Good Lord Today Was A Long Day

"Patrick George" (pgeorge)
02/09/2016 at 19:59 • Filed to: None

What’s up, Oppo? Tell me something good.

While you’re at it, let’s say you have about $3500 or so burning a hole in your pocket and you want something old, fun and Japanese. Do you go:

-AW11 MR2, the car you want but is fucking impossible to find in decent shape

-Z31 300ZX, NA because you’re lazy and don’t trust turbos, which would be fun but also not that sporting? But still fun

-Miata, which is the answer to everything but also the obvious answer, and where’s the fun in that?

I gave up finding a decent Prelude !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . RWD or GTFO anyway, or something.

Anyway. Rap at me, teens .

DISCUSSION (89)

jkm7680 > Patrick George
02/09/2016 at 20:03

MR2 because I’m not a porn star or a hairdresser.

DrJohannVegas > Patrick George
02/09/2016 at 20:03

I just saved a bunch of money on my car insurance by driving uninsured.

Patrick George > DrJohannVegas
02/09/2016 at 20:04

Insurance is kind of a form of gambling anyway.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Patrick George
02/09/2016 at 20:05

I don’t care if it’s in two pieces: the answer is MR2.

Patrick George > jkm7680
02/09/2016 at 20:05

What if you dress hair for porn shoots?

Supreme Chancellor and Glorious Leader SaveTheIntegras > Patrick George
02/09/2016 at 20:05

Miata.

I’m currently counting down the days till my car is finally paid off

CB > Patrick George
02/09/2016 at 20:06

Meh. I’m not dead, which is pretty swell. Also, there are allegations that I look like Matt Hardigree, which is not swell (no offence, dude).

I’d go with the 300ZX because it seems like it would be pretty enjoyable. Miatas are a little overdone and I’m kind of meh on MR2s.

jkm7680 > Patrick George
02/09/2016 at 20:06

Ah, but you aren’t the porn star then!

BUT. If you are both a hairdresser and a porn star, then you are permitted to be an Mr2 driver.

EL_ULY > Patrick George
02/09/2016 at 20:06

No kidding dude. I did 6:30am to... welp, i’m shutting the computers down right now to go home.

For that, i’d go full Tavarish on a SC400 with the updated front bumper

Flavien Vidal > Patrick George
02/09/2016 at 20:07

If you want to do the Import-your-own-JDM-Experience à la Doug, let me know I can get you anything from here :)

Other than that, I’d go with a Miata myself, because it’s the only car you can buy with a factory LSD in the price range you have. If you can go with a Turbo Z31, then get one from 1988 or later, as they come equipped with one.

Not sure about the MR2, but I doubt it came with one.

Patrick George > CB
02/09/2016 at 20:07

Hardigree’s an OK looking dude. You could do worse. Duly noted on the Z.

TheJWT > Patrick George
02/09/2016 at 20:08

Kinja'd!!!

Just for you, I guess I could go down to $3500

gin-san - shitpost specialist > Patrick George
02/09/2016 at 20:08

Good condition Japanese cars are near-impossible to find. Heck, any decent performance-oriented car in good condition is impossible to find because everyone is looking for the same cars.

Jalopnik needs to start brainwashing enthusiasts into thinking the Camry is the ultimate car (I mean, it’s not exactly slow with the V6) along with other fantastic automobiles like the Corolla (non-XRS) and the Civic (non-Si) and the Mirage (uh... the base one).

If everyone is looking for the MR2, WRX, Evo, etc. it’s no good.

If the god damn broken insurance system in Ontario is ever fixed, I’d get an imported RHD car. I can afford the car easily, but the insurance here would force me to live in my car and sell a kidney for the privilege.

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > Patrick George
02/09/2016 at 20:08

Id see if i could find an old Celica or Corolla. Or an old minitruck

Patrick George > TheJWT
02/09/2016 at 20:08

Hell yeah son, that’s what I’m talking about

TheHondaBro > Patrick George
02/09/2016 at 20:09

Got a shop vac.

Patrick George > Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap
02/09/2016 at 20:10

There was a red Celica GT liftback (third-gen, Celica Supra with a four-banger basically) for sale in Austin a few months ago for like $4k. I kind of regret not buying it. It was in surprisingly decent shape, too.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Patrick George
02/09/2016 at 20:10

Alive and just starting a 12 hour night shift, yay. But while I’m a Toyota guy, I’d have to go Miata. It’s a lot easier to swap in a 1UZ into one.

Matt Nichelson > Patrick George
02/09/2016 at 20:10

Hey now, we aren’t all teens!

Seriously though, I would go MR2. Hard to find? Yes. Worth it when you do? Absolutely.

Or if you want to buck the trend, you could go 3rd gen Celica.

StoneCold > Patrick George
02/09/2016 at 20:12

HAS to be Japanese? Otherwise I’d go Fiat X 1/9. I hear Honda K20 engines go well into them ;p

Matt Nichelson > Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap
02/09/2016 at 20:13

Damn. You beat my Celica idea by two minutes.

Patrick George > gin-san - shitpost specialist
02/09/2016 at 20:14

I’ll get on the Camry thing ASAP. That’s a good story idea.

I’ve had another one lately that’s basically like “Dear Tuners: Fuck You For Ruining This Car” because every car I want on Cragislist is some half-completed nightmare project that’s just one A/C recharge away from doing a 10 second quarter mile, I SWEAR , and with neon green wheels. And a neon green engine cover.

bob and john > Patrick George
02/09/2016 at 20:15

old fun, japanese and RWD? simple.

Suzuki SV650.

hey, you didnt say it had to be a car!

Chariotoflove > Patrick George
02/09/2016 at 20:15

Patrick, I don’t know what your specific requirements are, but there are some low-priced Preludes in the Dallas area. How far out from home did you look?

Matt Nichelson > TheHondaBro
02/09/2016 at 20:16

So today you chose to buy a Camry as a first vehicle and you bought a shop vac. You’ve had a full day, sir.

djgreenlava > Patrick George
02/09/2016 at 20:16

I wholeheartedly agree about the MR2. I looked at one this pass weekend and I didn’t even have to start the car to know it had been in the pits for years.

Brian Silvestro > Patrick George
02/09/2016 at 20:16

Please don’t get a 300zx, the MR2 is an infinitely better car. Also the Miata exists. Also consider E30

Patrick George > Chariotoflove
02/09/2016 at 20:17

There’s a LOT of decent cars in the DFW for some reason. It’s just a hike to get up there and back for something I may or may not pull the trigger on. It may come to that, I dunno.

Patrick George > Brian Silvestro
02/09/2016 at 20:18

E30s are so hard to find in decent shape for the price! The damned M3 has dragged up the price on all of them. But yeah, that’s Mrs. PG’s pick. She’s a huge fan of them. I married well.

Flavien Vidal > Patrick George
02/09/2016 at 20:18

Out of curiosity btw... Where are you located? You seem to often be in Texas and write about it a lot, but at the same time, Gawker Media is in NY...

XJDano > Patrick George
02/09/2016 at 20:18

Snow made me 45 minutes late, we’ll all the traffic, I found out it snowed from news tweet in bed. F-

We are slow at work, but we got a change order so we get another day tomorrow.

Did you & the crew really go through all 640 something pages?

The Z, I am lazy, I’m not sure about turbos, and wouldn’t trust myself with too much power. Also the Espirt lookalike.

Cash Rewards > Patrick George
02/09/2016 at 20:19

Screw your RWD only bullshit, this is a Subaru XT with only 8k on the clock

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

Brian Silvestro > Patrick George
02/09/2016 at 20:20

You can get a non-GTS AE86 for $3500 too. But it has an open diff, drum brakes in the back, and a carbureted engine.

Patrick George > XJDano
02/09/2016 at 20:21

Me and Jason spent all day, off and on, on reporting out the EPA stuff. It was a maddening story but I’m proud of how our coverage turned out. What a weird situation that is.

Honestly, I expect the rule change/clarification to get killed at some point once SEMA starts lobbying for it and the public starts complaining. But maybe I’m wrong.

As for the Z, does it look like an Esprit? I guess I could pretend.

Boxer_4 > Flavien Vidal
02/09/2016 at 20:22

I may take you up on that offer when these come of age...

Kinja'd!!!

Not exaxtly the most desireable import out there, but interesting none the less.

XJDano > Patrick George
02/09/2016 at 20:22

More so than a Miata.

Patrick George > Cash Rewards
02/09/2016 at 20:22

But it’s an auto! Otherwise, WOW, what a great find. Who bothered to keep an XT that nice? That person’s a hero.

$kaycog > Patrick George
02/09/2016 at 20:23

I had a lovely day, but.............wait.........you said teens. Never mind.

Chariotoflove > Patrick George
02/09/2016 at 20:23

Yeah, it’s a trip. Combine it with something fun, or with work so you can expense it. Or, link up with a Dallas opponaut you trust to check out the candidates for you before you come up.

Also, my neighbor who directs marketing for Greyhound would like me to point out inexpensive fares from Austin. :)

RatMR2 > Patrick George
02/09/2016 at 20:24

The shape doesn’t matter. Get the MR2. They’re tough as nails, and a bit of rust never hurt anyone.

Cash Rewards > Patrick George
02/09/2016 at 20:25

Missed the auto, but I know, right! It’s immaculate!

Flavien Vidal > Boxer_4
02/09/2016 at 20:26

Well, it will take a few more years for that to happen :)

What is it exactly? (Looks like a Legacy, btut you have those in the US so...)

DrJohannVegas > Patrick George
02/09/2016 at 20:27

I mean, my finance profs always wanted to toss that “insurance as risk pooling” noise at me, but I was just like: “Hey Old Man, what if I just take a dump in the pool?!?!?” Then I lit a doobie and reclined in my chair.

That’s how I got thrown of college.

shop-teacher > Patrick George
02/09/2016 at 20:28

Don’t be in a hurry, wait for the one you want. Get the MR2..

You guys did a good job on the EPA coverage. It was very thourough and clear.

PorkchoPlissken > Patrick George
02/09/2016 at 20:28

-Z31 300ZX, NA because you’re lazy and don’t trust turbos, which would be fun but also not that sporting?

I’m new, please read my grey post! Anyway, been lurking a while, and just bought an 87 300zx NA and it makes me tight in the pants every day. Long live the 80s.

sincerely,

not a teenager

Chariotoflove > $kaycog
02/09/2016 at 20:29

I know, I belatedly wondered if I shouldn't have commented. Then I remembered that emotional age counts.

Berang > Patrick George
02/09/2016 at 20:30

You sound like you could go for a drink.

In the world of old Japanese fun machines, you’re in luck, because this is on CL right now:

http://austin.craigslist.org/cto/5438842369…

Or maybe you could talk this guy down, and do a Demuro style long term test:

http://austin.craigslist.org/cto/5418612852…

It may be very enlightening.

If subarus aren’t your thing, there’s this pair of very 90's MR2s:

http://austin.craigslist.org/cto/5430781209…

Zip-McBump > Patrick George
02/09/2016 at 20:30

Teens? I’m older than you fer chrissakes.

Kinja'd!!!

Unless you’re like sixty.

Look, man... anything old, fun, and Japanese for $3500 is going to be pretty rough. I think you need to lower your standards. Of the three choices, I’d go with the Z31, since the market is still pretty soft on those. However, don’t discount the Prelude just because it’s FWD. It’s really a great driving ride, and pretty much the only FWD car I still pine for at times.

beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
02/09/2016 at 20:32

it probably will be, you can hear the AW11's rust on a quiet morning.

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > Patrick George
02/09/2016 at 20:33

Something old, fun, cheap, Japanese, rwd, manual

http://m.ebay.com/itm/Toyota-Sup…

Kinja'd!!!

$kaycog > Chariotoflove
02/09/2016 at 20:33

Then I’m only 12. Still can’t comment.

Chariotoflove > Patrick George
02/09/2016 at 20:35

That read like a good metaphor for the personals section, too.

Patrick George > Berang
02/09/2016 at 20:35

Not my cup of tea, but check THIS OUT: http://austin.craigslist.org/cto/5404364772…

HammerheadFistpunch > Patrick George
02/09/2016 at 20:36

Take the time to find what you want, hunt the forums don’t be afraid to travel...you know you have a loyal army of surrogates to check cars out in practically any part of the land. We got your back pg

Chariotoflove > $kaycog
02/09/2016 at 20:38

Berang > Patrick George
02/09/2016 at 20:40

Neat. I know somebody just imported several into Texas, so maybe this is one of those.

Kinja'd!!!

Ages ago I spotted one in Denver, which apparently had been rented in Canada (?) and driven down on a road trip.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Berang
02/09/2016 at 20:43

OH MY GOD THAT BRAT. I need it. I need another.

Trunk Impaired 318 > Patrick George
02/09/2016 at 20:45

Depending on your definition of decent shape I’d be more than happy to sell you my AW11

Berang > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
02/09/2016 at 20:47

Nobody is going to hold it against you if you get this one.

Personally though, I prefer the 70s version.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Berang
02/09/2016 at 20:49

I had a ‘78, so I do prefer them, but clean ones are hard to find. If I had the cash right now, I’d be on a plane to Texas.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Cash Rewards
02/09/2016 at 20:50

I had almost that exact same car. With the non turbo 1.8 and 97 hp on tap it’s slower than orlove’s bug. 10/10 would own again.

Berang > Patrick George
02/09/2016 at 20:50

Do a top ten cars damned to extinction by tuners.

gin-san - shitpost specialist > Patrick George
02/09/2016 at 20:53

Tuning culture is great, but it omits the fact that tuning properly costs a LOT.

I was thinking about what it would take to tune a Mini to the spec they’ve done on the recent Mighty Car Mods episodes: I thought about the amount of labour needed since I’m not afraid to take things apart or work with my hands; the fear sets in once I need to put it back together. This alone scared the hell out of me.

Anybody can stick parts on a car; it takes time (and money), knowledge, and a great deal of work to stick parts on a car, ensure that they will be durable, and do custom tuning/programming through dyno and real-world testing.

The biggest issue for me is in the search: even if I do find a car, I will always think in the back of my mind that some stupid, narcissistic asshole fuck of a shit intelligent, forward-thinking enthusiast has “improved” it in their own “vision.” The WRX is the prime example.

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > Matt Nichelson
02/09/2016 at 20:53

Great minds...

Boxer_4 > Flavien Vidal
02/09/2016 at 20:54

Between 5-7 years, to be exact :)

It’s a BG5 Legacy GT-B. We got the Legacy, even the GT, but our GT was only available with the EJ25D 2.5L naturally aspirated engine, good for 165 hp. In fact, after the first generation Legacy, the we didn’t get a turbo Legacy until the fourth generation Legacy (unless you count the Baja).

The Japanese version of the GT got the EJ20H 2.0L twin-turbo engine, good for 255 hp. The GT-B got the EJ20R 2.0L twin-turbo engine (unless optioned with the automatic), which was good for “276 hp”. It also got the 5-speed out of the Version III STi, Bilstein suspension, and this awesome seat fabric...

Kinja'd!!!

We never got the twin-turbos in the US market. One, because the secondary turbo interferes with the placement of the brake-booster on LHD models. And two, the twin-turbo is a bit fussier and less “robust” than the single turbo setups. There’s also the tiny matter of the “Valley of Death” between 4,000 - 5,000 rpm, when the secondary turbo engages. I’ll be honest; I fell in love with it (and the Blitzen) in Gran Turismo III when it first came out and knew nothing about them (I think I was 8). I still want one now, even with their flaws.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > $kaycog
02/09/2016 at 20:54

I'm stuck at 14. Have been stuck at 14 for a very very very long time.

smobgirl > Patrick George
02/09/2016 at 20:55

It’s too cold in Illinois, the hot tub in the hotel looks like this, and I forgot to get beer before I put on a bathing suit. It’s been a long day here too.

Kinja'd!!!

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > Patrick George
02/09/2016 at 20:56

Kinja'd!!!

Well, I bought a truck. Other than that, not much is new. I should start cross-posting my growing automotive journalism portfolio to Oppo again. Also, why don’t you get a truck with a V8? It’s cheap, powerful, and the Mrs. would be happy because you would never have to pay to get furniture and other stuff delivered again!

Patrick George > smobgirl
02/09/2016 at 20:57

Wow.

Patrick George > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3
02/09/2016 at 20:58

Good point!

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Patrick George
02/09/2016 at 20:59

Well I just did 500 miles in my 2015 ford exploder company car. Had the thought that new cars are just too good these days. There are no distractions to keep you alert. If I had $3500 I'd be looking for a Subaru impreza 2.5 RS. Pre 2002.

Kinja'd!!!

smobgirl > Patrick George
02/09/2016 at 21:01

I vote MR2, by the way!

$kaycog > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
02/09/2016 at 21:11

Well, at least you’re a teen.

Bytemite > Patrick George
02/09/2016 at 21:20

AW11 in an ideal world. But I could only find Miatas :*(

fhrblig > Patrick George
02/09/2016 at 21:27

Let’s see... my team won the Super Bowl, I’m getting enough back on my taxes to pay for my $1100 ER visit, and next Wednesday will be 8 years together with my partner. So far it looks like it’ll be a good year.

Of those three choices, I’d probably take none of the above. None of them really grab me much. My troll answer would be a Ranger based Mazda B-Series truck with RWD and a manual. That’s “Japanese”, right?

Eggplant > Brian Silvestro
02/09/2016 at 21:29

That is to say: prime candidate for an engine swap.

Burn-Spaz1966-Burn > Patrick George
02/10/2016 at 00:03

Sir, Young Sir! Your treading on my landscaping. Would you kindly remove yourself from it?

gergey - Wishes vette was Datsun > Patrick George
02/10/2016 at 00:29

MR2, Eagle Talon, there’s no way you’d find a 280Z for that budget, maybe a Mitsubishi 3000GT? or were the base models FWD?

ocbrad1 used to be iamhoff but is now just wandering around > Patrick George
02/10/2016 at 01:29

Here’s a couple from the LA Craigslist.

1993 Lexus GS 300 (Gen 1 Aristo) Looks surprisingly clean.

1998 Toyota T100 . Automatic, but fits the P/U criteria G_Body_Man listed below, combined with Japanese quality. Hell, it might even be fun.

1998 Lexus GS 400 . I like this version (Gen 2) better than the Gen 1. Looks fairly clean (nighttime photos notwithstanding), but a Toyota 5 Series. What’s not to love?

1989 Toyota Pickup . 5 speed, 2wd, lower it and you can re-live the 80s with a lowered proper mini-truck. Upon reading your post, this is pretty much exactly what I was thinking of (actually I was specifically thinking about a Nissan Hardbody, but same basic difference. Hell, I’m thinking about this one!

1994 Acura Integra LS . I know you said no FWD and this one is an automatic, but you may be looking at the last unmolested Integra in all of Southern California! The only aftermarket item on this appears to be the leather wrap on the steering wheel. Even looks like it still has the factory tape deck. Sure miss my ‘96 LS 5m.

Enjoy!

pip bip - choose Corrour > Patrick George
02/10/2016 at 02:27

i’d get a Holden Commodore VN V6 and pocket the change.

CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) > Patrick George
02/10/2016 at 02:40

I’ve driven a Z31 (the dash is AMAZING) but it lacks power but revs decently hard compared to the matrix. Redline isn’t that high....but pulls nicely. Felt very heavy and was quite nice to drive. Much more tolerable to drive than my matrix. I’d get a MR2. Drop a 20v 4aGE and you’re set.

Wheelerguy > Patrick George
02/10/2016 at 03:41

Gah I want to top up but that’d mean supporting Big Mobile Game.

Can’t EA just take Real Racing 3 to PC already? I don’t care much if it isn’t as hardcore a sim as Forza or Assetto Corsa. As long as they remove premium purchases, rearrange the car series (I’ll write on that soon), get better skinning, open more upgrade trees for the weaker cars, add a dash of HDR, and put new cars and circuits (more of that semi-fictional street tracks, please!), and I’ll be sold.

nerd_racing > Patrick George
02/10/2016 at 08:39

Buy my rock solid MR2, no rot that I have found anywhere. 80k miles. Has a slight idle issue but I will be addressing that soon.

Kinja'd!!!

Only selling it because AZ-1 prices are going up fast as they near import age.

Kinja'd!!!

Has a nice stainless exhaust I bought from the UK too.

Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig > Patrick George
02/10/2016 at 10:11

An AW11 MR2. Then I’d spend the rest of the money fixing it up.

uofime-2 > gin-san - shitpost specialist
02/10/2016 at 11:50

If you really want a used WRX, go to local groups or forums. The members are usually more knowledgable so they do a better job, and they’ll be honest about whats been done. However, they also actually do “know what they have” so you’re unlikely to find incredible “deals”

uofime-2 > Boxer_4
02/10/2016 at 11:57

A guy in my local Subaru group just imported one of those engines and is trying to find a local shop to help him install it. A couple shops said they won’t touch that engine, apparently the TT is problematic....

Boxer_4 > uofime-2
02/10/2016 at 13:15

Is it going in an LHD or RHD chassis? That’s the biggest determining factor. The TT engines require a lot of custom work to fit in a LHD chassis, mainly moving the primary turbo (I initially said secondary turbo above).

As far as swaps go; the more complicated TT setup is less desireable for bigger power numbers than a single turbo setup, and have extra hassle and headaches that the single turbo engines don’t have. That’s probably why a lot of shops aren’t willing to touch it.

uofime-2 > Boxer_4
02/10/2016 at 14:42

Yeah its a regular LHD so I’m sure that is the problem

Boxer_4 > uofime-2
02/10/2016 at 20:22

Yeah, he’s going to have fun finding someone to swap that for him...