What is a good car for my friend?...

[Yargk]

My friend is 18 and the insurance company his mother deals with won't take him with a 944 turbo. If he goes with another company, it will cost too much. What are some well handling cars with decent acceleration for under 8k that don't hold the Porsche name? He's currently looking at Datsun 240z's. Ideas of MR2s and RX-7s have also come up. He'd like a sporty car that still has a little room, so miatas are out of the question, any suggestions?

He just needs something that's track and daily driver capable until he can get a 951.

Keith
79 930

[les-paul guy]

I drove a 1986 300ZX Nissan for 7 years. After 240K miles (with minimal problems), I donated it to the Salvation Army and got my 911 (that I still own today)

So any Nissan sports car would be a good bet under 8K..perhaps the turbo model.

Emmanuel
83sc
http://www.basementouttakes.com/

[Reg]

I drive a Mk1 MR2 as my daily driver. Great car and it is roomy for two. He could be 6'3" and still be comfy in this car and it has ...count 'em... two trunks.

I have owned this car for 6.5 years, longer than any other car I have owned. The early MR2's are small and light and revv to 7500 rpm with no Vtech. It is also bang on reliable. I have only since replaced a clutch, belts and rear rotors and muffler/resonator since purchase.A supercharger model would be quick, but likely blacklisted on your friends insurance companys list. I have owned 2 Miatas. The Mr2 is more unique and a better made car, plus mid engined for neat handling.

Old 240Z is nice too if you can find a good one. Also , my father has a RX7 GSLSE that is a sweet car too, that also revs to no end.

I justified the 911 because at least it has 4 seats! First car to have more than 2 in 10 years.

Hope that helps!

[rstoll]

What's wrong with a n/a 944? My 16 yr old drives one.

[Yargk]

insurance says no to Porsches, even 914s

[Jim T]

I like the first version MR2, and the last one, too.

I also like the RX7, esp. the mid 80's GSL SE models, which is particularly cool and fun. But the whole RX7 line was pretty cool, and pretty reliable except for the very early versions.

The early 70s 240Zs are fun, but you are looking at antiques. The last version of the 300ZX was cool. But the (next to last version of the 300ZX, ugh!)

[rstoll]

Time to shop for new insurance.

[jhale356]

What's wrong with a VW GTI? The early, '83 & '84 are great fun. The late models a great too. Low price, low insurance and great handling and performance opportunities. Plenty of room too.

[emcon5]

Originally posted by jhale356:
What's wrong with a VW GTI?

Good suggestion. My first car was a 1980 VW Rabbit. Very fun little car, a GTI would have been much more so.

Tom


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82 911SC Coupe

[cim]

good suggestion indeed....i can't believe he hasn't though of vw at least he likes one good car, the 951

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www.angelfire.com/va3/vw

[cim]

good suggestion indeed....i can't believe he hasn't though of vw at least he likes one good car, the 951

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www.angelfire.com/va3/vw

[andyu911]

My daily driver is a Toyota '85 Corolla GT-S. It's a sleeper. It's not the fastest car. With mind tune on the suspension, it's a great car to learn to "drive". It's rear-drive, light weight, dirt cheap and has a big trunk for a 18 year-old kid. With LSD-equiped, I love to go "sideway" with it.
Andy
'87 Carrera

[Yargk]

I'll suggest the GTI. I've actually thought of it myself as well, however I think he wants RWD. I have another friend who's into his old Jetta. I might start a rivalry.

Keith
79 930

[Reg]

The GSLSE is faster than a 85 MR2, but not but very much...finally had a race with my dad last week. It has a LSD where the MR2 does not , but both are RWD.

I also had a 84 GTI which also was a blast to drive. I learned to drive with a Mini, and also drove a 79 T-Bird too.

One extreme to the other!

[JuiceMan]

Two choices come to mind here.

First off IMHO the best choice would be an 1988-89 MR2 Supercharged. These cars are less than 2500lbs and an absolute blast to drive. They also have excellent Toyota reliability. You can usually get a very nice one for no more than $5,500

My second choice would be an 1988-89 Mazda
323GTX these cars have a major fun factor as well! They however have a few small problems but overall they are excellent cars. They go for around $6,000 for a good one.

But get him to get a Supercharged MK1 MR2 he won't regret it!

[This message has been edited by 69-912 (edited 11-08-2001).]

[JeremyD]

Stay away from anything either turbo or supercharged. Premiums almost always rise when those words are muttered. Especially when you are talking a teenager.

Rates are almost always better with a 4 cy vs a six. MR2 vs a Miata - and the MR2 has more room? How about a Sentra-R.

How about an older 3 series BMW? Easy to tweek and lots of parts avail.

I like the older VW GTI or Corrado. Still has the German feel.

Interga R is a great car too.

Good luck - remember they typically rate on engine displacement, # cylinders and HP and make...

[jsmarcus]

The insurance on my Porsche, with full coverage is half of what my Jeep cost, and $1000 less than my Chevy Cavalier cost me (that was a dark time in my life....)

Have him shop around for insurance. Does he have any moving violations? How about a Subaru Impreza 2.5. Fast, great handling and a sharp looker at that.

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Josh
'84 Carrera Coupe

[JuiceMan]

I don't know what kind of Insurance company you guys are going through heh.

I am with allstate I'm 19 and I have no problems at all getting my Porsche insured or any other type of car I have owned including TURBO cars. Here they go by cost of replacement, age and percentage of claims.

For example a 1991 Mustang 4-Cyl was about $20 month more for me to insure than my 1992 300ZX. Even though the 300ZX would blow it away and costs much more to fix. The claim percentage was much higher on Mustangs.

If I ever walked into my insurance company and they refused to insure my Vehicle because of the Make of the car I would laugh at them, cancel my policy and go elsewhere.

If they won't even insure a 70s Porsche for him they are a joke. The insurance on my 69 is around $40/month and I'm 19.

I just don't get it.

[Z-man]

As a previous MR2 owner, I'd say the 91-95 (second gen) are great. I bought mine at 165,000 miles, owned it for 2+ years, and besides the minor oil leaks (we're all used to that here!) had absolutely no troubles! The 4cyl 5SFE engine is bulletproof. (That's the same engine in the Camry) Mine was the non-turbo, BTW. It was my 'play' car: mostly used it for autocrossing, and driving in the mountains! Great handling toy!

Jon (my bro-in-law) has the car now. He's 17, and pays close to $2000.00 for insurance, without collision or theft. Because of it's lack of a back seat, the insurance premiums are higher. You may be better off with a VW, as others have said, or a Subaru Imprezza: fun little car!

If you're interested in the MR2's, check out: www.board.mr2faq.com. An MR2 BBS. Good source of information.

Good luck!
-Zoltan. (Former MR2 owner)
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PCA NNJR
My Toy:

[IMONBOOST]

I used to own a 951 and I paid approximately the same amount that I would have to pay for a Corrado VR6 or the like for insurance.

Pics of 951:
http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/Factory/9886