Hey, I've been searching for quite awhile on getting a new car. It's hard to make sense for what I need out of all of these other threads so I'd rather just start my own.
As of now I have a 95 Lexus SC400, problem is I deliver pizzas and I'm spending $350+ a month on gas which is way to much. I'm trying to find a car that is a nice respectable car, that gets good gas mileage (will sacrafice some for speed) my sc gets 15-18mpg (stop/go and ac)
I want somthing with decent speed, or somthing I can put money into and make it fast w/o losing alot of gas mileage. My budget will probably be between 8-13k but I can always afford more if need be. Dont want somthing that is too rice, I'm more of a muscle car type person (trans am ws6 is what I really want) but I know any car like that is out of the question because of the gas they get.

any suggestions would be appreciated,
thanks.

i dont know......try a honda accord, decent gas mileage and power behind it plus, you could always upgrade, look at 95 and up accords

Get an Integra GSR, they're cheap, reliable, and quick.. tons of modifications for them too, or look into a 97-01 Honda Prelude.

Pizza delivery eh?? I used to have the same dilema. I'd have to agree on the Integra, great gas mileage, decent looks/power, huge aftermarket...not too rice, can be respectable. I dont know of any muscle that would be good on gas, I used to deliver in my 350 Formula, I don't need to tell you where all my money went i'm sure you can guess. Uhhh Celica might be another good option, keepin it in the Toyota family.

I'd recommend an S13 or S14 240SX. It's got a 2.4L four-cylinder engine, and it can average around 25 mpg when driven regularly, but it's also got quite a bit of torque for a four-cylinder (160 ft-lbs at 4400 rpm), since it's basically a truck motor. And it's even rear-wheel-drive, to enhance the muscle-car feel. The Integra GS-R is a quick, reliable, and cheap-to-own car, but "torquey" is the last word in the dictionary I'd use to describe the motor. The 2.2L Preludes are better, but they are more expensive and harder to find than the 240SX.

Thanks for the replies, I was lookin at preludes already because I like how they look (kinda similar to my car) integras are nice too. I just wish that the srt-4's and ss colbalts came out about 3 years ago so I could buy used ones :P

You can buy used SRT-4s, they did come out in 2003 you know?

However, if that is still too new for you then there are other options. In case you didn't know, Chrysler was making turbo-charged cars long before the SRT-4. Look for a Turbo Mopar from 1989-1993. There are tons of different ones. If you're interested just ask and I can help you out.

I don't know if you can get a good SRT-4 for anywhere near his budget. Also he mentioned something about rice. No stock car is as close to being rice as the SRT-4

I don't know if you can get a good SRT-4 for anywhere near his budget. Also he mentioned something about rice. No stock car is as close to being rice as the SRT-4

How in the living hell is the SRT-4 anywhere close to rice? Rice is when a car is all show and no go, when the driver is a cocky asshole with a 17-second car and a big mouth. The SRT-4 is a stripped-down, dirt-cheap, high-performance racer that is truly appreciated by those dedicated to affordable performance, and lots of it. I know the SRT-4's looks are a little ricey, but the performance parts are what matters, and the SRT-4's got 'em.

I figured he was talking about the looks of the car. As far as cocky drivers- you just described everyone that I know who drives one.

I don't think that SRT is rice, I just think that it wouldn't take much to make it one.

My opinion is probably not essential to this thread, but then how many of ours are. So I had to chime in on the rice argument. Everyone on this board uses the term in a derogatory sense, and usually for a show-no-go car. I've always used the term to describe Japanese inexpensive economy type cars that have been turned into racers through aftermarket upgrades. To me that is not necessarily a bad thing, and neither is a show-no-go car, if that is the owner’s style. By this rational, I say a Z, a supra, and a rx7 are not rice-rockets since they are in no way an economy car, and neither is a domestic since its not from an asia. BUT… if there were one domestic that should be an “Honorary Rice Rocket” its definitely the SRT-4! :P

Hell, if you want to get into the political correctness of the term "ricer", it shouldn't even be applied to Japanese cars. Rice is the major export of Southeast Asia; countries like China, Vietnam, and Laos. Not the island of Japan. So basically, use it whichever way you like, because the term no longer has any basic meaning anymore.

Here is my current definition of a ricer: Someone that has the ability to eat rice and drives a lame car that they spent way too much money on. :lol2:

Back on topic: Wonder how much IS300 you could get for like $18k? Would be the perfect car for what you described - the WS6.

Here is my current definition of a ricer: Someone that has the ability to eat rice and drives a lame car that they spent way too much money on. :lol2:

Back on topic: Wonder how much IS300 you could get for like $18k? Would be the perfect car for what you described - the WS6.


yea, they can be got for around $18k maybe a little less if you find a good deal. I'll have to see what I get for my car, but 18kish isnt out of my budget range, i just would rather not spend THAT much.

thanks for all the replies to, im still keepin my eye out for ideas when im on the road as well.

Just remember that if you spend a little more money and get something good, you may end up saving yourself alot of money and a headache.

BTW- 95 Lexus SC :thumbsup:

(Ricer: from the latin word Ricarius meaning to suck at everything you attempt)

A person who makes unecessary modifications to their most often import car (hence the term "rice") to make it (mostly make it look) faster. The most common modifications are (but not limited to):

- Huge exhaust that serves no purpose but to make the car louder
- Large spoiler on the back that looks like something Boeing made for the 747
- Lots of after-market company stickers they don't have parts from, but must be cool
- Expensive rims that usually cost more than the car itself
- Bodykit to make the car appear lower, usually accented with chicken wire
- Clear tail lights and corner signals
- A "performace intake"- a tube that feeds cold air to their engine usually located in areas of excessive heat (behind or on top of the engine)
- Most of these riced cars (a.k.a. rice rockets or rice burners) are imports; Honda Civics, Accords, Integras, CRXs, RSXs, Del Sols Mitsubishi Eclipses, Lancers, Subaru Imprezas, however there are some domestics such as Chevrolet Caviliers, Dodge Neons, Ford Focus; small, slow, economy cars designed specifically to go slow. Please note that some Supras, Skylines, WRX's and other higher performance imports are designed to go fast, and are therfore not always considered rice. It really depends on the severity of the case.

The "ricer" attempts to make their car "performance" by adding the modifications listed above. These ricers are not confined to any one ethnic group or color, however different ethnic groups are known for certain styles.Honda Civics with big spoilers and 4" exhaust tips are considered to be ricers.