Dave_SZ-R Posted March 20, 2010 Share Posted March 20, 2010 Hi all, As some of you will no doubt be aware, I recently sold my SZ-R ( ) to free up some cash for a big holiday. I now have a budget of £3750 to spend, which was gonna buy me a good example of a Jap performance car- or at least that was the idea. After many hours spent on PH, Autotrader, Ebay etc, I reckon that I can have a (relatively) sensible daily for about £2250 and a tracktoy for £1500 and stay in budget. Im looking for suggestions as to what my purchases should be. Id like my daily to be fairly comfy and have no worse fuel consumption that an NA Supra (low-to-mid 20 mpgs) and my track car to be robust, quick and cheap to repair. For example: Daily: Lexus GS300 Track: Impreza Turbo You may completely disagree with the above two- great, lets hear your take then! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobSheffield Posted March 20, 2010 Share Posted March 20, 2010 Any older Audi and an MR2 turbo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spike3.0 Posted March 20, 2010 Share Posted March 20, 2010 Nissan 200sx/Silvia Skyline R33 GTS Another Supra N/A Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David P Posted March 20, 2010 Share Posted March 20, 2010 A cheaper SZ-R and a mirror. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave_SZ-R Posted March 21, 2010 Author Share Posted March 21, 2010 A cheaper SZ-R The 6-speed SZ-Rs (think they were all 6 speed!) go for more than other NAs- about £3700 is the cheapest I remember one going for. Mine went for £4600, which I thought was a decent price for an NA these days. If I was after another Supra (Id definitely consider one), Id prob be looking at a high mileage auto as I dont want to spend much more than £2250 on my daily. Rob- what Audis do you have in mind? MR2 turbo has crossed my mind, they go for pennies nowadays. Ive been on the Skyline owners club looking at R33s (which Ive always loved). I couldnt live with myself if I bought an NA R33, it wouldnt seem right, and the GTS-Ts seem to drink too heavily from what I can gather. A classic Impreza seems to be the no-brainer choice for a track toy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlexM Posted March 21, 2010 Share Posted March 21, 2010 Daily: Toyota Soarer Toy: Mazda MX5, Nissan S13, S14 I don't think an Impreza fits in with 'robust' or 'cheap to repair'. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abz Posted March 21, 2010 Share Posted March 21, 2010 Daily car: Lexus GS300 or for a less comfy cheaper to run car I'd get either a Ford Focus (1.6) or Mercedes C180. Track day: Honda EG Civic, Mazda MX5, MR2 or Nevin is selling a nice old skool RS Escort for cheap! Pretty close to track ready as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sams Posted March 21, 2010 Share Posted March 21, 2010 £1700 you can have my wrx it don't need anything doing to it, it had quite abit of mechanical work in the last 7months and doesn't need anything doing to it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave_SZ-R Posted March 21, 2010 Author Share Posted March 21, 2010 Ive looked at Soarer TTs (V8 would be a bit greedy), but Im not that keen on the looks of them. MX5 and S14 are great track suggestions, been looking at both. Ive always thought Imprezas were fairly reliable, though not necessarily cheap to fix. I could quite easily have two Impezas for the money Im working with... Anyone driven an MR2 turbo on here? I like the idea of a mid-engined car, but Ive never driven one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supraturbochris Posted March 21, 2010 Share Posted March 21, 2010 mr2 turbo's are great cars, really fun to drive. Back end is quite twitchy in the rain, make sure its got some good rubber on the back. You can pick up a really nice rev3 turbo for about £3000 now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomgeer Posted March 21, 2010 Share Posted March 21, 2010 celica gt4, mr2 turbo or s14 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonathanc Posted March 21, 2010 Share Posted March 21, 2010 Ive looked at Soarer TTs (V8 would be a bit greedy), but Im not that keen on the looks of them. MX5 and S14 are great track suggestions, been looking at both. Ive always thought Imprezas were fairly reliable, though not necessarily cheap to fix. I could quite easily have two Impezas for the money Im working with... Anyone driven an MR2 turbo on here? I like the idea of a mid-engined car, but Ive never driven one. I used to have a MR2 tubby. Really fun and rapid car to drive but like someone said, the back end is a bit twitchy, esp in the wet... gotta be careful and make sure you have good tyres + geo setup. However, it could be a very good track toy considering how cheap it is. Strip it out, put a cage in = track day fun! For a daily runabout I would suggest something cheaper. I think a member is selling a 1.8 V6 MX3 (?) here that looks tidy and could be suitable for a daily runner at your price. I've been looking at GS300s before and to be honest I would rather get a MK2 Aristo if I am going down that path edit: as for gt4s, they are becoming very cheap now but you would really need to be careful when buying them since certain bits like fig 8s + arms could be costly to repair. It doesn't "feel" as rapid as the MR2 but still a very fun car! A little bit more practical compared to the MR2 and waaaay easier to work on the engine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave_SZ-R Posted March 22, 2010 Author Share Posted March 22, 2010 Finding very cheap GS300s at the mo, lots of toys and luxury for very little money. Looking at new shape ones, basically auto NAs with a big saloon body and comfier seats. An Aristo would be more up my street, purely because I can buy a TT one- some may remember I very nearly had (a pimp's) one recently: I think on my budget Id be looking at an old shape Aristo like the one above, Id ideally like a newer one, and an NA engine is gonna be a better daily driver. Trying to buy a track car for about £1250 now, and being sorely tempted by some MX5s. The track car will spend most of it's time at Knockhill, which is Scooby territory on most trackdays. I know its not racing, but I cant help but feel Im going to need something turbocharged to not be constantly moving out of peoples lines. Imprezas and MR2s are so affordable right now, its looking like Im gonna go for one of these two. Any more suggestions anyone? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gaz6002 Posted March 22, 2010 Share Posted March 22, 2010 LOL @ Abz suggesting an Escort RST for track driving AND being robust I'd say the MR2 turbo is a good bet as a track car, and a smelly old oil burner for every day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave_SZ-R Posted March 22, 2010 Author Share Posted March 22, 2010 LOL @ Abz suggesting an Escort RST for track driving AND being robust Fix Or Repair Daily? Yeah, they sure aint for me but to each their own. My problem is I cant bring myself to go too sensible for my daily. I need something thats still gonna be fun and/ or quite luxurious. MR2 appeals for track because its engine is in the 'right' place (making it harder to work on ofcourse). Have to be honest though, Im leaning toward the Impreza. UK Turbos, WRXs and even STIs are going for my budget. My only concern is that the vast majority have been hammered by chavs. If DC2 Integras were more affordable Id have one in a heartbeat, but their prices seem to be holding right now (probably because theyre so revered by mags like EVO). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abz Posted March 22, 2010 Share Posted March 22, 2010 LOL @ Abz suggesting an Escort RST for track driving AND being robust I'd say the MR2 turbo is a good bet as a track car, and a smelly old oil burner for every day. I never said it would be robust Though as mentioned something like a Ford Mondeo oil burner would be good as a daily. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave_SZ-R Posted March 22, 2010 Author Share Posted March 22, 2010 Though as mentioned something like a Ford Mondeo oil burner would be good as a daily. I just couldnt do it Abz, Id be depressed all the time in a Mondeo (or similar). It may be that Ive got this a bit back-to-front, but I cant help but think an MX5 would work well as a daily. OK, its not comfy or spacious, but its cheap, it returns great mpg, its simple and inexpensive to repair and quite good fun. A little 1.6 mk1 MX5 with a hard-top can be had for buttons. If I were to have an Impreza as my second car, I could always use that on occasion if I needed to carry stuff, or if it snows. The only issue with the MX5 is space (Im 6'2") and the hairdresser stereotype that goes with every 2-seater convertible. I could maybe even go mental and splash out on a 1.8 MX5! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobSheffield Posted March 22, 2010 Share Posted March 22, 2010 Mr2 2.0 16V for the road, MR2 2.0 turbo for the track. The focussed track car will make you appreciate the refined MR2 on the road, which will make you appreciate the raw power on the track. A happy man with mind and body in perfect harmony with machine on road and track. No hairdresser image (unless its red or yellow) Both robust, cheap parts, you will learn the mechanicals very quickly, parts transfer, what more could you ask? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cobrastang Posted March 23, 2010 Share Posted March 23, 2010 Ive looked at Soarer TTs (V8 would be a bit greedy), but Im not that keen on the looks of them. MX5 and S14 are great track suggestions, been looking at both. Ive always thought Imprezas were fairly reliable, though not necessarily cheap to fix. I could quite easily have two Impezas for the money Im working with... Anyone driven an MR2 turbo on here? I like the idea of a mid-engined car, but Ive never driven one. I had an mr-2 turbo for 5 years,very very reliable.And fast,very fast....go for a t-bar.They have about 220 bhp standard.Not bad with fuel either.All I ever bought was good oil and tyres for it.I ended up putting a F-355 kit on,then some chav stole it...I would definately recommend one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gaz6002 Posted March 23, 2010 Share Posted March 23, 2010 I had an mr-2 turbo for 5 years,very very reliable.And fast,very fast....go for a t-bar.They have about 220 bhp standard.Not bad with fuel either.All I ever bought was good oil and tyres for it.I ended up putting a F-355 kit on,then some chav stole it...I would definately recommend one You wouldn't want a T-bar as a track car, would you? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cobrastang Posted March 23, 2010 Share Posted March 23, 2010 £2750 on a car,and 1000 on an lpg system?yud save a fortune on tax and insurance and could have an na supra that does 50 mpg My mate could sort the conversion out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cobrastang Posted March 23, 2010 Share Posted March 23, 2010 You wouldn't want a T-bar as a track car, would you? i think Dave has a seat cupra track car .Like a supra aerotop its great for the day thats sunny each year Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave17 Posted March 23, 2010 Share Posted March 23, 2010 Oi Lord Sheffield, I had a red MR2, and i only visit the hairdressers every 6 weeks or so. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobSheffield Posted March 23, 2010 Share Posted March 23, 2010 Oi Lord Sheffield, I had a red MR2, and i only visit the hairdressers every 6 weeks or so. Oh dear I just dont know how to break it to you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave17 Posted March 23, 2010 Share Posted March 23, 2010 Gently if you please Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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