Goodbye Skyline, hello ...?
Discussion
So, after 16 months of ownership, the Skyline is no more. I'd had it advertised for a few months without a sniff, and then suddenly I get 5 enquiries in a week, with the new owner taking it almost on the spot!
It was a great car, easily the most impressive, well engineered, and reliable one I've ever owned, but in the end, it was just too big and heavy to be truely 'fun'. Also, the rush-hour traffic meant I was spending most of my time behind the wheel crawling along at 30.
Thinking back over the various cars I've had, the most fun was with my old XR2. Yes, really! It wasn't especially fast, or even handled that well, but it was chuckable, thrived on abuse, and was just, well, "fun".
So, the question is, what do I get next? I've decided it doesn't need a zillion horsepower, but it does need to be light. And it's going to be mostly for weekends only (more on that later). I'd really like a nice AW11 MR2 or vtec-engined CRX, but those have suddenly become very hard to find. Wish I'd got one a few years ago
Anyone have any other suggestions for a cheap, fun run-around? I've even been thinking about the V6 MX3 - anyone have any experience of these?
And in the meantime, I've got one of these little puppies for going to work on. It weighs less than me, and it's a hoot!
This isn't me by the way, but it's a funny photo.
It was a great car, easily the most impressive, well engineered, and reliable one I've ever owned, but in the end, it was just too big and heavy to be truely 'fun'. Also, the rush-hour traffic meant I was spending most of my time behind the wheel crawling along at 30.
Thinking back over the various cars I've had, the most fun was with my old XR2. Yes, really! It wasn't especially fast, or even handled that well, but it was chuckable, thrived on abuse, and was just, well, "fun".
So, the question is, what do I get next? I've decided it doesn't need a zillion horsepower, but it does need to be light. And it's going to be mostly for weekends only (more on that later). I'd really like a nice AW11 MR2 or vtec-engined CRX, but those have suddenly become very hard to find. Wish I'd got one a few years ago
Anyone have any other suggestions for a cheap, fun run-around? I've even been thinking about the V6 MX3 - anyone have any experience of these?
And in the meantime, I've got one of these little puppies for going to work on. It weighs less than me, and it's a hoot!
This isn't me by the way, but it's a funny photo.
How light does it have to be? If you liked the Skyline you could try a 200SX, similiar car in some ways but smaller, lighter, and better looking (depending on personal taste of course). Or an SW20 MR2, heavier than the AW11 but also much more useful if you need to carry luggage.
If you're considering FWD, would the budget stretch to an Integra type-R? often thought to be the best handling front-driver ever.
MX5 would be a good option if you don't mind a convertible.
If you're considering FWD, would the budget stretch to an Integra type-R? often thought to be the best handling front-driver ever.
MX5 would be a good option if you don't mind a convertible.
used to have a mx-3, an imported 1.8 v6 version, handled like it was on rails and awesome engine, not really powerful but loved to rev, 7500rpm!!!! and sounded sublime........not a really quick car but just feels like a go kart, you sit in the excellent bucket eats and have to drive the thing. Costs were excellent, in twelve months only changed the oil and plugs, cost about £90 and it did mid 30's on a run and low 20's when having fun. only criticism, back seats are virtually useless and fuel tank is tiny, about 8 gallons if i remember.....only sold mine because i was given an E36 325i coupe.............
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swansea v6 said:
handled like it was on rails ...not a really quick car but just feels like a go kart
Now that sounds interesting, more like what I'm after. The others are all excellent suggestions chaps, but it's that basic, old-skool hot-hatch feel I'm after. Isn't the SW20 a bit, er, lardy?
I did try an early MX5 which fitted the bill nicely, but with summer on the way down here, everyone is trying to get silly money for them.
The early Civic type R is a good call, I'll keep an eye out. By the way, whatever I end up with will definitely be a JDM, that's pretty much all you can get here!
I'm hoping for something <1000kg, but the MX3 is damn close... 
tuttle said:
Shame to hear that Wedgie, TBH I've been feeling exactly the same about our 'liner for most of this year, just can't quite bear to let it go. All the best in your hunt for something light & agile-an Exige would be nice eh?
Yeah, I feel a small pang of regret every time I see one now, it was a great car, just a bit too grown up, I think.
Something with a Lotus badge would fit the bill nicely, but Loti are rare (i.e. pricey) in NZ.
That reminds me, a mate with an Elise had a ride in the liner a while back, then took me for a spin in the Elise... talk about chalk and cheese! He commented that my bonnet probably weighed more than his entire car!
wedgepilot said:
The early Civic type R is a good call, I'll keep an eye out. By the way, whatever I end up with will definitely be a JDM, that's pretty much all you can get here!
There are alternatives to this like the Pulsar VZ-R and Mitsubishi Mirage Cyborg R, both pretty much lineball with the early model CTR in power/displacement, a bit different from the default choice if the Civic.
A Kei car would also surely be a laugh to punt around in, 600-700kg, plenty of easy tuning potential.
Or a slight step up and you have the small hot hatches like a Charade De Tomaso, Starlet GT, Swift GTi etc
The modern FWD Corolla Levins are another couple to think about, supposed to be quite nice to drive, most people just assume they are crap because they are FWD and the old RWD Levin has such an overblown reputation. Worth a look, bit like an Integra Type R but not so frenetic all the time, more comfortable for day to day use.
A bit biased, but I'd definately say AW11 over the SW20 (I have owned both). If it it AW11, make sure it's a Supercharged one - only 145 horses as standard, but with a simple large pulley and ABV mod it's up to 170bhp-odd with a torque curve not to shy away from. They were only available imported although most parts are available in the UK.
I have an N/A which we track regularly with little to no problems, but it does lack a bit of extra grunt needed to accelerate out of corners (on track). Our SC which we have been dying to get on track is putting out just under 180bhp with 218pound-foot of torque.
On track the N/A can out-perform the SW20 N/A's, but the turbo's leave it behind on the straights. The SC can easily keep up with the SW20 turbos and out-handle them too.
Ever increasingly are guys dropping SW20 turbo and Camry V6 into the AW11. One of the pioneers into this is currently dropping a Lexus V8 into his car.
Only problem with these little cars is rust which can be a major issue (less on the imports). So if this is the route you want to go, make sure it's vital areas are rust free. Panels and arches are nothing to worry about as the bits are locally available and there are a few specialised restorers about too.
I have an N/A which we track regularly with little to no problems, but it does lack a bit of extra grunt needed to accelerate out of corners (on track). Our SC which we have been dying to get on track is putting out just under 180bhp with 218pound-foot of torque.
On track the N/A can out-perform the SW20 N/A's, but the turbo's leave it behind on the straights. The SC can easily keep up with the SW20 turbos and out-handle them too.
Ever increasingly are guys dropping SW20 turbo and Camry V6 into the AW11. One of the pioneers into this is currently dropping a Lexus V8 into his car.
Only problem with these little cars is rust which can be a major issue (less on the imports). So if this is the route you want to go, make sure it's vital areas are rust free. Panels and arches are nothing to worry about as the bits are locally available and there are a few specialised restorers about too.
R998 said:
The modern FWD Corolla Levins
The GT Apex models look interesting, 160bhp and around 1000kg could be a laugh. The Starlet GT is another one I'd love, but like the AW11 and CRX they're suddenly hard to find.
The Cyborg R looks fun too, but rare - I'd never even heard of them!
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