A decent Rocket

KwackerJack

Always interested in a nice little modified rocket

My Choices are

Silvia
Skyline
MR2
Celica
Levin
Type R Accord

Or Similar

Turbo or non turbo Don't matter... Super-strut Suspension can be expensive to fix so is it a complete no no?

What one gives decent mpg at normal driving and whats a no no for insurance (27 full licence 8 years)

colm_mcm

Can you put a figure on what is fast for you? I mean there's a fair difference between a Levin and a turbod skyline

KwackerJack

colm_mcm wrote: »

Can you put a figure on what is fast for you? I mean there's a fair difference between a Levin and a turbod skyline

Well my volvo is 180 bhp...never clocked it!

Clocked the bike at 155 mph so I suppose any faster than that and I'm looking at jail or death.....its not top speed with me but acceleration!

Have kids so I'm not into top speed all day just nice having the power when needs be!

colm_mcm

Won't you need back seat or back doors then?

What sort of budget do you have?

JimmyCrackCorn

What is your budget.
What power goal are you looking at.
What kind of driving do you plan on doing.


If your worried about super strut being expensive to fix wait till you have to do engine internal work.

The less modifications you have to do to meet your power goal the cheaper it will work out. Also keep in mind running costs.

Fuh Q

How good are in a RWD ? the MR2 Turbo will stick you into field quicker than you could blink. Silvia SR20DET is great fun but I prefare the Skyline R32.
The choices you have given are in two different categories in my opinion, call them medium and faster if you like, if you are to consider the Celica I would go for the GT4.
You need to choose between Turbo or NA.
If MPG is important then take all the Turbo's and 4wd's off your list and you will probably be better off with the boring Levin.

KwackerJack

2 door will be fine as missus will be pottering about in her on motor!

Can only spend €2000 as I have a bike and her car!

Driven plenty of RWD so I'm not to bad

The mpg issue is at normal speeds...as in a yoke that will do 20 mpg with normal drive will be a bit heavy!

If i want to blast about the Island I can use the bike but I like a roomy car with plenty of poke! Lowered or stiffened feels just right so that where I'm coming from!

Don't mind spending money on servicing but don't want a ' it breaks down all the time but it's a ?' kinda car!

Fuh Q

KwackerJack wrote: »

2 door will be fine as missus will be pottering about in her on motor!

Can only spend €2000 as I have a bike and her car!

Driven plenty of RWD so I'm not to bad

The mpg issue is at normal speeds...as in a yoke that will do 20 mpg with normal drive will be a bit heavy!

If i want to blast about the Island I can use the bike but I like a roomy car with plenty of poke! Lowered or stiffened feels just right so that where I'm coming from!

Don't mind spending money on servicing but don't want a ' it breaks down all the time but it's a ?' kinda car!

Type R Accord is probably the best option if you like a big car and need to consider MPG.

KwackerJack

Fuh Q wrote: »

Type R Accord is probably the best option if you like a big car and need to consider MPG.

Mate has one...nice motor!!

Whats the difference between the Celica ST 203 - 205?

Good few GT4's about and pretty cheap to

Ferris

I had a 200sx and I still miss it so it'd be silvia all the way for me. Serious tuning potential in the sr20 for not very much cash. Really good owners club in the SXOC. Very reliable in my experience. Skylines are good and all but bits are expensive.

Rust will be a worry as any of the cars mentioned will rot given half a chance as will crash damage.

hi_im_fil

I'd take silvia and skyline off the list if your budget is 2k. You won't find a good example for that money

KwackerJack

hi_im_fil wrote: »

I'd take silvia and skyline off the list if your budget is 2k. You won't find a good example for that money

Iv'e noticed that aright.....is there a reason why the Levin's and celica's are going cheap? They may not be as fast I know but is there a problem with the or are they just gone out of fashion

I know they may be up for a higher price but its what the buyer what's to part with...Any cars or bike I had I removed any mods then sold it and sold the mods on....Having a car kitted out doesn't guarantee a higher sale price!

I usually buy pretty stock cars/bikes for obvious reasons

hi_im_fil

KwackerJack wrote: »

Iv'e noticed that aright.....is there a reason why the Levin's and celica's are going cheap? They may not be as fast I know but is there a problem with the or are they just gone out of fashion

I know they may be up for a higher price but its what the buyer what's to part with...Any cars or bike I had I removed any mods then sold it and sold the mods on....Having a car kitted out doesn't guarantee a higher sale price!

I usually buy pretty stock cars/bikes for obvious reasons

They're going cheaper because not as many people want them. Most jap import cars in Ireland are getting very rough/abused. Most of them have been here 5 years or more at this stage.

You will almost always have to pay more for a better well kept car, it doesn't matter if it has mods or no mods. A clean standardish car will probably sell for more than a rough/abused car with more spec

dodderangler

Have you considered the 4 doors such as impreza or Evo?
as one poster said most jap cars are rallied and destroyed
I myself prefer jap cars for reliability always have
Mr2 as stated will end you in a ditch of your not used to rwd with a lot of power and no weight
Silvias and skylines have all been ruined IMO

Chris_Heilong

The reason why they are so cheap...well there are a few.

Because of our tax system people don't seem to want to buy anything over 1.4l as they think it will be expensive to tax.

They don't want petrol cars as all the cars you mentioned are, the joe soap public want diesel because its "cheaper to run".

A lot of these cars are Japanese imports and the people selling know how hard it is to get insurance companies to insure them, most companies right out refuse to quote you if you mention it is an import and not just sporty cars, my imported 1.5l civic got turned down by almost everyone I talked to.

Some cars hold their value better than others; Evo, WRX, Silvia and Skyline always seem to be around the €4k mark.

I would go with the Type R Accord if you can find one for that money or the MR2, which is a savage car.

JimmyCrackCorn

If your budget is 2k you'll do well to break 200bhp and find anything that does not need work.

Id also avoid anything with a turbo on it unless you like working on cars allot.


The bills afterwards could make 2k look tame when you factor in running costs, parts, fixing, insurance
http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/4234893

Chris_Heilong

You could try an FTO http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/4072402

or for a little more money an Altezza http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/4233992

Ferris

This looks clean. Wonder what it could be got for:

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/4094025

Also have you considered an mx5 - again finding one without rust is an issue but there is value in them and the series 1 is getting popular again.

hi_im_fil

The red 200sx was advertised for 4500 a few weeks back

JimmyCrackCorn

Ferris wrote: »

This looks clean. Wonder what it could be got for:

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/4094025

Also have you considered an mx5 - again finding one without rust is an issue but there is value in them and the series 1 is getting popular again.

As a + and - its a UK car.

Check for rust.

colm_mcm

hi_im_fil wrote: »

The red 200sx was advertised for 4500 a few weeks back

Still on uk plates?

13spanner

A bit above the 2k mark, but it'd definitely be something different as long as you don't mind dodging speedbumps etc

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/3935711

Or this. Love these little yokes.

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/4224110

Chris_Heilong

13spanner wrote: »

A bit above the 2k mark, but it'd definitely be something different as long as you don't mind dodging speedbumps etc

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/3935711

Or this. Love these little yokes.

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/4224110

That first one is looking for an extra 500 on top of the asking price for the Hardtop. The 2nd one is a bit over price considering its age.

13spanner

Chris_Heilong wrote: »

That first one is looking for an extra 500 on top of the asking price for the Hardtop. The 2nd one is a bit over price considering its age.

True, the €500 extra is a bit deceptive

hi_im_fil

colm_mcm wrote: »

Still on uk plates?

No Irish plates. It has nct till 2013 so must be on Irish plates

KwackerJack

MX5 are indefinably cool :cool:

TestTransmission

Chris_Heilong wrote: »

That first one is looking for an extra 500 on top of the asking price for the Hardtop. The 2nd one is a bit over price considering its age.

The first one is also pretty rough in the flesh, I see it around Limerick a good bit and got to have a good look at it a few weeks back while it was parked up.

paddy147

Wait till the 5th December (budget day) and then you can see what will cost you what...with regards Tax and also VRT.

KwackerJack

paddy147 wrote: »

Wait till the 5th December (budget day) and then you can see what will cost you what...with regards Tax and also VRT.

Good thinking...I'm sure everything will be more expensive :mad:


Looks like the Accord is winning!!

drummer76

The difference between the st203 and st205 is st203 has 4 wheel steering whereas the st205 is 4 wheel drive twin entry turbo. I have the st 205 jap they're 252bhp standard an i have to say quite economical. I had a peugeot 206 1.6 that was much worse.

Also I'm 27 with full liscence and 5 years no claims with no points and last year my insurance was 800 fully comp with axa (insured as a gt4) (dont have quote for this year cause i dont drive it anymore since i got a company vehicle)

Accord all the way.

Driving an Sir-T but the Euro R is slightly more powerful and nicer interior.

It's practical and reliable, never had an issue overtaking a car when required.

Can't see myself changing for the next 2 years anyway and I've been driving it for 6 months.

Andy_Dublin

Wouldn't have any of them to be honest.

steveone

watch for the new shape celica, the nct doesn't like the trick front suspension on the hi power versions they fail them on it and they're expensive to replace. the skyline hops off the screen at me but no idea on costs etc, when looking at cars like that I imagine cost is the one factor you should convince yourself not to take into account?...

Chris_Heilong

Andy_Dublin wrote: »

Wouldn't have any of them to be honest.

your loss, these are some of the best cars ever made.

JimmyCrackCorn

OP has not been back since November

Im going to close it up