Best sports coupe under 10k?

Looonie · Post by **Looonie** » Sun Jun 24, 2012 5:05 pm

Toying with an idea... curious as to peoples opinions and reasoning as to what they feel is the best sports coupe available for under 10k these days...

My thoughts on the list include (All in turbo/manual form):

JZZ30
FD3S
S14

Any option would receive modifications, but not of an extreme nature, more along the lines of handling upgrades, wheels, BPU type power upgrades.

Aim is for something nice to enjoy in the evenings/on weekends and hopefully get to a few open track days.

evil_si · Post by **evil_si** » Sun Jun 24, 2012 5:13 pm

iOnic · Post by **iOnic** » Sun Jun 24, 2012 5:15 pm

Does it have to be RWD or does your criteria stop at it being a Coupe?

I'd personally quite like an STI Type R as a casual trackday/weekend car. I think they're very underrated cars. Or a DC2 Type R. The FD would be my pick of what you've got listed. They are quite possibly the best handling car out of Japan IMO and are capable of good power from basic mods but reliability is questionable.

OMG so shiny! · Post by **Dell'Orto** » Sun Jun 24, 2012 5:27 pm

You wouldnt get a nice FD for sub $10k though. Otherwise FD all the way, other two arent even in the same league.

l SIC l · Post by **l SIC l** » Sun Jun 24, 2012 5:29 pm

You could definitely get an FD for 10k I reckon, just be patient, I've seen them up

iOnic · Post by **iOnic** » Sun Jun 24, 2012 5:34 pm

Dell'Orto wrote:You wouldnt get a nice FD for sub $10k though. Otherwise FD all the way, other two arent even in the same league.

Pelo · Post by **Pelo** » Sun Jun 24, 2012 5:40 pm

Agree about the Shite FD for 10k. A primo FC on the other hand for 10k would be doable
R33 GTS25-t? They have become quite cheap.

Post by **Mr Revhead** » Sun Jun 24, 2012 6:42 pm

Given your size an mx5 is out.... So I say XR6 falcon. Weld rear doors shut for coupe version

RS13 · Post by **RS13** » Sun Jun 24, 2012 7:02 pm

Out of those three I would say the s14 would be best reliable bang for buck, I've seen turbo s14s for as little as $7k, autos even cheaper. Super cheap to mod too. You might get a reasonable fd3s for that but it'll be tired or an unfinished project.. good ones are worth gold these days!

Lurkin · Post by **Lurkin** » Sun Jun 24, 2012 7:29 pm

s14 prob best bang for buck
I would rather have a FD
JZZ would attract the least attention from the flat peaked generation....

and rotaries are neat for other people to own.. and lose to theft.

I would get the s14.

flame on.

siren676 · Post by **siren676** » Sun Jun 24, 2012 7:30 pm

Mr Revhead wrote:Given your size an mx5 is out.... So I say XR6 falcon. Weld rear doors shut for coupe version

How tall's he? Im 6'3" and can fit in an mx5

FST4RD · Post by **FST4RD** » Sun Jun 24, 2012 7:41 pm

Starion with a whole heap of mods thrown at it

I used to have one and building another one now.

rollaholic · Post by **rollaholic** » Sun Jun 24, 2012 8:09 pm

im a bit biased but im gonna say mx5 too.

i can see the height thing being an issue, and i've never had a drive of an FD (let alone a fang) but i would take the mx5 over the other two in a heartbeat. you could get alot of mx5 for 10k too, standard NAs are about 2500. seen a few turbo ones pop up for 6 or 7.

they arent fast, but they are heaps of fun.

i would love an FD too though!

dnalunchie · Post by **dnalunchie** » Sun Jun 24, 2012 8:15 pm

late model MX5 or FL s14

siren676 · Post by **siren676** » Sun Jun 24, 2012 8:24 pm

rollaholic wrote:im a bit biased but im gonna say mx5 too.

i can see the height thing being an issue, and i've never had a drive of an FD (let alone a fang) but i would take the mx5 over the other two in a heartbeat. you could get alot of mx5 for 10k too, standard NAs are about 2500. seen a few turbo ones pop up for 6 or 7.

they arent fast, but they are heaps of fun.

i would love an FD too though!

NA's are a heap of fun, took one for a test drive and was smiling the whole time.

Was so much fun that i decided to buy it :lol:

picking it up on weds

Looonie · Post by **Looonie** » Sun Jun 24, 2012 8:25 pm

Mr Revhead wrote:Given your size an mx5 is out.... So I say XR6 falcon. Weld rear doors shut for coupe version

Wotchu been smoking wiggah? I'm a midget!

Yes I would prefer Front engine and Rear drive. I've driven NA8CE MX5 and FD3S RX7, the MX5 required seat removal, the RX7 needs at the very least a smaller steering wheel, but probably aftermarket seats/rails (but then what car doesn't

)

Acknowledge the point about it not being a tidy FD for under 10k :\ I still just don't know if I can bring myself to buy an S14... I'd probably put it at the bottom of my list for personal taste reasons really, even though I know it may make the most sense bang for buck.

Any other thoughts?

Oh and rev, don't toy with the falcon idea, I've been seriously considering BA XR6t ute for a few months now...

Looonie · Post by **Looonie** » Sun Jun 24, 2012 8:27 pm

Actually discussions of height reminded me of this photo... hopefully Chelles won't mind :\

leon1 · Post by **leon1** » Sun Jun 24, 2012 9:06 pm

JZZ30

you know you want too, there's a few bloody cheap ones too

Flange · Post by **Flange** » Sun Jun 24, 2012 9:13 pm

Ae85 Turbo, there's a project one on trade me.

85AW20v · Post by **85AW20v** » Sun Jun 24, 2012 9:54 pm

Looonie wrote:Actually discussions of height reminded me of this photo... hopefully Chelles won't mind :\

And that pic was taken in 2004 before he grew up :!: