Recommend a platform for me

I'm looking to pick up a cheap beater in auto form, and later swap something fun under the hood for a track/autox toy. It will spend the first 6-12 months as DD for my gf...hence the need for auto trans.

Requirements: RWD, Solid suspension/handling, Automatic, Cheap parts, Swap-ability (at least the trans)

Thinking along the lines of a Miata or E36 with future V8/T56 transplant, or maybe a 944 or MR2. Pretty much anything I could pick up in ratty condition (at least aesthetically) for cheap and strip/upgrade later for racing use.

Any advice/recommendations?

Well the answer is always Miata but I must recommend an AW11 because swapping one more to manual would be doing a good thing.

The only tricky part with those is flipping the shifter cables around, may require some fabbing, but you can get a powertrain from an AE101 or AE92 Corolla, or do something wild like a 2ZZ swap.

Camero

GameboyRMH wrote: Well the answer is always Miata

I figured as much! If going Miata, which generation is going to be best for future swaps?

TBH most people state for a reason that a slushbox Miata is not a very pleasant car to drive.

NAs and NBs are very similar in the drivetrain department so I don't think there is a big difference when swapping to a manual trans.

NA and NB are pretty much the same except for the NB's slightly better suspension geometry, slightly more room in the NA I think, and the NB's inferior looks

The fat NC has the most room in the engine bay but that's a very different car.

I was serious about the AW11 though, they're at least as cool and swaps are bolt-in except for the shifter cables (and clutch of course).

GameboyRMH wrote: NA and NB are pretty much the same except for the NB's slightly better suspension geometry, slightly more room in the NA I think, and the NB's inferior looks The fat NC has the most room in the engine bay but that's a very different car. I was serious about the AW11 though, they're at least as cool and swaps are bolt-in except for the shifter cables (and clutch of course).

Can someone explain the NA, NB and NC nomenclature as it pertains to Miati? New Arrival, Now Broken and No Corners?

I assume NA is the early one up to 1997 and so on?

Boxhead: I read that the auto Miata had slower engine, different timing, etc. Is that why they're so hated?

Gameboy: I'm going to keep my eyes open for an auto MR2. I assume latest model early-chassis is best? Anything to look out for?

I was leaning to Miata because the handling is so revered...figured I could swap in a completely different drivetrain (even with off-the-shelf kits). MR2 would be much tougher to do complete transplant due to configuration...but if 5-spd swap is easy and other Toyota motors fit, it could be right up there too.

NA = '90-'97
NB= '99-'05
NC= '06+

To the OP, of course my first choice is Miata (see my avatar). Second choice is MK1 MR2. A Fox body Mustang would also fit the bill. Can be made to handle well, parts swap potential is endless, and they're dirt cheap.

Never woulda thought of a boxy old Mustang as a handling car - I thought they only drove in straight lines! Certainly something to consider. Can it be made to handle well "affordably"?

If you can find a supercharged AW11, they actually do not suck as an auto. Their relatively fat torque curve (for a 1.6) mates pretty well to the gear ratios in that auto trans. I was pretty dubious of this myself until I got to ride in a buddy's auto SC.

Woah, the answer here is definitely a pony car! You need some Mustang, Camaro, or Firebird in your life. Parts can't possibly get any cheaper, they are still fun with the autos, and manuals plop right in. Also, you won't have to swap the engine. I don't know what your price range is, but if you have at least $5K I'd recommend the 94-02 Z28 or Trans Am. 94-97 had the superb LT1 and the 98-02 has the LS1 (so you can swap it out to another later, LOL). The entire 4th generation has SLA front suspension with a torque-arm rear that works very, very well. Also 275's fit on stock wheels (chew that over a little bit).

If you are closer to $2500 I'd look at the 94-95 Mustang GT. 5.0 engine, 5-lug wheels, 4-wheel-disc brakes, lots of upgrades over the box fox.

Klayfish wrote: NA = '90-'97 NB= '99-'05 NC= '06+

Or more easily:

NA = popup lights

NB = the one that looks like a mini Viper

NC = The Pillsbury Doughboy

tokin wrote: Never woulda thought of a boxy old Mustang as a handling car - I thought they only drove in straight lines! Certainly something to consider. Can it be made to handle well "affordably"?

I would pick a F-body before a Mustang because of handling.

S-10/S-15/Hombre

tokin wrote: Never woulda thought of a boxy old Mustang as a handling car - I thought they only drove in straight lines! Certainly something to consider. Can it be made to handle well "affordably"?

Go to any HPDE/open track day and check out the number of fox body Mustangs there. That should tell you all you need to know. There were racing series using them too. Biggest change to make is to the 4 link rear. Simple and cheap changes will make a world of difference. It'll handle well and have gobs of power.

I was going to chuck FC (second-gen) RX7 into the mix, but I think that Javelin's probably right about a Camarstang Am being the answer in this case...

Actually I still like the FC idea, but I'm not sure how many had autos (seems like too many, for most cars), and I'm also not sure how well a ratty one will do DD service in the interim... I've never tried to live with a bargain-basement rotary, and expect that one of the reasons they make great swap candidates is how cheap they are when the engine is dead.

E36 sedan with an LSx swap. You can find a pretty nice 318i with an auto for pennies on the dollar, parts are cheap and they're easy to work on in the mean time. LSx swap it with a T56 and you have two extra doors for hauling tires and other track junk. I'm a huge fan of not having to trailer anything .

240sx, aside from the drift tax there are about a billion guys who have swapped from auto to manual.

E30/E36. Great V8 swaps. Done.

'05-09 Mustangs dropped in price once the new 5.0 came out...

GameboyRMH wrote:

Klayfish wrote: NA = '90-'97 NB= '99-'05 NC= '06+

Or more easily: NA = popup lights NB = the one that looks like a mini Viper NC = The Pillsbury Doughboy

So the letters actually have no meaning. Who dreams this E36 M3 up?

If you want fun to drive with an auto, that means V6 or V8. 4 cylinders are weaksauce ahead of an automatic, and boosted 4 cylinders ahead of an auto are really only good for drag racing, and those need big turbos, lotta lag, high stall converter, etc.

Previous posts pretty much nailed it.
3rd or 4th gen F-body (I am partial to the later 80s/early 90s IROC-Zs and Trans Am GTAs)
Fox Mustang or early SN-95 with the 5.0. I wouldnt want a 4.6 car since they give up too much to the 5.0 other than the 03-04 Cobra, and those were 6 speeds.
Monte Carlo SS from 86-88 or so if you can live with the interiors.
S10 or Blazer, either the S10 SS or Extreme. Both could be had with the 4.3 and auto and had the handling package. S10 SS looks like a nice S10 with a suspension kit and the Extremes look, well, EXTREEEEEME!!!

Javelin wrote: Woah, the answer here is *definitely* a pony car! You need some Mustang, Camaro, or Firebird in your life. Parts can't possibly get any cheaper, they are still fun with the autos, and manuals plop right in. Also, you won't have to swap the engine. I don't know what your price range is, but if you have at least $5K I'd recommend the 94-02 Z28 or Trans Am. 94-97 had the superb LT1 and the 98-02 has the LS1 (so you can swap it out to another later, LOL). The entire 4th generation has SLA front suspension with a torque-arm rear that works very, very well. Also 275's fit on stock wheels (chew that over a little bit). If you are closer to $2500 I'd look at the 94-95 Mustang GT. 5.0 engine, 5-lug wheels, 4-wheel-disc brakes, lots of upgrades over the box fox.

Absolutely this.

Pick up a V6 Camaro for $dirt.
Let GF drive it
Swap in uber-drivetrain
Win

NOHOME wrote: So the letters actually have no meaning. Who dreams this E36 M3 up?

The letters are the chassis code used in the actual VIN #. This is where all the fan names come from (P71, SA22C, AE86, FC3S, etc, etc).