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

[NWFRS]

For daily driving or weekends?

I'd probably try to snag a 2nd or 3rd-gen MR2 for daily driving. Or a 2nd or 3rd-gen Miata. Or a VW Corado. For weekends I'd try to snag a 1st-gen Celica coupe, VW Scirocco, Lancia Beta coupe, Lancia Scorpion, Fiat 124 Sport Spider, Fiat 124 Sport coupe, Porsche 944, MG Midget, Triumph TR6, Triumph GT6, Datsun 240z, Datsun roadster, Datsun 510, BMW 2002, Porsche 914, Lancia Fulvia, Fiat 128 coupe, Honda S600, Opel GT, etc, etc.

[Ultramaroon]

Not sure. We were talking about a small pickup. I'm too big for other decent light sport cars.

[Tcoat]

https://classics.autotrader.com/clas...vair/101175859

[Will BRZ]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

https://classics.autotrader.com/clas...vair/101175859

That would be a pretty sweet pick up! Looks like it’s in pretty good shape and the price is great

[cjd]

I've been trolling for a non-racecar beater, and it turns out $8k doesn't get me anything I'd park on the street and be willing to drive, while also being useful and getting good fuel economy. Older Impreza hatch nearly fits the bill except for that last part... newer ones are still a few thousand more, at a minimum (seems '12+ is the version I'd require...) Having a 5x100 lug pattern would be a huge bonus.



I'd be willing to race a Miata at that price, but would need a third car for sure. Pretty much any other fun car I'd want a third - nothing else has the general utility of the twins. There really isn't anything enticing on the market though. It's a crappy time to be a car enthusiast if you don't want to spend $$$.

[RToyo86]

Originally Posted by funwheeldrive

Integra GSR and save the difference on maintenance/mods.

I'd like another one of those.
The problem here is finding a clean one that hasn't been killed by rust.

[DarkSunrise]

The three requirements for my FRS right now are RWD, usable rear seats when necessary, and fun at the track.

For that price range, I think my only option would be an e36 M3. My preference would be a 3-4-5 car, but not sure I could find one for that price. I guess a G35 or Genesis 3.8 might works as well, although I've never tracked either one.

[ZionsWrath]

I'm helping pick out a daily for someone that is cheap to run and maintain. Right now looking at 7th generation honda accord and 8th generation honda civic. If those don't work out a hooptie camry is on the list.

[BigHugeFatGuy]

$8k? Salvage title twin.

Or BMW 1 Series with high miles, or a E30 project and $6,000 to build it with. Crap, now I'm off to Auto Trader....

[Goingnowherefast]

NB2 Miata, NC Miata, Toyota MR2 Spyder.

Also an oddball: E46 330ci w/ ZHP

[soundman98]

Originally Posted by Clutch Dog

Not unless you want an RX8 350Z Shityear mustangs, aging 240sx.....

Same issue bud

That was the exact scenario i went through. I was digging around Craigslist for 240sx's looking for a decent one when i came to the realization that most were around $5-10k, but needed another $10k in work to be both reliable and not look like a rotted out pumpkin. So for an extra $10k, i got a car with a lively playful, non-4dr-platform chassis that requires minimal maintenance for the first 10 years.

[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.

[Will BRZ]

I feel like I'd be tempted to try the E9X 335i platform again, but I'd also like something different. To say something other than "MR2, Celica, Corolla etc.", I'd love a 5th gen Prelude to modify and keep clean or an S2000 to keep stock and enjoy. I'd also consider a Boxster, Eclipse, and a few others.

[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.