The Best Sports Car for a Beginner?

"Frosted" (frostedbuns)
07/12/2014 at 18:09 • Filed to: None

I made a post a couple of hours ago talking about myself considering a Nissan 300zx as a weekend fun car. Lots of comments about how that COULD be a bad idea due to tight work space and some reliability issues due to age. So I ask, Oppo, what would a great sports car for a beginner be? Currently, I cannot drive stick but that is something I'd like to rectify with said sports car, so an easy-to-learn gearbox would be good. The highest horsepower vehicle I've driven was a 2X4 (RWD) Chevy Colorado with an Atlas 5 cylinder engine, made 240 horses to the rear wheels so I would like to keep power around those figures. And I'd like for it to be Japanese. Nothing against zee Germans, I know they make great sporty cars, but personal preference would make me lean towards something like a Miata instead of a 3 series. T-Tops or convertible would net bonus points. Budget would be around 10 grand-ish. This is a purchase that I'd like to make within a couple of years max, more likely one year down the road.

I have this really bad habit of buying a car and hoping to turn it into something it's not, then selling it when I realize that. It's a path I almost went down with the Cube already but caught myself before doing something silly.

DISCUSSION (49)

Manuél Ferrari > Frosted
07/12/2014 at 18:11

The Z or a BRZ would probably be pretty solid choices if you prefer a coupe to a convertible and want RWD over FWD. Price isn't bad and pretty reliable.

Flavien Vidal > Frosted
07/12/2014 at 18:12

You're on Oppo what do you expect?? Miata of course!! :)

The 350z is very safe too... very understeery, very heavy... It could do the trick.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Frosted
07/12/2014 at 18:13

I'm gonna list the one's that would have gone with had I not gotten a FoST, but also we need a budget:

Mustang

Camaro

300zx

968(German)

Trans-am

Firebird

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > Frosted
07/12/2014 at 18:14

A clean S chassis would be perfect but drift tax...

GhostZ > Frosted
07/12/2014 at 18:14

Kinja'd!!!

Cheap, intensely reliable, not fast enough to get someone in trouble, but introduces the idea of having fun in a car that both looks and feels special. Common enough to find anywhere, old enough not to worry about depreciation, and with a HUGE aftermarket to turn it into whatever you want.

Frosted > Flavien Vidal
07/12/2014 at 18:14

My only fear with a Miata is that the 2 older bodies are sort of deathtraps and the new one is a little pricey for me. Though I guess safety wouldn't be a big concern for a car that gets driven once or twice per week.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Frosted
07/12/2014 at 18:18

Would you consider something American? I've noticed that Pontiac Solstices are getting to be around $10k, at least in my area.

Other than that, a Mustang, 350Z, or S2000 would probably be a good choice

CPT Speedbump > Flavien Vidal
07/12/2014 at 18:19

http://wallstcheatsheet.com/stocks/the-10-… < Look at number 1. It's very safe IF you know how to drive a rwd car, and it only has under steer if you get one that has staggered front to rear tire sizes, square Z's tend to not have to much understeer

Flavien Vidal > Frosted
07/12/2014 at 18:20

What ever happens you'll crash faster into the ditch with the 350z :)

Really, to crash a Miata, you have to want it... it's a 130hp car, it's not fast, it's just fun.

Flavien Vidal > CPT Speedbump
07/12/2014 at 18:24

It's just the type of people that drive it... Other than that, it is an understeery car... It's very heavy and does not have enough HP to snap oversteer like crazy. It's safe by my standards... The fact that it's affordable, can go fast and that young people like it is what transforms it into a "death trap" but it's a fine car that is fairly easy to drive and predictable...

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > Frosted
07/12/2014 at 18:24

Honda S2000.

CPT Speedbump > Flavien Vidal
07/12/2014 at 18:32

That's why I said if you know how to drive a rwd, lol, and with a staggered set up, it certainly does understeer alloottt I will say ( I own one ) though going to some 9.5 wides on all 4 corners got read of it for me it seems so far :P

claramag, Mustaco Master > GhostZ
07/12/2014 at 18:36

"not fast enough to get someone in trouble" HAH

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Flavien Vidal
07/12/2014 at 18:37

It's not himself he always has to worry about...

GhostZ > claramag, Mustaco Master
07/12/2014 at 18:38

Sssh. Don't tell the insurance companies.

carcrasher88 > Frosted
07/12/2014 at 18:41

Mitsubishi 3000GT could be a good option. 1994 and 1995 model years offered a drop top, available with either the 225 hp DOHC V6 (SL Spyder) and the 320 hp Twin Turbo DOHC V6 (VR-4 Spyder).

Those models were hardtop convertibles, and only 1,618 were sold, so they're more expensive than the coupe, but still within reach (there's 3 on eBay, priced between $13-20k), and the two engine options means you could get the lower power V6, and upgrade to the more powerful AWD VR-4 if you choose to do so in the future.

Atomic Buffalo > Frosted
07/12/2014 at 18:45

I don't see any budget indication, or how much you need to daily drive it.

Are you in the demographic that gets bent over by insurance companies? If so, cross the V8s off your list and consider something that flies under the performance radar.

Are you already committed to doing a lot of autocross or track days? If so, tires could bankrupt you, so look at what people run and what they cost.

Are you going to wrench it yourself? If not, stick to something near-new and study up on common/costly problems to watch out for.

McChiken116 - Patrick H. > Frosted
07/12/2014 at 18:51

As an S2000 owner, I suggest the good old Honda roadster. Cheap to maintain, plenty of parts, an engine that revs forever, a quick and fun little car, with more power than the miata or BRZ, but still won't let you get into too much trouble

Crocket Bernet > Frosted
07/12/2014 at 18:56

Honestly, I would recommend a an SN-95 over a 350z, (stock) the Z seemed to understeer a bit for my tastes. Plus with a budget of 10 grand you will be able to get a clean mustang while the 350 would most likely be pretty beat.

P.S. If you just want a fun little cheap car Miata all day son.

CPT Speedbump > Crocket Bernet
07/12/2014 at 19:01

understeer is good for beginners though, but the Z will indeed be more beat for that price..probably faster though

Camry-Into-Canyon > Frosted
07/12/2014 at 19:04

Try a 1996-2004 V8 Mustang: fast, customizable, enough torque that you won't stall, relatively cheap. You can get a good cabriolet and still have loads left over for mods.

wkiernan > Frosted
07/12/2014 at 19:06

Miatas aren't complete death-traps. I got rear-ended by a pickup truck in my '93 Miata "eleven cents" and believe it or not the pickup truck ended up looking worse than my car. Having had three of them (an NA and 2 NBs), I think that, you being an Oppo reader, if you get a Miata you will be very, very, very satisfied provided you happen to be 6'-0" tall or shorter. If you're taller than that, then try sitting in one with the top up before you strike it off your list, but I suspect you'll find the headroom a little lacking.

Dsscats > Frosted
07/12/2014 at 19:06

My vote is for the 300ZX. Depreciation has bottomed out too, so chances are you won't even lose money (unless you need to pay to fix something).

You can have my Z for $8500. 52k OG miles, rebuilt transmission, new timing belt, practically mint.

Kinja'd!!!

Flavien Vidal > CPT Speedbump
07/12/2014 at 19:14

It does not really get any easier to drive than a 350z when it comes to Japanese RWD sports car... It behaves like a FWD, except when you push hard on the accelerator coming out of corners, then it oversteers... Also, it's probably easier to control sideways than a miata... It can just go faster and therefore make you crash harder...

And sure with some basic mods you can make the car behave less like an understeery pig... But the car he will get and most likely for the first few months of ownership will be terribly understeery.

Flavien Vidal > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
07/12/2014 at 19:15

Well, anything can happen with any car... if you're looking for a japanese sports car, you're not gonna have the best results when a big american SUV rams you on the driver door...

DanZman > CPT Speedbump
07/12/2014 at 19:26

The staggered tires is factory. He would have to find one that is modified.

Evan, Pope Of Jalopnik by Self-Appointment > claramag, Mustaco Master
07/12/2014 at 19:44

They really aren't if we're talking V6...V8 then sure yeah.

claramag, Mustaco Master > Evan, Pope Of Jalopnik by Self-Appointment
07/12/2014 at 19:47

Just like phallic objects and dildos, anything is ticket bait if you're brave enough

CPT Speedbump > DanZman
07/12/2014 at 19:49

factory depending the year and trim line* some had square wheels and just different tire sizes to keep the VDC from freaking out. I don't have to worry about that because base model :D

samssun > CPT Speedbump
07/12/2014 at 20:00

"a shocking 143 deaths per MILLION registrations"

Shocking. Because words have lost all meaning, or the Nanny Statists really do want to Nerf the whole world.

revrseat70 > carcrasher88
07/12/2014 at 20:07

Pretty much everyone I've ever met with one of those spends most their time talking about when they get it back working again it'll be better than the last time you saw it working (2 months ago). I had a friend who worked it out that on average he had two days of operation per week.

Evan, Pope Of Jalopnik by Self-Appointment > claramag, Mustaco Master
07/12/2014 at 20:08

I mean, if you give me a 2CV I guarantee you I can somehow rack up a few moving violations...but it would take serious work :p

revrseat70 > McChiken116 - Patrick H.
07/12/2014 at 20:08

An S2k would be bullet-proof and would teach you how to drive a car in anger. You really don't get anything out of those unless you beat on them and keep them in the high rpm's. One that hasn't been abused might be hard to find in your range though

MAXIMUMVRM > Frosted
07/12/2014 at 20:14

why not a g35 coupe? Little luxury and sport. Back seat ( folds flat) great looks plenty of parts

blacktruck18 > Frosted
07/12/2014 at 21:08

A lot of people will talk shit about this but.... 94-96 C4 Corvette. The manual will be super easy to learn on because they have tons of torque. It is super easy to find one with low miles because of all the wipe the car down with diapers types. The traction control is super sensitive so you can just leave it on while you get used to the power then when you are more comfortable with the car you can turn it off and have a lot of fun. They are pretty easy to work on, and best of all there are Corvette specialty shops everywhere so you won't have to deal with dealerships if it needs work you can't handle on your own. The aftermarket support is awesome, you can almost start with a frame and build a whole car from there. Also, the Targa top is awesome.

Nationwide autotrader search.

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/…

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > carcrasher88
07/12/2014 at 21:09

It was probably one of my favorite cars growing up. but I can tell you that it's probably in the top 10 least reliable vehicles ever made. I've never met someone that had one that worked.

I really wish these were more reliable as I would absolutely love to have one.

oh how pretty it is.

Kinja'd!!!

TexMex > Frosted
07/12/2014 at 21:28

Best sports car for a beginner? Whatever the hell you want.

Just jump in with both feet and go for the best example you can afford of what you've always wanted. It'll be difficult at times and you'll often ask yourself why you just didn't buy a Miata (unless that's your dream car of course), but you'll learn a lot - and fast - and you'll have the indescribable satisfaction of being able to drive and wrench on your dream car every day. My car has more problems than I have hairs on my head, and like you I didn't even know how to drive stick when I bought it (and it's definitely not an easy gearbox), but I've loved every second of owning it.

Rant aside, if I was in your position I'd look for an early-eighties Supra. Straight-six and pop-up headlights, need I say more?

Lekker > Frosted
07/12/2014 at 22:08

My first sports car was a 350z, and they're not bad at all given their not too-powerful engine. After 5 years I bought a 370z nismo. Just saying, the car is fun and it lets you do quite a bit on your own.

DanZman > CPT Speedbump
07/12/2014 at 23:27

I'm not going to call you wrong, but as a previous owner(for 6years) and salesman of 350z's; they were only offered with staggered wheels. Later years stepped up to 18" diameter but they were still staggered in width. The 350z always used the same diameter front and rear with the rear being about 1" wider.

They were never staggered like a C6 with different diameters and widths front and rear.

Frosted > Dsscats
07/13/2014 at 00:20

Only problem there is that you're in CA and I'm in NJ.

Also my current lack of 8500 dollars.

CPT Speedbump > DanZman
07/13/2014 at 01:08

Touring V1 wheels were 18x8 30 mm offset on all 4 corners on Z's

DanZman > CPT Speedbump
07/13/2014 at 01:19

Keeping the same offset would make them really sunk in on the rear. 350z even had an "extra" stud on the front hubs to keep you from putting rear wheels on the front. Also, why would they choose to put a narrower tire in the rear. If anything I would that they would widen the front.

samssun > carcrasher88
07/13/2014 at 01:29

The non-turbo is FWD which is a shame, especially on a car that big. And by "upgrade" I hope you mean sell the NA and buy a TT, because like with the Z you can't really convert the base model.

crowmolly > blacktruck18
07/13/2014 at 10:14

LT1 platform makes this kind of funky. 1994 was OBDI with a non-vented opti. 1995 was a vented opti but OBD 1.5 which can make things tricky. In NJ 1994 and 1995 will need to be tailpipe tested for emissions.

1996 is probably OK, will be OBD-II and plug-in tested.

Plus LT1 parts and tuner availability are drying up quickly. Bryan Herter is one of the only remaining guys out there and GM has discontinued some basic parts.

blacktruck18 > crowmolly
07/13/2014 at 11:43

Oops, right you are, Corvettes got the vented opti in 1995. I apologize to the OP I was posting half drunk. As far as parts you are right GM has stopped making some stuff but, the parts are still easy enough to find online. There is enough aftermarket support and tuners available to pretty much do anything you want to the car, sure they are not as common as LS tuners but they are out there. Also, LS swaps are for C4's are getting pretty common and they seem pretty simple.

Are they stricter in NJ if you do the tailpipe test versus just plugging into the OBDII port? I don't understand why it matters.

crowmolly > blacktruck18
07/13/2014 at 12:28

It is random stuff. It took me 3 weeks to find a harmonic damper bolt and washer since they are both LT-1 specific. A quality optispark used to be ACDelco and MSD, all the rest were hit and miss, and now the good quality optical sensors (Mitsu?) themselves are out of production. There's still a LOT out there, no doubt, but you can run into special cases and that's something to be aware of. You can't just run to Advance Auto for everything.

Regarding emissions testing, it SHOULDN'T matter unless he decides to modify the car. I can tell you firsthand that you are way better off not needing the tailpipe test.

For starters, if you want to change the cam in the car or change the heads you may be fucked if you can't find a tuner (which is much harder- many guys convert to a different ignition system and PCM for this reason) and can't get the car to run clean enough.

CPT Speedbump > DanZman
07/13/2014 at 12:57

No idea, and mine aren't sunk in..but they are 9.5 wide

PanchoVilleneuve ST > Dsscats
07/13/2014 at 16:56

I'm going to agree with the 300ZX. They get forgotten, ignored in favor of the much more glamorous Supras and RX-7s, but they are every bit as good.

Conan > Frosted
07/14/2014 at 18:17

A lot of my students have Fox bodies and seem to be pretty happy with them/later mods. You could do a whole lot of work on one with 10 grand.