YACT: So, I'm thinking of getting another car... your suggestions?

[Actaeon]

I currently drive a 1997 Saturn SC2, and its been a great first car. I've had a few minor problems, but nothing too serious, and its a better first car than most. I've had it for about 6-7 months, and I'm getting quite bored with it.

So now, I am looking for another car, with more power, and more fun to drive. I've decided, if I could save up a little bit of cash, and sell my current car, I could probally get a decent down payment on a nice used car, and only have to pay a pretty small monthly payment. Let me give a bit of information about myself, and perhaps you can tell me if this is a wise choice or not. I do understand I don't need more bills, but I would really like another car.

I just turned 18, I'm on my last year of high school, and I have a job. I still live with my parents, so I don't have any bills other than my current car stuff (insurance, maintence, etc). I earn about $500-$700 a month at my job, which isn't so bad for a high school student, though, If I can find a better paying job after high school, I'm all for it. I believe I will be going to a college. I'll still live at home, as the college isn't too far away, it would just be a waste of money to move out at this moment. Insurance is pretty expensive for me right now, I pay about $650 every 3 months, and it is total rape. Keep that in mind as you suggest cars for me.

I'm going to start saving up some money, probally close to $400-500 every month, depending on how much I get on each paycheck. So I hope within the year, I could save up, sell my car, and get a pretty good downpayment off, then pay it off as time goes on.

In a car, I would perfer to have at least 200+hp, RWD, a manual transmission, made within the past 10 years, and around the $10k range. More power, newer the car, and lower the price, its better. I would perfer something with a nice interior, and perferably a decent aftermarket. I don't care about ricey bodykits or any of that, but real power mods. I realize insurance is going to be killer on any car in my criteria, but thats to be expected, and I think I can live through it.

I've been looking at Nissan TT 300zx's, as I've always been a total whore for that car, its super sweet in looks, and its got some muscle behind it. It meets everything in my criteria, though many are more than $10k+.

What are your suggestions?

 

[Spikesoldier]

go for a brand new mazda protege5. you can score one for just under 12000, get them while they last.

an alternative is a mazdaspeed protege (msp) which you can snag for about 15000 in some areas. again, get them while they last.

 

[Actaeon]

Originally posted by: Spikesoldier
go for a brand new mazda protege5. you can score one for just under 12000, get them while they last.

an alternative is a mazdaspeed protege (msp) which you can snag for about 15000 in some areas. again, get them while they last.

Thanks for your suggestion, but the Mazda Protege doesn't meet very many of my criterias. Though, a new car would be nice, it is too expensive for me, doesn't have enough power, and I believe it is FWD.

I would perfer a used car that met more of my requirements.

Thanks for the suggestion though, and keep them coming!

 

[CTrain]

Ummm.....The Mazdaspeed has plenty of power.
Don't let the 170hp fool you.
The turbo is running at only 6psi and you can safely boost it up to about 9-10 and get plenty of extra power.

 

[Siddhartha]

Save your money and go to college. After you graduate you wiil be able to get a better job, make more money and buy a nicer car.

 

[Actaeon]

Originally posted by: CTrain
Ummm.....The Mazdaspeed has plenty of power.
Don't let the 170hp fool you.
The turbo is running at only 6psi and you can safely boost it up to about 9-10 and get plenty of extra power.

170hp is decent, but I would like more than that. I would like to take this car autocrossing, and maybe to the drag strip every once and a while.

Regardless, for its price, I'd rather have a nicer used car, with more power. A TT 300ZX puts out 300hp, and can be found around the $10k range, some nicer ones more expensive.

Thanks anyway.

 

[Actaeon]

Originally posted by: Dr Smooth
Save your money and go to college. After you graduate you wiil be able to get a better job, make more money and buy a nicer car.

I have intentions of going to college, and it is already pre-paid. Only expenses would be books. So sacrificing college money for a car isn't the issue here.

Thanks though, keep the suggestions coming.

 

[krunchykrome]

You don't want to be stuck with bills entering college....especially car payments.

 

[krunchykrome]

Or you could go with a used Mustang GT or Cobra....or a Camaro. Thats all I could think of. Can't think of any imports that fit your criteria.

 

[Rent]

Z32 300zTT huh... perhaps you haven't been to many SCCA events, but they're not good AutoX cars (too heavy, too big). Thats not to say they don't have potential in the hands of the right driver, but I highly doubt you have that skill at the moment.

There aren't many cars that fit your requirements. Here is the short list of cars I would consider.

MKII (91-95) Toyota MR2 Turbo
93-97 Trans AM/Z28
90-95 Mustang LX/GT
94-98 Nissan 240SX

If you want maintenece out the bunghole, go ahead and find a 300zTT for under 10k.

 

[krunchykrome]

Don't go with a used car w/turbo. A TT300zx or a mr2 turbo......the prior owners push the sh*t outta those cars.

 

[Actaeon]

Originally posted by: Rent
Z32 300zTT huh... perhaps you haven't been to many SCCA events, but they're not good AutoX cars (too heavy, too big). Thats not to say they don't have potential in the hands of the right driver, but I highly doubt you have that skill at the moment.

There aren't many cars that fit your requirements. Here is the short list of cars I would consider.

MKII (91-95) Toyota MR2 Turbo
93-97 Trans AM/Z28
90-95 Mustang LX/GT
94-98 Nissan 240SX

If you want maintenece out the bunghole, go ahead and find a 300zTT for under 10k.

Good suggestions. I have been looking at F-Bodies(Camaros/Firebirds) though, Any particular reason why you left out the 98-02 LS1 F-bodies? They do have more power.

Not a big fan of Mustangs, I've always liked F-Bodies more. 240's are nice, but doesn't have enough power for its price. I don't like MR-2s either.

I've been to one autocross event, and I realize a 300zx wouldn't be the best car, but I'm not a hardcore autocrosser, it would be something I would do every once and a while for fun. Hell, I even took my Saturn out and had a blast.

Thanks

 

[Rent]

Originally posted by: krunchykrome
Don't go with a used car w/turbo. A TT300zx or a mr2 turbo......the prior owners push the sh*t outta those cars.

Drivers beat the crap out of any performance oriented car. More than likely, any car he goes for is going to have had its sh!t kicked in more than a couple of times by the previous owner.

300zs are just expensive to maintain like Supras and RX7s. MR2s are not, they're just a pain to work on

 

[Rent]

I left out LS1 Camaro/Firebirds because they don't fall in your price range.

An LT1 Fbody would be a great learner car as well for someone getting adjusted to the power.

 

[krunchykrome]

F*ck it, just go with this Text

 

[Actaeon]

Bump for the morning crowd.

 

[StageLeft]

You think insurance is bad now and you're considering a 300zx? My advice: Forget a car. You're 18. Just keep what you have now, because insurance at your age will kill the liklihood of any enjoyment in a car, plus a $10k 300zx is going to have some miles on it - especially if it's a TT.

Oh sh*t I just realized you were talking about the TT 300zx and not the NA. You need to put down the pipe. Insurance would cost an 18 year old, on a TT, about $5500/week. Or more.

 

[thedarkwolf]

If your paying $650 every 3 months for a saturn God help you if you get a car with real power.

Here is an idea. Get an older sporty car like say a late 80s rx-7 turbo , 300zx turbo, 5.0l mustang or whatever for fairly cheap and only get liability insurance on it. Keep the saturn and insure it as one of your parents cars so you have something to drive while your playing with the other one.

If you must go newer then about the only thing I can think of that fits is a V6 f-body. They have 200hp, rwd, and sticks and if you lucky with a V6 you might be able to afford the insurance.