Dilemma...

[gaz.thomas]

Reet... The ***** has just failed her MOT on the one thing I can't do meself - chassis welding. I reckon it's an uneconomical repair and the car will shortly be up for sale. The question is what do I replace her with? It's come at the wrong time really as i've had bills coming out of my backside but I figure that with the SX I could probably scrape a couple of grand together.

So come on peeps - find me a kewl car for that kind of money (no scrabbly nonsense please :D)

Gaz
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[Jeedai]

Urrrrrrrrrrmmmmmmm

Another 200SX :D :D :D

[marty_t3]

erm...... 200sx

You won't get anything better for that money.

[gaz.thomas]

I'm thinking...

Another *****
RX-7
Supra
TVR Wedge
4WD Celica
Old Jag

or get a little loan and get a TVR S2

any other suggestions?

[marty_t3]

I like your shopping list :D ....

i've considered all those cars myself at some point (especially the 350 wedge and an XJS V12). At the end of the day i went for another S13.


200sx ... Reasonably quick (6.7 0-60), decent top end (143), easy to mod, easy to repair, plenty of spares around from breakers.

RX-7 .... Slightly quicker than a stock 200 (6.4 0-60, 145 top end), better handling supposedly, ... hard to get bits and hard to repair.

Supra .... hard to get bits, big, heavy, thirsty, no quicker than the 200 (6.7 0-60) but better top end (150). Dated in the same way as the Z31 300ZX.

Wedge (350) .... amazing noise, quick off the mark (6.6 0-60), poor top end (130 odd), rover V8 so easy to get bits and easy to work on. Finding a good one is difficult.

4WD Celica .... Not that quick considering 2L turbo 4WD ... Not really as nimble as it could have been. Excellent reliability.

Jag XJS V12 .... Fast off the mark 5.6 0-60 IIRC, excellent top end (156mph), strong engines, very heavy, plenty of spares around, Hideously expensive to run the 5.3L.

[Luke]

Originally posted by marty_t3
I like your shopping list :D ....



Wedge (350) .... amazing noise, quick off the mark (6.6 0-60), poor top end (130 odd), rover V8 so easy to get bits and easy to work on. Finding a good one is difficult.



...I was under the impression they did around the 152mph mark, and it was the 280 that did 130mph. Thinking logically about it the original V8 rover was heavy, had 178bhp (I think), and did around 127mph (although the one of my dads did more like 135mph)... the TVR 350i has around the 200bhp mark, is lighter, more aerodynamic, so would probably make 150?!... I was considering getting one this next winter and giving it a breather for summer!:D ... problem is you can't get them for 2K... 4-5K is more realistic.


Luke

[Wak]

What exactly needs welding? Is it a patch needs putting on the chassis rails or complete new sills?

What are you going to do with the car, break it or sell it?

[gaz.thomas]

There's a couple of spots on each of the chassis rails and a wee bit around the tank - basically enough to be really awkward and require the removal of tank, fuel and brake lines. If I could do structural welding and had a lift then it wouldn't be a problem but I don't so it is (if you see what I mean).

I don't really fancy breaking her (neither the time, space nor inclination) but I'd sell to someone for spares or repair.

Gaz
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What about a 2.2 prelude? or is that a bit too girly?

I'm open to suggestions (no scrabbly nonsense though please :D)

[marty_t3]

the TVR 350i has around the 200bhp mark, is lighter, more aerodynamic, so would probably make 150?!...

An aerodynamic convertible??? :D Remeber it's a 25 year old body shape with the roof chopped off.

The TVR 450 SEAC (3 engine sizes up from the 350) has 320bhp and will just about hit 155... i don't think the 200hp version will get anywhere close.

I'm not trying to put you off getting one.... i love wedges myself and would kill to get behind the wheel one day. I just don't want you spending your hard earned on a car that's 20mph slower than you were expecting.

Here's some 350i stats from pistonheads.....

Model Engine Power Torque Weight Max Speed 0 - 60 mph 0 - 100 mph 1/4 Mile
350 Series I Rover V8 3528cc 190 bhp 220 lbs/ft 1150 kg 135 mph 6.0 secs 16.5 secs 14.5 @ 95 mph
350 Series II Rover V8 3528cc 197 bhp 220 lbs/ft 1150 kg 136 mph 6.0 secs 16.5 secs 14.5 @ 95 mph

[gaz.thomas]

I'd probably sacrifice acceleration and top end whack for an involving drive. I'm also considering MOTing the fiat and using that for a while to save a bit of cash (typical...just started raining)

Wrong time really. As if there's ever a good time for your car to eff up :rolleyes:

I am tempted with the idea of another ***** but for two grand I'm probably gonna get either an overpriced S13 or a dog of an S14 no???

Gaz
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[Wak]

Originally posted by gaz.thomas

What about a 2.2 prelude? or is that a bit too girly?


It's a bit too scrabbly!!!!:p :D

[Wak]

Originally posted by gaz.thomas
There's a couple of spots on each of the chassis rails and a wee bit around the tank - basically enough to be really awkward and require the removal of tank, fuel and brake lines. If I could do structural welding and had a lift then it wouldn't be a problem but I don't so it is (if you see what I mean).


Tricky one, chassis rails is no problem, but as you say the area around the tank is a bit dodgy. I have to say though, I've never removed any brake lines or fuel lines on cars I've welded :eek:

Are you worried about welding near the aforesaid items or can you not actually get at the areas that need welding without removing them?

BTW, how about a Porsche 924? Not very fast when compared to a 200 but a good drive with near 50-50 weight distribution and the all important (IMO) rear wheel drive :D You'll struggle to find a rusty one - galvanised bodies

[marty_t3]

Good call on the 924. Supposed to be really good drive.

Only thing that put me off one before was the insurance cost. Even the slowest ones still have a porsche badge and that's all the insurance company need to know when they quote you.

Another car i thought about before was an old Esprit. Classic insurance, pretty quick, stunning looks and a great car to drive. Only bad points being poor reliability (though probably better than the 350i).

[gaz.thomas]

I was actually thinking about the lotus - apart from the whole lots of trouble, usually serious thing...I didn't realise the prelude was fwd - I thought the vtecs were all 4wd 4ws???. The more I think about it the more I think the best thing to do is repair mine (better the devil you know) and save up for a decent TVR S2 - I think that'd be a bit more fun.
Having said that however the fiat's in for an MOT today so I might have her on the road for the summer and save a bit of cash there.
My mechanic had a 928 in stock a while ago but i was wholly unimpressed by the lack of poke - It just didn't feel fast - so I guess a 924 would be much the same.

Gaz
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[Bart]

just wondering?????

[Wak]

Originally posted by gaz.thomas
.
My mechanic had a 928 in stock a while ago but i was wholly unimpressed by the lack of poke - It just didn't feel fast - so I guess a 924 would be much the same.

Gaz
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You sure you mean 928 and not 944? 928 has a 4.5l V8 and should be pretty quick....

Marty, I used to have a 924 and they aren't too bad to insure, infact I'd say the running costs are much the same as for the 200.

[gaz.thomas]

Nope - Deffo a 928 - fantastic torque, she just didn't seem all that quick. Nice noise though. I'm not a big fan of porsches in general - I've got a kinda weird taste in cars.

I've no idea how much to sell the ***** for (if I do) feel free to make me an offer though - I've got a little bit of MOT left so I'm not in any huge rush.

Gaz
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[docwra]

How bout an integrale?? Since Ive had my Delta, it has been the motor Im aiming for one day ........... hubba hubba :D :D
Also the SEAC TVR had a 4.5 0-60 time - half a second quicker than anything on the road at the time .............. :D

[gaz.thomas]

I reckon the only growler i'd get for two grand would be a nasty old dog. Besides the girlfriend has already ruled that out - I was going to buy one before I got the ***** but she said...
"No. Not even a little bit. It's a left hooker. How am I meant to drive that"
and the best bit
"It looks like a wided up Golf GTi."

I didn't speak to her for about a week.

Gaz
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[Leon]

Starion. You could get a really good 2.6 for that sort of money. On with a BOV, straightened pipe, zorst and de-cat it and you're looking at change easily for £3000 I'd say. And something stupid like 300bhp is obtainable with a cheapish chip as well

[Leon]

Red with Black Leather interior,6 months MOT, Full Service History including original purchase papers, Cruise Control that works, Turbo Timmer, Emobilizer, all other usual extras but will include spare Turbo and Air con set.
Body work is good but needs a little attention. Engine is solid and has plenty of life left yet.
i am looking for a quick sale so hence £1450 ono


(in this instance, change from £2500 even including the chip)

[gaz.thomas]

I just knew you were going to say that starionman...

:D

Gaz
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[Leon]

Originally posted by gaz.thomas
I just knew you were going to say that starionman...

:D

Gaz
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But you know I@m right... ;) ;) ;) After all, Tim likes his immensely...

[docwra]

Originally posted by gaz.thomas

"It looks like a wided up Golf GTi."


:mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:

Having said this, my missus on first sight of the delta, said
"What is it?? A Lada or something??" :eek: :eek: :mad:
She comes out of hospital next week ;) :D
Naah - I didnt know you only had 2 grand - youd only get a 16v for that, and we all know Evos are where its at :)

[gaz.thomas]

I think i'm gonna change tack a bit - spend about £500 and get a nail with a MOT and run that for a few months until I can afford a decent TVR S series. At the same time i'm going to concentrate on getting the spyder's engine sorted and try and run her for the summer.

Gaz
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Women...Huh