R.I.P RX-8, what next?

[SeePlusPlus]

So if you haven't seen my last thread, I unfortunately totaled my 2005 RX-8 after a less than logical attempt to dodge a deer. What's done is done, and the damage reached to the frame rendering it unfix-able. The car served as an amazing first car (first car I actually owned, not first car). It handled like sex, and had almost no power. I loved it. And it saved my ass in a crash that I feel could have ended much, much worse (Thank you crumple zones).
If you haven't seen the pictures, please find joy in my misfortune here: http://www.importatlanta.com/forums/showthread.php?287876-Ugh-fucking-deer.-Rainy-Day-Wildlife-Poor-RX-8&p=38994574#post38994574

All is not lost though, because apparently Encompass insurance either just really loves me or they don't care to browse Kelley Blue Book. Back in 2007 when I began to pay off the car, I purchased it with 26,000 miles at $14,800. Fast forward to present, the KBB value dropped to a disheartening $11,000 from a previous $15,000. Well Encompass decided to give me $15,400 for the car... More than I paid originally. Now of course my premiums will anally rape me and the deductible takes about a thousand dollars off that check, but it's quite astounding.

So after my novel, I get to hear some opinions! What kind of car should I be looking into? I want something with the potential for a gear head to have some fun, but I'm not looking for some jet powered behemoth (unless you have a cheap one...). I need a manual transmission to live, and I am not a fan of front wheel drive in the slightest. I have no bias towards manufacturer, but you will not see me browsing Honda hatchbacks (no offense to those that like them). I like 300zx's, cobras, wrx's, rx-7's, gto's, m3's, e30's, lots of stuff. I'm looking for a coupe of some sort. I just want a fun, relatively fast car to enjoy the driving experience with. Any suggestions?

[Drummerboy]

I personally love boost. So an older wrx (like a bug eye) might be in the 14k range. 03-04 cobras are most likely out of range, but a late 90s might be around that. RX-7s, well you know more about rotaries than I do. I looked at GTO's last night, the cheapest I found was 18k for an 04 then everything else was 20k+. with say, 12k (after deductibles) You could get a 300zx with some money to spare to do what you want or just have cash in your pocket. You could also get a nice S2K, if you like those.

Good luck with whatever you get.

[SeePlusPlus]

I personally love boost. So an older wrx (like a bug eye) might be in the 14k range. 03-04 cobras are most likely out of range, but a late 90s might be around that. RX-7s, well you know more about rotaries than I do. I looked at GTO's last night, the cheapest I found was 18k for an 04 then everything else was 20k+. with say, 12k (after deductibles) You could get a 300zx with some money to spare to do what you want or just have cash in your pocket. You could also get a nice S2K, if you like those.

Good luck with whatever you get.

Thanks for the replies, I've been finding a lot of the cars you've mentioned in the 30-50k mileage range for less than that though... And I've subtracted the deductible and I have around a 13-14k price range. Doesn't mean it has to cost that though. I too love the bugeyes

[grizz311]

If you liked the rx8 I would suggest an s2K, really good handling and more power... plus sexy convertible. Other than that I'd go with a 350z, g35 coupe, TT300zx, older bug eye WRX, or a 97 M3, but be careful with he last option.

[antiv6]

id get a g35 or something like these
http://atlanta.craigslist.org/nat/cto/1696764188.html
http://www.importatlanta.com/forums/showthread.php?266918-2003-Ford-Mustang-Cobra-SVT-Zinc-Yellow-1-Owner-Clean-Carfax!

[CHADbee]

in that price range id say S2000 or 350Z

personally i prefer the Z because of the TQ and while bolt-on parts dont do much(when comparing to factory V8 or boosted cars) they do make more of a difference than on the S2000

[SeePlusPlus]

I've been looking through the gto ads on craigslist and I've got to say those are the front runners currently. Good power, Cool interior, looks okay. There are a couple immaculate 300ZX TT's I've found too. I also love cobras but no offense to yellow car owners I just can't drive a yellow car. As for the S2K I love driving them, but I'm not looking to own a convertible at this time. Thanks for all the suggestions and links guys.

[CHADbee]

I've been looking through the gto ads on craigslist and I've got to say those are the front runners currently. Good power, Cool interior, looks okay. There are a couple immaculate 300ZX TT's I've found too. I also love cobras but no offense to yellow car owners I just can't drive a yellow car. As for the S2K I love driving them, but I'm not looking to own a convertible at this time. Thanks for all the suggestions and links guys.

oh ok maybe i miss read but i thought you were looking for imports. yeah id buy a LS2 6spd GTO if i was in your position for sure.

[SeePlusPlus]

oh ok maybe i miss read but i thought you were looking for imports. yeah id buy a LS2 6spd GTO if i was in your position for sure.

I will admit I don't have a lot of experience with domestics, but I do like the looks of that car. I'm gonna try and go look at a couple this weekend. I know it won't handle like the RX-8 but is it an absolute aircraft carrier? Same with the cobra, excuse my ignorance

[5speed]

are you looking to pay in cash or put money down?

[SeePlusPlus]

are you looking to pay in cash or put money down?

I'm looking to pay in cash, I'm not a fan of financing. I know with my loose pockets its a slippery slope haha

[5speed]

LOL, I was just wondering bc a G8 is just out of your range, but are well worth it.

[SeePlusPlus]

I do like G8's, but it looks like that car will be unattainable unless a cheap one pops up.

[5speed]

Yea, they hold their value really well. Those things are beasts. I looked around for you and they all seem to be around 18k at the least.

[SeePlusPlus]

Yea, they hold their value really well. Those things are beasts. I looked around for you and they all seem to be around 18k at the least.

Thanks for the effort! May your reps be increased by 1!! I'll keep an eye out for a deal though

[CHADbee]

I will admit I don't have a lot of experience with domestics, but I do like the looks of that car. I'm gonna try and go look at a couple this weekend. I know it won't handle like the RX-8 but is it an absolute aircraft carrier? Same with the cobra, excuse my ignorance


the handling wont be anywhere near what your RX-8 was so just spend your mod money on springs, shocks, and beefy sway bars since its already gonna be waaaaaaaay faster than what your RX-8 was.

[SeePlusPlus]

Yeah I know it won't be like the RX-8, but I won't feel like I'm driving a van right? I'm excited about the prospect to have enough torque to overtake camrys though lol. I will definitely be investing in mods down the road btw. I just don't know how far down the road that may be.

[HypnoToad]

01-02 Fbody one of the best bang for buck cars in your price range.

[JITB]

alot of nice cars to choose from! too hard to choose!

you could buy another rx8 and give it some power with the rest..lol

[SeePlusPlus]

alot of nice cars to choose from! too hard to choose!

you could buy another rx8 and give it some power with the rest..lol

That thought definately crossed my mind, but a good turbo or supercharger kit that'll work and last is another 7,000+. The RX-8 is so expensive to mod for power. I'd rather just go for some displacement probably. Right now cobras and gtos are at the top of my list.

[StreetHazard]

get a newish corolla, and invest the rest. retire by 50 then buy a porsche

[SeePlusPlus]

get a newish corolla, and invest the rest. retire by 50 then buy a porsche

Good thought, but I'd rather enjoy the journey to 50, not just the destination

[MongolPup]

They've given you a very decent amount of money. You need to decide if you want to buy a car that does X from the factory or if you want to buy a car that you have to modify to get it to do X. Both obviously have ups and downs, I don't know what kind of person you are so it's hard to just say something one way or the other. You've already experienced one end of the spectrum though with the RX-8. You talked about how fun it was to drive from the very beginning but wasn't fast enough for your liking.

What exactly do you want to be able to do with your next car? Would you be willing to buy a beater?

[SeePlusPlus]

I'd be willing to buy a car that needs some work. That's the main reason behind my interest with the 300zx because I could get a cheapish one and get an engine rebuild with some different turbos all for in the price range I have. I don't want a car that is beat to shit as a starting point though. Really I'm open to a lot of styles, conditions, and setups. I was just seeing what everyone else would do within this price range. I love to piggyback off of ideas

[The Creeper]

Plenty of gto's within 200 miles on auto trader that are within your budget. Car is a blast to drive, go test drive one.

[5speed]

I'd be willing to buy a car that needs some work. That's the main reason behind my interest with the 300zx because I could get a cheapish one and get an engine rebuild with some different turbos all for in the price range I have. I don't want a car that is beat to shit as a starting point though. Really I'm open to a lot of styles, conditions, and setups. I was just seeing what everyone else would do within this price range. I love to piggyback off of ideas

The problem with that is parts are hard to come by and people dont sell the parts cheap. A 300ZX also just doesn't hold up to other engines today, while other Nissan engines do with the same age. An IS300 might be something to look into also.

[TicketRedBB6]

The problem with that is parts are hard to come by and people dont sell the parts cheap. A 300ZX also just doesn't hold up to other engines today, while other Nissan engines do with the same age. An IS300 might be something to look into also.
I was gonna suggest the is300 too.
But I would take the GTO over the Cobra IMO. You see way less of them (since you see all models of mustangs all the time) and i like its looks better.

[SeePlusPlus]

I was gonna suggest the is300 too.
But I would take the GTO over the Cobra IMO. You see way less of them (since you see all models of mustangs all the time) and i like its looks better.

Yeah, hopefully I'll be heading out to test a gto out this weekend. I really like them from the looks alone so it's got potential

[geoff]

I would say an 01-02 fbody aswell. You can get a formula v8 with 6speed for pretty cheap. Throw in a 4:10 gear, some true duals, and an intake and your set. The great thing is that you will still get the same if not better mpg as the rx-8. really fun cars to drive

[EJ25RUN]

I would say an 01-02 fbody aswell. You can get a formula v8 with 6speed for pretty cheap. Throw in a 4:10 gear, some true duals, and an intake and your set. The great thing is that you will still get the same if not better mpg as the rx-8. really fun cars to drive

In a straight line.

[geoff]

with some suspension mods they handle really well. if not an fbody than you can pray to find a nice 97-04 vette 6speed. but they are all gonna be in the high teens and 20's

[tdurr]

TII rx7. Handles great, its boosted(so easer to make more power) can pick up a SUPER clean one for 5-7k and drop the rest in suspension and engine mods, possibly rebuild the motor for 350+.

[SeePlusPlus]

Yeah, I do love T-II's. I have my eye on a couple. I'm just thinking that I need a car that'll stay semi-reliable since I'm heading to Athens in the fall and I won't have time to work on it. We'll see what happens. Insurance is taking their sweet time getting my a check. Hopefully I'll have it by Monday or Tuesday

[5speed]

Yeah, I do love T-II's. I have my eye on a couple. I'm just thinking that I need a car that'll stay semi-reliable since I'm heading to Athens in the fall and I won't have time to work on it. We'll see what happens. Insurance is taking their sweet time getting my a check. Hopefully I'll have it by Monday or Tuesday

Yeah, I wouldn't go with an FC at this point. Buy a car made within the last 10-12 years and mod it down the road. FC's are great, but are kinda like 240's. It's the small stuff that just nickel and dimes you.

[tdurr]

ehhh if you just drive the car, and dont beat on it i dont see what would really go wrong esp if you got a well kept fc. thats what people dont realize, alot of ppl who complain about shit breaking beat on cars and dont just drive them.

[5speed]

ehhh if you just drive the car, and dont beat on it i dont see what would really go wrong esp if you got a well kept fc. thats what people dont realize, alot of ppl who complain about shit breaking beat on cars and dont just drive them.

I agree. The problem is there aren't many FC's out there that were well kept.

[HypnoToad]

well its good to beat on a rotary aslong as its maintained well,if its babied it will blow before 70k miles.

[Sunkenkarma]

I spot on craigslist......

87 Turbo II, Full LS1 swap, clean as hell. - 12.5k

Twin Turbo FD, less than 10k on miles and motor. -11.5k

'93 Supra, 53k original miles, N/A 5spd,. -14k

1999 Corvette, 6 speed, 110k miles. -12k



Theres from 5 minutes from looking, I vote stick with Mazda! Either a mazda Body or a Mazda Engine! GOGOGO! Good luck.

[jesus bonill]

The problem with that is parts are hard to come by and people dont sell the parts cheap. A 300ZX also just doesn't hold up to other engines today, while other Nissan engines do with the same age. An IS300 might be something to look into also.

...not really, i find most of my parts cheap, whats expensive is the labor if you take it to somebody like Z1...thats why i started working on Z's myself and ive taken a few good customers from them, and the engines are pretty strong, at stock boost, a well maintained Z will outperform most cars out today, oh and BTW, if you do decide to get a TTZ, hit me up, ill come look at it for you and let you know wether its a good investment or not...