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Daydreaming about next car, what should I consider.

S

Savij

Diamond Member
So I currently own an 04 Acura RSX type s. It's a fun car and decently fast compared to what I had before. I like the handling, but I was thinking I want something with more low end torque. I hate having to get to 6k rpm before it really gets going.

I'm thinking something that is rear wheel drive and small. I know that I could get a GTO and it'll be plenty fast, but it didn't have that same light, quick, feel of a smaller car. I had thought about a used vette, but that might be too big a jump in power for me. I've heard the s2000 is a good next step. What else should I look at?
 
Originally posted by: Savij
So I currently own an 04 Acura RSX type s. It's a fun car and decently fast compared to what I had before. I like the handling, but I was thinking I want something with more low end torque. I hate having to get to 6k rpm before it really gets going.

I'm thinking something that is rear wheel drive and small. I know that I could get a GTO and it'll be plenty fast, but it didn't have that same light, quick, feel of a smaller car. I had thought about a used vette, but that might be too big a jump in power for me. I've heard the s2000 is a good next step. What else should I look at?
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if you hate having to get up to 6k rpm before it gets going you are really going to want to stay far far far far far away from an s2000.
 
WRX? Lexus IS....Infiniti G....if you want to pay a bit more.

it's funny, I bought a new car in February of this year....08 CRV EX AWD. I find myself daydreaming about my next car all the time.

Next car....Im thinking Lexus RX, Lexus IS 250 AWD, or maybe another CRV...who knows

definetly Japanese; slim chance I'll go German or American. Korean (Hyundai) might get a glance from me though
 
When I say small, I meant me and 1 passenger, maybe 3 passengers in an emergency. 2 Doors and 2 seats. I wouldn't mind a back seat that I can fold down so I can get extra storage space, but anything that can fit a car seat is out.
 
I just picked up a '99 E36 M3 coupe last week...love it so far!

I've been driving a Miata before getting this car, so I was hankering for something more powerful also. The 3.2L six in the M3 has a very usable low end torque, and is probably the smoothest engine I've had the pleasure of revving. I highly recommend it! You can probably trade your RSX-S straight up for one 🙂

A couple shots from an impromptu photoshoot late last night:
E36 M3 group shot 1
E36 M3 group shot 2
 
Cobalt SS - 260HP tubo 2.0L that handles ridiculously well for a FWD car.

Cooper S - handles great and more TQ now because of the turbo engine

350/370Z - harsh ride but quite tossable & RWD



 
A Toyota MR2 Spyder with a 2ZZ-GE engine swap might be what you're looking for. Not the simplest or most economical solution, but the base engine in that car is very weak.
 
As mentioned the M3 seems to fit the bill for what youre talking about. also, an 03-04 cobra has more than enough hp/torque to get rid of any "big" car laziness you refer to. Do you like the more compact stuff? maybe a vw with the turbo 4 or the 6 cylinder, those will probably have roughly the same power as your acura and way more down low.
 
If you like the styling, how about a 2004ish 330Ci? 225 hp/230? lb-ft. RWD, excellent handling, 50 - 60k in good condition go for ~16k.
 
I daydream all the time. My cousin recently bought a second gen '02 Viper GTS so that got me car crazy even more. It doesn't help that I just finished a big project so I've decent chunk of change coming in soon. I'm dreaming about E60 M5 atm.

I would recommend C5 vette for you. Cheap to buy and insure, instant torque and hp, and pretty reliable fun car. S2000 is a fun car but has no torque just like your RSX.
 
Get a Shelby Cobra GT! 😀 😀 😀 😀

Or, a Roush model, if you like limited slip differentials.
 
Find a turbo miata. Mine still isn't a torque monster but the 160ft-lbs it does have shows up before 6k rpms. If you have never had a v8 then get one. The sounds and torque is something every car guy should experience at least once. Makes you feel all manly. If you don't want to go crazy a 99+ mustang GT is plenty fast, cheap, and actually get decent gas mileage.
 
Something RWD with a V8 and a manual might fit the low end torque, but most V8 cars aren't small by a long shot 😛
 
I have been mulling over a Pontiac G8 GT, but I don't know if it's going to be light enough for you. It's not bad, but nothing like a miata or s2000.

I drove one a couple of weeks ago to kill some time (and I'm itching to get rid of my Tundra XSP). It's got the low end on it you may like and the price is pretty darned good for a RWD v8.

All of the '08's are auto (6 speed). The '09's will have a manual option.



You could also look for a used Mazda Speed6. That would be a fun car as well if you don't mind used!
 
There is also that new Hyundai coupe coming out soon. That's a RWD car with a couple of decent engines that might have a little more torque than a RSX. Of course there's the new Mustang and Camaro coming soon too, I don't consider them large cars. A Corvette would be a good choice too. A nice used Vette can be found at a reasonable price. Something like a G35 coupe would have more torque than a RSX also.
 
135i if you have the money. But don't get an S2000 whatever you do. It's like a lateral move coming from an an RSX-S.
 
Originally posted by: edtsui
135i if you have the money. But don't get an S2000 whatever you do. It's like a lateral move coming from an an RSX-S.
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WTF? S2000 is a completely different car than the RSX-S. First of all, the S2000 is a RWD 2 seater convertible. The RSX is a FWD 2 door coupe.

Oh, and the 135i is ugly as hell. :thumbsdown:
 
Check out lease options on an Infiniti G37... they have some of the best residuals in the industry and are amazing cars. Good deal!
 
Originally posted by: joesmoke
As mentioned the M3 seems to fit the bill for what youre talking about. also, an 03-04 cobra has more than enough hp/torque to get rid of any "big" car laziness you refer to. Do you like the more compact stuff? maybe a vw with the turbo 4 or the 6 cylinder, those will probably have roughly the same power as your acura and way more down low.
Click to expand...

It's not the big car laziness that he's talking about. Going from my Ford Conour SVT to the GTO I know exactly what he means. The Contour has a light on it's feet feel with responsive steering with little input, gear box that slips into each gear with little effort, and more view of what's around you due to lower window sills and large windows.
The GTO on the other hand feels like a big beast. You climb into it and it's like your sitting in the cockpit of a fighter plane. The nose is long and difficult to see down, the window sills are higher so it feels like more car is wrapped around you. Steering is heavier with more feedback from the wheels(although still very responsive, just takes more effort to turn the wheel). Shifting the gearbox is stiffer too. The first week I had the car my right arm was getting more of a workout then it was used to when shifting. Where the Contour felt like I was stirring a soft pot of butter, the GTO shifting is like pushing the stick through molasses by comparison. Once you're used to it you kind of like that feeling though. Feels more solid and sturdy, like you wont break it when you're ramming and jamming the gears.

But yeah, the feel and the handling of the new GTO definitely gives the impression of a bigger heavier car and I think you'd notice that coming from an RSX as well.
 
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