What should I get? roflbbq

[AadosX]

Ok so I guess it's been too long since we had one of these threads, rite? Maybe this one will be a little different... Basically I've narrowed down my next car but I'm looking for any knowlege you guys can contribute, as well as some opinions I guess.

The list of possible project cars that I've come up with in my price range are as follows:

Datsun 2000 Roadster
Datsun 510
RX-7 FB/FC
Miata NA/NB
E30 BMW 3 Series
Porsche 944
Datsun 240/280 Z
S13/S14
Honda Del Sol
Honda EG/EK Hatch

Now, for now I still want RWD, and I'll need a car that comes running and drivable, which narrows the list a lot to this:

RX-7 FB/FC
Miata NA/NB
E30
Porsche 944
S13

I know a lot about the S13, so that's easy... but I want something different, there are just so many of them running around these days. Miatas are also everywhere, but I want to own a roadster kind of, and I know at least a little about them, so it's definitely in the running.

SO, if you guys could contribute anything about the

RX-7
E30
944

along the lines of reliability, ease of working on them, does it have fuel injection (something I want hah), power, handling, etc... basically any personal experience, that would be much appreciated.

MY friend has an E30 and it seems to have enough kick to be fun around the twisties, it seems with some basic N/A mods they can be at least peppy, and I think they look alright. IMO they might not look as good as a 240, but the rarity factor jumps all over me. Also I'll go ahead and point out that I wont be getting an M3, too rare/expensive.

Another friend also had an FB RX-7, and I don't remember it being fuel injected... how hard are swaps with the newer motors?... or hybrids with motors from other cars?.. are there swap kits out there? I'm pretty hands on oriented but I'm definitely not at the level in skill, time, or shop space/technology personally to be doing anything crazy.

The 944 I basically know nothing about other than it's a Porsche [well, kinda (4 cyl.)], and that IMO they look good. I'm thinking it will be a little unreliable and parts will be expensive though, any light on this? Also, how do they handle and how is the power?... modibility?

And as usual, maybe I missed something so if you want to suggest another car that obviously fits within my criteria then feel free.

Thanks,
John

[AeRo]

RX-7 would be my choice, but ive heard that even stock engines are only good for about 75K on those things.

[adam p]

RX-7 would be my choice, but ive heard that even stock engines are only good for about 75K on those things.

Not true. You are referring to the FD 13B twin turbo motor. People usually rebuild before 100k in those I guess, but anyways. Any NA rotor is reliable. Secondly, an FB single turbo 13B is also very reliable and people have very little trouble anywhere NEAR stock power on them.

[AU RSX-S]

E30.

[WiggiE]

E30.
Or Datsun 510 :dance:

[Jon|Hazan]

Since I'm really leaning towards the e30.. i tried to do some research on them. I went for an older M5 phase when I was looking to buy a car, i love the look of those circle headlights, so I've had just a little experience with the e30..

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v282/Bimmer8604/R3V/SigPic.jpg

Have you ever considered a turbo 318is? It should be fairly similar to the 240, and the e30 undoubtedly weighs less. Regarding a swap, you can expect the price of the motor ALONE to be around $1k (unless your interested in an s52 from the M3 w/ a getrag 5sp, tack on another $3,000 to that).

But for right now, i would say DON'T rule out the e36 yet.. If you're going to be looking at a 944, than the e36 should not be outside your pricerange. And I know they aren't as rare as the e30 but they really look good.

[phillyd]

e30/e36 :cool:

[AURx8]

There is an FB 7 with a dual carbureted motor in Huntsville that consistently gets FTD's at the autoxes.

But im biased anyways, so I say the 7. :P

[ActiveAero]

My vote.

http://splortch.no-ip.com/cars/240z-1.jpg

[PrimeredHatch]

Late 70's 280z. It's light, looks pimp as hell, and the interior is not horrible. The dash is pimp too. Option for swapping v8, but the Turbo I6 is cheaper and you can just crank the boost and run 12's.

[adam p]

I say 280Z, then E30. E30s are so freaking sexy to me, I dunno why. They are old enough to look almost "classic" to me, but maybe I'm crazy, because I also love FC RX-7s for their looks!

[A418t81]

E30 325i w/ a turbo and megasquirt. There's already guys that do it and they are fast. 114+ mph in the 1/4th on pump gas, stock motor, etc.

[phillyd]

E30 325i w/ a turbo and megasquirt. There's already guys that do it and they are fast. 114+ mph in the 1/4th on pump gas, stock motor, etc.
point me to the forum/site...please...I'd like to read up on E30 tuning/turboing!!!

[ActiveAero]

E30 325i w/ a turbo and megasquirt. There's already guys that do it and they are fast. 114+ mph in the 1/4th on pump gas, stock motor, etc.

Ok nevermind about the 240Z. Do what Greyson said.

[adam p]

Yeah...thats quick. 325 Turbo!

[VDUBNDizzy]

I think I say E30 EVERY time one of these threads pops up. lol

[insert_car]

I think I say E30 EVERY time one of these threads pops up. lol


ditto

[tryiian]

I say you should be original and drive a primer s13 with some form of turbo`d motor in it. Oh... right.

I vote for building an FC with whatever rotary engine of choice, I don`t ever see/hear about those outside of japan. Horrible mileage, though.

Other than that, I`d also give my encouragement to making a high performance car of the other mazda on the list, as that`s equally as rare in the well-tuned community. It`d be a very different car from an FC or s13 though, in every way you`d be gettin reminders of how small a car it is: mileage, wheelbase (parking, drifting, etc), visibility, interior room/cargo space, etc. It`s difficult to get much lighter than the roadster, though, so response and turning capability would be "at very high level".

[AadosX]

Ok the E30 BMW 325is (coupe) weighs 2865 and has 168hp @5500 RPM and 181tq @3950 RPM with a compression of 10.5:1.

My 1993 240SX weighs 2851 and has 155hp @5600 RPM and 156tq @4400 RPM with a compression of 9.2:1.

So as you can see they basically weigh the exact same, with the Bimmer being barely more powerful due to its higher compression.

And a lot of you keep saying Z or 510... I'm a working engineer student, do you know how much time/money it would take to get one looking/running even decently close to a stock level? Time/money are things I don't have, and wont have for a few years to come. I'm sure I'll have a project like that some day in my life, but not right now... it's just a dumb decision. Now, if it wasn't my daily driver, that would be another thing, but it is.

[Jon|Hazan]

.. the Bimmer being barely more powerful due to its higher compression..

..and two extra cylinders.. :)

[adam p]

Dude, E30. Then turbo when you can. You know you want to!

[Inspector]

dang, i've never considered this car before.. its original, looks pretty good, RWD, AND has potential for uber badassness!! do it.. E30 turbo!! :thumbsup:

[cheappower82]

E30, before I do

[2Fast4Radar]

SC300

[cheappower82]

SC300

He didn't say he wanted a boat anchor :happyFU:

j/k, everybody knows that's my weapon choice; only with a W58 though

[AadosX]

SC300

lol. The again you don't know me, so I see how you could suggest that.


If I get an E30 and anyone else does, I'll be pissed. hah. I'm happy with the numbers that Greyson posted, but I've always considered BMW's rather unreliable when boosted, and expensive to boost too... looks like it's time to check out some E30 forums.

[JicJac]

http://img5.picsplace.to/img5/3/budgietuning.jpg

[2Fast4Radar]

only with a W58 thoughw58 is for shattered dreams! :D Built auto is the way to go!

[VDUBNDizzy]

l
If I get an E30 and anyone else does, I'll be pissed.

Is that the only reason you're ditching the 240? B/c if you think you're gonna save money on another project like an E30, you're dead wrong. Not to mention, the better way to deal with a situation like having the same car as everyone is to make yours better than all theirs. ;)

its original, looks pretty good, RWD, AND has potential for uber badassness!! do it.. E30 turbo!! :thumbsup:

Or you can find the ultra rare 325iX and have AWD, but they're pricey b/c of the rarity.

[VDUBNDizzy]

Here's some motivation though. I've seen this car in person BTW. E36 S52 with a big honking turbo, huge FMIC, oil cooler, direct port nitrous, etc etc.

http://img261.imageshack.us/img261/6550/boostedbimmer4of.th.jpg (http://img261.imageshack.us/my.php?image=boostedbimmer4of.jpg)

[tryiian]

pretty car thanks to the paint, kit, and aftermarket et cetera, but still horribly ugly body lines underneath, imo. I hate looking at and feeling the interior of cars made before like, 95.

I`ll continue to promote your buying of a mazda rwd platform, Mr. Donkeysex.

[A418t81]

w58 is for shattered dreams! :D Built auto is the way to go!

Maybe when you can't drive a manual ;)

[A418t81]

lol. The again you don't know me, so I see how you could suggest that.


If I get an E30 and anyone else does, I'll be pissed. hah. I'm happy with the numbers that Greyson posted, but I've always considered BMW's rather unreliable when boosted, and expensive to boost too... looks like it's time to check out some E30 forums.

Ask Kenny about the guy on the megasquirt boards floating around w/ his E30 turbo. I'm pretty sure he did a custom job...something you should probably do too. As far as the E30's, they are bimmers, but you can find just about all the replacement parts for pennies compared to newer ones not to mention the junk yards now. Plus they were still pretty straight forward cars back then.

[2Fast4Radar]

Maybe when you can't drive a manual ;)I can't, I'll let Boost Logic shift it for me. :cheers:

[Alex]

I hate looking at and feeling the interior of cars made before like, 95.

lol what a dumb statement. :cackle:

I can definately see you in an E30, John. :)

[AadosX]

Dubz... I'm not really getting what you said about money, but I already know that an E30 will cost a good bit more than a 240SX...

And I do NOT want AWD...

[VDUBNDizzy]

B/C it's not about traction or handling, it's about DRRRRRRIIIIIIFFFFFFTTTTTTTTTTT. :D

[cheappower82]

Hmmm....AWD

Auto Trader linkage (http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=187817134&dealer_id=50757980&car_year=1989&make=BMW&distance=0&lang=en&max_price=20000&model=325IX&end_year=2000&min_price=1000&certified=&bkms=1126159548351&address=36066&search_type=both&advanced=&start_year=1985&isp=y&cardist=492)

[AadosX]

I prefer RWD for handling as well... like most.

I love how in that Autotrader ad they list 'hard to find' like they know what they're talking about, but also say 'v6'.

[SK VR4]

E36 S52 with a big honking turbo



It HONKS???? :O