Which would you drive in college?

[staygold24]

All right guys so I recently got rid of my 2005 GTO and am looking to get rid of my older modified 240sx to get a new and exciting DD for college. Im looking for something semi practical, fun to drive and an all around fun car. I am torn though. I like a plethora of different vehicles and they all have their benefits and drawbacks. I like some coupes but you cant exactly throw too much into them when moving around. I also like some 4-doors as well, but they arent exactly good looking. Im working with around $22k and would like to not lose a shit ton on the car when I have to sell it in the future.

My choices which I've sort of decided upon are either: 2003/2004 Ford Mustang Cobra, Mitsubishi Evo, Subaru STi, or some other badass car that is swapped but a relatively common swap. For example an SC300 with a 2jz or LS1 Rx7. Id like it to retain AC and PS though and not have to be checked on everyday to make sure it's doing all right.

The Cobra will most likely become a port/pulley/tune car over time and I like the fact that it can remain relatively stock and still be badass. The only drawback is that, well, it's a mustang and pretty much everyone and their mom has one. It also doesnt have too much space for me to put stuff in it to move around.

The STi and Evo are relatively similar in the fact they are AWD and 4 door but they can seem kind of childish and immature overall. The Evo is more badass with the stronger internals, but also lacks in build quality. The Subaru has better build quality but you have to worry about the rings going out.

The badass swapped car idea has lots of benefits. Low insurance on an older car while it still being quick as hell to enjoy on a daily basis. However, with a swapped car it can sometimes be a headache to maintain and narrow down little problems with the vehicle. I'd like to get a USDM swapped vehicle so that parts are easy to find and mechanics can figure out the issue with ease if required. I'm open to ideas on a good swapped car though. I could only think of sc300 is300 or ls1 Rx7 but those can get kind of pricey.

Now this isnt a decide my car for me thread. I would really just like some input from other car guys on what a good, fun DD would be. If you have any other ideas for a good vehicle please explain for me the benefits and drawbacks and personal experience if any.

Thanks guys

Oh yeah, I'm trying to set up a poll, but Im not too forum savvy so dont yell at me if I mess it up.

[badassf4i]

a ls1 rx7 is def a blast to drive every day. i had a fc with a ls1 that i just sold and now im in the process of building a fd with a ls6.

[staygold24]

Is the interior comfortable for a 6 foot 4 guy though? I dont want to be all cramped in there.

[5speed]

an FC isnt good for tall people, im about 6'2 and my knees rub on the stock steering with the seat all the way back. I'm sure aftermarket wheels will change that easily but its not a comfortable ride for tall people in long commutes. All of those are great choices but hard to choose.

[badassf4i]

yea im 6'2" also and leg room was a problem. honestly the fd feels a lil smaller but its just a price i have to pay lol

[nreggie454]

Honestly, I cannot see any of those choices as a good DD in college. I am used to the past 4 years of being mostly poor and in a town overflowing with cops. As a result, I would have something that gets better gas mileage than any of those, still fun, but doesn't grab attention from the wrong people.

I'm gonna go with the lame answer of saying you should get something that is a little more conservative and use the leftover money for your education.

[staygold24]

Honestly, I cannot see any of those choices as a good DD in college. I am used to the past 4 years of being mostly poor and in a town overflowing with cops. As a result, I would have something that gets better gas mileage than any of those, still fun, but doesn't grab attention from the wrong people.

I'm gonna go with the lame answer of saying you should get something that is a little more conservative and use the leftover money for your education.

Thanks for all of the input guys. I reallly want something comfortable and dont wanna cram in a small ass car with the size that I am. I know an aftermarket steering wheel might fix the problem but after getting in a serious accident I really dont wanna risk and wish to retain an airbag for safety purposes.

I understand that I might need something practical for a college car but to be honest I walk almost everywhere as I live on campus and put on very few miles while I'm attending. I'm looking for a fun street/strip car with daily practicality and reliability.

Keeping it coming though guys. Love to hear different opinions and experiences.

[Sunkenkarma]

FD with LS1, they are roomy, Im 6'1 and fit just fine.

[GTScoob]

Something low profile. I'm guessing that you're an upcoming freshmen.

1. Something ugly: You'll probably end up driving intoxicated at least once, so you really dont want a car worth too much if you fuck up. And even if you dont drive drunk, the people that park next to you in the tightass parking deck or parallel park behind you and stumble back to their dorms will. Most of them will be driving POS hand me down rusty Corollas, Sentras, and Civics and wont care about dinging up your nice 2JZ swapped SC400.

2. Something stealthy: College campuses are pretty small and have dedicated police forces that stalk the entire campus. You dont want to get a reputation of having a fast car or driving like an asshole, the cops WILL remember you. Also something flashy will attract negative attention and potentially thieves. You definately dont want your 2003/2004 Ford Mustang Cobra to be scratched by some jealous drunk ho or your Evo to be stolen. And by stolen I dont even mean the entire car, I mean the spoiler, the sideskirts, the side mirrors etc.

3. Something easy to drive: This kinda returns to #1. You will be drunk and may want someone to drive you and/or your car home. Crazy LS1 RX-7s are fun but would I trust somebody from my dorm who DDs a rusty Corolla to drive me home in one?

4. Something small: Parking is very limited on campuses so the smaller and easier your car is to park the better your life will be. Smaller cars are smaller targets for drunk frat boys driving around campus.

5. Something with a hatch: Moving's a bitch when all you have is the tiny trunk of a rusted out Corolla. And you will end up moving many times the first few years.

So my recommendation is either a small pickup truck or hatchback. Save your money, you'll need it to pay for books and food. Budget your money so you dont have to take out student loans and can focus on schoolwork instead of splitting time between school and work.

But if I was rich, dumb, and going to college as a newb, I'd go for a used Mercedes E63. You can get used 10yr old models for cheap as hell.

[ct9a gsr]

Buy my STi, newer car, low miles, built block, plenty of power, fast spool... =D

[Humphrizzle]

in college, id drive a geo metro and save my fucking money..

fuck these expensive as shit cars.

[Sunkenkarma]

Something low profile. I'm guessing that you're an upcoming freshmen.

1. Something ugly: You'll probably end up driving intoxicated at least once, so you really dont want a car worth too much if you fuck up. And even if you dont drive drunk, the people that park next to you in the tightass parking deck or parallel park behind you and stumble back to their dorms will. Most of them will be driving POS hand me down rusty Corollas, Sentras, and Civics and wont care about dinging up your nice 2JZ swapped SC400.

2. Something stealthy: College campuses are pretty small and have dedicated police forces that stalk the entire campus. You dont want to get a reputation of having a fast car or driving like an asshole, the cops WILL remember you. Also something flashy will attract negative attention and potentially thieves. You definately dont want your 2003/2004 Ford Mustang Cobra to be scratched by some jealous drunk ho or your Evo to be stolen. And by stolen I dont even mean the entire car, I mean the spoiler, the sideskirts, the side mirrors etc.

3. Something easy to drive: This kinda returns to #1. You will be drunk and may want someone to drive you and/or your car home. Crazy LS1 RX-7s are fun but would I trust somebody from my dorm who DDs a rusty Corolla to drive me home in one?

4. Something small: Parking is very limited on campuses so the smaller and easier your car is to park the better your life will be. Smaller cars are smaller targets for drunk frat boys driving around campus.

5. Something with a hatch: Moving's a bitch when all you have is the tiny trunk of a rusted out Corolla. And you will end up moving many times the first few years.

So my recommendation is either a small pickup truck or hatchback. Save your money, you'll need it to pay for books and food. Budget your money so you dont have to take out student loans and can focus on schoolwork instead of splitting time between school and work.

But if I was rich, dumb, and going to college as a newb, I'd go for a used Mercedes E63. You can get used 10yr old models for cheap as hell.


That being said, buy an ugly FC rx7, and TII swap it, sleeper for the theives, and plenty of room for school supplys!

[JITB]

buy something with good gas mileage, and normal. that you wont have to fix in the parking lot at school, and have to work to pay for when u break it.

[staygold24]

Hey guys. Just wanted to throw out there that I am not an upcoming freshmen and am actually a junior. I know about the hassles of college life already. I usually baby my cars and I am used to driving difficult cars. IE my swapped 240sx that has the exhaust 3 inches off the ground. What I've learned so far is that I cant have a slammed car and need something reliable. I've also learned from my mistakes from the past that I WILL not be driving under the influence EVER. I will be fucking walking from the bars or take the transit here for my get arounds.

Also funding is pretty much taken care of as long as I do well scholastically. I am looking for a reasonably priced car that is fun to have and blast around on the track from time to time. Autox, road or straight line. Im leaning towards the evo so far a FL guy might be interested in a trade for his IX.

I am worried about insurance though. Being 21, although I have 0 points Im sure an Evo will be sky high for insurance costs.

CT9A GSR I would be interested if you take my 240 as a trade...

[Sunkenkarma]

If funding is taken care of....I say Evo, M3, or the Swapped FD. Especially if you wont be driving drunk, Evo has 4 doors, which is a major plus, but the Fd is a hatch! both have ups! =p

[JITB]

Hey guys. Just wanted to throw out there that I am not an upcoming freshmen and am actually a junior. I know about the hassles of college life already. I usually baby my cars and I am used to driving difficult cars. IE my swapped 240sx that has the exhaust 3 inches off the ground. What I've learned so far is that I cant have a slammed car and need something reliable. I've also learned from my mistakes from the past that I WILL not be driving under the influence EVER. I will be fucking walking from the bars or take the transit here for my get arounds.

Also funding is pretty much taken care of as long as I do well scholastically. I am looking for a reasonably priced car that is fun to have and blast around on the track from time to time. Autox, road or straight line. Im leaning towards the evo so far a FL guy might be interested in a trade for his IX.

I am worried about insurance though. Being 21, although I have 0 points Im sure an Evo will be sky high for insurance costs.

CT9A GSR I would be interested if you take my 240 as a trade...


aint none of those cars gonna be reliable, if your talking about tracking and autox'ing, and blasting!

[Sunkenkarma]

aint none of those cars gonna be reliable, if your talking about tracking and autox'ing, and blasting!


LS1's are hella reliable! Thats the only one on the list that I see being reliable tho.

[JITB]

LS1's are hella reliable! Thats the only one on the list that I see being reliable tho.

not if your blasting...lol

[staygold24]

LS1's are hella reliable! Thats the only one on the list that I see being reliable tho.

Really? A pulley/exhaust/tune Cobra wont be reliable? Or a bolt on/cam evo with meth preferably or STi with turbo upgrade and supporting mods?

I agree that the LS1 is really reliable from experience but with an older car like the RX7 wouldnt really regular maintenance be a complete necessity? And by regular I mean just things to have to check on regularly with an older chassis.

Keep it coming guys

[Sunkenkarma]

On FDs? Almost all the shells I see are in Pristine condition, theres not much to go wrong on a little car like that =).

[bdydrpdmazda]

2004 STi gets my vote for obvious reasons...

[staygold24]

On FDs? Almost all the shells I see are in Pristine condition, theres not much to go wrong on a little car like that =).

Is there a special forum for the ls1 FD's? All I know of is RX7club

[Sunkenkarma]

Rx7club would probally be the one to go to, depending on what you would need to know, as in buying one? or building one? theres also ls1rx7.com

[staygold24]

Yeah I'll be checking on there as well as ls1tech. Ive been a member for a while on rx7club. Dont have the time to build one so it'd have to be bought with the swap. We'll see how the evo works out after talking with him more tomorrow though.

[n00bsrus]

terminator cobra FTW. best bang for your buck in my opinion, easy to mod, and loves nitrous.

[Elbow]

None, all those are gay, a V8 swapped RX-7? That's about as gay as a D15B1 Honda. Why take out one of the worlds best motor for a generic engine?

[5speed]

Buy and RX7 with the rotary still there, run it as until it needs a rebuild, then sell it for funding the swap. That way you can have fun with a rotary and V8. They are both great engines.

[antiv6]

03-04 cobra or c5z06

[Mantooth]

STI, for sure. So much more fun to drive than the other cars, even the Evo, IMO. Also, you'll really be thankful that you have a sedan.;)

[5speed]

STI, for sure. So much more fun to drive than the other cars, even the Evo, IMO. Also, you'll really be thankful that you have a sedan.;)
Yea, a ridiculously small sedan. The backseat space is practically nonexistent. It sucks sitting in the back seats if you are 6ft or taller. So in the the case of being a sedan its not a plus. As for a fun daily driver, hell yea. Just wouldnt use the sedan thing as persuasion.

[staygold24]

so far leaning towards cobra or evo. I like the near stockness of the cobra that can be retained and still attain over 500whp.

[staygold24]

Now throw a c5 z06 in there too.

[Josh...]

I say C5Z. I wouldn't buy a swapped car for a DD, it seems like there are always some little problem that pops up.

[staygold24]

Okay guys. I'm open to any suggestions as well for a good car for a daily.

To be honest most of the cars I have listed are great for Drag racing and I really dont know how much of that I will be doing in the future. The closest one to my college is over an hour away and if I had anything break while dragging it I would be fucked.

Now Im trying to think of something more mature fun to drive and not an all out dragster but still handles really well. I really dont care if someone else is faster, I've had a 6.0 GTO and rerely got to ring it out and was scared shitless of a ticket whenever I did. I have already had to write a plethora of essays for speeding to keep my points at 0.

My main focus will be autox in the summer now. Or Road racing if I can find a place in SE GA. I was thinking M3 but all the other cars are still possibilities but my focus is away from straight line performance now.

Offtopic question but why does the M3 have such horrible gas mileage? Its only a 3.2 liter and gets 16 city. WTF

[Mantooth]

Yea, a ridiculously small sedan. The backseat space is practically nonexistent. It sucks sitting in the back seats if you are 6ft or taller. So in the the case of being a sedan its not a plus. As for a fun daily driver, hell yea. Just wouldnt use the sedan thing as persuasion.It's more practical than a coupe.

[SleeperWRX]

Man, just get a newer camry or civic. Don't worry about racing right now, do that after college.

[Josh...]

Ok I take back the C5Z, I would a get an E39 M5. I wouldn't buy it to autox, but thats up to you.

[tdurr]

sc300 wit a 2jz would be my choice or a FC.

sc's have good trunk space(lol) and fc's are hatches. besides the starting problems on fc's from low comp and the PD that like to burn motors up then is pretty straight forward if u take care of the car.

[On_Her_Face]

Get something cheap and reliable that doesn't stand out. If you get something nice somebody will fuck with it.


None, all those are gay, a V8 swapped RX-7? That's about as gay as a D15B1 Honda. Why take out one of the worlds best motor for a generic engine?


That is the dumbest thing I have ever heard you say.

[GTScoob]

Ever look at MKV GTIs?

Really nice looking, handling, performing. Fairly cheap, with an optional DSG system. Lots of space. Sure it may not please the rotards on here who think its practical to drive a 2 seater that burns a qt of oil every 5K miles, or the V8 nutswingers who say that if each testicle counted for a liter, their balls would displace more than a b18c, but it's still a nice car, esp for the cost.

[Kevykev]

This thread does NOT exhibit your "typical" college scenario.

[EJ25RUN]

I've driven my 06 STI though all my years of college.

[staygold24]

Narrowed it pretty much down to cobra, evo, z06 or m3

All have similar price ranges compared to the miles.

Which one would yall go for? Have to call my insurance company and get a quote for em too. That might be a deciding factor.

[40th GT]

Unless you're deep into drag racing and/or are in love with Mustangs I'd scratch the Cobra off the list.
I think you'll like the EVO, and I'll also add the FD Rx7 to that list because it's a car in your price range that you should consider. And if you buy the FD, please for the love of God, keep the rotary in there.

[40th GT]

Sure it may not please the rotards on here who think its practical to drive a 2 seater that burns a qt of oil every 5K miles, or the V8 nutswingers who say that if each testicle counted for a liter, their balls would displace more than a b18c, but it's still a nice car, esp for the cost.
If rotarys really burn about a quart every 5k that's really not bad at all.
There are some piston engines out there that burn just as much if not more.

[FleeceJhnsn]

i think they'll all be pretty high up there insurance wise, so its probably just whatever you want now... i really like sti's myself, but its all up to you man. you have some solid choices though

[hondachik]

IS300

[FoolsDrifFWD]

id drive the STI.

[mistergou]

Cobra :cheers: !!

[claybird]

rustangs are to common at college but an sti or evo has more room for ur frinds and are almost as fast

[Aeroscout977]

What about a gti and chip it?

[S2KJD]

all of the choices except the cobra.

[blaknoize]

Why not just get a simple car for college? Something useful and easy to maintain and takes regular fuel? Ur in college. Are u there to impress bitches or are u there for ur future? I'd go get something that would WORK for u. I mean... get a used Element. U can move everything, spill stuff, get drunk and throw up IN the Element and just spray if off. Gets great fuel and so on.

[EG_Ryder]

a Honda is where its at in college!!!

[redrumracer]

i say is300 with a turbo kit

[NoRotor]

For a DD in college, I'd want something that I could haul my friends around in.
Of those choices, I'd go with a de-winged STi. Don't mod it. Just drive it and enjoy it for the DD it is.

I DD'ed my LS1 FD for a few months in college. I was constantly worried about door dings or someone jacking it. It takes too long to get everything right with one of these cars to let some drunk college kid to t-bone me.

[skacore]

Ever look at MKV GTIs?

Really nice looking, handling, performing. Fairly cheap, with an optional DSG system. Lots of space. Sure it may not please the rotards on here who think its practical to drive a 2 seater that burns a qt of oil every 5K miles, or the V8 nutswingers who say that if each testicle counted for a liter, their balls would displace more than a b18c, but it's still a nice car, esp for the cost.

I loved my MKV GTI, but the FSI equipped ones(06- early 08) do use up to 1qt of oil every 1k miles. :(

The oil is expensive as hell too, about $6-7 a qt. Definitely get a 6MT if you get a MKV though, the DSG models are notorious for dying. Mine died and it took 5 weeks for the new mechatronics unit to come in and these results are typical.

I definitely recommend a MKVI though they seem to be the MKV with no quirks.

[JDMbabe]

sti fo sho