Stars for you my friend. Where?

Sigh.

If you are handy with the Lexus V8, I bet you could get pretty familiar with an LS1 in short order. I haven’t been able to source LS motors in a cost effective way so I had my eyes on a ford swap. I’m also eventually moving this car to California which creates its own set of challenges. But with either ford or LS…

So, another guy doing a performance build, telling me it MUST cost lots of money to be done right... that’s what you get for building a land yacht to go fast, buddy! I linked those engine builders to prove that it can be done, not that a builder should use them necessarily. Sometimes the cheap way IS the right way -…

I hear you on the reliability thing. One of the lovely parts of the Miata is that making a ratty one reliable isn’t too hard. The Fiat... well... goes without saying that it should probably not be your main mode of transport in the first 3-6 months of owning it.

I would think what you would get for an IS300, depending…

10 listed for the whole country... on one website? mkay.

I fully agree Miata is a better platform and you will get more for your money. If you must have the vintage vibe, this is viable. Yes, you need to cut out sheetmetal and patch in new panels if you want it to be perfect. You can also just cut out the rot and rustoelum the rest and deal. That’s the entire point of…

I’m telling you from personal experience, it doesn’t have to be that way. But as I’ve said from the beginning, you need to enjoy working on the car and want that as part of the reward. If that’s not your bag, then yes, buy the $8k sorted out example, 100% yes. Just know that if something goes wrong with it, you will…

Also, his Z is or was putting out 300hp/300tq... that’s major mods. You have to fight that bug, I think. The 1.7L in this car would put out 116hp in healthy form. Plenty for a car this small.

A builder needs to be disciplined and patient. He or she needs to be able to resist the siren call of shiny parts and understand when it’s good enough. If what I describe is cheap and simple, it’s because I’m not going to put the entire process into a post - you could fill a book, as part 33 of the story you linked…

Having said all that, if you don’t like doing body work and paint, you can start with something like this:

On planet DIY.

D to the I to the Y, my friend. Yes, I’m talking ebay body panels, learn to use evercoat, rustoleum paint job. Maybe even get a cheap welder and learn to do patch panels. Very few cars are honestly worth a “proper” multi-thousand dollar paint job. This is just a cheap little fun roadster, that level of finish isn’t…

Here come the haters who don’t like to get their hands dirty... guys, it’s $1300. If you are starting from NOTHING, look at it this way, if you do it all DIY with manuals and youtube videos in a garage:

Car: 1300
Bodywork: 500
Paint: 500
Gaskets/Seals/anything rubber in the engine bay or elsewhere: 500
Tires: 500
Basic…

The Chevy SS would like to have a word with you.

415HP LS3 V8
Magnetic suspension
3975lb curb weight
0-60: 4.6s
1/4: 13s
skidpad: .97g
MRSP: about $46,575
Manual transmission
RWD

That makes way more sense than sending a dozen police vehicles hurtling through public space.

*opens up Jalopnik
“I’m taking my Aston Marton on a 1500 mile road trip!”

Beautiful shots. My favorite one is this. Nothing says “I drive a serious car in anger, not a rich man’s parade float” like zip-tie stiches on your ferrari bodywork. Bravo, owner/driver.

It’s true, it is one of the ugliest wheels out there. I put an NB wheel on my NA and it is a world of difference. The NB wheel is SO much nicer.

Counterpoint: I actually quite like that fat Acura wheel. It just screams THIS IS A HONDA and outlined the fact that the world beating super hot sexy japanese car that made ferrari look a bit dumb, was made by the same people who make civics. Plus look at that distressed leather finish on the airbag cover. So 90s, and…