Discussion
Hi, I am currently in the middle of "growing up" and I have decided I need to change cars. I currently own a Nissan S15 and have access to a company car. I am wanting to change jobs in the near future, giving up the company car and will need something I can daily. Any suggestions would be appreciated, needs to be fun to drive and more easy/cheaper to get parts for? I am currently thinking along the line of picking up an already turbo'd MX5.
I would always recommend some sort of 4 door Toyota... I have a 2006 Crown here is where I rave about it: clicky
Mark X - abit sportier than a Crown, X130 (2009 onwards) looks good.
Crown - S200's (2008 - 2012), come with 2.5l, 3.5l and some Hybrids - these are all Lexus' underneath so parts are easy to get.
Mark X - abit sportier than a Crown, X130 (2009 onwards) looks good.
Crown - S200's (2008 - 2012), come with 2.5l, 3.5l and some Hybrids - these are all Lexus' underneath so parts are easy to get.
Agree with above, the later Crowns are amazing value at the moment
The Caldina, as much as I love the style, I just cant get past the 4 speed auto box combined with the 2.0 turbo. The older shape can be found with a manual but they are pretty rare and getting old now. Its the same with the old shape Nissan X Trail GT which uses the most powerful SR20 with 280bhp not found on other models, yet its paired with a pretty lame 4 speed auto.
Tommo is on the money imo, if you want a good sized lump and RWD you have various choices such as:
Toyota Verossa with the 1JZ
Mark II, again 1JZ
Mark II Blit, estate version
Crown as mentioned above, 3.5v6
Chaser or Cresta but many are older now
Mark X
Lexus GS460 (not bad prices in Japan at the moment) Great v8 in these
Lexus IS350 (can be had 4wd)
Altezza RS200 with the 6 speed - harder to find good ones now
From Nissan there is the Cefiro, Gloria & Laurel, most can be have with the RB25DET
Nissan Fuga 3.5, 3.7 and 4.5 v8 - Similar to the Infiniti's here, parts should be fine
Skyline 2 & 4 Door with the 3.7 v6 - cheap in Japan
Most of the above will be auto, but they are good boxes, either 5 or 6 speed and fit with the larger engines more.
The Crown comes top for me at the moment as they are great value although rare parts like windscreens could be hard to source. The Lexus GS or the Fuga for example will have better parts availability here due to similar ones here, but hey, you only live once
Now, all of the above probably isnt what you want though, as you mention the Mx5. If its lighter, rwd, manual then its quite limited to choices
Maybe Rx8?
S15 Silvia (prices are nuts, but you'll luck out on this)
Mr2/MrS
Honda Beat
Suzuki Cappacino
For me, the Rx8 poses an interesting option due to prices but in the end Id probably aim for a 2ZZ Mr2/MrS, low weight, plenty of power, mid engine
The Caldina, as much as I love the style, I just cant get past the 4 speed auto box combined with the 2.0 turbo. The older shape can be found with a manual but they are pretty rare and getting old now. Its the same with the old shape Nissan X Trail GT which uses the most powerful SR20 with 280bhp not found on other models, yet its paired with a pretty lame 4 speed auto.
Tommo is on the money imo, if you want a good sized lump and RWD you have various choices such as:
Toyota Verossa with the 1JZ
Mark II, again 1JZ
Mark II Blit, estate version
Crown as mentioned above, 3.5v6
Chaser or Cresta but many are older now
Mark X
Lexus GS460 (not bad prices in Japan at the moment) Great v8 in these
Lexus IS350 (can be had 4wd)
Altezza RS200 with the 6 speed - harder to find good ones now
From Nissan there is the Cefiro, Gloria & Laurel, most can be have with the RB25DET
Nissan Fuga 3.5, 3.7 and 4.5 v8 - Similar to the Infiniti's here, parts should be fine
Skyline 2 & 4 Door with the 3.7 v6 - cheap in Japan
Most of the above will be auto, but they are good boxes, either 5 or 6 speed and fit with the larger engines more.
The Crown comes top for me at the moment as they are great value although rare parts like windscreens could be hard to source. The Lexus GS or the Fuga for example will have better parts availability here due to similar ones here, but hey, you only live once
Now, all of the above probably isnt what you want though, as you mention the Mx5. If its lighter, rwd, manual then its quite limited to choices
Maybe Rx8?
S15 Silvia (prices are nuts, but you'll luck out on this)
Mr2/MrS
Honda Beat
Suzuki Cappacino
For me, the Rx8 poses an interesting option due to prices but in the end Id probably aim for a 2ZZ Mr2/MrS, low weight, plenty of power, mid engine
Edited by Axeboy on Thursday 17th December 13:54
ShinyPsyduck said:
Hi, I am currently in the middle of "growing up" and I have decided I need to change cars. I currently own a Nissan S15 and have access to a company car. I am wanting to change jobs in the near future, giving up the company car and will need something I can daily. Any suggestions would be appreciated, needs to be fun to drive and more easy/cheaper to get parts for? I am currently thinking along the line of picking up an already turbo'd MX5.
Need to grow up and get a daily, decides a turbo'd MX5 is a sensible option - massive respect 
Got an RX7 and decided to go for a 2005 Volvo S60 D. Somehow my sensible choice cost me more than the RX7 this year, clutch and flywheele at 180,000k, was expecting it.
Super cheap motoring apart from that job.
I'd go for something like that or ideally spend the 5k+ on the S15 and run that, unless it's properly tricked out it should be fine. Don't under estimate 2x MOT, tax, insurance, consumables and keeping two old modified cars on the road.
Axeboy said:
The Caldina, as much as I love the style, I just cant get past the 4 speed auto box combined with the 2.0 turbo. The older shape can be found with a manual but they are pretty rare and getting old now. Its the same with the old shape Nissan X Trail GT which uses the most powerful SR20 with 280bhp not found on other models, yet its paired with a pretty lame 4 speed auto.
But we're not replacing the S15 - this is a different lifestyle, daily drivr, family man growing up sort of change. he needs practicality above thrills... but in a competent nice to drive car. The Caldina is fine for 95% of duties, drives and rides well, and the buttons/stick do allow you to play manual if you really want to. Agreed it's a disappointing design choice overall by MrT and i woudl too like a manual one, but its in no way a bad car. And for that 5% of time yo wan t fun, buy yourselfone of those http://tockwithmotorsports.net/ or https://www.chrisbirkbeckrallysport.com/ ?A 2.2diesel Xtrail SVA was a hoot on cheap tyres. Faster than you expect, good econmy, and yours for about £2k. But roundabouts even in the dry were tyre screeching fun at sensible speeds. and at tha price, keep your S15
Im in pretty much same position.
Ive got a skyline that im selling before i crash it
Always had mk1 mx5s in the past. Im thinking of getting a late mk3 and getting bbr to sort it.
My next option is a clio 182 cup to put away and get my mate whos an importer to get me an impreza . Although i think im a bit too old for one
Ive got a skyline that im selling before i crash it
Always had mk1 mx5s in the past. Im thinking of getting a late mk3 and getting bbr to sort it.
My next option is a clio 182 cup to put away and get my mate whos an importer to get me an impreza . Although i think im a bit too old for one
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