Looking for a 90's sports car next year, suggestions?

I currently drive a 1988 Nissan Skyline GXE, and that has served me well for the past 2 years, but I'm starting to look for something with a bit more power. The 'Line currently pumps out around 95kW/130hp, which is actually quite pitiful for a 3.0L straight-6 but it still does the job. My preference is towards Japanese sports cars, specifically Nissans and Subarus. Here's some I've been looking at:

- S14 Nissan 200SX Sports Luxury, 2.0L naturally-aspirated (optional turbocharged) SR20DE/T inline-4

- Toyota Soarer GT Limited/Lexus SC400, 4.0L naturally-aspirated V8

- EF/EL/AU Ford Falcon XR6, 4.0L naturally-aspirated (optional turbocharged) V6

- Mazda MX-5/Miata, 1.6L naturally-aspirated inline-4 (Secret love for this car, even if it is a little girly)

- 1989 R31 Nissan Skyline Silhouette, 3.0L naturally-aspirated straight-6 (same as my current GXE but with a different body-style, limited-slip differential and 5-speed manual compared to the GXE's 4-speed auto) RB30E

- 1989 R32 Nissan Skyline, 2.0L naturally-aspirated (optional turbo) straight-6 RB20DE/T

- 1995 R33 Nissan Skyline GTS-25T, 2.5L naturally-aspirated (optional turbo) straight-6 RB25DE/T

- 1989 MA71 Toyota Supra (prefer this bodystyle to the JZA80), 3.0L twin-turbocharged straight-6 1JZ-GTE

- 1995-2000 Subaru Impreza WRX, 2.0L turbocharged flat-4 "Boxer" EJ20.

Suggestion's open, but a few ground rules:

- No Mustangs, Camaros, Challengers and other American muscle cars. I live in Australia where they're not only very hard to find for a cheap price, they're also highly impractical in terms of both maintenance and fuel costs compared to the Japanese cars. The exception to this rule is the American engine-based but Aussie-built Holden Commodores. But I hate Holden Commodores with a passion so don't even think about it.

- No Honda Civics or Toyota Corollas. I am completely aware of their reliability but I don't want to buy one that I then have to blow the rest of my money on trying to make it keep up with the least powerful car on my list which is the S14 200SX. Plus the RB engines in Skylines are very reliable and easy to milk the power out of as well. The only Honda I would consider is anything with a Type-R badge. But they're out of my price range of AU$7500.

2009-10-16T22:15:27Z

johnny - Here in Aus Skylines are pretty popular cars, but I'd love to have another one; the RB straight-6s are awesome engines. I'll add the R34 25GT to my list as well because they look very tasty. There's barely any of them around my town as well so it'll stand out.

2009-10-16T22:16:16Z

And also luxury isn't very high on my list. My current S'Line just has a simple 4-speed auto gearbox, air-conditioning and a custom stereo and that's all I need, although cruise control and a 5-speed manual would be nice as well. The SC400 has a verrrry long features list though which I do take into consideration. It's more fun-factor over anything else that I'm considering.

The Raven2009-10-16T19:32:53Z

Favorite Answer

Lexus SC400.

The others you mentioned aren't bad but the Lexus is definitely the nicest on your list.

01

tricky2009-10-17T09:36:11Z

Nice list of cars.

The R32 is a great car great sideways fun very light around town it is in its element as every corner is like a drif ttrack and every roundabout is fun,i really liked my R32 i came into Skylines when the R32 came out and when i finally got one i was happy with the result, a fun car we took ours into 3 countries on a road trip and it was a nice drive with no problems.tuning wise the na and single turbo have a lot to offer iam sure you are on the skyline down under etc forums so good info on there the GTR again great potential as you know.But the rb20 is a good tunable engine with plenty of mods out there.

Now i miss my R32 like mad but atm i have a R33 Spec 2 GTS-T which is really great fun it is heavier than the R32 but we have to be fair as it is bigger inside and out and has alot of safety features the R32 did not have but the RB25 engines take that extra Weight no problem.The R33 is another great sideways car and more fun than most cars i have driven on the bends and a safe feeling car,against the R32 tho myself can feel the less nibble feeling on the bends as you can feel that extra weight but as said against 99% of cars it is still good sideways fun.To me the R33 comes to life after the bends a Tokyo Highway racer as the R32 feels fast and is nibble the R33 now takes the edge the power feels more roar,the extra cc shows and nows its alive.Room wise the R32 and R33 happily fit front and rear passengers with plenty of boot space.Tuing parts for the RB25 are again endless and i see then at drag strips running rb25det's at 1000bhp.

The sx another great car myself have had an s13 ca18det but not the s14,mysllf have looked at the s14 a good few years ago but went Skyline,but nice cars the s14a has the better looks to me but the sr20 engines are good tunable fun engines and the sx series are nice cars and i would not say anything bad against them,again plenty of parts and tuning parts also,RWD fun.And not over roomy but still roomy for a sporty car.

The Supra i love the MK3 and wanted one when i got into the Japanese scene,but insurance wise was a no back then.But nice cars and again plenty of potential and a nice 1jz engine and still great looks.

The Soarer now a very underrated car and one i would have the specs on this are for the money is mad a good pic again sideways fun and nice tuning and body part for these cars mixed with sports and luxury also check out the TT versions.

The Impreza i like the older models and another good pic good fun and great handling mixed with a tunable engine.but i have driven a few and did not get the same buzz as a driving a Skyline.More of a different feel like it should feel mean and hardcore but doesn't.But still nice cars although being over popular has led to a lot of hassle to owners.

The MX5 a nice car in fact everything about this car is right the setup feel power weight all is great but,again i would jump in it and know all this but not feel comfy driving it,looks and the wy people look at it would make me duck down at car meets.

The Falcon we do not get them here.

But look at the R34 GTT GTT also but the older Skylines as you know are great fun and should not be missed out while they are still around.
Also the RX7 Gens and the Evo's and the 300zx and the s13 180/200sx also if youlike the soarer and Supra MK3 check out the Toyota Chaser Cresta Cressida and GS300/Aristo.

I think i made the right choice with picking the R32 and R33 Skylines and selling in the next few months for a R34 GTT,Skyline meet all my needs with room for the kids and shopping,a luxury ride with super advanced handling ll mixed with power there when i need it and more if i want to add it.And most of all a smile and a buzz everytime i drive one and i miss it when i don't.

00

johnny2009-10-17T03:59:02Z

1995 r33 nissian skyline would love to have one man i know has one and has had it since new and never had a problem with it great cars

10

Trending Questions

Is it possible to buy a brand new car with a debit card?23 answersShould i buy a brand new car or a used car under $10k?7 answerssuggeste me a sports car?5 answersWould it be dumb to buy a brand new car to drive 3 miles a day?5 answersWhat is the best way to buy a Car when you have no job an not the greatest credit? Should I go to the Auction? Or buy here pay here or Cash?11 answers