Sporty car for less than 5 grand. Update: see 1st post!

  • Thread starter Thread starter savage388
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RedTransAm
It's handling it just fine for now. It's been in there for a year, and it's probably seen about 10 passes at the track with no issue. And whenever I drive it, I'm not exactly easy on it either. That being said, its definitely not the strongest 5 speed out there, but it will hold up as long as you're not doing 5k clutch dumps on slicks lol. And don't even think about power shifting it!
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That's good news

Famine
I'm sorry, I thought you were after a car for yourself but it looks like you're buying a car for "everyone" instead.
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Oh no, sorry I age you the wrong idea. I really don't care to much what it looks like, it can have faded paint and be ugly I dont really care what people think, its mine. I also noted some other issues with the miata.
CMvan46
Go reliable. I think your dreaming a bit thinking your going to find a high powered RWD in good shape. Seems like a big waste of money to me for a summer car. Especially because I agree with with famine in that I think your probably wanting that car to show others.
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it does have to be rwd, or high powered, just sporty. I'd like something Awd quite much that way I could drive it year round but sporty and Awd means expensive. Also I'm not to practical but I'll manage so yea I want the most fun for my money, just something mechanically sound.:D
 
The only problem with the Fiero is that everybody instantly assumes you live in a trailer park.
 
savage388
I dont really care what people think, its mine.
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Good. This means that you can dispense with what other people think about any given car as a consideration when car hunting.

Incidentally, the Miata is a great way to learn how to drive.
 
Keef
The only problem with the Fiero is that everybody instantly assumes you live in a trailer park.
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Also, spontaneous combustion.


Though that is a small price to pay for speakers in the headrest.
 
Hm.. SW20 MR2? Or Celica All-Trac?
 
83-88 Porsche 944. Under 5k, RWD, good MPG, 50/50. Porsche.
 
And can't be driven hard/launched because the rear end blows up unless it's from a Turbo model. Also, P-car maintenance costs which is even worse than BMW maintenance costs.
 
If you really want a Camaro/Firebird then do your research here:

www.thirdgen.org
www.njfboa.org

I'm a member on both under "88ws-6"

For $5,000 you can get a 4th gen f-body is ok shape. You could also get a beat to hell LS1 if you look hard enough...
 
I'm always going to recommend the Prelude SH as a cheap sports car for the everyday (about $3k around here). Handling is supreme in any weather, decently quick, it's cheap to maintain, and at least in my opinion it's very nice to look at. I'm getting mpg's in the high 20s with that engine. The only thing that kept me from getting one is that I'm a stickler for passenger space. But I figure since you wouldn't mind a Camaro or FC...

prelude-97-01-side-skirts-oem-3.jpg


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Bottoz
83-88 Porsche 944. Under 5k, RWD, good MPG, 50/50. Porsche.
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I agree with the 944. My uncle bought the 944 S2 new and has had it ever since, 150,000+ miles and it's still going strong. It's very fast and handles beautifully too. :D
 
88GTA
If you really want a Camaro/Firebird then do your research here:

www.thirdgen.org
www.njfboa.org
I'm a member on both under "88ws-6"

For $5,000 you can get a 4th gen f-body is ok shape. You could also get a beat to hell LS1 if you look hard enough...
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I've been on thirdgen.org and it's quite useful

red piramyd k
what about a ...
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They are nice but very very hard to find.
Wyvern_64
I agree with the 944. My uncle bought the 944 S2 new and has had it ever since, 150,000+ miles and it's still going strong. It's very fast and handles beautifully too. :D
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The only issue I have with the Porsche is the same as the BMW, maintenance cost and parts. The prices have to be crazy. Also I know I dont care about insurance but having a Porsche must add 100-200 dollars a month to insurance automatically over a normal car. But they are quite cool.:D
 
You could get an FC, but FB's are more fun and more reliable :)
 
The car I'm learnin to drive stick on right now is my dad's V6 4th gen Camaro. If you don't care about power much, the early 4th gen 3.4l had 160hp and 200 lb-ft. of torque, and after 1995 it was the 3.8l that had or had close to 200hp. It isn't the sportiest car, but it is nice, it's not that heavy, has good weight balance, and the RWD is always good. Even a Z-28 with the LT-1 is relatively cheap, and then you get a six-speed, along with an LSD.
 
Fox Body (Any '80s) Mustang GT, 5.0 (302). Look around. Quick, nimble on it's feet. Most will be anywhere from 2 to 8k depending on it's condition.
 
savage388
Ok I'll start off saying that I'm 18 and have had my license for a while so I'm confident I won't kill myself. Second gas milage isn't a big issue as I currently get 15 mpg.
Ok now that's out of the way, I'm looking to get something sporty and quick once the snow thaws here in spring but I'm not too sure what to get. I'd like to get something that has cheap parts so an unexpected repair won't break me. I also absolutely hate front wheel drive because there no fun and just understeer, plus traction is an issue. I'm also torn between something that I'd store in winter like a third gen camaro, or a year round daily driver like an impreza 2.5 rs. Any help or suggestions would be nice.
Oh, p.s I know insurance is going to be insane as I already have points on my license for speeding:lol:
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I would honestly go for a year round vehicle like the Subaru 2.5 RS as you already suggested. I currently daily drive a 2005 Subaru RS and I LOVE this car all year. Even more in the winter since its AWD and has one of the best heaters in any vehicle I have driven in my life. Its just an all around excellent car. Looks great, fairly quick stock, AWD is perfect for winter, insurance is cheap, and the gas mileage is around 25-28mpg. I dont think you will get any better than a Subaru Impreza RS for an all around "sports" car in your $5,000 price range.
 
Ah yes, I forgot about the 944. A late-model, naturally aspirated 944 will be a fun, reliable sports car that's still plenty nice to sit in and be seen in, provided it's a nice example.
 
CAMAROBOY69
I would honestly go for a year round vehicle like the Subaru 2.5 RS as you already suggested. I currently daily drive a 2005 Subaru RS and I LOVE this car all year. Even more in the winter since its AWD and has one of the best heaters in any vehicle I have driven in my life. Its just an all around excellent car. Looks great, fairly quick stock, AWD is perfect for winter, insurance is cheap, and the gas mileage is around 25-28mpg. I dont think you will get any better than a Subaru Impreza RS for an all around "sports" car in your $5,000 price range.
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If I got an impreza it would most likely be one before 2002 because the older body style is much cheaper. Also I think the 2 doors are sportier cars.
@rb26x I wouldn't mind a v6 but a v8 isn't much more expensive and is not a whole lot less practical, yet they have more horsepower.
@slashfan. Those are everywhere up here and I I've never heard anything bad about them, but I would have a heaping pile of pride to swallow if I got one. I believe my avatar explains why.:D
 
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$5000 for the 944, but make sure you have another 5 laying around to fix it.
 
slashfan7964
Fox Body (Any '80s) Mustang GT, 5.0 (302). Look around. Quick, nimble on it's feet. Most will be anywhere from 2 to 8k depending on it's condition.
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Agreed.

Fox Body [/thread]
 
Toronado
$5000 for the 944, but make sure you have another 5 laying around to fix it.
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I remember MistaX's $800 "tune up" from a while back. :lol:
 
What about a...
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On second thought, that is going to be impossible to find.
 
disinfected
What about a...

On second thought, that is going to be impossible to find.
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Yea I don't think think there's too many of them laying around:lol:
 
Come to think of it I don't think I've even ever seen one in person.
 
... what is it? I never knew Isuzu made something so cool looking.
 
Izuzu Piazza or Impulse I think.
 
It's an Isuzu Impulse RS. A turbocharged, 160 horsepower, all-wheel-drive, 2,700 pound machine with a suspension designed and tuned by Lotus...which existed before the EVO and the WRX.
 
Basically an AWD Turbo Storm.

Speaking of which, a Storm GSi would be fun and CHEAP.
 
slashfan7964
Fox Body (Any '80s) Mustang GT, 5.0 (302). Look around. Quick, nimble on it's feet. Most will be anywhere from 2 to 8k depending on it's condition.
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Yea but it would be a Ford.
 
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