YACT - Yet Another Car Thread - Help me Decide!

[NetCadet]

Hi Guys,

I know that some of you don't wanna see another car thread, but I really am confused and torn on the topic at hand. I know that some of you are really into cars and I hope you might be able to help me out.

I am looking for a nice vehicle - something pretty fast or something that can be made to be fast - and most importantly something of good value, the best bang-for-your-buck, something I had the option of reselling later at a minimal loss. It is also pretty important that the car turn some heads and make a few people jealous....I really have no specific specs in mind, so here are some vehicles I've been considering:

Honda Civic - Reccomended to me by a friend of mine. He says they are very reliable and don't lose value very quickly. Do you think it would actually turn any heads though? With a sweet body kit, some performance tires w/ nice rims, an ear-busting stereo system, and performance air filter/exhaust parts, maybe?

Honda Accord - Also has some cool body kits and stuff available

Honda Prelude - A little faster and more sporty than above. Probably depreciates faster tho...

Nissan Altima - Some guys on the BBS have mentioned this one - looks alright to me.

Mazda Protoge - Again, some decent body kits and stuff could make this car a contender.

Mazda RX-6/7 - More of a sporty, fast, head-turner. Not sure about "value" tho.

Mazda MX-?

Mitsubishi Eclipse - Loved this car on the Fast and the Furious. Sweet body kits available. Not sure again about overall value.

Toyota Supra - 100% sports car - pretty expensive though - probably not a good value.

Toyota Celica - Underpowered perhaps? Value?

Ford Mustang - American-made car - too common, I think - anyone?

Ford Probe - ???

Pontiac Sunfire 2-door - Also too common for my tastes, probably - not a good value, IMO.

Pontiac Firebird Trans-Am - Not sure what the verdict is on this one.

Dodge Stealth - ???

Eagle Talon - ???

I'm not afraid to spend a lot of money because a vehicle is a status symbol - although I also see it as an investment. I know that it is a losing investment, however I'd like to be able to justify what loss there is.

Please let me know what you think, and feel free to add suggestions of your own. Thanks guys.

 

[RossMAN]

You're naming vehicles in at least 3 different categories, WTF?

How much is your budget?

If you want decent performance, good resale value and reliability go with the Honda Accord or Nissan Altima.

 

[Thegonagle]

First, a Civic is an econo-car, and damn good one at that. I know this because I have own one. I'd even go out and say it is the very best econo-car you can buy, because it handles reasonably well and feels fairly peppy. It is not a sports car. Even though it can be a fun car to drive, It can not hang with actual sports cars. It takes a lot of money for a Civic to be made into a sports car. Start with something with a larger engine. (Personally, I think a Prelude would be a wonderful start.)

The above comments don?t really apply to the 99-2000 Civic Si, because they?ve done all the handling and performance mods for you at Honda, including gear ratio adjustments, 4 wheel disc brakes, shocks and (normal height) springs, sway bars, strut tower brace, not to mention, an engine swap!

Second, if you want to be able to resell your car at a minimal loss, do not modify anything. It?s only worth what somebody will pay you for it. I personally would not want a body kit, and I absolutely would not want a lowered car in Minnesota, so your car would be worth less to me with these mods. If you wouldn?t give me a price I liked, I would keep looking, and you would still have your car. Many people, especially a used car manager looking at your car as a trade, would feel the same.

 

[sohcrates]

2002 Altima

Turns heads, is Fast, and has been getting very good reviews

I'm planning on buying one next month hopefully

 

[blueadobe2000]

......................

 

[MWink]

Ford Probe (First gen)!!!

(obviously they are my favorite)

 

[psteng19]

Nissan's will blow away just about anything in their respective classes AND price range.
AND they have good reliability, and decent resale.
resale is not as good as toyota's or honda's, but better than domestics.

Sentra $13-18k
altima $18-23k
maxima $23-27k
Z < $30k

Nissan ~ Driven

 

[rominl]

Acura TL-S hands down

The new Altima is really nice, only if Nizzan realizes that they have put too high of a price tag on the car.

 

[Looney]

I would go for the Prelude... and the depreciation isn't so bad actually. American cars on the other hand depreciates a lot faster for some reason.

 

[masterxfob]

nissan is good but i don't think it's the best.

sentra is comparable to a civic si or an integra gsr, it boasts big numbers but doesn't show them on dyno's or the 1/4 mile. yes, i do realize that both si and gsr are no longer in production.

altima is along the lines of a integra type-r or a wrx, of course we're talking about the v6 which will bring it up to the price range of the type-r and wrx. i also know that the type-r is no longer in production.

maxima is probably the best car in it's class at the best value, only other car that could compare is the accord or camry but we all know that's no contest.

350z will be something to wait for, but i would stay away from it the first few years since it will only most likely offer a base engine. they generally offer bigger engines and add on turbos after it proves to be a seller, as in the case with the suburban (bought it with a 5.7 v8 in 95 but now they've got 7.0 v8). however, i'd also watch out for the rx8 coming soon.

hehe, i realize my post is bit biased, sorry (i buy foreign cars and domestic trucks, utilize the strength of both markets right?).

 

[SidewaysN2second]

new TA's look badass, Have the LS1 350 V8, some can pull high 12's in the 1/4 box stock, with t tops you have the best of both worlds! however i believe this is the last year of production.... RIP Fbody

 

[RC5Bri]

How about a used Acura Integra, or the new 2002 Acura RSX. The RSX Type S is a sporty car with 200hp, has pretty decent styling. I am considering the RSX-S and the Celica...but I am still saving money.

Links:
http://www.acura.com/model_rsx/rsx_index.asp and
http://www.clubrsx.com

 

[Wetling23]

The Civic is a good car, but not particularly powerful. I'd get the Accord because Hondas resell prett high and are reliable. I wouldn't get a Nissan because everyone I know that has bought/leased one has regretted it.

 

[CraigRT]

<< I wouldn't get a Nissan because everyone I know that has bought/leased one has regretted it. >>



That's weird.. most of the people I know never buy another car again because Nissan rocks

 

[psteng19]

<< altima is along the lines of a integra type-r or a wrx, of course we're talking about the v6 which will bring it up to the price range of the type-r and wrx. i also know that the type-r is no longer in production. >>


uhmm... i don't think the altima is anywhere near the lines of the type-r, or even a wrx.
it's a friggin family sedan that competes in the same class as an accord or camry.



<< I wouldn't get a Nissan because everyone I know that has bought/leased one has regretted it. >>


hmm... i think the maxima has one of the highest repeat customer rates simply because its a damn good car.
my uncle's been through 2 max's already (leasing), and this is AFTER driving a BMW for 8 years.
and he plans to lease another max as soon as this one is up.

Nissan ~ Driven

sigh... and most people talk about the reliability and resale of honda's/toyota's like nothing can come near it...
i personally feel that nissan's are just as reliable, based on experience (family has had 3 nissan's, all still running strong).
and the lower resale is a good thing if you're buying used

 

[RossMAN]

How about a Hyundai Sonata?

 

[NetCadet]

Does the Subaru WRX come in 2-door?

I've listed cars in many different categories because I really am not sure what I want. The "head-turning" factor is pretty important to me, yet I want to feel that I haven't payed too much for a car. I don't care what I have to spend, as long as I am happy with the amount I've spent.

Also, do the Maximas/Altimas come in a 2-door? Can't seem to find one on the website!

By the way, I really love the BMW Z3, but I NEED back seats. I haul at least two friends around with me at all times. I don't care if they have to chop off their legs to fit in it, but I do need at least some semblance of a back seat.

 

[NetCadet]

I am also looking at Camaros (cheaper than I thought they were!) and the Hyundai Tiburon.

 

[thedarkwolf]

Well only the only ones one your list I like are the Mustang GT(even better a cobra), Trans Am and the RX-7. I like the v8 power and well the rx-7 is just neat .

 

[JACKHAMMER]

<< I'm not afraid to spend a lot of money because a vehicle is a status symbol >>



I was going to give you some advice, but now I am just going to call you a MORON!

 

[vi edit]

Audi TT coupe w/ 225 HP.

Head turning looks. Awe inspiring interior. Fairly rare. And a back seat....although I wouldn't want to be in it

 

[gregshin]

Have you ever thought about getting a 97-98 nissan 240sx? Now that car will turn heads...let me show you a pic of mine...also you can do alot mods to it...you can either swap the engine for the legendary Japanene Silvia SR20DET or just turbo charge the original engine...plus you'll have something that all the honda boys wish for....rear wheel drive!

Here is the pic! My car does not have a body kit that is stock!

 

[busmaster11]

I'd say if you want bang for your buck go with the Hyundai Sonata. IF you want reputable quality and people to get jealous, go for a 2002 Altima.

You can't go wrong with a VW Jetta or Honda Civic, but those usually have high markups and don't offer the discounts other manufacturers do.

NetCadet - narror your search to one class. You have economy cars, sports cars, and family sedans in there. In terms of ascending price, my list looks like this: Corolla, Civic, Sonata, Jetta, Altima, Accord.

 

[Yourself]

For those who think the new Altima is "just" a family car in the class of the Camry/Accord, you should go drive it. I bought an '02 Altima SE 3.5 and I can't say enough good things about it....and yes it's freakin fast. Can you say 0-60 in just over 6 seconds?
Just my $.02


Self

 

[NetCadet]

The new Audi TT looks a little too funky for me. Sure it turns heads, but I'm not sure that's a good thing in this case.

A vehicle most certainly is a status symbol. Unfortunately, in our society we are frequently judged by such superficial things as the car we drive.
Live with it.