by "Not a Sunburst Miata" (moezsayani)
Published 02/22/2017 at 11:07
by "Not a Sunburst Miata" (moezsayani)
Published 02/22/2017 at 11:07
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STARS: 0
Hey all! I’m looking for a new project car to turn into a track day monster, and I’m having trouble picking a platform. I’ve been looking at NA Miatas but there are so few in Dallas that are relatively unmolested or have a manual that its hard to find one. My main goal for this is to avoid spending large amounts of money on my daily driver (17 BRZ), and to learn more about fixing/building/racing cars. About me: 22yo engineer with way too much free time on the weekends.
SO, I’m looking for suggestions from the Opponauts, here are the requirements:
1. Under $2000
2. Must be relatively reliable (I want to spend more time driving it balls out than fixing it)
3. RWD is preferable
4. Must be manual
5. should be relatively easy to work on should something go horribly wrong.
"Not a Sunburst Miata" (moezsayani)
02/22/2017 at 11:07, STARS: 0
Here’s a Miata I found that I quite like: https://dallas.craigslist.org/sdf/cto/6005289786.html
"The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock" (jukesjukesjukes)
02/22/2017 at 11:12, STARS: 0
Maybe an AW11 MR2?
"SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie" (sidewaysondirt)
02/22/2017 at 11:12, STARS: 0
The NA ones use a Camry engine, so I can only assume that the reason it isn’t running is that the gas tank is empty. Wrong engine for the car, but 3SGTEs are cheap and also went in the car. Should be able to talk him waaaay down for an N/A non-runner.
https://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/cto/5995101854.html
"SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie" (sidewaysondirt)
02/22/2017 at 11:14, STARS: 0
There are no $2000 AW11s that have an engine and manual and aren’t about to collapse from rust. The only one on his local in that price range is one I wouldn’t touch with a ten foot pole. Also has an auto. And doesn’t run. Or have a title.
"OPPOsaurus WRX" (opposaurus)
02/22/2017 at 11:17, STARS: 0
I’ve been looking at the sub $2k range and there is nothing in my area that looks like it would drive
"Highlander-Datsuns are Forever" (jamesbowland)
02/22/2017 at 11:17, STARS: 0
If looking at Miata’s make sure you actually fit in it. Because if you are 6' or taller it’s unlikely you can actually drive any miata much less an NA. I guess I would be looking for an early 90's FWD acura integra or CRX or Civic as well, if any of these cars still exist that are not already modded out.
"Highlander-Datsuns are Forever" (jamesbowland)
02/22/2017 at 11:20, STARS: 0
https://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/cto/5968648539.html
"Not a Sunburst Miata" (moezsayani)
02/22/2017 at 11:24, STARS: 0
I’m 5'10" and have driven a couple NA miatas. Its cramped but not uncomfortable
"bwp240" (bwp240)
02/22/2017 at 11:25, STARS: 0
Depending on the weight restrictions of the series you run, you could get away with an S-10 like this. Body on frame, manual, RWD, reliable because it is a pickup truck.
https://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/cto/6000703613.html
"gawdzillla" (gawdzillla)
02/22/2017 at 11:30, STARS: 0
just travel further to buy the right car
rent uhaul truck + trailer
"Sweet Trav" (thespunbearing)
02/22/2017 at 11:30, STARS: 0
A Fox Body Mustang or a G-body.
"Bob Loblaw Made Me Make a Phoney Phone Call to Edward Rooney" (braddelaparker)
02/22/2017 at 11:48, STARS: 1
If the word “unmolested” can be used to describe a Miata, then it’s automatically a minimum $3500 car.
At $2k you’re generally either going to find someone’s dumb messed up project, or something with some pretty sizable needs.
Get a Craigslist alert going. I’m in Dallas and last March bought a very nice 100k mile NA and it took about 6 months of keeping that alert going before I found the right car.
This just got posted to Dallas CL last night, btw. If you can live with the body dings it sounds like what you’re looking for: https://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/cto/6014380285.html
"yamahog" (yamahog)
02/22/2017 at 12:12, STARS: 0
Don’t you spread that g body illness
"CobraJoe" (cobrajoe)
02/22/2017 at 12:14, STARS: 0
A Foxbody Mustang might hit all the required points.
They’re light and RWD and available with a manual, and a 4cyl one should be cheap, though nearly any engine option will be dead reliable and extremely simple to fix (Maybe avoid the 3.8L V6, it’s not a high revving engine and does have a known head gasket problem).
Best part? The chassis was so popular and long lived that upgrade parts are nearly unlimited and even stock parts from a V8 or SN95 are a huge upgrade and can be found very cheap (plus there’s plenty of info about what parts fit).
I’d suggest looking for a ‘87 and up 2.3L Notchback.. It’ll be the lightest option out there, and getting it under 2500 pounds would probably be pretty easy. Plus, when you want more power, the 2.3 has a reasonable aftermarket or can be swapped out for a 5.0 if you don’t mind more weight.
If you do go foxbody, I’d suggest subframe connectors and better brakes as soon as possible, but beyond that it’s down to whatever your heart desires first.
"Die-Trying" (die-trying)
02/22/2017 at 12:23, STARS: 0
!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!
looks like it has had a rattlecan restoration...... parts are common, and upgrades are cheap. you only need a few tools to fix one one the side of the road.......
"Die-Trying" (die-trying)
02/22/2017 at 12:26, STARS: 0
give it an extra $300.......
"Die-Trying" (die-trying)
02/22/2017 at 12:39, STARS: 0
Classic 1973 Alfa Romeo Spider - $1000 (Houston)
!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!
1953 Morris Minor - $1450 (houston)
i see some real potential with these...... any of them would look SPECTACULAR on whatever track you put them on.......
"Sweet Trav" (thespunbearing)
02/22/2017 at 12:43, STARS: 0
You mean Ill-ness.
"punkgoose17" (punkgoose17)
02/22/2017 at 12:53, STARS: 0
Build a Locost our of an 80's Ford Ranger. This is my bad idea of the day I am obsessing over.
"punkgoose17" (punkgoose17)
02/22/2017 at 12:58, STARS: 0
A TR7 is also an option. https://dallas.craigslist.org/mdf/cto/6009438930.html
"Needmoargarage" (needmoargarage)
02/22/2017 at 13:12, STARS: 1
Well, having been in your exact same shoes I can offer some advice. You’re going to spend way more money than your budget, especially if you want a ‘track day monster.’ Additionally, assume that in tracking a car something will indeed go horribly wrong...probably several times.
Like you’ve deduced, really one of the only RWD platform decently reliable cars that you can still find for under 2k is the Miata. However, if you spend under 2k on a Miata, plan on spending another thousand or two fixing broken stuff, replacing the brake system, refreshing suspension, etc. I would say a more reasonable budget would be around 5k for initial purchase, brakes, tires, roll bar, and necessary maintenance.
Alternatives RWDs with similar pricing? An early Rx-7s, Rx-8, older Mustang, LT1 Camaro/Firebird...none of which I’d say are particularly more reliable or easy to work on.
"Die-Trying" (die-trying)
02/22/2017 at 13:34, STARS: 0
that guy has got a TON of them......
1969 toyota corona mark2 - $1500
1963 Ford Falcon 200 2Dr (Imported) - $2125 (SAN ANTONIO)
1979 Mazda GLC Wagon - $1950 (East Central)
so many opportunities to make a track day monster out of......
"Die-Trying" (die-trying)
02/22/2017 at 13:46, STARS: 0
1982 Volvo 245 - $1000 (Austin)
E100 classic van v8 4 speed manual - $2000 (N.w)
1979 Firebird Formula (REDUCED) - $2000 (North Austin)
"Not a Sunburst Miata" (moezsayani)
02/22/2017 at 13:53, STARS: 0
I was planning on 2k for the intial purchase and up to 6k to get it track-ready. Ideally the car would be running and driving at purchase and I would just have to add a roll bar,brakes, wheels, and tires. I would just fix/replace stuff as it breaks (suspension, transmission, literally everything else)
"Needmoargarage" (needmoargarage)
02/22/2017 at 13:58, STARS: 0
Sounds about right. As much as it is overhyped, the Miata is a good first choice. It will teach you how to drive...then you can upgrade to something a bit more exiting or build up that car.
"Die-Trying" (die-trying)
02/22/2017 at 14:12, STARS: 0
1963 corvair (project ) - $1950 (basse rd)
1962 CHEVROLET BISCAYNE - $1850 (5616 w. montgomery rd)
1987 Volvo 240 wagon 4 speed runs good - $800 (South Austin)
1959 Nash Metropolitan - $1500 (Texarkana)
Saab, Collectible - $1750 (Austin, Texas)
volvo p 1800 - $1750 (San Marcos)
1966 Mercedes Benz 190D - $2200
"punkgoose17" (punkgoose17)
02/22/2017 at 15:30, STARS: 1
Wow so many interesting cars.
My local Craigslist usually has 2-4 low price listings for TR7's. In Dallas there is 1 listing for 12 TR7'S.
"Die-Trying" (die-trying)
02/22/2017 at 15:33, STARS: 0
1985 Toyota Mr2 - $1450 (Katy)
TOYOTA MR2 - 1985 - $1800 (HOUSTON, TX)
"Die-Trying" (die-trying)
02/22/2017 at 15:40, STARS: 0
you should see the REST that i posted to the guys thread. surprised he hasnt told me to get lost. just all kinds of wonderful junk kept showing up. it was unreal......
"SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie" (sidewaysondirt)
02/22/2017 at 15:58, STARS: 1
I’d have to look at them closer as they have hardly any pics, but there’s alot I’m not buying here. The white one could be legit, but has hardly any pictures. Being someone who’s supposedly owned it for three years and put all of this work into it, he’d know MR2 guys are going to want to see certain spots. He did not post pics of those spots, but being able to see rust peek out through the front of the door sill where there’s a weld (one of the said trouble spots) is not encouraging. It also says that he’s had it for three years, it has a new engine, and it’s
just
running now. Not a good sign. My theory on this one is that it’s semi-legit, but worse than it looks. The guy probably
is
a fan of the car, probably did put that much money into it, but probably got a bunk engine and doesn’t want to risk spending another few grand on what could be another dud. The black one is a different story. It’s obviously a project car with electrical issues, I see evidence of an electrical hack-job in the engine bay, there are no pics of known trouble spots (meaning there’s almost guaranteed to be rust there), and the idea of turning a stock 4AGE into a supercharged one is pretty laughable when you consider that the 4AGZE used an electrically actuated clutch on the SC and have all different internals. IMO, it would be cheaper and easier to just get a real 4AGZE than to get all of the parts together and try to make it work. It’s also still rocking Florida plates, so who knows how long he’s had it or how long it’s been sitting for. The fact that it’s been on there for almost a month at that price I think says more than anything. If the white one were three hours from me like it is for the OP, I’d definitely be looking at it, but I wouldn’t be expecting too much.
"punkgoose17" (punkgoose17)
02/22/2017 at 16:02, STARS: 1
That 96! I want to fly to Austin buy the car and drive it back to Pittsburgh. I bet he sold it already... Would my wife kill me?
"Die-Trying" (die-trying)
02/22/2017 at 16:11, STARS: 0
yeah, its fun to post some of these cars up, that some of you all, know real well.
its one thing to find a complete car within whatever budget, might even LOOK legit, and get to hear you guys point out all its “potential”.
good fun. thanks. you got a sharp eye too........
"Die-Trying" (die-trying)
02/22/2017 at 16:18, STARS: 0
its a SAAB....... not saying anything is wrong about that, BUT most folks just are not in that particular market. there is probably a decent chance the guy still has it....... gift it to yourself, and then how could she. you could call and check........
"punkgoose17" (punkgoose17)
02/22/2017 at 16:29, STARS: 0
This car is why I like Saabs. I’ll have to take Monday off because it is a 22 hour drive in a normal car. I’ll check flight prices then call.
"Die-Trying" (die-trying)
02/22/2017 at 16:47, STARS: 0
its a one way flight, no worries....... no holidays anywhere to be seen. prices ought to be fairly low........
that means the drive ought to take 46-48 hours in the SAAB. including a few stops for rest of course (for the car, and to check on fluids) just IMAGINE the look on everyones faces when you cruise up in the “new” car......
"Not a Sunburst Miata" (moezsayani)
02/23/2017 at 11:10, STARS: 0
Three years from now when my BRZ factory warranty is up, I’m going to go crazy with it and get a new DD. Until then, Miata is the answer
"punkgoose17" (punkgoose17)
02/24/2017 at 11:50, STARS: 1
Surprisingly the wife was supportive and on board with the idea. However the owner says the brakes need work and I can’t legally drive it and a uhaul for that distance is $1,300.
The good part is the wife is supportive in me buying a 96.
"Die-Trying" (die-trying)
02/24/2017 at 14:18, STARS: 1
i figured the guy would still have it.........
getting a wife to just say yes to a car is the hardest part......... the hard work is done.
you could always get a 30 day tag, or even a 1 way trip permit. those things have kept me out of trouble driving HEAPS, that NOBODY was willing to inspect.
so are the brakes gone, and done, or is it still stopping, but leaks out fluid every so often, or needs pads?. some peoples idea of needs work are different than mine........
i have driven junk without brakes before. takes a bit of planning. i would start downshifting way ahead of time, and then when i needed to stop, i would shut it off in gear, and engine brake to a stop. where there is a will there is a way.
another one will turn up, maybe even closer and nicer. just be ready to move when it does.......
"punkgoose17" (punkgoose17)
02/24/2017 at 16:06, STARS: 1
Thanks for the advice the one trip permit will be applicable under TX laws.
I’ll look into the condition of the car some more and remember this for the future.