There's plenty of import "VS" (not RS) models of that vintage with 6 speed and torsen diffs.So hardly worth paying for an RS model if you replace shocks, as that's about the only significant difference left anyway.
kyussr32,
Nov 15, 12:58pm
Yes those are tempting, and not as hairdresser looking as the eairlier models IMO.
I Guess I'm still leaning towards the Integra, I think I want something with a good power/weight ratio from factory so I can just focus on taking a little weight out of it and suspension set up. I think with a good LSD and swaybar set up neutral handling would be achiveable.
Plus with the amount of rain we get out west a softtop might be a pain.
Our little daughter is in a wheelchair so the family wagon is soon going to be a van with wheelchair lift, I need something small to tuck in the garage that will get the puse racing now and then;)
kcf,
Nov 15, 1:02pm
I'd probably look at an S2000 in that price range, should be a heap of fun and fairly reliable too.
If you did ever look at a turbo'd MX5 definitely don't go near one unless it has a really good LSD, speaking as a previous owner of a turbo one that just turned into a one wheeler peeler out of corners.No fun at all when it does that.Lots of futile tyre smoke, and no forward progress.
electro2000,
Nov 15, 2:24pm
Somthing with a v8 or a turbo will get your pulse racing and keep it there every thing else in that price range gets boring real quick
smac,
Nov 15, 2:28pm
S2000 all the way.
trdbzr,
Nov 15, 3:32pm
DC5 will be a pretty good option if you can find one to fit within your price range. Most DC2s are overpriced IMO but the prices of 'track' cars will be going higher in the future as time attack becomes more popular here, same thing happened when drifting became popular and suddenly RWD Nissans and Toyotas shot up in price. But if you do get a DC5 then one of the first things you should do is fit in a baffle sump. The K series engine is also easier to get power from when compared to the B series. Get some good intake and exhaust mods, some good suspension bracing and bars and upgrade the brake pads and you will have something fun and very reliable to drive around the back roads and to take to the track as well.
thejazzpianoma,
Nov 15, 8:11pm
S2000 gets my vote. If you wanted to spend on the lower side I think the Fiat Coupe and the Alfa 156 have a lot going for them too. Both are galvanised so no rust and the fundamental expensive parts of both of these cars are surprisingly very reliable. Its hard to beat something Italian for fun.
Both can be used as everyday cars too which might be handy for an errands where your daughter is not travelling with you.
Speaking of which, if you are looking at wheelchair vans. There are plenty of Fiat Doblo's around, they are cracker little machines and you can get the really brilliant Fiat common rail diesels in them too. While no sports car I think you would be surprised how nice they are to drive.
The other even better one is the VW Caddy, if you have to have an automatic for any reason definitely go for that as you can get it with the ripper 7 speed dsg. The caddy is even nicer to drive than the Doblo and has the great range of powerful but efficient engines from the likes of the Golf. I also like how they have a lowered floor which keeps them low and looking nice and discrete. I don't think you would miss a regular car much at all driving a caddy.
timmo1,
Nov 15, 8:34pm
The RS models come with Bilstein shocks- It's a very well sorted package.
timmo1,
Nov 15, 8:35pm
That particular one has been one here for a while though.It screams 'Im young and I bought this on HP but now I can't afford the repayments' to me.
mm12345,
Nov 15, 10:47pm
Unless you live in Chch :(
mm12345,
Nov 15, 11:19pm
Clueless owner: "Need to buy a 4x4 ute due to unforeseen circumstances no holdens izuzu preferably a ford or landrover" The English Patient.
aktow,
Nov 16, 2:47am
if you are in townAuckland city. go along fanshaw street and turndown Beaumont street , half way down Beaumont street i just noticed the road changes name tohamer street,, you will find a big car yard,, they are car importers that sell cars to car yards and to the public. i havefriends that bought cars off them and they are real happy with there cars,,, do not pay window price,, you can screw them right down as they want to shift a lot of stock, .i pass the car yard at least once a week to go surf casting at the end of the road but i cannot remember the name of the car yard,
fordcrzy,
Nov 16, 2:56am
dont be afraid of rain in an mx.
as long as you stay over about 75-80 kmh you dont even get wet in the rain.it just gets blown over the top of you. in ten years of owning my mx5 i have only had to stop ONCE and put the top up when driving out of town. i like the RS over the VS as it has the black interior and roof as opposed to the tan that many VS's have
kyussr32,
Nov 16, 12:50pm
I did consider and Alpha but I want to do some tinkering and tuning to set the car up for the roads I like to drive, not sure if there is large aftermarket support for these cars in NZ!
I will check those vans out though, top of my list is a Nissan Elgrand "Highway Star". Are the Fiat and VW resonably roomy in the back for a wheelchair hoist!
rotormotor7,
Nov 16, 1:38pm
+1 for honda s2000.mint lill car,only good honda released.ever
trdbzr,
Nov 16, 5:07pm
Yes they can have some problems during high speed, high rpm hard cornering so best to get one for peace of mind.
Driving through twisties in a NA high revving car is alot of fun. But for around $10k you could pick up a DC2 with some decent mods in it already.
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