• Ideas for a cheap but fun car
    47 replies, posted
I may be receiving a scholarship soon of quite a bit of money (may be up to $6,000AUD) and as I get regular income from work I was thinking I might as well just go nuts with that scholarship. I currently drive a Mitsubishi Magna and although it's a decent car, it's relatively big and not that powerful. Obviously power isn't all that makes a car but I've driven her for almost a year and I've felt restrained, I want something that I can go for a cruise in and have good fun in it. I live in Australia, so American models are out of the picture. There are some European cars here but if I have to replace a part I don't want to break the bank, so European models are out of the picture as well. I could get a Magna Sports or VR-X but I don't really feel like another sedan. So yeah that pretty much leaves me with Japanese models. I guess I want something that is a sporty coupe and is preferably rear wheel drive. There should be a good variety of cars for under $6,000. I've been contemplating a Nissan 300ZX Z32 but I dunno, apparently there are heaps of bad things about the naturally aspirated models (I can't drive cars with more than six cylinders or if they have petrol engines with forced induction). The Z31 doesn't really fancy me. I've thought about a second gen Toyota MR2 but I dunno if those have problems or not. I know I should buy a car that I want but it wouldn't hurt I guess if people gave suggestions of what they'd get in this situation.
What do you guys have for 93-01 Subarus? If you have Imprezas, the NA ones are very nice, especially 98-01 with updated interior and exterior. They come in coupe, sedan, and wagon models. Theres tons of OEM visual upgrades to personalize them as well. Theyre the kind of car where, even in stock form, theyre pretty fun and can be pushed quite a bit while still being reliable. A big bonus to me is symmetrical AWD. If im out driving around and see a dirt road, dirt pit, etc. I can go out, have tons of fun, and not worry about getting stuck or losing control. Theyre also pretty compact, while still feeling big inside and being very comfortable
Miata or S2000
[QUOTE=FordLord;41597613]What do you guys have for 93-01 Subarus? If you have Imprezas, the NA ones are very nice, especially 98-01 with updated interior and exterior. They come in coupe, sedan, and wagon models. Theres tons of OEM visual upgrades to personalize them as well. Theyre the kind of car where, even in stock form, theyre pretty fun and can be pushed quite a bit while still being reliable. A big bonus to me is symmetrical AWD. If im out driving around and see a dirt road, dirt pit, etc. I can go out, have tons of fun, and not worry about getting stuck or losing control. Theyre also pretty compact, while still feeling big inside and being very comfortable[/QUOTE] There's quite a variety of Imprezas here for sure and I do like the '98 models. I don't think I've ever seen an Impreza coupe, but on that I have seen tonnes of Lancer coupes around my uni. I might keep an Impreza in mind if I can find decent ones for sale. [editline]26th July 2013[/editline] [QUOTE=clutch2;41597656]Miata or S2000[/QUOTE] S2000s are good cars but they are a bit too expensive, I think the cheapest I'll ever find one is at around $10,000AUD and if it's that cheap then it probably has problems. MX-5s are pretty cool I guess though. [editline]26th July 2013[/editline] I found this that doesn't look too bad actually [url]http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Subaru-Impreza-1998/SSE-AD-2150492/?Cr=19[/url] and even though it's a bit over $6,000 I do have some savings to cover the difference.
Miata. I'm biased, but seriously. Cheap, easy to work on, fun as fuck. Tear it apart.
[QUOTE=Antdawg;41597708]There's quite a variety of Imprezas here for sure and I do like the '98 models. I don't think I've ever seen an Impreza coupe, but on that I have seen tonnes of Lancer coupes around my uni. I might keep an Impreza in mind if I can find decent ones for sale. [editline]26th July 2013[/editline] S2000s are good cars but they are a bit too expensive, I think the cheapest I'll ever find one is at around $10,000AUD and if it's that cheap then it probably has problems. MX-5s are pretty cool I guess though. [editline]26th July 2013[/editline] I found this that doesn't look too bad actually [url]http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Subaru-Impreza-1998/SSE-AD-2150492/?Cr=19[/url] and even though it's a bit over $6,000 I do have some savings to cover the difference.[/QUOTE] Wow, that Impreza looks amazing and the mileage is very low. Surprised the hood isnt a version with scoops/vents, thatd make it look much nicer.
yeah the front end looks super weird without the scoop
Everyone else has already suggested some really good cars, if you're interested in having something FWD at all you could go for a Honda Integra. The VTI-R(GSR/SiR) is the vtec model Integra that makes around 165hp stock, looking at similar budget rwd cars like the Miata if you're concerned about having power on a budget the Hondas are going to be decently quicker. I feel like you would be pushing your budget to find something fairly unmolested and RWD in good shape. [url]http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Honda-Integra-1994/SSE-AD-2232183/?Cr=45[/url] [url]http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Honda-Integra-1996/SSE-AD-1123851/?Cr=46[/url] [url]http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Honda-Integra-1998/SSE-AD-2214610/?Cr=63[/url] [url]http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Honda-Integra-1998/SSE-AD-2119393/?Cr=67[/url] If you get a Integra, I'll trade you some USDM stuff for your AUDM/UKDM stuff too!
e30
[QUOTE=Antdawg;41597417]I live in Australia[/QUOTE] All you need to know then: [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fq2ekzptguo[/media]
Supras and Cressidas are pretty popular down under too. [editline]25th July 2013[/editline] For $6k you could probably get a decent one.
[QUOTE=Antdawg;41597708] I found this that doesn't look too bad actually [url]http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Subaru-Impreza-1998/SSE-AD-2150492/?Cr=19[/url] and even though it's a bit over $6,000 I do have some savings to cover the difference.[/QUOTE] Holy crap, I'm living in the wrong state, you can't find a decent Impreza under $7,000 in WA. +1 for Subarus though, even thought mine may be old, it is still a lot of fun to drive.
Just wanna say thanks for the suggestions. However as I've said I'm probably only going to buy a car I think I'll be interested in. Does anyone have any comments about the naturally aspirated 300ZX Z32s? But yeah that Impreza I linked to does look nice and if I receive my scholarship in time I might actually consider it.
[QUOTE=Antdawg;41599010]Does anyone have any comments about the naturally aspirated 300ZX Z32s?[/QUOTE] How much do you like replacing timing belts, valves, and head gaskets? If your answer is anything other than "I would give anything to do that every day for the rest of my life", probably not the car for you.
If you're in NSW [url]http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/newcastle-2300/cars-vans-utes/1987-toyota-mr2-aw11-itb-s-wilwood-brakes-7age-coilovers/1022685720[/url] [url]http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/cabramatta-west/cars-vans-utes/89-nissan-skyline-r32-coupe-rb25de-3400-ono-or-swap-trade/1020864142[/url] SA [url]http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/reynella/cars-vans-utes/1988-nissan-cefiro-sedan/1024108038[/url]
Since you're in Australia I'd say get a Laurel, room for 4 and you can do mad slides in it.
[QUOTE=BANNED USER;41614994]Since you're in Australia I'd say get a Laurel, room for 4 and you can do mad slides in it.[/QUOTE] Laurel? A Nissan Laurel? I can only find one on carsales.com.au ([url]http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Nissan-Laurel-1999/SSE-AD-2201806/?Cr=1[/url] it's also turbocharged so I couldn't drive it anyways) and the page says it's only one of two in Australia. Besides, if I wanted a car for mad slides I'd get a Ford Falcon XR6 or Holden Commodore S. [editline]28th July 2013[/editline] This wouldn't be too bad [url]http://www.carsales.com.au/dealer/details/Ford-Falcon-1999/AGC-AD-13771284/?Cr=5[/url] but I'd prefer a manual and either an older EL series or a newer BA series model. [editline]28th July 2013[/editline] Might be receiving this scholarship in a few days time, but I don't think it will go up to $6,000. I just realised, when I got a scholarship for my first semester (same as this one) it was only $1,000 while $4,000 attached to it was a one-off 'moving away from home allowance' and another $1,000 of back payments. I kind of had to live off of that scholarship last semester until I found work so nearly none of that is left :( [editline]28th July 2013[/editline] [QUOTE=Jimmaye;41599538]If you're in NSW [url]http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/newcastle-2300/cars-vans-utes/1987-toyota-mr2-aw11-itb-s-wilwood-brakes-7age-coilovers/1022685720[/url] [url]http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/cabramatta-west/cars-vans-utes/89-nissan-skyline-r32-coupe-rb25de-3400-ono-or-swap-trade/1020864142[/url] SA [url]http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/reynella/cars-vans-utes/1988-nissan-cefiro-sedan/1024108038[/url][/QUOTE] I love the second gen MR2s but the first gen ones don't really catch my eye, but it still looks like a good bang for your buck car I guess. A while ago I also had a look at Skyline R33 and R34 GT and GTS models but apparently their naturally aspirated engines are underpowered due to being designed for turbocharging. I'd disagree as although an R33 GTS wouldn't have as much torque as my 3.5L Magna its 2.5L does produce as much power as my 3.5L (and the car is lighter by a bit as well), but yeah people tell me to just stay away from the naturally aspirated models. [editline]28th July 2013[/editline] I found a four-dour R34 GT and it actually doesn't look that bad [url]http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Nissan-Skyline-1998/SSE-AD-2235453/?Cr=1[/url] however as I was saying above it produces as much power as my Magna, and as my Magna is FWD while this Skyline is RWD it probably weighs just as much if not more than my Magna (page doesn't state how much it weighs, but my Magna weighs 1400kg) so I'd actually end up with a slower car haha.
Australia? Holden Commodore. Dat Nissan engine! Also remember, there's much more to speed than driving in a straight line; not lot of good if a car understeers/oversteers
[QUOTE=sHiBaN;41622200]Australia? Holden Commodore. Dat Nissan engine! Also remember, there's much more to speed than driving in a straight line; not lot of good if a car understeers/oversteers[/QUOTE] but it's not all about speed either. a car that slides around corners is way more fun than a car that takes them with no drama
[QUOTE=sHiBaN;41622200]Australia? Holden Commodore. Dat Nissan engine! Also remember, there's much more to speed than driving in a straight line; not lot of good if a car understeers/oversteers[/QUOTE] That was only one generation; the VL, they've all be made to full hetick uleh sex spec, crashed or are in shit condition and the ones that aren't are expensive as fuck for not really a good car in the first place. [QUOTE]I love the second gen MR2s but the first gen ones don't really catch my eye, but it still looks like a good bang for your buck car I guess. A while ago I also had a look at Skyline R33 and R34 GT and GTS models but apparently their naturally aspirated engines are underpowered due to being designed for turbocharging. I'd disagree as although an R33 GTS wouldn't have as much torque as my 3.5L Magna its 2.5L does produce as much power as my 3.5L (and the car is lighter by a bit as well), but yeah people tell me to just stay away from the naturally aspirated models. Edited: I found a four-dour R34 GT and it actually doesn't look that bad [url]http://www.carsales.com.au/private/d...-2235453/?Cr=1[/url] however as I was saying above it produces as much power as my Magna, and as my Magna is FWD while this Skyline is RWD it probably weighs just as much if not more than my Magna (page doesn't state how much it weighs, but my Magna weighs 1400kg) so I'd actually end up with a slower car haha. [/QUOTE] You'd rather a Magna over a Skyline, now I know what state of mind you have. Do you realise you get more pussy in the Skyline? and also you can Turrrrrrboo it after your P's if you so wish, if you turbo'd the Magna you'd look like a dickhead. Don't pass up that MR2 either that thing looks to be a bargain, could be $10k for an even shittier example. You best bet is the Ceffy, and you can come visit me in Adelaide, heck I'd even put you up for the night if you need.
Australia. Duh hilux or land cruiser with arbs at both ends. Or v8 ute
Rx7
[QUOTE=bradley;41599143]How much do you like replacing timing belts, valves, and head gaskets? If your answer is anything other than "I would give anything to do that every day for the rest of my life", probably not the car for you.[/QUOTE] That bad? What a shame.
VG commodore ute
[QUOTE=n0cturni;41635461]Rx7[/QUOTE] You can get RX8s for dirt cheap (RX7s are more expensive around here), but they'll be expensive to work on and have a tendency to blow their engines at less than 100k miles even with very good maintenance.
[QUOTE=Saber15;41636907]You can get RX8s for dirt cheap (RX7s are more expensive around here), but they'll be expensive to work on and have a tendency to blow their engines at less than 100k miles even with very good maintenance.[/QUOTE] It'd be cheap and fun up to that point, though :v:
[QUOTE=n0cturni;41637155]It'd be cheap and fun up to that point, though :v:[/QUOTE] Yeah, they're great cars. If they were more reliable and got less terrible gas mileage I'd buy an RX8 in a heartbeat. Love to drive rotaries in Forza. :v:
Can you get a suzuki Cappuccino in Au??
Just curious, why can't you drive a turbo? Cause turbos are pretty much what gives RWD Japanese cars their essential japanesey RWD awesomeness.
Maybe he's a P-plater?
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