The reason i ask you guys is that i know this is the place i can come to find opinions from people who actually care about handling and braking, etc.

I have around 14,5k to spend. But i am in college, so i need something practical. The car will be a daily driver and autox car. (Doesn't have to be THE CAR to have in any given class, as long as it's a decent autoxer.) also occasional HPDE.

I really want an ITR, but what i need to know is, in your opinion, are theft and insurance rates just too high to warrant getting one at this stage of my life.

Also considering the MSP......i've read that it's quite the handler, and it's pretty cheap too.......i would have $ left over for extra set of rims and autox tires.

BMW 328is (E36) is not out of the question either. They can be had for about the same price as the MSP.
WAS considering ///M3, but i don't know if that's a wise choice giving my poor college student financial state.

I just want to hear what you all think.

 

Chris I think with you being in school right now you should hold off on an ITR and get something else.

 

Werd.

Save your money. You'll need it for school and/or to get settled when you graduate.

Get something used, not too expensive, and reliable - maybe a Civic or an older GS-R. Don't spend more than half of what you've got saved.

 

I'd say GSR. Not quite a ITR but definately packs similar performance for a much lower price. You can easily find a GSR at prices significantly under 14.5K.

 

2nd gen CRX Si Ultra cheap and you can save the rest of your money for mods or save it for a Type R for when you get out of school!

 

Check out the MSP, a GSR is still very likely to get stolen and insurance probably sucks almost as bad as the R.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Eva01 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I'd say GSR. Not quite a ITR but definately packs similar performance for a much lower price. You can easily find a GSR at prices significantly under 14.5K.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Hiroki had a GS-R in college...come to think of it, it's the same college that Chris is asking about. I'd go for a GS-R or an EM1.

 

Yeah, i loved my GSR when i had it. Insurance was pretty high, but i'm not really in a high-theft area.

I think i may just go with the Mazdaspeed Protege. Probablly not much more than i could get a GSR for, handles better, 4 doors, and under warranty!

Thanks for the imput guys.

 

I have an MSP. It is my daily driver. I got the 2003.5 version. I also have a 2000 ITR. The MSP is much faster around town with its obvious torque advantage and turbo. Its handling is more crisp and responsive as well. Its not as fun and doesn't have the high revving powerband but its perfect for everyday life. I drive it to work, go out with friends in it, park it anywhere, holds 5 people no problem and luggage too. It also has a KICK *** stereo. The brakes are superb as well. Has an LSD too. Its a solid car. Only problem I can think of is no cruise control and the uber responsive steering can become a pain on long drive on the highway. But if you are looking at an R, this car is definitely easier to live with day to day. Should be able to find a nice one right around the price point you stated with a good deal of its warranty left over which comes in handy in college. With some simple modifications, the car can easily hang with a modified R. Just add an intake, downpipe, exaust, new cat converter and boost controller and you can easily hit high 13's low 14's. Or keep it stock like me

p.s Forgot one detractor, car suffers from torque steer even though it has an LSD. Not a big deal though!

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Dave_B &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Chris I think with you being in school right now you should hold off on an ITR and get something else.</TD></TR></TABLE>



Get a snatchback with a swap.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by chris1866 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> But i am in college.....poor college student financial state.

</TD></TR></TABLE>


He is in college everyone, not high school.

 

GS-R, I bought mine for $9,900, '99. I love it, it's a great college car, 30mph freeway/city .

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by AamirCWITR &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I have an MSP.</TD></TR></TABLE>

What's an MSP?

EDIT: Never mind - Mazdaspeed Protege. I would have called that an MP, but...