What car under $8,000 would you buy to replace your twin?

[fatoni]

the amount of people not saying miata leads me to believe that there is a large percentage of people saying things like "drivers car" or "slow car fast" or "momentum car" solely to excuse the shortcomings of this car without appreciating the things they are speaking about.

[serialk11r]

Originally Posted by fatoni

the amount of people not saying miata

I'm willing to give the ND a try when it comes down a bit in price. The engine needs to apart so I can make it spin faster I think the ND is a beautiful, well designed car, needs a little work though.

[soundman98]

Originally Posted by fatoni

the amount of people not saying miata leads me to believe that there is a large percentage of people saying things like "drivers car" or "slow car fast" or "momentum car" solely to excuse the shortcomings of this car without appreciating the things they are speaking about.

The thing i don't like about the miata is the interior space. I've never liked it simply because there's no way i can sleep in one on a road trip.

[soundman98]

Originally Posted by strat61caster

I've thought about this quite a bit, FRS is my only car so this would be my DD and weekend fun car.
Boxster
3rd gen MR2
Z3 Coupe (non M)

Honorable mentions:
8th gen Civic Si (all MT, K20 8k redline vtec with an LSD)
IS300 (double wishbones 2JZ sedan)
Fiesta ST, maybe Focus ST
500 Abarth
Maybe E36 or E46 or 5 series but unlikely, Z3M vert is also squeaking into budget but the clownshoe is more appealing to me even with the smaller motor

RX8 and 350Z are as close as you'll get to a true 86 replacement, good cars imho but I want to try something else for awhile.
Edit: NC Miata is a bargain, nicer to live with than an NA/NB but would rather try a six cylinder vert. C5 Corvette is also close to being in budget but a tired 90s GM interior might not outweigh the benefits of a good chassis and an LS for me.

C5 vettes interior electrical/hvac system is like if a GM rep took apart a german vehicle and then explained it over a poor phone connection to the designers back in the US.

Watch some videos on the audio system, and if that doesn't do it, know that most of the hvac system is vacuum operated.. a buddy has/had(was going to sell it) a c5 with an audio issue. Needed me to pull the amp to send it off to a specialized repair shop. It took me almost 1.5 hours, with the youtube video to get it out. And it was like performing open heart surgery in the space station.

[DarkSunrise]

Originally Posted by serialk11r

Just saying, it's now extremely difficult to get a 2ZZ swapped MR2 Spyder past smog inspection in California. You need a lot of work to get a BAR sticker since they're more strict about it, and smog stations are being more strict too. 8k is probably not going to cut it.

On a tight budget, I think it would be feasible to do:
-Apexi PFC (these hold their value well, so maybe you could consider it as not being part of the budget)
-forged high compression pistons
-reground intake cam
-MWR valve springs + retainers
-ported head, shaved for more compression

R&R + labor would run 3k, upgraded bits run about 2k, and you'll get close to 2ZZ + stock header power while appearing stock since you have the ability to tune it. You should be able to run such an engine at 8000rpm pretty safely.

If you can stand the styling, I think NC2 Miatas are a pretty good deal. I kind of want to vomit when looking at them though...

I'm currently hunting down a high mileage S2000 as a toy. The prices are dropping rapidly.

I saw a 2ZZ swap MR2 sell for pretty cheap recently. The price was tempting, but then I read that the seller was having a really difficult time getting the car to pass smog in CA so he was unloading it. That's a shame because it seems like a great pairing of a high-revving engine with variable valve lift to a lightweight RWD MR chassis for not too much coin.

The NC2 Miatas are a good deal, but it'd be tough passing on a NA/NB Miata for the money if I was in the market.

Any ideas why S2000 pricing is coming down? I always figured they would hold their prices (similar to the Elise market), but maybe the ND2 Miatas are having an effect?

[serialk11r]

Originally Posted by DarkSunrise

Any ideas why S2000 pricing is coming down? I always figured they would hold their prices (similar to the Elise market), but maybe the ND2 Miatas are having an effect?

My guess is impending economic downturn...

S2k prices have shot through the roof in the last few years. Earlier this year it was really hard to get a 100k mile car for under 13k, which is kind of nuts.

Now there's more of them coming on the market and not many people buying. There's a ton of low mileage cars asking in the 20s or 30s or even 40s, but I think only the practically new mint condition ones are selling.

If it were me, I would not spend 30k on an S2000...I'd get a used Elise (they're all in great condition) and spend a few k on the motor for reliability. Ferrea valves and retainers, forged pistons, rear mount oil cooler, and either a dry sump or my electric scavenge pump idea.

[p1l0t]

Recessions are the best time for buying cheap shit. I will give you $5... It might be a while for the next one though...

Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

[why?]

I want an AW 11 MR2 with a 2zz or an F20c in it.

[strat61caster]

Originally Posted by soundman98

C5 vettes interior electrical/hvac system is like if a GM rep took apart a german vehicle and then explained it over a poor phone connection to the designers back in the US.

Watch some videos on the audio system, and if that doesn't do it, know that most of the hvac system is vacuum operated.. a buddy has/had(was going to sell it) a c5 with an audio issue. Needed me to pull the amp to send it off to a specialized repair shop. It took me almost 1.5 hours, with the youtube video to get it out. And it was like performing open heart surgery in the space station.

I had a 97 Chevy Venture growing up, it's the same systems but it's a great engine in a very good chassis, probably the fastest track car you can buy for $8k right now.

[strat61caster]

Originally Posted by fatoni

the amount of people not saying miata leads me to believe that there is a large percentage of people saying things like "drivers car" or "slow car fast" or "momentum car" solely to excuse the shortcomings of this car without appreciating the things they are speaking about.

The only reason to buy an 86 is because you want to sacrifice some "drivers car" aspects for practicality because a Miata is just a downright better sports car. This board exists entirely of people who looked at a miata and said "I can't/won't make that work for my life" and your surprised Miata isn't the top choice?

[DarkPira7e]

I'd get a 93 Impreza 2 door and give is an STI driveline swap with an EJ20g. And if I have time, I might vacuum the carpet too.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by DarkPira7e

I'd get a 93 Impreza 2 door and give is an STI driveline swap with an EJ20g. And if I have time, I might vacuum the carpet too.

Presuming that a 93 still has carpet of course.

[BigTuna]

An 04-07 WRX wagon

[DarkSunrise]

Originally Posted by serialk11r

My guess is impending economic downturn...

S2k prices have shot through the roof in the last few years. Earlier this year it was really hard to get a 100k mile car for under 13k, which is kind of nuts.

Now there's more of them coming on the market and not many people buying. There's a ton of low mileage cars asking in the 20s or 30s or even 40s, but I think only the practically new mint condition ones are selling.

If it were me, I would not spend 30k on an S2000...I'd get a used Elise (they're all in great condition) and spend a few k on the motor for reliability. Ferrea valves and retainers, forged pistons, rear mount oil cooler, and either a dry sump or my electric scavenge pump idea.

Yeah recession concerns makes sense. Might be a good time to find a good deal on one lol.

Also love the Elise but thing I'd worry about with tracking one is the cost of replacing the clamshells with any sort of damage.