Runs fine above 2800rpms. Will be fine @ 70mph on the highway.

Does not stall, just runs like crap. Apparently only pulling 16 inches of vacuum at idle. Unsure if that's due to a leak, or low RPM. For reference, mine was still pulling 18-19" with a big cam.

Owner says he drove it 1 hour one way to and from the shop that told him the timing and compression were good without major incident.


If you're still seriously interested, send me an email at celicahalftrac at geemale dawt cum and i can put you in contact with him.

Anyone have any experience with the 2000-2004 Ford Focus, seen a few wagons popup even one with a 5spd. How's the reliability on them?

Had an 04 or 05 Focus ZX4 ST for a while. It wasn't terrible. Decent power. Good ride and handling. Steering was okay. Shifter sucked. Interior was cheap looking and feeling. Driving position was odd -- seats were upright, like a van or SUV.

The MX6 GT guy disappeared. Won't respond to emails.

I'm still looking. Going to check out a 1987 325es this weekend. Definitely doesn't hit all the requirements on my list, but the ac works, it's cheap, and I've never owned an E30.

Those Focus wagons are reliable little cars. Cheap feeling but drive well and last a long time. You'll get rattles and stuff but they go a long time.

E30 win.

For reference, I drive a $500 1992 Nissan Sentra, 4 door, auto.

Two points:
- They are taxis in Mexico and the B13 sentra was produced and sold new until 2011(?) Tsuru - Autos | Nissan Mexicana
- I raced one in LeMons and they are bulletproof - 250k miles on motor and it did 6 races (14hr each) within a season.

They are all pieces of shit but run great and parts are dirt cheap. I put over 10k miles on mine and its a champ. I regularly drive back and forth between Norfolk and DC - 200 mile one way. I did a little bit of maintenance - for $150 I replaced front brakes, plug wires, plugs, all filters, oil, light bulbs and wipers. I think one of the CV axles is going - they are only $100 for pair, shipped!

The only major fail was the exhaust falling off but should have seen it coming. Replaced with a junkard part for $40.

Last weekend drove with me + 3 passengers, loaded with crap. I was doing 85mph most of the time and still got 30mpg. Aw yeah.

As far as the e30 make sure to check the fuel tank, it usually leaks at the crossover tube, check the rear brake lines to those tend to rust. Shifter will probably feel like garbage, there's a bunch of bushings that go out on those, check rear battery tray for rust. Bunch of stuff I'm forgetting but if you google common problems something should pop up.

Oh I have a 1990 Celica that I put polyurethane motor mounts in high school 8 years ago, so I know all about rattles. I'm sure it would be an improvement, I wouldn't mind the cheap interior.

Awesome cars, was looking for an Infnity G20 too. Unfortunately in Chicago most Sentras aren't garage kept cars so most of them are in junkyards by now due to rust. How are the B14s? seen a few of those pop up. I've been looking for 4 cylinder Camry's (98-01), Corollas, late 90's Impreza Wagons, Accords.

Got the bug for a 2002-2005 Civic SI hatchback. I know the EP3 is kind of the bastard child of the SI lineage but it seems ideal for my purposes, which is simply as a reasonably entertaining, practical daily driver. Unfortunately it's just one more car that's rather difficult to find a clean, reasonably priced example of.

k24 swap

/thread

I heard that MX6 GT guy got his car running well again, so I'm not too surprised he disappeared on you. I think it was just a bad MAF like Concealer suspected.

Well... the issue came back, from what i hear. But he's not responding to my emails either, so that kindof sucks.

I'm still keeping my eye out for another one. There was a rash of nice ones recently, but i think the closest one i saw to him was in PA.

Yeah, I don't mind if he decides to keep the car one way or another...that's his right. But flaking out and not responding to emails kind of sucks. Just tell me you don't want to sell right now.

Daily driver secured. 2004, 113k miles, 2 owners, spent its entire life in Pelham, AL.

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...1&d=1396242139

Stopped for dinner on the way back (not at Taco Bell). Found a twin!

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...1&d=1396242139

So what'd you pay for it?

Just over $6K. Well over my original budget but since I couldn't find anything I had some extra time to save up.

Nice work! 5 speed I'm hoping? 2L or 2.3? Plans for turbo? :D

Yup, 5 speed manual. 2.3l engine (pretty sure all the hatchbacks were 2.3l's). Honestly it's got more than enough power for a daily driver (for me).

Probably the only mods I'll be looking into are braces to see if any of them help stiffen up the body. Suspension is a touch softer than I'd like, but I don't want to spend money on a crappy aftermarket setup that will ruin the ride. Might just replace the shocks with OEM units at some point. Anyone know if the MS3 suspension swaps in easily (and is a worthy upgrade)?

I'm with ya there. My Lancer is way too soft. But I do enjoy those large smooth speed bumps. I've always wanted GTS suspension, but I've never truly looked. Maybe when the stock stuff wears out.

GTS:
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396273177

ES:
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396273177

Supposedly the GTS is lower?

I'm sure the mazdaspeed stuff bolts in.

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396273177

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1396273177

Those 3 hatches are sure great looking cars. Glad Mazda has decided to make good-looking cars again after the failure which was the 2010-2013 model...

Really loving this 3 as a daily driver. So nice to have a modern car that's quiet and rides nice over these terrible roads.

Apparently the passenger side engine mounts on these fail regularly. They are gel/fluid filled units and often tear and leak within 50-60k miles. I figured with 114k miles it was time to do it and ordered an OEM replacement. Started the job on Saturday morning.

Oh look! Someone rounded off one of the nuts on the engine mount. So now I'm waiting on replacement nuts and studs to arrive (nut will definitely have to be replaced, stud just in case I mess it up in the removal process), and hoping that the nut remover socket will work. Been spraying the mount nuts and bolts with Aero Kroil every day. We shall see.