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Hey guys, I figured if there's a haven for ammo & guns here, then why not one for parts and all things auto? I don't know if car enthusiasts and bitcoin go as hand in hand as gun enthusiasts and bitcoin, but I figured I'd see who's out there.

The thread is open to any that wish to discuss cars or trade parts, as I may be doing so in the near future, so that's why I've brought this to the marketplace.
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I'm currently looking for suggestions of relatively inexpensive and fast used cars. I'm looking for a ride in the range of under 10k to be a sporty alternate to my daily driver. Cheaper is better so that I have starter room for fixes and aftermarket upgrades. No street racer here, just have a love and interest to broaden my knowledge and skills and have a project to work on, probably go to the track several times.

Here's what I've been interested in so far. (Some obviously difficult/rare to find in the price range).

-Nissan 300zx 90-95 (2+2 or TT)
-Nissan 240sx S14 (wish S15)
-Nissan 180sx
-BMW M3 95-99 (Coupe or Sedan)
-Infiniti G35 Coupe 03-06

Let me know what you guys think, not looking necessarily for fastest quarter mile times, but overall performance, reliability, looks, and other thoughts. Tips and additions are definitely welcome. Tell me what rides you have. Enlighten me.
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You don't have to necessarily answer me. The thread's open to anything, just started it with something of my own.

P.S. Please no hotheads trying to out flame each other, let's at least try to have a nice environment.

Thanks for stopping by,
RustyRyan

300zx is heavy and has bad handling unless it's been done properly - kills people in the wet.  Expensive to maintain when things go wrong on the TT model.
Mitsi 3000GT - hugely overweight, but looks nice.
Infiniti G35 - I used to have a J30 - loved it.  engines are good
Honda (any) I'll refrain from commenting to prevent a flame war

S14's are nice - will be at the the silvia club track day in October.

Good idea man... :)

Really? I've always heard good things about how 300zx's handle. Yeah the TT models are really hard to find these days with a reasonable amount of mileage. So far all I know about the drawbacks are bad fuel injectors and A/C issues.


Heheh very cool.

Thanks and welcome.

When I was looking some while ago (um, about 10 years ago) I thought a 300zx would be a good buy and then started talking to various people about them and was put off by the comments about how they handle in the wet, and also the costs for when the turbo's go bang.  I do have a friend with a very nice one which he drives extremely well (and including on the occasional wet track days we have), but his skill level is pretty good - he's tinkering with it currently at around 415kw.

Anyway I ended up with an 96NA Supra at the time and later had the option to get a TT (since with a single conversion) and it's just rolled past 54000km (about 40k miles).

Most of the track days I do I end up playing with the GTRs and other Supras.

I don't even think I could ever dream of getting a Supra that isn't completely abused and modded to hell. I understand the sentiment, rarity, and it being a classic but if clean ones exist in my area, their owners have pretty impossible asking prices.

Seen any Skylines while your out there? I drool at the sight of that car.

Mines still in excellent condition because it wasn't driven for the first five years, and it had 16000 km on the clock when I got it basically as a one year old car.  Only gets light use.  Mods have been done carefully with nothing done to the body-work or motor (only some bolt on stuff) and the latest tune is pretty much maxed out the transmission.

The GTRs are mainly R32's and R34's (only a couple of the 33's).  We're getting more interest from the R35 owners to come to our private annual event day, but they are still tending to run their own sessions and are a bit down on power.  The S14 and S15 guys also tend to run in their own group, but there are some very nicely turned out cars from them.

You take your Supra to the track often? What kind of times are you running? Only seen a R34 once in person, pretty rare. Would love to have one someday.

I'm going to assume you are in the United States.

If you have a garage and some spare monthly income for parts then the S14 is a great option. You should be able to pick up a decent one(they are all going to be beat to hell) for a few thousand dollars. Then you'll proceed to strip it down and rebuild it with fresh parts. The SR-20 motor swap, rear axle/LSD swap out of the J30, and the 300ZX TT brake swap are just a few of the things you'll want to do.

In the end the S14 is a cheap econobox with a ton of performance parts swapped in to it. It is going to creak. It is going to rattle. However, if treated properly it is going to be stupid fast. Depending where you live there might still be an active 240sx tuning community. It is definitely a dying platform though as the few remaining 240s are wrapped around poles and slammed in to walls.

The Mazda Miata is similar to the S14 with a huge community and a gigantic parts list available. Don't let the stigma of it being a "girly" car fool you. Mazda has put a ton of research in to making it one of the best handling cars on the planet. All it needs is 200-250whp and it's a go-kart.

You can probably guess what I drive from my username.

So far I've only maxed out the stock IP and installed a manual boost controller and straight pipes, but I'm trying to get an adapter plate made so I can install the GT2256V I've had sitting around for years.

as for trading parts, I am extremely interested if anyone has a GT2359V for sale or access to a CNC mill or Bosch test bench.

I like the 240SX platform, but finding one that isn't riced up or beat to hell (like there's a difference lol) is getting hard.  My buddy in Houston, TX has/had the fastest KA powered 240 for a while.  Not sure if the record has been broken since then.  Now he has a 2JZ in and is a lot faster.

@Patrick: There's nothing wrong with Honda.  They have some really well-engineered engines that are often years ahead of anybody else.  Ex. the B16A motor, which came out in the 80s, has port flow numbers that weren't matched by anything domestic until the LS1 (which coincidentally have almost exactly the same flow #s as a Mitsu 4G63 head, 1st gen).  Honda K-series have made close to 700whp without so much as removing the valve cover.  They feature fully bed-plated bottom ends, and a head that flows nearly 18% better than even a fully race-ported B16A head.  And Honda F20/F22 (S2000) head flows even better than that.  

Living in TX, there was a whole Honda group that was gunning for the big single Supras -- specifically SW.  I don't think anybody could ever really touch him short of T1 Tony, and as a whole we weren't successful.. BUT that left a lot of really REALLY fast Hondas.  But alas, there's only so much you can do with a FWD platform.  Highway roll-racing was the soup de jour, and for that you need big HP numbers.  It's easy enough to make 800whp+, but it's another thing to actually put it down to the ground, even with tires.  

I just need Bitcoin to take off so I can get one of those Underground Racing Gallardos.  Seriously, 1500whp+ in a platform that weighs little more than an Integra? SHUT UP AND TAKE MY MONEY!

I'm stoked to see this thread.  I drive a 2007 mitsubishi eclipse gt modded, but its stupid heavy.  The older second gen had some fun, fast versions, but most of those a beat to trash now.  What type of driving are you wanting to do?  Drag, drift, autocross, actual track time, or just a fun toy for all around?

Welcome :). Yeah it's a shame that's the case with most cars worth driving.

I am excited for the recently released Subaru BR-Z.  I think it has the potential to become a very popular modder and with huge part availability.  Although, brand new it is about double what you were trying to stay under.  I am betting Subaru releases a STI version next year also.

I'll just say this much.... there's a reason that the Miata is the most tracked car in the US.  It also makes for a reliable, cheap, and fun daily-driver.  You can get a decent clean one for around $5k, then have lots of room in your budget left for upgrades for the track.  And it's easy to add a turbo if it's too slow for you stock.  Or take a look at the Mazdaspeed edition with a turbo from the factory.

I don't like the looks of them myself, but oh man, the drive is worth it!  And most other people who have driven them will tell you the same...

+1, also excited!  Light cars are awesome.  :)

Yeah I'm eventually planning on putting some decent money into whichever car since most will at least need some tlc. You speaking from experience of owning one?

I completely acknowledge the efficiency of Miatas, I'm just one of those people that can't get over the look heheh.

This.

Yeah that and the FR-S have caught my eye, but I think I'd rather go with an older cheaper ride, one to fix up a bit, we'll see. Never really saw the difference between the FR-S and BRZ they have the exact straight line performance. Correct me if I'm wrong but the only difference I know of is the slightly better suspension in the FR-S. I think the BRZ has a few more bells and whistles but doesn't that make it a bit heavier than the other?

I have a friend with a FR-S that has discussed the suspension, at length, with other BRZ/FR-S competitors.  The best description I've heard is that the FR-S and BRZ suspensions are close in overall handling, but the FR-S oversteers a bit easier, and the BRZ understeers easier.  The front/rear spring ratios are different between the two, but I don't recall the numbers.  Nobody seems to have a conclusion on which has better transitional handling.

I'll second a Miata as a cheap, reliable, track-able car.  I borrowed one to flog around a track last weekend.  Not the fastest in a straight line, but with good springs and shocks- they handle great!  We've had Corvette drivers leave our Autocross group because they were tired of having their asses handed to them by Miata drivers.

I am pretty sure they are built in the same factory out of most of the same parts.  The whole drive train is identical.  The handling may be a tad different as they may have different factory settings, but your probably going to replace the suspension anyways and that slight difference will be thrown out then anyways.

And, yes, miata's are fun and usually piss off a handleful of much bigger/more expensive car owners at all the autocrosses.

@RustyRyan

I like the older European stuff.  My current bunch are a 1990 Merc 500SL, a 1991 300E and a 1992 Alpina Biturbo.  The last one is coming out of the (mechanic's) garage hopefully this week.  I've been waiting months to drive it.

Have you considered a Porsche 944 S2 or Turbo S?  Fantastic handling, terrific acceleration and at least in the S2 fairly affordable to keep on the road.  They've probably hit the bottom of their depreciation curve and are starting up the other side.  You should be able to get into a decent one for well under $10K. 

Fair enough, I understand entirely.  I have a turbocharged one, and I just love the look on people's faces when they get schooled by a girl's car, in a straight line OR in the corners.  It's priceless.  :)  I do wish they'd put a much more aggressive look on the things though, something more along the lines of the BRZ.

BMW e30 FTW!

I'm trying to decide between a DC2 Integra Type-R, or a nice condition E30 M3.

E30!  Those are way different machines.

At the cheap end I have an E46 in the drive.  (318ti 2000 model - basic, and fun to hack around in)

Both are just plain awesome platforms. I just hope Bitcoin takes off so I can get both :P

I don't know where you live, but ITRs tend to be near the top of the "most frequently stolen cars" list-- and the insurance rates are jacked accordingly..
Besides, I've driven my share of wrong-wheel drive cars on track, and I wouldn't want that for frequent track use.

Both would be just for collecting, not tracking.  A clean low mileage ITR already fetches what it did when it was new, as does a the M3.  It won't be much longer before prices for either will be out of reach :'(

I like the taste in here, E30s definitely a nice machine. Although for myself currently, I'll stick to some others.

I never personally owned a S13/S14. I did help wrench on a few and saw the troubles associated with a budget platform being stressed to its limits. They're fun cars but they'll piss you off right quick initially. All the issues that can crop up in the SR20 swap alone could turn you off from the platform.


I'm eagerly watching to possibly buy a little brother for my STI but all the rumors are saying the BRZ STI will just have upgraded suspension and a retune. Then again there is the new turbo 2.0L from the jdm Legacy GT that Subaru is putting out.. maybe that will make its way in to the BRZ. All else fails I'm sure in a few months we'll have some EJ257 swaps in to the BRZ making stupid power. Or I suppose a frankenmotor using the stock FA20.

Well I have to add a few things to this thread.

I've had a 91 300Z TT ,03 G35, 85 944


The 300zx twin turbo is a great car, it has stock 300 or 280hp depending on the model.
Its great for freeway racing, once your turbo spool up your gone!
But if you have to turn thats when it really shows that the handling isn't great.
300hp to 400Hp, is very easy on a stock car, exhaust system, boost controller,intake
Bad side, the fuel injectors that came stock do not handle ethanol very well and fall apart.
This car because of the age is going to cost alot more to mantain, expect a min of 2k per year.
I blew the engine in my TT going ~130 mph, threw a bearing.
Thing is a pain in the ass to work on!!

The 944 is a great handling car, mine was a non-turbo.
If you like to drive hilly roads or take turns fast this is a great car.
Your going to need a turbo to go over 120 in this car.
This car is really FUN to work on, its so easy to change parts and work on the engine.
Parts are pretty cheap because it shares parts with the 928.

The G35 is a fun little toy, if you don't need 400+ HP.
Its electronically limited @ 155 MPH, I've only been able to get mine up to 142MPH(stock)
Mods on this engine don't produce huge gains, if you put an intake your lucky to get 5 HP.
Has pretty good brakes, if you put good pads and cross drills you never have brake fade.
If someone taps your bumper @ 5mph the repair cost run around 2k. I've had 3 people back into my car! both the front and back bumper!
headlight are a Pain in the ass to keep clean, because they haze over.
Traction control on this Car seems to work great compared with other cars, Its almost a game to see how many times you can set it off lol

Huh, didn't know the handling issues with the Z were this common. Yeah I'm afraid of blowing the engine on a TT model I pick up after this many years. Yeah, almost all 300zx's I've seen have fuel injector problems. I think I've heard of weird a/c issues also because of some unique system this model uses? Don't really know, have you had any issues with that? I know what you mean, the amount of room you have to work with under the hood is tight to say the least.

Yup, the power is what I'm debating because I like the look of the G35 and some other weaker cars. Your G35 chipped? I ask because you say its locked at 155. Sorry to hear about the banged up bumpers heheh.

The G35 I raced didn't appreciate being smoked by a Miata.  ;)

@SgtSpike

This  (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ww7oGKkrU-0)must be you with the 900hp 9 second Miata huh? Heheh seriously though the guy makes a nice save.

Whoa!  I'll bet there was some tobacco in his shorts after that!

Haha, no, I wish!  Well, in some ways, haha.

Has anyone here had any experience with importing a car from, say, Japan?

Yes, I've bought my last four from Japan.  It's straightforward if you live in Canada.

I'm in the U.S. I'm guessing several things would be different with regulations. Anything difficult from your experience? Have you gone to Japan to check any of them out, or if not have you simply used a certain company online (which one/s did you use)?

The main difference is that to bring a car into the US easily it needs to be 25 years old.  Otherwise you'll have to Federalize it which is very expensive.

I've always bought at auction through the services of a broker, never travelled there.

I would recommend Scott at http://www.japancardirect.com/

it says 15 years old on that site :)

15 for Canada, 25 for the U.S.A.

Anyone here with an SR20 swap on a Silvia have/know any issues with inspection or passing smog in certain states? Heard that might be an issue.

Problem with engine swaps depend on the state laws(if any),California is pretty bad, all aftermarket parts have to have a CARB test sticker and engine swaps have to go to state testing location for inspection to make sure the car has all the smog equipment still on it. The guys that run is this state testing stations are super sharp(Unlike test only stations lol) and unless your on there good side they won't let anything slide.

A Trick a few people use in California, register in Louisiana. The top writing of the plate looks the same and most of the state didn't have smog laws.

I moved all my cars over to Arizona registration, No smog, and 50% cheaper than California, and I can register my cars for 5 years and my drivers license doesn't expire till 2044.