i know these threads are stupid, but i need a balanced opinion on my next car

budget: about 4k

goals: daily driver reliability that seats 4, some auto x and road course action

preferences: 4 or 6 cly(inline 6). FWD, RWD AWD i dont care, turbocharged or N/A are both good, no civics or integras (theft sucks)

i really dont like the idea of financing(payments) but if there is a car thats worth it then i wouldnt mind

if i didnt have a kid i would have bought an s2000 long ago lol

any input is appreciated, thanks

 

Tall order for a $4k car. hahaha

You dont have many choices in that price range.

-Older bmw 3 series. Reliability is kind of hit or miss.
-Stock motor 240sx can be had for that much. Back seats are a joke and Im sure they are getting stolen almost as much as civics these days.
-Older Accord, throw some suspension at it. Still gets stolen.
-Cressida. Doubt they are much fun to race though. They are pig heavy and 99% are automatic.
-If you're not dead set against domestics, SN95 GTs are getting pretty cheap these days.
-Galant vr4, decent ones are rare and still not reliable.
-How about a gen 1 CRV 5sp? They are cheap. Throw some suspension at it. Guys race them.

Cant think of much else that fits your requirements.


Hate to say it, but for all of your needs, sounds like you need 4 door civic or teg. haha
or just up your price range.

 

1) 2nd Gen Non-Turbo Eclipse (95-99) Super Reliable, Fun, and Still Stylistically Relevant
2) Late Model Celica
3) 1st Gen Impreza/Legacy Wagon, (94-01), AWD and Bullet Proof with the 2.2ltr
4) Nissan Hardbody Pickup truck, same Ka24 4cyl as the 240sx, reliable, useful, and reasonably fun
5) Mazda 323 GTX, good luck finding one, turbo AWD 4cyl
6) Dodge Omni/Spirit R/T, sleeper turbo K-cars, stupid fast with easy mods and pretty reliable, again good luck finding one

 

1st gen subys got me interested.

i know 4k is kinda low, but i can up the budget if i can get somthing in payments
possibly up to 8-10k with a healthy down payment

and thanks so far fellas

 

I used to have a 95 Impreza Coupe that I bought for $200 with a bad fuel pump. It was a complete rusted out beater, but it was AWD with the 2.2, autotragic unfortunately. Despite that, it was a total blast to thrash down washed out logging roads. It was a solid car and survived numerous instances of being sunk down to the axles in mud and some how always pulled itself out under its own steam. I sold it for $2200 last summer and I miss it.


When I first got it, riced out by previous owner.



After I got done with it.

 

I was sitting in a 90somthing suby wagon at the junkyard earlier and it felt pretty good

 

Mazda Protege
e36 3-series
e30 3-seires
e34 5-series
90s Maxima (pretty easy to find with a stick)
Volvo 850 T5/R

 

For 4k you can get a nice Honda. Maybe something like a hatchback with a swap.

 

he said theft was bad in his area.

 

So? If constant fear of theft is in the back of your mind, get a Geo Metro.

 

^^not exactly, theres plenty of turbo nissan guys here that dont worry about theft in the least, and i mean guys with built sr20's that park on the street without that fort knox style security like my hatchback


you guys have no idea how bad it is here. there are 2-3 honda crews of people who openly admit to being thieves. they brag about how they never had to pay for a part that went on theyr cars because "they aint stupid and know how to hustle and come up on fools"

**** makes me angry as fu*ck

 

It sounds to me like you are not looking for a car and instead are looking for a safe purchase. I can't help you with that one. Good luck.

 

Prelude, any gen! There are still some unmolested at that price range, whatever you do if you go with 5th gen do not get auto-manual, their transmissions are almost guaranteed to take a dump..

 

Nvm, i see now you want a 4 seater, the lude is definitely cramped in the back

 

fox body mustang

 

get a subaru forester!!
i got one last winter for around $3500.
mine was a 1999 5 sp with just under 100k and i love that thing!!

 

Get a z28, you will be blown away.

 

what about a 1973 nova 4 door with a straight 6? they never die, start in minus 40, and no one wants to steal them!