So I'm selling my 97 Gs Integra and getting something new. Currently, I have about 7.5g to spend, and I was thinking about purchasing another honda/acura, si, gsr, type r, or rsx/rsx-s etc. And NO, I WILL NOT be spending this money on "power" so please save your comments about mods dealing with n/a and boost applications, or swaps. My objective is to find a car with decent gas mileage for commuting, a 4-cylinder (non-turbo, no rotary motors, no awd), low theft rate, inattentive look, reliable, durable, decent power, and at least a four seater. I looked and looked and found one car which fits all of these standards. I've decided on purchasing a clean silver 2006 corolla xrs (rare cars). Found one for 7.5g, 26,000 miles on it, salvage title probably. Test drove it and it ran like a charm. VVTL-i kick in wonderfully. Any other suggestions? Anyone know if the insurance for this kind of car is the same or cheaper than a gsr? This car just came out not so long along so I have no idea on how long the motor will last but knowing Toyota, it should do 200k+ easily. Any personal experience with this kind of car?

 

hard pressed to find opinions on a corolla here. if you're gonna have like 10k, i'd buy something nicer than another civic/integra imo.

 

I don't think the corolla xrs is that bad of a car besides the feminine look. I really dig the sleeper look. Problem is that I don't have anything close to 10k and nothing really beats a honda. Parts for other kinds of cars are too expensive as well.

 

sorry i interpreted your 7.5k as a single unit before selling your car . i don't see anything wrong with the corolla though if it fits all of your criteria. base your buys on what you like and what gets you what you need. .

 

thanks

 

Pick up an rsx or find a clean lexus gs

 

lexus gs parts are expensive if something breaks. Rsx/rsx-s has a pretty high theft rate. I live in apartment with no garage and trust me, with the 97 Gs Integra I have now, sleeping is a phobia.

 

My wife's '04 Corolla S is actually pretty fun to drive (though it's an auto). Looked up the stats and they're ~2500 lbs. Interior is really spacious. It's been dead reliable thus far (although you've got the more powerful engine). Best part is, you won't have to worry too much about theft. The XRS is not known too well and you don't see them modded like Hondas, thus less of a theft target. Nice cars, though. I'd get it if it's clean.

 

Very true. The Corolla S has been re-tune for low rpm torque. I believe it have almost the same hp spec as the 94-01 civic ex (127hp, 115ft lb trq). I drove one before and it was pretty fun. The stick-shift model is not really that slow. I also test drove the 06 Xrs model. Although it's a bit heavier than an Integra Gsr, it has way more torque down low. It's hard to argue which one is really faster but I still love both cars. For security reasons, I would have to go with the Xrs. It's very inexpensive to make the Xrs look identical to the Corolla S and no one will ever expect a thing. A perfect sleeper I could say.

 

you really don't have many other cars to choose from besides the cobalt ss, the earlier supercharged ones are going to be better performing than the corolla but the appearance is well....either you can handle it or you can't. the ecotec motors are also rock solid and get better mpg than you might expect.

i suppose the vr6 jetta could come up but i'd much rather have a GM or toyota anything. for some reason VW and tools come to mind in the same picture.

 

True. Well, turns out I was about to buy that guy's Xrs for 7.5g but he sold it yesterday. Damm I was so ****. I was about to get out of the honda game for a while and learn more about Toyota but I guess not. Well, here I am again. I say screw it, I love Honda too much. I guess I can take the phobia of not sleeping at night for a little while longer since I live in an apartment with no garage. I am now looking into getting another integra (Gsr), one of those silver 2001 Gsr Integra to be exact. Those baby are kind of rare. Also looking into 97 and up Honda Prelude and SH models also.

 

7.5k + what you get form your teggy can put you in the range of an s2000 around here. There are also rsx going for that cheap.

 

if you ever buy a cobalt make sure it has been checked for service bulletin doc id 1863814. my GF had an 06 that had nasty and totally unsafe computer failures until we took it to a dealer that knew what they were looking for. otherwise, they are neat cars besides the goofy ecotec oil filter setup.

 

7.5g is what I have after selling my teg. My bad for the bad write up lol.

 

I know Honda brand loyalists will hate on this,but I'd recommend a 96-99 BMW M3 4 door. They're fast look good,and nearly impossible to steal due to double locking doors. Also it would fit you criteria for seating four not to mention in comfort. For how much you have you could get a nice one. Flame On!! lol

 

Good luck with the maintenance on that thing.

And if you're going to get an M3 sedan, get a 98-99 for the 3-spoke steering wheel. And try to find one with vader seats.

I'm a BMW fan, but not for a DD. I'd love to get an E30 M3 for a track car. Too bad the maintenance and parts are $$$$.

 

They are not anymore costly to maintain than most other imports. I owned a 94 Dinan3 before my GT it was the most reliable car I've ever owned. I do agree with the Vader seats and 2 spoke wheel comment though.

 

Try test driving a Ford Focus they are great all around cars I worked for a ford dealer for a year and a half and drove a lot of different cars the focus was my favorite.

 

theres nothing wrong with a corolla xrs but i would check on the title and make sure its not salvaged cause eventually you will most likely sell it. Even though cars devalue with age/miles ones with them are hard to sell/trade and you loose a lot of money that your worked hard for.

 

M3 is not a bad idea except I don't think it such a good DD. Insurance will be expensive and probably consumes a lot of gas. Focus are okay cars but I don't dig the looks. I'll probably just continue sticking with Hondas.

 

Are you kidding? Please say you're not trying to tell me maintenance cost on a BMW is the same as a Honda. Unless you're talking about MB and Audi.

Went to the dealership to get a new bulb for the OBC in my old E30. $60. Two bulbs.

@ ILS 09 - They're actually pretty good on gas. Friend's E46 M3 got about 30MPG on the highway and the E36's are the same. They're super fun to drive. Not to maintain, though.

 

The first car to pop into my head after reading this was the Lexus IS-300. I have no idea of the marketing sales or private party sales but seems close to what you described. Don't think it can cost much more then what you say you're willing to spend.

 

All of your advices are good but I wish it would be as easy as you guys describe it lol. You can't believe how absurd some of these owners/dealership are selling their cars for. It's pretty damm hard to find a good car for a reasonable price. Some of them are selling cars for 8-9g+ for cars who has 140k+ mileage with a clean or savage title. Negotiating with them are a pain in the *** and some of them hella riced out thinking that the value of their car goes up with more aftermarket parts added. I can't even find a bone stock car now and days and usually it's pretty damm far too. I guess I'll have to take my time.

 

You need to narrow it down to what you really want in a car, and how much you're REALLY looking to spend on what you really want.

 

s2k all day