If /o/ had a Miata but wanted to get something slightly bigger,

240sx?

>>14842381

Those things are unicorns unless they've been wrecked or modded into dirt by spics.

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>>14842355
SC400 and no questions asked.

>V8 260-(1998+)300HP
>Old School Lexus Build
>Rear wheel drive
>Quiet
>Supra chassis
>2+2 in which the backseats are functional
>On point steering

You can find those easily for $5k and they won't be in shit condition. No other better option.

>>14845528
Isn't it autotragic though?

>>14842355
Mustang if GT, Golf otherwise. Everything else is either going to be boring, shit to DD or break down constantly.

>>14845834
Golf owner here. Golfs break. A lot. Otherwise I love them. Just be prepared to do some maintenance.

>>14845827
You mean automagic correct?

>>14845528
>autotragic
>ugly
>pigfat

>>14845850
I'll admit I'm not too familiar with them as I loathe hot hatches in general but of what OP listed, aside from the Mustang it seemed like the most attractive option for a DD.

>>14845827
You can get the SC300 5 speed if you want, but there is literally nothing wrong with automatic. Stop this meme please.

>>14845894
maybe he doesn't want an automatic, dipshit.

do you have any idea how rare manual sc is?

>>14845834

What does a Mustang GT have over a Firebird of the same age?

>>14842355
>>14845834

A 4v Mustang from that era would be preferable os OP can afford one, but the 2v GT's aren't all that bad really. Not all that fast by today's standards but they sound nice, they're easy and cheap to find, generally very reliable. Also aside from the rear seats not being big enough for adults, they are fairly practical. Trunk is usable and the rear seats fold down for more room, plus they take regular fuel and get good MPG on the highway because of the hilariously tall gearing.

+1 on the 00's stang from me, OP.

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>>14845897
Well if he really wants a manual then he can, fucking retard. They aren't that rare, maybe you could learn a thing or two.

>>14845908

Easier to find especially if looking for manual, cheaper, slightly less worse interior, doesn't look like a catfish, not as pigfat. People want an arm and a leg for the LS1 Camaro and Firebird. OP could get an earlier LT1 model if he wanted though.

>>14845926
>LOL AUTOMATIC IS JUST AS GOOD AND NOBODY COULD EVER HAVE DIFFERING OPINIONS SO WHY WOULD YOU EVER WANT A MANUAL
>UR A FUKING RETARD FOR ACKNOWLEDGING MY SHITTY LOGIC
Not even him but stop fucking sperging out, you don't need to throw a tantrum every time someone doesn't want a slushbox

>>14845926
>not rare
>3883 of 33,000
fucking idiot
a car with a total production number of 3,883 is rare as fuck

>>14845934

Yeah but for any given year the Mustang's V8 is weak as hell compared to the F-body's. Like 215 vs 300 HP for the ones in the mid 90s.

>>14845940
Did I ever say anything about having different opinions? You idiot I never said anything of that sort. Getting a manual would be more fun but that doesn't mean the auto is boring, it's perfectly fine to get one. The whole "autotragic" implies that it ruins the experience, it's a fucking meme.

>>14845945
People have so many 5 speed SCs, you just have to look for them. You know what's even more rare? 98+ SC400s with 290HP (around ~2200 or so) but you can STILL find those on sale. The earlier SC models are easy to find in manuals. Just because of those low numbers doesn't mean it's not for sale.

>>14845954

We're talking 00's not mid 90's. 2v 4.6 had 260 HP and a bit over 300lb ft of torque. Not terribly fast but they also are a bit lighter than the F-body.

so you want
>very lightweight
>fun to drive
>stick shift probably
>fast(er) than a miata
>more enclosed than a miata so somewhat quieter
>comparable reliability
>5k

i dunno man, that's a lot of requirements, what's your most flexible criteria? What can you do without/dont mind having more of?

off the top of my head i kinda want to recommend a first gen honda fit on weight alone, they're comparable to a miata, but pretty underpowered too.
maybe a civic ek hatch? if you can find one not molested
civic CRX? same molestation issue though

OP here. Thanks for the suggestions. I'm OK with autos if a car wasn't common with a manual, but it's not preference.

Forgot about the SC400. Aren't there parts of those things that're super expensive and unobtainium?

>>14846069

"Very lightweight" isn't a priority. One thing I'm trying to get away from is being a tin can on the highway. EKs and CRXs are tool shitty. I'd be looking at mid '00s Civics if I had to.

>>14846133
nah, sc400 parts are fine, and they rarely break so you don't exactly need them

give a look at lexus IS300s, they're great and small and nimble and light but
>5k might not get you a good example
>most of them are auto, and while a manual version is available, it's widely considered to be a rather sub-par gearbox and the manual versions command a premium

>>14846155
also it came in a really cool wagon/hatchback version called the "sportcross" but those are rare and auto-only, this is the cheapest one i have ever seen at 7 grand
https://boston.craigslist.org/sob/ctd/5494281759.html

>>14846171
>>14846155

Too many doors. I'm looking for a coupe.

>>14846133
Buy a second gen MR2.

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>>14846133
Part costs for the SC400 are actually really good for a luxury coupe, the good thing is that you can get cheaper Supra parts for it, yeah I said cheap and Supra in the same time. There is a huge aftermarket for Supra, so you can find so many things that will fit, even if you do plan to get the V8. The style is the basis on inspiration of the smooth styled vehicles that came out of Japan. Reliability is off the roof, just like how the LS400 is known as a tank sedan of the 90s, this applies the same for the SC400. Don't think that it's a 2 door LS400 because it's not, suspension, design, handling, gear ratios, everything has been changed to make it a sporty vehicle going against the Merdedes SL and BMW 8 series.

Anyone know about the Volvo C70 turbo? Guy in town has a 2002 HT with a 5-speed.

>>14847155
Aren't they basically like the S70, but just a coupe? If so then, they are actually really nice cars. Decently fast, comfy, design is good too. Their fuel economy is meh and they only come in FWD.

>>14847171

Basically, with more sporty everything. I had an ex with a naturally aspirated V70 she treated like shit and it ran and drove great. I guess I'm a little leery of luxury cars, though. All that fancy interior shit to go wrong.

OPS first impulse was absolutely correct a C4 is a big-boy Miata

Miata

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>>14842355

>>14847650

How fucked would I be buying this? I talked to the owner via email.

http://boston.craigslist.org/bmw/cto/5511302913.html

>>14847925
It's shit. 240hp with an automatic transmission. You would feel just enough of a difference from your miats to wonder what could have been. You absolutely positively will want an LTx engine. You won't find a ZR1 in your price range but with a little patience you can find an LT1 then you can add bolt on mods out the ass when and if.

>>14847925
It will be shit compared to the miata

>>14848050
>LTx engine
Derp brain fart obviously I meant you want an LSx, almost certainly an LS1 in your price range

>>14846239
Good luck finding an underpowered N/A for under $6k, let alone a turbo one.

GTI all the way OP, especially if you can get a VR6, post craigslist

>>14848634

Yeah, those are on my upper end. Not in Corvettes but I found a '98 auto catfish for $3800 in nice shape before it sold.

>>14848737
http://worcester.craigslist.org/cto/5537128587.html
you don't know fun until you've driven a fast golf

>>14848776
>NA VR6 golf
>fast
kek

>>14848786
What do you drive?

>>14842381

That was my first car.

Wrecked it though, I'm sure I'm not alone.

Might explain the rarity.

>>14848776

Why VR6?

http://boston.craigslist.org/nos/cto/5527401432.html

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Whatever is wrong with your miata is fixable. I guarantee it. I got so fed up with mine the other day I thought about selling it but I then realized just how cheap it is to fix and easy to work on, so I sucked my shit up, got over it, and fixed the problem. It's back to being happy again and I'm not complaining.

Your not going to find another car that is as stupidly cheap and fun as a miata. If your ok with that then go again but be warned, your probably going to regret selling it.

Pic related is mine

>>14848737
You'll find tons of catfish you can afford with LS1s but they'll definitely feel heavy compared to a Miata. I think I could find an LS1 C4 for $5000 if I took a few months to search and was willing to travel a couple hundred miles for it.

>>14848893

Well, it has about $1500 of rust and other repairs coming up which I'll probably do anyway, but I'm just ready for a different car.

-A little too small, both in the cabin and trunk
-Too noisy, especially at highway speeds
-Not enough power to be fun over 40 or so
-Ragtop's only fun six months a year
-Cowl shake

I mean, I could go crazy with dynamat, get a hardtop and a turbo, but I'd still have a tiny car.

>>14849022
There's no such thing as an LS1 C4, and C5s start at 10K. If you're thinking LT1 Vettes, I'm open to them.

E36 328i/is or E46 330i/330ci.

Honestly your best bet.

2006 civic SI. 8k redline 200hp 6mt. the best FWD car there is

>>14850626

Under $5K?