Recommendations on cheap, fun second car?

[FL Knifemaker]

^That looks neat. Is it front wheel drive? I love front wheel drive cars...

Yes!! The motor/tranny is lowered in the chassy so the drive shafts were straight out of the LSD. Minimal torque steer. Incredible cornering traction coming off the rev limiter. It ATE front tires, LOL!!!

 

[FL Knifemaker]

Yeah, thats the kind of stuff I'm looking for. I'm considering a Datsun 510, with some modifications, I think that could be a great car.

Good luck finding a 510. That would be an ultra cool toy!!!

 

[mvw356]

Stay away from the Porsche 928. It s a great car, just not for 5000 bucks. you can get a very nice Porsche 914 for 5000, it's not very fast in a straight line, but around corners it goes very well indeed.

 

[TheButler]

Volvo 850R, for that money you could get a nice example, maybe even with enough cash left to get it chipped (i dunno price wise though as i am in UK) I love my volvos (crazy i know) people don't realise that a chipped one of these can give an M3 a good run for it's money! If big Swedish wagons/saloons aren't your cup of tea consider small Euro hatches (Golf GTi, finding a nice example may be a task though)

 

[Rody]

Mk1 MR2...

Cheers Rody

 

[Mike N]

Build a smallblock S-10.

 

[JacoLesFlea]

I just bought a 85 928S in black with 5speed.....I will post picks as soon as it is delivered.......

 

[Pilgrim]

Datsun Z-series!!

Choose from 240, 260, 280 or 280ZX. Iron dependable, very affordable, parts are available, and there are plenty of nice ones available at reasonable prices.

Porsche parts are OBSCENE and they're not that special anyway. Example: the four bolts that hold the turbo on a 924 are $80 each. PER BOLT. Gag.

My 280ZX Turbo runs like a dream and is fun to drive...and parts and maintenance are easy.

 

[Bryan316]

Jeep jacked for mudbogging.

 

[MakiSupaStar]

Porsche 914. Mid engine. You can then find a porsche 911 engine to put in it. It will fly. Spend time tinkering and improving parts.

 

[Mon Rominee]

Another vote for the Z cars, right up your alley. 240's and 280's are sick awesome fun to drive.

Who knows? You could get incredibly lucky and find an older 300z in that price range...not AS bulletproof, but a wicked car.

Also if you could find a Toyo MR2 that isn't beat to snot, those are trick, and are as go-kart on wheels as you will ever get. the footprint is practically square (corners like it, hahahaha) , and you sit low low low.

And as for the Porche 914, my friend Greg is selling a canary yellow, fully restored one. 14 grand. I know, spendy, but it's a peach.

 

[Xed32]

Miata, Datsun Z or 510, AE86 Toyota (Collectible now and getting more expensive). 1980s civic. I'd go for the AE86 Toyota though.

 

[McHack]

For that price, you could get a 2nd Gen Mazda RX-7 Turbo... w/ a little effort & a couple of easy mods, you could turn it into something that'd make your pee your pants.

The only problem is finding one.

 

[Linas]

volvo 242 turbo. Fun cool unique car!!!

 

[Thor]

For that price, you could get a 2nd Gen Mazda RX-7 Turbo... w/ a little effort & a couple of easy mods, you could turn it into something that'd make your pee your pants.

The only problem is finding one.

Yeah, they have disappeared up here, mostly succumbed
to rust as my old 84 RX7-SE did. Wonderful to drive, but
I did have reliability issues that I finally cured by changing
wires every tuneup. It was prone to flooding in wet weather
and needed to be always fully warmed up when started.

I put a replacement engine in at 120k, it was ready again for
on at 225, rotor seals.

Buddy of mine dropped a small block V8 into one, egads!

I'd grab another in a heartbeat if I could find one at the right
price.

Miata might not be bad. (hairdresser car with a V6 could
be a bad@$$ sleeper).

 

[Mon Rominee]

There have been Miatas with Mustang engines put in them, a company does this specifically...called Monster Miatas...look it up.

beastly!

 

[toytech]

mr2 turbo, or na second generation, mr2 supercharged 1st generation are all in your price range (turbo will be alittle rough at that price) and give huge fun per dollar and amazing handling with proper alignment. Also they are well, Toyota reliable. Check out mr2oc.com it is one of the better car forums out there.
Chris

 

[Jiggybass]

I just bought a 85 928S in black with 5speed.....I will post picks as soon as it is delivered.......

Dang! I want one.

 

[MakiSupaStar]

Miata, MGB, Jaguar E-Type, or Fiat spider would be fun cars to tinker with too.

 

[Jazzin']

An old 'Vette or a used Subaru STi.