Hey guys,

I'm a little torn in finding a manual FR car (just for fun, no major tuning). At first, I was totally out to buy a 5 speed SC 300 (still am lol) but I was driving my friend's S13 (stock) and it opened my eyes. (Haven't driven a manual SC3 yet)

I'm not really looking for "speed" or anything... just a fun to drive car for the weekends. No engine swaps, not turbo'ing N/A engines, etc... just suspension, rims, clutch (if needed) and lsd.

Right now, I'm considering a few cars (in my current preference due to availability, price and recommendations from a friend):

240SX S13 DOHC, of course =D (have 3 I've found locally, 1 looks perfect and just for $3,000). It feels fast but isn't really that fast (I love that! No wonder Civics think they are so fast... lol)

SC 300 - prices range from 7K (93 'perfect' 5 speed stock =]) to 13.5K (JohnTan, nice 'premade for me' car haha). I heard it's fast, but heavy so it feels slow (stock)

240SX S14 - Harder to find ... and when found, they are i nthe 8,000 asking price range... I just prefer it over the S13 because of styling... but this price for a mid/late 90s Nissan is sort of lame =P

Mark III Supra Turbo or Non-turbo - Decent price range, but I heard it's a headache to maintain

Late 70s (I think it's a 79) 280Z - Asking $3,000. It's a co-worker's brother's car. He's moving ot Idaho so he has to sell it (dang snow). He's bringing it down to work on Monday for me to look at. He said it's had engine work done (to pass smog, not race) and it's in really good condition (I believe repainted the stock color, red exterior, black interior)

As you can see... I'm willing to spend around 10K for a good car (Lex) or pennies on a Nissan. I plan to do all repairs myself just to have a feel for that (sadly, didn't do anything myself on the Solara... just paid labor hours)

Any thoughts or input or bashing would definately help me decide. It's a thin hair between the S13 and SC3 right now =] I'm only putting the S13 ahead due to price and the fact that I want to 'try out' Nissan. All my new cars will be from the Toyota brand though

 

for ten grand... toyota mr2 turbo!

 

too small for my fat *** 6'1" around 300 lbs x_x (losing it tho, finally going to the gym... bought the membership almost a year ago LOL)

S13 is a snug fit, but roomy enough for fun driving =D

 

I might know of an SC for sale in that price range that is a '93 5 spd. I would stay away from Nissans as you probably don't know they are a pain in the *** to work on. For example, look at the 300zx.... have fun pulling the motor for turbos. And for the KA24 in the 240, I thought it was not a normal Nissan, but sadly it was. Pretty much to take one thing off, you have to keep taking other things off and Nissan didnt like to make it easy on you. Just some of my .07

 

IS300. And yes Jeff you can fit. As we already know any Camry FWD related chassis is not fun to drive.

 

Fun enough until you touch a manual FR... =[

It's not a replacement car, just a weekend fun car =P I don't think I can get myself to spend 20 for an IS =P and if I did, it'd be the next gen... but it won't be manual =\ 2 more years until I get my Lexus lease money

Ryan, would you happen to know Joseph's friend that has the Pearl white 93 SC3 5 speed? If so, did he baby the car? lol

 

well... miata is possible but probably too small for u... 240s are awesome, especially if you want some thing to drift around in.. depends if you want something for the twisties or for roadrunning.... you could also open it up to RX-7s.... in FC or FD form.... but FD's are a headache to maintain.... but as a weekend car, it might not be that bad and you wont find a funner car. and FC's are good... and relatively reliable for rotarys. the SC is also a good car and looks better than any other option aside from the FD IMO. but the steering is dead and very lexus like... maybe with suspension it will be better. but still, this car would be very heavy....toyota is okay.. but most of their cars drive like clouds while nissan and mazda make much sportier, fun cars. MKIII supra... too heavy

 

Oooh good question. I don't know to be honest. That would be a good fun car to play with. 1JZ-GTE.

 

You stated you want a front engine, rear-drive, fun-to-drive car just for weekends and that speed and power are not important considerations. That rules out an MR2...they are mid/rear engine. So....get a Miata, IF you can fit inside one. They are reliable, moderately priced, well-built, fairly economical, and are an absolute blast on twisty roads. The Miata's ride is stiff, however, and, being a two-seater, insurance might be a little steep. Give GEICO a call (if you're not already withthem) and see if they will take you on and how much they want. 1-800-841-3000.

If you cannot fit in a Miata the IS300 and older BMW 3-series are excellent front engine/rear drivers. The BMW will be more expensive to maintain, less reliable, and have more arrogant dealerships, but the 3-series, unlike the IS, is available in droptop form.


BTW.....I have driven MR2's and have found them to be rather twitchy and with poor straight-ahead tracking.....they tend to wander left and right on the road and require a lot of small steering corrections to stay in the middle of a lane. This one of the things you sometimes get with rear-engine cars ( newer Porsches excluded ) because there is little weight over the two front steering wheels for stability.

 

Miata if you can fit in it comfortably

 

check out the MR2 Turbo. they are really fun to drive and it's not front engine but it's a mid engine, even better

 

SC3/4, all the way, put inexpensive, used,stock TT suspension, and rear bar on, (the fast&furious guys have them under their workbenches)will be very fun to drive, no bottoming out, huge trunk, two door-sporty, can haul passengers if you really need to.
That was an easy one.

 

I'm sure many will disagree, but if I was to get a fun, fast, weekend ragger. It would be a 1990-1993 5.0 stang notch. They are very fun and fast. I know there are alot of jerky Lexus hater stang idiots out there, but these are really fun cars.

 

Like I said in my post, I've driven MR2's and found them to be squirrelly and with a tendency to wander, but I guess each to his own.

 

no comment on the Stang Mmarshall? I know how you love the typical stang idiot....