View Full Version : 240SX, MR2, FD3S, or GTI (kinda long)
kurissuS13
07-30-2002, 12:23 AM
i am curious to what the ppl on this board would do if they were in my friend's current position.
as of now, he is driving his mom's 4dr Civic LX. he is desperately looking for his own car to get. originally, he was gonna get the GD8 WRX, but his mom bought a Sienna and now the WRX is history. in september, he'll be able to trade/sell the car, which is $7k-$8k and will have about $10k-$13k to work with on getting his own car.
the problem is, he has no idea what car to get! he had his hopes set on the WRX, but that is not likely possible. all that he's concerned about is style and having a turbo w/BOV. but, i'm figuring that soon enough, he'll start to care about actual car performance. most likely, this car'll see autoX track moe than the drag strip. he came up with a list of cars that he's thinking of getting and i'd like to kno what y'all would get and how would u able to modify it, within $10k-$13k including the car.
-S13 or S14
-MR2
-FD3S
-VW GTI
SR20Fastback
07-30-2002, 12:51 AM
probably wont find many fd's for that cheap either, I say S14, or S13 if hes gonna want to mod it a lot. MR2 would be nice too, but I think insurance would be cheaper on the 240 since its not turbo from factory.
Yosho
07-30-2002, 01:32 AM
Since your friend is probably young, I'd wouldn't advise the MR2 as his first real car. Great car that it is, he'll probably push it beyond it's limits at some point and loose it.
The FD is not really a good first car either... your friend probably won't do the regular maintance on it and thus his engine will need a rebuild all too soon. Not something that he'll probably want to deal with or pay for.
The GTI or the S13/14 are both good choices... the GTI will be easier to drive for a first time driver (and safer) but the S13/14 will offer more style and performance over the long run. Not to mention they're more reliable than the older GTI's.
HippoSleek
07-30-2002, 07:48 AM
If your factors are what matters, I'd say go s13/14 w/ a snail.
GTI - VW reliability and build quality? Ugh! Although it is cheaper to maintain, is 100% legal no matter where you go, and can be a fast little car. If he doesn't like to or can't turn a wrench OR if you live where emissions are an issue he won't be willing to skirt, this may edge out the 240.
FD - too much $$$$ to buy
Mr2 - too much $$$$ to maintain (b/c of engine location - everything is twice as expensive and 5 times as hard to do)
kurissuS13
07-30-2002, 12:57 PM
thanx for the replies, guys!
in response, he isn't very mechanically inclined and he doesn't make that much, prolly about $600 a month. he has no expenses, so all that money he makes is his. but this car will be his burden alone, so if he screws up, he can't cry and run to his mom. he, also, has told me that he is very willing to learn how to fix/maintain/modify whatever car he gets.
has found a FD for $12k, but he's prty shur that he insurance would be WAY to high to pay.
he can afford to pay the insurance for the MR2 on his own. but, he's more lookin at gettin a N/A MR2 and then swapping in the 3S-GTE. that whole project would cost about $10k.
he's favoring the GTI more, cause it wouldn't require that much work on his part. but he knows that he'll prolly need to save up more to get one of those. they go for more than $13k, right?
so, which car is easier to turbo, S13 or S14? either by swapping in an SR or installing a turbo kit. is it possible to accomplish this under $10k? or is it more feasible to do so with a S14, cuz i don't want him to get a S13 like i do. <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':D'>
thanx for replyin! <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/thumbs-up.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':thumbsup:'>
initial s14
07-30-2002, 01:06 PM
i used to be an mr2 enthusiast ...well actually im still a member of its forum.. and i suggest the mr2.. fun to drive and very addicting to take it everywhere. its trade in value is very high. mid engine is so awesome.. get the sw20 n/a .. swappin to a turbo doesnt cost much. 4K more likely will get you a 1998 3s-gte gen iv engine. i know who can do it... its cartunemotorsports.com who are mr2/ silvia experts.
if he gets it.. tell him i still have a set of 93 rims and hks 5" tip dual exhaust with me for sale. <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':D'>
SR20Fastback
07-30-2002, 01:10 PM
S13 + SR20DET = owned!! <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':p'> haha
well its just as easy to turbo a KA, but I suggest doing that in an S14 or get a newer KA swap/rebuild and then turbo it in the S13. But Id say its just for reliability issues.
nrcooled
07-30-2002, 01:25 PM
s13+sr20det=ll
ll
ll
ll
V
the kill list is getting absurd
make sure to add a riced out spec-v on the list
SR20DETlover
07-30-2002, 02:24 PM
get like a 89-91 240sx (S13) then ship an SR20DET from japan. it will be the sweetest car ever!!! that's what i did and i am only 16 years old. 240sx's are my life, aside from the love of me life.
mr2freak
07-30-2002, 05:27 PM
the mr2 would be a great car, but for that money i would get a 90-96 300zx.
AKADriver
07-30-2002, 07:31 PM
</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (kurissuS13 @ July 30 2002,1:57)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">he's favoring the GTI more, cause it wouldn't require that much work on his part. but he knows that he'll prolly need to save up more to get one of those. they go for more than $13k, right?</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
Mine was $10500 and it came with a pile of mods already installed (and some valuable goodies sitting in the hatch)
You can find a nice '95 or '96 GTI VR6 for under $10k if you look around.
MikeFD3S
07-31-2002, 02:40 AM
GTi - easiest to maintain, most forgiving handling. cheap insurance.
s13 - easy maintenance, good car to learn rwd in, easy to mod. cheap insurance.
s14 - ditto, good RWD car albiet a bit trickier than s13, parts a lil more expensive. average insurance.
mr2 - awesome car, fun to mod, great mid-eng handling, but extremely unforgiving to driver error (ie: snap & lift off oversteer) can be expensive. NA engine is practically bullet proof. NA mkii is good for a beginner, turbo mkii is geared more for a seasoned driver/backyard mechanic. slightly expensive insurance (2 seater, +turbo = $$<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=';)'>
fd3s - good car if you are a DIY'er and can be a responsible driver...even then maintenance is extremely $$$$.... look to spend at least 5k in 1st year. Awesome handling, speed. Parts very expensive. You'll need to do TONS of research if you want to keep one...requires a lot of patience and dedication...definitely not for daily driving. Insurance extremely expensive. For 16 year old, expect 3500 a year for full coverage.
uiuc240
07-31-2002, 08:33 AM
</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (MikeFD3S @ July 31 2002,03:40)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">GTi - easiest to maintain, most forgiving handling. cheap insurance.</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
Are you speaking from personal experience?
GTIs are not cheap to insure. Especially the VR6 version. Or anything with a 1.8t for that matter. Why do you think people still buy the 2.0 motor? Also, I used to be a VeeDub head...they are maintenance-heavy. If you want a trouble-free car, get the newest 240 you can find for your money (unless you want an old cheap one for an SR, like me).
Eric
MikeFD3S
07-31-2002, 11:38 AM
ive never owned one but I know a few veedub heads who have them, albeit the ones i had in mind were the older model mk 2 & 3. I believe the newest GTi VR6 models are way out of his price range.
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