Considering 91-92 M30 'vert...

[AZhitman]

Well, not just yet.

But a real clean one just came in for service, and i was thinking at some point in the near future I'm gonna need a smaller car to beat on the long commute - Something cheaper to run than the Q, but something I'll enjoy and not be sitting in traffic thinking, "Damn, I wish I was driving my Q right now."

I'm seeing them for under $4K in good condition, and the initial reviews were real favorable - Anything I should know about them?

[Aus94Q45]

Some earlier thread identified them as not crash worthy. I seem to recall that these are cut roof conversions and not designed as a convert from the frame up . . . . you may want to do a search. I would never drive a chop roof conversions. A real convertible has major reinforcements in the frame design -- frequently makes them heavier than their hard-toppped counterparts. New ones have some sort of rollover protection that the older M will not have.

A minor complaint about the car is the plastic rear window that fogs and cracks. Better check into the crash issue -- we'd hate to lose you out there!

[90Q45blue]

Greg,

Have you considered a G20? Those cars are fairly bullet-proof and I think they're pretty fun to drive.

Nick

[AZhitman]

I hear ya on the safety issue. It is done by ASC, and is reinforced by them during the conversion, but as you said, it wasn't designed as a 'vert.

I'd consider a G20, but I figured if I was gettnig a beater Infiniti, I'd want it to be something unique so I don't long for my Q on that hellacious commute.

[lessthanjakejohn]

I think the M30 would be rather expensive to maintain. As in Z32 cost.

[docsmile71]

If you want a beater car, go for a 240sx and drop in a DET motor in there....for less than $6000, you'll have a car that will do the 1/4 in the 13's. Fuel efficient too as long as you keep the boost down.

[zfixxer]

the m30 is a great car, but like the nissan van it was not seen at the dealer unless it was under waranty. then when it would change owners and brought in, the repair list would be long. so take a look at the service history. also the g20 is a perfect comuter vehicle. just dont compare it to the q you drive. as dissapoitment will happen when you first open the door.

[QuickSilver]

The G20 is the only pocket rocket/commuter car in the Infinity family, IMHO. I'm not sure you would save enough in maintainence cost to leave the Q home every morning. I'm trying to justifying get second car for the same thing, but I'm leaning towards a '94 5sp Integra. There lot's of parts and mods available for just a couple of hundreds bucks. Who cares if people see me as a college kid or ricer.

What about a '94-'9X Miata? Convertable, RearWheelDrive, LSD, 50/50 weight distribution and a HP/weight ratio close to any pocket rocket out there. My biggest concern with the Miata is that there's only 3cu ft. of cargo space. I always considered it a "chicks" car until I did some research and found it to be considered a great economical sport car.

If you still had your Si HB, would you have a promblem using it as a everyday commuter with Quella in the driveway? How long is your commute? Are you working for Scottsdale now?

[AZhitman]

I'm still at Scottsdale, but scratching and clawing to get out.

If I still had my Civic, yes, I would use it for the commute - 60 miles R/T now, 180 R/T if I get the gig I'm gunning for.

Miata? Hmmmmm.... There's an idea!

[QuickSilver]

There's a black '95 Miata w/ 18k orginal miles for $7k here in L.A. The guy is moving to Canada in a month. The problem is that I don't think it has LSD, ABS and really only a deal at $5-$6k.

[jamesmost]

i have a m30 conv since it was new 1992has 80K my wife uses it as a station car and i take it to the beach in the summer. runs great, i have to do the suspension not too cheap have to put inserts in @$135.00 a pop and springs as well. no aftermarket tokkiko blues for $60the only major expense although it did not fall upon me was the transmission replacment @75,001 mi. one mile past warrentee infinity covered it because i made a stinkon the gas milege it sucks i think it eats as much as my suped up Q bla bla blafun car though

[Jesda]

Before getting my Q, a 1990 M30 coupe was at the top of my list. Looks damn sharp in two-tone white/beige or just black. The interior is dated but the car itself stands out from the crowd.



http://www.cardomain.com/membe...03528

-Jesda

[nuQ]

the miata is a blast to drive!!!! can throw it around all day,,crazy fun!!! good mileage too.

[cweberj30t]

If you're looking for better gas mileage, look elsewhere. The VG30 is a pretty thirsty motor.

[HeavyDuty]

Miata?!?!?

Greg, buddy, no offense to anyone who owns/drives one, but.....

I've spent the last week in a 99 Jackson Racing S/C Miata. It handles well, but unfortunately the era of a manly man owning a small drop top sports car is kinda gone, IMHO.

Even with the supercharger, it's not very quick.

Plus, most importantly, I think you're a couple inches taller than I am, right? Even with the seat all the way back & the seat back pressed against the rear firewall, I still have my knees touching the dash, and my right foot is permanently bent upwards, no place to rest the right foot on the tunnel.

My left foot, even with Nike's or Docksiders, constantly hangs up in the space between the clutch & the kick panel.

In other words, I look like a Shriner in it, all I need is a Fez & a squeaky horn mounted to the windshield.

Plus, I sure haven't had any chicas checking me out in it....but have had a few er....uh....ahem....chicos tell me how cute it is.

I agree with whomever posted about an S13 or S14. You can pick them up for nothing, and if you keep the KA engine, if it blows up, there's 1000's of them sitting around dirt cheap.

[fxjackso]

You would have fun but not save money. The M30 is not inexpensive to run, does not get good mileage, and is likely to require a new transmission unless the previous owners were NICO members and installed a cooler and flushed often.

I would not be so worried by the ASC conversion, as they don't cut corners in their jobs. But if you need a new top you will be paying top, top, dollar, as it will probably have to be custom made.

But I have driven an M30 extensively, and its a fun car, sort of like a Mustang with a well designed suspension , but with the same F/R distribution and power to weight.

To achieve your goals on the commute, find a clean SE-R. I'd be very tempted if I saw one.

[maxnix]

I hear ya on the safety issue. It is done by ASC, and is reinforced by them during the conversion, but as you said, it wasn't designed as a 'vert.

There is a post by Q45tech where T-3 made the mistake of opening a door on a M30 convertible on a lift and it flexed!

Nice to look at, not so good to crash in, I bet.

[nuQ]

heavyduty, you're right man!!! you read my mind, i was a second from putting that as my next sentence,,,,"if you're tall, be sure to look at yourself in some glass, you might look a little funny w/ your head too far out of the car!!!"when i drove one i never looked, but when i do see guys that are tall driving it,,,,,sometimes looks a little comical!!!! i did like it, though. not the fastest car out there, but not the slowest either. i think more along the lines of what greg is looking for, vert', fun, easy to work on, and economical. as long as i didn't look stupid in one, i'd consider one. BUT, if economical wasn't a factor,,,,,,,,,,,,without a doubt,,,,,,,,a 69 DE VILLE VERT'!!!!!!! NO QUESTION!!!

[Jesda]

Other than the Jaguar XK, this has to be the best looking convertible (conversion) I've seen:



1995 Buick Riviera. I dont recall if that was the year before the 3800 Series II supercharged V6 that made 240hp and 275lb-ft. Americans simply make better looking drop-tops, hands down.

-Jesda

[Mr1der]

alas, Jesda isn't a fan of the '69 Corvette convertible, man that's a sweet looking car.

and who can forget the 3rd gen Camaro RS verts?

[Jeff Williams]

Geo Metro made a convertible.

Bu I would find a nice 'Vette, maybe a 1996 Indy Pace Car.

I would not get a convertible, for commuting.

I drive 150 to 300 per day, in my Q. The gas runs about $500 a month, but the ride sure is nice.

If you get that job, you might want to get another 1995 Q, and put a 308 rear gear set in it. Possibly 25 MPG? For $5,000 cash, you can find a decent Q, and put another $3,000 in it, and have the same sweet ride, everywhere you go.

Then you can drop $10,000 into Quella, on a C, and a level 10, and not worry about the 7 MPG you will average. :ylsuper