Looking for a car AGAIN! XD

[Takumi Fujiwara]

Well, I still am in the search for a car. Every time it seems like I've settled on something, my requirements change, or my funding, whatever.

Anyway... this time around, it's looking like I can make payments on a car up to about $20, maybe a bit more. The car needs to be not more than a couple years old, and less than 50k or so miles. In this case, priority goes to performance. I'd like something that is reasonably light and handles great. Power is an important, but secondary, concern. Obviously, though, it's got to be something that's livable as a daily driver. I want something that'll be fun on a twisty road or a tight track.

Any suggestions?

Sadly, one choice I really wanted, a Mazdaspeed Miata, which can be had in my range, isn't a possibility.

 

[neanderthal]

mini cooper S

 

[eliseracer]

Used Honda S2000.

 

[ND4SPD]

Just wondering, was anything salvageable from the 240 that got wrecked? I liked that car a lot man.

 

[Takumi Fujiwara]

Sadly, very little. A lot of the suspension could have been saved, but I didn't have to equipment to work with such a badly damaged car. I believe the motor was still good, too, but, again, no way to pull it.

S2000 is high on my list, I'm finding them in my price range. I hadn't thought about the Mini, but I've run with them, and they are quite impressive, I'll look into that.

I often find myself wishing that any car could be bought new... imagine a year or two old 1st gen MR2, an FC3S, or a 240Z, being able to get one now.

 

[eliseracer]

Speaking of MR2s. Any of them can be had in that price range, and they are pretty cracking cars, even the newer ones.

 

[Takumi Fujiwara]

Honestly, the new ones don't handle sharply enough for my tastes. They're fun at moderate speeds, but really plow on corner entrances at high speed, unless heavy suspension work is done. I prefer the balance of an FR to the rear bias of the MR2, anyway.

 

[Blackbird.]

Neon SRT-4, but may not be a practical car

I haven't checked the pricing on these but Acura RSX Type-S (or non Type-S model)

 

[Ev0]

If you can't afford a Mazdaspeed Miata, why not go for a regular Miata?

Aside from that, pretty much every car I'd suggest has already been mentioned by someone else. My 1st choice would be a Mini Cooper S.

 

[Drifting Thunda]

I agree with the Miata suggestion.

 

[Joey D]

Neon SRT-4, but may not be a practical car

I haven't checked the pricing on these but Acura RSX Type-S (or non Type-S model)

Used 2001 NSX goes for 60k which would be an utter waster of money considering the amount of new cars you could get with that money.

What about an Audi TT? They can be had for low 20's and even into the teen's. They are cool little cars.

 

[Drifting Thunda]

Used 2001 NSX goes for 60k which would be an utter waster of money considering the amount of new cars you could get with that money.

That's why he said RSX Type-S

 

[Joey D]

I think I need to put my glasses on and drink some coffee. It was a late night last night.

 

[neanderthal]

some corvette C5s are getting under 20K.

 

[Takumi Fujiwara]

On the Miata subject, here's the deal. My parents are helping me with the down and cosigning the loan, so I can get the car as soon as I find new work. Some of you may remember that I crashed my dad's Miata a couple years back. Because of that, they say absolutely no Miatas.

I think the S2K is a real possibility. For some reason, I really want a drop top, I just find myself thinking how nice it'd be, especially in these LA summers. I am actually considering the 3rd gen MR2, but it really doesn't handle up to par in GT4, by my standards. I wish there were a way to test drive one in a performance situation. Honestly, though, I probably won't be pushing it hard enough to worry about the understeer at the far limit, though. The only real problem is the complete lack of storage space.

 

[ND4SPD]

Why not another 240SX?

 

[Event]

I would suggest a manual Acura RSX Type-S. Manual cars are always fun, and RSX's are light and nimble, and the Type-S has some speed. Plus, they can be had for in your price range.

But if you can convince your parents, go for a Mazdaspeed Miata.
http://autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?c...h&advanced=&isp=y&start_year=2000&cardist=337

 

[Takumi Fujiwara]

No more 240SX, I need something reasonably new, and that'll perform stock. Maybe another one later on, but I need a reliable, nice, car, not something that's gonna be old. Besides, 240s are slow as hell without a motor swap, and, even with one, they can't match the competition.

An RSX would be considerable, although I'd rather not go FWD. I also really do want a convertable this time around.

 

[Joey D]

Cheap convertable RWD? Mustang or Camaro are pretty much the only non girly convertables I can think of. Miatas are kind of meh, they can really go either way. I personally don't like them.

However you can get a TT in roadster form.

As for a C5? I haven't seen many under 20k that are in half way decent condition. Many of them have stuff wrong with them. But I would not get a vette considering you will pay a fortune in insurence.

 

[Takumi Fujiwara]

Hell, Mustang 'verts, even GTs, are pretty damn girly. Pretty much anything with back seats and a drop top is a girl car. Camaro is the same way, to a degree. They're way too big, anyway.

S2000 is defenitely not a girl car. The Mazdaspeed Miata isn't, either, that turbo pretty much eradicates the "girl car" image. Personally, though, I don't mind having a "girly car", but the convertibles that fit that image don't perform the way I need.

 

[retsmah]

CudaMan at GranTurismoX.net says the Mk3 MR2s handle very well when equipped with the TRD suspension kit, i believe its called a 'sportivo' kit. He does quite a bit of racing, I'd imagine if he says it handles well then it handles well

 

[Takumi Fujiwara]

Ah, sounds like good news. Any idea what that kit runs? Maybe I could get a loan for the price of the car + the kit. I've found one near here for about 16k, with only 11k on it.

 

[1X83Z]

Mini Cooper S.

 

[Takumi Fujiwara]

Haha, well, if M5 says so, I guess I'll have to go test one!

By the way, for the record, you were right about the Prius. I've been driving it recently, what a piece. It's the most horribly designed car I've ever driven. I'm only 5'9", so I'm not tall, but the car appears to have been designed for a midget. The steering wheel is way too far away, picture a telescoping wheel all the way forward, but unable to be pulled back, when the pedals are already too close, and that's with the seat painfully upright. In said position, I'm nearly hitting my head on the ceiling, and the rearview mirror is directly at eye level. The dash and wheel are also way too low, as well. In a normal car, if you've got your arms at 9 and 3, at that same level you're at the top of the wheel. It's the most uncomfortable car I have ever driven, it's literally painful.

 

[Victor Vance]

I'd go with MR2 with that suspension kit

 

[1X83Z]

Yeah, I've heard one or two ergonomics complaints about the Prius - though my complaint is purely economic.

 

[Takumi Fujiwara]

Well, it looks like a very viable candidate has been found. A brand new Saab 92X Aero. Normally 28k, it's down to 19.5 with the big sales event GM has. For what's essentally a loaded WRX, it's an awesome deal.

Hilariously, I think we may be buying two of them on the same day! My dad, who's wanted a WRX for a while, but wanted a car more fitting of a 58 year old Art Director, can have a respectible Saab, with Subaru performance. So it seems like the two of us will each have one in a few days. Only difference is that he wants leather, and he's open to auto or stick, while I'll take either interior but only the manual.

 

[1X83Z]

Or you could get the Subaru.

You know, and not be a poser.

 

[Takumi Fujiwara]

The Saab version is close to 7k cheaper than its WRX cousin, and has an improved interior, steering and suspension, and an attractive redesign.

Besides, how is the Saab a poser? It's the opposite, a relatively normal looking wagon with a WRX hidden underneath. More of a sleeper than a poser.

 

[Joey D]

But if you get a Saab you might run into problems.

1. If its a convertable you will be thought of as a women.
2. If its not a convertable you will be a yuppie.

Other then that I love Saabs just because deep down at heart I am a yuppie I guess. Lower uppwer class, drinks Starbucks coffee, etc. God I hate myself.