Hi,
Well, I'm done with high school, almost done paying the almost completely stock 240 off, and starting to think about saving up for the first real project car, and before I even start saving, I want to have a specific car in mind. :-) Looking for suggestions, and I have a few in mind too, looking for input on those too . . . so here it goes. Oh, and a few constraints in mind. For one, the car has to be rear wheel drive. Also has to be fairly nice inside (decent features, things like leather, etc). I want decent power, preferably normally aspirated; I'm definitely not a fan of turbo or supercharged engines, mainly because of maintenance concerns, as well as what usually isn't a very linear power curve. Might not be the most popular choice on these forums, but it's my thing . . . :-) So, my ideas follow, let's hear yours . . .
My current first pick for a project is a mid to late 80's Porsche 928 (and yes, I know about the maintenance costs of all the cars I'm looking at; they will all be nothing more than project summer cars, with the 240 sticking around as a daily driver). Great power from the 4.4 to 5.0 liter V8 (in the time period I'm looking at), great handling, very solid car, nice car for a long drive, great highway gearing, and did I mention the V8? The downsides with the car are huge maintenance costs, even relative to other Porsches, though I'd still be doing the work myself. The shifter also doesn't feel that great, or so I am told, but I could live with it.
Another choice would be a Porsche 944; not as great a car as the 928, but certainly decent, and definitely an improvement over the 240, if not in performance, certainly in luxury. Much cheaper than the 928 in both initial and maintenance costs, and still plenty of fun to drive. Not all that powerful without going Turbo (which you all now know I'm not a fan of), but I could live. :-)
As far as Nissans go, I'm not a fan of the 300ZX of the 80's, and I've driven Z32's, and they are plenty nice, but they're quite a bit like the 240; and unless I got a TT, it wouldn't be much faster than the 240, even around corners. Supras are a little too expensive for the later ones, and the older ones just don't appeal to me. MR2's are an option, but again, without forced induction, there isn't a whole lot of power, either in the MKI or MKII. So if you guys have any other ideas, I'd lovve to hear them . . .
Project Car?
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916drifter
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Buy an older Q45 and then check out the SuperCharger thread, AZHitman is looking to get 380RWHP or more. Add the 4.08 rearend and you'll have a a seriously fast 4 door 
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(sorry, one of the Q guys strayed into 240 Gen)
.(sorry, one of the Q guys strayed into 240 Gen
)A dune buggy would be neat, though not terribly practical for the street (another of my requirements). :-)
As far as go-kart goes, a Lotus Elise is still a ways off. ;-)
I'm trying to stay with something that will corner just as well as it accellerates, if not far better. So Mustangs are not an option. :-) I like Corvettes enough, but I'd want a ZR-1 way too much, and the money just isn't there for one of them (they're still very costly).
Supercharged Q45? Hmm . . . lots of power, and decent handling, but not quite the corner carver that a Porsche or even a 240 would be. Have to think about that one . . .
As far as go-kart goes, a Lotus Elise is still a ways off. ;-)
I'm trying to stay with something that will corner just as well as it accellerates, if not far better. So Mustangs are not an option. :-) I like Corvettes enough, but I'd want a ZR-1 way too much, and the money just isn't there for one of them (they're still very costly).
Supercharged Q45? Hmm . . . lots of power, and decent handling, but not quite the corner carver that a Porsche or even a 240 would be. Have to think about that one . . .
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BoyWonder
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I am personally a 944 fan. Not too sure I like the body styling of a 928 as much .. wasn't aware of the fact they were V8s though. I like the very early 944 models the best, with the black wheels and very oldstyle interior, but I hear their suspension is not as nice as the post-85 models. If it's a project that might not matter since chances are it may be upgraded anyways. Though it's not the best choice, my vote is for a 944.
Why not consider an old 280/260/240z car?
Why not consider an old 280/260/240z car?
The 944 is a hot car, regardless of whether you get the black wheels, or the so-called phone dial wheels. A gorgeous car any which way you get it. Price is starting to move it up too, with the costs of parts for the 928 in mind, as well as the lack of knowledge by most . . . though why do you not think the 944 to be the best choice?
I've considered Z's, but what it comes down to is that the one I want is an original 240Z, and finding them without too much cancer is almost impossible anymore, and if you find one, the person that has it usually does not want to part with it. :-) Thanks for the replies!
I've considered Z's, but what it comes down to is that the one I want is an original 240Z, and finding them without too much cancer is almost impossible anymore, and if you find one, the person that has it usually does not want to part with it. :-) Thanks for the replies!
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dr!ft
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Here's a thought regarding MR2's, and a project idea me and my bro have considered doing ourselves. Purchase a 2nd gen MR2 (91-93,95-97), preferrably hardtop, due to chassis rigidity and weight savings. Or if you like targas, go targa! But anyways, the concept comes from the winner of the most current SCC Challenge. He had the V6 of a Toyota Camry mounted mid-ship in the MR2. Naturally-aspirated swap into a nice, sporty platform with good handling. More information can be found on the MR2 Owners CLub forum here: http://www.mr2oc.com/
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BoyWonder
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The Black Wheels\Oldstyle interior is a personal preference of mine, though I'm not a fan of the huge shift throws they have. I've only had a chance to drive one once, and it was a lot of fun. Seems quite similar to a 240 in power as well. I say it may not be the best choice because of the cost of the parts for it for one; I can't say I've much researched the aftermarket support for the car, but as it's a Porsche, I'd guess they aren't cheap. I could be wrong. Also since many of them are really old, they may need basic maintenance, and the OE parts are expensive.. I was looking at buying one awhile back before I got my S14, and man, one guy had the reciepts for all the stuff he had just had replaced. Pricey. Don't get me wrong, I think the 944 is an excellent platform, but there may be more cost-effective platforms out there requiring less money to get to the same point. I don't know what your exact goals are with the car, though. If that isn't an issue for you, then I'd go for it. I really do love those cars... makes me want one again.. 
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busta dust8
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With regard to MR2's, I did read about the V6 swap in SCC a few years back . . . neat swap, but also more work than I'd care for, in that it's more than just taking an engine out and putting one back in. ECU swap, finding an appropriate engine, doing the necessary transmission modifications (bellhousing, et cetra). Oh, and I'm elbles on mr2oc.com . . . been a member there for a while, great info, and still a great car, but sadly, not quite what I'm looking for anymore, at least for now. (Unless I can find another 1994 or 1995 NA MKII, which is highly unlikely, as I'm sure you know)
A 944 is sounding like a more and more likely choice, even if I have to go turbo to get power. The NA version is slightly quicker than the 240 in a straightline, and quicker through corners, though oddly enough, the turbo was slower through the slalom than the NA 944, and my September 1988 of Road & Track suggests the turbo almost has too much power for the chassis. Old magazines are great. :-) We'll see what happens as money keeps coming in, and I keep working . . .
Oh, and Firebirds/Camaros/Mustangs are out of the question. In addition to being rear-wheel drive, the car also has to have an independent rear suspension (this is where the handling aspect comes into play). Plus, I don't want to have to grow a mullet before I can drive such a car. ;-) J/K . . .
Thanks for the replies, keep 'em coming!
A 944 is sounding like a more and more likely choice, even if I have to go turbo to get power. The NA version is slightly quicker than the 240 in a straightline, and quicker through corners, though oddly enough, the turbo was slower through the slalom than the NA 944, and my September 1988 of Road & Track suggests the turbo almost has too much power for the chassis. Old magazines are great. :-) We'll see what happens as money keeps coming in, and I keep working . . .
Oh, and Firebirds/Camaros/Mustangs are out of the question. In addition to being rear-wheel drive, the car also has to have an independent rear suspension (this is where the handling aspect comes into play). Plus, I don't want to have to grow a mullet before I can drive such a car. ;-) J/K . . .
Thanks for the replies, keep 'em coming!