Buying a Car

[FOdrifter]

I am looking to buy a car that I can drive everyday, has lots of power and tourque, and also can have fun on the weekends drifting around thoes turns, and also I would like to get something that I can tune easily while being able to find parts easily.

Yeah I know Im a noob or whatever, please help.

[Layla's Keeper]

Lots of power and torque, eh? Well, honestly, you may not like to hear it but a 3rd Gen F-body (Pontiac Firebird or Chevrolet Camaro) or Fox Body Mustang (1979-1993) would be your best bet.

Seriously, they can be made to handle incredibly well (take a look at the NASA's American Iron class) and those big V8's have more torque than you'll know what to do with.

But, if you're one of those "purists" who demand a Japanese car, then I'll advise you to go 240SX hunting. Or, if you'd prefer and you have the cash, try and track down a Lexus SC300 with a manual transmission. They're pretty good for drifting.

[FOdrifter]

Thanks alot, I am also looking for something that is cheep and easy to find, I have been told about the Silvia but thoes are too hard to find, so is there anyothers that are cheap and easy to find?

[Layla's Keeper]

Well, first question: Where are you at?

If you're here in the states, then you shouldn't be able to swing a dead cat without hitting a Fox-body Mustang or a 3rd gen Camaro/Firebird. Generally speaking, either of those with 5speed transmissions and their V8 engine options (Mustang= 5.0L V8, Camaro/Firebird= 5.0L or 5.7L V8) can be found for less than $3000. The aftermarket is huge for these cars, and replacement stock parts are plentiful as well.

For imports, cheap and FR are sort of a sticking point. It isn't exactly common to find cars that are both, but Nissan 240SX's (that's that Silvia your friends were talking about. Silvia is the Japanese market name for the notchback 240SX coupe with a fixed headlight nose) and (not often thought of but work quite well from what I'm told) MkI and MkII Toyota Supras. Again, you should be able to find either of these cars for under $3000 and there is aftermarket support, though the older Supras are more of a cult car than mass market appeal.

[FOdrifter]

Hey thanks again, your a lot of help.

To answer your question, Im in Florida, Central Florida.
Yeah I was looking more tward a import, beacause of the cheaper prices that I can find and the wider range that are for sale. Besides the Supra are there anyother imports that would be compatible, like the Integra, or anyother cheap imports? I hear that the Nissan 240sx is a good car but I cant seem to find many that are for sale, and when I do they arnt in my area.

Thanks, again

[Layla's Keeper]

'Tegs aren't for drifting. They're front-wheel drive.

Beyond a MkII Supra, there's also the traditional AE86 Corolla (1983-86 Toyota Corolla GT-S) or a Mitsubishi Starion/Chrysler Conquest. And, if you're brave, try locating an earlier model RX-7 like an SA22C (1978-1985) or FC (1986-1992). They're a little bit more expensive to maintain, but they're incredibly durable cars.

[-The Stig-]

Originally Posted by Layla's Keeper

. Generally speaking, either of those with 5speed transmissions and their V8 engine options (Mustang= 5.0L V8, Camaro/Firebird= 5.0L or 5.7L V8)

Quick bit of info...

There was never a 5.7L (350ci) V8 cars equipted with a 5 speed from the factory in the 3rd Generation F-Body cars. It is possible to get a Z-28 or IROC-Z with the 305 and a 5 speed.

Manuals weren't offered with the 5.7L V8 untill '93 with the introduction of the 4th Generation F-Body and the LT1.

Other than that... Octagon is dead on in his words...

[Samurai75007]

That’s not true, the 1992 B4C highway patrol cruzer came with a 350ci V8 and eater a 4speed auto or a 5 speed Man. but out of the 650 made only about 300 are still around and most are in Texas. I myself am about to get one. For the 3rd gen Camaro you would want to find a B4C because of the heavy duty suspension and all 4-wheel disc brakes borrowed from the Corvette. With joust a set of koni adjustable’s you got a mean racecar.

[-The Stig-]

Well, I've known about the 'Cop' edition Camaros. But due to the low production numbers I don't consider it a production car. Seeing as it wasn't readily available to the public.

[Samurai75007]

well now thay are.... and who says you cant drift or race an auto with a 350?

[Suislide]

check out the "non-aligned drift cars" thread somewhere in this forum for some other ideas on top of what's already listed in here.

btw, just one correction to Octagon. SA22C was the code-name of the earlier first-gen RX-7's. i'm not sure which year this happened, but in the later years of the model run, they switched to calling it the FB. this is according to some guys i talk to on www.rx7club.com. again i'm not sure in which year they changed though...

[NSX-R-SSJ20K]

don't waste your time with over sized domestics. Get something light and rear wheel drive. Miata's are good (might want to get the HKS turbo kit). 240SX better (find out how to mod in 240SX forum). Or how about a BMW M3?

[Samurai75007]

M3s are still too much. For the last body style they are running around 10-18 grand still. But I’v found turbots for them to make mad power.

[Layla's Keeper]

Well, I'm glad everyone passed the test and caught the thoughtfully placed errors in my suggestions. Good for you.

But seriously, I believe FB was the factory codename for the facelifted 1985 model year RX-7's. If I'm not mistaken, a small number of these cars were also outfitted with the new 13B rotary in place of the old 12A as this was the first year of turbocharging.

As for NSX's comment about turbocharging the Miata, believe it or not, it's cheaper and easier to drop a Mustang 5.0L V8 into one of those. The kit is sold by Panache (web site www.v8miata.com ) . They'll also perform the swap for you for $16,900 including sourcing all the components and rebuilding the suspension to deal with the boost in power.

[BadSeed]

I am in the same boat as FOdrifter. I am looking to buy a car in the next 6 months to a year. Two reasons. First money, and second to take time to find the right car.

My question would be what is a good drift car out of the box (think used and cost effective $2500 to $4000) and that has good performance support. I don't want it to be perfect as I am looking to learn drifting.
I am looking for jap car as most american cars seem to be to heavy. I love the first gen mr2 83-87 but I think that the short wheelbase would be a problem?

Any and all sugestions are welcome.
Thanks,
Ben