Forums » Off-topic discussion » The Great Affordable Sports Cars of the 1980's 1 2 3 4 5

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  Dec. 27, 2011 7:12 p.m. ShadowSix Reader

  What are the greatest affordable sports cars of the 1980's?

  I think the Miata gets in, it went on sale in '89, right? No more needs to be said.

  

  MR2: heavier than the Miata, struts all-around, but a more rigid body and there was the supercharged version.

  

  CRX: Light, rigid, double wishbones all around, but FWD is kind of a drag and they are impossible to find in unmolested condition.

  

  Those are my votes, on a side note, which are going to be valuable classics?

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  Dec. 27, 2011 7:21 p.m. 1988RedT2 SuperDork

  RX-7.

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  Dec. 27, 2011 7:31 p.m. ShadowSix Reader

  FB or FC? I've heard the FC got big and heavy. They sure do look good though.

  

  Keepin' it as real as it can reasonably be kept

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  Dec. 27, 2011 7:33 p.m. Ian F SuperDork

  ShadowSix wrote: CRX: Light, rigid, double wishbones all around, but FWD is kind of a drag and they are impossible to find in unmolested condition.

  Not always true. I drive by one on the way to work every day. Looks totally original. Bit of typical Honda-rust at the back of the rear arches. From the looks of the driver (he makes a daily run from his house to the local Wawa and I see him once in awhile), it looks like a one-owner car.

  My favorite affordable sports car from the 80's... Hmm... 944?

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  Dec. 27, 2011 7:34 p.m. oldtin Dork

  

  Affordable is relative...

  
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  Dec. 27, 2011 7:44 p.m. ShadowSix Reader

  It's weird that the MGB and Miata were sold in the same decade. I will take one of each please.

  Keepin' it as real as it can reasonably be kept

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  Dec. 27, 2011 7:49 p.m. J308 New Reader

  It's time to check your versions of "affordable" at the door. Let's assume the OP's "affordable", means "reasonably attainable by the masses".

  1989 Mustang LX 5.0, $12k.

  1989 BMW 325I E30, $27K.

  Let your conscience be your guide.

  I don't know what MX-5's were new (think it debuted as a '90 model so henceforth would be dq'ed.) but the only person I know that had one at launch was my 911-owning cousin, who cares about affordability about as much as I care about rich people (nil).

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  Dec. 27, 2011 7:59 p.m. DrBoost SuperDork

  The original Miata was released with a base of about $14K. Most were "adjusted" to near $20K though.

  You know you are deep in boost territory when you get tire pressures and boost pressures confused

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  Dec. 27, 2011 7:59 p.m. mad_machine SuperDork

  heh.. several of the most well known roadsters were sold in the 80s...

  Miata
  MGB
  Fiat 124
  Triumph Spitfire
  Triumph TR8
  Alfa Spider
  

  The Miata and Alfa overlapped.. the Fiat almost overlapped

  Be careful of your words, for someone will agree with them. Be careful of your conduct, for someone will imitate it. -Leih Tsu

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  Dec. 27, 2011 8:09 p.m. J308 New Reader

  In reply to DrBoost: And supposedly in 1989 as well.
  

  My cousin said "you can't buy these yet" when he had his, and he was right. My R&T sub hadn't even mentioned them when I saw my first one in real life.

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  Dec. 27, 2011 8:14 p.m. ShadowSix Reader

  I have to admit, I've never seen an '80's Spitfire. I am looking on craigslist now! As for the Fiat and Alfa, I don't know... I'm not feeling the '80's versions of those cars.

  Keepin' it as real as it can reasonably be kept

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  Dec. 27, 2011 8:16 p.m. ThePhranc Reader

  X 1/9 for sure.

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  Dec. 27, 2011 8:16 p.m. mad_machine SuperDork

  spitfire production ended right at 1980.. so they barely make the cut

  Be careful of your words, for someone will agree with them. Be careful of your conduct, for someone will imitate it. -Leih Tsu

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  Dec. 27, 2011 8:24 p.m. ShadowSix Reader

  1980 Spitfire in MI

  There it is.

  Keepin' it as real as it can reasonably be kept

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  Dec. 27, 2011 8:35 p.m. Dr. Hess SuperDork

  
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  Dec. 27, 2011 8:44 p.m. MG Bryan HalfDork

  
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  Dec. 27, 2011 8:49 p.m. Gearheadotaku SuperDork

  Pontiac Fiero. 1988 Formula for the Win. 1989 G92 Camaro/Firebird was no slouch either. 1989 Corvette ZR-1 if we're gonna be silly.

  Old enough to know better, too young too care!

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  Dec. 27, 2011 8:53 p.m. njansenv HalfDork

  Chrysler GLH-S (and the other Turbo Dodges) GTI Starion 300zx

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  Dec. 27, 2011 8:59 p.m. ShadowSix Reader

  Oh! the GTI! We should all be embarrassed that it took us this long to mention that great car! There is a reason they are so well represented in amateur road racing.

  Keepin' it as real as it can reasonably be kept

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  Dec. 27, 2011 8:59 p.m. mndsm SuperDork

  

  That first one looks familiar for some reason.... Also happened to be the first car that popped on images when i googled that car.

  Go fast or go broke.

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  Dec. 27, 2011 9:01 p.m. ShadowSix Reader

  Also, the GTI will DEFINITELY be considered a true classic. Hell, it probably is now by a lot of people.

  Keepin' it as real as it can reasonably be kept

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  Dec. 27, 2011 9:03 p.m. ShadowSix Reader

  In reply to mndsm:

  I forgot how good the early MX-6 looked.

  Keepin' it as real as it can reasonably be kept

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  Dec. 27, 2011 9:11 p.m. mndsm SuperDork

  Yeah.... they're fun to drive too. And they likes the boost (The first car is actually 92celicawhatevertrac's car, and he persuaded me to buy one, and I know there's a couple more around here.)

  Go fast or go broke.

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  Dec. 27, 2011 9:17 p.m. ShadowSix Reader

  In reply to mndsm:

  I drive a blue turbo once, nice car. They are pretty rare on the ground here in OH these days. I think the one I drove was an auto, but there was a manual turbo, right?

  Keepin' it as real as it can reasonably be kept

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  Dec. 27, 2011 9:46 p.m. patgizz SuperDork

  c4

  When I grow up, I want to be just like Colt McCoy

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