Skip the background if you don't fell like reading it, but if you skip the background I don't want to hear any crap ideas. Thanks.

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So I graduate High School in less than 2 months and for the first time I think I'm having a change of heart.

My Fiero was great for me through High School, I bought it out of desperation 2 years ago. Being a High School student with the responsibility of buying my own car with no help from the 'rents, I had to find something cheap, but I still wanted a head turner that was atleast quick. I never even heard of the Fiero until I started on my desperate search. It was perfect for me at the time. Not fast, but it was quick, and it was and still is the only one at the High School and as far as I know, in my town.

But anyway, I was happy with my Fiero until I realized two things in the last week. First of all, my best friend who used to drive an '85 Camaro F41 just saved up and bought him a '93 300zx. I can't hang with him anymore, haha. But besides that, it also made me realize something else. I used to think that no car would ever be as fun to drive as my '85 GT 4spd. But after driving my friend's 300zx TT 5spd, I have a different view. The otehr thing that's changing my heart is the fact that I know that know matter how much I put into my car, I'll never get anywhere near the amount back. I had plans to fully restore the car and drop either 3800sc or 4.9L V8 in it, but I'm starting to lose focus. Restoring it and doing an engine swap will cost me somewhere near the amount of 10k. That's new paint, new wheels, some small interior work, some suspension work, and an engine drop.

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Well instead of putting 10k into my car that I paid 2k for, and then MAYBE getting 7k out of it or so, I'm thinking maybe I should just put a little more work into, try and get 2k back, and spend 12k on a newer car.

Understand that I am young, and while I love my car, I'm not quite attached to it like some of the older folk here are to their cars. I could see where if I was older, I wouldn't worry about how much I'm going to be able to resale the car for, but being only 18, I know there's going to come a time where I'm going to have to move on to something else.

Anyway, now that I got that out of the way, some preferences of mine: Defiently a standard, either 5spd or 6spd. RWD or AWD, no FWD. 2dr. 2 seat or 2+2. Quick (preferably 200+hp).

Here's what options I've been looking at

1: 3rd gen Mazda RX 7 TT - This is my number one choice, kind of my dream car, but I know that finding one under 15k is going to be kind of tough.

2. Mitsubishi 3000gt VR4 - A friend of mine California got a great deal on a '93 VR4 with 60k miles for 11k. If I could come across a deal anywhere near that, I'd jump on it right away. I'd probably settle for a standard 3000gt if it wasn't FWD

3. 3rd gen 300zx - My friend got his for 9k with 70k miles, and it's in great shape, fast, and fun to drive. The only thing turning me fof from this choice is he beat me to it :\

4. Keep my Fiero, put ~10k into. I haven't decided to sell the Fiero yet, I've just decided to start considering other options. So, I'ms till thinking about beefing up.

The only other option I can think of just making the jump up to an '88 Fiero GT.

What I'm looking to get out of this thread is A) more ideas, and B) advice on the dieas I already have. Thanks.

Trying to modify a Fiero to keep up with this newer hardware is financially a losing propostion. You do it because you enjoy the process or really enjoy Fieros for what they are.

Technology and cars march on, if you want the latest in performance, comfort, relaibility, A Fiero will never do it. yes you can make them perform sheer numbers wise but there is more to it than that.

Modifying any car ulitamtely is not good financially. Next year all cars will be a bit faster and the next year after that, a bit more. You can spend a BUNCH on a Fiero right now and not be faster or handle better than a slightly used 350Z.

I went down this route, my first car in high school was a 88 Formula, since I have owned a 1997 Saleen Mustang a 1996 Corvette, driven countless other cars and ultimately went back to a Formula. But I am under no dilusion about what it is.

All that said RX7 on your list would be my pick if I fit in them well. My friend has a 93 and at 6'5", they are cramped. Be prepared to learn about all the issues that come with a twin turbo rotary motor but this is the purest car of your list.

Oh yeah, final thought, you're young, develop your taste, live a little, own many cars, learn what differntiates one from another. Learn what makes a sporty car vs. a sports car a high lateral G car vs. a good handling car etc etc. Learn that a 300ZX may seem fast next to your Fiero but compared to other cars it is a slow poke, etc etc. Learn that there are many wasy to go fast and all have pluses and minuses. Ultimately you will find what you like best, but without frame of reference you'll never know.

[This message has been edited by fullcircle (edited 04-05-2006).]

If you modify a Fiero, you'd better be happy with the car and be prepared to keep it. But that's the same in most cars, you usually can't get the money you put into it back. A guy can spend $20,000 on a Fiero and as far as KBB and the public are concerned its still a $6000 car. So, you build it to keep it, you have to ask yourself if you're prepared to keep that Fiero for a very long time. I said yes. In fact, I went kind of down the route you're about to go. I had my '88 GT back in high school (2nd car), when I got to college I wanted a newer car that I could commute in. I also wanted something that was fast and looked good. So, in freshman year of college I got my Camaro Z28 (LS1, 4-speed auto, auto was a mistake, but I didn't want to learn stick on a 6-speed V8 Camaro). No question, 350 hp is fun and all but after a while it just gets boring. You're driving a car that a lot of other people have, you're no longer unique. That's why I got "back into" Fieros. I never really got out of Fieros....or maybe I never really got into them, my '88 GT was and is too pristine to modify. I'm selling my Camaro right now and I bought a '86 Fiero SE with a 4-speed and V6, and I drive that daily. I'm planning on making it into a nice little ride with a 3800SC or a LS1 if I can save up for it. Sometimes I lose hope but then I go for a spin in my '88 GT (which is in perfect condition. It has 41,000 miles compared to my SE which has 133,000 miles) and that reminds me of why I fell in love with Fieros. I also come here and see all the sweet rides and I remind myself of the potential of my car.

After a while you'll realize that being the fastest guy in your group of friends doesn't really matter, what matters is being unique. My Camaro with 350 hp is very common, a Fiero with 350 hp is very special.

If you want to, go ahead and buy a 3000GT VR4 or something like that and get your taste of real speed. You'll wonder "what would this feel like in my old '85 GT?", and you'll be back here.

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http://members.cardomain.com/tinton

As everyone has mentioned, cars are probably the worse financial investment period.

Heres an idea, save your money, invest it, hopefully into a higher education. Once you graduate from that, splurge and buy all of those cars. This was the hardest concept for me to grasp. I had an '86 SE, did a SC3800 swap on it. Was always broke, taking less credit hours and spinning tires in my education. Gonna graduate here soon, get payed (where I'm working at right now) $52k a year. Imagine what type of fiero or other fast car that will get me

"So, you build it to keep it, you have to ask yourself if you're prepared to keep that Fiero for a very long time."

That's exactly what I realized, put into better words. I'm 18 years old, there's no way I'm going to have this Fiero for the rest of my 60 some odd years or whatever. Well, I guess there might be a way, but it's highly unlikely. I could see myself owning another one in the future, after I graduate, settle down, as a 2nd car, all of that, because I really do love them. At this age, I think it'd be a better choice to get something that's fast from stock, and has a decent resale value. I still don't think I could have made a better choice 2 years ago, when I was desperate to get a unique and quick car with 2000 dollars, but I think it's time I move on, atleast for now.

"If you modify a Fiero, you'd better be happy with the car and be prepared to keep it. But that's the same in most cars, you usually can't get the money you put into it back."

That's why I'd like to get a car that's pretty quick stock. Like the RX 7 TT, I believe it's a 13s car stock which is quick enough for me.

"After a while you'll realize that being the fastest guy in your group of friends doesn't really matter, what matters is being unique."

Yeah, it's NOT that big of deal for me, as longas I can still keep up. After all, I never had the fastest car in the group, my other good friend drives a '91 Firebird Formula that's always been faster than mine, but it never bothered me. I think it just bothered me when my friend got a '93 300zx because a year ago or so we used always kick back and talk about what kind fo cars we'd like to be driving a year from now and joke about it, but neither of us thought that either one of us would ever move on to another car, and to see actually do it, I feel like I need to now. The other thing is, the Fiero is the only standard I've ever driven, and I thought the car was so fun to drive because it was a Fiero and hear a lot of the odler folk telling me it's the funnest car they've ever owned. But then I drive my friend's 300zx 5spd that shifts so much smoother and easier than mine, and it's like I had a realization that there's other cars out there that are damn fun to drive, not just the Fiero.

In reply to RandomTask:
If you mean saving my money for college, it's not something I'm too worried about. First of all, I'm taking a year break between HS and College. Well, sort of a break, I'll be taking a few freshman classes to get them out of the way, but that's it. And my dad is paying for those. Then I'll be transferring over to a university on a 28000 scholarship.

Remember, most fun car means many things to different people. My Fiero is the most fun I have had, is it the Best car I ahve owned, not sure I would go that far. If you hang around Corvette guys they are insane about that, Mustang guys, the same way, Civic guys, the same way. point being, to each their own.

i suspect after you broaden out you will find there is no "Best" car, only what is Best for you. Ideally, we'd all have Jay Leno's garage. Depening on your mood, day of the week, intended purpose there is always the right car, he can pick which one fits the immediate need.

For the real world car guy you come back to what suits your overall needs which may include speed, it may not, it may be handling, it may be all weather accelration, maybe you like styling of European cars, maybe muscle cars.

Maybe you like odd plastic orphan cars that are ure quirky and underpowered by modern standards and loathed by most mechanics and you don't care about anything else, hmmm?.

Simply put, there are many ways to skin a cat, do what feels right and don't worry what others think. Either way, I think you'll be back one day, these cars have a way of pulling you in eventually.

[This message has been edited by fullcircle (edited 04-05-2006).]

Instead of playing keep up with the neighbors with cars, invest your money into saving up for a home and your future. Stay out of debt, get more schooling, get a good paying job. Don't end up working to support your cars, end up having enough extra money that you can afford to splurge on a car if you want. It's a hard concept, I've been there done that to a point, not as bad as most of the broke gearheads I know that got hooked in highschool and every spare cent has gone into scrounging the next car improvement. Some have good paying jobs but they are in so much debt from their car habits they haven't got a pot to pee in.

Well put Scott.

Cars come and go, financial security is priceless. Get to a point where you don't care about resale value, you pay cash and view a car as a toy, not something that takes effort to support.

You are 18 years old, so be sure to look at all the sides. All the cars you have listed will be very expensive to maintain. probley also in the order that you listed them. If you are looking for something powerfull, thats rear drive, that will of course be a problem. a fiero, with a 3800sc or a 350 is actualy rather cheap to maintain. I would add a subaru wrx in there, that would be awd and newer then any of those cars.

One other thing to consider. I'm assuming you're around 18 years old, given that you're graduating from high school. Call your insurance agent, and ask him for a quote for insurance on each of those cars. That, in itself, might determine your course of direction.....

The Mazda rotary is a cool (and fast) car.
They don't live long. at around 85,000 MOST are ready for an engine rebuild. BIG $$$.
The Mitsubishi was a fine car. Especially the AWD version.
Full of high tech bells and whistles.
Now that its getting old, service and parts will be time consuming and expensive.
I would avoid these two.
More info on older fun cars is here: http://www.grmotorsports.com/
I recommend it!

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Fun at the Seashore...

[This message has been edited by NEPTUNE (edited 04-06-2006).]