I need a cheap(-er or -ish), RWD, performance vehicle in my life. Suggestions?

"d15b" (d15b7)
05/05/2016 at 22:58 • Filed to: MIATA IS NOT THE ANSWER, SO MANY HONDAS WOW

No, Miata is NOT the answer. I already have a ‘93 Civic del Sol for convertible duties. I also have ‘12 TSX for long distance driving duties. I need some RWD in my life.

I am also starting to play Gran Turismo/Forza for realsies with soon-to-be three cars.

Suggestions?

List of requirements:

RWD

Budget is $5k up to $20k-$25k, MAYBE $30k

Two-door or Four-door is okay

Manual (Gotta save ‘em!)

Maintenance should not be extremely expensive

Edits:

This is going to be my toy, so let’s get “maintenance” out of the way

Need to be a manual. Because left-foot braking, heel-toe and match rev

‘93 del Sol:

‘12 TSX SE:

DISCUSSION (67)

OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars > d15b
05/05/2016 at 23:04

Tundra with the stepside?

Frank Grimes > d15b
05/05/2016 at 23:04

I like how you compare the honda to the miata like they are the same cuz they both dont have roofs when you want.

d15b > OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars
05/05/2016 at 23:05

Much truck. Too heavy. Need more turn power.

d15b > Frank Grimes
05/05/2016 at 23:06

Both are open air cars. There needs to be some differentiation between vehicles in the fleet.

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > d15b
05/05/2016 at 23:08

Based on what you said, possibly a Toyobaru. Or maybe a 370Z

wafflesnfalafel > d15b
05/05/2016 at 23:08

Nissan hardbody! (Hang that tail out!) Late brake and back it into corners. And you can haul furniture in the bed!

d15b > Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap
05/05/2016 at 23:09

Maybe the Toyobaru... I’m not a fan of the VQ engines.

interstate366, now In The Industry > d15b
05/05/2016 at 23:11

R32 GTS-T (half-joking)

Birddog > d15b
05/05/2016 at 23:13

Find a Dodge Omni GLH Turbo. They can be built into monsters on a U-Pull It budget.

d15b > interstate366, now In The Industry
05/05/2016 at 23:13

California :(

RiceRocketeer Extraordinaire > d15b
05/05/2016 at 23:18

IS300

d15b > Birddog
05/05/2016 at 23:20

At first, I was like :

Kinja'd!!!

because cheap, RWD, short wheel base?!

But then I looked it up and it’s a FF.

Kinja'd!!!

Very oppo suggestion, though.

JasonStern911 > d15b
05/05/2016 at 23:20

$25k will get you a well maintained 996 in your choice of RWD/AWD and hardtop/sunroof/cabriolet.

‘Merican answer is C5, which $25k will get you a well maintained C5 in your choice of Z06 or any combination FRC/hatch/convertible. Base model C6s are also an option..

d15b > RiceRocketeer Extraordinaire
05/05/2016 at 23:20

Adding that to the list.

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > d15b
05/05/2016 at 23:21

Genesis coupe?

The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock > d15b
05/05/2016 at 23:22

W30 MR2? 2190lbs, rev happy engine, and you can get a lsd if you buy a 2004+ model year.

Kinja'd!!!

d15b > JasonStern911
05/05/2016 at 23:22

I did not realize that. Adding to list.

d15b > The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock
05/05/2016 at 23:24

Damn it, I already have a convertible. Unless...I get a hardtop and call it a day..

TractorPillow > d15b
05/05/2016 at 23:24

This is easy. Lotus Elise. Or if you're feeling more mature, Cayman.

Birddog > d15b
05/05/2016 at 23:25

I missed the RWD part.

Sorry..

But. Even a half assed build would be in the 12s in the 1/4 and be able to AutoX well.

d15b > TractorPillow
05/05/2016 at 23:25

Adding this to the list. Thanks for the suggestion.

d15b > Birddog
05/05/2016 at 23:26

The RWD is a must. All I have are FWD vehicles.

d15b > Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap
05/05/2016 at 23:26

Adding that to the list.

MLGCarGuy > d15b
05/05/2016 at 23:27

I’m really stretching the budget, but some IS Fs can be had for just under $30k. They’re quite fun cars to drive.

The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock > d15b
05/05/2016 at 23:27

Toyota offered a hard top option for Europe, and Japan. So a hard top could be sourced easily. The US market only got the soft top.

d15b > wafflesnfalafel
05/05/2016 at 23:28

Mini trucks, 4 lyfe.

Birddog > d15b
05/05/2016 at 23:28

I get it. And props for not Miataing!

TractorPillow > d15b
05/05/2016 at 23:28

Had a “high” mileage Elise (62k) for two years and had zero issues in 15k miles i put on her. I have a terribly heavy foot too. The Cayman S I've had for a couple months and am seriously in love. Got lucky finding a local 6-speed in immaculate condition.

d15b > TractorPillow
05/05/2016 at 23:28

What year is the Cayman S?

d15b > The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock
05/05/2016 at 23:30

I actually like this suggestion in place of a Miata. Thanks.

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > d15b
05/05/2016 at 23:33

It fulfills all your requirements and used ones are probably pretty cheap leaving lots of room for mods.

d15b > Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap
05/05/2016 at 23:34

Definitely going to think about it.

Bytemite > d15b
05/05/2016 at 23:35

Sell the Del Sol. Buy a Miata.

Like seriously, Miata is the answer here and you’re avoiding it just because your other car has an open top? The Del Sol is hardly a convertible. There is a big difference between the Del Sol t-top and low visibility convertible experience and the Miata’s low beltline and completely open air view 360 degree convertible experience. Short wheelbase, RWD, great rev happy engine, perfect ergonomics. I would not spend 20k on a toy honestly. 5k will get you NB or a pristine NA. You can also get a MR2 sw20 turbo, 3rd gen MR2 spyder, or an AW11 Supercharged.

JasonStern911 > d15b
05/05/2016 at 23:36

If you’re serious about considering the 996, view my relevant past posts. Summary is do a pre-purchase inspection and that, yes, they have problems, but every major common problem combined can be addressed for under $5k. So if the seller hasn’t maintained the car/the pre-purchase inspection shows anything, talk the seller down and be okay willing to walk away. There are enough Porsche enthusiasts out there that love the cars so that you can get one that is either worth owning or doing light restoration on. An abused Porsche will bankrupt you.

Corvettes run truck motors so junkyards are full of replacement parts (not a bad thing). They’re much more common and it’s much easier to find one owned by an old man trying to show off that never pushed the car hard outside of a few WOT runs. Due to their price and availability, they’re also much more likely to have fallen into abusive hands, and “seems like a nice old man” could easily mean “midlife crisis guy bought a beater”. A leakdown test during a PPI should eliminate most of those concerns, though.

The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock > d15b
05/05/2016 at 23:39

The only problem is be finding tires. The 2000-2002 model years had 185/55/15 (front), 205/50/15 (rear). 2003-2005 had the same size front, but 215/45/16 (rear). Those sizes are impossible to find matching tires.

http://blog.tirerack.com/blog/roll-on/i…

d15b > The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock
05/05/2016 at 23:40

I’m sure I can make it work. 2004+ is the one I want?

d15b > JasonStern911
05/05/2016 at 23:43

Those are two vehicles WOULD not even be in my consideration set had you mentioned it.

Both very different vehicles. Very Oppo response. Thank you.

The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock > d15b
05/05/2016 at 23:46

I’ve never owned one, so I would not know. Toyota only sold 2800 in 2004, and 780 in 2005 then Toyota stopped importing them to the USA. So they are not very common.

d15b > Bytemite
05/05/2016 at 23:51

The del Sol stays because of sentimental reasons.

Also, it has brand new bushings from an Energy Suspension Master Kit, 25 MM front sway bar, 23MM rear sway bar, brand new tires and a shock and spring combination which works for me.

I’ll add the Toyotas to the list, and I’ll spend up to $30k because it’s my budget. Thanks!

d15b > The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock
05/05/2016 at 23:52

Okay, well it goes on the list. Thank you, my fellow western hemisphere dweller!

JasonStern911 > d15b
05/05/2016 at 23:59

non-oppo responsible response: deprication and liquidity do exist. so buy a car at the bottom of its depreciation curve that is desirable enough to find a buyer willing to buy the car at a reasonable price should you need to sell it.

d15b > JasonStern911
05/06/2016 at 00:02

Good point, but I am the “buy it and keep it forever” type. I’ll give your profile a look through on 996 posts.

So, you would recommend having $5k-$7k in “uh-oh” funds for a 996?

Jayhawk Jake > d15b
05/06/2016 at 00:15

I’m sure someone said it, but Corvette. Done.

jdrgoat - Ponticrack? > d15b
05/06/2016 at 00:20

I have a friend with a turbo, E85, VTEC del sol. It’s fairly legitimately fast.

He wanted rwd, too.

He bought a 240SX.

Pretty sure that he was staying way under your budget, though. And I have another suggestion that stays well under your budget, but also isn’t ratted out or under the influence of a drift tax. LS1 GTO. (Or LS2.) And it’s nothing like the other cars that you already have. The wave of torque whenever you roll into the throttle (you’ll love 3rd gear). The handling doesn’t entirely hide its weight, but is way more capable than you expect at the same time. And the interior is actually quite good, too. With seats that are comfortable for a drive that can go on for hours and hours (ask me how I know).

Anyways, let me know when I’ve talked you into it. And I’ll tell you more reasons why it’s the right choice.

d15b > Jayhawk Jake
05/06/2016 at 00:52

Yessir, C5 and C6 reporting for duty.

d15b > jdrgoat - Ponticrack?
05/06/2016 at 00:55

I do remember those Pontiac GTOs. I’ll add that car to the list.

Let’s keep it to similar cars. Why a GTO vs. a C5/C6?

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > d15b
05/06/2016 at 02:05

Dare I say it... Celica/Supra?

d15b > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
05/06/2016 at 02:10

Oh ZOOOIDBERG.

Added to the list.

Liam Farrell > d15b
05/06/2016 at 07:04

My dad had a ‘93 Del Sol he bought new. What version is yours?

TTercel > d15b
05/06/2016 at 08:46

S2000!

TractorPillow > d15b
05/06/2016 at 09:36

d15b > Liam Farrell
05/06/2016 at 09:55

It’s a 5 speed with a D15B7, 102 HP when new. Drive slow-car fast!

d15b > TTercel
05/06/2016 at 09:55

I probably should add NSX as well.

d15b > TractorPillow
05/06/2016 at 09:56

New-ish enough to consider. Thanks.

JR1 > d15b
05/06/2016 at 10:45

Shelby GT500?

d15b > JR1
05/06/2016 at 10:48

To the list it goes!

TTercel > d15b
05/06/2016 at 11:14

The two are both great and reliable, it all depends what you want out of them. The NSX does not have the Honda stigma attached to it which is nice, but you will be paranoid about keeping it mint.

OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars > d15b
05/06/2016 at 12:27

A 1984 Mark2 Supra is best Supra IMO. The Mark3 are not as pretty, but a Mark1 could also be really cool. You could also get a stupid horsepower pretty well built Mark4 for around 25k I think.

OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars > d15b
05/06/2016 at 12:28

Manual conversion sports lorry.

d15b > OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars
05/06/2016 at 13:25

Straight angles, boxy flares, it’s the 80's! What’s not to love?

d15b > OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars
05/06/2016 at 13:25

So that Dodge with the Viper engine in it?

OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars > d15b
05/06/2016 at 13:27

Well, since you took maintenance off requirement list, yes haha.

Dogapult > OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars
05/09/2016 at 17:04

My friend Jeff has a Mk1. it’s sadly gotten pretty rotten as of late.

Dogapult > d15b
05/09/2016 at 17:06

if you budgeted 25k, you could get a Cali-legal one. I don’t want to turn this into lots of talking about import and legalities and etc. but from what my research has shown, it’s about $10,000 over cost of car to get Cali-legal on “JDM” imports, and you can get a very nice GTS-T for $15k.

OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars > Dogapult
05/09/2016 at 18:22

SAVE THE MARK1

d15b > Dogapult
05/09/2016 at 18:54

It’s too much of a grey (gray?) area for me.

Niko's Work Account > d15b
06/14/2016 at 12:51

No you dont, you just want to be cool on the internet