If you had $3k, and wanted an NA project car, what would you go for?

"RacecaR" (RacecaR) 02/01/2014 at 21:55 • Filed to: None

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Let's say you want a car to play with. You have a budget of about $3,000. Modifications would come later, but only when extra money comes about. You really like the idea of an NA powered car. What would you go after?

Now, here is a picture of a classic Celica.

Dsscats > RacecaR 02/01/2014 at 21:56

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300zx

dogisbadob > RacecaR 02/01/2014 at 22:00

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There are a lot of cool options out there!

Maybe a 70s Capri, or a 2ZZ Matrix/Vibe, possibly any old RWD Japanese car. The best would be a Jaguar X-Type wagon. I'm not really particular though.

Wait, does the car have to stay NA after finishing the project, or does it merely have to start out as NA? Because I'd want to swap in the Mazdaspeed 6 powertrain into an X-Type wagon.

RacecaR > dogisbadob 02/01/2014 at 22:01

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Yeah stay NA. If it is built, NA build.

CPT Speedbump > RacecaR 02/01/2014 at 22:03

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Miata. Mods to come later - Engine swap.

AthomSfere > RacecaR 02/01/2014 at 22:07

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This has been my project, in the making at least. I want to do this one day. Its weird, but I really want to do this!

AMC Eagle SX4 with:

A big ass blower:

And side exhaust

I love crazy mods, and so do chicks apparently.

flat6 > RacecaR 02/01/2014 at 22:10

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I asked myself this same question, then I bought a '74 Datsun 610 because I'm weird like that.

RacecaR > AthomSfere 02/01/2014 at 22:11

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Yeah, that is crazy! LOL

jariten1781 > RacecaR 02/01/2014 at 22:11

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Something from Detroit from the pimp era.

Grindintosecond > AthomSfere 02/01/2014 at 22:14

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.....and that chick looks like a chick with crazy mods...

Thisnewformatisrubbish > RacecaR 02/01/2014 at 22:15

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200sx.240sx or fd rx7 if you are lucky.

Louros > RacecaR 02/01/2014 at 22:17

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Miata, duh

Grindintosecond > RacecaR 02/01/2014 at 22:18

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$3k. well. for drag racing or something like that....Mustang! there's amazing things that can be done with a 5.0 on the cheap! For handling tho? Canyon roads and autocross or track days? Hmm....Ah! A fiero.....hear me out. Hear me out. It was Exceptionally close to equal with the 1g MR-2...autoweek proved that. Also they got the handling perfectly spot on in it's last year (88) so...that has the potential for greatness. There are any number of engine swaps to use as well....a Bonneville ssei supercharged engine bolts right up.....oh wait..N/A...the chevy 60deg.v6 has many many many things to be done for lots of fun power. It is the high value v6 in the present day Cadillacs you know...

Just ideas. I think too many people think about boost all the damn time. It's nice and all but making a all around fun car with n/a....less fire.

AthomSfere > Grindintosecond 02/01/2014 at 22:19

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Re-heally! I mean, look at those roots, obviously not a blonde...

Thisnewformatisrubbish > Grindintosecond 02/01/2014 at 22:20

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Best mustang mod... LS swap

Merlin34 > RacecaR 02/01/2014 at 22:23

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240sx hands down

Tyler's SVT Focus Hates Him > Louros 02/01/2014 at 22:23

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Is this yours? If it is I'm so jealous, that's the most gorgeous color combo I've ever seen on a Miata.

Louros > Tyler's SVT Focus Hates Him 02/01/2014 at 22:29

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Indeed it is mine. No need to be jealous, you could build one just like it for well under $5k

Grindintosecond > Thisnewformatisrubbish 02/01/2014 at 22:30

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Exactly. If you have to swap engines you have all the choices. I did see a magazine article lately on the ability to make the 5.0 Mustang valvetrain live at 8k rpm reliably without science fiction parts. That sort of thinking and work saves money all over. An LS swap into the fiero now.....That is a great thing.

Tyler's SVT Focus Hates Him > Louros 02/01/2014 at 22:36

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Y'know, I had originally planned to get an NA, but I was 17 and broke so had to get a loan from my mom who specified no RWD and no cars smaller than our Mazda3. Maybe when I'm out of college in a few years I can pick one up on the cheap, hopefully the nice ones like yours won't be too expensive by then :)

Louros > Tyler's SVT Focus Hates Him 02/01/2014 at 22:44

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Wait until you can afford one as a second car. It's a terrible daily driver. I didn't buy my first one until I was 24.

webmonkees > RacecaR 02/01/2014 at 22:49

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So that's 2500 left over for building the props, maybe put a ej22 in there for powwar..

Thanks to micro-controllers, most every feature can be replicated with LCDs to save weight. Still gotta have the rocket.

RacecaR > Grindintosecond 02/01/2014 at 22:49

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Keep forgetting about Fiero's, even though the other day I was discussing them with a coworker.

Tyler's SVT Focus Hates Him > Louros 02/01/2014 at 22:52

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I hear that. I've paid off my parents for my Focus and I've had to spend a ton in upkeep on the car so it's not like I'm swimming in cash at this point anyways, and I'm sure I'll have some other proper bills to pay off in the future. It's just a dream at this point, but it's always cool to see people like you who have built cars like that. You really do have a beautiful machine, man, congrats.

Thisnewformatisrubbish > Louros 02/01/2014 at 22:55

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I test drove a 1st gen miata, but at 6'1" and size 12 boots, it wasn't gonna daily. Never tried a newr mx5

banjo cat ghost of oppo past > RacecaR 02/01/2014 at 23:12

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+ LS donor ...the want of a G body has been strong lately

Desu-San-Desu > RacecaR 02/02/2014 at 00:06

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Modifications would include an N.A. K20A2 swap. >=D

GhostZ > RacecaR 02/02/2014 at 00:31

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Because Miatas are too slow.

JasonStern911 > Merlin34 02/02/2014 at 00:44

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Where I live, any S13 in the sub-$3k range is someone's abandoned project. :(

SteyrTMP > RacecaR 02/02/2014 at 00:45

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944.

JasonStern911 > RacecaR 02/02/2014 at 00:45

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Besides Miata? C4 Corvette. Solid handling car + small block Chevy V8.

Daniel > RacecaR 02/02/2014 at 02:38

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Easy one for me. Old VR6 GTI. Found one on CL the other day going for just over $3K, sure I could wrangle the price down to 3K. Even had a manual.

crowmolly > JasonStern911 02/02/2014 at 09:33

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While I've always said that the C4 catches a lot of flak it doesn't deserve, and I'd own a nice one myself if I had the chance, a $3000 C4 is probably an early one, and a POS at that.

TheD0k_2many toys 2little time > RacecaR 02/02/2014 at 09:35

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How about an NA Miata? You could get a project one for half of that and do many a things to it. Or if you had a little bit double that i bought an 03 with 56,xxx.

JasonStern911 > crowmolly 02/02/2014 at 17:14

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probably true, but most sports cars in the $3,000 price range are going to be POSs. if the car is going to be a project car, might as well get one with lots of untapped potential.

BlythBros. > RacecaR 02/02/2014 at 17:25

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Alfa Milano Platinum. LSD, 4.10 rear, suede seat inserts.

YSI-what can brown do for you > RacecaR 02/02/2014 at 23:41

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So glad I am not the only one thinking 240sx.

Team6.1 > flat6 02/03/2014 at 21:34

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2 door, 4 door, or wagon? Also I must be weird too because I want a 510. Or a 620, because sexy micro truck with too much power sounds like a dream come true

flat6 > Team6.1 02/03/2014 at 21:44

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I really, really wanted a coupe, but I ended up grabbing a 4-door. If the condition wasn't as great as it is, I would have passed on it, but it's all original and the body is almost perfect. It's like 97% rust-free. Also, it's not weird to want a 510...but a 610? Yes, that's weird. Also, I used to own a '74 620 pickup and I loved that little bastard. Great truck, and I wish I never had to sell it.

rightfullrudder: Resident Pontiac Apologist > RacecaR 02/07/2014 at 13:36

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Lovingly nurse a 1994-1996 Impala SS back to health from the horrors of a donked past.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > RacecaR 02/17/2014 at 13:57

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Montego. $2,500. Sorry for crazy late reply to this thread lol just found it.

BrainForest > RacecaR 02/24/2014 at 11:51

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One of these, with the 4-cyl (easier to work on).

Class.