Cheap play car for a $2000ish budget?

[jh2586]

Kinda getting an itch to get a cheap "toy". I was thinking Integra, Civic SI (99-00), Miata (NA), Eclipse GST etc..

I'm not looking for an obscene amount of power, but it has to have the fun factor of handling decently well, has a manual tranny and preferably a 4 banger. I am also open to older domestics like a fox-body mustang or f-body camaro/ta.

Any ideas and/or experiences? Things to stay away from?

 

[jh2586]

Holy sh*t, look at this thing:

https://fortmyers.craigslist.org/col/cto/5957346385.html

 

[JesasaurusRex]

If it's rwd that's pretty sweet. Couldn't tell you if that's a good price or not

 

[JesasaurusRex]

Doesn't look like they ever were?

 

[jh2586]

If it's rwd that's pretty sweet. Couldn't tell you if that's a good price or not

Yeah I suspect FWD, but still a bitchin' car. Definitely rare. Too bad it's out of my price range though. Maybe I can offer $2.5k

 

[JesasaurusRex]

Find an early 80s toyota, rwd!!

 

[jh2586]

Find an early 80s toyota, rwd!!

Those are super hard to find these days, especially out here in FL. I'd love to have an ae86 though.

 

[jt2]

That Prelude is a cool find and would make a great runabout but if you're looking for 'fun' that ain't it.

If you care about handling, Miata hands down. Any car that spins its front wheels can't match the Miata's balance and tossability. Though there is something to be said for the zingy mill in the late 90s SI. But good luck finding one unmolested.

 

[FlewbyU]

Sharky has a 99 Mustang (I know it's a v8 not sure if a GT) for sale about that price.

 

[JesasaurusRex]

Sharky has a 99 Mustang (I know it's a v8 not sure if a GT) for sale about that price.

He's in FL, it'll cost 2k just to ship a vehicle there :laughing

 

[Kestrel]

Cheap & RWD, and readily available.... Two solutions... Miata (which I own), or... Volvo... (Which I own x 2)

But...

.. You're in Florida. Handling? Really?

 

[Mike95060]

I say Fox body mustang. The aftermarket is big and the knowledge base is there to do anything from drag race to auto cross. If you have your heart set on a 4 banger they did make an SVO turbo for a while. That might be hard to find.

 

[JesasaurusRex]

I say Fox body mustang. The aftermarket is big and the knowledge base is there to do anything from drag race to auto cross. If you have your heart set on a 4 banger they did make an SVO turbo for a while. That might be hard to find.

I have one he can buy :laughing :nchantr :cry

 

[Sharky]

I say Fox body mustang. The aftermarket is big and the knowledge base is there to do anything from drag race to auto cross. If you have your heart set on a 4 banger they did make an SVO turbo for a while. That might be hard to find.

Those SVOs had cool bodies, 5 lug wheels and disk brakes in the rear (I think). Only way to make them good it to put a 5 point Oh in it.....

 

[Blankpage]

Find an early 80s toyota, rwd!!

Or back a few years before they started getting ugly

77 Celica

 

[Bubba_s]

Or back a few years before they started getting ugly

77 Celica

This was my first car (Not counting the 77 Nova that No va'ed)
RWD, 5spd. So much fun!!

I wonder what e30s go for in FloriDuh??

 

[JesasaurusRex]

are those roses?

 

[Blankpage]

This was my first car (Not counting the 77 Nova that No va'ed)
RWD, 5spd. So much fun!!

I wonder what e30s go for in FloriDuh??

My cousin rebuilt one then he abused the shit out of it but it wouldn't break. That thing was bulletproof.

 

[Mr Pepsi]

That generation of Prelude are way slower than you think.
Way better off with that Celica.

 

[Cookie Monster]

Not sure about Florida prices but here there's no way you can get a '99-00 Civic Si for $2k.

I suggest FB RX7.