Hawkeye's "Racing" Camry- sad face...

[hawkeye122]

http://chico.craigslist.org/cto/3361704371.html

Im digging this Subaru, but the work that needs done scares me into thinking there probably more beneath the surface. But I hadn't seen it on my first look-around. I'd be pretty happy with that. Heck, I could even think about taking up skiing with the 4 Wheel drive and the Rack...
But seriously, plenty of room in the back, I've been in a Subaru when it rolled at 85 mph, and walked away safe, plus it looks rather nice too. I want it. A bit on the high-end of my price-range though.


For me, none of those would be too horrible to insure, except maybe the MG, and even then, not much more than I pay already for a box with no airbags, convertible, offroader. With my good driver discount, and good student discount, Insurance tends to not be much of a problem.

Exactly how much modification needs to be done to an MX5... I'm 6'3"-ish...

The E30 is really tempting though. And it's priced quite nicely as well. If it sticks around until Thanksgiving, I'll have to jump on it.



The downside of the no-rust thing is like 50-90 consecutive days where its 90 degrees or more here in the summer. Basically End of April through September.

 

[Crash]

How much work do you plan on doing yourself? How close to school do you live? If you can't drive for a couple of days while working on repairing a car, would you survive, or does it HAVE to drive, everyday?

http://chico.craigslist.org/cto/3275868476.html
A BMW 2002 with slightly suspect paintwork... This is within my price range come Christmas time. Yeah?

Stick with an E30, parts seem to be cheaper and easier to come by, and quicker and at least relatively modern.

http://chico.craigslist.org/cto/3299195600.html
A 5-series for $1500. I have my reservations, but it would save me a handful of cash. And it's a 5-series, so I can take people around in it!

I would skip on the 5. You're going to have a better time with a 3.

http://chico.craigslist.org/cto/3285026961.html
A 328i for $1800-ish. Still a bit on the old side. But I love the look of it. Except the paint.

Either that is the wrong picture or the wrong description. The picture is a E28 5 series (1981-1988). Same generation as the one you have above.

http://redding.craigslist.org/cto/3346725759.html
A massive XJ6. Old, gas-sucking. But its a Jaaaaaaag. And I dont hate the look.

I would be concerned about the reliability of those things...

http://redding.craigslist.org/cto/3353371963.html
An MX-5 that needs a "Mass Airflow box". Few pictures of the interior... but still. An MX-5.

Dang, Miatas are cheap down there. They should be pretty reliable, cheap, to own, good on gas and fun to drive. Miata would be a good choice.

http://redding.craigslist.org/cto/3362749707.html
A 300E. Seems fairly spotless. Eh?

"Can't afford her on my salary" translates to expensive parts and repairs. Though from what I understand, well maintained 300E should be mechanically bullet proof.

E30

Excellent idea.

Exactly how much modification needs to be done to an MX5... I'm 6'3"-ish...

The E30 is really tempting though. And it's priced quite nicely as well. If it sticks around until Thanksgiving, I'll have to jump on it.

I'm 5'10" and when I sit in a Miata, is a relatively tight fit. I think they do fit up to about 6' people fine. If you're 6'3", you may have to modify/remove the seat rail just to fit in one.

I think if you're willing to work on your own car for most things, an E30 would be a really good way to go. Repairing the car isn't cheap if you take it to a shop, but part costs are relatively reasonable, and they are simple enough to be worked on at home. If maintained, they will go 300K+ miles. Just find one that hasn't been beaten to hell and back. It helps that there are tons of E30s out there, so there are still plenty of parts available. Plus, it's a fun car that will also seat 4 passengers (in a pinch), so you can take your friends around. Insurance on one of these shouldn't be too bad.

An E36 would probably be fun also, but I think the interior looks like crap, and they are a little more complicated than the E30 to work on.

I don't know how able or willing you're in traveling. Obviously, the further you travel, the more options you have; so it may be worth looking all the way out to Sacramento/Bay Area.

 

[Ven0m]

http://chico.craigslist.org/cto/3361704371.html

Im digging this Subaru, but the work that needs done scares me into thinking there probably more beneath the surface. But I hadn't seen it on my first look-around. I'd be pretty happy with that. Heck, I could even think about taking up skiing with the 4 Wheel drive and the Rack...
But seriously, plenty of room in the back, I've been in a Subaru when it rolled at 85 mph, and walked away safe, plus it looks rather nice too. I want it. A bit on the high-end of my price-range though.

For me, none of those would be too horrible to insure, except maybe the MG, and even then, not much more than I pay already for a box with no airbags, convertible, offroader. With my good driver discount, and good student discount, Insurance tends to not be much of a problem.

Exactly how much modification needs to be done to an MX5... I'm 6'3"-ish...

The E30 is really tempting though. And it's priced quite nicely as well. If it sticks around until Thanksgiving, I'll have to jump on it.

The downside of the no-rust thing is like 50-90 consecutive days where its 90 degrees or more here in the summer. Basically End of April through September.

Yes!!!!! Get it

 

[Beeblebrox237]

I'd look at the red MGB. If it runs well, go for it, It'll be loads of fun. The 300E and 535i look like nice, reliable, sporty cars that would work well for you, but would be pricey to maintain and insure.

 

[hawkeye122]

So I have yet to find an E30 3-series. I could have sworn that the "328i" was just a 4-door version, but i dont know.

I would be willing to go to Sac or the Bay Area, but in the Bay you run into cars that are beat to hell, as well as a bit of rust. In a pinch I could do that, but it would be nice to buy somewhere around here.

So the Subaru it is for now, until I possibly find an E30 for my price, closer to when i can get my car.

 

[Doog]

How about a Z car? I've recently looked up some on my local Craigslist for fun, and the majority seem to have a pretty good price to quality ratio. I reckon you could find a decent one within your budget.

 

[MedigoFlame]

240SX...? Unfortunately I don't see one around $2k on your craigslist... Closest one is $2500 and it looks...sketchy.

Well...felt like looking through Jalopnik. Might help with these lists?

Ten best for young enthusiasts:
http://jalopnik.com/5951797/the-ten-best-cars-for-a-young-enthusiast

Ten best for hooning:
http://jalopnik.com/5856320/the-ten-best-cars-for-learning-how-to-hoon/gallery/1

And... ten best for $500.
http://jalopnik.com/5937123/the-ten-best-cars-for-500/gallery/1

You know...a Crown Vic wouldn't be too bad or an Impala. If people didn't know about the new police cars, I'd grab myself a Crown Vic to scare/piss off irresponsible motorists on the road. But I'm sure most people know the Crown Vic is dying off.

 

[Crash]

And which two cars are on both of Jalopnik's 10 best cars for young people and 10 best cars to learn to hoon in?

So I have yet to find an E30 3-series. I could have sworn that the "328i" was just a 4-door version, but i dont know.

E30s never came as as 328i. The largest typical engine available was a 2.5L*, meaning it only came as a 325. The 325i came in coupe, sedan and convertible (and in Europe, wagon). There are "efficient fuel saver" 325e and a "sports" 325is also. There's also a 1.8L version available in some years, which you'll see as a 318. There are other engine options outside of the US, but no 2.8L.

Obviously, there was also an M3 with a 2.3L engine, but I don't think you're looking for one of those right now.

*Technically, the E30 could be had with a 2.7L engine, but it's a low revving high torque engine that was designed for low fuel consumption. Despite the 2.7L, it was still labeled as a 325e. Some people take the 2.7L block and the 2.5L head and have a cheap "stroker" engine.

 

[hawkeye122]

Hmmph. Well, if I get any sort of BMW, (At this point, I would prefer an E30 on the basis of cost) I'd like to have it be the 6-pot.

A former police car would be great... If I could keep up with the gas bill.

A Z car would be good, but I cant seem to find one in my price range that is in decent shape. For whatever reason, they're quite popular around here, and thus, you have to pay a bit of a premium.

 

[hawkeye122]

I suckered myself into looking at the Flyin' Miata website.... Now I REALLY want one. Christmas time should come alot faster...

 

[Thatman]

http://forum.miata.net/vb/showthread.php?t=448470

Use google next time.

 

[NissanSkylineN1]

Maximum height of 6'1". Any higher and your line of sight will go straight into the sunblocker thingies.

 

[hawkeye122]

http://forum.miata.net/vb/showthread.php?t=448470

Use google next time.

I did. All I kept finding were people talking about their Spec racers and making the racing seat fit.

Lotus Elise seats? that doesnt sound like an expensive fix...

 

[Thatman]

What I got out of it is that it matters on what miata your looking at, the older the better.

 

[hawkeye122]

Ahhhhhh. Dang.

Was driving down the road on Wednesday and all of a sudden my engine just turns off. No reason, just goes off.

A new ignition coil later, and it's the same issue. Some of my fathers friends love these, and have worked on them forever. We got some starter fluid into the engine, and it fired and died again. Fuel pump was fine, distributor is brand new from the recent service, which only leaves... The ECU.

Apparently it's a common problem on the 1992 model. Sort of unfortunate. My parents not have to pay to get another ECU, and get it installed. Plus we have a brand-new clutch just sitting here, which was supposed to go in this weekend.

Any chances I had of selling it are now totally out the window.

 

[whiteboy4hire]

Ahhhhhh. Dang.

Was driving down the road on Wednesday and all of a sudden my engine just turns off. No reason, just goes off.

A new ignition coil later, and it's the same issue. Some of my fathers friends love these, and have worked on them forever. We got some starter fluid into the engine, and it fired and died again. Fuel pump was fine, distributor is brand new from the recent service, which only leaves... The ECU.

Apparently it's a common problem on the 1992 model. Sort of unfortunate. My parents not have to pay to get another ECU, and get it installed. Plus we have a brand-new clutch just sitting here, which was supposed to go in this weekend.

Any chances I had of selling it are now totally out the window.

Hope everything gets better soon. Vehicle problems are the worst.

 

[hawkeye122]

Got the new ECU installed, along with a new ignition coil. Seems to run a bit better now, but the check engine light is on.

Realised how badly I needed a clutch when I had to shift into 3rd to get up a hill I usually take in 5th...

Give it a bit more gas and it has no issues charging right up to 5000 RPM. Same if you accelerate in 2nd with any kind of vigor.

The new one is sitting in my living room, I have a shop manual on how to do it... How hard is it to change a clutch?

 

[DaxCobra]

Got the new ECU installed, along with a new ignition coil. Seems to run a bit better now, but the check engine light is on.

Realised how badly I needed a clutch when I had to shift into 3rd to get up a hill I usually take in 5th...

Give it a bit more gas and it has no issues charging right up to 5000 RPM. Same if you accelerate in 2nd with any kind of vigor.

The new one is sitting in my living room, I have a shop manual on how to do it... How hard is it to change a clutch?

If you have the right tools and knowledge it isn't too bad...

 

[hawkeye122]

Alright, so, the Camry. I've got a bit of useable cash, so I'm thinking some minor upgrades for the Camry to make it a bit more driver-oriented.

Short Throw Shifter- yeah, apparently they do make one! Hopefully will have it ordered by the end of the week.

Suspension/Anti-Roll bar- A bit more up there in price, need to look into more options though.

Brakes- I need to find an Avalon, or a Lexus LS/ES, or a Newer V6 Camry. I can snag the fronts off of it and move my current fronts to the rear, along with some new pads.

 

[hawkeye122]

Welp, my clutch on the Camry lasted me about 5 months since I thought I was going to need a tow home from San Francisco. I had to make an emergency trip to Oregon, leaving my friends to drive my car home for me. Sure enough, none of them know how to "Take it easy" on the clutch, and now it needs replacing.

Stage one Exedy clutch has been delivered, now I just gotta wait till Wednesday to take it to the shop.

Next project is probably the short-throw shifter, along with new shocks, probably around June.

Still on the lookout for Lexus ES or V6 Camry brakes, no such luck... I get the feeling that it may be a while... Perhaps if we had a proper wrecking yard...

Looking into Front and Rear anti-roll bars too. Slightly on the costly side though, but it'll directly improve the handling. Better to do shocks first though.

Also on that note, I've got my eyes open for a slightly more supportive drivers seat. Mine is getting a bit worn, and isn't ideal for Autocross...

Pretty much it's not a serious track monster, and it won't be. But I do want to set my beige Camry apart from all the other beige sedans...

Any other ideas? Obviously a full engine swap would be nifty, but in guessing that'll cost north of a grand all said and done. And it's still be front wheel drive. Supra running gear yoked to a 2JZ would be even more cool, but no. Not worth it.

 

[SVX]

I'd save the money you're going to spend on the Camry towards an actual performance orientated car. There's no point spending 1000 dollars to make a Camry slightly better, it's always going to be crap in the end. Unless you spend proper dosh, but you'd have to be insane to do that...

 

[hawkeye122]

I'd save the money you're going to spend on the Camry towards an actual performance orientated car. There's no point spending 1000 dollars to make a Camry slightly better, it's always going to be crap in the end. Unless you spend proper dosh, but you'd have to be insane to do that...

That's the thing though. A proper sports car is going to run me, what, $5000 for a well taken-care of model? Even then, there's no guarantees that it will be 100% reliable. With this (which my family bought new) I know exactly what condition it's in, and what is likely to go next.
The shocks need replacing, regardless. Same with the rotors at some point. Why not spend fractionally more to make the car slightly better to drive?

Short throw shifter? $50-$80. Not a whole bunch in the big scheme of things.

The roll bars are superfluous, but that's only going to come to about $300-$400. Obviously they aren't very high on my priority list... People spend more than that putting stereos into Chevy Impalas which won't last...

I'll say again, I know it won't ever be anything more than a Camry. Additionally, I plan to own this car until the engine or transmission expires. A model from my year could do 500,000 miles easily, but I'm gonna sell myself short in that I drive harder than the designers meant for the car to be driven, and give myself 300-350,000. By that time I'll have finished college and have a proper job, so I can buy a proper car.

 

[CarBastard]

That's the thing though. A proper sports car is going to run me, what, $5000 for a well taken-care of model? Even then, there's no guarantees that it will be 100% reliable. With this (which my family bought new) I know exactly what condition it's in, and what is likely to go next.
The shocks need replacing, regardless. Same with the rotors at some point. Why not spend fractionally more to make the car slightly better to drive?

Short throw shifter? $50-$80. Not a whole bunch in the big scheme of things.

The roll bars are superfluous, but that's only going to come to about $300-$400. Obviously they aren't very high on my priority list... People spend more than that putting stereos into Chevy Impalas which won't last...

I'll say again, I know it won't ever be anything more than a Camry. Additionally, I plan to own this car until the engine or transmission expires. A model from my year could do 500,000 miles easily, but I'm gonna sell myself short in that I drive harder than the designers meant for the car to be driven, and give myself 300-350,000. By that time I'll have finished college and have a proper job, so I can buy a proper car.

That, my friend, is my same plan.

Not a proper sportscar they say? Bah, it's my first car and it's what I was able to afford. I'm gonna do the best out of it and enjoy it to the last nut and bolt. After college...yup, proper sportscar. Until then, properly tuned econo crap-box!

I'll be following this thread, please keep us updated!

 

[hawkeye122]

That, my friend, is my same plan.

Not a proper sportscar they say? Bah, it's my first car and it's what I was able to afford. I'm gonna do the best out of it and enjoy it to the last nut and bolt. After college...yup, proper sportscar. Until then, properly tuned econo crap-box!

I'll be following this thread, please keep us updated!

Thanks!
What have you got?

 

[CarBastard]

Thanks!
What have you got?

Mazda 626. The full story and pics are on the thread in my signature 👍

 

[hawkeye122]

Still don't have my car back. It's been like 2 weeks and I'm getting annoyed.
Meanwhile, E46's continue to look so inviting... Only a few more months and I'll be there