Fun Car

[SumoDog68]

Hi Everyone
I am trying to get some thoughts on buying a fun car for some weekend driving. When i say weekend driving i mean something that will be driven say 20 weekends a year and maybe tinkered with occasionally. Still it would have to be generally reliable. As my daily driver is automatic (my first auto in 20 years of driving) i would want a manual transmission.
Now the $$$ bit. My budget extends betwen 10 to 15 k which i know it is not a lot, so the car is going to be of older vintage. Am i kidding myself on this budget ,or it is possible to source fun manual car with decent performance and handling for 15 k. Looking forward to your opinions guys. Cheers!

[Mungrel]

15 K, try find a cheap ls1, put a rip shifter in it and some diff gears, find a twisty back road, and your set!

[El Narros]

Try an MX5

[vyssbeast]

How much older are you thinking??

You can pick up a cheap VT (II) SS and add abit of mods to it and you'll have a reliable car that you can even use daily.

Or that might not be what you are after?

[spotty]

Hi Everyone
I am trying to get some thoughts on buying a fun car for some weekend driving. When i say weekend driving i mean something that will be driven say 20 weekends a year and maybe tinkered with occasionally. Still it would have to be generally reliable. As my daily driver is automatic (my first auto in 20 years of driving) i would want a manual transmission.
Now the $$$ bit. My budget extends betwen 10 to 15 k which i know it is not a lot, so the car is going to be of older vintage. Am i kidding myself on this budget ,or it is possible to source fun manual car with decent performance and handling for 15 k. Looking forward to your opinions guys. Cheers!

i could sell u my clubbie but its auto an i want about 19k if you are interested or any one else 95 model done under 100 000

[SumoDog68]

How much older are you thinking??

You can pick up a cheap VT (II) SS and add abit of mods to it and you'll have a reliable car that you can even use daily.

Or that might not be what you are after?

I am open to sugestions. I expect slight Holden bias (but thats ok ,the fun car might just be a Holden). MX5 sounds like an option too,those things are renowned for their handling. Because the car would be an occasional weekend car it does to have some sort of fun factor,either handling,or power or just a v8 exhaust note...

[Mungrel]

how much are the new suzuki swifts?
they look pretty sporty and look as if they handle pretty good.
heck you might even be able to get a brand newy and you wont get any more reliable than that!

Edit: $15990, not a bad price, u could certainly get it down to 15 even i reckon.

might not be what your after, but someone else on her purchased one a few months back and seems to enjoy it.

[Lloyd1986]

Triumph spitfire, :D or a little MG. Might not be exceedingly quick but they feel quick, they are like little go-karts to drive. My dream is to get a V12 E-type as a weekend car... thats a little more than 15k tho :(

Edit: Dont get a suzuki swift. I would rather cut off my genitals than be seen in a Suzuki

"Oh nice Holden youve got there"

"Yeah its not bad, I have another car for some fun on the weekends tho"

"Oh yea? What is it?"

"A Suzuki Swift "

"Oh.... *runs away*"

[Road Warrior]

Get a bunkie Sigma and put an LS1 in it :headbang:

EDIT: Make that an LS2

[Mungrel]

Edit: Dont get a suzuki swift. I would rather cut off my genitals than be seen in a Suzuki


i'll get the knife :evil::stick:

[Gteeez]

If not the larger Holden V8 option, mid to late 90's model Nissan 200SX. In your price range, plenty around so can't imagine it would be too hard to find one that's been looked after.

[Growler]

Buy an early MX5 with the 1.6 B6 (A very good one should only be about $10-11k), then get a jap import 323 GRX-R B6 turbo motor (about $2k) add $3k for odds and ends and you have a very cheep turbo MX5.

[RAWKUS]

Why is anyone suggesting any thing other than a Holden V8?
Get a clean HZ-WB 308 One tonner $5000,
Good Spray Job $2000,
Retrimmed interior $1000,
Engine work: Bottom end 383 stroker rebuild, Lumpy as hell roller cam and lifters, EFI heads, Tunnel Ram, Hi energy sump and hi flow oil pump, 800 cfm Strip dominator carb, Big pipes, Thermos, twin Holley blue fuel pumps $5000
9 inch with 4:11's $1500
3000 Hi stall and rebuild Turbo 400 or Powerglide $2500
Weld rims: front runners and 15 x 10 rear......oops over 15k already!!
.......Sorry getting carried away with my fun car desires.

Point is, go muscle!!............ Show, Go and Eardrum Blow!
You'll have fun building it and these type of machines turn heads.
Might even be good for a 10 sec quarter.:shiner::kneel::astavista:

[VX_SS_II]

Depends what sort of driving you personally consider fun...

Some of the turbos can be cheap (to buy) and fun.

RS Turbo Liberty, R32 Skyline etc...

Personally if i was after a weekender I'd get another V8 Torana, I loved that car, but its not everyones idea of fun...

[BLACKWAGON]

dont know the price range but im guessing too high, few months ago up Jamieson way there were a heap of citroen, focus etc etc having a ball up thru the twisties, looked like alot of fun.


Depends what sort of driving you personally consider fun...

Some of the turbos can be cheap (to buy) and fun.

RS Turbo Liberty, R32 Skyline etc...

Personally if i was after a weekender I'd get another V8 Torana, I loved that car, but its not everyones idea of fun...


They are good fun, we have an lxss with 308, looks like it may be sold next week though, someone elses turn maybe.

[drg86]

Well if I had 15k for a weekend car I'd buy a straight VK or other early model commodore as they are much lighter than current models, drop a cammed LS1 or LS2 in it with edelbrock manifold with a nice filter poking out the bonnet, respray and some rims. This would be a car mainly set up for drag. Or you could just get something with a 308 and put a 355 stroker kit in.

If you wanted something for the twisties, I'd say get a jap performance car and do a few bolt on mods for power and handling. Cars such as R33 skyline, wrx, supra or 200sx would fit your budget.

[Andrew297]

300ZX, manual, twin turbo imports are in your price range.
Sweet handling and easy to get good power. DIY work isnt easy though.
Hard bit is finding one that isnt completely flogged.

[German Statesman]

E30 BMW 3 series convertible, the boxy shape up to 1990. Preferrably a six cylinder (avoid the crappy long-stroke beta engine though - make sure the car's model ends in 'i' rather than 'e' e.g. 320i, not 325e), and although they were a hairdressers cruising car, there were a few manuals around.

Sweet engine, good handling even with the convertible body, and you'll get change out of your $15k.

There were some head gasket probs in the 6 cyls in this model, other than that a good reliable car.

Cheers

JOHN

[Swordie]

Porsche 944 or BMW 3 Series 6cyl.

[hallyoz]

If you are going for a weekender, go for something raw..... maybe a Datto 1600 that already has a turbo conversion (engineer approved of course), or even a two door Escort with a 2L pinto motor in it. Cheap to run and source parts . You could even do things like Hill climbs and motorkanas in it.

[HyperYellow]

Early 90's MR2 Turbo would be very fun, especially with a little more boost and some decent suspension/tyres.

[HSV,_I_GOT_ONE]

928 Porsche or a series 5 rx7?

[Greg 106]

Another vote for a V8 torana. But make it a 2 door LJ, I used to have one with a 308 and they are heaps of fun.

[Lloyd1986]

Porsche 944 or BMW 3 Series 6cyl.

I saw a 944 with a Holden V6 engine in it once. Meaning you could chuck in the supercharged version, thatd be nice :)

[dabadbaz427]

VTEC powered honda or porsche 928/944

[Swordie]

The 928 is one of my favorite cars. Be prepared to open your wallet on old and cheap super cars.

As others have mention a VK 5.0 would be an interesting proposition. Great power to weight ratio with a nice sound.

[Rombles]

Or you could try the $17K Monaro advertised recently and discussed elsewhere on here....

Or did you want fun actually driving something??? ;)

[Ridin-High]

*Dreams* "What would i get with 15k and has to be holden"

I'd search the net and car mags for done up statesmens (Mid 70's). Seen a few getting around western sydney latly (Look like stockers, lowered, Tint, Mags) and let me tell you they are BIG head turners. Never been in one myself but they look hot as hell.

Also from the GM stable their was a very nice 66 Chev impala around here for sale about 6months ago.

Rego (not sure how long)
327ci Chev
2spd auto
lowered
Tints
Dragways
downlights

was owned by some dude on his P plates was asking 12,000 o.n.o


But for the small power to weight monsters, can't go past the datsun sedans & utes, 15-20k will get you something that pulls low 12's on softtune

Click me (http://www.carsales.com.au/used-cars/private/DATSUN/1600/details.aspx?__Nne=20&__N=4294966615+80+834+285+257&Make=DATSUN&State=New%20South%20Wales&silo=1003&state_id=80&distance=25&Cr=0&seot=0&__sid=112EF347B9B9&R=558273&__Ns=pCar_PrivateSpecialFlag_Int32|1||pCar_ImageCo unt_Int32|1||pCar_LastModifiedDate_DateTime|1&trecs=25)

This datsun claims to make 305hp at the wheels, which is 227kw on the MR2 Owners club conversion table. Power to weight eat ur heart out

Let us know what you end up going with if you do make a purchase,

Cheers,

Ridin-High

[Timson]

Do you want the car to be registered? If not take one used Nissan Micra:

http://www.carsales.com.au/used-cars/private/NISSAN/MICRA/details.aspx?Model=MICRA&__Nne=20&__N=4294963846+0+4294962999+834+285+257&Make=NISSAN&State=All%20States&silo=1003&state_id=0&distance=25&Cr=2&seot=0&__sid=112DCE5AA7B6&R=1263655&__Ns=pCar_PrivateSpecialFlag_Int32|1||pCar_ImageCo unt_Int32|1||pCar_LastModifiedDate_DateTime|1&trecs=4

Totally gut it, take one big bore motor bike engine and gearbox (hyabusa engine for example) and have it fitted to rear wheels of the car so that it becomes a rear engined rear wheel drive car. Any safety requirements would have to be met so that it is cams legal. Put in a racing seat and go hill climbing and motorkhaning. Custom suspension and so-on would be a given.

Power to weight would be pretty impressive and would be balls of fun to drive.
Would fit on a 5X7 custom trailer to take to meetings and tracks.
Could have something similar to this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gseTGwppbg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vExpEl0_5-Y

Cheers,

Tim.

[Lloyd1986]

The 928 is one of my favorite cars. Be prepared to open your wallet on old and cheap super cars.

As others have mention a VK 5.0 would be an interesting proposition. Great power to weight ratio with a nice sound.

Same here, looovveeee the 928 http://www.928intl.com/images/indexcar.jpg

[racketsports]

Another vote for the 928, I have always dreamed of doing one of these up, especially an S4 version. I just need the space..........oh and the money of course, and a wife who'll let me do it, and the time............bugger.

Good luck with your search though!

Cheers
Racketsports

[SumoDog68]

Thanks everyone for their contribution. It was a great brainstorming session, and i am now armed with few interesting options. I 'll let you guys know when i buy the car. Thanks again .

[Carby]

How about a Alfa GTV (RWD of course) they can actually handle and still look OK.

The Porsche 944 is a good ride too - motor has good longevity apparently

[vxssgurl]

Do you have any preferred genetics in mind? Or a specific era?

There is so much you can get for $15K these days if you back it up into carburetted engines... especially Chevs! (But, then, I'm just a tad biased!!) And most of 'em are all power steering, and working on 'em is a breeze...

But you have to know what you want first... Have fun shopping!

[Lloyd1986]

How about a Alfa GTV (RWD of course) they can actually handle and still look OK.

The Porsche 944 is a good ride too - motor has good longevity apparently

I reckon the GTV and in particular GTV6 looks awesome :D

http://www.carlone.ch/Neue%20Autos2/Alfa%20GTV%206%202.JPG

[HSVREDSLED]

300ZX, manual, twin turbo imports are in your price range.
Sweet handling and easy to get good power. DIY work isnt easy though.
Hard bit is finding one that isnt completely flogged.

This is your puppy.
:)