Buying a car

knightinwhite86

knightinwhite86

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Ok in a couple of months I will be buying a car. I have my eyes set on a 300zx twin turbo. But what if I can't find a good condition Z in the time frame i have? So im thinking Lexus SC300. Im not really into the whole Honda scene, but I do like the Del Sol, I do like the Mr-2, and I dont like the Camaros and Mustangs either.
And I don't want to spend more than 15-16 grand.

Does anyone have any sugesstions on what else I could get?
 
Here's a suggestion, before you just buy any car like the 300ZX, make sure can afford the runnig, insurance and have enough cash to pay for repairs should you bump into or be bumped into by another car.
As for what car to buy, I'm guessing you live in the US so a used TVR is out of the question but I personally like the Honda S2000 and you can pick them up cheap second hand now.
 
Woops, well i guess I forgot to say the 15-16 grand, Is after taxes and insurance, so im looking at buying a 11-12 grand car, and S2000 is out of my range
 
Ahh right, the 300ZX is probably the fastest and the best drive in your selection, but I'm guessing it will set you back the most as well. I would go for an MR2 over a Del Sol, both are good but the MR2 is a better performer and imo looks better although as I said both are good cars. Iget the idea your not after a Nissan Micra here, but you can get some good deals on Impreza's, Evo's and Supra's now.
 
Originally posted by live4speed
you can get some good deals on Impreza's, Evo's and Supra's now.
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In the U.S, the only Impreza/Supra you will find in that price range will be non-turbo/older model year/ or have a damage disclosure. Used Evo's pull low-mid 20's.

You know, or I assume you know about the Z32 TT. Be prepared to spend a ridiculous ammount of money when something breaks. (And it will break) Parts are very expensive and the shop-rate mechanics charge to work on them is insane. Other than that, I love this car. Extremely hard to find a TT in unmolested condition.

I would agree with the MR2 Turbo suggestion. The 3S-GTE is an incredible motor that can make tons of power. You can find a good example for well under your budget.

Rx-7 of any model year is completely out of the question. Unless you have a desire to become mechanically inclined very quickly.

I'm sure you have your mind set on the 300Z so I won't bother listing other choices. Good luck, they're great cars. :)
 
Originally posted by Monster7
Rx-7 of any model year is completely out of the question. Unless you have a desire to become mechanically inclined very quickly
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He could also swap a 5.0l V8 into the RX-7. I wonder why more people don't know about that swap...
 
Originally posted by Ghost C
He could also swap a 5.0l V8 into the RX-7. I wonder why more people don't know about that swap...
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Are you sre, bcause the RX-7 is onlya 1.4 or 1.6 (I can't remeber which), a 5.0 engine should be alot bigger.
 
Originally posted by knightinwhite86
Ok in a couple of months I will be buying a car. I have my eyes set on a 300zx twin turbo. But what if I can't find a good condition Z in the time frame i have? So im thinking Lexus SC300. Im not really into the whole Honda scene, but I do like the Del Sol, I do like the Mr-2, and I dont like the Camaros and Mustangs either.
And I don't want to spend more than 15-16 grand.

Does anyone have any sugesstions on what else I could get?
Click to expand...

No!!! you were thinking right! an sc300 is usually around 6 or 7 grand, and gets pretty good gas mileage, not to mention a 2-jz engine.
 
Originally posted by live4speed
Are you sre, bcause the RX-7 is onlya 1.4 or 1.6 (I can't remeber which), a 5.0 engine should be alot bigger.
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The 13b is a 1.3 liter.

A V8 swap, depending on what motor is used/subframe used/ and what model Rx-7 it is going into, can be better than the Rotary in most cases.
 
I'm pretty sure the FC is the gen that I've seen it done in. I'm not an expert on RX-7's, but the FC is the mid/late 80's model, correct?

Anyway, my friend used a 5.0l Mustang V8 in one, and is working on building another, which is pretty much the only reason I know about the swap.
 
Originally posted by menglan
No!!! you were thinking right! an sc300 is usually around 6 or 7 grand, and gets pretty good gas mileage, not to mention a 2-jz engine.
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thats if you can find a 2JZ version, most are 2UZ or 1JZ
 
The RX-7 would be a great choice except for the minor little detail that they are very hard to find in NJ, I've only seen one for sale, and I live close to a Mazda dealer.
And yes im aware of the raping charges that incurred with a 300zx, thats why I want to get a one in pretty decent shape, perferably a 92-94, although in 94 they did do away with the Titanium key, which is cool, but they added keyless entry, and they changed the HICAS to electric from oil. The 300zx's are good cars, with regular maintenance they last up to 300k, but thats the problem as you said finding an un-molested one.
As for supra's they are in the mid to upper 20's, and hard to find, don't like the evo's, i like the evo 5, but after that I think it went down hill.(appearance wise)
And for the SC300, someone told me they didn't have the Supra engine in them, i think they did, they don't come turbo do they, they are readily availbe in my area.
 
Oh forgot to add something;

If I was going to drop a v8 in anything it wouldn't be a RX-7, those motors are great, all the generations
If i was gonna drop a v8, I'd drop a 350 (stroked to a 383) in a Datsun 510. Now thats a sleeper, just put some stupid APC stickers on it and a fart can, and everyone thinks you got a slow piece of rice
 
My 92 SC300 has a 2JZ-GE engine in it. No turbo though, but does it really matter that much?
 
the turbo's (twin) make all the difference (if your into performance)
 
Mitsubishi 3000GT VR-4 has twin-turbos, and I have seen 92-95 models in your price range. They are heavy though, so don't expect to go that fast. You seem to like the 300ZX, however, so you should follow your own ideas.
 
Originally posted by Motorer1
You seem to like the 300ZX, however, so you should follow your own ideas.
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Yeah, definitely go with what you want, you will enjoy the car all the more. I got the impression from your first post that you're not really into Amriecan cars, but if thats not so, you might want to look into a 95-97 Thunderbird SC or V8 model. Heavy cars, but they are big and comfortable, and decently fast, and slot pretty well into your price range (go for about 8K-11K, depending on milage).
 
Originally posted by skip0110
I got the impression from your first post that you're not really into Amriecan cars, but if thats not so, you might want to look into a 95-97 Thunderbird SC or V8 model.
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Thats not true, I happen to like the Ford Probe, I've been in they are nice. My dad had a thunderbird, I don't remember it though. My uncle owned a Lincoln that was nice, but Im not looking for a 4 door. I just think my tastes are weird I like a little of everything.

As for the 3000gt, I know a guy that owned one, and at 19,000 miles had to get a new engine, and transmission, later he swapped out another motor, and two more transmissions, I don't know maybe it was bad luck but I dont have the money to take the chance.
 
Originally posted by knightinwhite86
Ok in a couple of months I will be buying a car. I have my eyes set on a 300zx twin turbo. But what if I can't find a good condition Z in the time frame i have? So im thinking Lexus SC300. Im not really into the whole Honda scene, but I do like the Del Sol, I do like the Mr-2, and I dont like the Camaros and Mustangs either.
And I don't want to spend more than 15-16 grand.

Does anyone have any sugesstions on what else I could get?
Click to expand...

Well, those are some great choices. I would in your condition right now get a used RX7. I would try to find a FD instead of a FC but yeah you can find some in your price range.

My suggestions

RX7
MR2 Turbo
300ZX TT
Impreza WRX
SRT4 (if you dont mind a Domestic, for my own reason I wouldnt get it but its very fast, best bang for your buck)

Originally posted by Motorer1
Mitsubishi 3000GT VR-4 has twin-turbos, and I have seen 92-95 models in your price range. They are heavy though, so don't expect to go that fast. You seem to like the 300ZX, however, so you should follow your own ideas.
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I wouldnt go with the VR4 for my own personal reason. My cousin's friend has a 92 VR4 it seems to have some problems, not major problems. Although its heavy, its nice. Its very fast in the 1/4 it will easily run as good/better than a 300ZX TT. Thats in the 1/4, on roll the VR4 will get taken out easily. My cousin said that his 350Z can take on his friends VR4 (which i seen, a few minor mods) on a roll from 60 mph +. My cousin said the his 350Z will began to gain on the VR4 from roll at around 80mph+ which is expected.

The VR4 arent very fast on circuit or autocross. Anyways for my own personal reason, i wouldnt want a Mitsubishi 3000GT. Also Mitsubishi arent known for there solid reliabilty records. :lol:
 

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