Lookin for cars, have some questions

[sicbeing]

This is kinda from my thread "help me hookup my car", I was suggested a few different cars to purchase, and Ive dont some browsing and thinking, and these are the cars I've come up with that I may be purchasing depending on how well you all can help me rate them.

Subaru WRX Impreza
Lancer OZ Rally
Nissan 240sx
Mitsubishi Eclipse
Ford Mustang
Acura Integra
Acura RSX
Honda Civic Hatchback 👎


Im a 18 year old male who currently drives a Honda Civic Sedan, I don't wanna end up spending more than 15 grand if I can help it. I don't need sick speed, but enough to work with. I enjoy the tuner cars more than the others because I enjoy a lightweight car over a power heavy car. FWD is a 👎 , if i can help it ill stay away from that.

Other options ive seen are old corvettes, supras, rx7 and etc, but my insurance would probably be too horrible, next to the gas it would cost me.

What are your opinions?

 

[Ghost C]

The Lancer OZ Rally is FWD, as is the Integra, RSX, and most Eclipses. If you want to spend less than $15, you won't be getting a WRX.

If it were me, I'd go with the 240. Lots of aftermarket parts, lighter than the 'Stang, and they should start to cheapen up now that 240's are losing popularity among the drifting mainstream.

 

[sicbeing]

I wasn't aware that the eclipses , or even the OZ rally was FWD, i was almost positive the lancer was AWD, and i assumed the eclipse was rwd.

240sx is definatly one im looking more and more into. And ive seen some Imprezas for less than 10grand around my area (im talking all used).

 

[1X83Z]

The best suggestion you'll receive is:

1990-1997 Mazda Miata
1998-_ Mazda Miata

It's rear-drive, it's cheaper and quicker than the 240SX (slow does not BEGIN to describe the 240SX) and it's a lot more fun to drive than anything you've listed.

I wasn't aware that the eclipses , or even the OZ rally was FWD, i was almost positive the lancer was AWD, and i assumed the eclipse was rwd.

All non-turbocharged Mitsubishi Lancers are front-drive. All non-turbocharged Mitsubishi Eclipses are front-drive too, and even some of the turbos are too. Some Eclipses have all-wheel drive; they're badged as the GSX AWD.

 

[humbo]

Yeah the Miata is a really good choice for what you are looking for. The only thing is that people like to say that it's only for women and hairdressers, if you can overlook the opinions of the shallow then it's a good choice.

 

[retsmah]

The best suggestion you'll receive is:
1990-1997 Mazda Miata
1998-_ Mazda Miata

👍 One of the cars I was going to suggest. I looked at both those an Mk1 MR2s, ended up with the MR2, I'd look at those too. Which is better kinda depends on personal preference.

Front wheel drive isn't nearly as bad as people will make it out to be, especially in a lightweight, fairly low powered car. I had a '91 Civic Si for a year or so, unless you were pushing it pretty hard you wouldn't even notice it was front wheel drive.

 

[Duke]

I wasn't aware that the eclipses , or even the OZ rally was FWD, i was almost positive the lancer was AWD, and i assumed the eclipse was rwd.

The Evo is AWD, all other Lancers are FWD. Eclipse GSXs are AWD, all other Eclipses are FWD.

 

[sicbeing]

Yea, I -was- going to list miata, bc i figured youd all call me gay, sorry for underestimating you all.

Miata would be a great choice, but one downside is its a 2 seater, with no real storage. I might think about it though, but id have to paint it or put a spoiler on it or etc to make it not-so-gay-assuming.

I didnt know the 240sx was "slow" ive never really seen them , drove one. How is it slow? isnt it 140hp with low weight?

 

[miata13B]

You're best bet if you are looking for speed is an older Dodge Omni GLH or GLH/S. You can pick them up for a pretty cheap price as long as the owner doesn't understand what he or she has on their hands. You do that it will give you a significant amount to pour into restoration and performance. I would start with a LSD and new Axles along with hubs. After that, a little suspension tweaking, and of course new brakes. Finally add the power. That should easily fit into your 15 grand budget.


BTW - Miatas are not gay. . . Just misunderstood : )

 

[1X83Z]

I didnt know the 240sx was "slow" ive never really seen them , drove one. How is it slow? isnt it 140hp with low weight?

No, it's 155hp with average weight.

A manual 240SX will accelerate to 60mph in 9.5 seconds; an automatic won't beat ten. They're slower than hell and they don't even handle that well. My advice: steer clear. Its sole redeemable feature is rear-wheel drive.

Regarding the Miata: Originally (1990-1993) they were only available with a 1.6-liter four-cylinder, putting out 116 horsepower with the manual and only 105 with the automatic. In 1994, a 1.8-liter 128-horsepower four debuted, which propelled the Miata to 60 in 8.3 seconds with the manual transmission; power was increased to 133 for 1996.

If I were you, though, I'd focus on the so-called second-generation Miata, which debuted in 1999 and is still being sold. Horsepower was 140 in 1999 and 2001, 142 since 2002. 0-60 was achieved in 7.8 seconds with a manual transmission, regardless of which manual was chosen - the Miata was the cheapest car on the market with three available transmissions, a 6-speed and 5-speed manual along with a 4-speed automatic. Beginning in 2004, a turbocharged 170-horsepower MazdaSpeed Miata debuted, but unfortunately it's going to be several thousand dollars outside your price range. A 1999-present Miata with a manual transmission is your best bet, if you can live with just two seats.

 

[sicbeing]

if i bought the so called 2nd gen miata, would i be able to do things to it like turbo charge it, etc? All id really want when i get this next car is the muffler assembly, turbo charged, air intake kit, rims, and all that good stuff.

 

[miata13B]

if i bought the so called 2nd gen miata, would i be able to do things to it like turbo charge it, etc? All id really want when i get this next car is the muffler assembly, turbo charged, air intake kit, rims, and all that good stuff.

Well, why not start with a car already turbo charged - ie the Dodge Omni. . . If not, yes you can force induct a miata, but you gotta worry about compression, whether the bottom end can handle the pressure, Heat issues and ways to get the cold air to where it needs to be, How the Oil will be put through the system, What type of intercooler and placement, What type of turbo, with a 1.6 I do suggest a t3/4 hybrid for the best perfomance and you are only looking at 200 hp at that point. You can turbo charge anything in all honesty, but it depends on how deep your wallets go and how fast you want to go. Maybe look at aftermarket kits for the Miata. I know there are a few out there. Just whatever you do, don't half-arse anything concerning performance on it. Either do it right from scratch or pay a crapload for overlooked things.

 

[sicbeing]

Never heard of that dodge omni thing, ill look that up.

I dont know what goes with a turbo or what a turbo kit needs in order to function correctly.

 

[ND4SPD]

This is just me purely speeking, If I had a miata I'd swap in a 13B engine in it, but a rotary needs to be maintained and taken care of, which will be costly . Now thats just me talking...You can obviously turbo the miata and all the other stuff you want. Thats when it starts to get pricey, do you only have 15 grand to purchase a car and spend the rest on upgrading the car? Or do you have 15 grand to use once you have the car?

 

[sicbeing]

Well right now I dont have much money, Im going to get a loan from the bank when it comes time to buy my next car, 15 grand is a maximum, but really i dont wanna travel above 10, as much as i can help it.

-edit-

working on whatever i buy after the car will come down the road as i go on my merry way. Ill just slowly add things to it, it wont be all at once.

 

[miata13B]

This is just me purely speeking, If I had a miata I'd swap in a 13B engine in it, but a rotary needs to be maintained and taken care of, which will be costly .

Well, costly maintaining it depends on how mechanically functional you are. . . Take it from me, a rotary is not the funniest thing to deal with, but it is a good fundemential learning device : )



On that note back to the program -
So basically the car you want is not going to worked on by you at all and others are basically going to be putting the wrecking into it and all you will do is drive it and throw out the cash for it. . .

 

[miata13B]

Well right now I dont have much money, Im going to get a loan from the bank when it comes time to buy my next car, 15 grand is a maximum, but really i dont wanna travel above 10, as much as i can help it.

A bank is not going to be too willing to fork over cash for a used car there. . . Go with an SRT- 4 then . . . It will settle all your needs, just come up with the down payment and your set. . .

 

[sicbeing]

no this isnt a project car, this is my next car that i will drive wherever i go. If anything is bought for it i most likely will not be putting it in, at least not by myself.

 

[sicbeing]

A bank is not going to be too willing to fork over cash for a used car there. . . Go with an SRT- 4 then . . . It will settle all your needs, just come up with the down payment and your set. . .

SRT-4 is costly, id have to save a lot more then id want to for the down payment, when i buy this next car i want my down payment to be more than half the cost of the car. (including the money ill get when i sell my old one).

Besides, SRT-4 insurance would kill me, as well as the gas it guzzles. (i know like 4-6 people who own one, nothing new on my block)

 

[hsrdragger]

This would be my list
1.)Nissan 240sx- I was planning on getting a '97-'98 5spd and having a fully built 2.5L made with a supercharger that should be out in a year or two

2.)Subaru WRX Impreza- good car, a ***** to work on, but I also thought about making the purchase

3.)Ford Mustang- Everybody and their monkey's uncle has one, but that means there is a lot of parts for cheap

4.)Acura RSX- good looking fwd, but fwd are only fun in the winter 👍

5.)Acura Integra- too many of them, unless you get a 4dr GSR and keep it a sleeper

6.)Honda Civic Hatchback- has to be an early model ('93 body style), no Si "guppy-looking POS"

7.) Mitsubishi Eclipse- Good looking (doesn't need a body kit in my opinion), but the best one is the '99 body style (2nd gen.)

8.)Lancer OZ Rally- WHY? whats so special, the rims? 💡

These are just my opinions. If you wanna be an internet tough guy, BRING IT ON!
j/k

 

[sicbeing]

This would be my list
1.)Nissan 240sx- I was planning on getting a '97-'98 5spd and having a fully built 2.5L made with a supercharger that should be out in a year or two

2.)Subaru WRX Impreza- good car, a ***** to work on, but I also thought about making the purchase

3.)Ford Mustang- Everybody and their monkey's uncle has one, but that means there is a lot of parts for cheap

4.)Acura RSX- good looking fwd, but fwd are only fun in the winter 👍

5.)Acura Integra- too many of them, unless you get a 4dr GSR and keep it a sleeper

6.)Honda Civic Hatchback- has to be an early model ('93 body style), no Si "guppy-looking POS"

7.) Mitsubishi Eclipse- Good looking (doesn't need a body kit in my opinion), but the best one is the '99 body style (2nd gen.)

8.)Lancer OZ Rally- WHY? whats so special, the rims? 💡

These are just my opinions. If you wanna be an internet tough guy, BRING IT ON!
j/k

OZ Rally is just kool yo... dog.

Im probably not going to buy a miata, not bc of any gay issues or etc, just cuz i just dont like em.

I still may buy a 240sx if i can find one of a good deal, same goes for the impreza.

Mustang is uh.. eh.

 

[hsrdragger]

No, it's 155hp with average weight.

A manual 240SX will accelerate to 60mph in 9.5 seconds; an automatic won't beat ten. They're slower than hell and they don't even handle that well. My advice: steer clear. Its sole redeemable feature is rear-wheel drive.

a '97-'98 240sx 5spd will pull 0-60mph around 8.0secs depending on the driver obviously. And when you think of bad handling do you think pulling 0.88g stock is BAD! Because I don't!

 

[miata13B]

Besides, SRT-4 insurance would kill me, as well as the gas it guzzles. (i know like 4-6 people who own one, nothing new on my block)

How old are you? If you have a clean driving record and are over 25 you would be set. As for gas guzzler, any car can be a gas guzzler if you only have one speed which is called "Peg-Legged". Especially with an I-4, you can get some pretty good gas mileage out of it.

 

[1X83Z]

if i bought the so called 2nd gen miata, would i be able to do things to it like turbo charge it, etc? All id really want when i get this next car is the muffler assembly, turbo charged, air intake kit, rims, and all that good stuff.

There's an aftermarket following but I'm the wrong person to ask about aftermarket modifications. I'm sure you can turbocharge - hell, Mazda did it - but I have no idea how, or where you'd get it, or what it would cost. People on this forum will have a better idea than me, though.

Well, why not start with a car already turbo charged - ie the Dodge Omni. . .

Come on. These things are 20 years old and they look 30. Anyone who recommends them is recommending a rustbucket and anyone who buys one is going to be getting a motoring reject. Its only redeemable quality will be a 20-year-old turbocharged engine that didn't even produce that much stock horsepower. Stay far away from the Dodge Omni.

a '97-'98 240sx 5spd will pull 0-60mph around 8.0secs depending on the driver obviously. And when you think of bad handling do you think pulling 0.88g stock is BAD! Because I don't!

I'm not about to buy that. If it does 0-60 in 8 seconds then my car can operate under water. 240SXs are slow and best left to posers. Miata's the best bet here, no question.

 

[miata13B]

Come on. These things are 20 years old and they look 30. Anyone who recommends them is recommending a rustbucket and anyone who buys one is going to be getting a motoring reject. Its only redeemable quality will be a 20-year-old turbocharged engine that didn't even produce that much stock horsepower. Stay far away from the Dodge Omni.

I knew that car would eventually get under your skin there M5, thus my purpose of putting it there. : ) With 15 grand, you can easily fix anything on that car, plus have some left over for performance. All you need is a good frame in my personal opinion, but since this must be a daily driver. . . You got 15 grand, why not a '89 M3. Bulletproof engine, excellent performer, and not too expensive to fix, especially since the aftermarket embraces older BMWs with better priced aftermarket parts versus stockers?

 

[sicbeing]

How old are you? If you have a clean driving record and are over 25 you would be set. As for gas guzzler, any car can be a gas guzzler if you only have one speed which is called "Peg-Legged". Especially with an I-4, you can get some pretty good gas mileage out of it.

I am 18, but i do have a clean record, but im not old enough.

And no that thing would kill me on gas , even if i dont red line it all the time. At Least compared to my civic.

I was almost positive the SRT4 was a 6 cyl

 

[sicbeing]

I knew that car would eventually get under your skin there M5, thus my purpose of putting it there. : ) With 15 grand, you can easily fix anything on that car, plus have some left over for performance. All you need is a good frame in my personal opinion, but since this must be a daily driver. . . You got 15 grand, why not a '89 M3. Bulletproof engine, excellent performer, and not too expensive to fix, especially since the aftermarket embraces older BMWs with better priced aftermarket parts versus stockers?

that omnis or wtv it was looked horrible, id never buy that thing

 

[1X83Z]

I knew that car would eventually get under your skin there M5, thus my purpose of putting it there. : ) With 15 grand, you can easily fix anything on that car, plus have some left over for performance.

And what happens in three years when you have to completely rebuild the engine, reupholster the interior, and completely refresh the chassis?

You got 15 grand, why not a '89 M3. Bulletproof engine, excellent performer, and not too expensive to fix, especially since the aftermarket embraces older BMWs with better priced aftermarket parts versus stockers?

$15k is price break on those - even if he somehow finds one under $15, it will barely be under and won't leave much room for mods or (more likely) repairs.

 

[ND4SPD]

Has anyone said '95 BMW 325I? You can get them for well under 10 grand. How about an M3 of the same year. You can find them under 15 grand these days.

 

[Joey D]

Once again I will recommend a Corrado VR6, you get great power, decent mileage, and there are quite a fews parts for them. Sure it's FWD but you aren't going to find to many RWD's in your price range. I'm sure M5 would agree with me on this because I remember he pushed these for a while. They are really good car though and you will get a ton of people asking "what is that?" Be different!