Source
r/Autos•
Reothecube

Looking for a nice easy to fix sports car for under 12K

I've worked on cars a lot in my life, and a big part of getting a newer sportier car then my Nissan NX2000 is that I want it to be as easy or easier then it is to work on. Now I'm not a hardcore professional or anything but I like to make it a fun hobby and I've been thinking about getting a newer car in the near future with a bit of money I've come into recently. I've been looking at getting another car that I could really rip on the streets or on a track sometimes. I want a tuner that can turn, I'd honestly like to try and go RWD as well but F4s look like fun too, my NX is a blast and I'm likely to keep it if I want to have fun in FWD format (So not really interested in ITRs or moding a SRT4 to have superior handling). I don't really want to drive a BMW or Audi for various reasons, not to mention they tend to be MAJOR pains in the ass to work on.

I've been thinking about getting the S3 kit by BEGi on a Miata (Since I live in California and I want it to be legal) and tossing forged H-rods and forged pistons, and depending on the situation the 6 speed tranny.

But honestly I've been also thinking about a 350Z, S2000 or even doing a LS1 swap on a 240SX (Though because of the exhaust manifold this isn't likely going to be easy and I can't find easy straight answers). IF anyone has any better ideas or to tell me that a 350Z isn't fun to work on (I've never actually worked on one)

tl;dr

I want a cheap sports car that's more likely RWD, not likely to die in an accident, easy to work on, be legal enough in California for emissions, and I'm not afraid to spend time on it. Any ideas?

Posted Mar 8, 2011, 8:54 AM UTC · edited

526
68Cadillac'68 Cadillac Coupe deVille; '04 WRX; FFR 818R•

Miata first.

s2000 second choice.

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lanismycousin2001 VW Jetta 4CYL 18T•

rx8 with an lsx swap? ;)

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ReothecubeOP93 Nissan NX 2000•

That's actually not a bad idea, though I'm a bit ambiguous of the 4 doors, it's still a rather awesome car though. Since I know there is room to work, but the fear would be the same with a 240SX, will it fit with stock headers.

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eksai•

the s2000 is probably your best choice

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ReothecubeOP93 Nissan NX 2000•

Why would you say that over the miata? They're about equal handling, with the miata slightly winning. The torque curve on the S2000 SUCKS, not to mention the lack of it, not to mention it's roughly 500lbs heavier then the miata which would have more power then the S2000 after having a being shoved around 12psi and with forged H-rods and pistons would about as reliable and have more power. MY question is what are the advantages of having an S2000 over that?

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moogleiii•

Disclaimer: I own an s2000. But I wouldn't have said "best choice." I actually was going to mention a miata, too, since it would be more likely under your price req.

Just fyi though, the S2000 has forged internals, stock, so if you're going boost, that's something to keep in mind. It also has a very nice transmission, with some mags still saying it has one of the best to this day, assuming you find one that hasn't been beaten to hell (the gen 2 has carbon reinforced synchros). It's also one of the few cars in that price point with a front mid-engine design (no strut tower bar necessary except for bling factor). Personally I think it's a strong choice, too, but just not with your price point, because I'd recommend the gen2 for the upgraded transmission and suspension points even if you lose about 1000 revs. I suppose it depends how much customization you plan to do.

Oh another thing: the windshield frame on the S was designed to be able to support the weight of the vehicle, thus in a number of Californian track groups, you won't need a roll cage, whereas you will with a Miata.

Edit: Oh and the stock brake system is track ready. In fact, you will never need to upgrade them other than with track pads if you get to that level (and maybe some ducting for cooling).

Edit2: Oh yeah, the stock suspension has full camber, caster, and toe adjustability. So basically if you're strapped for cash, the S in stock form is track ready.

Edit for tone: I wouldn't recommend a Z. I cross shopped them, and while the Z had better power, it felt like a GT, not a two-seater sports car, and the transmission definitely felt worse. It also lacks stock camber adjustability (not sure about the rears, but definitely for the fronts), and the stock brakes are a joke.

Edit #5353: The S engine bay is pretty massive, too. People have been able to fit an LS1 or a 2JZ.

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ReothecubeOP93 Nissan NX 2000•

Boosting at 11:1 compression ratio is ASKING for problems, I'd have to get a bigger head gasket to drop it. The heavy flywheel also makes me feel like the AP2 kind of sucks (And one reason why I prefer my friend's 2000 vs another 05), along with several other tunes, but yeah, I could easily mod it to work right. Everyone has their preferences, I like my trannies a bit aggressive, and haven't really looked out there that much, Nissan didn't seem to have that problem on my NX (or my friend's 240Z) and it scares people to drive it (I like it when a car informs me I'm not going fast enough). The heavy weight for a roadster and near redline max torque scares me, but it's choices that I'd have to go after more, I know I can drop it with new CARB legal headers and a ECU tune to roughly 4800, but that requires good amounts of money. This car is more for having fun on the road then on a track, and I rather see it as that as well. But fair points, the big thing that I LOVE about the S2000 has ALL THE FREAKING ROOM TO work, it's gorgeous, it's like working on MG that doesn't explode every 25 miles

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moogleiii•

10 PSI would be no problem, and there are several off-the-shelf complete kits at that level. Pretty much bolt on and go. On 91, that's about 370-400 WHP. Beyond that I would imagine more know-how is needed, both in component selection and tuning, but there are many, many owners on s2ki.com with much higher psi than that on a stock hg (but probably not on stock pistons, beyond ~10 psi is out of my knowledge zone). Besides, if you're willing to swap out the pistons and rods on your theoretical miata, I don't think an HG swap is going to be all that difficult.

But yeah, if your target is a car for street racing, then I agree, the S is probably not your car. You'd need to swap out the diff and clutch for sure.

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JeremyChi•

Aren't we all...

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240guy20112002 WRX Wagon•

350z and S2000 are going to be the easiest to maintain, but an LS1 240sx is an awesome sleeper though very difficult to build and maintain compared to the other two. There are also tons of other engines you can put in a 240 and have fun with and they are a lot easier then an LS swap. Pretty much any Engine will fit in it most common is probably the SR20 swap but there are tons of other engines people have dropped in 240's

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ReothecubeOP93 Nissan NX 2000•

Well, that's the thing, sides the around the headers (And even there is some just not for a stock header), there is a fair bit of room to work the LS1 is kind of small in size (yay i-rods) but there are also some minor issues like oil pan and sways that impede it a bit, overall it doesn't look like it would be that hard to maintain. The fear with the 350Z is that it looks claustrophobic in many pictures but I haven't really worked on one, so I don't know. I rather not have some parts of it being a royal pain in the ass (Like my NX blew a hose, getting the Intake manifold was an adventure, with some people even suggesting to pull the engine because it would be easier! Not to mention no one sold the right sized hose for some reason) if something goes wrong. IS there a comfortable amount of room in the bay to work on it?

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dccse3k2013 Genesis Coupe2.0 R-Spec•

http://www.sikky.com/headers_high_performance_headers_manufacturer.php

http://www.sikky.com/mount_kits_high_performance_mount_kits_manufacturer.php

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ReothecubeOP93 Nissan NX 2000•

Sikky headers are not CARB legal if I really wanted to fell like bribing them, I rather just toss a SR20DET in it =P

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busted_up_chiffarobe1967 Buick GS340, 1975 Buick GS350, 2014 Dodge Charger SXT AWD•

Are used 350z's below that price point?!

I was going to say Miata...

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ReothecubeOP93 Nissan NX 2000•

Yes you can obtain a 350Z with low mileage and clean record for under 12K quite easily

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deltron2003 Ford Focus & 2005 Saab 9-2x Linear•

G35 or 350Z would be my bet.

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[deleted]•

[deleted]

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ALoudMouthBaby•

I know you'd prefer to avoid BMW, but if engine swapping is an option on the table here have you ever considered picking up an E30 and swapping in an S50 or S52? As engine swaps go this is a pretty straight forward swap requiring a OBDII conversion, a new oil pan, exhaust header and some wiring. Pretty much zero fabrication needed. The S50/S52 will bolt right up to the E30's Getrag. Should be easily doable for under a 12k budget and a lot of elbow grease. From my limited knowledge of California emissions testing I believe this should be passable even with how draconian they are.

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ReothecubeOP93 Nissan NX 2000•

German cars don't fit my personality honestly, I rather have 240Z over 2002tii any day (Trust me that angers my Bimmer addict friends, also can't accept that Datsun 2000 just rocked and it sucks that there aren't many out there, they all act like 2002 BEST CAR EVAR, and honestly, that's one of the biggest reasons why I don't like them). And E30s aren't bad, I can do a lot better with a Miata in handling. Engine swaps are fine long as it fits the law (So if it's a California car, it has to be a California engine), if it's out of state, LONG as the car has all the emission stuff (Even if it's GDM or JDM, it doesn't matter) on it's fine and gets approve but it has to have all stock emission or CARB approved stuff.

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katzmandu05 Volvo XC90 V8, 00 BMW M5•

You can do a Miata for really, really cheap and build up a beefy one.

You can do an E36 M3 BMW which are bulletproof and nice to drive. You may want to do an E30, too.

You may be able to do a C3 or C4 Corvette. Although not known for handling, you can upgrade the suspension.

The newer stuff has more electronic doo-dads that make life difficult. Pus, if you hack on it too much, you'll run afoul of CARB. Therefore, I suggest doing older.

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ReothecubeOP93 Nissan NX 2000•

I've fixed E36 M3 before with friends... and you're one of the few that actually think it's easy, my NX is mountains easier. It's not for anyone I've known. E30 is a much nicer option but it's a bit slow especially when a Spirit R/T dusts it (My friend's grandfather still cracks me up with it but it zooms). I'm not really in to German cars, they don't fit into my personality or style of driving. Corvettes are the BANE of mechianics for being a pain to work on C4s are especially bad, I'm really curious why you suggested that.

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katzmandu05 Volvo XC90 V8, 00 BMW M5•

I've had a C4 that I wrenched on and I don't remember it being too bad. Other than "don't get the optispark wet" it never seemed like that much of a challenge. There were quirks (like replacing the battery) but overall it was a fun car.

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jebbers_ohoulihan•

Rx7

-1
ReothecubeOP93 Nissan NX 2000•

The FDTT is NOT an easy car to maintain.

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