Help me find an affordable fun car

"WiscoProud" (wiscoproud)
08/21/2015 at 12:15 • Filed to: None

So I’m still on the hunt for a fun coupe or roadster. While I still have a love for vintage BMWs, the Midwest isn’t exactly covered in them. As a result, I’ve expanded my search to other makes.

What I’m looking for

- Turnkey

- I’m looking to keep the price under $10,000

- Be able to fit me as I’m 6’5” and 280 (i’m proportional, so recaros are still fine)

- I would like to do an occasion track day with it, but its primary purpose is to take the occasion DD duties from the Land Cruiser and be there for the occasional weekend drive.

- While it would be nice to be able to put a car seat into it, my wife and I both have vehicles that can do that.

- I don’t mind it needing work, but I need to be able to drive it immediately.

- Lastly, needs a manual and clean title.

Here’s what I’ve found so far:

Porsche Boxster - There are several in my area for under $10,000 for years between 1997 to 2001. While I would prefer a coupe, the mid-engine nature would let me make an exception. The pre-2001 seem to have less problems with IMS due to two-row bearings being used, but they still have rear seal leak and other issue.

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Porsche 944 Turbo - There are 5 944 turbos in my area, and even more non-turbo under $10,000. I like the looks, and the price is right, but they’re of an age where things start breaking at a more common frequency, with the associated higher maintenance costs

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Nissan 350z - I still like the looks of these, and the higher reliability over the Germanic options is certainly appealing. The hard part would be finding one that hasn’t been beaten. The other downside is that they’re pretty common. Its always nice to have something others don’t.

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Datsun 280z - What a gorgeous car. Surprisingly, there are a few nice 240/260/280s on CL in good shape. I do have concern on whether or not I would fit though. The other issue is that vehicles of this vintage tend to be rust magnets, so utmost care would be needed. While I love the simplicity, I’ve read that these were built reflecting their lower cost, i.e. not the greatest.

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BMW 2002 - I love these. The difficult would be finding a decent relatively rust-free example in the Midwest. There is actually a different one by me in red which is beautiful, but its presently disassembled, and I have no desire to take on someone else’s project. If the engine and transmission were at least in, it might be a different story. This one has some rust, and I emailed to see if it has any rust holes, but the owner hasn’t gotten back to me. The main downside is that I would likely need to put a few grand into it to fix everything up. The ad used to have it listed for $7k, but now just “make an offer” so I imagine I could get it for $5-6,000.

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Toyota Supra Turbo - I’ve read up on the head gasket and other issues, and am not too worried. Supras of this generation are plentiful, and most appear to not have been abused (still largely stock). There are also a couple of Celica Supra’s for sale that might be a lot of fun.

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So what do you guys think? I’m open to all suggestions as well, even more so if you can provide a link. Due to the wife’s reluctance on this, I’m not going to be to go too far either. So basically my market area is Chicago to the Quad Cities to the Twin Cities to Green Bay. I myself live in Milwaukee.

Edit: It was pointed out to me I missed the E36 M3. That was an oversight on my part. It certainly checks all the right boxes. The subject of the E30 also came up. I would be more open to it if a decent non-stanced, non-drifted one could be found by me.

DISCUSSION (33)

Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection > WiscoProud
08/21/2015 at 12:25

Kinja'd!!!

Pros: Near-perfect examples can be had around the ~$7500 range. Lots of room because it’s basically a two-door sedan. Excellent manual transmission, handling, and pretty durable engine. Huge aftermarket. Tons of support

Cons: Now that they’re cheap, hard to find one that hasn’t been beaten on. BMW guys and internet commenters will say, “Y U NO E30?” E46s are getting close to your price range. Pretty common.

My citroen won't start > WiscoProud
08/21/2015 at 12:28

Bad Idea: https://chicago.craigslist.org/nwc/cto/514587…

What I’d get: https://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/cto/517615…

What you should get: manual Mini Cooper S.

WiscoProud > Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection
08/21/2015 at 12:28

You got me, I forgot to add that. I have been looking at them too.

WiscoProud > My citroen won't start
08/21/2015 at 12:34

I have to say that TR6 is pretty freaking sexy. I’m not as big of a fan of the MGB, but BRG is a great color for anything. Not sure if I could even fit it the Triumph though.

Mini cooper's don't do anything for me unfortunately. I recognize their strengths, but "meh".

JR1 > WiscoProud
08/21/2015 at 12:56

First off I think the Boxster would make you the happiest however it would be the most expensive.

http://columbus.craigslist.org/cto/5165573632… Interesting choice

http://columbus.craigslist.org/cto/5170018634… Safe and fun choice

anothermiatafanboy > WiscoProud
08/21/2015 at 13:04

You don’t happen to be my neighbor Mike in Whitefish Bay, do you?

WiscoProud > JR1
08/21/2015 at 13:06

I have looked quite a bit at the 6 series. There’s one for sale in Chicago I believe.

The GTO probably would be a lot of fun. The style is kinda boring though. It looks like the tires are two small for the fenders if that makes sense. That being said, V8 and rear wheel drive are a great combination.

WiscoProud > anothermiatafanboy
08/21/2015 at 13:08

Haha, no. But I do work in Mequon

JR1 > WiscoProud
08/21/2015 at 13:11

If you forgo the styling you are getting C5/C6 Corvette speed for about 3 grand to 4 grand less.

And the BMW would be very cool. No idea on costs

WiscoProud > JR1
08/21/2015 at 13:17

I couldn’t find any C5/C6 in my price range, just a lot of C3 and C4s. Just to clarify, the ad was for a E24 6 series from the 80s, not one from the mid-2000s

JR1 > WiscoProud
08/21/2015 at 13:29

I was referring to the GTO in the first sentence. Shame you couldn’t find a C5 that would be the ultimate 10k buy

WiscoProud > JR1
08/21/2015 at 13:35

Got it. Yeah, Ideally I would like to expand my budget, but the wife already isn't a fan, so I got to take baby steps with this one.

LongbowMkII > WiscoProud
08/21/2015 at 14:01

I don’t think the Celica Supra will have the power you’d like. Obviously that problem has a few solutions. The aftermarket on Mk2’s have seemingly picked up in the past few years.

WiscoProud > LongbowMkII
08/21/2015 at 14:06

Probably not, but I think the rarity of it would win out. Plus they're supposed to be good handling vehicles. I saw an old Car and Driver review which ranked it the fourth best handling import car out of a pack of 8 or 9. If I recall it lost to an Audi Quattro, Honda Prelude, and Porsche 944.

LongbowMkII > WiscoProud
08/21/2015 at 14:28

they are. Lotus helped develop the suspension. A bit understeering (front weight bias) but very easily controllable on the limit.

If I had the spare space and money I’d fly up there to buy that one at $2500. NP assuming the floor is still there.

WiscoProud > LongbowMkII
08/21/2015 at 14:31

Surprisingly there are actually a few of them under $5,000 by me. One guy has two for sale, the performance and luxury versions.

Van Man, rocks the Man Van > WiscoProud
08/21/2015 at 15:55

Was gonna say Miata then I saw your height... Yeah, not happening.

WiscoProud > Van Man, rocks the Man Van
08/21/2015 at 16:01

I can ride passenger in one, but driving is largely out of the question. Funny story, I had a friend with a Honda Civic Del Sol, which was a fun little roadster. I could fit in the driver's seat, but when I went to shift, my knee would hit the key and grind the starter.

TheJMan92 > WiscoProud
08/21/2015 at 16:52

A fellow Wisconsinite!? I recognized the 2002 in Madison as I’m in the process of finding a shell for some crazy 2002 TSi idea I’ve got going.

Uh, as for the question... Miata? Okay, seriously though, I’d probably go with the M3 as suggested by WhiteTrashSteve.

WiscoProud > TheJMan92
08/21/2015 at 17:16

Yup, there are a few of us I've found so far. If you're looking for just a shell, there are a few 2002s in rougher shape in the area.

TheJMan92 > WiscoProud
08/21/2015 at 17:18

Yea, I’m in talks with the guy that sorta owns the lime green shell near Madison. I’m picking up a 95 Talon TSi AWD tomorrow because it’s ridiculously cheap. Oddly, the wheel base almost matches that of a 2002...

WiscoProud > TheJMan92
08/21/2015 at 17:20

Interesting. I've seen many different swaps into 2002s, but I have to say a TSi would be a first for me.

TheJMan92 > WiscoProud
08/21/2015 at 17:28

It seems the 4G63 is actually a fair candidate among those that don’t mind defiling the BMW only engine bay. A few videos kicking around YouTube but haven’t found any build logs or anything. Those all run rwd though, I’d like to keep the awd. Our plan is to cut the Talon floor out and weld it under the 2002, because race car I think.

WiscoProud > TheJMan92
08/21/2015 at 17:45

If you can pull it off it will be a seriously cool vehicle. I think logistically you would have to try to bond the two unibodies.

al-zo - Now with an Acura! > WiscoProud
08/21/2015 at 21:15

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Honda-Civi…

EP3!!!!!

reliable af and cheap for the time being

WiscoProud > al-zo - Now with an Acura!
08/22/2015 at 11:06

It would certainly be a fun ride, but ive never been a civic fan

TheJMan92 > WiscoProud
08/22/2015 at 11:29

That’s the only thing that worried me was they they’re both unibody. My brother has worked on race cars and we have a friend that owns a shop where they work on race cars. They both said you pretty much weld them together, no worries about suspension geometry changing and you get a stronger body.

Dude sold the car before we got there though, kind of rude but that’s CL. Keeping my eyes out for another one!

WiscoProud > TheJMan92
08/24/2015 at 10:39

That sucks. I think there is one for $1,400 between Milwaukee and Chicago. Since you're going to be cutting it up anyways, I presume you don't care what the paint looks like.

TheJMan92 > WiscoProud
08/24/2015 at 12:14

Nope, as long as the drive train is in decent condition (I’d be doing a slight overhaul but probably not a full rebuild, I’m already doing one 4G63T) and the price is right. The car we were looking at was perfect, body was okay and the engine needed a little work but they were asking $550. Couldn’t say not to that!

WiscoProud > TheJMan92
08/24/2015 at 12:19

I'm not surprised it got snatched up at that price. I've been looking at decent ones with some rust for $5-6,000. I've found cheaper, but I've read to stay away from rusty ones due to the lack of rust proofing.

TheJMan92 > WiscoProud
08/24/2015 at 12:39

It’s the lowest price I’ve seen for an AWD manual, but it would be the second most expensive car I’ve bought :) The only area I’ve heard of being a major problem on these cars is the strut towers. Luckily my project 92 Laser has been gone over before by a friend of mine, the thing is immaculate.

WiscoProud > TheJMan92
08/24/2015 at 12:45

Good deal. Be sure to post the build on Oppo. Many of these younun's don't remember the good old days.

TheJMan92 > WiscoProud
08/24/2015 at 12:52

I’ve actually just started the engine build this past weekend after much time spent gathering the bits and pieces I needed. I don’t have authorship here but you can check out the build so far over at my site if you’d like. Let me know what you think if you check it out!