Beater sports car that's not a Miata?

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FuzzyDunlop

Diamond Member
Jan 30, 2008
3,260
12
81
If you are considering an MR2 then check out these guys.
http://www.primemr2.com/cars-for-sale.html

They are taking the 91-98 mr2's and swapping a in an engine from a 1998-2003 Toyota caldina. It's a small family car that has a powerful (250hp) and yet very reliable turbo engine, which is also easy to service. those engines should last a long time as long as they are serviced regularly. And guys are getting 25 mpg city, 29 mpg highway.

for your price range you could get one shipped down to you. And prime is quickly gaining one of the best reputations in the mr2 community as far as customer service goes.
 

pauldun170

Diamond Member
Sep 26, 2011
9,141
5,085
136
If you are considering an MR2 then check out these guys.
http://www.primemr2.com/cars-for-sale.html

They are taking the 91-98 mr2's and swapping a in an engine from a 1998-2003 Toyota caldina. It's a small family car that has a powerful (250hp) and yet very reliable turbo engine, which is also easy to service. those engines should last a long time as long as they are serviced regularly. And guys are getting 25 mpg city, 29 mpg highway.

for your price range you could get one shipped down to you. And prime is quickly gaining one of the best reputations in the mr2 community as far as customer service goes.

14” chrome awesomeness wheels and tires
lol
 

FuzzyDunlop

Diamond Member
Jan 30, 2008
3,260
12
81
Haha, I don't mean he should get that exact one. They have new cars for sale all the time. Keep an eye out for one that you like and buy it.
 

Uppsala9496

Diamond Member
Nov 2, 2001
5,272
19
81
Saturn Sky Redline or the Pontiac Solstice GXP. I <3 my Redline and people always comment on it. Pretty fun to drive, fairly quick stock. And for like $200 you can get the Trifecta tune and it becomes pretty beastly.

I'm looking into a Sky Redline. My dad really wants to get one, so was thinking going 50/50 with him. Problem is he would prefer an auto since he is older and it is easier to drive then.

Wife will kill me when I tell her my plans since we are house shopping right now.
 

Imported

Lifer
Sep 2, 2000
14,679
23
81
You guys find me an NB Miata in the Northern California area. I've been looking for a while and these pleebs want 5k+ for their salvage title, 150k+ mile cars that are 15 years old.

The ones that are 10 years older are often only 4k.

They can be had.. it takes a while though. I got my 1999 for just around 5k a few years ago. Clean title, just over 100k miles, drove well.
 

slugg

Diamond Member
Feb 17, 2002
4,723
78
91
They can be had.. it takes a while though. I got my 1999 for just around 5k a few years ago. Clean title, just over 100k miles, drove well.

I will be selling my 99 shortly. Now that my home's AC system broke and needs to be completely replaced, I'll likely sell it sooner rather than later. :(
 

Kelvrick

Lifer
Feb 14, 2001
18,422
5
81
They can be had.. it takes a while though. I got my 1999 for just around 5k a few years ago. Clean title, just over 100k miles, drove well.

Yeah, found one, but it was snatched up quick. Contacted them within 2-3 hours but was already 2nd in line. 1st in line bought it. :( Also looking at mr2 spyders and s2000's, but the s2000 would empty out the budget and replacement parts would be pricier.
 

Imported

Lifer
Sep 2, 2000
14,679
23
81
Yeah, found one, but it was snatched up quick. Contacted them within 2-3 hours but was already 2nd in line. 1st in line bought it. :( Also looking at mr2 spyders and s2000's, but the s2000 would empty out the budget and replacement parts would be pricier.

I think it took me over 2 months to find one. Almost took a flight to Seattle to check one out and drive back but it sold before I could secure it from the dealer.

I looked at S2000s a couple years back but the market was higher than I wanted to spend.
 

BurnItDwn

Lifer
Oct 10, 1999
26,160
1,634
126
My brother had an mr2 for like 6 or 7 years ... it was his daily driver ... he got it with like 100K and sold it with like 175K ...

its a good solid car, but he had one of those damn leaking roofs