Jap Toy for up to 4k?
Discussion
ProPlus said:
Still couldn't find any at that price, how did you get yours so cheap??
theres a few floating about, but manuals are extremly rare.
as for FWD understeer is not a huge problem as the car's chassis is fairly well planted...
very neutral.
but the fronts do spin often.... even in 2nd..
There's a few FTOs with EVO engines, there's one with a 2.5l V6 from the Galant in the bay. I think it's tunning about 300bhp. Owned by a guy called Richard Batty.
All still FWD though (as are the CRX Del Sols).
On the FWD front, I can get mine to oversteer whenever I want it to, the chassis is very well set up - I'd say it's one of the best FWD cars I've driven (The older integra type Rs would take the top spot). Though I have done some work on the chassis and geometry (all costing about £150), but it was still very good without it.
I really shouldn't be saying this, but speak to Giles at Japco www.japco.co.uk - He gets a lot of very nice ones in himself, and sells them on very (very) cheap. He doesn't normally advertise though, so if you give him a call he'll be able to help you out with what's availabe etc. Nice guy, but can chat for England!
Otherwise have a look on autotrader, there are 70 odd in the country listed at under 4k.
There are a few things to look out for when buying one, but I suggest the www.ftooc.org/phpbb too.
For 4k I think you'll have to get a tiptronc gearbox. They're looked down on (by me too and I own one), as they sap more power than a manual, but Giles of Japco can change it to a manual at a later date. They also change gear a LOT faster than I can, and you can still control what gear you're in. The older ones (like mine) do about 85 in 2nd gear
The V6 Engines are good, but need to be looked after, producing close to 100bhp per litre isn't easy without forced induction!
Good luck in finding a good car mate.
BTW - waht about MkI MR2s? Not everybodies cup of char, and look dated, but big grin driving!
>> Edited by ninjadave on Monday 16th May 10:20
All still FWD though (as are the CRX Del Sols).
On the FWD front, I can get mine to oversteer whenever I want it to, the chassis is very well set up - I'd say it's one of the best FWD cars I've driven (The older integra type Rs would take the top spot). Though I have done some work on the chassis and geometry (all costing about £150), but it was still very good without it.
I really shouldn't be saying this, but speak to Giles at Japco www.japco.co.uk - He gets a lot of very nice ones in himself, and sells them on very (very) cheap. He doesn't normally advertise though, so if you give him a call he'll be able to help you out with what's availabe etc. Nice guy, but can chat for England!
Otherwise have a look on autotrader, there are 70 odd in the country listed at under 4k.
There are a few things to look out for when buying one, but I suggest the www.ftooc.org/phpbb too.
For 4k I think you'll have to get a tiptronc gearbox. They're looked down on (by me too and I own one), as they sap more power than a manual, but Giles of Japco can change it to a manual at a later date. They also change gear a LOT faster than I can, and you can still control what gear you're in. The older ones (like mine) do about 85 in 2nd gear
The V6 Engines are good, but need to be looked after, producing close to 100bhp per litre isn't easy without forced induction!
Good luck in finding a good car mate.
BTW - waht about MkI MR2s? Not everybodies cup of char, and look dated, but big grin driving!
>> Edited by ninjadave on Monday 16th May 10:20
I don't know a lot about them but I have a had a couple of blasts in two examples of them.
Overall I think the MkI MR2 is nice car, and a bit underated these days; They do appear under powered and dated but the skinny wheels make them an awful lot of fun on roundabouts.
I've only driven two, but both were a laugh a minute.
I didn't need to do 80+ with my hair on fire to enjoy pushing the car, the engine wasn't that intrusive (very quite comapred to the fto).
The engine heat did warm the car up - it was nice in autumn and winter, I guess it would be a pain in summer.
Both had over 120,000 miles on the dials, and didn't splutter, rattle, or cause me to think they'd not make a 200 mile journey without needing a stop.
They also gave a lot of feedback, and I found myself being very comfortable and confident with them very quickly - the first was the first MR car I'd ever driven, and it wasn't the tip-toeing-kid-gloves experiance I was expecting.
Both were pretty basic spec with 140(ish) bhp according to their respective owners. Both were of the last few mkI's so had all the kinks worked out. All the electrics still worked, and all the interior trim was intact, if not a little dated (put me in mind of a 205).
I've thought about getting one as an interim car before I get the elise - free up the capital in my car, get one as a cheap run-around while I wait.
And they're very cheap to insure, always worth remembering.
No idea about cost of ownership, maintence costs, or mpg though.
Overall I think the MkI MR2 is nice car, and a bit underated these days; They do appear under powered and dated but the skinny wheels make them an awful lot of fun on roundabouts.
I've only driven two, but both were a laugh a minute.
I didn't need to do 80+ with my hair on fire to enjoy pushing the car, the engine wasn't that intrusive (very quite comapred to the fto).
The engine heat did warm the car up - it was nice in autumn and winter, I guess it would be a pain in summer.
Both had over 120,000 miles on the dials, and didn't splutter, rattle, or cause me to think they'd not make a 200 mile journey without needing a stop.
They also gave a lot of feedback, and I found myself being very comfortable and confident with them very quickly - the first was the first MR car I'd ever driven, and it wasn't the tip-toeing-kid-gloves experiance I was expecting.
Both were pretty basic spec with 140(ish) bhp according to their respective owners. Both were of the last few mkI's so had all the kinks worked out. All the electrics still worked, and all the interior trim was intact, if not a little dated (put me in mind of a 205).
I've thought about getting one as an interim car before I get the elise - free up the capital in my car, get one as a cheap run-around while I wait.
And they're very cheap to insure, always worth remembering.
No idea about cost of ownership, maintence costs, or mpg though.
I have a 97 'R' Mazda Xedos for sale.
SE 2.0i V6
47K genuine miles. lady driver - my wife. family owned - was my mums.
full leather, full electric pack, full body collour bits etc, projector lamps etc.
35 mile to the gallon on motorways.
the practicality of a 4 door executive saloon (C class, 3 series style) with FTO/Celica GT performance.
Totaly stock.
Gp 16 insurance.
SE 2.0i V6
47K genuine miles. lady driver - my wife. family owned - was my mums.
full leather, full electric pack, full body collour bits etc, projector lamps etc.
35 mile to the gallon on motorways.
the practicality of a 4 door executive saloon (C class, 3 series style) with FTO/Celica GT performance.
Totaly stock.
Gp 16 insurance.
I know I know, but I just have to say 200 sx.... depends on what you want, has it got to look just right? Or is it performance? As long as you arent too bothered about performance I would go for a prelude 2.2....
And before prelude lovers get all upset about the performance comment, for minimal money a 200 sx can be sensibly modded to a very entertaining level... after which, it makes a standard 200 feel broken too
And before prelude lovers get all upset about the performance comment, for minimal money a 200 sx can be sensibly modded to a very entertaining level... after which, it makes a standard 200 feel broken too
no-ones mentioned the under-rated 2.5v6 MX6 (I say as I own one!)
164bhp UK or 200 bhp import
92J reg to 98R reg
all the toys on the imports inc 4ws/folding mirrors/climate control and all have 4w abs, engines known to last up to 300K.
Minters go for £3000-£3500
Parkers say
www.parkers.co.uk/choosing/carreviews/archivedReview.aspx?range_id=282
164bhp UK or 200 bhp import
92J reg to 98R reg
all the toys on the imports inc 4ws/folding mirrors/climate control and all have 4w abs, engines known to last up to 300K.
Minters go for £3000-£3500
Parkers say
www.parkers.co.uk/choosing/carreviews/archivedReview.aspx?range_id=282
richburley said:
The Xedos isn't exactly a Jap "Toy" though, is it? I don't think ProPlus needs practicality at the moment.
Its a highly underated car, because it 'looks' practical, erm as does the evo or scoobs.
the V6 engine layout and appearance is in all eventuality the same as the 2.5 Mx6/probe, but at 2.0cc's. FWD is the only let down as is Celica GT.
I never suggested it was a 'great jap toy' I suggested it was for sale within the price range under £3K with under 45K on the clock at 8 years old. It depends entirely what he is looking for from a financial point of view, a reliable NA or a troublesome tubby.
If he wants power and looks, stompable rally heritage and easy modibility, then a GT4 ST185 is well within his budget, with £4K it could bought and be given a MHG, stage 3 turbo, FMIC and mapping to run 13's.
£4K should afford an absolute blinder with uprated internals to boot.
DanBoy said:
How much do those bloody evil looking Mitsubishi things go for these days? VR4S, I think...
ooooh,good car choice sir! Much under-rated small brother of the Evo.Not that many around,so some exclusivity factor(quite a few oldies seem to have them-if image is a prob
)£4k should see a good one. Possible downside is that not too many off-the-shelf power mods readily available for them.
>> Edited by tuttle on Monday 6th June 21:23
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