I have been browsing for a while and I decided to join. Anyway, I am looking to get a new car. I currently have a 1998 2.5TL, but don't really like it (Inline-5 engine, auto tranny, expensive parts). I am currently considering a few cars, one being the Type-R. The two others I am looking at are the 2nd gen Acura Legend and the Lexus SC300.

A little background. I am in college right now, but don't pay for it thanks to grants and scholorships. Basically, the only payments I have to make are car/insurance. I definitely need a car at school, that's a positive.

Plans would be to get the SC and turbo it next spring, or get the Legend and continually mod it, or, get the Type-R and add a few things, nothing major. My only problem is I am only looking to spend like $7k, $8k max on a Type-R. I'm just not sure if I can find a Type-R for that kind of money.

How reliable is the Type-R compared to the other cars I listed? I can pretty much do any basic maitenance myself, including stereo, fiberglass, oil change, ect. I really like the idea of a great handling car such as the Type-R, and autocross as well .

Any suggestions?

Thanks.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by HQuakers &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Any suggestions?</TD></TR></TABLE>

For $7-8K, I suggest you lower your sights. You should be able to get a decent '97 Accord or '99 Civic for that price. Not a drivable ITR.

(...or perhaps you were just joking?)

 

Legend
ITR for less than 10K, not gonna happen
SC 300

I'd get a GS-R or a '97 Prelude with a bunch of miles. Do you like the older GTI's?

 

You aren't going to find an ITR for that amount of money.

 

If you double the amount to around 15-16k $ you may have better luck in finding a decent ITR.

 

How close is the GSR platform compared to the Type-R? Are the parts interchangeable?? I really like the Integras with the JDM front conversion. Maybe a GSR is in that price range?

 

Yes, you can find a GS-R in that price range. Uhm, not to be an ***, but autotrader.com has just a couple cars for sale to help you asset market values.

I take it you didn't get your scholarships and grants for your resourcefulness on the web.

 

consider that even if you find an ITR your gonna be driving it to school everyday or whatever.......an out of sight ITR tends to stay out of sight if you know what I mean...

 

Well, I check Autotrader, as well as the other websites daily, but not ITR's around me so I didn't know what they were going for. Also, I am quite resourceful on the web..

Also, I'm not going to be driving it to school every day. I live at school, and will be driving it to work like 3 days a week (10 miles total each day). I only live 35 minutes from school as well, so not a lot of miles are going to be racked up in the car.

I guess I will keep looking and thinking about my next car.

Also, anybody have any suggestions of another good handling car?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Chris N &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">You aren't going to find an ITR for that amount of money.</TD></TR></TABLE>

very true

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Two others [i'm looking at] at are the 2nd gen Acura Legend and the Lexus SC300</TD></TR></TABLE>

if these are your other two selections the type R is not for you.

 

Buy a jetta

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by HQuakers &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Also, anybody have any suggestions of another good handling car? </TD></TR></TABLE>

The GS-R is a great idea for the price range you're considering. You might want to ask about it in the Integra forum.

 

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

if these are your other two selections the type R is not for you.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Why do you say that?


Also, thanks for the input from the helpful posters

 

ITR won't last too long in a school parking lot, I don't care where your school is, If you could find one for the amount you have.

a 2000+ GSR would be a nice car to have if you like integras that much, or a prelude if you need to have a honda product.

 

I don't necessarily like integras over any other car. I am just looking for a car that has power potential and good handling.

Do you guys think that I might be able to get a GSR w/a JDM front end for under $10k? You guys are right though...I am going to lower my sights because I really can't afford something over $10k.

Also, as I am unfamiliar w/integras, but could you guys/gals tell me if type-r engine internals fit in a GS-R motor? I am just thinking about power issues.

Thanks again. You have been helpful to me w/my future car situation.

 

ITR seems out of your price range and if your going to school, i would hope u have a garage for that baby or good luck keeping her long...
&lt;------is going to school as well and has been followed near home before...nice to have garage to hide her, but not completly safe either

 

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

if these are your other two selections the type R is not for you.</TD></TR></TABLE>

not necessarily. 2nd gen Legend coupe w/ typeII engine is a very nicely balanced cruiser/fun transportation. kinda like a 5th gen Prelude.

 

...maybe findin an itr for like 10k and up is reasonable. but if your going to college, an itr is going to be a thefts target. but outta the other cars, the itr would be the best choice, i think so anyways. do you have a garage to put the car in? if not, pick somthin else instead of an itr. and for 7-8k, you could find a nice gsr. that is if you like integras...

 

Whatever car I do end up getting will be going into a garage. It will not be parked outside at all on campus.

I think the GS-R is going to be my best bet if I get a teg.

Thanks Cosworth. The Type II Legend coupe w/the 230HP engine is a fun car to drive, especially the 6-speed

 

ITR shell for around 7-8g

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by HQuakers &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I don't necessarily like integras over any other car. I am just looking for a car that has power potential and good handling.

Do you guys think that I might be able to get a GSR w/a JDM front end for under $10k?</TD></TR></TABLE>

There's a separate Integra forum where folks will be happy to help you with your GS-R questions.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by HQuakers &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">could you guys/gals tell me if type-r engine internals fit in a GS-R motor? I am just thinking about power issues.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Since you are constrained by a relatively tight budget, I suggest that you get the best car you can afford within that budget, and don't spend any money on mods right now. You can always add those later, when your finances improve.

 

Thanks for the help. I'm gonna head over to the GSR forum.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by HQuakers &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
..... My only problem is I am only looking to spend like $7k, $8k max on a Type-R. I'm just not sure if I can find a Type-R for that kind of money.
</TD></TR></TABLE>

You could be lucky to get one for that price in japan...although i did But when you take shipping (the ridiculous US registration process...which we dont have) and everything else into account...add lots of $$$$$s onto that price!