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I totaled my '97 'Tour Sport last year and was rushed to buy a cheap car real quick for transportation (work, etc). That car happens to be a '90 Honda Accord, about as dependable as you can get. So, since I bought that, I've been saving for a car, and I figure I'll be ready to buy in around 8-10 months. I'm lookin' for cars in the $22,000-$27,000 range, give or take. Here's some cars I'm interested in, in and around that price range.
-2002 Honda S2000
-2002 Nissan 350Z
-2003 Mitsubishi Lancer EVO VIII
-1997 (at least '97) BMW M3 coupe
-2000-2001 Audi S4
-2001-2002 Ford Lightning
-2002 Acura 3.2CL Type S
-2001 Mercedes SLK230
-2002 Volkswagen GTI 337 1.8T Turbo hatch
-2003 Mazda Mazdaspeed Protege
-2003 Mazda 6 S
-2003 Dodge Neon SRT-4
And of course, with that kind of range, I could very easily buy a mid-90's super car, i.e. RX-7, 300ZX, Supra, 3000GT VR-4, but I honestly think I'd probably be spending more money on upkeep in the first 2 months of owning it, than I spent on the thing in the first place. Although it would be sweet, it's just not feasible for the position I'm in.
Keep in mind, this list is a very rough draft, I'm just throwing ideas out there. Even though I got a ways to go, it seems you can never research a car enough when planning to buy.
Also, it's obvious I'm going for a sporty car, as shown above. Some of those are a bit more, or quite a bit more sportier than others. I put a nice range up there, because I'm going to have to take insurance in as a factor, of course, and anything else you can think of. Of the selections above, I can tell you that I'm most interested in the S2000, the Audi S4, 2002 3.2 CL-Type S, 2002 Ford Lightning, 2003 Mazda 6 S, '97ish BMW M3. I know that doesn't leave a lot left on there, but I like those the most. I would have added the EVO to the list, but I've heard that Mitsubishi is having some major money issues, and just recalled a ton of parts/cars, so that's not a smart or safe move. And yes, the thought of buying a SVT Contour and modifying it all to hell did cross my mind, since I only owned the V6 Sport before. It would be pretty fun, but I just think I want something different.
Ok, I'm done, I'd appreciate any feedback, concerns, suggestions. TIA.
Last edited by 97CS; 06/08/04 07:47 AM.
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Suggestions:
Mazda RX-8
Test drive the cars and see which one you like best
You have such a wide range of cars on there, even a truck, that I think you need to do some thinking as to what will suit your needs the best.
99 Silver CSVT
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Well, I've already narrowed it down a bit, and I did plan on going out sometime soon and test driving. But then again, there are a lot of things that you can't ever find out when test driving. Known common problems and such, as well as any problems the company may be having, or dependability issues. There's only so much one can learn from test driving it. I also know several people that either own, or have driven several of those cars that can vouch, so for now, I'm alright. And yeah, I've been obsessed with the Lightning ever since I drove my friend's 2002. Quite a fun ride.
Also, as I said in my first post, I'm not even going to buy for another 8-10 months, so it's not like I'm in a hurry to narrow the list down. Right now, I need a bunch of different choices. I just would like to gather as much info. as I can, and that include personal experiences, word of mouth, etc. I'm sure many people on here have read certain things on some of these cars that I haven't.
And about the RX-8, one of my buds has one, he(and his wife) love it. It's real quick, from what they say, and from what I've seen, slick lookin' car, dependable, etc. I didn't really think about it, but I guess it is a possibility. I'll look into it, thanks.
Last edited by 97CS; 06/08/04 08:46 AM.
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Hard-core CEG'er
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Early Z06's will have slipped into that price range in 8-10 months. Run of the mill C5's are already there. Impossible to beat that bang-for-the-buck IMO.
-- 1999 SVT #220 --
In retrospect, it was all downhill from here. RIP, CEG.
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Wow, thats a pretty wide range of cars.... My suggestion is the Acura 3.2CL-S... good reliability, good power, comes with a 6 speed, and the resale is crap so you can pick up a used one cheap as hell. Its the most luxurious car of the list, and insurance will probably be cheaper than a lot of those other ones. That's what i think if that's gonna be your only car... if you're going to keep the accord as a daily beater, i would recommend the S2000, or a 00-01 Audi TT Roadster... some damn good deals can be found on those (i'm looking for one myself  )
Diesel owns you
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Well, I wouldn't try to figure out until I test drove. Some of those cars might be a little tight coming off a SVT, the S2000, TT come to mind.
Too bad you can keep one of each for a week to get a real feel for how you feel in it.
"Fear is the little death."
Muadib.
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You could probably pick up a used 2002 Infinity G35 6MT for around 28K. That would be my choice
"Eagles may soar high, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines."
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that's what im trying to do...  Originally posted by TexasRealtor:
You could probably pick up a used 2002 Infinity G35 6MT for around 28K. That would be my choice
1999 Silver Frost SVT
#609 of 2760
Quaife, lightened SVT Flywheel, SPEC stage II clutch, removed resonator, k&n drop in - various other goodies too.
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CEG\'er
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Originally posted by TheGreatOne:
that's what im trying to do...
Originally posted by TexasRealtor:
You could probably pick up a used 2002 Infinity G35 6MT for around 28K. That would be my choice
might be looking for quite a while....the infiniti G35 coupe didn't come out until '03, and the sedan wasn't available w/ a manual until midway through the '03 model year. 
Originally posted by 97CS:
-2002 Honda S2000
-2002 Nissan 350Z
-2003 Mitsubishi Lancer EVO VIII
-1997 (at least '97) BMW M3 coupe
-2000-2001 Audi S4
-2001-2002 Ford Lightning
-2002 Acura 3.2CL Type S
-2001 Mercedes SLK230
-2002 Volkswagen GTI 337 1.8T Turbo hatch
-2003 Mazda Mazdaspeed Protege
-2003 Mazda 6 S
-2003 Dodge Neon SRT-4
another nit to pick: the 350z came out in '03 as well, not '02. given the discounts available on new ones, coupled w/ tire feathering and other issues of the early ones, i'd stick w/ looking for an '04 or new '05 350z if you go that route - especially in 8-10 months.
i'd look for a 20th anniversary GTI ('03) over a 337, due to rims that don't pit and due to getting a moonroof and a few other miscellaneous improvements. new, they were low-20's, so i'm sure a used one in a few months will be below $20k - and they made 3x as many 20AE's as 337's, making them easier to find.
on that note, i'd consider the R32 as well - now that the initial rush is over, there may well be a few new R32's hanging around on dealer lots in 8-10 months....and those that will be around should see some pretty heavy discounting. invoice is something like $26k, so that would fall in your range....
my favorite out of that lineup is probably the E36 M3, but given their age these days....i decided not to pursue one myself b/c i'd be buying, at best, a 5-year-old car (or older) that would be well out of warranty and in line for some pricier-than-average service costs.
i'd definitely try to evaluate my needs before slimming down the list - w/ everything from the impractical (2-seat roadsters, etc.) to the moderately practical (a truck, albeit a gas-guzzling, tire-eating one) to an even-more practical choice (the 4-door, midsized 6s), you've got quite the range there!
blake
--former CSVT owner--
MINE: 2002 jeep grand cherokee limited 4x4 - stone white/taupe
HERS: 2005 acura TL 5AT non-navi - satin silver/quartz
GARAGE ORNAMENT: 1962 chevy C10 fleetside pickup - tan/rust
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E0 #36
'95 Ranger
'82 Honda CX500
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