YSSMAN's Infinite Crisis: Blackest Night (Post #816)

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Lets put it this way; The more Ford adapts and makes things more like GM, the more I've liked their cars and trucks. Go back five years, there wasn't a company I hated more than Ford. These days, I'd sit them further back in my top-five, but nevertheless, they've come a long way.

The Focus wins on decent looks, decent performance at a decent price. I'd love to get an SVT, I really would, but insurance costs again get in the way. There was one for sale near my fathers home not too long ago and I had a look. Its a really nice car, but I'm not sure I could keep the payments rolling.

...I probably should talk to my agent and see what he says about pricing...

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Oh, and I don't hate Honda. I really do like Hondas, honestly. Just not all of them... I miss the Prelude. Love the Accord to death (not the new one). Miss the classic Civics. Will miss the S2000 dearly...

As far as the Japanese brands are concerned, Honda easily sits at the top closely followed by Nissan.
 
I didn't read the entire thread, but is a standard (last-gen) Impreza out of the question? You could get lucky and find a nice wagon variant.
 
YSSMAN
One problem: Automatic transmissions
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One more problem, they suck.

Tophaticent
You could get a Focus.
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ONLY if he got an SVT or Roush model. A standard Focus isn't as fun as the SVT/Roush. BUT, the regular models are dirt cheap to buy and maintain along with really cheap insurance. I would get an '04 with the 2.3L personally since the 2.3L is the best engine for mods. Aviod the D20 2.0L at all costs. And the ZETEC while massive in the aftermarket world...I don't care for it. It really lacks power--and that's saying something since the D20 isn't that powerful as-is.

YSSMAN
I've been considering a Focus as well, but they're hard to find how I like them (usually a ZTW with the Mazda-built 2.3L I4 and a stick). Otherwise, they're not a bad option. However, I don't know if they'd be nearly as "cheap" as a Miata, or as reliable as the Subaru.
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ZTW is the estate, aviod it like the plague. Lack of aftermarket support (exterior)--and you couldn't clone a European RS with it. The best models to get are the ZX3 3dr and the ZX5 5dr. You know I've owned two (both ZX3 and ZX5) so I can certify that they are insanely reliable, fun to drive, cheap to run, cheap to insure, and most importanty they can be converted to V8 RWD should you choose to take that step. :sly:👍
 
JCE3000GT
YSS, as a former Maxima owner twice over I have to unfortunately not recommend it...the insurance is not cheap due to them (the newer ones) being targets of theft. If you can afford the insurance get one of these with a 6spd manual and you'll love it:

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Remember the 2000-2001 model Maximas still had the VG30 in them (222bhp), you'll need to get a 2002-2003 in this generation to get the VQ35 (245bhp).
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They really are carjack magnets? No wonder we had so many carjack stories on the boards back then... I pity some of those guys, the ton of money they sunk into their cars... only to have them stolen, stripped, and left to rot on some random street corner...
 
JCE3000GT
ZTW is the estate, aviod it like the plague. Lack of aftermarket support (exterior)--and you couldn't clone a European RS with it.
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Mods usually aren't my thing, especially cosmetic ones. I like my cars clean and simple, at most maybe a wheel change, and thats about it. The thing is with the ZTW, no one would expect it to be fast, and when it is, its utterly shocking. Its part of the reason why I had wanted an MKIV Jetta Wagon with the 1.8T for so long, there is a lot that can be done to the car to make it rather quick...

...Same story with the Forester, particularly the XT, which can easily match a WRX with very little modification...

Focus is pretty much a last resort I suppose. I had an interesting convo with Azureman last night and I'm begining to settle on the Miata a bit more, mostly on the pricing and reliability of the car overall. After my exams are finished this afternoon, depending on how tired I am, I may stop by the Mazda dealer to see what they have on the lot and talk to them about it... Just to feel it out a bit more.
 
Miatas are fantastic cars, very reliable and nearly perfect 50/50 weight distribution. Put some snow tires on it in the winter and it'll be just fine, even though it's RWD. I've seen plenty of Miatas with well over 200,000 miles on them, no problem. I've seen one with over 400,000 miles on it too. Original engine, transmission was replaced at 390,000 miles.
 
Thirdeye
Original engine, transmission was replaced at 390,000 miles.
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Wow. A B-series-powered Honda would be getting ready for its 4th timing belt.

Okay, fanboy joke aside, I get your point. Lots of cars last a long time if you take care of them. Unfortunately people don't, and I don't think YSSMAN is too concerned about how his car will hold up when he's got 200,000 on the odometer. He's not going to have to worry about much of anything on any car as long as it doesn't have over 50,000 miles on it. Hell, depending on how much he drives that'll leave 4 or 5 years of fail-proof driving. It should, anyway. If not, he should have bought something else. :lol:
 
If you can get over looking like a girl driving a girl's car (MX-5) go for it. AND, you can still stick a 302 V8 under the bonnet. ;) I knew a guy who did it.
 
I'm leaning pretty heavily towards the Mazda now that I've sorted pricing out. Once I get my bills paid-off, I think I'm going to head South and pick one up. Probably.
 
My VW is upsetting me as of late, so I'm pretty sure I will once the weather warms up and school gets out. Thing is, I've got to find someone to buy the Jetta. Shouldn't be too much of a problem, I think...

Only other issue is what color Miata to get. BR Green seems like the most "manly" color, although Black isn't bad either. I found a white one that I really liked, but that may be too "gay" for me...
 
Light blue! :D

Like I mentioned earlier in the thread, I saw a dark dark purple Miata (I think it’s called Black Cherry) that just melted my heart. I really wish my dad hadn’t talked me out of it.

Silver and red are also good colors.
 
YSSMAN
My VW is upsetting me as of late, so I'm pretty sure I will once the weather warms up and school gets out. Thing is, I've got to find someone to buy the Jetta. Shouldn't be too much of a problem, I think...

Only other issue is what color Miata to get. BR Green seems like the most "manly" color, although Black isn't bad either. I found a white one that I really liked, but that may be too "gay" for me...
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White! The sportiest, purest color of all. It is a sports car after all. And screw practicality; you're not planning on getting married and having kids, eh? It's time to stop being so mature. That's not to say the Miata isn't mature, because it is. Just not when you're cruising down the Dragon...
 
I never used to really like convertibles.... until I drove a Miata. That thing is a blast to drive with top off.

If you are looking for a used Miata, try to get one with a top in decent shape. I've been hearing that hardtop is really nice, if you can find one. And that they are often targeted by thieves.

Materials for replacing Miata softtop can't be too expensive, but they are supposed to be a real pain in the butt to install.
 
Keef
White! The sportiest, purest color of all. It is a sports car after all. And screw practicality; you're not planning on getting married and having kids, eh? It's time to stop being so mature. That's not to say the Miata isn't mature, because it is. Just not when you're cruising down the Dragon...
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Are you honestly sticking up for the Miata after I beg you day in and day out to consider it and you refuse?
 
YSSMAN doesn't have a brand loyalty that's as hindering as mine. A Miata's a great car and probably a better sports car than any Civic. Nevermind the fact that a 10+ year old Integra Type R can easily beat a brand new R32 around a track, or that a local guy in an EG hatch wins every autocross he enters...

But yes, Miatas are awesome. I'm prepared to own a lesser sports car because it's what I want.
 
Well, YSS, If anyone bugs you about the MX-5, tell them to follow you on a winding road and see what happens...

I mean, it is one of the most popular SCCA race cars for a reason, right?

Keef, I sense much sarcasm in your posts...what would you rather him get, an S2000? Bit out of the price range...
and every 17 year old Import fan has a Civic or Integra... It takes a real man to buy a Miata...to use it for it's intended purpose.
 
I had been considering, seriously, an S2000 after I looked into insurance prices. They're only about $40 a month over the Miata. Thing is, even an original is sitting at $15K these days, thats double what I'd really want to spend. But nevertheless, a lovely car.

...Hell, I even considered a Z3 at one point, and then I remembered how much a friend of ours didn't like hers (a 2.3 model as I recall), and I scratched that one too...

First things first, the Jetta has to be picked back up. Then I'll start to see how hard it would be to get a Miata come the end of school in May. Maybe-ish, depends on the funding of course (w00t?).
 
I've always wanted an S2000, but unless I divorce my wife and sell my kids, this will never happen. Until then, I'll have to live vicariously though LoudMusic or yourself, should you get one. :)
 
No problems with that. Should I in fact have the Miata, maybe I'll be cool like all the racer kids and install a camera on the roll-bars and give everyone a ride on GTP...
 
What about a 2002-2006 Mini Cooper S? Most of them were sold with a 6 speed manual transmission and you should be able to find a nice used one for under $14,000 with about 40,000 miles on it. They handle quite nicely and they are a bit more practical then a Miata would be since they still have a back seat and a small boot in which to put stuff it.

I can't imagine the insurance on them is god awful for an older one.
 
YSSMAN
I had been considering, seriously, an S2000 after I looked into insurance prices. They're only about $40 a month over the Miata. Thing is, even an original is sitting at $15K these days, thats double what I'd really want to spend. But nevertheless, a lovely car.
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If you really want to treat yourself, get a stook. It is worth every penny the premium over a Miata. And this is coming from a former Miata owner. Check it over carefully though. Many of them have lived pretty hard lives.

YSSMAN
...Hell, I even considered a Z3 at one point, and then I remembered how much a friend of ours didn't like hers (a 2.3 model as I recall), and I scratched that one too...
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Unless you get a raging deal, I would avoid any Z3 that isn't the 3.0 or M. A 2.8 isn't too bad, but you'd be far better off with a good Miata or S2000. The 2.3 is a little lazy and has no LSD, while the 1.8 is gutless and flaccid.

The problem with the Z3 has always been power. If it had too little power, you couldn't indulge in what the chassis had to offer. If it had too much power, the chassis never managed to keep up and you ended up flapping your arms around a lot. IMO, the 3.0 and 2.8 is the sweet spot with that car. Even the M version always felt a little unresolved to me, but is still a fun car to drive.

Now the Z3 Coupe is an entirely different proposition.


M
 
Joey D
What about a 2002-2006 Mini Cooper S? Most of them were sold with a 6 speed manual transmission and you should be able to find a nice used one for under $14,000 with about 40,000 miles on it. They handle quite nicely and they are a bit more practical then a Miata would be since they still have a back seat and a small boot in which to put stuff it.

I can't imagine the insurance on them is god awful for an older one.
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Too much money and no dealer network pretty much ends the fun there. I'm really looking to spend less than $10K, at most, and with Miatas flying around for $6000 or less (yes, I'm looking at NA models at the moment), thats much closer to my price range.

Target spending, insurance and car payment combined, is $300 a month or less. With the Miata, shooting between $6000-7500, I could squeeze under there without much of a problem.

But yeah, I'd love a MINI. I just don't want to have to drive three hours to have anything done on it...

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On the S2K

Its much the same deal with the MINI. Its a bit out of range for what I can afford (I still have to pay for school and such), but nevertheless, is something that I'm totally interested in later on. I know it would make Grandpa jealous, he has nearly bought one six or seven times, but he doesn't like only having a manual (wussie-ish... He is 73 after all, but he still runs that Prelude hard).
 
Gotcha, I probably missed where your target price was.

But you wouldn't have to drive 3 hours...wait what are you walking to this side of the state? I can make it to GR in under 2 hours and I know right about where you live. Anyways you should be able to get a Mini serviced at a BMW dealership if need be. But that doesn't matter since it's out of your price range.

A Miata wouldn't be a bad car, I've only ever driven a real old school 93 Miata before so I'm not really an expert on them. I assume you are looking at something a bit newer?
 
I'm shooting at either '96-'97 or a '99-'00, they all fit within range pretty easy. I'm a bit impartial to the NA models simply because they were built for so long, so parts are everywhere, but the additional stuff from the NB cars would be nice (nicer interior, optional six-speed, more power in '01).

Generally speaking, I'm not looking to spend much money if at all possible. The VW did that really well for a long time, but now its doing a good job of needing things every couple thousand miles... I don't like that.

With the Miata, if I can find one with 100K on the clock, I could easily run it for five or six years without having to replace much... The only major investments being snow tires and a hard-top.
 

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