So after the untimely demise of the mx-6 I'm in the market for a new toy. I want a f/r m/r or 4wd small reliable car.I love great handling more than acceleration so a 4 banger or 6 cylinder is ok.
My price range is under $7000 and I'm just coming up blank as to what all fits my criteria. What I have so far:
mx-5 240sx mr2 ratty C4 vette .........
Not that I don't want an mx-5, I am a Mazda fanboy after all but I'm looking for options.
Miata, MR2, E36 M3. I vote E36 M3.
You might be able to find a M Roadster for that price, but probably not an M Coupe. The M3 probably handles better, even if it's not as pretty.
M3 question. If I'm going to mod it anyway would a base model be a better choice? Or is an M a whole different beast? I know squat about BMW.
Nissan 240SX? Porsche 944? Nissan 300ZX? Camaro? Mustang? 325i? 318i?
I see an ad for a 1991 Corvette ZR-1. Looks mint. Beautiful. $4,200. 31,xxx miles.
Most of the 300zx are out of my price range. I can get an older , much older one but its no longer in the reliable range. Supra mk III fit too but most of those I've seen are ridiculously over priced.
In reply to ThePhranc:
Not interested in the Vette? http://www.cars.com/
Looked at some but they are all high mileage 350s in C4 chassis. I'd love a C5 but aren't in my budget.
In reply to ThePhranc:
On cars.com i see '91 ZR-1 with 31,xxx miles on it for $4,200. Stick Shift. Red. What's wrong with that?
Also a 90' 300ZX in Chicago. $4,200 (obo). Stick shift.
ZR-1 with 31k miles for $4200 sounds like a scam to me.
How about a WRX? I really liked mine but I just love the Miata more.
ThePhranc wrote: M3 question. If I'm going to mod it anyway would a base model be a better choice? Or is an M a whole different beast? I know squat about BMW.
Depends what sort of modding you're thinking of. I'm not an M3 expert, but if I recall correctly the M3 has upgraded diff, transmission mounts (maybe the whole tranny, not sure), and brakes already. Of course engine, suspension, and wider wheels. There aren't really any weak points performance-wise with the M3. I imagine that modding a 3-series would just bring it up on par with a stock M3.
Put in some new Bilsteins or Konis and you'd be solid. Or upgrade springs/shocks/sways and have a real carver. I think the cooling system can usually stand to be made more sturdy.
944's are nice, too. But they're older and less powerful than the E36. They're also a pain to replace the clutch on.
EvanB wrote: ZR-1 with 31k miles for $4200 sounds like a scam to me.
That's most likely a $20k car, not a $4200 one unless it's broken. $4200 might buy you a nice-ish early C4, or a ropey late one.
In reply to BoxheadTim:
That's what i thought. But the seller's name is Elizabeth and i was hoping that it was some woman who didn't know what she had. fingers crossed
There is also a ZR-1 in Texas for $4989 with 3k miles being sold by "Charlene". Definitely a scam.
Mm. Too good to be true. 
Salanis wrote:ThePhranc wrote: M3 question. If I'm going to mod it anyway would a base model be a better choice? Or is an M a whole different beast? I know squat about BMW.Depends what sort of modding you're thinking of. I'm not an M3 expert, but if I recall correctly the M3 has upgraded diff, transmission mounts (maybe the whole tranny, not sure), and brakes already. Of course engine, suspension, and wider wheels. There aren't really any weak points performance-wise with the M3. I imagine that modding a 3-series would just bring it up on par with a stock M3. Put in some new Bilsteins or Konis and you'd be solid. Or upgrade springs/shocks/sways and have a real carver. I think the cooling system can usually stand to be made more sturdy. 944's are nice, too. But they're older and less powerful than the E36. They're also a pain to replace the clutch on.
I'd mod damn near everything on the suspension over time even down to poly bushings were applicable.
Looks like I'll be doing some window shopping and pricing maths. Not sure why but I kinda like the sound of an M3. It took me two years to decide on the MX-6 and that lasted me almost 11 years of very hard driving so I have time to figure it all out. Be nice if the search worked.....
Shop around, you can find an MR-S for that money.
Or build a KLZE Miata for that money. 
If you can find an unmolested one, how about an Integra GS-R? That was the first car I ever bought brand new... Got it for a steal back in those days. It was a '96, but I bought it in Feb '97, dealer wanted it off their lot. What an awesome all around car.
Klayfish wrote: If you can find an unmolested one, how about an Integra GS-R? That was the first car I ever bought brand new... Got it for a steal back in those days. It was a '96, but I bought it in Feb '97, dealer wanted it off their lot. What an awesome all around car.
A good choice, except that he already had a V6 MX6. None of those guys would be caught dead in a FWD Honda. 
92CelicaHalfTrac wrote:Klayfish wrote: If you can find an unmolested one, how about an Integra GS-R? That was the first car I ever bought brand new... Got it for a steal back in those days. It was a '96, but I bought it in Feb '97, dealer wanted it off their lot. What an awesome all around car.A good choice, except that he already had a V6 MX6. None of those guys would be caught dead in a FWD Honda.
It's true. And FWD is out of the question.
Did you get my PM?
Yeah, the one you sent on Saturday, i replied yesterday. 
$7000 should buy you a REALLY good TPI C4 Corvette (I had a ratty one a while ago that I bought for half that much) or a decent LT1 model. I still miss that car, and would pick up another if I had the opportunity and didn't have to use it as a daily driver.
ThePhranc wrote: M3 question. If I'm going to mod it anyway would a base model be a better choice? Or is an M a whole different beast? I know squat about BMW.
M3 has the big boy brakes, axles, transmission, subframe reinforcement (96.5+) and 3.2L 240 hp /240 lb/lbs of creamy goodness. Sportier seats and steering wheel. The rest of the differences are mostly in M logos and trim but they do tend to look a little sexier.
Suspension-wise it has stiffer/lower stuff that works really well on the street but everyone pretty much replaces with aftermarket spring/damper/swaybars anyway. All it usually needs is to have the bushings and dampers freshened to be more competent than most cars ever hope to be.
We LOVED our M3. If my commute ever gets shorter, I'm buying another. What about an RX8? I'm starting to see those in the sub 7k range around here for nice examples with less than 100k miles.
C4, MR-S, $2k Foxbody + $5k MaxMo Grip Box, the nicest FC on the planet, AE86 Corolla, 240SX...
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