What if Miata isn't the answer?

1000 dollar 240sx + 4000 in turbo swaps and upgrades?

My N/A FC routinely returned about 22mpg. I drove it like you're supposed to drive a rotary. Hard. That was about 12 years ago when gas was a lot cheaper.

LS1 F body? E36 M3? Z32 300ZX?

Z32 300ZXs kinda scare me as far as actually work on them but that may just be the TT models. Maybe someone who has worked on one can fill me in.

If I go BMW, it will be a Z3. I sat in one and it fit me like a glove. I also love the styling.

Also no crazy swaps. Plan is to buy, maintain and as far as mods probably springs, shocks, decent tires and maybe wheels and exhaust.

How about a B2200 with some goodies?

Z31 300zx Turbo? Or are you against turbos in all forms?

http://baltimore.craigslist.org/cto/4667964339.html

i'll just leave this here

This is sounding like

• C4 Vette
• Various Mustangs
• Transmarobird
• BMW's. You can get all sorts of E36 for that money, and even some decent E46's.

Ah, but you said the only BMW you'd look at is the Z3. I'd encourage you to look at the other 3 series if you haven't already.

Swank Force One wrote: Z31 300zx Turbo? Or are you against turbos in all forms?

Not against turbos as lot as working on it won't make me scream bloody murder.

I am against Z31s though. Do not want! There is always MKIII Supras...

93EXCivic wrote:

MG Bryan wrote: For that money, right now, I'd buy this - http://www.wirewheel.com/1984-TVR-Tasmin-280i-Coupe-for-sale.html

Daily driving a TVR. What could possibly go wrong?

Well, everything. I'd try it, but I love setting myself up for failure.

On a more serious note, have you considered a 944S or S2?

I looked in your area and this spoke to me the loudest.

http://huntsville.craigslist.org/cto/4680985406.html

I am not sure if it really solves your problem, but, let's be honest, I am not really that concerned with your problem.

93EXCivic wrote: I am against Z31s though. Do not want! There is always MKIII Supras...

The MK3 is a pig, even with the turbo mill in there.
Don't get me wrong, it's a fun pig, but still a pig.
Roomy though, I'm 6'3'' 210 and had plenty of room

SnowMongoose wrote:

93EXCivic wrote: I am against Z31s though. Do not want! There is always MKIII Supras...

The MK3 is a pig, even with the turbo mill in there. Don't get me wrong, it's a fun pig, but still a pig. Roomy though, I'm 6'3'' 210 and had plenty of room

I have driven both. I like Supra so much more.

MG Bryan wrote: On a more serious note, have you considered a 944S or S2?

The days of decent 944 S2s within the OPs budget are unfortunately over, at least from what I've seen in the past year or so.

BoxheadTim wrote:

MG Bryan wrote: On a more serious note, have you considered a 944S or S2?

The days of decent 944 S2s within the OPs budget are unfortunately over, at least from what I've seen in the past year or so.

I've been seeing them in that range with recent timing belts and water pumps. I've not made my way to look at any of them to verify the are as decent as they appear to be. I suppose the prices probably vary regionally though.

Most likely. Anything with a Porsche badge seems to be going nuts price wise out here close to the West Coast.

If you were closer, I'd make you a heck of a deal on an 88 944 Turbo S Silver Rose. Its had a lot of deferred maintenance performed by me in the last year (belts, hoses, HG, balljoints, tie-rod ends, bushings, etc.). Its missing the special Turbo S brakes and transaxle (Has standard Turbo Brembo brakes and an open-diff S2 gearbox) but has an aftermarket ECU solution, aluminum flywheel, header, etc and pushes around 350hp with a 58mm ball bearing turbo and 4" stainless exhaust and 18" 5-spoke wheels.

So surprised no one has said an S2K? 10-14k hits a wonderful different and nearly perfect roadster. I'm 6 4" and had an absolute blast in my pals car at an autox. Fit is great and there are no hairdresser comments about a car that revs that high. Didn't see if there was a lower budget needed but there is nothing else I would rather have (if I didn't need car seat room)...

Yes you could go faster for less dollars in any of the good suggestions in the other posts...

84FSP wrote: So surprised no one has said an S2K? 10-14k hits a wonderful different and nearly perfect roadster. I'm 6 4" and had an absolute blast in my pals car at an autox. Fit is great and there are no hairdresser comments about a car that revs that high. Didn't see if there was a lower budget needed but there is nothing else I would rather have (if I didn't need car seat room)... Yes you could go faster for less dollars in any of the good suggestions in the other posts...

Maybe you meant to post in the what car for 10k thread? No one mentioned S2K because you can't get them for $5k.

In reply to turboswede:

fly and drive he should

Early rx8 can probably be found within spitting distance of your price range. Prelude? Any of the pony cars, last gen celica and I heard the mr2 spyder is fairly roomy. The sw20 is definitely big enough. I am pretty comfortable in mine and only a little shorter than you.

captdownshift wrote: In reply to turboswede: fly and drive he should

Aye Aye captain!

Seriously. I'd love to see the car go to someone in the GRM fold because I know they would treat it like the little red-headed step child it is

I'll finish working on it and list it here for all to see and the first one with cash money gets to drive it away.

Honestly I am probably not buying until after I replace on the bushings on my 93 Civic at the end of the autocross season. I am sure I will need to do some work when I buy the car and I only have one open spot in the garage.

93EXCivic wrote: Honestly I am probably not buying until after I replace on the bushings on my 93 Civic at the end of the autocross season. I am sure I will need to do some work when I buy the car and I only have one open spot in the garage.

Clearly the answer is you need a bigger garage!

found some near you for cheap. no affiliation of course...

http://nashville.craigslist.org/cto/4673316593.html

http://nashville.craigslist.org/cto/4675471666.html

http://huntsville.craigslist.org/cto/4633752084.html

http://greenville.craigslist.org/cto/4670463404.html

http://huntsville.craigslist.org/cto/4655494003.html

No you can't get a S2000 for $5000, but I did find one for $5900.

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/nat/cto/4658362519.html

Same car, more pics on another ad.

http://greenville.craigslist.org/cto/4661883239.html

I also notice there seem to be plenty of cheap rx7's around you, in need of a 350 swap, even saw one in TN that had a swap already for $4k. Saying only coupe's is limiting your search, there are so many good cars out there in that price range that can be fun that have 4 doors.

Like.

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/nat/cto/4664392561.html

http://nashville.craigslist.org/cto/4616511490.html

http://asheville.craigslist.org/cto/4664691240.html

Storz wrote: 1000 dollar 240sx + 4000 in turbo swaps and upgrades?

I don't think that $1000 240sx's exist anymore. Well, the good ones don't.