Official, the SpecV is toast. Help me pic out a new car (poll)

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slick230

Banned
Jan 31, 2003
2,776
0
0
Originally posted by: Skoorb
350z or 300c

Except the 350z's have SERIOUS issues with front tire wear. Almost all of the '03s and a good amount of the '04s will wear out the front tires within 10000-11000 miles, some even much earlier than that. Check some of the 350Z forums and read the stories there. Nissan has been reluctant to admit there is an issue with the car, but thaier dealers have been replacing the front tires for free for most people, and Nissan USA sent letters to owners advising them that they would extend the tire warranty an additional 12 months from first date of service.

Apparently, the suspension setup and tire combination is just not right. Even getting the front end re-aligned multiple times does not solve the problem, as the tire wear comes back again and again. I was looking to get a slightly used 350Z, but after finding out about this, I'm checking other options now. :(
 

Actaeon

Diamond Member
Dec 28, 2000
8,657
20
76
Of those listed in the poll....
In order...

GTO
Evo8
BMW 325 (coupe)
350Z
IS300
BMW 325 (sedan)
Legacy GT
TSX
WRX
Mazda6 (V6)
SRT-4
Altima (V6)
Accord Coupe (V6)
300C
 

Actaeon

Diamond Member
Dec 28, 2000
8,657
20
76
Originally posted by: slick230
Originally posted by: Skoorb
350z or 300c

Except the 350z's have SERIOUS issues with front tire wear. Almost all of the '03s and a good amount of the '04s will wear out the front tires within 10000-11000 miles, some even much earlier than that. Check some of the 350Z forums and read the stories there. Nissan has been reluctant to admit there is an issue with the car, but thaier dealers have been replacing the front tires for free for most people, and Nissan USA sent letters to owners advising them that they would extend the tire warranty an additional 12 months from first date of service.

Apparently, the suspension setup and tire combination is just not right. Even getting the front end re-aligned multiple times does not solve the problem, as the tire wear comes back again and again. I was looking to get a slightly used 350Z, but after finding out about this, I'm checking other options now. :(

Rotate your tires?
 

slick230

Banned
Jan 31, 2003
2,776
0
0
Originally posted by: Actaeon
Originally posted by: slick230
Originally posted by: Skoorb
350z or 300c

Except the 350z's have SERIOUS issues with front tire wear. Almost all of the '03s and a good amount of the '04s will wear out the front tires within 10000-11000 miles, some even much earlier than that. Check some of the 350Z forums and read the stories there. Nissan has been reluctant to admit there is an issue with the car, but thaier dealers have been replacing the front tires for free for most people, and Nissan USA sent letters to owners advising them that they would extend the tire warranty an additional 12 months from first date of service.

Apparently, the suspension setup and tire combination is just not right. Even getting the front end re-aligned multiple times does not solve the problem, as the tire wear comes back again and again. I was looking to get a slightly used 350Z, but after finding out about this, I'm checking other options now. :(

Rotate your tires?

Doesn't work. Front tires are different size than rear, and the tires are directional. Even if you rotate the fronts from sided to side, they still wear out prematurely and unevenly. It's a design defect in the car that Nissan still has not admitted to officially, but everyone knows this is the cause. Nissan can't figure out how to fix it.
 

Bullhonkie

Golden Member
Sep 28, 2001
1,899
0
76
Legacy GT! Simple ECU reflash can put you at stock STi power output levels if the stock Legacy power seems too timid.

Although for balls to the wall performance/fun, can't go wrong with an EVO or GTO.
 

SuperTool

Lifer
Jan 25, 2000
14,000
2
0
It's pretty obvious you can't handle a car with a lot of power, so I4 accord for you. I guess closest thing to that on the list is TSX
 

slick230

Banned
Jan 31, 2003
2,776
0
0
Originally posted by: SuperTool
It's pretty obvious you can't handle a car with a lot of power, so I4 accord for you. I guess closest thing to that on the list is TSX

LOL
 

CTrain

Diamond Member
Sep 26, 2001
4,940
0
0
Getting $12K is pretty good although I'm guessing your insurance will skyrocketed.
 

CTrain

Diamond Member
Sep 26, 2001
4,940
0
0
Of all those cars, a manual IS300 is probably my favorite. Only thing I hate about it is the crappy gas milage.
 

slick230

Banned
Jan 31, 2003
2,776
0
0
Originally posted by: TheLonelyPhoenix
Wait a few months and get the Mazdaspeed 6. :D

Edit: Boycotting poll until you add that option. :p

for 28-30k+ it might be out of his range. ;)
 

TheLonelyPhoenix

Diamond Member
Feb 15, 2004
5,594
1
0
Originally posted by: slick230
Originally posted by: TheLonelyPhoenix
Wait a few months and get the Mazdaspeed 6. :D

Edit: Boycotting poll until you add that option. :p

for 28-30k+ it might be out of his range. ;)

Do I or do I not see the Acura TSX and Legacy GT in the poll, both at 25k+ base? :p
 

Kelvrick

Lifer
Feb 14, 2001
18,422
5
81
I think he can swing an RX-8. Cars direct has em for 26k in my zip code. He can probably do better.
 

slick230

Banned
Jan 31, 2003
2,776
0
0
Originally posted by: TheLonelyPhoenix
Originally posted by: slick230
Originally posted by: TheLonelyPhoenix
Wait a few months and get the Mazdaspeed 6. :D

Edit: Boycotting poll until you add that option. :p

for 28-30k+ it might be out of his range. ;)

Do I or do I not see the Acura TSX and Legacy GT in the poll, both at 25k+ base? :p

Sure, if he wan't sjust a plain jane base model. But throw in any options and he quickly gets above his 25k limit.
 

ElFenix

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Mar 20, 2000
102,407
8,595
126
Legacy GT - big engine, but tiny trunk. the styling is still kinda meh.
Acura TSX - good looks, decent size, slow
v6 Accord Coupe - good looks, good size, fast, decent trunk
Mazda6 - good looks, decent size, great steering
Nissan Altima (3.5 SE or SE-R) - these are pretty nice
BMW 325 - expensive, tiny, quality may be falling off from rumors i've heard.
Base 350z - harsh ride, cramped interior, unuseable trunk.
Mistubishi Lancer EVO - harsh ride, no creature comforts, and good luck getting warranty work when mitsu tanks next year.
Chrysler 300 - nice car if you got the hemi. otherwise, kinda slow. looks best with 20s.
Neon SRT-4 - sure, you're faster than almost anyone else, but it's still a neon.
Pontiac GTO - probably the most under-appreciated car on the planet, and only because people are offended by the name GM put on it.
Something not listed
IS300 - wants to be a 3 series. it's getting kinda old now.
WRX - tiny, fast, good handling, bullet proof.

the GTO is probably tops. sure, the new one has 400 hp, but if you can get an 04 you should jump on it. deep discounts, pretty decent interior, very fun drive, and the LS1 has tons of easy modifications available.

after that i'd probably take an accord coupe or a mazda6. the altima is sorta in the mix as well, but i'm kinda mad at nissan right now.


where is the new mustang gt?



of course, the best option is a 2003 maxima se 6 speed. pocket the difference and move out of your mom's basement.
 

slick230

Banned
Jan 31, 2003
2,776
0
0
Originally posted by: ElFenix
Legacy GT - big engine, but tiny trunk. the styling is still kinda meh.
Acura TSX - good looks, decent size, slow
v6 Accord Coupe - good looks, good size, fast, decent trunk
Mazda6 - good looks, decent size, great steering
Nissan Altima (3.5 SE or SE-R) - these are pretty nice
BMW 325 - expensive, tiny, quality may be falling off from rumors i've heard.
Base 350z - harsh ride, cramped interior, unuseable trunk.
Mistubishi Lancer EVO - harsh ride, no creature comforts, and good luck getting warranty work when mitsu tanks next year.
Chrysler 300 - nice car if you got the hemi. otherwise, kinda slow. looks best with 20s.
Neon SRT-4 - sure, you're faster than almost anyone else, but it's still a neon.
Pontiac GTO - probably the most under-appreciated car on the planet, and only because people are offended by the name GM put on it.
Something not listed
IS300 - wants to be a 3 series. it's getting kinda old now.
WRX - tiny, fast, good handling, bullet proof.

the GTO is probably tops. sure, the new one has 400 hp, but if you can get an 04 you should jump on it. deep discounts, pretty decent interior, very fun drive, and the LS1 has tons of easy modifications available.

after that i'd probably take an accord coupe or a mazda6. the altima is sorta in the mix as well, but i'm kinda mad at nissan right now.


where is the new mustang gt?



of course, the best option is a 2003 maxima se 6 speed. pocket the difference and move out of your mom's basement.

Prior to 1/3 of this year, GM was offering $5500 off MSRP, up to $1500 in dealer rebate certificates, and and up to $5000 in GM credit card points on '04 GTO's. There were people stealing these thing for right around 20k. Now all Gm is doing is like 3.9% financing on the 04's, which is teh ghey.
 

EvilYoda

Lifer
Apr 1, 2001
21,198
9
81
Well that's such a varied poll, it depends on what kind of driver you are...I would probably pick an import even though I drive a GTO, since you won't get the same rate that I did. I got a GTO lease at probably 1/3rd if not a bigger difference than what I would pay for a 6 or 350Z.
 

TheLonelyPhoenix

Diamond Member
Feb 15, 2004
5,594
1
0
Originally posted by: slick230
Originally posted by: TheLonelyPhoenix
Originally posted by: slick230
Originally posted by: TheLonelyPhoenix
Wait a few months and get the Mazdaspeed 6. :D

Edit: Boycotting poll until you add that option. :p

for 28-30k+ it might be out of his range. ;)

Do I or do I not see the Acura TSX and Legacy GT in the poll, both at 25k+ base? :p

Sure, if he wan't sjust a plain jane base model. But throw in any options and he quickly gets above his 25k limit.

The same goes for the other cars in his poll. Many of them base exactly in his price range but would spill over once the options piled on.

In any case, he added it, so I'm happy now. :)
 

Rallispec

Lifer
Jul 26, 2001
12,375
10
81
threw in some more options.

hadnt thought about the rx-8... i'd like something more practical, but i'll at least give it consideration.

mustang,.. well it'd better be a really nice ride for me to get over how much i dislike mustangs. (although, the new ones do appear to be a whole new animal)

Maxima... a little bigger than what I would like.. i'll see how it handles.. If it's at least as good as the Altima that would give it some bonus points.


as for waitingn until the mazdaspeed6.... not sure if i could get it in my price range, but possibly.


No matter what i'll be getting a Base model car, NO options. I really don't plan on the out the door payment (inc. Taxes) being more than 27k. I'd like to keep it under 25k.

It's pretty obvious you can't handle a car with a lot of power, so I4 accord for you. I guess closest thing to that on the list is TSX

becuase having too much power has anythign to do with hitting something in the road causing me to loose traction when i'm not even going 5 over the speed limit... :roll:
I never even said i wanted something with a ton of power.. i just want something i am going to enjoy driving everyday.