Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General General Project car

Hi, I occasionally post on this forum, and I have a question for you guys. I currently own a '97SE, it's a great car, but I need a "fun" car. Mines an automatic, and it doesn't have much of a "fun" factor. Not to mention the resale of my poor beast is next to nothing thanks to an accident I had a while back (if you do a search I am sure you can find the post here.) So, the "tour is to become my winter car for the most part.

So, I was looking at getting one of the following: Nissan 240sx, 300zx (i know this is a bit of a jump, but I have seen some for decent prices, and I LOVE how they look <90's style anyway>), Eclipse GS-T/GSX, or possibly another highly modifiable car. Basically I am looking for a fun, 2-door, with a sunroof (or T-tops) and something that is relatively cheap to start out with (5-7k probably.)

So, out of those cars, which year/model would make the best project car? I know I could ask this in some other forum, but I am comfortable with the people who visit this site and I know most of you have a very good knowledge base. Any help is appreciated guys.

A friend of mine just bought a 89 rx-7 for 1000.00 and we replaced the fuel pump and flused the system and she was pushing 120 down the interstate. The rotary engines are bad ass.
I would personally go for (out of the ones you listed) go with the 240 and call japan and get a silvia front end and they are extremely modifiable for a reasonable price and there is tons of merchandise for em.

Well it looks like you want a rear drive car. Out of that batch I'd have to say get the 300ZX. I think that it would be the most modifiable, but on your budget, you'd spend the whole amount just buying the car and have nothing left over for modifications. I don't know much about the 240SX, but from what I know you need a turbo on it to make it perform (ie. Silvia in Japan). Another option is an engine transplant for that car (SR20DET from a Japanese car).

As far as the Eclipse goes they are good cars. I imagine they would be expensive though and I don't like how they handle. Basically I think they are tanks for the size of the cars. They are easy to modifiy and there is a huge aftermarket, but I'm not into them at all.

Truthfully if you want a great car to modify from the Nissan lineup go buy an early model Sentra SE-R (91 would be the year to get). Those are pretty cheap now and they have a great engine to work off of. The tranny is a little bit of a problem, but they have a stock limited slip. Problem is they are front drivers.

There are a lot of other great cars for project cars, but it depends on what you want to do with it. Are you going to Drag Race it, AutoX it, show it, or just enjoy it? That is my 2c's.

Want RWD.

Easy choice is a Mustang

Want FWD or AWD

Easy choice is an Eclipse/Talon (1G DSM)

There are 2 very common, very great bang for the buck cars.

I'll agree w/ Demon on this one. Great project car is a first gen DSM (Eclipse, talon, or laser) They are better platforms than the 2nd gen due to some problems (i.e. crankwalk) they (2nd Gen.) had. You can get about 300hp out of one for around $2000. Not to mention the AWD and relative cheap price of those cars right now.

may issue of sport compact car had an article on the initial build-up of a nissan 240sx. they bought an '89 S13-body coupe w/ a hole in the block for $800 and an entire front clip from a japanese silvia w/ the sr20det and transplanted it in. looks like they'll be doing more work on it in the near future, but so far they've got a running turbo'ed 240sx for under $3k total investment.

might want to check into that - i'm sure the article is on their website (sportcompactcarweb.com).

Find a 240sx with a blown motor but is in good shape otherwise.

For less than $1000, there is a place in GA that will drop in a Silvia motor straight from japan. The beauty is, the stock drivetrain can handle loads of power...

Now that would be some fun!!!

I'd go with the 240sx, I had one for a while, it was great. The 2.4L (KA24) in it is suprisingly torquey for a four banger. I loved that car, and hey I had a 100 shot of nitrous on the stock motor for over 50K, no problems, of course nissan has been using that engine in trucks since like the 50's I think. The SE model is even better (leather, sunroof, white gauges, etc..) One of the best cars I've ever owned. Oh and DO NOT get the mitsubishi, you'll regret it.