Beater sports car that's not a Miata?

[slugg]

I'm entertaining the idea of having a fun beater. I used to have a beater and, as funny as this may sound, it lowered my stress! I didn't have to hunt for isolated, corner parking spots, I didn't freak out every time an acorn hit my car, and I wouldn't be nervous about it all the damn time. I loved it!

But I also want something of a toy. I know, I know, "the answer is always Miata," but the problem with a beater Miata (or any Miata, for that matter) is the damn leaking roof. I don't want to deal with it. That's it; that's the deal breaker.

So I really doubt I'd find anything that handles as well as a Miata. Okay, fine. But what about something more powerful? What's something fun, reasonably reliable (I realize I'm not looking for a Camry), and would pass for a beater? Beaters are hard to classify. A lot of cars pretty much self destruct when they're... well... beaten. I'm not sure what fun cars can take a beating! LOL

 

[smackababy]

You might be able to get a cheap 350z, though I can't speak on their quality as something you can just "beat up".

 

[Wuzup101]

C4 corvette, several e46 and older N/A non M BMWs, S2000, 1st or 2nd gen DSM (though I don't know if we could put reliable in the same sentence with that), older WRX, I don't know this is hard lol...

 

[Kelvrick]

S2k's are commanding too high of a price around here to qualify as much of a beater anymore.

I hear 350z's have high insurance rates.

 

[Imported]

Porsche 944?

 

[Jimzz]

Get a older Corvette. The 1992-1996 C4s are pretty cheap the LT1 is still pretty strong.

 

[yhelothar]

Mr2, 240sx

 

[slugg]

C4 corvette, several e46 and older N/A non M BMWs, S2000, 1st or 2nd gen DSM (though I don't know if we could put reliable in the same sentence with that), older WRX, I don't know this is hard lol...

How is a bugeye WRX as a beater? An e46 makes me nervous, and I know because I already owned one. C4 might be cool...

 

[HeXen]

Mazda Rx7. I used to have one and really enjoyed it. Maybe a Fiero GT

 

[jlee]

Non turbo Mk2 MR2 with a hardtop or sunroof (less leak problems vs t-top). Fun, mid engine, and powered by a Camry 4cyl that will run...and run...and run...and run...

 

[Kelvrick]

How is a bugeye WRX as a beater? An e46 makes me nervous, and I know because I already owned one. C4 might be cool...

They would work, the AWD mpg penalty might be a waste in Florida, but it is up to you how you use it (off road?). If you're mechanically inclined, there is a large pool of available parts to swap in transmissions and engines if anything goes tragically wrong. A long block and a new 02-05 wrx transmission can often be had under 1k.

What is your budget, anyway? How about a 2011+ ford mustang v6. 300hp, 30mpg highway.

 

[Midwayman]

A budget would help a lot.

A LS1 camaro would be near the top of my list for beaters. Old enough that it'd attract zero attention and still powerful.

 

[slugg]

I'd like to spend $9k or less. $6k would be sweet! These figures include mods and repairs. I don't plan on crazy modding, just a minor thing here and there to make the car work for me. I'm my own mechanic for pretty much anything outside of the motor or transmission; I'd have to bring it to a shop to do things like motor work, a clutch, and other non-bolt-on kind of stuff.

The only creature comforts I care about are power windows and air conditioning. Fuel economy at 25 mpg is fine, as I do still have my Mazda 2 which yields 38 mpg on regular. Love that car!

Really digging the 2002 to 2007 WRXs. I'll be reading about them.

 

[Dr. Detroit]

'94 or '95 Mustang GT 5.0L - Very responsive to modifications and a cheap and easy platform to modify.

https://tampa.craigslist.org/hil/cto/4893952636.html
Auto or 5spd - Unknown but a prime example

 

[GoodRevrnd]

I'd like one too and am not sure what to get. I think what I'd really want is a mk 3 Supra (I'd be down with a mk2 also though), but beater versions of that don't exist. I think any older Z would be fine too or a 240sx (not sure I could find that in manual though). Really I think all I care about is that there's no rust, no major mechanical issues and cheap to maintain. The interior can even be complete trash, then I can just gut it.

 

[slugg]

I'd like one too and am not sure what to get. I think what I'd really want is a mk 3 Supra (I'd be down with a mk2 also though), but beater versions of that don't exist. I think any older Z would be fine too or a 240sx (not sure I could find that in manual though). Really I think all I care about is that there's no rust, no major mechanical issues and cheap to maintain. The interior can even be complete trash, then I can just gut it.

I agree.

 

[satyajitmenon]

How is a bugeye WRX as a beater? An e46 makes me nervous, and I know because I already owned one. C4 might be cool...

Try an e36 maybe? Your old e46 is still running strong by the way. 2nd year autocrossing it.

How about a 99-04 mustang? I've seen some well maintained ones going well under 9k with enough budget to spend on a suspension refresh and tires.

 

[vi edit]

MKV GTI? Skip the DSG and they are decently reliable. Only problem with the 6 speed manual is that it isn't as beefy as the DSG and won't take to an APR tune as well if you wanted to go that route.

 

[JCH13]

Non turbo Mk2 MR2 with a hardtop or sunroof (less leak problems vs t-top). Fun, mid engine, and powered by a Camry 4cyl that will run...and run...and run...and run...

This, this, this. Even a t-top with eccentric guides will do fine.

Also, for that sort of budget, you could easily get a hardtop and a Miata, or at least get a Miata and a new soft top, either of which would remove the 'deal-breaker' flaw.

FWIW my Miata has only a hard top, and my Mk2 MR2 has eccentric t-top guides. :awe:

 

[pauldun170]

I'd like to spend $9k or less. $6k would be sweet! These figures include mods and repairs. I don't plan on crazy modding, just a minor thing here and there to make the car work for me. I'm my own mechanic for pretty much anything outside of the motor or transmission; I'd have to bring it to a shop to do things like motor work, a clutch, and other non-bolt-on kind of stuff.

The only creature comforts I care about are power windows and air conditioning. Fuel economy at 25 mpg is fine, as I do still have my Mazda 2 which yields 38 mpg on regular. Love that car!

Really digging the 2002 to 2007 WRXs. I'll be reading about them.

6k to 9k is not beater territory.
You can get cars in great shape for that price range.

 

[ultimatebob]

I'd love to tell you to get an old Mini Cooper S from 2003-2007, but the replacement parts on them are insanely expensive.

For that money, you might as well get a used Audi A4, TT, or BMW 3 series.

 

[Insomniator]

I'd love to tell you to get an old Mini Cooper S from 2003-2007, but the replacement parts on them are insanely expensive.

For that money, you might as well get a used Audi A4, TT, or BMW 3 series.

Those Coopers are expensive as hell to maintain, and to most people on this board at least, terribly under powered to be considered a sports car. I have an 04 with some mods to bring me near 190hp... but It ALWAYS needs work.

 

[monkeydelmagico]

How about a 99-04 mustang? I've seen some well maintained ones going well under 9k with enough budget to spend on a suspension refresh and tires.

+1 deep parts support, lots of people know how to work on them, and you can "beat" on them. They take abuse well.

The tough part is finding one that isn't already beaten or modded to death. I picked up bone stock low mile well cared for 03 GT last year for $6k. It took me months of searching and several test rides to find a decent "beater" sporty car.

I checked out some LS1 camaro's/firebirds/C4's but they were either priced too high and/or had significant issues.

 

[Smoblikat]

Old WRX (2002 - 2004) are dirt cheap
Old BMW's? (As long as you dont mind replacing everything every 3000 miles)
Fox body mustang
DSM
Old camaro

 

[Imported]

350Z is in that range too.