Possibly buying my first s12

Not sure if this is the right place ot post, but I've just got some noobish questions...
Last month my 88 Mustang got in a fight with a truck. :kicknuts: Obviously it lost. So now I'm considering picking up an S12. (Among other things, but I've really become enamored with the looks of the S12 of late) A few questions though, does the 6 cylinder come as a notch? The hatches are nice and all, but I like the notch more, don't know why.
And what's aftermarket support like? From what I've heard it seems to be rather dreadful, but I could probably deal since cash doesnt quite flow free for me and the cars seem pretty good stock.
And lastly, are the manuals four or five speed? I've seen a few on autotrader.com and more than one has been isted as a four speed manual. Odd indeed.
There's probably more things I wanted to ask, but, I'll live I'm sure.

V6 was only available in the US MKII ( 87-88 ). There were no more notchbacks by then.

The v6 was offered in the US only as the 200SX SE, all other countries got the turbo 4 instead.

All manuals are 5 spd, but the auto is a 4spd IIRC.

Aftermarket is relatively non-existant ... but we're making do with parts made for other cars that can be adapted.

Depends on how far you want to take your car.

But yeah, there's 3 engine choices for a US

84-86.5 ca18et (1.8 turbo) and ca20e (2.0 NA)
87-88 ca18et and the VG30E (3.0 NA)

The turbo and VG cars are pretty quick even in stock trim, but the turbo is easy to mod for fairly big power.

Also if you want a Notch, you will be forced to buy it with the CA20E, unless somebody has previously done an engine swap...

V6 was only available in the US MKII ( 87-88 ). There were no more notchbacks by then.

84-86.5 ca18et (1.8 turbo) and ca20e (2.0 NA)
87-88 ca18et and the VG30E (3.0 NA)

Almost. There were notchbacks in the U.S. in 87 for sure. There's one in my local wrecking yard.

Also, engine choices in the U.S. for 87-88 was the CA20E and VG30E. The CA18ET was not offered in the MKII in the U.S.

stupid brain ...

I meant ca20e/VG30e for US MKIIs

Canadian and the rest of the world had the ca20e/ca18et in 87-88

I've never seen a notchback MKII ... ever.

That's kinda cool!

Was it really a MkII though? Maybe they just had a few leftover 86's and sold them as 87's. Car companies do crazy things sometimes...

I've seen a 88 notch in Saskatoon so they must have been avaliable.

V6 was only available in the US MKII ( 87-88 ). There were no more notchbacks by then.

The v6 was offered in the US only as the 200SX SE, all other countries got the turbo 4 instead.

All manuals are 5 spd, but the auto is a 4spd IIRC.

Aftermarket is relatively non-existant ... but we're making do with parts made for other cars that can be adapted.

Depends on how far you want to take your car.

But yeah, there's 3 engine choices for a US

84-86.5 ca18et (1.8 turbo) and ca20e (2.0 NA)
87-88 ca18et and the VG30E (3.0 NA)

The turbo and VG cars are pretty quick even in stock trim, but the turbo is easy to mod for fairly big power.
again, from 87-88 the only engines available in the usa were the ca20e and the vg30e. you are correct about the transmissions. there are notchbacks; the '87 i was gonna buy that was stolen was a notch, as was the first s12 i ever saw, an '88 notch. i have never seen a v6 notch, though.

Yes there are 87 and 88 notchbacks, and yes they are all CA20E's, as are the MkI (84-86) notches.

heh lets just ask gerry! :o

My ca20 is alright it deosnt have enough power, but it deos good burnouts :burnout:

Stuff a CA18ET into your CA20E-wired notchback. That's the engine found in the turbo hatchbacks here in the US and Canada.

That's my advice. Budget boost. We already know the CA20E electronics will handle it okay, and the CA18ET engine will have the lower compression. Whallah!

I've never seen a notchback MKII ... ever.
http://images.autotrader.com/images/2004/10/23/172/136/1076387388.172136494.IM1.MAIN.565x421_A.562x421.jpg

There... now you can say you saw one. :)

Also, engine choices in the U.S. for 87-88 was the CA20E and VG30E. The CA18ET was not offered in the MKII in the U.S.
I beg to differ. Last time I went to the junkyard I took some parts off the S12 that was in there. I dont know the year, but a major difference between MkI and MkII is an rev-limiter/ engine control device which was on the one I ripped parts off of. Although it did have the MkI style grill and marker lights, I saw a black box under where the airbox went. It said something about "Engine control" or something like that.

Anyway. It may be a MkI.5. I dont know, I'm not an expert.

stupid brain ...

I meant ca20e/VG30e for US MKIIs

Canadian and the rest of the world had the ca20e/ca18et in 87-88

I've never seen a notchback MKII ... ever.

That's kinda cool!Side note, but there is one about 15 minutes away from where I live...It is taken part though, and it is in really rough shape, but it is definately MKII

EDIT: MKII front, and MKI rear...it is part of the 86 half, and half year...lol