good used sports cars??

Post by **hannibal** » Wed Apr 23, 2003 8:57 am

Alright, I'm looking for a new car since my ole Taurus is about to give it up. I wanna know if yall have any suggestions.I want something that's pretty quick stock, but has room for improvement (some aftermarket support). And it's gotta have decent handling. This will be the first car I build up, so I want something that's kinda easy to work on. Ive spent a lot of time reading up on the 240sx and it's probably near the top of my list right now. I guess I'm asking for good alternatives to a turbo S14.

A few conditions:Has to be RWD (maybe AWD)Has to have a manual trannyPriced less than $8000-10000

Already on the list240sx (only RWD car in its class)Supra turbo (mk3 1986-92)MR2 turbo (mid engine is cool! but harder to work on)BMW 325 (E36 1992-98? --a few turbo kits available)

What other cars did yall consider before getting your Nissan?

Thanks for the suggestions/comments!Jay

Post by **Rockenreno** » Wed Apr 23, 2003 8:57 am

I looked at the Subaru Impreza 2.5RS, you could also try Mustangs (new or old), but 240sx is definately the best

Post by **AZhitman** » Wed Apr 23, 2003 8:57 am

I was thinking MR2 as I read your post. That'd be the only competition (IMO) for the 240.

Skip the Bimmer (reliability stinks). Consider also the older DSM's (Starion) as that car was one of the most underrated cars of its day, and is still a threat if tuned right.

Website · Post by **Turbo240project** » Wed Apr 23, 2003 8:57 am

95-99 Eclipse or Talon AWD turbo.

Post by **Highway Q45** » Wed Apr 23, 2003 8:57 am

I know I'll get flamed here but I've always considered a "Sports Car" to be:

1) RWD2)no top3) two seats4) must stick like glueEverything else is a sport coupe or sport sedan.

You might want to check out the "power mods" section on the Miata.net forums. http://www.miataforum.com/ubb/...m;f=1The turbo and blower info is pretty extensive with wide aftermarket support. Nothing like 250-340 RWHP in a 2200 pound car to make you a believer. I've ridden in a well tuned FM II turbo and it scared the living crap out of me! Definitely a ride on the Dark Side.

Post by **AZhitman** » Wed Apr 23, 2003 8:57 am

Damn! I forgot the Miata!!!

Makes all those other cars pale in comparison...

Post by **hannibal** » Wed Apr 23, 2003 8:57 am

Impreza 2.5 AWD + turbo kit = WRX wannabe (a good thing) but it's not exactly a looker if you know what I mean.AZ, MR2s rule. Under $10k for a car that sold for almost $30K? Good deal!! Youre right abouth the Bimmer. and parts for it are real expensive, too. The Starion/Conquest are RWD?? Theyre nice and cheap (like $2000), perfect car to learn on.

Turbo 240, Good call on the Eclipse/Talon. I forgot about the AWD versions. But there has to be a reason you're leaving your DSM for a 240, LOL. Is reliability a factor, especially with the AWD system??

Highway Q45, I agree, except for the topless issue. The Ferrari 360 spider is a sports car, but not the 360 Modena coupe???) Convertibles aren't really my thing, anyway.

Thanks guys

Post by **Dano** » Wed Apr 23, 2003 8:57 am

get the miata and boost it. Skip on the BMW, not so much bcuz of reliability issues, just the fact that everything costs out the a$$ on parts. Trust me, i hang out with a bunch of BMWs, some are boosted. They are kick *** and i would reccomend em in a second, just not on a budget.

-Dan

Post by **AZhitman** » Wed Apr 23, 2003 8:57 am

Yep - Starion/Conquest are RWD. There's a few here in town that are bad as hell. One is black, running a HUGE turbo, lots of suspension mods and 18x9 Volk rims that runs high 13's.

Post by **Bubba1** » Wed Apr 23, 2003 8:57 am

There are plenty of RWD/AWD choices in that range. When I bought my 240sx new, my other finalists were the Prelude SI,Eclipse AWD turbo.

Miata - fun cheap reliable, and awesome if you're under 6' tall240sx - fun cheap reliable. I liked it so much I bought oneolder 300zx- a little more to maintain but great carsSupra - dittoMustang GT - fun but cheaply made, unreliable, expensive to insure, guzzles gas, plus mullets are requiredCamaro Z28- ditto Eclipse/Talon AWD. fun cars if you can get past the stigma of DSM.944 - awesome sports cars, but very expensive to maintainRx7. - great sports cars too, but expensive when they blowAudi TT - early 180hp versions are getting cheaper, expensive to maintain but funMR2 - very cramped, and early ones were homely, but handles like a go cart.BMW 3 series - nice, tossable, but expensive to maintainSubi 2.5RS - homely and feels cheap, but very nice tossable practical fun cars. They'll surprise you.

If you're on a budget and want a fun tunable RWD, miata and 240sx's are the best bargains IMO

Website · Post by **Turbo240project** » Wed Apr 23, 2003 8:57 am

IWannaS15 wrote:
Turbo 240, Good call on the Eclipse/Talon. I forgot about the AWD versions. But there has to be a reason you're leaving your DSM for a 240, LOL. Is reliability a factor, especially with the AWD system??

Thanks guys

I'm not leaving it for a 240 I'm getting a 240 in addtion to the DSM so I can have turbo AWD and turbo RWD.

Post by **Woodmister** » Wed Apr 23, 2003 8:57 am

Yea, the mitia is a good choice. My dad is selling his for a Harley. Its a 2000 Special Edition, w/ lil mods, and only 6000miles on it! Check it out...

http://www.cardomain.com/membe...age=3

Post by **MainEvent212** » Wed Apr 23, 2003 8:57 am

lol speaking of miatas...

my friend recently got a miata for free from his uncle

i called him a f*****/*****

i got a ride in it

*silence*

that's about it...those cars are quick even stock...they handle like slot cars and dont relaly look all that bad after taking a second/third look at them

Post by **hannibal** » Wed Apr 23, 2003 8:57 am

the miata is kinda small for me and the bmw = moneyTurbo240, Youre a lucky guy. It sounds like you getting the best of both worlds.Bubba1, thanks for the list

so here's my top pics240mr2 turboeclipse/talon AWDsupra??impreza??

Post by **Woodmister** » Wed Apr 23, 2003 8:57 am

Ive had a 1st gen MR2, also know as the "box style" MR2. There nice, also pretty small (1st gen), good drifters, etc, etc. The MR2, Talons, 240s and Eclispes are all good cars, all around the same price, i would get any of them...

Post by **nissanrcer240** » Wed Apr 23, 2003 8:57 am

"""so here's my top pics240mr2 turboeclipse/talon AWDsupra??impreza??"""

i would of course say 240, the s14 is the best looker out of all of the choices you named...dont forget a second generation 300zx though, i love the looks of those cars and theyre available in twin turbo. the MR2 is deffinetely fast but is a 2 seater and i dont think it looks as good as the 240 but stock for stock the mr2 has the 240 beat speed wise(turbo version anyways)...its a hard choice picking out what car to get, i was in your position a few months back, i did alot of research and realized the 240 was the best option for me.

theres my .02, good luck chosing your car

Post by **miteymax86** » Wed Apr 23, 2003 8:57 am

Has anyone thrown in the GTS Corolla(AE86) while not really a sports car, and rather impractical for anyone over 5'6", it is rwd and it does get good gas mileage with toyota reliability.

Post by **MainEvent212** » Wed Apr 23, 2003 8:57 am

are they that small?

<hasnt ever seen an AE86 in person

i'm so embarassed

Post by **MrFox** » Wed Apr 23, 2003 8:57 am

i'm 5'9 and i was pretty comfortable space wise in my old AE86 (RIP). they are pretty practical cars - remember that it is a corolla at heart.

how about a lexus SC300/Soarer? i consider them wolves in sheeps' clothing - the mkiv supra and it shares the same chassis, suspension, and engine. older ones are just about in that $8k price range. I can't praise toyota build quality enough.

Post by **Bubba1** » Wed Apr 23, 2003 8:57 am

I didn't even think about the lexus SC300/400. Great cars too, though not cheap to maintain. I agree with MrFox about Toyota's quality. The Toyota's I've had have all been great cars. The Nissan's too.

Post by **skydragoness** » Wed Apr 23, 2003 8:57 am

miteymax86 wrote:Has anyone thrown in the GTS Corolla(AE86) while not really a sports car, and rather impractical for anyone over 5'6", it is rwd and it does get good gas mileage with toyota reliability.

i'm convincing my brother to get a hachi-roku as his first car (he's 14) and he likes 'em lots.anyhowSky's favorites: 1. Obviously a 240sx. mwahaha. i'm so biast. but they're freakin great!2. MR2 first or second gen. (handle like go-carts, toyota build, etc etc) i drove a second gen, i was in love with it afterwards3. Turbo Z31, although they may be quite a handful... maintenance-wise4. AE86. not much you can do to make them faster, as the stock chassis can only handle so much power. but fun to drive, (as i've seen, haven't driven one) they're about the size of a fastback s13, so not tiny. and.. well, it's a toyota. plus jdm engines are cheap too. so mileage won't have to be too much of an issue.5. Miata first-gen cheap, and fun, great autocrosser!6. S12 200sx and swap in a CA18det, mwhahaha7. Subaru 2.5 RS (still pricey i bet) but upgradeable. good aftermarket following i believe. (the first gen RS with the better headlights mind you)8. Starion/Conquests are FREAKIN HOT! but i don't know anything about their build quality9. Supra Mk3 turbo. just make sure you get better gaskets for it. (HKS makes some) heehee.10. last but not least... ISUZU IMPULSE RS!!!!:ylsuper why!? it's rare, lotus suspension, it's turbo, and it's AWD!! AND it's cheap. good luck finding one though as i belive they were only made in the 90 or 91' model year. beautiful and ugly at the same time. and don't let the geo storm similarities fool you. it's a totally different car.

Post by **hannibal** » Wed Apr 23, 2003 8:57 am

My only problem with cars like the AE86, mk3 supra, and starion is that they have 15 yr old technology. While they definately were the best in their day, I would like something newer (mostly for the reliability factor). But I could pick up one of those for cheap, save a lot of dough, and still have plenty left to work on the car.The Lexus SC is great but I would just get a mk 4 supra if I could afford them. I cant believe an used SC goes for less than a similar NA supra.I've been looking at the 240 and mr2 for the psat few months. I'm also gonna check out the eclipse/talon, too. If I decide to go old school, I'll probably go for the Supra or maybe a Starion.

Sky, is hachi-roku what they call the AE86? and the Impulse AWD, now that's a unique ride!! but the word "Geo" is stuck in my head.

Thanks for the commentsJay

Post by **skydragoness** » Wed Apr 23, 2003 8:57 am

yeah, hachiroku means 86 literally. it's not a Geo. believe me. BELIEVE ME. night and day difference

Post by **neurovish** » Wed Apr 23, 2003 8:57 am

IWannaS15 wrote:Already on the list240sx (only RWD car in its class)Supra turbo (mk3 1986-92)MR2 turbo (mid engine is cool! but harder to work on)BMW 325 (E36 1992-98? --a few turbo kits available)

What other cars did yall consider before getting your Nissan?

Thanks for the suggestions/comments!Jay

E36 325 would be a good choice...parts aren't that expensive for those cars, nice i6 engine too. Definately the smoothest of the bunch and the nicest interior. I've heard german cars are in general hard to work on.

All good selections really, mid engine cars are a real pain in the *** to work on, I'd throw out the MR2 if that's a deal breaker.

Supra turbo could also be good, a friend of mine swears by 'em...just learn how to do a HG swap

You can probably pick one up with a blown hg for really cheap, put in a few hours of work and have a perfectly fine automobile.

Post by **baco99** » Wed Apr 23, 2003 8:57 am

My votes:

Porsche 924, 944, 928. you can find some nice examples in your price range.

i also second the RS2.5 and Miata options.

or an MGB! lots of mods available like a V8 conversion!

Post by **miteymax86** » Wed Apr 23, 2003 8:57 am

I'm roughly, meaning with shoes on, like 6'1.5" and my friend had one(AE86) and head room was a major issue with me fitting into it, although 2gen MR2s have less of a head-clearance issue, but it's still there

Post by **WDRacing** » Wed Apr 23, 2003 8:57 am

I've seen a few Mr2's do the hulla with damn near completely stock setups. The CT26 turbine will push 20lbs of boost, it comes with 440's. You just need to add some new fans a cold air intake, a cold air partition for the IC and boost away, not to mention that it handles like its on rails. Very hard to beat that car around the track, then take the same cars to the drag strip and drop low 12's all day.

But since I'm a huge Nissan supporter, for the money factor, get a 240 and boost it up. Depends on how much work you want to do to the car.

WD

Post by **skydragoness** » Wed Apr 23, 2003 8:57 am

i'm so shamelessjust look at it! it's BAD A$$! :oface

Post by **Nathan** » Wed Apr 23, 2003 8:57 am

That's the best looking Isuzu I have ever seen Sky

Post by **PalmerWMD** » Wed Apr 23, 2003 8:57 am

Highway Q45 wrote:I know I'll get flamed here but I've always considered a "Sports Car" to be:

1) RWD2)no top3) two seats4) must stick like glue.

That's the definition of a "roadster".All raodsters are sports cars but not all sports cars are roadsters.

And yes sports sedans are not sports cars.

Fred..

good used sports cars??

good used sports cars??

Re: good used sports cars??

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