What cheap car?

Its hard to fit in a Miata at 6' 5".

A 2nd gen RX7, would accomodate someone your size w/o too much trouble. So would a 240. Those are pretty good choices for light, nimble, agile cars.

e36 BMW 325 or 328 should also fit the bill. They are available pretty inexpensively.

old Vettes, Camaro, Mustangs and such would also be pretty cool.

Lurid power slides just don't work for me in a FWD car and I know nothing of vintage cars so...

Let me be the first to say...

E30

Go buy one now.

longhorndude wrote: as far as the mx6, just make sure it doesnt have all that four wheel steering crap..

None of the '93-97 NA models came with 4WS

I'm a little biased.... but what about a Mk2/3 Swift GT? Light, nimble, Koni's, H&R's and Addco rear bar with a wicked side exit exhaust.

Or how about a 94-96 9C1? upgrades are abundant, power is surreal and, well, it's a cop car.

post an example of one you deem to be a "good deal" (the 9C1)

Not sure what your definition of cheap is, but a mid '80s C4 Corvette can be had for under $4,000, drivetrain parts are usually pretty cheap, they're competitive in A/Stock (particularly the Z51 version), fit tall drivers well, and they do HUGE poweslides on command.

93celicaGT2 wrote: I WOULD suggest Celicas, you can find a nice 3rd gen GTS (RWD, LSD) in that price range, and it'll be well balanced, and has the ability to do lurid powerslides as well.

I wouldn't.

22RE makes decent torque, and is a fantastic engine, but it's not a performance motor by any stretch of the imagination. Plus, for the same price, you could probably find a Mk II Supra, which is the exact same car as the 3rd-gen Celica GT-S from the a-pillars back, only it comes with 2 more cylinders and twice as many camshafts.

Even then, I think you'd be happier with an FB.

Bobzilla wrote: Or how about a 94-96 9C1? upgrades are abundant, power is surreal and, well, it's a cop car.

Really? 280hp is considered "surreal" in a full-size sedan?

Don't get me wrong, I'm not knocking the LT1, they make a good amount of power and gobs of torque and are great for embarassing 2v Mustang GTs but I think "surreal" is stretching it a bit, lol.

You're confusing horsepower with torque. LT1s dominate 4.6s in that department. And, yes, 260 hp. was a lot of power in the mid 90s.

Appleseed wrote: You're confusing horsepower with torque.

What makes you say that?

260 hp and 330 foot pounds of torque in 1994 in a full sized sedan was surreal. Context, my friend.

After the weak suck 80s, that kind of juice was startling. I'm sure more than a few Stangs' were surprised.

Thoughts on a 240z? They seem to be running cheap around here, and I've got experience with L series datsun motors. Are they even remotely competitive?

I haven't seen a non-parts car Z go for anything less than $3500. When you can pick up a mint FB RX-7 for $1500 and run circles around it...

P71 wrote: I haven't seen a non-parts car Z go for anything less than $3500. When you can pick up a mint FB RX-7 for $1500 and run circles around it...

That all depends where you are. You can get a decent Z around here for around $2000. Not sure how competitive they are but i will own one someday.

The old Z's (78 on down) I've driven always felt broken. Maybe they were, but my RX7 always felt light on it's feet by comparison and they actually weigh about the same. torque is fun though.

Appleseed wrote: 260 hp and 330 foot pounds of torque in 1994 in a full sized sedan was surreal. Context, my friend. After the weak suck 80s, that kind of juice was startling. I'm sure more than a few Stangs' were surprised.

Not only that, but when you drove one hard, it would drift like none-other.... the rear was so light in the bubble style caprices that traction on the stock 235/60R15 Goodyear GT+4's was non-existent. Still, a 3800lb Sedan able to run 146mph with a pair of officers and full gear and still out stop a Camaro from 100mph is impressive.

I dont see p71s and 9c1s being performance cars for much more than drag racing. An impreza would work, but you wont find a 2.5rs worth buying for under $7500. Rx7s are decent, but they dont do a very good job of passing emissions testing if you have to worry about it (almost all of the first gens in cali are gone becasue unless they are 100% perfect they wont pass anymore), and they seem to blow up for no apparent reason. for a cheap fun car id be looking for a bmw, neon, mk1 or mk2 volkswagen, even a transaxle alfa (depending on your driving style and ability to work on cars). Turbo dodges are fun too, but have a lack of performance suspension parts, and can be rather unreliable (at least the older versions).

80s Ford LTD with the 351W police package. Should be as close as your nearest police impound lot auction (and will probably need a new trunk lock).

Early RX 7 with a blown motor (There will be several behind every Mazda shop), a Granny's Speed Shop conversion kit (About 300.00), and a good junkyard 5.0. Power to weight a little less than a Viper, wicked fast, and cheap. I WILL do this!

cwh wrote: Early RX 7 with a blown motor (There will be several behind every Mazda shop), a Granny's Speed Shop conversion kit (About 300.00), and a good junkyard 5.0. Power to weight a little less than a Viper, wicked fast, and cheap. I WILL do this!

Me too! I've already got the 5.0 - now I just need an RX7 that's not rusted to death (not so easy in New England)...

Sometimes I think the only reason my 233xxx mile 12A rotary hasn't blown yet is because of the 401 AMC V8 and 5-Speed sitting in the garage staring at it...