What should my next car be?

[Jesda]

The Z is fine for performance.
For comfort and luxury it's barely passable.

Different strokes.

[centralcoaster33]

Did you say new toy? Ever consider messing with an RX7?

[numbnuts240]

saturn sky/ pontiac solstice?

2007 sky, 31k miles, $17,500
https://newhaven.craigslist.org/cto/5999178761.html

[frapjap]

Excellent conversation on the Jag, really loved reading that debate.

As for me and why the interest in the Jag vs the 350/370z- I would rarely ever be tempted to drive the Jag the way I'd drive a Z. Its a comfy GT cruiser that can still pass most modern cars when needed.

I expanded the search beyond convertibles. As much as I like them, the field is limited. I like the idea of a first gen RX7, and even an MR2.

This thing is pretty cool
https://providence.craigslist.org/cto/5984260946.html
Properly swapped 944.


I don't know why, but I like this turbo Corvair
https://boston.craigslist.org/sob/cto/5959511701.html


This STOCK MR2 turbo is very tempting and probably the most exciting prospect aside from a BRZ.
https://vermont.craigslist.org/ctd/5998177699.html
Fun toy that probably needs maintenance, but would be reliable in the interium. Miles don't bug me, but would be tough when it comes to resale.

[MinisterofDOOM]

I want a turbo Corvair so bad. Been casually shopping for one for a while. I'd like a 2nd gen coupe, though.

[frapjap]

^ is that one not a coupe? Its a 2 door.

[Bubba1]

I want a turbo Corvair so bad. Been casually shopping for one for a while. I'd like a 2nd gen coupe, though.

Ah, corvairs. Agree, 2nd gens are much better than 1st gens) I owned 2 '65 Corvairs Monza coupes (1st yr of second gen) , one in college. one a nostalgic impulse after I got married. I tried to buy a Corsa (the turbos), but I found it very difficult to find a non-trashed one. As much as I loved my corvairs, I would not buy one now, decades later. They were actually decent handling cars in their time, (gotta watch the oversteer as it's rear engined - like a skinny tired 911. it kept you on your toes if you drove it hard, which was hugely fun. But that was the 1960's. It's not particularly good by today's standards. Plenty of play in the steering, which was the norm. there are a lotta peculiarities to owning one, like they ran on leaded premium gas, gotta carry spare fanbelts, as they tended to break, they all leak oil so you have to keep 'em topped off. You also parked corvairs on a mat of some type if you cared about your driveway or garage floor. And since they're air cooled, the heater uses heated air from the engine, so you have be mindful of the seals, or risk carbon monoxide poisoning. So one always drives Corvairs with a window open. Oddities aside, it was a surprisingly roomy, (great on dates due to it's flat floor), peppy (not fast), throaty sounding exhaust, got an honest 25 mpg, sexy looking lcar. Brakes were not very good, and they came with awful unsupportive vinyl seats and no a/c. I have driven a couple of corsas. You're more likely to find a 140 hp turbo than a 180 hp turbo or even more rare Yenko Stinger or Finch Sprint. the latter trio kept pace with the 911's of the same era. Those old 911's were actually nicer, but cost more. Corsas do have some balls to them relative to the lower models but you need to keep that in perspective. They're over 50 yrs old now. fwiw, my wife hated the second 'vair because of the lack of creature comforts, and not very reliable. always had something that needed tinkering, But My college corvair remains one of my all time favorite cars. Loved that little thing. It was both fun and reliable. But then again, the car wasn't 50 yrs old back then. Plus as a kid, I tolerated more then than I do now.



A young Bubba in the first Monza. The red/white was factory paint. Those are Cibie 95 fog lights. (mirror melters if improperly aimed). It was mechanically stock, but I did upgrade to koni shocks (big in the '60s/70s) and upgraded from bias ply to radial tires (bias ply was standard back then).

If you're after a weekend local cruiser, they're fine, and affordable. but they're not a great choice if you intend longer trips.

[Bubba1]

On the topic of Rotary Zoom Zoom's. the only one that truly captured my fancy is the FD turbo. Great sports car. the earlier gens just did not excite me the same way. I spent some time in one at BeaverRun. Big step up from the previous gens.

[Kompresshun]

I personally am partial to the second generation RX7s but mainly because I wouldn't ever drop the cash to own am FD. First gens are still cool too but after owning both the second gen is a lot more fun IMHO.

Honestly I had more fun in a $500 RX7 than I had in most other cars I've owned. They're finicky and you don't want to buy one from someone that didn't take care of it well, but if you get a halfway decent one it'll put a grin on your face for sure.

I'm a sucker for 80s and 90s stuff anyways though.

[PapaSmurf2k3]

That Porsche looks fun, but you'd have the same problem. Too much power, can't drive at the limit. Also be weary of "race" engines. Often times they aren't as nice to drive on the street, don't idle well, blow through fuel so much it makes your eyes burn, etc.

[MinisterofDOOM]

^ is that one not a coupe? Its a 2 door.

That's a first-gen vert. I like first gens a lot, but the 2nd gen is a little more elegant. I'd love a first-gen van (Greenbriar), too.

[Bubba1]

That Porsche looks fun, but you'd have the same problem. Too much power, can't drive at the limit. Also be weary of "race" engines. Often times they aren't as nice to drive on the street, don't idle well, blow through fuel so much it makes your eyes burn, etc.

To be fair, many stock Viper/Vette owners (present company excluded) can't handle their cars at the limit either. the 944 turbo is still a compelling idea, but without an American V8 swap, much less a racing motor. The 944 Turbo is going up in value. It's one thing to engine swap a non-collectible japanese car, it's not as prudent to do it to something that's appreciating. An unmolested 944T has wonderfully balanced handling with a cult following. They're surprisingly durable if maintained/treated well but expensive to fix. I'm guessing the 928 will eventually come up as suggestion as they've become so cheap to buy. I'd avoid 928's because they make the 944's seem like a bargain, and they're not. 928 is more powerful and, more comfortable but insanely expensive to fix. One decent component replacement will cost more than you paid for the dang car. Gotta have deep pockets if you want an old 928.