Tpduke112
04-20-2005, 01:55 PM
So here I am, Im an 18 year old college freshman. I drive a 1996 Nissan Maxima, which my parents gave me. I love the car and I love my parents for giving me such a great car to start with. Problem is that it is an automatic and it has more miles on it than I would like (145,000). I thought of modding it, but then decided that it was pointless. I have a craving for throwing back gears and I want something more sporty with 2 less doors. I have a job and I make pretty good money. I will be able to afford something in the 10,000 to very low teen range by the beginning of sophomore year (this fall). I have been carefully weighing my options. Though faults havent lead to me ruling any cars out, it has dropped some cars on the totem pole. Things that I would like (but dont necessarily have to have) are AWD>RWD>FWD, LSD, Forced Induction is a plus, reliability is a plus but I know tons of mechanics and I know my way around an engine ok, cool factor (nice and sporty looking), and not too old (I would really prefer it to be newer than my Maxima. My list looks like this as of right now (in this order).
1. 97-99 Eclipse GSX (I dont want a GS-T and I am leaning toward this car very, very strongly. AWD+Turbo=Heaven. It also has a huge aftermarket and can be fast for cheap. I know, reliability is an issue but a well taken care of car is a well taken care of car).
2. 98-01 Camaro Z28-SS (I grew up a domestic guy (my first car was a 88 Camaro Iroc-Z, second was a 96 Monte Carlo Z34) and I have always loved f-bodys. Im just really into imports now though. Though this is the case, the F-Body is still very high on the list and it is a very viable candidate).
3. 94-99 3000gt VR4 (Reliability again, and I really want a 97-99 but it is a bit out of my price range (I dont want to find a cheap one and deal with its problems)).
4. 93-94 MR2 Turbo (Love the mid engine, RWD combo, but its a little too old).
5. 01 Acura 3.2 CL-S (Doesnt really fit with the rest of the list, but I have always love it. It is very sporty with 260 hp and you gotta love the luxury. Problem is it's FWD and I dont know if it is quite sporty enough).
6. 93-95 RX7 (a little old, and the rotary is a complicated engine.)
7. 94-01 Integra (cheaper means more money for mods, but I dont want FWD).
8. 95-99 240SX (cheaper means more money for mods and it is RWD, I just think it is kinda ugly and drift ricers have grabbed ahold of it and they are dragging it down).
9. 02 RSX-S (Very nice looking and sporty, but its FWD and its at the very top of the price limit).
10. 00-02 Celica GTS (Cheaper than the RSX, but is still edged out because the RSX is better looking. Still FWD).
Other options: Prelude, G20, 5-Speed Maxima,
Non-options: SRT-4, WRX, Mazdaspeed Protege, and anything Ford doesnt appeal to me.
What do you guys think? Did I forget any options. My mind isnt set, but Im really leaning toward the GSX with the Camaro running up its tail. What would you guys do if you were me? Any input is appreciated. Im sorry for the long post, hmmmm, if you read the whole thing, Ill try to give you some rep points (still not sure if I can even do this). Thanks alot.
1. 97-99 Eclipse GSX (I dont want a GS-T and I am leaning toward this car very, very strongly. AWD+Turbo=Heaven. It also has a huge aftermarket and can be fast for cheap. I know, reliability is an issue but a well taken care of car is a well taken care of car).
2. 98-01 Camaro Z28-SS (I grew up a domestic guy (my first car was a 88 Camaro Iroc-Z, second was a 96 Monte Carlo Z34) and I have always loved f-bodys. Im just really into imports now though. Though this is the case, the F-Body is still very high on the list and it is a very viable candidate).
3. 94-99 3000gt VR4 (Reliability again, and I really want a 97-99 but it is a bit out of my price range (I dont want to find a cheap one and deal with its problems)).
4. 93-94 MR2 Turbo (Love the mid engine, RWD combo, but its a little too old).
5. 01 Acura 3.2 CL-S (Doesnt really fit with the rest of the list, but I have always love it. It is very sporty with 260 hp and you gotta love the luxury. Problem is it's FWD and I dont know if it is quite sporty enough).
6. 93-95 RX7 (a little old, and the rotary is a complicated engine.)
7. 94-01 Integra (cheaper means more money for mods, but I dont want FWD).
8. 95-99 240SX (cheaper means more money for mods and it is RWD, I just think it is kinda ugly and drift ricers have grabbed ahold of it and they are dragging it down).
9. 02 RSX-S (Very nice looking and sporty, but its FWD and its at the very top of the price limit).
10. 00-02 Celica GTS (Cheaper than the RSX, but is still edged out because the RSX is better looking. Still FWD).
Other options: Prelude, G20, 5-Speed Maxima,
Non-options: SRT-4, WRX, Mazdaspeed Protege, and anything Ford doesnt appeal to me.
What do you guys think? Did I forget any options. My mind isnt set, but Im really leaning toward the GSX with the Camaro running up its tail. What would you guys do if you were me? Any input is appreciated. Im sorry for the long post, hmmmm, if you read the whole thing, Ill try to give you some rep points (still not sure if I can even do this). Thanks alot.