5-7k budget for 2nd car...what would you do ?
#1
5-7k budget for 2nd car...what would you do ?
Hi, I'll start with a quick intro. I live in NY and have an awd SUV as a main/family car. I've always had manual transmission cars in the past and miss it. I'm looking to get a second car to run errands and use a weekend toy. Here are the needs:
Needs
-manual tranny
-rwd
-quick
-convertible
-reliable
I am open to ideas. Since this a miata forum I expect most suggestions to be Miatas, which is ok since I like them. If I went the miata route I'd want it turbo'ed. I don't know if it would be better to find a clean one and turbo it or buy one already turbo'ed.
Again, initial budget is 5-7k.
Other options are s2k (tough to find under 10k), mr2, m3, m roadster, cobra.
As you can see I'm open to various options.
Opinions are appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
Needs
-manual tranny
-rwd
-quick
-convertible
-reliable
I am open to ideas. Since this a miata forum I expect most suggestions to be Miatas, which is ok since I like them. If I went the miata route I'd want it turbo'ed. I don't know if it would be better to find a clean one and turbo it or buy one already turbo'ed.
Again, initial budget is 5-7k.
Other options are s2k (tough to find under 10k), mr2, m3, m roadster, cobra.
As you can see I'm open to various options.
Opinions are appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
Last edited by shmezelk8; 07-18-2011 at 02:47 PM.
#2
Cpt. Slow
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Yup you're looking at Mustangs and Miatas for that budget. I'm not sure I'd like/trust a BMW convertible, or MR2 for that price. Definitely a good budget for a BMW hard top though.
I'd suggest getting the latest NB you can afford, beyond a MSM, I'm not sure I'd want a pre-turbo'd car, who knows what the P.O. has done.
I'd suggest getting the latest NB you can afford, beyond a MSM, I'm not sure I'd want a pre-turbo'd car, who knows what the P.O. has done.
#3
Recently there have been a ton of turbo miatas going up for sale in your price range or near it.
But I would most likely start with a nice stocker, then work from there. Trying to decode other people's work can be a pain. However, if you find the car is well documented on this site or another, that would make me think twice.
But I would most likely start with a nice stocker, then work from there. Trying to decode other people's work can be a pain. However, if you find the car is well documented on this site or another, that would make me think twice.
#4
Former Vendor
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Find the lowest-miles NB you can, or find a 140-160k mile '94-95 for about $3k and spend the other $4k buying used turbo parts and cheap suspension. One will be more reliable and nicer, the other will be faster and more of a pseudo-project.
#6
^Agreed. I was debating miata vs foxbody 5.0 before I got my car, but I got the car I did because you can make a miata faster in a straight line easier then you can make a mustang handle / break well. NB's have a nicer interior, a bit more power and no stupid pop-up headlights. I wish I had gotten a slightly higer mileage NB instead of my NA. If I where you I'd pick up a solid NB for 5K, and then spend the 2K on a cheap turbo kit and a bitchin' roll bar. Hold out for a car you like though.
#7
Thanks. A low mile NB will be in great shape and reliable but slow. I'd definitely want something faster. But even though a clean 94 can be had relatively cheap I'd have to spend at least another 5-6k on the turbo kit and supporting mods. Then when you take into account wheels and aesthetic mods you're looking at over my budget price.
I saw some clean turbo'ed miatas for sale with everything I'd want already done to them. But as you guys mentioned I don't know if they were abused or not or if something will break soon.
To respond to one of the first posts, convertible would be nice but I can deal with a coupe if the price and car is right. I had an e46 m3 before and lover it but an e36 looks pretty old and it's a high strung car. Getting one with a lot miles might not be the best idea.
There are a few decent 96-98 cobras for sale but I don't know about their reliability.
I saw some clean turbo'ed miatas for sale with everything I'd want already done to them. But as you guys mentioned I don't know if they were abused or not or if something will break soon.
To respond to one of the first posts, convertible would be nice but I can deal with a coupe if the price and car is right. I had an e46 m3 before and lover it but an e36 looks pretty old and it's a high strung car. Getting one with a lot miles might not be the best idea.
There are a few decent 96-98 cobras for sale but I don't know about their reliability.
#8
Thanks. A low mile NB will be in great shape and reliable but slow. I'd definitely want something faster. But even though a clean 94 can be had relatively cheap I'd have to spend at least another 5-6k on the turbo kit and supporting mods. Then when you take into account wheels and aesthetic mods you're looking at over my budget price.
I saw some clean turbo'ed miatas for sale with everything I'd want already done to them. But as you guys mentioned I don't know if they were abused or not or if something will break soon.
To respond to one of the first posts, convertible would be nice but I can deal with a coupe if the price and car is right. I had an e46 m3 before and lover it but an e36 looks pretty old and it's a high strung car. Getting one with a lot miles might not be the best idea.
There are a few decent 96-98 cobras for sale but I don't know about their reliability.
I saw some clean turbo'ed miatas for sale with everything I'd want already done to them. But as you guys mentioned I don't know if they were abused or not or if something will break soon.
To respond to one of the first posts, convertible would be nice but I can deal with a coupe if the price and car is right. I had an e46 m3 before and lover it but an e36 looks pretty old and it's a high strung car. Getting one with a lot miles might not be the best idea.
There are a few decent 96-98 cobras for sale but I don't know about their reliability.
#9
As far as cobras, yea those modular 4.6's are tough. I like the 99-01 body and independent rear susp. but those are closer to 10k. ( I'd rather have an S2K for that much.) I don't know if I really like the 96-98 Cobra body enough.
Right now I'm leaning towards a clean turbo'ed miata. If I find one I'd probably just get a compression and leak down test done. Then if I buy it ill get it looked by a tuner to make sure it's running a safe tune and I should be good to go.
#11
Elite Member
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If I were you I would find a nice HIGH mileage NB. I would look everywhere in the country and find something without rust. Then I would turbo it. Amazingly I just happen to have a turbo setup for sale!!!
Unless you need your miata to be faster than god herself, I would buy a used BEGI or FM2.
#15
Former Vendor
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If you don't have prior turbo experience, I'd be really wary of any turbo car that wasn't put together by a shop. I've seen more than one person end up with a total nightmare on their hands.
#20
You should be able to get a 04-05 Mazdaspeed miata for 8-9k. I'd spend a little extra for the Mazdaspeed it has
factory turbo which can get 210ish whp for under $400 bucks (intake, mbc, resistor ecu boost cut mod)
torsen t2r
6 speed
sport brakes
bilsteins
eibach sways
racing hart wheels
projector headlights
lots of car for the cash
factory turbo which can get 210ish whp for under $400 bucks (intake, mbc, resistor ecu boost cut mod)
torsen t2r
6 speed
sport brakes
bilsteins
eibach sways
racing hart wheels
projector headlights
lots of car for the cash