Decisions, Decisions, Decisions…

I am looking for a new toy for creating mayhem on the back roads of Western Washington and the local autocross circuits (maybe a track day or two) and I would like input on a few different options. My ideal car would be reliable enough for summer drives (not a daily driver) and fairly easy for DYI projects. If the car ever sees the inside of a shop other than my garage it will be a blow to my ego . My favorite public playground is in the Cascade foothills with lots of 15 and 25mph posted corners so I have no intention of power slides at 100mph or anything else potentially fatal.

I could swing maybe $10K if I promise my wife that this will end my constant griping about driving the Minivan, but $5,000-$7,500 would be much easier to swing.

My first thought was a G1 Miata (94-97) with a removable hard top (It rains a LOT here) , but I am 6’5”, wear a 56 X-long Jacket and have a 34” inseam so I am guessing that would be too tight of a squeeze. I have seen a lot of back and forth on that issue and my perception is that a Miata is great for a tall skinny guy, but less than ideal for a NFL linebacker type. I did try out a new Miata and found that my left knee constantly hit the steering wheel when I let out the clutch but the RX8 fit perfectly.

At the opposite end of the spectrum we have the Corvette. I am thinking the LT1 from the early 90’s, you know where the front opens up like an old spitfire. I do fit in those and I don’t look completely out of scale when sitting in one. On the plus side parts are just about free (well, compared to my old 911 Turbo) and the car is easy to work on. Oh, and fast. I think a Corvette could even may driving I-5 interesting…illegal…but interesting.

On the down side, they don’t seem to hold up very well and I get the impression that there is a lot of “jiggle” that goes along with driving a Corvette hard. In addition, driving a Corvette hard seems like it would be impossible given an autocross course or my local roads. What’s it like to drive a Corvette on a twisty road at 50-60? I would think that the Corvette may just kind of seem big, junkie and heavy in that environment. Still…they look cool and do not depreciate.

Then there is that 300ZX, say 91-95. I don’t really know anything about those but they seem intriguing. Now the NA version would probably be plenty quick for my needs but I am worried about their mechanical / electrical components. I have never worked on a Nissan, but I would assume they are reasonably easy to work on with a traditional RWD layout. The trouble is finding one without a hideous body kit, 6’ rear wing and 200,000 miles. I guess if there are cars out there with 200,000 miles then the Nissan motors must last a while.

If you like working on cars yourself stay away from the 300ZX. Absolutely no room to work under that hood.

Remember the triumvirate, Miata (you already ruled that one out so...), E30, P71.

;)

mmmmm, E30, mmmmmm 325is may be a good way to go, How about the E36, there are a few M50B30 M3s around here for less than 10K.

Whats a P71?

e36 M3

(the car, not the body function)

Or an early Boxster if you're a gambling man... .

P71 is an ex cop car.

I thought about the Boxter, but then I checked out the “used car classic” article in R&T where it states the “power pack” is intended to be removed and replaced at 100,000 miles. A new remanufactured “power pack” runs $7,000 from Auto Atlanta. Ouch!

Paying $750 for a clutch disk once pretty much cured me of Porsche ownership for a long…long…time.

if you are going to consider the E30.. might I also try and steer you towards the E36/5? The compact or 318ti has similar underpinnings to the E30, but in a more robust and rust proof shell.

It also takes larger tyres and you can go to the larger six cylinder e36s and the e46 for "stock" upgrades in suspension and brakes

Any Corvette Fans?

How about a 2nd and 3rd gen RX7 turbo... if you don't mind the magical spinning triangles.

driver109x wrote: How about a 2nd and 3rd gen RX7 turbo... if you don't mind the magical spinning triangles.

Are there any 3G RX-7s out there for less then $10K? Everyone I have seen is like $20K or is in need of a mid-life restoration ($$$$$).

Rotary might be a good way to go, Didn't the last of the Turbo IIs have 200HP, that's not bad. I know a great local rotary specialist too.

turboswede wrote: How about the E36, there are a few M50B30 M3s around here for less than 10K.

I've had 2 and they are simply fantastic cars. I bought both used and drove each for several years without any serious issues whatsoever. They do everything well, even in bone stock form.

dyintorace wrote:

turboswede wrote: How about the E36, there are a few M50B30 M3s around here for less than 10K.

I've had 2 and they are simply fantastic cars. I bought both used and drove each for several years without any serious issues whatsoever. They do everything well, even in bone stock form.

Bang, you got me. This is what I really want but I am scared of that $7,000 rebuild cost. The other parts seem to be in line with any other E36 Bimmer, why does it cost twice as much to go through the (cast iron) US M3 motor. Cant you just bore the block .30 over and slap in a set of plus sized rings?

Whereabouts in Western Washington are you and where do you autocross?

P71 is an ex cop car (Crown Vic) and probably not what you're looking for.

I'd say a 2nd Gen (FC) RX-7 Turbo II is right up your alley. Fast, fun, and legendary handling. They can also be found for $5K in nice shape. Upgrades are plentiful and they are easy to work on.

I'm also a huge Corvette fan though. I don't think a C4 will provide the same entertainment as an RX-7. You may want to look into C5's (97-04). They have the LS1/T56 combo and took a HUGE depreciation dive when the C6's came out.

Another option is a 1st Generation Rx-7. Slower out of the box but just as upgradeable, plus a lot lower buy-in. I'm pretty big (5'10" 235) and I fit in one with helmet no sweat. It also has that sweet reverse-hinge hood. It's the perfect little car for mountain runs up here as it's basically a coupe Miata.

I am in Lake Tapps (well near Lake Tapps actually) and so desperate for something fun to drive I found myself switching off the traction control and manually shifting the family Odyssey. Hey, it’s not that bad and in a quick transition can be provoked into trailing throttle oversteer…

FC that's already swapped to a V8.

turboswede wrote: What’s it like to drive a Corvette on a twisty road at 50-60? I would think that the Corvette may just kind of seem big, junkie and heavy in that environment.

hah!

they are a blast and do not feel big or heavy.

almost as good as sex is how i'd describe a vette on a twisty road.

the quality over time is there, you can't get much more bulletproof than a small block chevy.

turboswede wrote:

dyintorace wrote:

turboswede wrote: How about the E36, there are a few M50B30 M3s around here for less than 10K.

I've had 2 and they are simply fantastic cars. I bought both used and drove each for several years without any serious issues whatsoever. They do everything well, even in bone stock form.

Bang, you got me. This is what I really want but I am scared of that $7,000 rebuild cost. The other parts seem to be in line with any other E36 Bimmer, why does it cost twice as much to go through the (cast iron) US M3 motor. Cant you just bore the block .30 over and slap in a set of plus sized rings?

No such thing as a $7k rebuild, AFAIK. A buddy bought a low mileage S50 and transmission for $2500 from a very reputable BMW used parts dealer. That wasn't due to a popped motor though. He's in the process of dropping that motor into a non-M3 e30.

I have nooooo idea where that is. I googled it and you're not too far away. I imagine you can autocross in Packwood easily Our band of Rx-7 autocrossers will be invading Packwood often this year.

my Bimmer has been as reliable as gravity.. and it was BADLY abused before I got it. Honestly, I do not know how I got it home from western mass to south jersey... it was that bad.

You can also get a E36 328.. with the 325's intake manifold and an adaptor kit to fit your throttle body and a remap.. you are looking at s50/52 levels of power

P71 wrote: I have nooooo idea where that is. I googled it and you're not too far away. I imagine you can autocross in Packwood easily Our band of Rx-7 autocrossers will be invading Packwood often this year.

Yup Packwood is a nice drive down 410, SIR / Pac Raceways is closer though. Hope to get out to Packwood this year, hopefuly not in the Oddsey.

No such thing as a $7k rebuild, AFAIK. A buddy bought a low mileage S50 and transmission for $2500 from a very reputable BMW used parts dealer. That wasn't due to a popped motor though. He's in the process of dropping that motor into a non-M3 e30.

AFAIK?

You could get a clean <80k mile early E46 323 for well under $10k. I sold my '99 328i (very early E46 production) with 168k miles for $6500 last summer, and it still ran and handled well enough to out run every E36 M3 at the last BMWCCA autocross I ran with it. I've seen 330i cars with ~100k miles asking $11-12k locally here on the other coast.

All that being said, if you're looking for a 3rd car/fun summer car I wouldn't spend that kind of coin. Year round daily driver, absolutely. In your situation I'd be looking for a cheap E30, early RX7, etc.

turboswede wrote: AFAIK?

As Far As I Know

Keep the targa roof on a C4 Vette and they're solid. Buy late/low miles and Bob's your uncle. Every generation gets better, though, so if you can swing a C5, you won't regret it.

I have both of the cars you're interested in. They're more similar than you'd think. The Corvette is powerful, but easy to drive quickly. The MIata is nimble, and easy to drive quickly. Both are a blast on the track or on the autox course.

I don't think I could choose between them. Both are equally reliable, although parts are much cheaper for the Corvette. However, tires, brakes, and fuel cost significantly more. It's easier to find restoration parts for the Corvette, thanks to the huge aftermarket.

All of my Miata friends have enjoyed driving the Corvette hard -- they feel more similar than different. Trust me, I've only owned Miatas, Rabbits, and CRXs before the C4. If it felt like a pig I wouldn't own one. The Corvette is also much lighter than you'd think -- a tick over 3200 pounds. That's almost a featherweight in this day of 3000 pound Honda Civics.

Both cars make me laugh out loud. Both make me smile. Both are in storage right now :(

Keith has the answer, though -- an LS1 Miata is likely the best of both worlds :)