Lets help pick out a new whip for mratom

[MrAtom]

I sold my truck to a friend. Im looking for a new cage. What should i get? I originally wanted a miata, but the only ones near me are by the coast, meaning theyre rusted out, or theyre owned by someone who clearly didnt take good care of it, or theyre owned by people who want way too much for them. (One of thems a trifecta!)

So! I want something else. I want something with at least average reliability and maybe fun to drive. Right now, im looking at a mitsubishi eclipse, a nissan 240sx, and a celica. I really like the eclipse, but these sellers are flakey, so it might not happen as theres only a few decent looking ones around here.

Also, i still briefly consider either a vw jetta or a new beetle (Theyre cute!) But new vw isnt really known for reliability, and i hear that if the battery dies, you cant just jump start it. You gotta tow it to a dealer and pay them to reset the computer. Thats some bullshit right there if its true.

Any suggestions on what i should pick up? Any objections to my current car choices? Id love to hear what you guys have to say!

[Brother Michigan]

Look into an older Subaru Legacy GT. Fun to drive, real practicality, Subaru reliability, and I think they look good without being flashy. If you're into tuning at all, you can make it into one hell of a sleeper, too.

[MrAtom]

Originally Posted by Brother Michigan

Look into an older Subaru Legacy GT. Fun to drive, real practicality, Subaru reliability, and I think they look good without being flashy. If you're into tuning at all, you can make it into one hell of a sleeper, too.

How old are we taking? I looked into some of the older subaru outbacks, and ive heard they werent too reliable. But, car reviews from the general public mean nothing. I looked at reviews on a 2002 ford focus and people were saying it was a fast, sporty car lol. Thats why i came here.

It does look like a neat car,though,but theres only one nearby and its automatic.

[Singh2jz]

-Mazdaspeed 3?
-gt86?
-mk3 supra?
-??????

[alex.s]

lotus elise!

[Brother Michigan]

Originally Posted by MrAtom

How old are we taking? I looked into some of the older subaru outbacks, and ive heard they werent too reliable. But, car reviews from the general public mean nothing. I looked at reviews on a 2002 ford focus and people were saying it was a fast, sporty car lol. Thats why i came here.

It does look like a neat car,though,but theres only one nearby and its automatic.

I'd say the 2004-2009 years would be the best, but even the 1998-2003s are decent (not as good looking to me, though).

[MrAtom]

Originally Posted by alex.s

lotus elise!

Not that I could afford one, but I hear the overall fit and finish on those is lacking from the folks at Top Gear.

Also, forgot to mention, I'm buying something cheap. "New" is a relative term here :P Honestly, if civics weren't priced so bad out here, and if Toyotas weren't even worse, this would be easy enough.

Oh, I spy a 2002 focus hatchback for $1200 that just needs a new clutch. Naturally I prefer imports over domestic, but it seems like a good buy for little money. It might be a bitch to replace the clutch because its fwd, but I could probably do it. Anyone have a bad experience with a ford focus?

[subxero]

you are in CA, where at? do you get snow or much bad weather? If not I would pass on the AWD Subaru, JMO

2011 civic Si 4door

one of the few cars I would buy again in a heart beat

do it all car.

Fun, economical, reliable, decent looks. If you have the cash you could get a newer Si, I just really like the 8th gen and the higher rev limit

If you are going to look at cars with turbo's WRX on the cheaper end of the spectrum, and the higher end Lancer's on the higher end of cost.

pass on the mazda speed 3, baseline wrx will be twice the car the speed3 will ever be

[MrAtom]

Norcal. The deep north. Not much bad weather, though. I looked at the 2nd gen wrxes and the cheapest one I could find was $8k with a salvage title. No way, José!

[Brother Michigan]

AWD isn't just for bad weather (in fact, without the proper tires, it's almost as useless as any other drivetrain in the snow), it's also for getting power down evenly and easily and to create more neutral handling.

[burningscooter]

what is your price range? from the looks of your potential car list, it looks like 6k. Is this correct?

[liberpolly]

Aren't Civics most stolen and most overpriced when used cars in America?

I'd go with Focus. The engine is a marvel, and newer Fords are every bit as reliable as Hondas or Toyotas. I got one as rental some time ago and loved every bit of it. If you can, try to find SVT version: http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/...t-drive-review

[spooph]

Can't help you shop without more information about your location and budget. However, if you're willing to fly out and drive the car back you can still find first gen miata's for a very good price all across the nation, including the air ticket. The beauty of the first gen miatas is how easy they are to work on, how cheap parts are, and how much after-market support there is for them. Good luck finding a 240sx in reasonable condition. Fast and Furious made sure all of those got ****ed up. An older VW GTI might also be a good bet, unfortunately it's VW and reliability isn't so hot. I agree about no Subaru, as a subaru owner. You have no need for AWD and Subaru's have terrible MPG's.... Also look at BMW Z3's, or old porsche's (914, 944) - a bitch and expensive to work on though. Also, don't forget the MR2, but those have an intense cult following and not many were sold.

Still think best bang for your buck would be a Miata from AZ, NV or a garage queen from the bread basket.

[spooph]

For instance: $2,500 http://denver.craigslist.org/cto/4886666309.html
$142 for the air ticket: http://www.travelocity.com/Flights-S...ce&mode=search

and if you want I can scope the car out for you, blah blah...

just a thought.

[subxero]

Originally Posted by Brother Michigan

AWD isn't just for bad weather (in fact, without the proper tires, it's almost as useless as any other drivetrain in the snow), it's also for getting power down evenly and easily and to create more neutral handling.

^ although true I doubt one has to worry about power delivery on a previously suggested Subaru outback or legacy But power delivery is also why I suggested an AWD WRX over a FWD Speed3 if looking at a car with a turbo

Looking at the vehicles mentioned in OP, few AWD vehicles fit in with the mentioned cars that would warrant AWD for good power delivery In short, we're not talkin lambo's here

Originally Posted by MrAtom

Norcal. The deep north. Not much bad weather, though. I looked at the 2nd gen wrxes and the cheapest one I could find was $8k with a salvage title. No way, José!

So a budget would be very helpful, no clue where you are at

Originally Posted by liberpolly

Aren't Civics most stolen and most overpriced when used cars in America?

I'd go with Focus. The engine is a marvel, and newer Fords are every bit as reliable as Hondas or Toyotas. I got one as rental some time ago and loved every bit of it. If you can, try to find SVT version: http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/...t-drive-review

So they are stolen a lot and retain their value and people are willing to pay higher prices for them used hmmmm interesting

2010 civic si 4door. Hands down IMO best bang for your buck do it all car I have ever owned, never got stolen BTW. I'll say it again, I would buy it over and over again loved that car

But it seems my suggestions were out of the OP's price range anyway

[MrAtom]

My budget is around $6kish. And, i kinda keep my location on the internet on the quiet to keep me from potentially getting in trouble

[liberpolly]

Originally Posted by subxero

So they are stolen a lot and retain their value and people are willing to pay higher prices for them used hmmmm interesting

Not to start a car war on a motorcycle forum, but I suspect it's because they are so popular among "soup can exhaust + giant rear wing + random carbon fiber + stanced + darkened" crowd.

[antiant]

I read the title of this thread and thought something completely different. I am disappoint.

[Brother Michigan]

Originally Posted by subxero

^ although true I doubt one has to worry about power delivery on a previously suggested Subaru outback or legacy

Stock, the flat-6 in the 3.0R is somewhere around 250 hp and 200 lb-ft of torque, which is decent, but the fun with the Subies is always in the modding.

[ninjamunky85]

truck > car... just sayin'

[JohnnyBravo]

Originally Posted by MrAtom

My budget is around $6kish. And, i kinda keep my location on the internet on the quiet to keep me from potentially getting in trouble

Just what you doing on this internets to get in trouble??? The NsA knows all

[crazymadbastard]

hows about an 2003-2005 audi a4 wagon turbo? should be about $3k and have 3k left to fix it

[subxero]

Originally Posted by liberpolly

Not to start a car war on a motorcycle forum, but I suspect it's because they are so popular among "soup can exhaust + giant rear wing + random carbon fiber + stanced + darkened" crowd.

keep tabs on civic drivers next time you are out and about.

[choneofakind]

Scion tC. Got mine in great shape, totally stock. 77,000 miles, $6300 a year and a half ago. Forward to now, 99,000 miles, gets 26-28 mpg, reliable simple toyota. A little fun but not overkill. I like it a lot and can't recommend them enough for the budget-optimized buyer of a fun-ish yet practical car.

[Alex]

Originally Posted by MrAtom

And, i kinda keep my location on the internet on the quiet to keep me from potentially getting in trouble

It's not quiet from everybody. Muahahahahahaha....

[Brother Michigan]

Originally Posted by crazymadbastard

hows about an 2003-2005 audi a4 wagon turbo? should be about $3k and have 3k left to fix it

That $3K might be enough to get it running properly, but he'd need that much again over the next three years with that 1.8T in there...

[verboten1]

Originally Posted by MrAtom

i hear that if the battery dies, you cant just jump start it. You gotta tow it to a dealer and pay them to reset the computer. Thats some bullshit right there if its true.

it's not true.

not sure where you heard that from, but it was misinformation.

My last (gas)jetta was towing 2 bikes at 265,000 miles when we got T-boned

my present (diesel) jetta is at 253,000 miles on the original clutch, towed 3 bikes to TN from MI and still got 32 MPG.


The wife has a '98 New Beetle with 350,000 kM, and it's fine.

all of my VWs have been at or above 250,000 miles when I upgrade to a newer one with 150,000 or so.



The goal for the diesel is 500,000 miles

[MrAtom]

Originally Posted by verboten1

it's not true.

not sure where you heard that from, but it was misinformation.

My last (gas)jetta was towing 2 bikes at 265,000 miles when we got T-boned

my present (diesel) jetta is at 253,000 miles on the original clutch, towed 3 bikes to TN from MI and still got 32 MPG.


The wife has a '98 New Beetle with 350,000 kM, and it's fine.

all of my VWs have been at or above 250,000 miles when I upgrade to a newer one with 150,000 or so.



The goal for the diesel is 500,000 miles

The beetle is a solid option again, then. I'm gonna get laid every night in that thing if I buy it.

[burningscooter]

Now that we know your budget is around 6kish. My vote is Lexus IS300.

[MrAtom]

Bought a 1997 civic for about 2 grand. Has an engine with 40k on it. Sadly, its an automatic, but what can you do?

I could have spent more, but this car at this price was decent for my area. Only problems, with it is the iacv needs to be either replaced or cleaned, needs a new throttle cable, and it needs the hood painted because some idiot had the bright idea to paint the hood black.

[alex.s]

Originally Posted by MrAtom

Bought a 1997 civic for about 2 grand. Has an engine with 40k on it. Sadly, its an automatic, but what can you do?

I could have spent more, but this car at this price was decent for my area. Only problems, with it is the iacv needs to be either replaced or cleaned, needs a new throttle cable, and it needs the hood painted because some idiot had the bright idea to paint the hood black.

the trans, you have a few options. many people sell the manual transmissions alone. some of them are mitsubishi if i remember right. others say honda on them. they both have the same mounting plate... you take the clutch with the manual trans. you swap over the trans and replace the selector with the cable shift from the civic trans. have the engine side plate resurfaced or it will wear down your clutch quicker than it should.

the more expensive option is to go with a full quaife dogbox trans which typically also includes a nice helical LSD. but you're looking at close to 2 or 3 grand just for the trans depending on a few things.

its pretty hard to break the iacv. the iacv is easy to clean but it can get grimy inside and jam. some carb cleaner to clean it out and then a little cable lube to get rid of the solvent works. just a couple bolts and the electrical plug. don't lose the orings. you might also need to adjust the fast idle control which is right next to the iacv behind a little plate with two philips hex screws. you take one screw out, and just loosen the other and rotate the plate out of the way and you can use a flat head to rotate the plastic piece on the inside in or out to adjust it up or down. its soft plastic so be careful. just put the flat head in on one side and twist, don't try to push... this is the setting for the fast idle when the engine is cold, so if you set it too high it will go back and forth between fast idle and slow idle. you can adjust it while its running.

it sounds like you have the 1.6 with the DOHC? it's a great motor to start with. it will do 300hp with stock fuel and electrical just increasing CR or adding boost. the ignition is supposed to be good up to 500hp. the case itself is said to handle upwards of 700hp before you start destroying things but you'll need a better crank and head if you want to go up that far.

[Singh2jz]

IS300 was a good option, but I see you've found your ride. Congrats!

How many miles on the chassis? Or rest of the car?

[MrAtom]

Originally Posted by Singh2jz

IS300 was a good option, but I see you've found your ride. Congrats!

How many miles on the chassis? Or rest of the car?

Bout 200k

Originally Posted by alex.s

the trans, you have a few options. many people sell the manual transmissions alone. some of them are mitsubishi if i remember right. others say honda on them. they both have the same mounting plate... you take the clutch with the manual trans. you swap over the trans and replace the selector with the cable shift from the civic trans. have the engine side plate resurfaced or it will wear down your clutch quicker than it should.

the more expensive option is to go with a full quaife dogbox trans which typically also includes a nice helical LSD. but you're looking at close to 2 or 3 grand just for the trans depending on a few things.

its pretty hard to break the iacv. the iacv is easy to clean but it can get grimy inside and jam. some carb cleaner to clean it out and then a little cable lube to get rid of the solvent works. just a couple bolts and the electrical plug. don't lose the orings. you might also need to adjust the fast idle control which is right next to the iacv behind a little plate with two philips hex screws. you take one screw out, and just loosen the other and rotate the plate out of the way and you can use a flat head to rotate the plastic piece on the inside in or out to adjust it up or down. its soft plastic so be careful. just put the flat head in on one side and twist, don't try to push... this is the setting for the fast idle when the engine is cold, so if you set it too high it will go back and forth between fast idle and slow idle. you can adjust it while its running.

it sounds like you have the 1.6 with the DOHC? it's a great motor to start with. it will do 300hp with stock fuel and electrical just increasing CR or adding boost. the ignition is supposed to be good up to 500hp. the case itself is said to handle upwards of 700hp before you start destroying things but you'll need a better crank and head if you want to go up that far.

Is it easy to switch the transmission? I don't really want a manual that bad, but if i get bored, maybe

And, I think mines single overhead cam. But, 300 horsepower? What would I be sacrificing to make the engine that powerful? S***, maybe I'll build a sleeper!

[JohnnyBravo]

~> how'd I forget that

[alex.s]

Originally Posted by MrAtom

What would I be sacrificing to make the engine that powerful? S***, maybe I'll build a sleeper!

$$$, time and gas.

swapping the trans is about as hard as changing a clutch... support the engine, pop the axles out, unbolt the trans, split it... then just put the new one in. not easy but not the hardest thing you could manage. if you're going to be doing serious engine tuning you'll probably be taking the engine out at some point anyway. if you plan on doing power mods you might want to be sure to go to a manual trans with a nice clutch before you go over 200hp. the clutch on the stock manual as well as the clutch packs in the autos are kinda ******.

[Singh2jz]

Not bad..just check out the structural integrity before tryna pump out mad power.

[alex.s]

Originally Posted by Singh2jz

Not bad..just check out the structural integrity before tryna pump out mad power.

the stock unitbody is **** anyway. if you go above 500 hp you'll start to tweak the subframe i would guess. better swap to a tube frame first. exo frames look nice... hmm, i feel like i've gone through this thought process before.

[Singh2jz]

Originally Posted by alex.s

the stock unitbody is **** anyway. if you go above 500 hp you'll start to tweak the subframe i would guess. better swap to a tube frame first. exo frames look nice... hmm, i feel like i've gone through this thought process before.

Should I ask you how you know? lolzz..I needa go check out your progress!!!

[alex.s]

[choneofakind]

$20,000 for a crate supercharged LS9?? you've gotta be kidding me.