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Off-Topic Discussion => General Discussion => Topic started by: chief1983 on September 11, 2010, 02:03:07 am

Title: Want to buy a fun car
Post by: chief1983 on September 11, 2010, 02:03:07 am
Well, I have my daily driver Malibu, and my 4x4, and I'm thinking about what I might want to add to my collection next (cars are becoming a problem of mine I'm afraid).  I'm looking for something probably older and affordable, but fun to drive.  I live out in the country, so lots of windy, not always terribly smooth roads.  Something that can corner well and handle some slightly bumpy terrain at times.  I was looking at some Porsche 924s, but I'm not sure what else might be something I should look for.  Gotta be available in the US.  The 4x4 was about $2k, so I'm trying to stick to something like that again.  Don't mind putting in a little work on it myself, as long as parts are available around the states (so probably nothing _too_ exotic).  I like something you won't see every day, so I'm not really feeling like a 80's Mustang.  Should look good though, like it's supposed to be taking corners too fast.  Convertibles are supar.  Any suggestions?
Title: Re: Want to buy a fun car
Post by: Davros on September 11, 2010, 02:38:43 am
how about a british sportscar like a lotus, tvr or even a jag
Title: Re: Want to buy a fun car
Post by: JGZinv on September 11, 2010, 03:43:19 am
Datsun 240z with the upgraded 280z's engine.  :cool:
Title: Re: Want to buy a fun car
Post by: newman on September 11, 2010, 03:53:27 am
Any suggestions?

Go kill yourself. Yes, I'm jealous.
Title: Re: Want to buy a fun car
Post by: IceFire on September 11, 2010, 09:14:47 am
What about a Mazda Miata  (or MX-5). I know people who have owned these for many years with little more than regular maintenance. Largely regarded as one of the most reliable sports cars out there. They aren't fast but they are apparently great on the twisty roads and there are enough out there that parts shouldn't be a problem.

Just a thought.
Title: Re: Want to buy a fun car
Post by: chief1983 on September 11, 2010, 09:39:32 am
My mom has a Miata or I'd probably be considering it more.  Yeah I've thought about the Datsun.  The old ones do have some nice lines.  Not a lot of them around here though for cheap.  And newman, aww, anyone can get a cheap toy car if they want to put some work into it.  It's not like I'm asking which new Ferrari should I buy :P
Title: Re: Want to buy a fun car
Post by: newman on September 11, 2010, 09:46:28 am
If you don't mind kit cars.. you can get pretty cool replicas for not that much $. Probably way more expensive then just geting a second-hand fun cheapo, though.

http://www.hawkcars.co.uk/company/products.html
Title: Re: Want to buy a fun car
Post by: iamzack on September 11, 2010, 10:04:00 am
Fun car?

(http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2008/03/wind_up_smart.jpg)
Title: Re: Want to buy a fun car
Post by: MR_T3D on September 11, 2010, 10:54:28 am
old BMW E30 M3
Title: Re: Want to buy a fun car
Post by: Roanoke on September 11, 2010, 11:33:57 am
Where can I find an E30 M3 or 240z for $2k ? That won't even buy a rusty shell. Mx5/Miata is a good idea. They look much better low with a hardtop too.

How about a Z31 300zx, if you don't mind an import ?
Title: Re: Want to buy a fun car
Post by: Nuclear1 on September 11, 2010, 12:26:57 pm
Late 60s or early 70s Deville or Charger.

Or if it's an affordable convertible you want, just find a Sebring.  They're good as anything.
Title: Re: Want to buy a fun car
Post by: MR_T3D on September 11, 2010, 12:33:59 pm
Late 60s or early 70s Deville or Charger.

Or if it's an affordable convertible you want, just find a Sebring.  They're good as anything.
pump the brakes, sebring is not a good car if you care about driving, its made for ladies to doddle around and go shopping in.
the MX-5, for the money is really second to none for a semi-reliable fun sports convertible
Title: Re: Want to buy a fun car
Post by: Nuclear1 on September 11, 2010, 12:37:47 pm
Miata's made for guys in their forties having a midlife crisis.  But yeah, I do agree about the Sebring.  It's just the first convertible that popped into my mind.
Title: Re: Want to buy a fun car
Post by: Topgun on September 11, 2010, 01:48:35 pm
Sebring is quite possibly the worst convertible ever. Miatas are fine and cheap.
thats probably going to be the best thing for your money, that or a 240sx.
Title: Re: Want to buy a fun car
Post by: StarSlayer on September 11, 2010, 02:01:17 pm
Honda S2000 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_S2000)?

I dunno how easy they are to find and at what price, but they always got exemplary reviews in Consumer Reports.
Title: Re: Want to buy a fun car
Post by: Topgun on September 11, 2010, 02:03:04 pm
Honda S2000 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_S2000)?

I dunno how easy they are to find and at what price, but they always got exemplary reviews in Consumer Reports.
too expensive I think.
Title: Re: Want to buy a fun car
Post by: NGTM-1R on September 11, 2010, 02:06:26 pm
Clown car.
Title: Re: Want to buy a fun car
Post by: BengalTiger on September 11, 2010, 06:51:04 pm
It's cheap.
It's reliable.
It's the safest on the list so far.
It's got a quarter thousand HP below 5000 RPM.
It's cheap, and it's reliable.
It's also got rear wheel drive. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZAFZ42YGaXs)

EDIT: Either that or go with the Mustang.
Title: Re: Want to buy a fun car
Post by: Nuclear1 on September 11, 2010, 08:23:59 pm
Honda S2000 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_S2000)?

I dunno how easy they are to find and at what price, but they always got exemplary reviews in Consumer Reports.

S2000's a good pick.  

It's cheap.
It's reliable.
It's the safest on the list so far.
It's got a quarter thousand HP below 5000 RPM.
It's cheap, and it's reliable.
It's also got rear wheel drive. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZAFZ42YGaXs)

EDIT: Either that or go with the Mustang.

Crown Vic's alright...it's just a little douchey to drive.  Mustang's good though.

Title: Re: Want to buy a fun car
Post by: IceFire on September 11, 2010, 11:29:32 pm
Ahhh the S2000 is a good idea too. Apparently a great drivers car and very reliable... But they probably aren't cheap.
Title: Re: Want to buy a fun car
Post by: Gortef on September 12, 2010, 05:12:23 am
Batmobile, or KITT
Title: Re: Want to buy a fun car
Post by: Cyker on September 13, 2010, 11:32:01 am
Elise/Exige/VX220 or Impreza/Evo? Maybe a Scirocco?

The Elise is great fun to drive and you can really throw it around corners and stuff. Ride is pretty stiff tho'; Your ass will not like you if you drive it over very bumpy roads :lol:

Only been a passenger in an Impreza (And a diesel one at that!) but the acceleration feels even more ridiculous than the Elise (I think it accelerates slower, but you feel it more because of the 4WD) and it has the same trying-to-push-your-face-off feel of the Elise in cornering :D
Is a lot more comfy than the Elise too, but pricey.

The Scirocco is okay too; Not a planted as the other two and it's basically a Golf in a nicer body.

Title: Re: Want to buy a fun car
Post by: StarSlayer on September 14, 2010, 02:20:16 pm
I got a fun open top coupe in mind...


(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/e/e1/Apollo15LunarRover2.jpg)
Title: Re: Want to buy a fun car
Post by: chief1983 on September 14, 2010, 02:48:35 pm
I have a feeling the traction isn't that great.
Title: Re: Want to buy a fun car
Post by: Mika on September 14, 2010, 03:57:50 pm
I second that Subaru Impreza (was WRX was the civilian model?). Had a friend own one some time ago, said something like "They shouldn't be allowed to sell these cars"... In this case meaning that it is an awfully easy way to get rid of your driver's license for going way too fast with that rocket on wheels. The acceleration is ridiculous, even on icy roads. I have been driving with Subarus for about 10 years, and I think they really are fun to drive. Some people don't like how the steering transmits the feeling of the road to your hands, but I personally like it. Hill holder is something that I continuously miss in other cars.

So either that or this one (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ag_xxxdXvtg). I would like to know what kind of black magic they have done to that old Lada on that to make it go like that. Perhaps an engine change and a turbo? Anyways, it is probably the cheapest car you can buy and upkeep; and guaranteed, it will definetely earn looks. Not necessarily positive though, but it only serves to impress more when you pull something like that with it. That is if you are interested in cars and tuning. Owning a car like this requires somewhat humoristic and in-your-face kind of attitude. "It's not a car, it's a Lada"

(http://www.palitsyn.com/__data/assets/image/0012/3180/bmw-vs-lada.jpg)

EDIT: Oh, the title of that image should read: "Better to make it properly at the first time"