It’s An Expensive Hobby, But It doesn’t Have To Drain You Dry.
As much as I write and talk about cars, the politics in the automotive world, and motorsports and events, I don’t think I’ve ever talked about why cars shouldn’t be as intimidating to some as they are. In fact, I urge everyone I come across that either wants to get into the car scene but aren’t sure how they should or knows about the car scenes but thinks it might be expensive (absolutely right btw) to just dive in and figure things out. Usually automotive enthusiast whether it be for cars, trucks, bikes, or whatever are super welcoming and would help out with whatever you’re trying to do, and that’s even for if you’re just trying to have a good time or if you’re getting serious in racing, show car builds, or even a bit of both. However, let’s say that you’re completely new, the greenest green, still pointing at an alternator and calling it a turbocharger because you honestly don’t know better (and that’s fine, we all start somewhere), and you want to start somewhere that won’t get you into too much trouble for too much money? That start begins with a cars that are usually “beginner friendly” and don’t cost a kidney or two to get you started. So I decided to do some digging around on Ebay Motors and CarGurus for the usual suspects and sorted out 5 cars that’ll even 13 year old me could handle with both his hands and wallet!
BMW 330ci (The E46 Generation)
Clearing the air on this right now, it’s not the M version and that’s okay. The M version of this would probably run you 3–5 times as much for something that might be too big of a bite to chew for someone just getting their feet wet. While it might not be as revered as the M, I can tell you why this would be the perfect project car whether you’re building to track, drift, or even as a show car. It’s a rear-wheel drive sports coupe with a 3 liter straight 6 (cylinders) engine that makes a modest amount of power. It won’t be 300 or 400 horsepowers right out the gate, but it’s still enough for you to have a little fun and even get some skids in here and there. The chassis is 70% stiffer from the previous generation and it even has a 50/50 weight balance distribution. In case all of that flew right over your head basically it has a solid feel and it’s very responsive to inputs from you as a driver. It’s a crisp feeling for those spirited driving moments when you find a nice road to ride. As great as a car this would be, there are somethings that you definitely need to be on the lookout when it comes to picking up one of these but they’re really simple. Just check for the water pump, thermostat, valve cover, and vanos seals as you start to get up in the mileage. Chances are if it’s cheap, the previous owner didn’t bother with the maintenance which makes it a steal considering how easy these are to remedy!
Infiniti G35 (Look for the Later Years)
I love these, probably my favorite out of this list too. G35s were available as a sports coupe (above) or as a sedan, and both felt balanced. Think of these as the slightly nicer 350Z that might still need a little love but is just as abuse capable. If you go looking for one of these, aim for the later years where the horsepower that it came with was closer to 300 horsepower or even a little over. It’s a pretty decent track weapon, and it’s one of the BEST examples to learn how to drift in. The 3.5 V6 weren’t anything to sneeze at either, and could make some decent power with a couple of bolt-ons modifications that are easy to install along with a trip to the dyno to really squeeze out those extra ponies. The only thing you really have to worry about is oil consumptions and leaks with the higher mileage examples. Especially the ones way past 100k miles.
SN95 Mustang GT 5.0 L (94–95)
I know what you’re probably thinking… It’s either “not the New Edge facelift”, or this is the ugly duckling of the Stang family. It isn’t the prettiest, and it’s not the greatest handler on the list by a longshot, BUT hear me out… It comes with a V8 that can be built for some moderate power, it’s rear-wheel drive, can come with a manual, and with the looks and the specific years of 94–95, the slightly weaker engine falls out of favor for those looking for the more potent version with some more serious coin, keeping this version in those particular years cheap! Just keep in mind the typical Ford problems in that era and try not to mind the cheap interior plastics. You’re probably going to change it out anyway.
Acura/Honda Integra (3rd Gen GS or GS-R)
You’ll want to find a GS if you can’t find a GS-R. Either way they both come with a 1.8 L DOHC (Dual OverHead Cam) VTEC B18C, which is basically a highly potent engine for Hondas. It’s another one of those cars on this list that is often seen as a coupe but can be found as a sedan as well! Much lighter in curb weight than anything else on this list, if you’re taking one of these to the track your focus is going to be in the corners and keeping up the momentum you carry in corners. If you’re building for a show however, the Integra has one of the most vast aftermarket options there is for any car. Finding mods is the easy part, making it stick out from the others is another story. If you think you’ll pick one of these up, definitely check for rust/corrosion especially around the rear wheel wells. These were marketed to be the sporty economic car so people drove this throughout the year, and that means snowy weather with salted roads too. Check the weather stripping too to see if it needs to be replaced to prevent leaking. Also, make sure to check for grinding sounds or notchy shifts in the transmissions because the synchros in Integras are a common weak point. Most importantly though, check for half done/low quality work and modifications done. You’ll probably want to avoid that because the last thing you would want is to pick up your sort-of-new-but-not-really project car just for it to sit longer than you planned it to because you have to sort through someone else’s shoddy wiring work trying to rig a JL Audio system along with the ignition wires… Ask me how I know…
Subaru Impreza 2.5 RS (1998–2000)
Lastly but certainly not the least, old school Subies back when “Impreza” was still attached to the relevant car. The RS was one of those classic JDMs that have almost been completely forgotten about because it didn’t have the WRX or STI behind the name, but don’t think it didn’t come with anything nice. The 2.5 4 cylinder boxer engine may have been light on power but it was also light on weight along with the rest of the car itself. Plus the way boxer engines are configured, the lower center of gravity really helps with the handling and balance overall. Not to mention that Subaru’s signature all-wheel drive that the brand is known for, you have a project that not only is a rally phenom, but also one of the best cars for shooting out of corners with power going to all 4 wheels. Not everything is all sunshine and buttercups, however. Most of these were known as rally monsters and were subjected to all types of elements. You’ll definitely want to check the undercarriage not only for rust and corrosion, but also for major dents and dings. Also, if you have someone with you that is trusted, you might also want to have the trans and engine block checked. Imprezas can take some abuse, but usually that abuse is never met with some TLC afterwards resulting in conditions that often leave them better off crushed than restored.
With all of that being said, these are just a few examples of some entry level cars that won’t drive you to bankruptcy (unless you let them) that are easy to work on without having to do things that are too complicated or tedious. If you think you want to pull the trigger and hop in one of these things, I heavily suggest checking your options out on CarGurus, Ebay Motors, and even Facebook Marketplace. Look around, check somethings out, and who knows? You might just walk away with a absolute deal if you come across the right person at the right time. As for me however, I didn’t know G35s were that affordable in this hazardous used car market we’re currently in… Might have do a little digging to add to my already growing Nissan fleet.
~Cam
