New car research

[ilarson007]

So, I'm looking to get some opinions on cars that I may buy after I get a better job (hopefully sometime 2009 or 2010). I have a few cars in mind, but I don't know if I could find one in my price range. A few cars I have thought about are: WRX wagon, GTI 1.8T, Miata, S13 fastback, 5th or 6th gen Celica (all-trac if I could find it, but GT if not), Integra Type-R (they make those in the U.S., right?), RSX-S, etc. I don't want to spend more than $8-10k, especially if I have to get a loan, which I probably will. That I know will knock out a few of those cars to begin with, but I don't know where to find any of them, or what average prices are. Anyone have feedback, or suggestions on other cars? This is prelim research, because I definitely won't be in a position to buy a car for awhile.

Thanks

[Manbearpig]

I found this site the other day....it had reviews...price...and even feedback.


What was it...

Ohh yeah

www.autotrader.com

[ilarson007]

wow, you're so helpful

[Hypnose Zx2]

thank god we have manbearpig in are life!

[sunshine198905]

I found this site the other day....it had reviews...price...and even feedback.


What was it...

Ohh yeah

www.autotrader.com

haha. what a smartass. but i have to hand it to ya. your definetly right. haha. FTW!

[Manbearpig]

Seriously guys...its the exact thing he needed.

We can all give him our incredibly bias opinions here....or he can compare all the cars he wants on the site...with local prices.

[Exodia]

I vote incredibly bias opinions. But by new car you mean new used car right? Oh, I mean new previously owned vehicle.

[ilarson007]

yea

[Manbearpig]

I vote incredibly bias opinions. But by new car you mean new used car right? Oh, I mean new previously owned vehicle.

Biased opinion? Sure we got those.

Get the WRX dude. Blows away all the other cars on your list. Doesn't matter the condition or miles. Just get one...get one now!

[Manbearpig]

Ok now seriously I will help you with my limited knowledge.

WRX Wagon - Again, I've driven one so I'm biased. Nice car...boost is adictive and gas is expensive. Cargo space is a plus. AWD is nice if you live in a snowy state. Used WRX is hit or miss. Could be awesome or could be beat to shit and be nothing but problems.

GTI 1.8 - Never drove a 1.8. I'd imagine it isn't the fastest but probably a nice interior. VW reliably isn't the greatest.

Miata - Fun little car. You could look pretty gay driving it though. Could be had for cheap and great to autox stock.

S13 - Never drove one. Don't ask me. Every one I've seen are either beat to shit or rice mobiles.

Celica - Seriously? :?

ITR - HAHAHA if you can find one...awesome buy it! If you can keep it from getting stolen...even more awesome. I won't lie though...I'd probably consider buying one if I could find a good condition lower miles and had a garage to keep it in at all times. :biggrin:

RSX-S - Test drove one...twice actually. Nice interior...transmission is sweet. Lacks the balls for the price. Very small back. Nice quality though. Way too much new when I was looking at them.

There...now you have my biased opinion.

[ilarson007]

Well, I like Celica's, but my favorite body style was definitely 5th gen. The 7th gen took a step backward for styling.... Upon further review, even when I'm looking to buy these cars, the RSX-S and Celica GT-S are out of the question based on price. The ITR is out based on overpriced or beat. S13 is most likely out due to same for ITR. The WRX is not out, but probably due to a boost addiction (i.e. crap gas mileage). And only if I could find one for 12k or less, with the options I want (probably impossible). The GTI may have to be downgraded again because of boost. I won't rule out Miata's, but I prefer a hatch over roadster, so...

EDIT: And upon further review than the previous further review, scratch anything that is over, 6-7k, because my plan has changed. The car that I will buy will be an intermediate DD to go through college and beyond, then when I graduate I'll buy my 'project car.' So new options are more like the ZX3, Pontiac Vibe, maybe a Civic Si (if it's a hatch), other four cylinder, probably FWD cars. Mainly the cars that you can find in that price range with 60k or less on the clock. So different plan now.

[zxtuner98]

keep the zx2? lol

[ilarson007]

Eh, I don't like trunks. And it is beneficial to own a newer car, with better aftermarket.... Ya can't keep the same car forever......

[zxtuner98]

keep it until you get out of college. buying a "new" car during or before it unless you are in dire need is senseless.

[ImCrazy]

get a nice honda civic you won't regret it.

[ilarson007]

Not trying to start any thing, but aren't Honda's basically torqueless, as compared to their horsepower?

[Manbearpig]

I'm sorry but why would you want to take on a new car before college?

Your car works...drive it though school THEN get a new one. It will only suck your already empty wallet dry and it will get dings/scratches/beat to shit.

Trust me.

[ilarson007]

why? because i want something different. i was forced to buy the zx2, and pay for it, and pay for my gas.... i have to pay everything except insurance. and what happens when this breaks? and there is less maintenance on a newer car. like, the zx2 already needs a new clutch and new brakes within a couple of months. that's like $700 or probably more right there. Newer car, fewer miles better gas mileage = cheaper.

[zxtuner98]

the zx2 has proven to be one of the most reliable car's i've come across. I've only performed simple maintence since it was new. Oil and brakes. At 80 or so thousand miles I did the timing belt and idler's. Nothing ever broke for me to have to fix it. I took care of my car though. If you take care of any car, it will last. Try finding a parts for an older celica, my cousin had a ball doing that.

[Manbearpig]

why? because i want something different. i was forced to buy the zx2, and pay for it, and pay for my gas.... i have to pay everything except insurance.

Forced to buy it? A masked man held a gun to you head while driving you to a Ford dealer and sign the papers? Come on man...

And boo fucking hoo. You have to pay for gas? But mommy and daddy pay insurance. How about you quit complaining about your pretty nice situation now and concentrate on school.

I wanted a new car way before I went to school but I held out. Instead of settling on some mediocre car that is barely better then the zx2 I waited and it was well worth it.

But who are we to tell you what to do...its your money. Have fun.

[ImCrazy]

Forced to buy it? A masked man held a gun to you head while driving you to a Ford dealer and sign the papers? Come on man...

And boo fucking hoo. You have to pay for gas? But mommy and daddy pay insurance. How about you quit complaining about your pretty nice situation now and concentrate on school.

I wanted a new car way before I went to school but I held out. Instead of settling on some mediocre car that is barely better then the zx2 I waited and it was well worth it.

But who are we to tell you what to do...its your money. Have fun.

Agreed, ive been paying my own car bills since I was 16, I paid gas, insurance, bought almost 100% of every car, oh yeah paid to fix em all, not having a car payment is very nice, I could afford a brand new car but I don't have one cause all I do is put about 5-700 a year into the zx2 and keep going with out any payment.

Oh hondas have torque but less than a zx2 however many of them have a more consistent power band. Zx2 drops off in the higher rpms and has peaks the newer hondas at least have a steady climbing power band I prefer the way the honda accelerates.

[AZN_ZX2]

why? because i want something different. i was forced to buy the zx2, and pay for it, and pay for my gas.... i have to pay everything except insurance. and what happens when this breaks? and there is less maintenance on a newer car. like, the zx2 already needs a new clutch and new brakes within a couple of months. that's like $700 or probably more right there. Newer car, fewer miles better gas mileage = cheaper.

Sorry but your price range 8-10k is alot more expensive than a ZX2. Plus if your paying insurance and you get something like a type s then thats going up to.

[ilarson007]

Sorry but your price range 8-10k is alot more expensive than a ZX2. Plus if your paying insurance and you get something like a type s then thats going up to.

For the intermediate car, The price range would drop to 5-7k

[ilarson007]

Forced to buy it? A masked man held a gun to you head while driving you to a Ford dealer and sign the papers? Come on man...

And boo fucking hoo. You have to pay for gas? But mommy and daddy pay insurance. How about you quit complaining about your pretty nice situation now and concentrate on school.

I wanted a new car way before I went to school but I held out. Instead of settling on some mediocre car that is barely better then the zx2 I waited and it was well worth it.

But who are we to tell you what to do...its your money. Have fun.

Yes. My parents didn't give me an option. They said "You have to buy this car because you don't have anything to drive." And they didn't let me even look for another car that I would have liked [better]. I said before, I don't like trunks. And this car doesn't have any options, which is a hazard to it getting stolen, because no matter how many times I tell my friends to lock the door, they still forget. And if the car itself isn't stolen, all the stuff inside could be. You realize that gas is $3.75/gal. as opposed to $2.50 when I started driving. And I only make about $100 per week after taxes. So right there, 30% or more of my net income is gone, every week, just paying to get to work and school. That doesn't even include driving anywhere for leisure. Not to mention the $1500 that I still owe my parents on the stupid thing anyway! And with current prices, and all the stuff that has been happening lately, I have really made any money for a couple of months. Everytime by the time it is pay day, my account is back to about where it is. So you see, it pisses me off that I'm in this situation, with a car that I don't even like. I wouldn't care that I'm not making any money if I had a car that was nice. Or had things like, power locks, and working A/C. And didn't need a new clutch and brakes. I guess you can't understand that seeing as you've never been here, huh?

EDIT: Oh, and this job that I have is the worst fucking job in the world, but I can't quit because I need the money. So don't assume what my situation is like.

[zxtuner98]

1. This car is not at hazard to get stolen. Especially since it has nothing valuable about it. Your car doesnt look fancy either. It's not exactly eye candy.

2. It gets good gas mileage, maybe stay off the pedal a little.

3. You owe 1500 on the zx2, why jump into another car when you owe on this one?

4. The clutch thing is a pain, do it yourself or have somebody help.

5. Brakes are cheap and easy....

6. Good luck getting a nicer car w/ your income.

7. If your so broke, how are you going to afford a car that you'll make payments?

The zx2 is a perfect college car. It will get dings and dents from inconsiderate people but why risk that w/ a nicer car. No one wants to steal a zx2 either!

You do whatever you want. Ill leave it at that.

[ilarson007]

do you people not read. i never said i was looking to buy a car now. i said after i have the money saved after i pay for this one. which may never happen. someone who is desperate/trying to get away will steal anything. and again, nothing is cheap when you make what i do and i can't do the clutch by myself. and don't really know anyone who can help.

[WickedZ]

get a nice honda civic you won't regret it.

did you seriously just say that :violin:.


Im not fimular with the gen of celicas, but is the one you like, body rear look like the supra

[AZN_ZX2]

For the intermediate car, The price range would drop to 5-7k

Which is still more than a ZX2

[ilarson007]

did you seriously just say that :violin:.


I'm not familiar with the gen of celicas, but is the one you like, body rear look like the supra

5th gen:
http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/autoreview/400x266/1990-93-Toyota-Celica-92812061990713.jpg

6th gen:
http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/autoreview/400x266/1994-99-Toyota-Celica-95812061990218.jpg