New guy needs help on cheap cars.

Just for a little back ground info, I recently became interested in automotives about a year ago. Incidently I have an obsessive learning ability so I have absorbed an immeasureable amount of knowledge in the field compaired to when I began, although having no hands-on experience... (Important fact)... I am turning 18 next month and am hopeing to be getting a car to work on. Now, I am obviously looking into some sort of Muscle/Sport car to deal with. I have already taken the means in my own hands and have spent the summer working full time, and will have around $1500 soon.

Now, I don't want to ensue a battle, so I will be rather specific. I have been looking into a few different Makes/Models.

~2nd Gen. RX-7 (N/A)
~mk1 MR2
~A-body Mopar (Duster, Dart, Scamp)

There is obviously a sharp decline in similarity around the 3rd instance. I am looking for advice on which car I should go with. Each has its disadvantages.

For instance, considering my lack of skill and experience the mopar would probobly be the easiest to work on for me. But the 7 and 2 would offer better reliability and likely last longer. Obviously I would choose my sport of choice depending on the car, wether it be Drag, Auto X, etc. I also like the styling of the mopars much more than the imporrr....... uhh, "other cars". But I still cannot help but feel I may be over-looking important factors that only owners of these cars can make apparent.

I would appreciate any advice/imput. Thanks a bunch.

I dunno how you're gonna find an A-Body in decent condition for $1500...I'd go w/ the MR2.

Well, I wouldn't doubt I would have trouble finding the mopar, but with any classic car it isn't the easiest thing to find. And as for the price, I am working a steady income, so the longer it takes, the more money I have.

mr2, if i had to pick, in a life or death situation.

I have owned: 72 Plymouth Fury (not my choice), 62 Mercury Meteor (small 6-cyl), 62 Triumph TR4 (my favorite - should have kept), 80 Honda Prelude, 86 Mitsu Mirage Turbo (still I think, a beautiful car), 93 Escort Wagon, 97 Civic EX and currently a 01 Accord EX (back to 5-speeds!).

Regarding reliability I would think you'd be much better off w/the A-Body. Those vehicles have almost mythical reliability history, at least mechanically. I can't speak to rust issues, etc., but the MR2 or RX-7 are going to have a lot more complex smog and electrical components with which to deal. I also would think it would be difficult to find an MR2 or RX-7 in your price range that haven't been soundly thrashed.

Now, depending on what you want to do w/them, I would tend to think the A-Body for street/strip and the imports (call 'em what they are!) for better handling. If you lean toward the imports, I would recommend holding off until you have enough cash to get a good one. I came from a Mopar family and have a special place for them in my heart, but as you see I have been mostly an import/small car guy since then.

However, my next ride will probably be either a '05 Mustang or a '04 Miata. Best of luck and welcome to the world of auto enthusiasm.

if i were you id wait a while save around $3000 and get a good solid investment rather than a car thats been beaten to death by previous owners. My choice would be the mr2, rx7's are rotary engines, and unless you know how to work on them your screwed, i use to have an 84 rx7, luckily i knew how 2 work on those motors' b/c no mechanices i found would. GOOD LUCK

Thanks guys, I am inclined to agree on all points, unfortionatly my family is going through a rough time right now, and they are always top priority, so I may not even get around to being able to work with a performance car until after college. But I can promise all of you I will continue my intrest in Automotives and keep learning. Thanks again guys.