The next project car?

I was thinking about my next project car. I know I haven't even come close to finishing the GTC. However, I don't need to do much to the Stealth to get it where I want it. So I figure I want to pick out my next project car. Here are the cars I have rumbling around in my head so far:

Nissan 240SX Hatchback (1989-1992)
Nissan 300ZX (1989-1991)
Nissan 240Z/260Z (1970-1977)
Mazda RX-7 FC Turbo II (1989-1993)
Porsche 944 Turbo (1989-1990)
Mitsubishi Starion ESI-R/Chrysler Conquest TSi (1989-1990)
Toyota Supra Mark III (1987-1992)
Toyota Corolla AE86 or AE85 (1987)

If you can think of any cars to add, drop them in there. What I am looking for is RWD since I already have a FWD and AWD car. It has to be a manual. I am NOT looking for a Mustang or Camaro, nothing with solid rear axles since I am not building a drag car. I want something more inclined to turn. Also, if you have any information you can give me about the cars on my list please post it, but not if it's just an unfounded opinion.

Thanks,
Clint

I think Stario/Conquest would fit in well with your current theme.

I'd go with the 300ZX, why don't you consider the newer FD?

toyota corolla















........weren't you the one who talked smack because i drove a "corolla". J/k

AE86 FTW!!!

...I'd seriously want to see that one as your project car...

I'd go with the 300ZX, why don't you consider the newer FD?

Mainly cost, plus I really do like the styling of the FD.

toyota corolla, weren't you the one who talked smack because i drove a "corolla". J/k

Perhaps, but there is a big difference between your Corolla and an AE86. :wink:

Well how much are you willing to spend?

Probably about $10,000.

Nissan 240Z/260Z (1970-1977)


240z - 1970 -1973
260z - 1974 - 1975
280z - 1975 - 1977

:wink:

I'd say the MK III Supra. You don't see a whole lot of them and they have as much potential as you could want, they are neat looking car IMO and it is well built car.

240z - 1970 -1973
260z - 1974 - 1975
280z - 1975 - 1977

:wink:
See, this is one of the reasons why I posted this thread. Aren't they all built on the same platform?

See, this is one of the reasons why I posted this thread. Aren't they all built on the same platform?


They're all built on the same chassis, the S30 chassis yes. But as the years went on they got slightly bulkier and heavier.

Mostly due to interior improvements to quiet them down, and they softened up the suspension a bit for more of a GT car rather than a Sports car like ride. Not to mention heavier bumpers to meet with stricter Federal Crash standards. Of course they come off with a few bolts and you've shaved off serious weight.

The 240z was the lightest by far, in the 2300lb range. The 280z was up near 2500-2600lbs.

The 280zx's were on the S130 chassis, longer wheelbase to get that luxurious GT feel. And they ran in the 2800lb-2900lb range. Not too terribly heavy, still light by todays standards for RWD coupes. But you don't want those. :grinno:

The 944/951 is rwd but technically has a trans-axle in the way it's designed. There is a near 50/50 weight distribution which makes them handle awesome stock. If you want more power the 951 (944 turbo) would be your choice. I miss my 944... :frown:

Well I know that you have always liked the 300ZX, as do I, and much like the stealth you wouldn't have to do much to get it were you want it. There are still a lot of aftermarket parts for them and they can produce a lot of power. You can eaisly pick one up in that price range, and possibly have a nice turbo upgrade done.

The 240SX can be fun too. I like how the engine is easy to work on. Lots of room in the bay and a lot of parts are still avalible for these.

I'm a big fan of nissan. Love what they got and do! You know that! How fast do you want to go? You can get more power eaiser in the 300ZX but they will cost more to aquire. The 240SX will be cheaper and you can put extra money into it to make it fast. I'm really torn. I dont know which to choose. The 300ZX is a mans car, but the 240SX seems more like a highschool kids car. But they usually really screw it up! Trying to rice it out and stuff.

If you do it right, the best car would be the 240SX. You could really have some fun and stay well under budget. You can do most of the work yourself and not worry about a cramped engine bay.

+1 on supra or FC. Those two cars are easy to mod and they are fun to drive. I think the FC would be alot better though cause it's lighter and more agile than the Supra is. You can grab either one of those for roughly the same price of about 5g which gives alot of room left on your budget for mods. Hell with having an extra 5g you can do a 3 rotor swap on the FC and say to hell with the supra.

I say the Starion/Conquest. That way I could get some pointers. I have been looking at getting one of these as a project car myself....

My budget is more like $0 for right now, but I 'll have about 3 grand to spend in 2 more months. 500 hundred of that goes straight to my GTP though....

Corolla or the FC.

go with the porsche

I say the Starion/Conquest. That way I could get some pointers. I have been looking at getting one of these as a project car myself....

My budget is more like $0 for right now, but I 'll have about 3 grand to spend in 2 more months. 500 hundred of that goes straight to my GTP though....


if you want info for the starion/conquest you can ask musashi, he was building one till he had to get rid of it.

get a 190 for cheap and do an evo job on it maybe even drop a short block in it:naughty:

ohh that gives me ideas:evillol:

I posted a poll in Car Comparisons, so go over there and vote!

If your willing to spend 10K go with the starion/conquest. Im willing to bet you would prolly have one of the top 50 starion/conquests in the country.

Youd spend about 1K on the body and decent motor, motor wise you could prolly get that done for 5k. So you have like 6k total so far. 2k for body work and mods got to get the tails from japan and a old school celica spoiler. So you got 8k in it. So 3k left to play with for w/e.

If i had the want of an import anymore id get a starion, course id drop some huge V8 in it but thats me.

go german, either the porsche or the E30 M3

Well, I haven't made a decision yet, but based on some advice I have decided to cut some from the list.

Nissan 240SX Hatchback (1989-1992)
I'm still considering the 240. I know that they are a popular choice for project cars and I'm not one to go with the mainstream. However, if I were to go with a 240 it would not be set up for drifting, I would leave the front end alone no Silvia conversion, and I don't know if I would even swap in the SR20DET.

Nissan 300ZX (1989-1991)
I am taking this off the list despite how much I like this car. As Moppie said it is just too similar to the Stealth. I will have one though, eventually.

Nissan 240Z (1970-1973)
This has always been a nice option and I am keeping it on the list. I like the fact that it's inexpensive. If I went this route I would most likely buy it as a project car and something like a E36 M3 as a daily driver.

Mazda RX-7 FC Turbo II (1989-1993)
I am in love with the looks of this car. However, I don't think it would make a good project car. I just wouldn't know what to do to it and think it would be a great car to leave alone, at least on the engine side. I am mostly ignorant to the rotory engine so I could be missing something.

Porsche 944 Turbo (1989-1990)
I have been looking into the 944 and have come to the same conclusion as Moppie. If I want to go with a Porsche I think I would rather pick another model. I wouldn't mind going with a Targa and there is one for sale in American Fork.

Mitsubishi Starion ESI-R/Chrysler Conquest TSi (1989-1990)
Here is another car I'm not sure what to do with. I hear a lot about reliability issues with the engine, so perhaps an engine swap? Then again I'm not sure I want another Mitsubishi yet. Like the 300Z and the FC I will own one no matter, but for now it's off the list.

Toyota Supra Mark III (1987-1992)
No question, this is gone. As far as looks are concerned it is the ugliest car of the group. Not to mention after looking at prices they are simply over priced. It seems that the pricing has trickled down from the Mark IV to the III thanks to the Fast and the Furious. Sorry, an 89' Mark III automatic with over 100k on the clock is not worth $12,000.

Toyota Corolla AE86 or AE85 (1987)
Yes, like the 240 another popular drift car but once again, I don't like drifting so I wouldn't go that route. Even though it's been done I like the F20C swap. I'm still considering this one.

BMW M3 E30 (1989-1991)
A few of you have said that I need a European car in my stable and I agree. However, this is another car that I'm not quite sure what to do with though Moppie and Jimster have some good ideas. The only real hurtle with this car is finding one. I'm guessing it will be as tough as finding the GTC was.

Keep the comments and ideas coming guys. If you have a car to add go ahead and post it up and go vote in the other thread.

Thanks,
Clint

even tho u have second thoughts about the 944t, i'd still choose that, for an 89-90, u'll have 247hp, and a lil more tq. they are well balanced as stated previously. the only problem, those years tend to still b up near 8k or more(at least by me). if u went with an older turbo, u still get 220hp and the good weight distribution, and the tq i think is 240(i might b wrong).
i just went thru the same type of dilemma, only closer in comparison, a 95-98 240sx or a late 80's 944n/a, i went with the 944, i get it next wk.
i took it because too many teens drive 240's and i want outta the catagory of being pulled over in the typical kids car. and he 240 i wanted is way too difficult for me to find in jersey(well for sale at least). the 944 is a porsche so very much respected. i only know of one teen that had one(that was me 2yrs ago) and damn it they handle really well, even matching my stealth tt at times.
if u were thinking a 911, i know of one for 6k, 74, hardtop(i think a removable roof). yellow, and it runs well, u'd just need to do a lil work to make it quicker. it just has one problem, they arent called rolling coffins for no reason.

I like the Starion/Conquest idea personally...I can't remember ever even seeing one on the road to be honest.

AE86 FTW!!!

...I'd seriously want to see that one as your project car...


too bad the AE86 has a solid axle rear suspension..... doh.

The FC is nice but its got trailing arm suspension in the rear so that sucks too. How serious of a handler do you want? If your okay with 70-80's suspension design like the FC's, than a FC with a LS1 swap would be perfect and it won't break the bank.

the d1 corolla drift cars use both IRS and solid rear, either way, the car still handles great. There are conversion kits if you are a die-hard IRS fan. And the mk3 supra is one of the most sexy looking old school jap cars, foo!

or a miata ls1 swap or actually i think they use a ford v8 but it sill rock

to bad u dont want the mk3, there's one b me, $6,600 and 110k, 5spd, white ext