Recommendation for a cheap, fun and reliable 6MT...

[synclastica_86]

I know that cheap, fun and reliable are not three descriptions that go well together when it comes to pre own cars, but I'm willing to compromise.

So here's the deal, my wife's mother is no longer using her parking spot at her apartment, which means that I can get an extra car to fill the spot. I've been wanting to get a 6MT, but the fact that my family occasionally drives my car made this impossible. Now that I have an extra spot, I can finally get a manual.

My only requirements are 6MT and RWD. I also don't want a car that I'll have to dump a lot of $$ in for maintenance. I like in Hong Kong, so American cars are out of the question. Given my constraints, what should I go for and how much should I be prepared to spend?

[Joekerr]

Older skyline?

[Mr Tonka]

Originally Posted by Joekerr

Older skyline?

or sylvia.

[ddk632]

Maintenance wise - Japanese is the way to go.

In addition to those so far mentioned,

Old school Mazda RX7 could be fun, rotary engine (eta: apparently it only had 5MT though).

Toyota Celica - the latest body style, maybe an early 2000's model.

Higher maintenance but lots of fun - E36 325 or E46 325...

[druu]

Originally Posted by ddk632

Maintenance wise - Japanese is the way to go.

In addition to those so far mentioned,

Old school Mazda RX7 could be fun, rotary engine (eta: apparently it only had 5MT though).

Toyota Celica - the latest body style, maybe an early 2000's model.

Higher maintenance but lots of fun - E36 325 or E46 325...

Aren't those rotary engines maintenance nightmares? I could be crazy though

Also, I'm pretty sure the Celica was FWD in the latest incarnation.

If the OP is open to FWD, the RSX (or integra) type S (type R) is a 6MT that's pretty fun to drive with very few things to fix (used to own one and drove it to 100k miles with mods before i sold it and it easily could have lasted much longer, only had to replace a starter and engine mounts, having a timing chain really makes it easy to keep around).

The S2000 is a little more expensive but is rwd, MT and fun to drive

Of course, the internet will also tell you that the answer is always Miata lol.

My personal favorite will always be a nissan 300zx though, RWD, 6MT, those good looks too....

[bing240sx]

G37S coupe... no question.

[ddk632]

@druu Good point about possible maintenance on the rotary. It's also a 5MT so we can strike it.

I thought the Celica was RWD but it seems that was a long long time ago.

Suggestions FAIL.

[dreamingat30fps]

Originally Posted by bing240sx

G37S coupe... no question.

I have an EX35 and it has really been bullet proof (knock on wood). My friend has had a G37S for over 100k miles probably like 6 years or more and he says he's had no major issues with his either. Plus it's a nice car IMO.

[bing240sx]

my G coupe with SPL arms, tein / tokico spring / strut combo, AP Racing brakes, a proper alignment and properly stanced wheels and tires (stanced for driving not to attract boys) held the road better than the 2013 335i Msport i test drove before the M3... the 335i would have been an upgrade in power only.

if i were to go backwards from an M3 it would be right back into a G coupe.

[CirrusSR22]

What's wrong with a 5-speed manual? Why does it have to be 6?

[Ehwnnc]

s2000

[Nkc]

Fellow HKer here. What's your budget btw?

Looking at your current stable, you seem to have a lot of fun cars but just not one in MT.

I myself had this same problem and solved it with a 1998 M-Z3 5-MT which was my favorite car growing up. I love it and drive it a lot more than my Z4.

Here's a list of MT/RWD cars that I also considered:
BMW 1M (couldn't find one around $600k at the time)
FT-86 (Overpriced in HK imo)
S2000 (Too many hands)
E46 M3 (maintenance)
E36 M3 (hard to find a nice one)
04-05 Gallardo (Maintenance)

[druu]

Originally Posted by Nkc

Fellow HKer here. What's your budget btw?

Looking at your current stable, you seem to have a lot of fun cars but just not one in MT.

I myself had this same problem and solved it with a 1998 M-Z3 5-MT which was my favorite car growing up. I love it and drive it a lot more than my Z4.

Here's a list of MT/RWD cars that I also considered:
BMW 1M (couldn't find one around $600k at the time)
FT-86 (Overpriced in HK imo)
S2000 (Too many hands)
E46 M3 (maintenance)
E36 M3 (hard to find a nice one)
04-05 Gallardo (Maintenance)

Very True, what is your budget here? Admittedly, I have no idea what the used car market is like in HK (I know what the new car market is like there, I used to go back pretty regularly, and judging by your garage you have a decent budget).

The G37S coupes (skylines) are nice, but I feel like (at least in the states) the prices for used models haven't gone down enough to warrant getting that over a new car.

Speaking of the used car market used e92/93 335i's with decently low mileage are a fraction of what they are new and an ecu tune + an LSD (not a ton of cash for these mods) and you have a pretty fun machine. A 335is is a bit more money but probably a bit more fun too.

[jlstyle]

Nothing really beats the S2000 in cheap/reliable/fun category.
Under $50k, there's no better 6MT than the one in S2000. It simply has the most precise and short throw feel, and coupled with VTEC, you will find yourself staying constantly above 5k rpm.
I see some suggestions on G37 and other imports but...they are pretty much boxy "go fast" kind of a car compare to S2000. No true refinement.
I've owned S2000/Z4/G37/335, but I still love the S2000 the most in terms of "fun".
Only other car that I liked under $50k was the Lotus elise. It is much more fun, but it is too hard to get into the car.
My GF(now wife) HATED to get in. Basically, if a girl wear a tight skirt, she will HAVE to roll it up to her waist to get in, period.

And you should note that S2000 has very minimal interior. All it's got is the one flip down panel that has CD player in it. There's nothing else.
If you decide to go with S2000, just make sure you test drive both AP1(Pre LCI) and AP2(LCI). AP1 has higher rev limit (I think 8200 or so) but AP2 has more torque. Also, cluster gauge is more formula 1 like in AP1 model. Also with used model, make sure you check the soft top for any wear. It tends to wear a hole right on the collapsing arm at each corner.

[evo335xi]

Without repeating anything from above, maybe a mazdaspeed miata? I do think the best choice is the s2000 or NSX though : )

[Mr Tonka]

What part of cheap do you guys not get? haha

Although, i suppose cheap is different for different people. Maybe cheap is $50k?

[335is808]

Sr20 or rb 240sx hands down. Way Cheaper and Has a lot of potential. S2ks are soo slow stock or they just feel really slow.

[jlstyle]

Originally Posted by 335is808

Sr20 or rb 240sx hands down. Way Cheaper and Has a lot of potential. S2ks are soo slow stock or they just feel really slow.

Are you sure? It doesn't do 0-60 under 5sec, but that's not what it matters.
It feels faster when you drive it right. I sure felt faster in S2k then my 335i because of screaming engine noise and tight balance it has. If you want something that you press gas and go fast, S2K surely isn't a contender.

[will.c]

I vote Miata. Really fits the bill if you can overcome how it makes you look. Handles and feels like nothing else, and arguably it has the best transmission ever -- comparable to, if not better than, an S2k.

I would also add MR2 as an option. I think 2nd gen might be a bit unreliable, but 3rd gen certainly is. Handles great as well.

Another notable: 350Z.

[se15679875]

Originally Posted by Mr Tonka

What part of cheap do you guys not get? haha

Although, i suppose cheap is different for different people. Maybe cheap is $50k?

I've seen someone on this forum literally suggest getting a Ferrari as a practical alternative to I think a used GTR or used R8 or something in the << $100k range.

[335is808]

Originally Posted by jlstyle

Are you sure? It doesn't do 0-60 under 5sec, but that's not what it matters.
It feels faster when you drive it right. I sure felt faster in S2k then my 335i because of screaming engine noise and tight balance it has. If you want something that you press gas and go fast, S2K surely isn't a contender.

i test drove one and wasnt impressed, probably because im too use to driving my car. s2k lacks torque and i didnt really feel the vtech as much as i thought i would, just felt like the engine got louder for that amount of RPM. Handling was superb though, kinda feels like a go cart car

[DSB335d]

I'd say 350Z also. I have one, 180K miles and only issue was a power steering problem that I fixed myself.