Alternatives to Toyota 86 / Subaru BRZ

[Turbowned]

John, what will you be using it for? Purely for fun or will you need it to get you to school and work, too? If it's just a toy you could think about an older Nissan/Datsun 240Z depending on what they go for in NZ. Around here you can get a nice runner for about $5,000USD. It's like the granddaddy to all Japanese sports cars; simple, light, quick, and has gorgeous styling and serious street cred.

Another "toy" option would be a Mazda RX-7 - I know that Kiwis love their rotary cars, and you should have no trouble finding a rotary specialist that can help keep yours running. They're such great cars, they're just a little too thirsty and unreliable to be a daily driver.

An MR2 Turbo would be another great choice, or one with a BEAMS engine. You can't really drift it like the others (you can but it takes serious, serious skill and practice and most people just don't do it) but it's a great car otherwise. Another great Toyota would be an MA61 Supra. It has a similar power-to-weight ratio as the Toyota 86 and has a classic cool look to it. An AE86 Levin/Trueno/Corolla would be good if you could find one?

A Silvia is always a good choice. Cheap, light, fuel efficient and a great learning tool for a young driver. I'd skip the R33 Skyline as it's too big and heavy, and a non-turbo would be too slow.

How about an E30 BMW? My 1991 318is is a great little car. 2600lbs, 134hp, fuel efficient, has sport seats, a manual gearbox and LSD.

I have owned a 240Z, FC3S RX-7 Turbo, AW11 MR2 and SW20 MR2 Turbo, AE86 Corolla, and E30 BMW and they've all been lots of fun! I've had some very enjoyable late-teens/early 20's years in these cars. I just recommend you buy the cleanest, lowest-mileage example you can find for the money, because you want to be able to spend more time driving and less time wrenching on it. Avoid heavily modified cars, trust me.

Also, I wouldn't get too hung up on "turbo cars have lag" and "turbo cars are unreliable". You'll be missing out on a lot of fun with a mindset like that.

Good luck and let us know what you decide!!

[ST185RC]

Originally Posted by Johnp

Thanks I didn't even think about the altezza.

Would you get the RS200 (yamaha tuned one) or the Silvia s15 NA?

As I said, I really prefer NA over Turbo.

I'd consider the RS200 over the S15 NA any day of the week. Build quality is better, higher power output (NA to NA comparo), not as known to be beat to shit as the Silvias, better suspension set up. I imagine they are both around the same price range. The S15 is a sexy car, no doubt, but for value, the RS200 wins in my book. The RS200 is just a much more sophisticated car in every respect.

[Bugbeat]

You live in the holy land of cars @_@ if you really prefer NA, then maybe look into an E30?

[Johnp]

Originally Posted by Bugbeat

You live in the holy land of cars @_@ if you really prefer NA, then maybe look into an E30?

Wouldn't Australia be the holy land of cars since they have more JDM? Or do they have stricter law for cars?

[Guillaume]

The answer is ALWAYS a Miata , perhaps with some track/perf mods. That's what I got before the BRZ and it definitely compares in term of fun.

[Bugbeat]

Originally Posted by Johnp

Wouldn't Australia be the holy land of cars since they have more JDM? Or do they have stricter law for cars?

As far as I know, Australia's rego is more strict than New Zealand's. Essentially every car in NZ is an import, so they're extremely open with their import laws. Unlike the god damn United States >_>

[be6sti]

Ae86.....


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Kimsey47]

Originally Posted by Bugbeat

As far as I know, Australia's rego is more strict than New Zealand's. Essentially every car in NZ is an import, so they're extremely open with their import laws. Unlike the god damn United States >_>

Yeah! America! Land of the free... Oh wait... That's when it comes to our vehicles!

[Levi]

Lexus IS 200/300. You can pick-up your female class-mates, while the car is still sporty and fun to drive. It has one the best best engines possible after a boxer engine: I6. It sounds very good and is reliable.

[Johnp]

Originally Posted by Bugbeat

As far as I know, Australia's rego is more strict than New Zealand's. Essentially every car in NZ is an import, so they're extremely open with their import laws. Unlike the god damn United States >_>

I'll probably move to Australia after university though, They have 27 Toyota 86s and 3 BRZs up for sale online while New Zealand has 0.....

Originally Posted by Levi

Lexus IS 200/300. You can pick-up your female class-mates, while the car is still sporty and fun to drive. It has one the best best engines possible after a boxer engine: I6. It sounds very good and is reliable.

I would think the RS200 with the beams engine would be better??

[be6sti]

Ae86!!!!!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Levi]

Originally Posted by Johnp

I'll probably move to Australia after university though, They have 27 Toyota 86s and 3 BRZs up for sale online while New Zealand has 0.....




I would think the RS200 with the beams engine would be better??

Sure RS200 is better than IS200. We just didn't have the RS200 in EU. So I'd say to chose beween RS200 and IS300. The later has more torque, but the first is the more sporty.

[Captain Insano]

Agree with what alot of the others are saying. OP, I find your aversion to turbos puzzling though. They can be very reliable cars if they were properly maintained, basically this same principle applies to most cars. Two golden rules for turbo cars, change the oil more as typically they run hotter, and if you have an older, non-water cooled turbo make sure you let it properly cool down before shutting off car (I recommend a turbo timer).

[dori.]

If the S15 came out here in America, I'd be driving one, no question.