Coolest car you can get for under $15k

Oh man....we need to talk. I have a 73 midget and have something VERY similar in mind for its upcoming restoration. I would to love know more about how you built yours. I dont want to do anything ridiculous and un-streetable, but a nice bump in power and handling while staying "true". In other words I'd love to have a nicely breathed-on 1275 A-series motor in it, but if anyone suggests dropping in a buick V6 I will smack them in the head with a large spanner. What have you done for suspension upgrades? This is the area I have the most uncertainty about. I am tempted by tube shock conversions, but I like the idea of keeping the lever shocks. There are several companies that supposedly can rebuild them to performance specs.

One place I do intend to be ridiculous is the interior. I will have the nicest MG Midget interior on the planet. I am going to use all the finest materials....Wilton Wool carpet, Connoly leather seats and interior panels (if I can find any nowadays), custom burl dashboard and console with chrome trim a la Austin Healey 3000 or vintage Bently, cool E-Type-like toggle switches, etc. Just go way overboard for a "lowly" Midget, but do it in a vintage British style.

Would love to see more pictures of yours!

 

Is that your Maxton Roller Skate?

Is it the 12 a or 13 b flavour?

Awesome fast fun!

 

I will add some before and after pics to show what you can do with a $5,000 Midget with $10,000 worth of modifications. Mine is/was a solid rust free 1975 rubber bumper, so it has the 1500 (triumph engine). The 1275 is much more bullet proof, but I am happy with mine ( always thinking a 13B rotary conversion)

I added a header, larger diameter exhaust, Monza style flow thru muffler (very pretty), a fast road cam and converted to a Weber downdraft with upgraded jetting (against all the advise to use dual SU carbs)...I am extremely happy with the power increase and it sounds nice.

Everyone I talked to that did the tube shock conversion said it was a wasted effort, so I put new standard levers, 3/4 inch front sway bar and a 5/8 rear, all new prothane bushings including negative camber bushings on the front...what an amazing transformation in performance (on autocross, the rear wheel will dog leg 14" off the pavement on robust cornering)...

added a 13 row aluminum oil cooler, new seats, new carpet and complete interior panel kit, new dash cap, hood pins, remove the heavy front bumper, welded shut the large rectangular directional openings and installed Healy directionals for a lighter and cleaner "boy racer" look, added a painted stainless steel mesh grill.

left the rear bumper on as it looks ok to me and protects the muffler somewhat (I hate the look of front rubber bumpers), and added a roll bar. Your interior idea sounds crazy and i like it (except for the added weight of good quality materials) Love my new Mountenoy wood sport steering wheel. Trimmed the wheel arches to fit meaty tires on new 14" minilite style wheels.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OjsFzBUIUvU



I am sure there is more but you get the idea.
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Interior and engine
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I haven't been in the VR4 version, but my bro has a base model 3000GT. Aside from the outside apperance, I can't think of one + to that car. The interior is crap, steering is crap, clutch sucks, suspension sucks, well you get the idea. I think there are much better cars for the money out there.

 

E500
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Holden Commodore VB

 

Not mine but a hidden American favorite. 12A with a Dell'orto and available in Florida. No connection.

 

How about the original hot hatch...a 1983 VW GTI...http://www.automobilemag.com/features/collectible_classic/0702_1983_volkswagen_rabbit_gti/index.html

 

You can buy my Fiat X1/9

 

If you're looking for something that you don't see around that often and you're seriously considering a Jeep Wrangler, then perhaps you should consider the Land Rover Defender. Not as reliable as the Wrangler, but definitely cool and you don't see them all that much.

 

If think you did mention that you wanted something for the summer. How about a r129 1990/2002 Mercedes SL500? For 15k you can get a really nice one just don't bother with the sl320 as it's underpowered and the 600 is too complicated. The 500 is the best choice and get a 96 to 98 car in my opinion the best build dates but the 98 onwards cars are good too, pre 96 makes it a pre facelift car. Fast, luxurious, convertible with a removable hardtop too for the winter and it is a Mercedes the best cars in the world. If you need advice on picking a good one just pm me.

Regards,
BANANA.

 

Porsche Boxster

 

There is just something about that body style that radiates precense doesn't it?

Another car that might have been mentioned is an XK8 coupe. With 18-20" wheels, they look fantastic in darker colors.

 

Voted! Hands down, it's one of the best cars when you think of power/practicality/solid build/cool factor.
Second choice: RX7 any gen (RX8 is fugly in opinion)

 

+1

 

E500 or a mid-late '90s sl500. What happened to the Daytona Violet e36 you recently bought?

 

Not trying to sarcastic, this is a serious question. Where can you get an XK8 coupe in good working order for under $15k? I know there are deals to be had, just didn't realize they were down to this price level.

 

Here are a few links. I had a black '02 and really enjoyed it for the short time I had it. If I were shopping today the blue one in the last link would be first on my list. Another $1500 to replace the cam chains and tensioner, plus another $2000 or so for different wheels and tires when those were worn out, and you would have a pretty nice car for not much $$$.

These are XK8 links, early XKR's have even slipped below $20k asking price as well.

http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail.jsp;?tracktype=usedcc&searchType=21&pageNumber=0&numResultsPerPage=50&largeNumResultsPerPage=0&sortorder=descending&sortfield=PRICE+descending&certifiedOnly=false&criteria=K-%7cE-%7cM-_22_%7cB-15000%7cD-_242_%7cN-N%7cR-10000%7cI-1%2c7%7cP-PRICE+descending%7cQ-descending%7cZ-65536&aff=national&paId=272354312&recnum=8&leadExists=true

http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail.jsp;?tracktype=usedcc&searchType=21&pageNumber=0&numResultsPerPage=50&largeNumResultsPerPage=0&sortorder=descending&sortfield=PRICE+descending&certifiedOnly=false&criteria=K-%7cE-%7cM-_22_%7cB-15000%7cD-_242_%7cN-N%7cR-10000%7cI-1%2c7%7cP-PRICE+descending%7cQ-descending%7cZ-65536&aff=national&paId=301274892&recnum=18&leadExists=true

http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail.jsp;?tracktype=usedcc&searchType=21&pageNumber=0&numResultsPerPage=50&largeNumResultsPerPage=0&sortorder=descending&sortfield=PRICE+descending&certifiedOnly=false&criteria=K-%7cE-%7cM-_22_%7cB-15000%7cD-_242_%7cN-N%7cR-10000%7cI-1%2c7%7cP-PRICE+descending%7cQ-descending%7cZ-65536&aff=national&paId=297853924&recnum=19&leadExists=true

http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail.jsp;?tracktype=usedcc&searchType=21&pageNumber=0&numResultsPerPage=50&largeNumResultsPerPage=0&sortorder=descending&sortfield=PRICE+descending&certifiedOnly=false&criteria=K-%7cE-%7cM-_22_%7cB-15000%7cD-_242_%7cN-N%7cR-10000%7cI-1%2c7%7cP-PRICE+descending%7cQ-descending%7cZ-65536&aff=national&paId=285534386&recnum=36&leadExists=true

http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail.jsp;?tracktype=usedcc&searchType=21&pageNumber=0&numResultsPerPage=50&largeNumResultsPerPage=0&sortorder=descending&sortfield=PRICE+descending&certifiedOnly=false&criteria=K-%7cE-%7cM-_22_%7cB-15000%7cD-_242_%7cN-N%7cR-10000%7cI-1%2c7%7cP-PRICE+descending%7cQ-descending%7cZ-65536&aff=national&paId=137166925&recnum=39&leadExists=true

My old Jag had Fondmetal Tech5 wheels with Pirelli P-Zero tires. It really looked nice and could get mid 20's highway if I kept my foot out of it.

 

I have to agree with the E500 as I own one. I'm not sure you can get a very nice example for under $15K though. A lot of these cars were driven hard. Sure there are plenty of high-mileage, rusty or overly modified E500/500Es for under $15K or even under $10K, but you get what you pay for. I paid $18K for mine a couple of years ago and it's a very nice original car that just had its 120K mi. inspection and is very solid. Definitely worth stretching the budget an extra couple grand.

 

Wow, I guess I need to pay more attention! I always loved the styling on these cars. Thank you for the clarification.

 

986 Boxster
maybe, maybe a C5 coupe

The 986 Boxster is one of my very favorite cars. Tiny and tossable and most distinctly uncivilized in highway cruises (tire, wind, and other noise to the point of causing headache and the need for a rest periodically). If you can find a 986 with PSM for under $15k, forget about whether or not its an "S" or not, just go for the PSM if you can find it. Beware the cracking vinyl rear window (~$500 to get fixed) and the nagging problems of an older P-car.

A C5 is faster than the Boxster and will probably hold its $15k better as time goes by (remember the 944, they depreciated and depreciated and depreciated, I don't think we'll see C5s under $10k) but bigger and not as engaging to drive.

An S2000 is a great car and probably available for under $15k. Slick tranny, fun (but gutless below 6k rpm or so) engine. But handling, brakes, and overall fun to drive lags the Boxster IMO. Probably more reliable than the Boxster, hold their value pretty well as they are few and have a devoted following.

Just some thoughts.

 

e36 m3. fast, fun, handles perfect and amazing to drive. makes you feel like a hero with your car driving skills because it's so forgiving.