Help me pick out a good performing car that can be found used for around 10k

[Mears]

I'm curious about their performance figures and how reliable they are. I heard that mitsubishi just had a massive recall, but I've always been attracted to the body design of the late 90s eclipses.

 

[geno]

Performance is nice (I think the GSX gets around 15 secs in the quarter), reliability is decent, as long as you keep an eye on the electrical system. The price is alright, but you could get something faster for the money. Better looking for the money? Doubt it - they're gorgeous cars

 

[Mears]

What sort of electrical problems do they have? Anyone know how fast they can hit 60?

 

[geno]

Mitsu had some probs with the previous gen Eclipses, and from what I hear some of the probs carried over the the 2nd gen, but they should be fine if you find one around 97-98. And the 0-60 on the GSX is somewhere around 7 secs I believe

 

[Mears]

Ok, I just spent some time reading some reviews and it doesn't seem like it is what I'm looking for. Does anyone know of a nicle looking and fairly high performace car I should be able to find for around 10k used? I really don't want a Mustang/Camaro/Firebird.

 

[geno]

You can get an MR2 for around that much.

 

[mpg]

3000GT, MR2, Stealth. Want to donate some K to me?

 

[Viper GTS]

3000GTs & Stealths are going to be spendy for a decent one (the VR-4 & R/T Turbo versions are expensive, & the naturally aspirated versions aren't that inspiring for the money), I'd stick with a first or second generation Eclipse GSX.

An MR2 would be fun, but I've heard they are living hell to drive in wet weather.

Viper GTS

 

[BigSmooth]

Mears, how old are you willing to go?

 

[novon]

a nice G2 or a good G3 Acura Integra

 

[Mears]

Alright, I just did a little checking in to the MR2. The last production year was 95 so do you think that the turbo models may be a little difficult to find. I also did a KBB check and for a 95' with 50k miles it would retail at a dealership for around $15k. These also have a 2.0 so do they have similar performance to an Eclipse GS-T or are they tweaked more?

 

[vi edit]

Early 90's Toyota Supra turbo?

 

[Mears]

I really don't want to get into anything pre-90s and I'd like to have as little mileage as possible so I guess that rules out a lot of older stuff. I figure I still have another 3.5 years of college ahead of me so I'd like this car to last a while. As stated above, I'm a college student so if you have any suggestions for a car under $10k I'd be all ears. 10,000 is the most I'd want to spend, but I'd be willing to if it meant getting a more reliable car.

 

[Viper GTS]

Mears...

While I don't know all that much about the straight line acceleration of the MR2 vs the GSX (I suspect the GSX would win off the line, due to superior traction), I'm quite sure that the ultra light mid engine/RWD MR2 will handle "like it's on rails," to steal a phrase from Julia Roberts.

I respect superior handling more than I respect brute force acceleration. I'd rather have an MR2 for a blast through a windy mountain road than a Corvette.

Viper GTS

 

[Mister T]

Camaro Z28
that will blow the doors off any of the cars mentioned.

 

[Mears]

A camaro would be nice, but I live on a college campus and those and mustangs run rampant up here.

 

[vi edit]

If you are in college, you're going to want something reliable so that you aren't paying for repairs all of the time. Maybe check into a mid 90's prelude. Not bad performance and pretty decent reliablity. Engine should run for quite a while as well.

 

[impulse]

My pick would be a Buick Grand National, but they are a little older than what your looking for, but you'll be able to blow the doors off all the mustangs and z28's you see up there

 

[Emulex]

the question is how much you want to spend on insurance for the next ump years..

get a sport car, and expect to pay double per month in insurance

 

[geno]

<< I suspect the GSX would win off the line, due to superior traction >>


Superior traction? I thought the MR2 would be a little better with acceleration due to the fact that it's RWD, but is there someting about hte GSX that I don't know about?

 

[Viper GTS]

but is there someting about hte GSX that I don't know about?

Besides the fact that with AWD you'll get virtually no wheelspin? Just drop the clutch &amp; go.

Viper GTS

 

[geno]

The GSX is AWD? Ah, guess that's what I didn't know

 

[Viper GTS]

Mitsubishi Eclipse trim levels:

Eclipse GS - Base trim. FWD, no turbo.
Eclipse GS-T - FWD, turbo.
Eclipse GSX - AWD, turbo.
Eclipse Sypder - Very rare, I believe it's FWD turbo just like the GS-T, only it's a soft top.

Viper GTS

 

[Mears]

Emulex: That's a good point. I forgot to consider insurance. Ok, so I guess no MR2 or Eclipse. Would a prelude be considered a sports car?

Impulse: I couldn't find any info on Buick Grand Nationals at kbb.com. I found one website for an 87 grand national. It kinda looked like an old monte carlo. Are these rare and do they guzzle a ton of gas?

 

[urbantechie]

*Sigh*

1992 BMW 325