Your Feedback on a Fun Car Less Than $10K

[NineOhOne]

Originally Posted by Rick V

Being you are in Co. The WRX would top my list.

Third time: He's looking for a car to use while living in Houston...Texas.

[fintstone]

I love the MR2...but personally, when you say "fun car under $10K"...my first thought is a midyear 911.

[slow&rusty]

Originally Posted by NineOhOne

Third time: He's looking for a car to use while living in Houston...Texas.

NineOhOne - Thank-you for re-emphasizing that for me!
Who needs AWD in Houston?

Yasin

[Sarc]

Originally Posted by slow&rusty

will be a daily driver that has to be fun (i.e good hp and handling), good looking and ultra reliable..

My '94 MR2 was an absolute hoot to drive for the couple years I had it. My only complaint was that it was a bit buzzy at highway speeds (75+) with the revs holding at 4200ish rpms. That and the haze that would develop on the inside of the windshield every few days (cabin material off gasses I presume).
That red one looks nice. I'd replace the look at me wing with something a little more subtle and lose the garage fukai (sp) exhaust; I despise those units.

Curious, since you're a Datsun guy, why no interest in a Z32? Real tight in the engine bay, but they make exceptional daily drivers (in non-turbo trim at least).

[Sarc]

Originally Posted by slow&rusty

350hp but will have at least 80+K on the clock

That's a lot of kit for 10 grand. Would love to hear what the long term durability of these are as mileages approach 6 figures.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by mattdavis11

I think I'd pick a vehicle that Matt has owned and not sold.

You mean an FJ80 Land Cruiser?

Originally Posted by Sarc

That's a lot of kit for 10 grand. Would love to hear what the long term durability of these are as mileages approach 6 figures.

They are tanks that run forever. Seriously. The W210 is a great platform, the E55 is an awesome car. I think it was C&D that had an article about the most car for $XX, they had an E55 with over 200k. They tracked it, beat on it for a while, no problem.

[slow&rusty]

Originally Posted by Sarc

My '94 MR2 was an absolute hoot to drive for the couple years I had it. My only complaint was that it was a bit buzzy at highway speeds (75+) with the revs holding at 4200ish rpms. That and the haze that would develop on the inside of the windshield every few days (cabin material off gasses I presume).
That red one looks nice. I'd replace the look at me wing with something a little more subtle and lose the garage fukai (sp) exhaust; I despise those units.

Curious, since you're a Datsun guy, why no interest in a Z32? Real tight in the engine bay, but they make exceptional daily drivers (in non-turbo trim at least).

I need hospital treatment even thinking about doing a timing belt and water pump on a Z32...way too complicated car for their own good, although awesome machines in their own right. A timing belt on a 4cam 928 is simpler!

Yasin

[slow&rusty]

Originally Posted by Sarc

That's a lot of kit for 10 grand. Would love to hear what the long term durability of these are as mileages approach 6 figures.

My thoughts exactly!

[J P Stein]

I have a 93 MR 2 Turbo. It now has 165K miles on it. I've done the belts twice.
I've had a rear wheel bearing go bad in about 12 years of driving.....that's it. Everything works, it's a Toyoda.
I am taking it out of service as my DD and setting it up for SCCA C Stock autocross.
It's stock as a stove.... I'll do tiars & shocks & go try to scare the RX8s.

I wouldn't touch a hotrodded MR 2 Turbo with a long stick. As built they are a hell of a car.....what Porsche would build if they could and then charge twice as much for them.

BTW, the 93 & up are better cars.

[strupgolf]

I absolutely love my 95 E36/m3. It is so smooth, good looking IMO, plenty of room, mint condition, and hauls a**. I paid a lot less than 10k for it and so far have no issues at all.

[Sarc]

Originally Posted by slow&rusty

I need hospital treatment even thinking about doing a timing belt and water pump on a Z32...way too complicated car for their own good, although awesome machines in their own right. A timing belt on a 4cam 928 is simpler!
Yasin

No question it's a horrendous job, but one that's only required every 65K. Though maybe not as effective as hospital treatment, the drive between those intervals would be fairly stress relieving.

[Wilywilly]

I bought this new in 1986 and sold it in 1996 with 120,000 miles on it. Only maintenance was tires and oil changes. It needed a clutch when I sold it. Wish I could find one again that had low mileage and was in decent shape. They only made 500 of them. It was practical, rode like it was on rails and was blindingly fast up to about 100. Omni GLHS Goes Like Hell Shelby.

Bill

[m21sniper]

10k for a 91 MR2?

Jeez, i would call that a blatant RIP OFF. That car is not worth anywhere near that much money. 10k will buy you a really nice 170mph 316hp 928S4.

[porsche4life]

10k is going price for a nice MR2 that body style... The "tuners" all want them. Really drives the price up...

[GG Allin]

Originally Posted by strupgolf

I absolutely love my 95 E36/m3. It is so smooth, good looking IMO, plenty of room, mint condition, and hauls a**. I paid a lot less than 10k for it and so far have no issues at all.

I hope that's not your '95 M3. They didn't make a four door in 95.

That said, my vote would be for the E36 M3.

[slow&rusty]

Originally Posted by Sarc

No question it's a horrendous job, but one that's only required every 65K. Though maybe not as effective as hospital treatment, the drive between those intervals would be fairly stress relieving.

True true!!

Originally Posted by m21sniper

10k for a 91 MR2?

Jeez, i would call that a blatant RIP OFF. That car is not worth anywhere near that much money. 10k will buy you a really nice 170mph 316hp 928S4.

928s are not in the consideration way too unreliable and I do not need another project (as 928 all tend to be)

Originally Posted by porsche4life

10k is going price for a nice MR2 that body style... The "tuners" all want them. Really drives the price up...

Very true...if you look on Autotrader there are MR2 Turbos in the $15K+ range!

[slow&rusty]

Originally Posted by J P Stein

I have a 93 MR 2 Turbo. It now has 165K miles on it. I've done the belts twice.
I've had a rear wheel bearing go bad in about 12 years of driving.....that's it. Everything works, it's a Toyoda.
I am taking it out of service as my DD and setting it up for SCCA C Stock autocross.
It's stock as a stove.... I'll do tiars & shocks & go try to scare the RX8s.

I wouldn't touch a hotrodded MR 2 Turbo with a long stick. As built they are a hell of a car.....what Porsche would build if they could and then charge twice as much for them.

BTW, the 93 & up are better cars.

Only difference are bigger brakes and nicer rear tail lights \ aesthetics on post '93 mechanically \ electrically they are all the same from '91 up (in the U.S).
Yasin

[Joe Bob]

Miata...hands down....

[rammstein]

Get an E30. At your price piont, you can get one that is thoroughly hooked up, and will probably keep most of its value.

[J P Stein]

Originally Posted by slow&rusty

Only difference are bigger brakes and nicer rear tail lights \ aesthetics on post '93 mechanically \ electrically they are all the same from '91 up (in the U.S).
Yasin

No they are not. They changed the rear suspension pick up points in 93 to cure the evil handling. Ain't the internet grand.