What car makes the ideal second, er, third car?

My daily is the MPV. I also keep the old Chevy duallie around for heavy hauling and towing. The RX-7 sits for long periods and gets only occasional use. It hasn't been to the dragstrip since like 2009. And then there's the old KZ when I feel like only two wheels. Five years ago, I wouldn't have considered selling the RX-7, but now I'm thinking that a slightly more practical car might be more fun.

We got my wife an E36 vert, and while I really liked the car, she was put off by the blocky styling and the leisurely acceleration and we sold it a short while later. So an E36 or E46 (preferably M-powered) BMW is definitely on the short list. The other obvious choice is, you guessed it, Miata. I am a hardcore Mazda nut, but I have never owned a Miata. I've tried to like them, even test driven a small handful, but I really don't like having to drive with the top down looking over the top of the windshield. I honestly can't see how they are suitable for any but dwarfs, as I am 6 feet tall and can't find a way to fit under the roof. The other problem is acceleration, but I suspect a turbo would fix that.

So, I beseech thee, what car to replace the 13-second RX-7 Turbo II?

911 of whatever variety you can afford. I'm partial to the later air cooled cars, but the early water cooled cars are where the deals are at right now. Spend some time learning about them and you can avoid the pitfalls. Everyone should own a 911.

In reply to mazdeuce:

Personally I'd go with one of the pre 89 "Classic" models, to avoid $900 blower motors and such.

Boxster S, M Roadster, Classic American Convertible like a Galaxie or original Mustang

What are you people? Psychics? The 911 has been my "dream car" since I was a teenager. I'm afraid that I'd have to find an exceptionally cheap one to fit the budget, and that would probably be no bargain in the end.

My budget is fairly flexible, but I think I would choose to cap it around $10k. Preferably less since this car would be strictly a toy.

And interestingly, I too would choose one of the later air-cooled models. But alas, because of price, I always assumed my only Porsche option would be a well-used Boxster. Or maybe a 944.

10 grand is a good place to be. Friend of mine got a very clean 80ish targa for that amount

1988RedT2 wrote: The other obvious choice is, you guessed it, Miata. I am a hardcore Mazda nut, but I have never owned a Miata. I've tried to like them, even test driven a small handful, but I really don't like having to drive with the top down looking over the top of the windshield. I honestly can't see how they are suitable for any but dwarfs, as I am 6 feet tall and can't find a way to fit under the roof. The other problem is acceleration, but I suspect a turbo would fix that. So, I beseech thee, what car to replace the 13-second RX-7 Turbo II?

This ended up being our "third car" choice, although the budget was smaller than what you have available. I'm 6'2" and relatively comfortable in my NA, but that is after I removed the sun visors (really, you'd have to be a hobbit for them to do you any good anyways) and a "foamechtomy" of the driver's seat, which drops you down and inch to an inch and a half into the seat. The lack of straight line speed should be your determining factor. Sure, you can turbo it, but by the time you spend that much on a Miata (unless you can buy a solid, already completed project for a decent price) the field is open for a lot more interesting and a lot faster cars (LS powered Firebirds/Camaros come to mind if you want to stay away from the Bavarian offerings). Personally, I don't miss the straight line speed. Most of my "daily" driving is in traffic were strong acceleration is just plain frustrating. When I'm going out for fun driving, I look for twisties or an autocross, where I don't miss the acceleration in the least.

Yeah, six footer here and been driving an NA daily since '97. Foamectomy on the bottom and back did it for me... Oh and dropping fifty pounds helped too. I also have a roll bar that keeps the seat from sliding all the way back and it's fine. I've got a blower on mine putting out 250 to the wheels, and it makes for a potent little toy. SO CHEAP TO OWN!!!
I will agree with others that a 911 would be fantastic. I'd like one myself some day too. I'd say thumbs down on Firebirds or Camaros but that's just me.

-Hamid

wrong wrong wrong wrong.

Nothing can replace the RX-7 Turbo II except "the almighty FD" and even then the "cost benefit" is arguable.

HOWEVER! If I were wild and crazy in my younger years and wanted to "experiment" with the bi-curiousness that is piston power AND if I already had two running, reliable, vehicles then my choice would be.....

(wait for it)

The Alfa Romeo GTV6!

Since you don't "need" the car, you can enjoy every bit of the Italian flair

... yeah, I'm drinking... sorry... I'll leave the discussion to reasonable people now.

(opens third PBR)

Hungary Bill wrote: wrong wrong wrong wrong. Nothing can replace the RX-7 Turbo II except "the almighty FD" and even then the "cost benefit" is arguable.

And of course you are right. It was pretty warm here today, so I cranked her up and she did fine. Still need to address some small issues and twiddle with the fuel map a bit. Maybe I'll feel better about her after I get that done and get her nice and shiny.

Re the Alfa, I do have a mild interest there, but I really don't want to own something as rare as that with the associated parts headaches. Not to mention how do you ever find one for sale? All my Craigslist search pulled up was a few Spiders and a GT Veloce Coupe in faraway Georgia.

As a former owner of a couple of Turbo IIs and now an FD, I don't think the thrill of driving one of these can be replaced by another car in the same price range - or even within 50% higher of the same price range.

You do sometimes get used to the car and don't appreciate it but go test drive a couple of other boring cars like the 911 or any BMW and you'll realize what a gem these cars are.

The Miata is fun to drive and all that but even with a turbo, a modded, quick turbo rotary is so much more fun to wind out.

You're over 6' tall.

This alone should put you in a Corvette. A 6'7" friend didn't have the seat all the way back or down in my C5.

chaparral wrote: You're over 6' tall. This alone should put you in a Corvette. A 6'7" friend didn't have the seat all the way back or down in my C5.

Yes! The C5 is another obvious choice, and one that appeals to me quite a bit.

If it weren't for the fit issue, I'd almost suggest stuffing the T2 engine/transmission into a Miata

AMG brings up a good point. It's also something I've suffered from when moving from the rotary... the other cars in it's class (or even slightly above) just don't "do it" for me ('cept the Alfa... but you brought up good points there).

I've never driven a Corvette, but the raw torque you get from RWD American V8's always seem to have the knack for making me giggle uncontrollably.

Put me down for C5

Hungary Bill wrote: wrong wrong wrong wrong. Nothing can replace the RX-7 Turbo II except "the almighty FD" and even then the "cost benefit" is arguable. HOWEVER! If I were wild and crazy in my younger years and wanted to "experiment" with the bi-curiousness that is piston power AND if I already had two running, reliable, vehicles then my choice would be..... (wait for it) The Alfa Romeo GTV6! Since you don't "need" the car, you can enjoy every bit of the Italian flair ... yeah, I'm drinking... sorry... I'll leave the discussion to reasonable people now. (opens third PBR)

Wait like 5 years and get a JDM FD for like 1/4 the price they sell for now. That should by any FD dreamers plan.

Hungary Bill wrote: If it weren't for the fit issue, I'd almost suggest stuffing the T2 engine/transmission into a Miata

Further complicating matters is the fact that I have a spare 13BT core and a TII transmission sitting in the garage. And a 327 Chevy.

But I could never consider a swap project until I get my wife's '66 Nova finished.

Geez, I'd keep the RX7 turbo - love those cars.

If you need a different toy, consider the Solstice - easy to make into a sub 13 sec. car and still gets 30 + mpg cruising. And you'd find it a big change from your Mazda down low - the Ecotec is putting out 200 ft-lbs by 2000 rpm (probably what the RX7 makes around 4500 rpm). There are limitations though - we don't think it is safe to boost it to more than about 400 bhp without going inside the engine for a few improvements, but that's not bad for a 2000 cc engine.