Looking for a beater.....ideas?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Heldenzeit
  • 41 comments
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One of the older members on the board had one for a while, an SRT-4. MugenSeiki, though he hasn't posted in ages from what I recall. I know he blew some stuff up on it, but he was also pushing 300+ WHP out of it, so yeah.

I always though the MSP was a bit odd of a consideration when you can get a WRX for a comparable price, or a DC5 Type S. Or an E36 M3 (can you tell I like this car?).

As for the KE70... they are tiny and hilarious. And people stick 4A-GEs in them. I'd say the MR2 is still better for doing 720 degree turns in over it, since I've yet to do a full 360 in an FR but have done several 540+ degree rotations in MR2s.
 
With the short wheelbase, the KE70 is almost mid-engined... :lol:

An MSP has a keener balance than a similar-spec WRX... one without the fancy differentials of the newer models... simply because it's lighter and has less understeer. Many people swapping between the Impreza and Protege remark about the better steering.

Newer WRXs are better than before. Steering still sucks.

Of course, in the end, the WRX's dynamic shortcomings are fixable, and the power potential is huge. An MSP has fewer dynamic shortcomings, but fixing the shortcomings in terms of power is a bigger task. 300 hp or more requires a lot of work, and you'll need specialized aftermarket parts to deal with an oiling system inadequate for track use, the aforementioned LSD and a cure for fragile 3rd-gear synchros.
 
Im looking at a few SC300's......seem very appealing especially with a 5 speed.

As for a project, my short list:

912
914
Mk 1 GTi
old Beetle
Alfa 164
Jag XJ-S (i know, i know):dopey:
 
93 V6XLE Camry, manual. (mine was auto)

torquey, reliable.


trust me.

anyway, it saved my ass from a honda odyssey flying the red light at 45mph.
 
Living in Cali, you don't have to worry about snow, or road salt.
I'd go for a 87 or 88 Mustang LX 5.0.
Surely there are one or two left in California in reasonable shape.
And you can go full on street killer, or nice gently modded daily whip.
 
niky
A Toyota Starlet. Rear wheel drive, ultra-short wheelbase. Easiest car to do 720 degree turns in... whether you're trying to or not... :lol: ...but seriously, if you like autocrossing, it's a fun little car, and a whole bunch of later Toyota engines fit in the engine bay.
Click to expand...

That's the KP60/1, the KE70 was the Corolla from the same time period, the last RWD Rolla apart frorm the AE86. The 4A-GE, AE86 coilovers and TRD diffs (amongst other things) all fit the KE70 with some work :)

So versatile.. Beater spec:
ke70_60.jpg


Dope spec:
img7821copyui0.jpg
 
Oops my bad. Both great cars.

Apparently, you're not the only one who considers them driveable when they're falling apart! :lol:
 
Heldenzeit
As for a project, my short list:

912
914
Mk 1 GTi
old Beetle
Alfa 164
Jag XJ-S (i know, i know):dopey:
Click to expand...

May as well throw the FIAT X1/9 on there just to keep the reliability scale balanced.


Old Beetle is a solid choice though. You can practically re-build the car for the cost of a toaster.
 
An old Beetle plus a big-block conversion at 2.4 liters can do 200 hp without a snail.

Or you could do this:
geoffrey4.jpg

(yes... that blurry white nameplate on the engine says "Subaru" )
 
You should get a early model Ford Ranger. I own a '91, I can't preach enough how great this truck is! That 2.3L 4 banger is bulletproof! And a 944 would be good, I find some cheap ones on Craigslist quite often, under $5k! I have a link from the Houston Craigslist for a good 944, it needs some work but It would be great as a project car, and it's under $2,000!
http://houston.craigslist.org/cto/1641169871.html
 
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Keef
I've been drawn to old Volvo 240s lately. Their longevity is universally recognized. I want one.
Click to expand...

Get a 740... NAHT

I would suggest a Volvo though, insanely cheap for your budget and souped up they can be plenty awesome (I still manage to have fun in mine and it's a piece of crap). My only suggestion would be BEWARE OF PREVIOUS OWNERS. I thought mine was pretty solid until I discovered, well, everything the previous owners had done to it. To name a few my alternator is always on when the cars on, my air con works by a magic switch and only the highest setting, my back speakers are somehow wired together, you get the point.

There are probably much better choices, I didn't bother reading the entire thread to be honest, but if I were in the market for a different beater I'd probably still get a Volvo despite how ridiculously crappy mine is.
 

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