Hey look, another what car thread!

Well I will say this.

It is small, tossable and gets good gas mileage compare to an ocean liner.

Edit: Does it have to be a newer car?

93EXCivic wrote: Well I will say this. It is small, tossable and gets good gas mileage compare to an ocean liner. Edit: Does it have to be a newer car?

ROFL!!!

It doesn't HAVE to be a newer car. It just has to be anvil reliable. Toyota Sunchaser is also on the list, but the chances of me finding a good one in my price range are somewhat slim.

I refuse to mess with anything British, if that's what you're getting at.

92CelicaHalfTrac wrote:

93EXCivic wrote: Well I will say this. It is small, tossable and gets good gas mileage compare to an ocean liner. Edit: Does it have to be a newer car?

ROFL!!! It doesn't HAVE to be a newer car. It just has to be anvil reliable. Toyota Sunchaser is also on the list, but the chances of me finding a good one in my price range are somewhat slim. I refuse to mess with anything British, if that's what you're getting at.

Me suggest a British car. Never!

I have always thought old American cars make great road trip cars. How about a Dodge Dart convertible with a slant 6 or classic Mustang with the 6 cylinder? I think it would make a great cruiser with decent gas mileage.

Other suggestions Alfa Spider (driving position can be a bit odd IMHO), BMW 3-series convertible (the boring choice), Datsun 2000, Mercedes 450 SL, VW Karman Ghia, VW Rabbit convertible, C4 Corvette convertible, RX7

Or you could get this bad boy.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Dodge-Ram-Charger-Convertible-Truck-/260788946991?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item3cb83b882f

93EXCivic wrote:

92CelicaHalfTrac wrote:

93EXCivic wrote: Well I will say this. It is small, tossable and gets good gas mileage compare to an ocean liner. Edit: Does it have to be a newer car?

ROFL!!! It doesn't HAVE to be a newer car. It just has to be anvil reliable. Toyota Sunchaser is also on the list, but the chances of me finding a good one in my price range are somewhat slim. I refuse to mess with anything British, if that's what you're getting at.

Me suggest a British car. Never! I have always thought old American cars make great road trip cars. How about a Dodge Dart convertible with a slant 6 or classic Mustang with the 6 cylinder? I think it would make a great cruiser with decent gas mileage. Other suggestions Alfa Spider (driving position can be a bit odd IMHO), BMW 3-series convertible (the boring choice), Datsun 2000, Mercedes 450 SL, VW Karman Ghia, VW Rabbit convertible, C4 Corvette convertible, RX7 Or you could get this bad boy. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Dodge-Ram-Charger-Convertible-Truck-/260788946991?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item3cb83b882f

A Datsun 2000 would work if i could find one nice enough. RX7 could work, again if i find one nice enough. E30 vert could work if i could find one nice enough. My concern with these three is reliability/finding one good enough in my "cash" price range.

Alfa, no. Mercedes, no, it's a boat, and is lacking a man pedal. The VWs, no thanks. Not enough power and/or wrong wheel drive. The C4 vette, HELL NO.

And no trucks.

In reply to 92CelicaHalfTrac:

For $5-$8k you should be able to find a mint RX7, E30 or Datsun 2000.

The nice thing about the Datsun is that it is a classic by this point and you probably won't lose money on it. Also it will turn heads.

93EXCivic wrote: In reply to 92CelicaHalfTrac: For $5-$8k you should be able to find a mint RX7, E30 or Datsun 2000. The nice thing about the Datsun is that it is a classic by this point and you probably won't lose money on it. Also it will turn heads.

I won't have $5-$8k cash, though. Cash limit is $3-4k. $5-$8k is finance limit.

Wait a second. What about a S2000??? Or if you can find one a S600?

93EXCivic wrote: Wait a second. What about a S2000??? Or if you can find one a S600?

I like S2000s, but i'd rather have a Miata or an MR-S before one. Nothing wrong with them, just a little more techno-gimmicky than what i'm looking for. Don't really need something so strung-out like one. Plus they get a LOT of attention around here.

If i came across a KILLER deal on one, though, i don't think i would turn it down.

I have a feeling that deep down i'm wanting input between an MR-S, NA, and NB with the pricing and "end needs/wants" out of the car that i laid down.

Personally I would rather have the MRS over the Miata but then again I would rather have a TR6 or Spitfire or Midget over any of them so take my opinion with a grain of salt.

300ZX convertible?

93EXCivic wrote: Personally I would rather have the MRS over the Miata but then again I would rather have a TR6 or Spitfire or Midget over any of them so take my opinion with a grain of salt.

Out of the box, i'd rather have the MR-S as well. I'm just worried about being able to do all the cool little stuff that an NA would have available to it.

Plus, hardtops for MR-S are EXPENSIVE. Sadface.

And no... no 300zx convertible. They're hard to find in good shape, and have you driven one? UGH.

Need a small, nimble car, don't necessarily car that much about power as long as i don't fall asleep before i hit legal speed limits.

In reply to 92CelicaHalfTrac:

I am not a fan of the 300ZX really either I am just throwing out suggestions. I don't really care for the Miata or E30 either.

Z3/4?

535is

Giant Purple Snorklewacker wrote:

I think this is a good idea except a convertible.

neon4891 wrote: Z3/4?

Thought about those... SWMBO wasn't too psyched about them, but i'm somewhat open to them. Would maintaining one be THAT much worse than the Toyota/Mazda offerings? After the initial ~5000 mile road trip, i doubt i'd see more than 10k miles a year on whatever i get.

92CelicaHalfTrac wrote:

neon4891 wrote: Z3/4?

Thought about those... SWMBO wasn't too psyched about them, but i'm somewhat open to them. Would maintaining one be THAT much worse than the Toyota/Mazda offerings? After the initial ~5000 mile road trip, i doubt i'd see more than 10k miles a year on whatever i get.

I believe they have the standard BMW cooling system problems

92CelicaHalfTrac wrote:

DukeOfUndersteer wrote: E30?

Good! More ideas. (Is the a/c in E30s worth writing home about? Will the a/c in a clean $2500 E30 work?) Thought exercise at the moment. I have a perfect car that satisfies all requirements except for A/C currently, but i'm not putting a/c back on it because well... i can't.

So, this thread has moved way past this, but I thought I'd comment on AC in an E30 (at least mine...) - I'm in Tucson, and it does pretty darn well up to about the low 100s, then struggles a little.

Did any of these ever escape Japan?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1988-Camaro-Iroc-Z-28-/170645215745?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item27bb3f5a01

aussiesmg wrote: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1988-Camaro-Iroc-Z-28-/170645215745?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item27bb3f5a01

Nice thought, but i don't really want another Camaro. Looking for small-ish displacement. More handling than power. I already have a ground-pounder or 3 in my arsenal.

Jay wrote: Did any of these ever escape Japan?

I don't believe they did. Don't think they work in budget constraints, either.

Has anyone here owned more than one of the following?

NA/NB Miata
MR-S
BMW Z3 (6-cylinder only)

If so, thoughts? Maintaining, gas mileage, handling, comfort, quality, etc etc etc.

Don't REALLY care about autox/trackday performance.

Bonus points if one of you guys with the MR-S did the Celica GTS/6spd swap.

92CelicaHalfTrac wrote: Has anyone here owned more than one of the following? NA/NB Miata MR-S BMW Z3 (6-cylinder only) If so, thoughts? Maintaining, gas mileage, handling, comfort, quality, etc etc etc. Don't REALLY care about autox/trackday performance. Bonus points if one of you guys with the MR-S did the Celica GTS/6spd swap.

No, I haven't, so I'm going to answer your question like I'm an expert!

I'm assuming you know all about the Miata's just from being on this board for years. But easy to maintain, I'm averaging 28 MPG over 560 miles, 200 of that highway, with 1 autocross in there, wonderful handling, quality, not so comfortable getting in and out of, seats leave something to be desired.

I have nothing but good things to say about the Z3, but the only one I've driven was in an autocross and was fully prepped for STR. No knowledge beyond that.

The reason I never looked at MRS's (well, I did for a second) was that you can't bring anything with you. You say you want enough stuff for 2 people packing lightly.... You are going to be cutting it really close. I'd do a test-fit with your luggage first thing when looking at those cars. I'm sure it can be done, but it will probably take some creative packaging.

One other thought: E30 'vert, like the one in my avatar. Comfy, I've averaged 32 MPG before (1.8 four cylinder), my average average MPG is 27, and can be made to handle really well with a decent alignment and maybe some shocks/springs.

I've owned more than one NA Miata if that helps

Maintaining - easy and cheap.
Gas mileage - 30-31 no matter how I drive.
Handling - quite good.
Comfort - decent, somewhat noisy for long trips.
Quality - good.
Etc. - Buy one!