Friend's NA Miata got totaled - looking for a suitable replacement

"MentalJuggernaut" (mentaljuggernaut)
12/10/2015 at 14:14 • Filed to: None

We’ve got about $5k to work with plus whatever a Miata with rear frame damage will sell for.

Looking for either:

-A fun car that could be a daily + a truck

-A fun, daily sports car

Ideas?

DISCUSSION (27)

Jarrett - [BRZ Boi] > MentalJuggernaut
12/10/2015 at 14:17

I’m guessing another Miata is off the table?

TheHondaBro > MentalJuggernaut
12/10/2015 at 14:19

Celica.

Leon711 > MentalJuggernaut
12/10/2015 at 14:20

Miata with a cage?

MentalJuggernaut > Jarrett - [BRZ Boi]
12/10/2015 at 14:24

Feels weird about another Miata, emotional connection and all ya know

MentalJuggernaut > Leon711
12/10/2015 at 14:25

I suggested to cage this miata and make it track/weekend car, but can the top still work with it?

MentalJuggernaut > TheHondaBro
12/10/2015 at 14:25

FWD, ehhh

TheHondaBro > MentalJuggernaut
12/10/2015 at 14:26

The ones before 1985 were RWD. Plus, you can always look for an ST165 or ST185.

Leon711 > MentalJuggernaut
12/10/2015 at 14:27

It depends on what you get, hard dog do a half cage that still goes down along the doors that fits fine. I’ve also seen others that you can use the top on. MSA/FIA approved full cages do not allow use of the top.

Aaron M - MasoFiST > MentalJuggernaut
12/10/2015 at 14:29

A 240SX is a serious crapshoot, but if you’re ok with buying someone’s project you may be able to find one.

It’ll bea little hard to do for 5k but 7th gen Celicas and Acura RSXes are the apex of FWD while still being somewhat accessible (unlike say an Integra Type-R). An EP3 Civic Si could do in a pinch but won’t be as fast as the other two.

I’ve seen stick shift SC300s around that price, but you may be waiting a long time for one to show up.

Other suggestions...MA70 Supras, SW20 MR2s.

If you’re in California like you appear to be, I’d seriously look into older Japanese iron if you can find it. E20 Corollas are easy as hell to mod and pre-smog.

Berang > MentalJuggernaut
12/10/2015 at 14:31

Kinja'd!!!

MentalJuggernaut > TheHondaBro
12/10/2015 at 14:33

hmmm this is very true, didn’t even think about that one

MentalJuggernaut > Berang
12/10/2015 at 14:33

Find me one for $5k and i’ll be tempted

Berang > MentalJuggernaut
12/10/2015 at 14:36

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ford-Model…

5K and no reserve... ;D

MentalJuggernaut > Aaron M - MasoFiST
12/10/2015 at 14:38

240 was on my mind, but the crapshoot aspect def keeps me a little concerned.

FWD is just ehhh to me.

SC300 would be solid and they will increase in value, fun car as well.

We considered an MR2 but how’s that engine to work on? My 986 Boxster is mildly annoying.

Is an E20 a good daily? 45 miles one way?

MentalJuggernaut > Berang
12/10/2015 at 14:39

they are so much cheaper than expected...

AndyG_UK > MentalJuggernaut
12/10/2015 at 14:49

I know how that feels, the only car I ever had totalled, when I was 18, was a 1986 red Vauxhall Nova Antibes, it was nothing special but was my baby, couldn’t bring myself to buy another so I got a really nice Fiesta, was a lovely car, had it 3 months and sold it and got another Nova Antibes, just a blue one this time cos I missed my old one so much.

Aaron M - MasoFiST > MentalJuggernaut
12/10/2015 at 15:11

The E20 will probably not be a great daily, but I don’t think many pre-smog cars will. Still, that’s how I think...what can I mod.

The old MR2s are decently easy to work on, the 4AGE isn’t a huge engine and there’s some room. The SW20s are a bit more of a pain (look up “hose from hell”) but I think they’re both easier than the Boxster.

Not a sports car, but if you’re looking for something with daily potential, old Volvos are a possibility. It may be easier where I am in New England to find 740 turbos, but they’re relatively comfortable and relatively easy to pep up. Old BMWs (like E30s) are appreciating in value which makes it hard for your price but there are decent ones out there...the 1989-92 318iS has a 140hp four and is overlooked compared to the 325i that everyone wants. E36s are cheap but you need to look at the body carefully and watch out for rear subframe damage. The E34 5-series is way less of a sports car but doesn’t have the structural integrity issues of the E36 3-series.

nerd_racing > MentalJuggernaut
12/10/2015 at 15:40

MR2?

MentalJuggernaut > nerd_racing
12/10/2015 at 16:23

how’s the engine to work on

MentalJuggernaut > Aaron M - MasoFiST
12/10/2015 at 16:24

Solid ideas.

My last car was a volvo so I’m def down for that, 850 turbo is an idea as well. E36 or old E30 would be an awesome car as well. E34 i think would be a tougher sell though

MentalJuggernaut > AndyG_UK
12/10/2015 at 16:25

Yeah I know what it’s like, I totaled my first car as well and it would be tough for me to ever get another one

Aaron M - MasoFiST > MentalJuggernaut
12/10/2015 at 16:42

Yeah, the only 5-series I’d buy if I was thinking “sporty” would be an E28. The 535is is a sweet car, but not exactly thick on the ground. The E39 can probably be done in your price range, but maintenance is going to hurt. Still... https://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac/cto/533728…

TheD0k_2many toys 2little time > MentalJuggernaut
12/11/2015 at 02:59

hmmm how much damage? where is the car located?

MentalJuggernaut > TheD0k_2many toys 2little time
12/11/2015 at 19:22

rear trunk caved in, that’s frame

TheD0k_2many toys 2little time > MentalJuggernaut
12/11/2015 at 21:00

awww dang it. was gunna say strip it and exocet time!

MentalJuggernaut > TheD0k_2many toys 2little time
12/11/2015 at 21:24

I’m still saying that, I think that anything from flying miata would work :)

nerd_racing > MentalJuggernaut
12/14/2015 at 07:20

no different than a fwd car.