I'm looking to buy a car off craigslist, my budget is around $3000. What are some descent cars, or engines, or good swap ideas? I was looking at a 1977 Datsun 280z, or a 2nd gen RX-7 Turbo II. Can I get some thoughts? Thank you!

 

How much of a project are you looking for? What are you looking to do?

The answer will be very different if you're looking for a running car versus rolling shells.

 

S13 or fc!

 

A Mazda RX-7 would be a good project but very expensive. I know you might not like this answer but if it was me I would look for an early 90's Mazda MX-5 Miata. Heck I bought a 94 Mazda Miata from a Mazda dealership for $2500 and it had 130k on it and I have had to fix nothing. I have had the car for over 2 years now. There pretty cheap to modify as well.

 

FC's are not all that expensive, parts are aplenty. Widebody RX7 do it.

 

I just want something stylish, unique, and fast at the wheels. I'm down for whatever needs to be done. I could buy a shell and then get an engine later. Just a project that can keep me busy over the next few years. Theres so many I would go with, so I need help lol. I was thinking maybe a 70s charger, and upgrade alot of the parts with newer ones but keep that old muscle look. Or a Datsun 240Z and drop a R33 engine in it. Or same with an FC, and update everything in it with newer parts. Maybe even an FB.

 

I think there's someone selling an Rx-8 shell on here for 3k.

 

Datsun 280Z...classy as f*ck. a little too big for me though. swap a RB in it...maybe even a decent 13B. would be cool

 

Mazda rx-7 of course. Anyway, if i just have the money to spend on building a project car...i would.

 

FC... or if you have great machining skills make a evo5-6 out or a mitsubishi mirage. That will keep you busy for quite sometime

 

^funny you say that man...i have a mirage as my winter beater lol

 

I've always loved the porsche 944.

For a recommendation that even fewer people will appreciate... I'd love to pick up a Audi coupe or coupe quattro. But that's mostly because I dream of owning a Quattro (if I could even find one for sale) and that's about the next best thing.

 

V8 swapped Miata with a stupidly loud exhaust cut out controlled by a switch. When people give you **** about driving a chick car just open the exhaust cut out and rev the engine. Between revs you say, "Sorry, I can't hear you over how awesome I am."