Narrowed Down...PICK ONE!!

So I've done a lot of research such as prices/reliability/insurance and have narrowed my choices down to these cars:

95-99 eclipse gs-t
93-96 stealth rt/tt or vr4 <--(if i can even find one!)
97-01 prelude
high mileage 300zx tt

feel free to add your own opinion or maybe another car that i should consider (around 15 k CAD) and WHY

gotta go with the vr4. fastest car on the list and also the best looking one. as far as aftermarket there is no comparison with the eclipse and the prelude but there are tons of those cars out there.

300ZX TT > VR4

Cheaper, better looking, lighter, and RWD. It was on C&D's 10Best list every year that it was available (none of the other twin-turbos from the 90's have done this), and is definitely the most true sports car on this list (RWD, only two seats). You're going to get a multitude of answers from a mutlitude of different people, but once you look past all the bias, you'll see that the 300ZX TT is the clear victor.

VR4 > All the rest. Much better looking. More exclusive and faster out of the gate. AWD in the great white north is always a good thing (both for fast launches and the potential bad weather).

AAAHHHHHHH!!!!!!! Don't make me answer this!!! UUUMmmmm, Stealth TT is my personal preference, but if your gonna go on road courses, etc. then 300zx.

Thanks for the opinions so far guys...keep them coming! i want LOTS of input!!!!!!

i voted for the vr4 for the reasons stated above. i would have voted for the prelude coz i'm biased but the vr4 is just a sportier, faster car. :D

I voted for the Z for these reasons.

1. Eclipse GS-T - FWD, Chick Car, dont like the interior, and reliability issues.
2. The 3KGT, in my experience, is a horrible experience, transmission and interior wise. When everything is running great, its the best car on that list.
3. Prelude - FWD, thats enough to dismiss it for me.
4. The Z - Similar power potential as that 3KGT, just as good styling (I like them a lil more), but it doesnt have the issues I have w/ the 3KGT, but can you deal w/ a 2 seater?

Vr4 then the 300zx tt :)

i think i'd take the 3kgt cuz awd launches are probably fun as hell, the only down side is that it's almost 2 tons, then i'd go 300zx or a supra.

ya if i narrowed it down to a vr4 or 300 zx tt it'd be a very tough choice, just because theres not a lot of vr4s but then again the awd screams my name

keep the opinions coming!

Okay, my picks in order:

1. Nissan 300ZX TT
2. Mitsubishi Eclipse GSX
3. Mitsubishi 3000GT VR4
4. Honda Prelude Type SH

i think i'd take the 3kgt cuz awd launches are probably fun as hell, the only down side is that it's almost 2 tons, then i'd go 300zx or a supra.



uhh.... the Vr4...lets see.... 3700 lbs.


300ZX TT - 3500 lbs. Oh ya big difference.



VR4 hands down.

200 pounds is a huge difference! :rofl: Ask any racer who tunes his car well and aims for maximum performance and tell him 200 pounds isnt alot he will laugh in your face. My freind jus took 18 pounds off his over all car weight by buyin a lightweight fly wheel and his performance is alot better. What about carbon fiber hoods why do u think they use them even on prorace cars? I guess 10 pounds dosent matter to them does it?

bump

bump x2

200 pounds is a huge difference! :rofl: Ask any racer who tunes his car well and aims for maximum performance and tell him 200 pounds isnt alot he will laugh in your face. My freind jus took 18 pounds off his over all car weight by buyin a lightweight fly wheel and his performance is alot better. What about carbon fiber hoods why do u think they use them even on prorace cars? I guess 10 pounds dosent matter to them does it?


Well lets get down to the facts.... The VR4 is still faster than the 300ZX, so i believe that ends the arguement.


PS: im not taking sides. I own a 3000GT right now and soon getting a 350Z. But i do have to admit the VR4 is a better overall car. Heavy yes, but it sure as hell has a reason why. Yet, the Z might be more reliable.

you can easily take those 200lbs off the vr4 so please everyone stop complaining about its weight, when in reality the 3000gt vr4 competes with supras and even skylines.

I agree that the VR4 faster, but it's also more expensive and heavier (heavier doesn't just mean slower in a drag race, it means worse handling and braking as well). Mitsubishi has a history of problems with AWD trannies; even their FWD trannies aren't that strong.

As a mechanic, I'll tell you right off the bat that Mitsubishis have a pretty spotty reliability record.

The 3000GT VR4's and their Stealth R/T bretheren have several major faults. First off, even the most diehard VR4/Steath enthusiast will tell you that the clutch is a weak point in the driveline. It has a hard time living up to the workload of spirited driving under stock settings. Start messing around with those snails and you'll fast find yourself smoking clutch plates.

Also, the electrical system is a NIGHTMARE in VR4's and Stealths. Dear god, searching for a short in that mess of spaghetti is a quest for morons and fools. Seriously, I want to track down the jackass engineer at Mitsubishi who decided on this list of bullshit for the VR4.

-standard air conditioning (switched to R-134a in 1994),
-available tailgate wiper/washer
-power windows and door locks
-speed control
-a security alarm
-remote keyless entry system which became available in 1993.
-all-wheel drive
-four-wheel steering
-Active Aero (the ability to adjust front air dam and rear wing positions depend upon speed).
-triple mode electronically controlled supension
-dual mode active exhaust.

All of which is entirely superfluous bullshit on a performance car and a nightmare to work on.

Get the 300ZX. Bulletproof engine proved in the Nissan Pathfinder coupled with a solid track proven FR chassis.

vr4 or 300z tt

300ZX TT!!! the vr4 will beat the z 1st through part of 2nd, and then the tt will start catching back up. and then take it to auto-x or the track and the z is a great car. the only thing i see the vr4 has on the z is awd. and personally, i rather have rwd.

Air Conditioning makes sense in a Sports car, if you're unfit like me then it'll cool you down and keep the concentration up. The lap times'd probably be faster with it, due to the extra concentration.

As a mechanic, I'll tell you right off the bat that Mitsubishis have a pretty spotty reliability record.

No shit, there's a reason they're almost bankrupt now :)

uhh.... the Vr4...lets see.... 3700 lbs.


300ZX TT - 3500 lbs. Oh ya big difference.



VR4 hands down.

uh.. why don't you lay off the undue sarcasm and try to have a civil conversation. considering that he had 3 other cars listed as options, compare the weight of the VR4 to that of the eclipse or preulde and uhh, yeah big difference.

that being said it's more like 3800 lbs, and all that weight coupled with the fact that the vr4 is going to put less power to the ground due to AWD drivetrain loss compared to the Z being RWD puts the VR4 at a disadvantage.

looking at what's all been said for the vr4 and 300zx, i think the main concern is the 'flaws' in the 3000gt. Once you get around that I'm pretty sure the vr4 is top pick in this category go.

Thanks for the opinions, more are welcome! :)

I'll say this again, I've had fourteen combined years of experience with two VR4s. The only major issue was the second syncro in the transmission. Zero clutch problems. Zero electrical problems. In fact, my 2002 Accord has had more issues then my 95 Spyder which has a whole lot more unique features.

I know other VR4 owners as well as Stealth owners. They've had no more problems with their cars then with any others. The few 300Z owners that I know have also had few problems. The reality is that if the car is taken care of, it will have few issues. The fact a mechanic sees a car with issues doesn't necessarily mean they know where the problems came from. So when it comes down to it, you can either believe someone who works on the car, or someone who owns the cars.

The VR4 acts and looks like a sports car, but its a grand touring car. Its supposed to be a comfortable ride with lots of bells and whistles - which it is. Its not supposed to be a stripped out road rocket. It was all those features (aside from the fantastic look) that drew me to the car.

uh.. why don't you lay off the undue sarcasm and try to have a civil conversation. considering that he had 3 other cars listed as options, compare the weight of the VR4 to that of the eclipse or preulde and uhh, yeah big difference.

that being said it's more like 3800 lbs, and all that weight coupled with the fact that the vr4 is going to put less power to the ground due to AWD drivetrain loss compared to the Z being RWD puts the VR4 at a disadvantage.


Ok fanboy... whatever you say... I thought the thread was about an alla round performance car, not just weight. So why dont you "lay off" and stop talking about a car you only read up on instead of driven...

I'll say this again, I've had fourteen combined years of experience with two VR4s. The only major issue was the second syncro in the transmission. Zero clutch problems. Zero electrical problems. In fact, my 2002 Accord has had more issues then my 95 Spyder which has a whole lot more unique features.

I know other VR4 owners as well as Stealth owners. They've had no more problems with their cars then with any others. The few 300Z owners that I know have also had few problems. The reality is that if the car is taken care of, it will have few issues. The fact a mechanic sees a car with issues doesn't necessarily mean they know where the problems came from. So when it comes down to it, you can either believe someone who works on the car, or someone who owns the cars.

The VR4 acts and looks like a sports car, but its a grand touring car. Its supposed to be a comfortable ride with lots of bells and whistles - which it is. Its not supposed to be a stripped out road rocket. It was all those features (aside from the fantastic look) that drew me to the car.



agreed...

that being said it's more like 3800 lbs, and all that weight coupled with the fact that the vr4 is going to put less power to the ground due to AWD drivetrain loss compared to the Z being RWD puts the VR4 at a disadvantage.



Have you seen the 1/4 mile times of the Z and the VR4? As most people know the VR4 has a better time. In which means it wouldnt matter if the Z can catch up or not. Because it would take it more than a 1/4 mile to do so. Most races are done by then.....



PS: sorry for all the posting.... :P

both the 300zx and the 3000gt vr4 are great choices, but imo the VR4 is the better car.

thanks for reinterating what you think 3kgt8. anyways, yes, the awd in the vr4 would be awesome, but once you power slide around a corner you will be addicted. rwd is just funner.

Power sliding is amazing. The first time I experienced it was in aporsche how crazy is that and for all you porsche people yes the tcs was off :evillol:

Yes I am biased, but I just love waking up in the morning and run 10 times like a school girl, checking out its head/tail-lights.

uhh.... the Vr4...lets see.... 3700 lbs.


300ZX TT - 3500 lbs. Oh ya big difference.



VR4 hands down.

WRONG!

The Z32 convertible is 3450 lbs
The Z32 N/A 2+2 is 3400 lbs
The Z32 Twin Turbo is, are you ready for this? 3300 lbs.

I feel like I've been over this with you once before.

If it was Z32 TT was 3500 ton beast, it wouldn't handle great as it does, and still be underpowered for its time.

300ZX TT > VR4

Cheaper, better looking, lighter, and RWD. It was on C&D's 10Best list every year that it was available (none of the other twin-turbos from the 90's have done this), and is definitely the most true sports car on this list (RWD, only two seats). You're going to get a multitude of answers from a mutlitude of different people, but once you look past all the bias, you'll see that the 300ZX TT is the clear victor.

You deserve a pulitzer for this!

If it was Z32 TT was 3500 ton beast,


3500 tons = 7,000,00O lbs hehe 1 ton approx = 2000 lbs.

3500 tons = 7,000,00O lbs hehe 1 ton approx = 2000 lbs.

you gotta be kidding me. it was an exaggeration, ever heard of figure of speech?

I kno thats y I put the hehe in hehe :biggrin:

back to the point. I believe the VR4 is still faster and like it or not... it turns more heads than the Z.... Just speaking from my experience.

i have had more people walk over to my z than a 3000gt. it is all just personal preference. also, when you get a z, you get a piece of heritage. z's have had a great history. the z car is the only car in the nissan lineup that was a datsun. z's have a huge heritage behind them, and it feels good to know that i own part of that.

back to the point. I believe the VR4 is still faster and like it or not...

:gives: Like I am really going to start counting the few tenths of seconds it has a lead on. I'm not a pro-racer to be that obsessive.

it turns more heads than the Z.... Just speaking from my experience.

That's your opinion. I have mine. But I'm sure agree that the odds are 2:1 that you'll see something that looks like VR-4 than a Z32. Simply because there are two FWD 3000GT, VR-4, and the Stealth TT. And they're relatively newer car than the Z32. As for VR-4 prices being higher, well there are plenty of pricey cars that are just as common, if not more.

:gives: Like I am really going to start counting the few tenths of seconds it has a lead on. I'm not a pro-racer to be that obsessive.



That's your opinion. I have mine. But I'm sure agree that the odds are 2:1 that you'll see something that looks like VR-4 than a Z32. Simply because there are two FWD 3000GT, VR-4, and the Stealth TT. And they're relatively newer car than the Z32. As for VR-4 prices being higher, well there are plenty of pricey cars that are just as common, if not more.


well Z fanatic im not going to start an arguement with you because ive seen how stubborn you get in some threads... And ya, tenths of seconds matter. And i wasnt taking sides at all from the beginning, but people bashing such a car like the 3000GT should be quiet and drive before talk. Like i said, i own a 350Z now (which i LOVE), but that doesnt mean im gonna be a "fanboy" because of that. Unfortunately... you seem to be one

PS: looks like more people picked the 3000GT on the poll. Its up to the thread starter to decide. :)

yeah, it looks like it, thanks for pointing it out captain obvious.

yeah, it looks like it, thanks for pointing it out captain obvious.


right...maturity level seems to be dropping. So please stop with the smart a$$ remarks and arguements

well Z fanatic im not going to start an arguement with you because ive seen how stubborn you get in some threads... And ya, tenths of seconds matter. And i wasnt taking sides at all from the beginning, but people bashing such a car like the 3000GT should be quiet and drive before talk. Like i said, i own a 350Z now (which i LOVE), but that doesnt mean im gonna be a "fanboy" because of that. Unfortunately... you seem to be one

PS: looks like more people picked the 3000GT on the poll. Its up to the thread starter to decide. :)

When did I exactly start bashing 3000GT/VR-4? It seems you're the one who's fanboy, you're arguing for the sake of arguing. Please tell me exactly where I preceded to insult VR-4? You're the one who doesn't have his facts straight. All you seem to care about is 1/4 mile. Not surprised.

i'm done with this thread.

i'm done with this thread.

I love prima-donna posts :rolleyes:

In terms of speed: 3000GT/300ZX > Eclipse > Prelude

In terms of reliability: Prelude > 300ZX > 3000GT > Eclipse

Personally, I'd go with the 300ZX or the Prelude

Didnt mean to thumbs down.

Oh yeah, and if you get a Prelude, make sure its not the tiptronic tranny.

I always liked the Auto in the Prelude VTiR (The name for the NZ-spec H22A powered car), as an around town car (Not a sports car).

As for the 300ZX vs. 3000GT comparison.

I've driven numerous 300ZX TT's and TT GTO's, The 3000GT is by FAR the better GT, it has every conceivable luxury feature, it is comfy, it is sexy and it has a fuckload of power.

However the 300ZX would make the better sports car of the two, it felt nimbler, slightly less lazy and was somewhat easier to drive fast, but it was nowhere as nice as the 3000GT. The 3000GT was a mix of everything, if you're not going to the track, then a 3000GT makes far more sense.

damn took me a while to read all those threads lol, as of right now what ever "good priced/good mileage" 300zx tt or vr4 comes up first is mine...to me it seems like the vr4 has everything you want in the sports car, but the 300zx tt also has a lot of background ..

thanks for everyone's opinion, even if it was all arguments some good points came across!

:) hehe

I always liked the Auto in the Prelude VTiR (The name for the NZ-spec H22A powered car), as an around town car (Not a sports car).

As for the 300ZX vs. 3000GT comparison.

I've driven numerous 300ZX TT's and TT GTO's, The 3000GT is by FAR the better GT, it has every conceivable luxury feature, it is comfy, it is sexy and it has a fuckload of power.

However the 300ZX would make the better sports car of the two, it felt nimbler, slightly less lazy and was somewhat easier to drive fast, but it was nowhere as nice as the 3000GT. The 3000GT was a mix of everything, if you're not going to the track, then a 3000GT makes far more sense.

i was really planing on comenting on this thread but that was said so well, there's nothing else to say

Well, I've come to realize that a lot of my criticism of the 3000GT was aimed in the wrong direction. I realize now that the 3000GT is not meant to be a true sports car like the 300ZX, it's meant to be a grand touring car. The fact that it's so loaded with features, despite the weight that they add, is what makes it such.

what a terrible list of cars......

only one of those worth taking a piss on is the 300zx....

eclipse = garbage
3000gt = garbage
prelude = nice commuter...
stealth = ..... .......... ......

Fuck off, it's people like you that would make me ashamed to buy a domestic.

OMG, EVERYONE RUN ITS A DUMB ASS NEWB AAHHHHHHHHHH

get the hell out of here, you don't even know the hp figures for those cars i bet

what a terrible list of cars......

only one of those worth taking a piss on is the 300zx....

eclipse = garbage
3000gt = garbage
prelude = nice commuter...
stealth = ..... .......... ......




Hey newb, shut up. All you've done since you've been here is talk sh*t and said how mustangs are this and that. Ignorance is strong with you my son... Surprised you havent gotten your head blown off yet...

Someone bann this guy please...