enthusiasts who reply thinking outside their own box and not bashing everything they dont already love.

I've witnessed the knee-jerk automatic hatred but it never lasts past your explanation and then the focus is on being helpful.

Somebody mentioned a t6 s80 earlier. I love s80s, but i know that's not what you're looking for.

However.. there are some pretty spunky c70 convertibles out there that might be worth just looking for interior pictures and seeing if it's worth seeking out a live example. Suspension mods may not be the easiest thing to get your hands on but i honestly think the rest of the car is kinda cool and should be in your price range including some amount of mods.

Thank you Vigo, I sincerely appreciate that. I'll check out the c70.

And thanks to all of you guys offering up good suggestions!!!

There is a very fast guy who shows up in the Philly region once in awhile with a ESP-prepped '70 Camaro with an automatic. Usually top-10 PAX. I think he has the trans set up to shift into 2nd and stay there. And my lord that car sounds incredible. Looks really cool too sitting on wide A6's wrapped around 17" CCW's. Not small tho... and is not street driven (trailered to events).

We have another guy who shows up regularly with a Buick Grand National. Not the most competitive car in the world, but he's having fun.

A ST-prepped Civic might offer good access for you. Smaller and should be cheaper to build and run than a larger car.

Mustang?

Mark!

Just found you here Hmmm, as suggested a droptop Mini or Mustang might be a good fit for you. As you know I have some familiarity with the 'Stangs. Even though they built a million of 'em 20 years later mother nature, our hoosier road salt and testosterone laden youth have taken enough of them out of circulation that a nice Fox body ('93 and earlier) convertible is an attention grabber. The cars are darn near bulletproof and parts are plentiful and relatively inexpensive. If you go that direction and find any prospects I'll be happy to check 'em out with you.

BTW, we missed you Sunday.

See you later, Jeff

Thanks Jeff, I didn't realize you were a lurker here too Small world!!

Mustangs are on the short list. I had no trouble in/out of David's SVO, so I'm watching CL to see if there might be any potential swap candidates for the Quest.

I hated missing Sunday, and thought of you guys all day long.

mark

People, where am I? Not one has mentioned an E36 M3. They did make them in an automatic, and they aren't that bad. It would meet all the requirements and still drive somewhat like a Miata.

I'm also 48, and I just bought an '06 Cooper S. It's much better than my '99 Miata in terms of getting in and out, but the M3 is better in that regards. Mustangs are also not bad, and a newer one was on my short list.

What about a MKIII Supra? They ain't slow look at how the daily driven with basically no mods did at the Challenge.

Funny that you mention the E36 M3. I drove down to Louisville last fall to potentially buy one. When I got to the lot it was out on a test drive, and when it returned the lot guys opened the doors and hood and left it running for me. It was everything I was looking for - black metallic, vader sports seats, automatic....I noticed a small puddle under the rear as I was oogling every detail, then noticed that the puddle was getting larger very quickly, and then noticed it was gasoline pouring out from somewhere under the passenger rear seating area. As it was sitting there running with no lot guys around I got concerned, quickly. I hustled to the garage bay and yelled at them to shut it off.

That was my only experience with E36 M3s to date, but it left a memorable impression.

Despite your um' interesting experience I'd double down on the E36 M3. Automatics are easier to find unmodifed than the 5-speeds which are often trashed by a better funded version of ricers. You should be able to find a good one, throw on some better rubber, do the inevitable defered maintenance and be ready to go within your budget (barely).

I'd also consider a RX-8, although egress won't be as easy as the Bimmer.

http://indianapolis.craigslist.org/cto/2864187231.html

hmm....maybe I should have a look

lower a pick up truck / SUV? the old s-blazers had a high floor with a low seat. get one V-8 swapped and have fun?

I never knew that you could get an E36 M3 with an automatic. Also, that C70 seems like a good suggestion.

E36's don't have tilt steering wheels unless they are an early 1995 or older. I second the e36 m3 idea. The seats are pretty adjustable so you should be able to find a comfortable position even with the lack of a tilt wheel. Differed maintinance is important to take care of.

I like the wheel in my lap, so if it's anywhere near the position of my E30 then I wouldn't be happy with it, for long.

IF the e36 m3 works for you physically id start checking to see if they made them in auto AND convertible. That would damn near be the holy grail regarding your criteria EXCEPT that.. they might not have made auto convertibles (ill probably search after i post..heh), and if they did, a nice one MIGHT be every bit of your budget or even over for a good one.

Vigo wrote: IF the e36 m3 works for you physically id start checking to see if they made them in auto AND convertible. That would damn near be the holy grail regarding your criteria EXCEPT that.. they might not have made auto convertibles (ill probably search after i post..heh), and if they did, a nice one MIGHT be every bit of your budget or even over for a good one.

They made auto convertibles. Don't know about steering wheel position though.

mthomson22 wrote: Would any of you guys know 240SX seat height from floor relative to a Miata's? I don't know of any local to me to personally check out. I've always liked the lines and size of the 240SX, and my budget should allow for some fun mods on a clean example.

Which 240sx? This is the kind of stuff that makes us quote chassis codes.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nissan_240SX

What about a BMW Z3? I have absolutely no idea if they are easy to get in and out of, or any personal experience. However they are a small convertible with an auto available.

Id say also look at 02-04 focuses. The seats are very high and the doors open wide, esp on the 3 door cars. You could swap in a SVT seat and have power height adjustment as well. The steering wheel has full tilt and telescoping adjustments and the interior just feels spacious and easy to move in, more so then (the very similar) MINI. Autos are plentiful, but no convertibles.

I have a 3 door hatch car and can sit in the seat w/ my feet still on the ground then swivel myself in, i used to do this when i injured my foot.

friedgreencorrado - sorry, S13 or S14 chassis.

garaithon - they've never done anything for me styling wise, but a good consideration. Maybe I should give them another look.

Bob - I had a ZX3 earlier this year. While it was pretty fun, and probably the most practical of my recent automotive musings, it was more difficult to get in/out of than I liked.