Car Advice [very specific question]

OK, here are the criteria. Must be able to be a daily driver, must be manual. Looking under 9K price range (may make exception for slightly higher). Should be capable of doing autoX or track days (not a must though).

OK, so my candidates as of right now:
95 240SX
Gen 3 RX-7, not sure exact year

I wasn contemplating a Triumph or MG, but those definitely arent track duty worthy. I think those were more for the driving resto side of me. I want some more input on possibilities, nothing is too crazy because I have a very good knowledge of mechnics and working on cars (had my fair share of bikes, cars, restos and projects). So come on, gimme some input, and lets see what we can come up with....Anyone?

1. 240sx good choice
2. rx-7 fast and fun but must be taken care of
3. Miata fun and quick
4. Integra gs-r
5. Prelude SH

Id say go with a 240

thanks for the reply. Anyone else have some ideas? Thanks all...

I am partial to the 240 also. Preludes and the gs-r are good too for build quality. As per the Miata, my cousin races SCCA SM (spec miata) and he just raced a 1.5 hour race in Daytona. The cars are only slightly tuned and he paced a brand new rsx type-s to finish 1st out of about 40 cars. Those miata's can handle like none other!!

Yup i love miatas... if you want one i mean really want one. I found this nice red miata with a soft top. Very clean car. 5spd trannsmition clean sharp look very nice but i think there stock. The car has 51 thousand miles on it i think... that or 56 still not bad. Its a FEMALE driven car.... the read tires dont look worn at all... they look exactly the same as the front witha bout 90% left on them. The price on the car is 8500... but im pretty sure you can get it to go lower. The suggested retail price of the car is 5800 in good condtion and 6300 in excellent according to kelly blue book.

LacrosseGuy

What year are we talking about? Im really partial to the newest body style (I dont know body codes or frame codes for Miatas). Let me know, any other suggestion or any other input is very welcome. Thanks all.

Try and get a first gen. Eclipse GSX (aka. Eagle Talon TSi AWD and Plymouth Laser RSi). All-wheel-drive, 5-speed manual, 210 bhp, and Japanese car drivability.

what years make up the first gen eclipse? Its up to late 80's or very early 90's right?

... 89-93 maybe.. the 95 is the new one and i think the 94 was just a 93.

Thanks! I wasn't quite sure how the bodies broke down. Is one more desireable than the others to race? Or have they all stayed pretty much the same?

Eclipse 1st gen. = 90-94
Eclipse 2nd gen. = 95-99

The 1st gens. are cheaper and a tiny bit faster, and you get one in very good condition for around 6K. They're a bit hard to find though (the GSX trim that is; there are GS and RS all over).

Thanks for the info, Ill let you know which way I go.

No prob. If you can't find the GSX, the 240SX sounds like your best bet. :)

for what your looking for a like 86-89 mr2 would be great if you dont mind working on it. or a 91+ NA, dont get the turbo... Im trying to keep those on the market till I can get one :-D

HAHAHA, OK, Ill check into those too. I dont mind working on anything, thats the reason Im looking for a cheap car, something I can tinker and tune. I dont think the 91+ turbo's are in my price range anyways...Are there any years for these cars that might be better or more reliable than others?

Not really, the NA of course are going to be more reliable but not quite as fast without some work, you can generally pick those up in pretty good shape for under 6-7k. same with the turbos, my dad got the one that’s in my avatar for around 5k so you have to look around . from what I can tell the 86-89 handle better than the later ones, still are pretty reliable and are dirt cheap so you may want to look into those.

Hey all ,New member from Texas . Just wanted to say hello!!!

Could any one out there direct me to a source to find a schematic for the A\C compressor mounting brackets for a 1986 Chevy Cavalier .(have alredy tried the old Haynes manual!!! no way)

A good place to start would be the Cavalier Forums, http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?f=110

Lordvektra
thank you for the tip!!

hahaha, welcome new guy, thanks for swinging into the thread, nice to meet you. Anyways, so I got to thinking, checking the listing for a local autoX, and I saw the 944 Porsche making a pretty decent showing. Anyone have an opinion on this for my description in the initial post? I can find some in my area for about 6-7K with all the records. Thanks.

Older Porsches aren't all that expensive, but the insurance and upkeep is gonna be horrendous. I'd pass.

I wouldent do porsche, from what I understand it takes money to keep a newer running much less an old one

No kidding. A friend of mine who owns a 2000 Carrera 4 cabriolet got his front bumper smashed up because some moron backed into him. The repair was $3,000...for a bumper. I can't imagine what it would be like on an older car, where little things are breaking all the time. :eek7:

Thats pretty much what I thought. I think the 240 is gonna be what I go with. Thanks for all the help and info, and any more recomendations would be greatly appreciated. I will let you guys know exactly what I end up with here in about a month or less. Thanks to everyone for their input and keep it coming.