Project Car Choices

[wlfpck]

Well, I took a look at a LOT of cars this weekend...

None are in anywhere as good of condition as they were advertised (not surprising). But then everyone's asking price was WAY too high.

So I guess I'll be searching for a while. I think my final choices is...

240sx
miata
mr2
civic

This will give me a fun project car that I can autocross and such. Nothing over the top.

[deevergote]

I'd go for the MR2 or the Miata, personally.
Most 240s you find will probably be beat to shit. Ever since drifting became popular, every ricer on the road wanted a 240sx to rip around in. Any you find in good shape will probably be out of your price range. Any that are in your price range will have a reason why... unless you get lucky.

Civics are solid cars, and the aftermarket is healthy (even for the older ones.) But it'll be another underpowered FWD econobox. I suppose there's really nothing BAD about it... but I don't feel that it has all that much more to offer over what you're already used to driving!


The MR2 might have rust issues, especially if you're looking at a 1st gen. However, all 3 models handle quite well (even the 3rd gen, which effectively killed the line because it wasn't sporty at all in comparison to the fantastic 2nd gen!)
For your price range, you'll find a half decent 1st gen, or a N/A 2nd gen. You won't find a 3rd gen worth owning unless you spend at least $5000. I honestly wouldn't mind an MR2 myself.

The Miata is probably the easiest to find, easiest to fix, and easiest to enjoy right out of the box. Mazda made those cars to be dirt simple intentionally. The beauty of them is that there is not a whole lot going on. Especially in the 1st gen (which is all you'll find in your price range, most likely.) Even better, many Miatas were owned by older people. It's a popular "midlife crisis" car, especially among people who grew up with the British sports cars of the 60s and 70s in their younger years. It's also a popular "spunky older lady" car. Either way, you'll get a car that wasn't beaten on, wasn't modified, and was likely to be regularly maintained.


Whatever you look for, I suggest joining a forum or two dedicated to that model... that specific model if you can (like this site is for 4th gen Accords ONLY). Ask questions of the members there, and you'll be amazed at the amount of feedback you'll get. I learned a TON from an RX7 forum when I was contemplating an FC.

[Hopeless]

I'd go for the MR2 or the Miata, personally

+1

The MR2 might have rust issues, especially if you're looking at a 1st gen. However, all 3 models handle quite well (even the 3rd gen, which effectively killed the line because it wasn't sporty at all in comparison to the fantastic 2nd gen!)
For your price range, you'll find a half decent 1st gen, or a N/A 2nd gen. You won't find a 3rd gen worth owning unless you spend at least $5000. I honestly wouldn't mind an MR2 myself.

both of those are amazing track cars. 1st gens and n/a 2nd gens do amazing in their stock classes and do very well in basic modification classes.

[deevergote]

Quite true. Once you introduce turbo, the cars are faster... but so is the competition!
They handle well, and the MR design will make the car feel completely unlike a CB or tC. I don't know that I'd enjoy working on an engine in the back of the car, though! Looks pretty cramped.

I still say the Miata is the best option. Plus, Miatas are abundant, so finding one won't be hard.
It's funny... I've NEVER seen a Miata in the junkyard!

[Hopeless]

Quite true. Once you introduce turbo, the cars are faster... but so is the competition!
They handle well, and the MR design will make the car feel completely unlike a CB or tC. I don't know that I'd enjoy working on an engine in the back of the car, though! Looks pretty cramped.

I still say the Miata is the best option. Plus, Miatas are abundant, so finding one won't be hard.
It's funny... I've NEVER seen a Miata in the junkyard!

working on the engine isnt so bad as far as it being cramped. The engine bay really isnt that much worse than say my crx. its a little smaller but the radiator, and pretty much everything other than the engine itself is in the Frunk area. Its mostly just uncomfortable because you have a storage area trunk behind the engine and a cabin in front of the engine.

we get miatas in the junkyard here occasionally but they get stripped fast. same with the crx's.

[Dirtyrice]

Miatas get parted here super quick if they even make it to the yard. There is a couple of guys who make a living out of buying parts cars and parting them on craigslist and forums.

[wed3k]

im currently building a forged bottom end for a turbo miata. he's currently turbo'd on stock internals and he says it is ungodly quick.

[Accrdwgnguy]

Miatas get parted here super quick if they even make it to the yard. There is a couple of guys who make a living out of buying parts cars and parting them on craigslist and forums.

Same here. There is a local that made a business out of parting out Miatas. he buys up every single one at the auctions and from private sellers, they don't even make it to the junkyards around this area.

[wlfpck]

I'm leaning heavily towards the miata right now since it seems to be a lot more for sale in my area.

It also has a Haynes manual (yay!).


I also started digging around for forums and there is a ton for the miata so if I botch something, hopefully the community is as helpful as cb7tuner. If it's anything like the scion forums.... hooooo boy...


But yeah.... the only thing I don't like about the miata is a good friend of mine (a girl) was like, those are such cute cars. I wish they looked more along the lines of the Saturn Sky... but oh well. I like them so I guess that's what matters. ha ha.

Now.... it's really just shopping till I find a good deal.

[toycar]

im currently building a forged bottom end for a turbo miata. he's currently turbo'd on stock internals and he says it is ungodly quick.

I can confirm that yes plenty of miata's have gone turbo on stock internals and are wicked fast with minimal modification.


I have a few friends in SD that race them. Between the 3 friends, they have 7 miata's and they are all pretty quick with full interior and all.


They are pretty fun to drive too

[wlfpck]

If I could afford a s2000 I would definitely get one. My buddy has a nicely built s2000 and I love that thing.

But I think if I can build a turboed miata, it will be just as much fun.

[Dirtyrice]

But yeah.... the only thing I don't like about the miata is a good friend of mine (a girl) was like, those are such cute cars. I wish they looked more along the lines of the Saturn Sky... but oh well. I like them so I guess that's what matters.

Just add a roll bar, bitches love roll bars.

[Xsjado]

I find it strange that your indecisive about what car you want to modify.

buy someone elses project and fine tune it.

slowly building a car peice by peice is fun and all but you have to really like it to invest that much time and money.

[deevergote]

The S2000 is a bit trickier to drive, from what I've heard. The Miata is so neutral that you have to TRY to upset it while at the limit!

Miatas are indeed "cute"... they're stereotypically big among women, and homosexual men... but any tuner that knows anything at all understands the performance potential of one, and has respect for it.

[mappyCB7]

saw this the other day. Its a fiat not sure of the model or trim but I liked it. This pic does it no justice that thing was spotless. Guy had a big v8 poking out of the hood that thing looked deadly.