Okay, so I've decided to become realistic rather than being ridiculous (as I tend to be..hence my presence here) and look for a weekend car/auto-x vehicle. My requirements:
I had wanted a z32 300zx or sw20 mr2, but all the ones I am finding are clapped out or overpriced and it seems like I would have to put some serious work into them.
I has considered:
Early 350z - I hear the manual trans on the early cars is weak
RX-8 - The thought of a used rotary does scare me a bit, but I don't know a ton about the reliability of the car. Are apex seals the same issue they were on rx7s? Oiling issues in the car?
Mustang Cobra - I am only considering the 99-01 cars for the IRS. How are these cars? I have seen some for as little as $7k in the area. Seems like parts would not be bad and it would be easy to work on.
E46 BMW - seems like parts and labor (if I farmed it out) could get pricey
Miata - The obvious answer, but NB's are too cramped for my 6'1" 220 lb frame and early NC cars seem out of the price range.
MR2 spyder - I heard they are roomy, but there is little luggage space. They seem like they would be fun.
Anything else you can think of?
G35? Essentially the same as a Z, with a lil more room for traveling.
Really, even I can see where this one is heading.
Miata with a call to Flying Miata you could get a race ready monster
Keith, paging Keith
Z3 based M roadster, they can be found in your budget in decent shape.
Triumph TR6 .
TRoglodyte wrote: V8Triumph TR6 .
FTFY
Sonic wrote: Z3 based M roadster, they can be found in your budget in decent shape.
What do you think of these? A low mileage example just popped up near me. A MY 2000 with some Dinan bits and only 36k on the clock.
To the OP, I would highly recommend an e36 M3. I've owned 2 different examples and loved both! Plenty of room for you, gear, the GF, etc. For $10k you could find a very nice one and have change left over.
fasted58 wrote:TRoglodyte wrote: V8Triumph TR6 .FTFY
[/b SUPERCHARGED TR6?
I vote 350z, but then again I was outrun by someone in a mr2! Both are small cars with not much interior space for someone your size.
EvanR wrote: G35? Essentially the same as a Z, with a lil more room for traveling.
I think these are overlooked. And better looking than the Z.
dyintorace wrote:Sonic wrote: Z3 based M roadster, they can be found in your budget in decent shape.What do you think of these? A low mileage example just popped up near me. A MY 2000 with some Dinan bits and only 36k on the clock. To the OP, I would highly recommend an e36 M3. I've owned 2 different examples and loved both! Plenty of room for you, gear, the GF, etc. For $10k you could find a very nice one and have change left over.
I second the e36 m3. I loved mine. Want another one bad.
Did I broke the internet?
Save for another 6 months and go for a S2000?
mtn wrote: Save for another 6 months and go for a S2000?
I thought about that, but $10k is the most I want to spend and the s2000 felt fairly cramped as well when I sat in one.
Alfa gtv6 and just dont get busy enough to send it to a shop? They fit all the other requirements (yes, they are actually easy to work on) and a $10k one would be in pretty good shape.
Miata
Mustang
WRX
In that order.
Try driving them all to help decide. How much are C5 Vettes going for these days?
I vote Cobra or G35. Paying for labor probably isn't bad on those. Not sure what labor costs would be on the Germans, but I would consider Porsche Boxster or E36 M3
amg_rx7 wrote: Try driving them all to help decide. How much are C5 Vettes going for these days?
Not in his ballpark yet. Good C4's exist there though.
I know that if I had 10k laying around for a car, I would be buying an e36 m3. they are THE E36 M3
The $10K question is the easiest one to answer.
GTO
Ten grand gets a really nice early 912 (my current obsession), and I think it would be a really cool weekender car.
My other current obsession is a Meyers Manx. Ten grand will get you one that is near perfect. Subie power would be awesome, Corvair power would be awesomer, and Porsche power would be perfection!
Maroon92 wrote: Ten grand gets a really nice early 912 (my current obsession), and I think it would be a really cool weekender car.
I like the sound of this.
what about a 944 turbo?!!!!!!
A quick E-Bay search shows not much in the RWD sub-$10K range that is decent. A few Mini Coopers, a Mustang or two and a Vette or two.
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