New Car

[MasterGT-R34]

Hi. I'm got some money and I'm wondering what I should get as my first car. I'm looking into getting a 95' Thunderbird. To try drifting or maybe an Acura Legend. the price is between $500-$1000 Thanks for your input.

 

[toyomatt84]

I'd say go with the Acura Legend. You'll save money in the long run with the fuel mileage and maintenance. That, and Acura Legends look gorgeous when tastefully modified.

 

[skip0110]

Well, I'll say T-bird, my buddy has a '97 LX V8 with the sport package and it's a nice balanced comfortable big ride. The 4.6 gets 21 mpg at 70 mph on the highway too, not too bad, that's with a Superchips too...

EDIT: The Superchips is worth the money, I would say, btw. Don't get a K&N though, it gets oil on the MAF and makes the car run rich, you'll ruin the cats...

 

[YSSMAN]

Ummm, for $500-1000 for a first car?

I would recomend trying to find something that is easy to work on and is rather reliable. The Legend and Thunderbird are both good cars, but I would be looking for something that I wouldnt worry too much about if anything happened.

My first car was a $1200 VW Fox GL Wolfsburg, and although it was a bit rough around the edges, it was a great first car. It consistantly got over 30MPG on the 1.8L 8V engine (only 120,000 miles), and was very comfortable crusing around town. The clutch and transmission was a bit sticky from not being used before I bought it, but that gradually changed. The only problems I ever had with the car were electrical and a leaking down pipe, but it was otherwise trouble-free.

You should be more focused on a car like that for your first whip. It may not be cool, and it may not be fast, but the important part is that it works well, and gets you around town safely and effectively.

Check out a Rabbit/Golf, Jetta, or Quantum/Passat. They are all pretty good cars, and are all pretty reliable and fairly easy to work on. If you can find one, a VW Scirocco can be found pretty cheap, and the old 16V models were pretty quick for FWD 1.8L cars...

 

[toyomatt84]

Ummm, for $500-1000 for a first car?

I would recomend trying to find something that is easy to work on and is rather reliable. The Legend and Thunderbird are both good cars, but I would be looking for something that I wouldnt worry too much about if anything happened.

My first car was a $1200 VW Fox GL Wolfsburg, and although it was a bit rough around the edges, it was a great first car. It consistantly got over 30MPG on the 1.8L 8V engine (only 120,000 miles), and was very comfortable crusing around town. The clutch and transmission was a bit sticky from not being used before I bought it, but that gradually changed. The only problems I ever had with the car were electrical and a leaking down pipe, but it was otherwise trouble-free.

You should be more focused on a car like that for your first whip. It may not be cool, and it may not be fast, but the important part is that it works well, and gets you around town safely and effectively.

Check out a Rabbit/Golf, Jetta, or Quantum/Passat. They are all pretty good cars, and are all pretty reliable and fairly easy to work on. If you can find one, a VW Scirocco can be found pretty cheap, and the old 16V models were pretty quick for FWD 1.8L cars...

👍👍 Yeah, that's all I need to say. Great post.

 

[Jim Prower]

What about a Chevy S-10? they're fairly common, plenty of aftermarket stuff, can get OEM replacement parts in any respectable junkyard.

and you can put a small block in, if you like.

I know it's a truck, but it'd be a pretty reliable one. Go for the first-gen models, they're a bit cheaper and easier to work on. Go for a 2wd, too, since they're also a bit more reliable. The V6 has appreciable punch, and doesn't sound like a ricer when uncorked. And, if you want to Drift it, look for the stick, or, even better, pull the stick from a Camaro: Itt'l bolt right up.

 

[toyomatt84]

Have you driven in Wisconsin, Jim Prower? You're telling the guy to get a RWD pickup... in Wisconsin. Not exactly the most brilliant idea.

*Side note: I actually pulled an S-10 Extreme out of the ditch last year... with my Civic.

 

[Jim Prower]

I live in a rustbelt state. In fact, in Illinois.

I'm just saying what sort of cheap cars I see around here. Besides, the first-gen S-10 (the one i've been harping) is alright in snow. my dad owned one.

 

[MazKid]

I'd say go for the Legend - better reliability and with front wheel drive it'll go in the snow and keep you from drifting until you actually know how to drive and control a car.

$500-$1000 is feasable, but not very practical. Anything you get in that price range will need work and parts, and unless you've got access to junkyards, know how to fix the car, and more money, you won't be able to do it.

 

[blargonator]

i can vouch for the old VWs. i have a 88' GTI 1.8 16 valve. its not fast but its quick and you can have plenty of fun with them. just get something pretty basic and just have fun with it. if you feel like getting sideways you can always try some trail braking

 

[YSSMAN]

For $1000, those are slim pickings wherever you go...

We talking about cars like the Mazda 323, Honda CRX, Ford Escort or Fiesta, outrageously old Cavaliers and Sunbirds, etc...

I'd recomend saving up a bit more money. IMO, "respectable" cars arent going to really start showing up untill $1500 or more...

 

[MasterGT-R34]

I also just found a 1991 Lexus ES250 and a Audi 5000. Do you guys know anything about that.


P.S. Thanks for the info

 

[Jim Prower]

I also just found a 1991 Lexus ES250 and a Audi 5000. Do you guys know anything about that.


P.S. Thanks for the info

Both cars would cost a bit to insure. Anything with a "Lexus" emblem is "Stealable," while the Audi's hard to get parts for.

 

[High-Test]

Both cars would cost a bit to insure. Anything with a "Lexus" emblem is "Stealable," while the Audi's hard to get parts for.

Don't do the lexus. There's probably a reason why it's near your price range. Also, even though the parts are made by Toyota, they cost twice as much as the same part destined for a toyota vehicle.

Maybe try a government siezure auction?

 

[toyomatt84]

Both cars would cost a bit to insure. Anything with a "Lexus" emblem is "Stealable," while the Audi's hard to get parts for.

Exactamundo. 👍

Also, Lexus parts aren't cheap either. I've also seen Audi's as a maintenance nightmare. Friend of mine bought a brand new A6, and within 2 months had to take it into the shop for a new engine. It threw a connecting rod, after it spun the bearing. I wasn't there for the actual incident, but this wasn't just some hoser who pounds on a car, until it breaks.

 

[Jay]

Even if he was thrashing the car it still shouldn't spin a bearing and throw a rod after on a new car like that, that must have been a manufacturing fault.

 

[YSSMAN]

...The Audi 5000 is an okay car, but parts are pretty damn expensive, and extremely hard to find should anything go wrong with her.

Someone mentioned state auctions, and I would highly suggest looking for a used Police cruiser. They may not always be in the best condition overall, but they are mechanically well maintained (assuming the department had the funds to maintain them), and since they have the heavy-duty parts to begin with, they dont break off quite as easy.

Right now, the most popular Police models are going to be the 1992 to about 2000-ish Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptors. Most of them had 4.6L OHC V8s, pushing out between 220HP and as much as 250HP in more recent (post 2003 models). Fuel economy is "okay" for such a big car, and adaption of high-performance pieces is pretty easy, as many of the pieces are taken right out of the Mustang.

...However, the real diamond in the rough is going to be the infamous 1991-1996 Chevrolet Caprice 9C1 interceptors. Post 1994 models were powered with the same 260HP V8 found in the Chevrolet Camaro Z/28, the cars were FAST for their size, and could run upwards of 140MPH without breaking a sweat.

The problem is, they are getting hard to find, as they are being bought up by collectors and gearheads because of their high-performance capabilities. You can find cheaper versions of the 9C1 with either the 5.0L V8 (170HP) or later 4.3L V8 (200HP)... They obviously arent as fast as the top-line 9C1s, but are great cars nontheless.

 

[toyomatt84]

Even if he was thrashing the car it still shouldn't spin a bearing and throw a rod after on a new car like that, that must have been a manufacturing fault.

Maybe, but it was still a maintenance nightmare.

 

[SRV2LOW4ME]

Just buy a moped and be the envy of every 12 year old boy you see.

 

[Wolfe]

NO!! Madison already has many, many, many more mopeds than it could ever need, although they're all concentrated around the UW Campus...

Sorry, I was reminded of that fact today when I had to drive downtown.

 

[MasterGT-R34]

I'm just trying to find something that is unique to all the ricers in my city. Do any of you know any cars like that. But still cheap? Also Is the Lexus or Audi Rwd or Awd(Audi)
If Thanks for all the info.

 

[MasterGT-R34]

What about a Chevy S-10? they're fairly common, plenty of aftermarket stuff, can get OEM replacement parts in any respectable junkyard.

and you can put a small block in, if you like.

I know it's a truck, but it'd be a pretty reliable one. Go for the first-gen models, they're a bit cheaper and easier to work on. Go for a 2wd, too, since they're also a bit more reliable. The V6 has appreciable punch, and doesn't sound like a ricer when uncorked. And, if you want to Drift it, look for the stick, or, even better, pull the stick from a Camaro: Itt'l bolt right up.

What about a olds bravada?

 

[YSSMAN]

I'm just trying to find something that is unique to all the ricers in my city. Do any of you know any cars like that. But still cheap? Also Is the Lexus or Audi Rwd or Awd(Audi)
If Thanks for all the info.

I belive at the time, the Audi was FWD. As for the Lexus, it is FWD as well, as it is based on the Toyota Camry.

I was trying to find an old issue of Car and Driver that I know I have laying around that delt with your issue. It was from 1989 which attempted to find the best performance car for $20,000. Contestants included the Subaru SVX, Nissan 240SX, Honda Prelude Si 2.0, Ford Probe Tubro, Mazda MX6 Turbo (essentially the same car as the Probe), Ford Mustang LX 5.0, and Mitsubishi Eclipse GS-T.

If I can remember correctly, here is what they said:

- Subaru SVX: Quirky, heavy, and expensive. But a good car!
- Nissan 240SX: Performs well, but too expensive for what you get.
- Honda Prelude Si: Not enough power, but a great pick if on a budget.
- Probe/MX-6: Good cars, not the best, but perform exceptionally well.
- Ford Mustang LX 5.0: A great deal! Definately the fastest in the straights, but the GT model is needed to get the best performance.
- Mitsubishi Exlipse GS-T: It was the winner overall, best combination of everything.

...Then I found an issue of Road and Track from Febuary 1990. It was their special "Sports and GT" issue for 1990, and included in it everything from the Honda CRX to the Ferrari Testarossa.

May I recomend:
- Honda CRX
- Mazda Miata
- VW Corrado G60
- Infiniti M30
- Acura Legend
- Mustang LX or GT 5.0
- Camaro IROC or Firebird GTA

All noted above may be able to be found for less than $2000, but you are going to have to search long and hard. They are great cars (atleast from the standpoint of the 1990s), and would serve both your performance aspirations as well as your daily commute needs.

 

[Jim Prower]

What about a olds bravada?

It might cost you a bit more, or, perhaps not, depending on who's selling and the condition, but, in reality, it's nothing more than a tarted-up Blazer, which is the SUV version of the S-10. I'd still reccommend the S-10 or GMC S15/Jimmy, though, first-gen.

The Mustang and Camaro are also good cars, but will cost a bit more to insure...young drivers drive them fast, therefore they're a liability. But, they'll make good drivers if you KEEP IT ON THE TRACK! I'd reccommend looking for a four or six cyl. model, and modifying them progressively, starting with the suspension, and then going for a crate V8.

 

[graveslids]

I'm just trying to find something that is unique to all the ricers in my city. Thanks for all the info.

Something unique to most americans is the civic wagon. It can be had with either FWD or AWD. They are getting more difficult to find, but a perfectly drivable one can be had for $1500 +/-. Either came with the the 1.5l in the FWD or the 1.6l out of the Civic/CRX Si in the AWD model. The FWD manual gets around 33mpg @ 75mph, from my recollection the AWD manual does around 26mpg @ 75mpg.

What you'd be looking for-

At around $1500


The "Real Time 4 Wheel Drive"


And something to shoot for after you get some $$

 

[YSSMAN]

AWD Civic, wOOt!

 

[SRV2LOW4ME]

That'd be pretty cool, not many people around here (Canada) could say they have an AWD Civic. Plus, later down the road, you could turn it into one sweet sleeper. 👍

 

[Jim Prower]

Something unique to most americans is the civic wagon. It can be had with either FWD or AWD. They are getting more difficult to find, but a perfectly drivable one can be had for $1500 +/-. Either came with the the 1.5l in the FWD or the 1.6l out of the Civic/CRX Si in the AWD model. The FWD manual gets around 33mpg @ 75mph, from my recollection the AWD manual does around 26mpg @ 75mpg.

What you'd be looking for-

At around $1500
View attachment 57871

The "Real Time 4 Wheel Drive"
View attachment 57872

And something to shoot for after you get some $$
View attachment 57873

You've gotta be kiddding me! they actually made a Civic with AWD? Why didn't they Rally it?

never mind, anywy, if you can find one, that'd be a great car! really unique!

 

[skip0110]

You've gotta be kiddding me! they actually made a Civic with AWD? Why didn't they Rally it?

never mind, anywy, if you can find one, that'd be a great car! really unique!

They also made one with a part-time "real" 4WD, complete with a limited slip solid rear axle and a low gear for creeping hills. I owned one. It was fun in the snow.

It was an '85. Sold it for $120. It is still on the road.

Not a performace car though. 76 hp CVCC 1.5 L carbed engine.

Oh yeah, and because of the carb, I got like 9 mpg in the winter

I can easily say the seats were the most comfortable that I have ever sat in. In any car.

 

[MasterGT-R34]

Does the old filp up light's prelude have 4wd because I saw one with 4ws.