Can't Decide

I am a tried and true 3000GT fan, but they are pretty pricey. Right now I have a 96 GSX which I have dubbed my miny VR4. :naughty: Probably nothing like the real thing though and I have a 91 SL it is still a real looker, but I guess I am never satisfied as far as speed goes. Don't get me wrong, the SL is pretty quick, but It doesn't seem to have the punch the GSX has in bottom and mid acceleration. I have two options that I am willing to spend 5k on. Either modding the SL or GSX. I don't want to be shunned in the 3k forums, but it seems like messing with the GSX would be a better idea, because it is already trubocharged and is AWD. I also don't want to go into complicated trubo conversions for the SL. Anyways the 4G63 in the GSX is the same as they use in the Evolution except that the other is running close to 20 psi of boost while mine is 12 or 13( i might be wrong) so I have no doubt that the GSX has the most potential, but the 3ks are just so much more elegant and eye catching. Not to mention my buddy who bought a 93 Supra for 18k, can you imagine that....for his first car too, is making all this shit against GTs that they are too heavy. I oughta cock knock him. I know this is the 3000GT forum, but I am looking for your wisdom. Besides it seems as if this is the smartest and honest and close-knit forum out of the rest. Thanks for listening and please help.

5k huh? I think that the only thing 5K will get you on the SL is a supercharger or a n/a upgrade both of which wont be as fast as the GSX. Its not enough money for the tt conversion so the wise thing to do is invest it into the GSX. if you had 10K things would be different. I am a proud 3KGT owner but im not gonna lie to you. If it is speed you seek then go with modding the GSX. if you rather go for looks then invest it into the 3000GT. and your friend with the supra......dont bother, there will always be someone faster out there. I am faster than many, many are faster than I and there are many faster then him so ignore the trash talk. good luck, I wish I could be of more help to you.

With 5k you can do a TT conversion on your engine and just leave the 10:1 pistons. And you will have money left over. But my advice would be to put the money into the GSX. Parts are cheeper so you will get more bang for your buck. My recomendations are a EVO 3 16G turbo, FMIC, 550 or 660 injectors and something to control them. Tune it and call it good. Any more power than that and your probably looking at tranny problems(from what ive heard, which may be wrong).

Thanks for the advice guys. About the guy with the supra, it is only the normal SZ model with about 225 hp give or take. And it should do about 15 in the 1/4 or so. I have driven it befor and I can say it is pretty quick of the line, but on the freeway my SL will own him I think. He spent 18k on the base version practically, can you beleive that crap? not to mention he invested he spen another 800 on a Dvd player without a stereo and 500 on a TRD steeringwheel. I dunno about you guys but I think that 1300 could have gone towards better things but thats me. The thing tht bugs me is that he thinks he is the king of the scene.... funny thing he never wants to race despite him always talking down to mitsu's.Oh well. If anyone down in the SoCal area wants to put him back in his place drop me a line.

If he is running about 15s, you may be able to put him in his place with a few basic mods on the SL, but as the others have said, as a true 3kgt lover, I still would recommend dumping the money into the car with more current potential...the GSX.

any kid with a 20K SRT-4 will put him in his place! dont bother, even real supra owners will tell him to can it. and in SoCal there are wickedly fast cars so let him enjoy his moment in the sun, worry about yourself. If you focus on yourself and do what you want you can accomplish more than if you let someone push your buttons and pressure you into making mistakes.

Alright I just figured something out... I am not going to mod the GSX. What I think I am going to do is just save up for a VR-4 I was thinking today, and it was killing me that I would be missing out on something like a VR4. So I have about 2 grand now and I could easily sell my GSX for 5-7k cause it has very low milage and is in excellent condition. so lets say I have 7 if I sell it. Then I can save another 3 or so and have 10k, after that Ican just have the rest finaniced or something cause I am only planing to spend like no more then 14k.....or is that not possible? Anyways, any of you guys no what the mpg of the VR4? I hope it doesn't suck me dry. Yeah about the guy with a supra, my buddy with an SL raced him off a roll and put him in his place already:) he said something about not having good tires or something..whatever..go figure. So what do you guys thing about my idea? How much would a good VR4 go for down here in socal.. form what I've seen it is like 10-15k. Does that sound reasonable? My only problem is how dry it would suck me once I own it as far as gas goes and insurance. I think it is worth it to have the sleekest car in town though... The best thing about haveing a 3k is all the compliments. I can't tell you how many people just drop their jaws and stare. And say how fast my car must be. I don't have the heart to tell them it is only a 91 SL and that their Cobra would probably own me.

Well, I get 270 out of a tank in city driving, and 360 on highway, but I race quite a bit, and when I'm on the highway, I'm generally cruising at no less than 90, so I might not be the best candidate for mpg experience, also it only takes 91+octane, so check out how much 20 gallons of that runs you. Insurance depends on alot of factors, you can do a search in this forum, as many people have asked the same question before to get an idea of what it will cost and how to lower it.

Sounds reasonable to me. save up and get a VR-4. and yes 10k will get you a VR-4. insurance is a tricky question cause it varries from place to place. and about MPG it all depends on how you drive. on a manual you have more control over that.

5k on a GSX, damn man you will be runing at LEAST high 11's already with 5 k on a GSX, Boost Controller, Exhaust, BOV, and Clutch that's under 2000k already and ur in the very very Low 13's. And you still got 3 k's to do whatever like spend it on handle lowering and all that good stuff. Eclipse are very nice cars to tune up if u know what your doing.

Don't get me wrong I love my GSX, but the thing is, it doesn't have the same kinda pazaz that a VR4 has. Well thats me personally. This is why I am so confused though, cause I love both cars. One is quick and nimble and the other is just a beast all around. I am a short guy though around 5 '8", and the eclispe feels more comfortable to me anyways, but I have a problem with it wandering alot when I drive it, so right now I cam tringh to find a cast and camber correction kit for it, but they are a bit hard to come by. If I were to put money into the GSX I would make it a low keep sleeper. Standard side intercooler with just a larger top pipe and bov. I was thinking about a lightened flywheel, clutch, and some pulleys. the main thing I am looking for is a new turbo that is street legal. I don't really know what to do at this point beacuse I already have an SL but a VR4 would be so nice. I guess my GSX may be able to hold me out...for now at least. If only I could make it (the eclipse) look a bit more elegant(like the GT), without ruining its natural flow and curvature. No body kits. Then again the 99 front end on a GT would be something to drool over....

Wow you realy are stuck! I say get the VR-4 and spend spend spend!

Man i had to make an ever tougher choice.

Speed vs. Looks

I was on the verge of buying an eclipse, just for the simple fact that it "does" have a lot more potential. Also, they're cheaper to maintain and easier to upgrade, but i just couldn't see myself in an eclipse. I mean dont get me wrong, they are awsome looking cars, but now the 3kgt that's a whole nother story. I was damn near sure i was going to buy this eclipse, but when i called the dealer it was S-O-L-D, and believe it or not i'm glad i didn't buy it because i wouldn't have the SL i have now. Hey like i said i had to choose between speed and looks. Now in your case it's different lol because basically you come out good either way. I mean sure you can make the eclipse much faster, but in the end, will it look as *monstrous as the VR4? I think not :)

p.s. Hey 5'8'' is not short i'm 5'8'' .... that's like normal, cept my fro makes me look 5'9''. :D

lets say we drop the VR4 out of the question...hate to say it, but lets speak hypothetically. Now it would be my choice to savor my glory in my GSX or in getting a newer SL. Then we have 3100 lbs-AWD-16v Inline 4 cyl-210 hp-boosted vs. 3250 lbs-FWD-24v V6-220 hp- N/A: I have to say the GSX has more performance potenial in every category, but the 3000GT sweeps it in looks, respect, and down right beauty.

By the way I heard some guy with a GST around hearing calling VR4's "F@ck!ng boats" that he could smoke easily. I know not to give into this kinda talk but it was just funny to see him talking about the VR4's 16 second 1/4 time and worthless turbos, blah blah luxury yacht, blah blah something about wieghing 5000 pounds fully loaded. I would it sort of amusing how naive some people are

[QUOTE=FastTrackToFreedom] I have to say the GSX has more performance potenial in every category, but the 3000GT sweeps it in looks, respect, and down right beauty.

I totally agree with you on that, but now if you drop the vr4 out of the question, then it's speed vs. looks. That's the very decision i had to make, and it took me about 3 months to make it lol. Good Luck to you man. I think what downright ownz about the 3kgt is its rarity. You can go days or even weeks without seeing one.

Yea ppl are quite amusing sometimes. I was absolutely astonished the day i found out my friend actually smokes vr4's all the time with his integra. So i think the best way to deal with that is just be like:

*Nod Nod* Oh really? Wow

lol :)

Thats the way I feel when some people can be a bit uh...misinformed. I hate trying to defend cars in disputes and sometimes it ends up with me telling the guy to go out and race one. Just like this guy with a supra saying he can smoke anything with 4 wheels and and engine. Sure he says he can take almost anything, but when you ask him to give it a little go on the track or street, he backs out.

So basically it comes down to the beauty and the beast. The speed of the GSX against the looks of the 3000GT. I hate to be more show then go, but the GT is so nice. I wonder why then never came out with a Rear wheel drive version. That would have been quite a nice peice of machinery. My GSX isn't too bad of a looker, I am planning on doing a 97 face lift which will make it a hell of alot more aggressive. The best part is that since there are so many eclipse out there it is hard to keep trak of which are decently quick. I can't tell you how many guys that have rolled up on me and thoght my car was an RS or GS and end up getting blown away. It is funny though when you see someone scope you out on the street then read the little GSX emblem on the back of the car before you take off and then see them recognicze it and jst back down. If I had a VR4 I can imagnine the people either going "OH SH!T ITS A VR4" or saying "WTF is a 3000GT or a VR4" either way it would be pretty amusing doing ya think?

hey well i say do whatever you think its best. the 3000gt is one of the most beautiful cars youll see out there. Eclipses are not that bad looking, but there are too many of them. GSX or SL? Well the GSX is faster but not too much faster than a 3000gt SL. what does a stock GSX run on the 1/4?

Car stats say that it can does about 14.9 in the 1/4 @ 92 mph and 0-60 in 6.4 seconds while the SL does about 15.8 and 0-60 in 6.9 so it is about a second lapse which is quite a bit, but no outrageous.My only gripe about the GSX is that it isn't very light, which helps it stay planted, but kills accelleration a bit. But if there is ever one thing you have to experience, it is an AWD 5000 rpm launch from a stand still. Amazing stuff. the SL I have right now is a classic looking champange color and the GSX is a deep black. The GSX has a hotter look with the wheels and black paint, but the GT has that elegant classy look and the body's shape uncompairably attractive. For some reason I have the feeling as if I am compairing attractive women....

The amount of amusement you can derive from listening to stupidity paired with an ego never ceases to amaze me.

Yea and it's kinda sad because most of my friends are gear heads, but then when it comes to car comparison, they're so damn stubborn aka haterz lol. Luckily i have my big bro to spread me some knowledge (and you ppl)!

My friend is actually starting a car club in his town and so far 100% of the cars are hondas. So if in fact i do join, it'll feel really good to be the rebel.:D We're gonna go down the shore this summer and jus chyll and pic up chics! Too bad i'm gonna be gettin all the chics tho :(.

--------------> :D

You should have race where you park next to each other and see which ar will get more chicks.....the honda or the 3000GT

Your problem is you want to compare speed to looks. I've owned fast ass eclipses. first and second gen GSXs and even a 10 second talon tsi. Before my 94 3000GT I had an SRT-4 which is fast outa the box. well the point is that none of those cars lasted me more than a couple of years and spent half thier life in a garage. (the SRT got totaled so that dosent count) but 3 eclipse and one talon which constantly broke and eventually burned out. The reason for this is not unreliability but its comon sense. If you race a car and push it constantly it simply wont last. You want speed? if you get a fast street car you will be racing from red light to red light and you will burn it out fast. Track cars are constantly being rebuilt too cause they burn out quick. And dont even tell me that if you do get a fast car you will only race ever so often........what the hell is the point in that? your only going to get challenged around every corner! but a car with looks and good performance is a car that will last you. Simply cause you will appreciate it even more and respect it. this is just my opinion. no one has to agree with me but I will tell you this. My 94 with 222HP and a 15.8 1/4 is the fastest from my friends cars. simply cause the STI my friend bought already broke after 15k miles. destroyed his tranny cause those car are not built for 1/4 miles. My cousins 600HP supra is in the shop on its 3rd engine rebuilt. burned out turbos. and my buds 300hp SRT-4 went lean and burned a hole through the pistons. so I guess I win by default!

the sl doesnt run the 1/4 in 15.8. its more like mid 15s to low 15s. there are people who have gotten it down to 14.9. there is misconception that SLs run high 15s. well maybe an automatic will.

I just found it from a site I have never really gone out to a track with the SL so I don't have a slip. I love how it pulls at high speeds where my GSX seems to lag. As for what Musashi was saying... I'm not trying to build a race car or street racer, I just wanna satisfy my need for speed while haveing a attractive car. I think the VR4 would do that. As long as it doesn't put me out of house and home. :)

I'm just saying be carefull. People will challenge you all the time, so you gotta know when to let it go, dont go satisfying that "need" all the time. And yes the VR-4 will do that but you seemed concerned alot about speed. how important can speed be to the point where you cant decide between a Top class Sprot car and a middle class economy sport compact? as for the 15.8 on the 1/4, that is what my car did, it is ten years old and i'm not the best driver but I should be doing better now, just havent gotten around to testing it.