Please some help....Any Would be appreciated.

Ok im new and hopefully we can spare any flame wars or derogatory remarks.I would just like some help deiciding between two cars.This could go in the buying car section but I deicided to ask here.

I've had the same car for quite a few years now and the car is finally wearing down to where either I can put lots of money ot it or go for something new. (My current car is an 86 mercury cougar). My top choices right now for a car to get is either a 2000 Honda Prelude (4 cyl. 2.2L Vtec 5 spd) or a 2002 Toyota Celica GTS (4 cyl 1.8L 6 spd).

Ok here is the scoop.I used to driving automatic but have enough to show me to be more acustom to driving a stick.I was gonna go for the 2002 toyota celica gts with the sportronic auto transmission but im finding that they arent easy to find and its rather pointless.What Im really wanting is a decent reliable street car (I dont need something thats gonna be on a professional circuit,heck I live in arizona afterall).Something preferably 2000 or newer.I can go up to the 15-16 thousand dollar range.2 door.Something sort of dark with a stock sport looking body because its gonna take some time for me to start adding kits and other mods.And of course a good/fast motor.

So which would be the best out of those two and if anyone wants to suggest some other options it would be appreciated.I know im not very knowledgable and im not gonna be acting like im some bad ass street racer.But I want something good to start with and slowly add mods to make it my own personal car.Oh and if it helps any.Im a *freak* haha so I dont know if that makes any differences in preferances.Thanks anyone who helps.

Since you don't sound like you are going to be "racing" your car, you can save a bit more and buy a new Scion tC for $16k + tax. The Scion tC isn't the sportiest or fastest coupe around, but it's one of the nicest sub-$20k cars you can buy at the moment. It's a decently powered car (Camry's 160HP i4 + 5speed) with _awesome_ standard equipment. It should be fast enough for spirited driving, though not rocket-fast.

If you wait a year, you can probably buy an used tC for about $14k.

I wouldn't recommend a Celica because it will be discontinued in 2005. The small aftermarket it has now will be even smaller as time goes on. I speculate Toyota is likely to retire the high-output 1.8L motor in a couple of years, too.

I speculate Toyota is likely to retire the high-output 1.8L motor in a couple of years, too.

Then what'll they put in the Corolla XRS and Matrix XRS? Maybe they'll supercharge the lower output motors (like they tried to do to the Celica GT).

Then what'll they put in the Corolla XRS and Matrix XRS? Maybe they'll supercharge the lower output motors (like they tried to do to the Celica GT).

Honestly, I don't think the Corolla/Matrix needs a high-output version. I think Toyota might feel the same, especially with the Celica GT-S gone. The Celica GT-S was probably the main reason why the 2zz-ge was developed in the first place.

Thanks for some advice.What I meant by racing as in im not looking to get into a professional circuit or to get a car to build up to a show car.I definetly wouldnt mind taking down of the wannabe street race cars that are local on a track or something but thats about it.I still want to build up the car to look nice and I will put alot of money into it slowly.

A few other cars im sorta looking at.Let me know what you think about any of these.

1998 Mitsubishi 3000 gt vr-4

Between 96 and 99 Mitsubishi Eclipse gsx

96-97 honda del-sol

I havent really looked much into the Honda Accords and Honda Civics since they are everywhere.

Mitsubishi sucks shit, stay away from them (awaits an OCEAN of flames). I'm guessing that you don't care much for domestics since you haven't listed any. I think your best bets are the Nissan 240SX SE (91-98), the Acura Integra GS-R (94-01), and the Honda Prelude VTEC (93-96).

Haha dont owrry about the flaming.Not alot are caring to respond to my post so i dont think you have to worry.I think really the only reason I liked the mitsubishi were the body styles.I want something that has a sleak body style stock before I can add the kits and mods because it might be awhile.Im not much for cars that look like boxes and such.Tha main thing is a sleak body/a powerful engine and enough of an aftermarket.And yeah im not really much for the domestic.

The only actual car ive come across so far local that has my interest is a 2000 Honda prelude(5 spd).around 50,000 miles. 2.2L VTec(250 hp) for about $15,500. And I could maybe get it down to 14 or 14.5

If you're looking for a nice looking car I'd get the VR4, if you are willing to pay the price (sometimes they can run kinda spendy... depends tho)
It's definately more powerful then any of the above listed, and I beleive it's the fastest of any of them, It's a beautful car as it is, modifications for it tend to be a little spendy and it doesn't have the widest range of Aerodynamic goodies (Body Kits).

The Prelude is also a pretty attractive car,( probbly the only honda I'd ever get, except maybe a s2000) I'm not entirely sure what's available for it as far as aftermarket stuff But I'm sure that there is quite a bit (being a honda after all)

Nissan 240Sx is a good car, I would go with a 96-98 if any though, my brother owns a 90 and a 91, they're kinda crappy IMO, he thinks they're great though. Kind of bland styling as well.

Acura integra GS-R (or an Rsx), Kind of Quick (15s for the quarter) Decent styling and Good assortment of aftermarket parts.

Mitsubishi Eclipse (good choice of model years ) The Spyders are the nicest of the bunch :) good aftermarket Availability from what I've seen, Decent power, and pretty easy to modify.

Honda Civic Del Sol, Gets you where you need to go, starting to age a bit, pretty good aftermarket stuff still I think, Isn't the quickest of cars though, it does have some decent styling.

Toyota Scion tC, Heard the moonroof is cool.

Also the FD style RX-7 (93 up) have good styling, good power, however they have been discontinued, which sucks. I'm not sure what the aftermarket scene is for these cars nowadays

Not sure what the Price range for an S2000 is, I'd check into it also though.

I really am appreciating all the help.Im really a first time buyer fo rthis sort of car.My first car has been a black 86 mercury cougar (v8 fuel injected) and ive had it ever since.Its just starting to wear down to where its either put alot of money into it and only have it for another year or two or upgrade.

Im not much for the domestics.I love them and all but for on emy insurance would probably skyrocket therefore dampening me into having the $$$ to mod up my car.Plus they are a bit common here in arizona along with all the kids driving honda civics and honda accords.I almost had a shot at an already modded up 97 acura integra but it looked like it had been raced to shit and before I could egt a dcent look at it.It was gone.I think the appeal to the toyota celica was because the body style and at first I was interested in the sportronic automatic transmission (ive only drove the cougar with is auto so im just learning to drive a stick,i know its not that difficult but for a one foot driver it takes some getting used to) But I know if i want fast.I need to get a manual.

Anyway please keep up any ideas.Any will help.Also any pictures would help.Because one of the things im looking for is the body style.No box cars lol

If you want pictures/detailed specs, use http://www.edmunds.com or http://autos.msn.com or http://www.intellichoice.com or http://auto.consumerguide.com

VR4
http://www.3sxperformance.com/cars-3sx/gallery-steve/10-steve-burrows-vr4-055.jpg
240SX
http://www.coastalmotorsports.com/Nissan/95-96_240Bmx110.jpg
RSX
http://www.acura.ca/Personalise/AcuraEng/images/2003/RSX/RSX_Desert_Silver_Metallic_RSX.jpg
Del Sol (for an idea of some potential)
http://speedalliance.com/gallery/images/longsdelsol.jpg
tC
http://199.239.248.45/images/stk/2005/sc2005tcsportscoupe811385m.jpg
RX-7
http://www.fasterfords.com/mazda/pictures/rx7/rx7_01_08.jpg
S2000
http://www.usautoday.com/cars/s2000.jpg

Hey.Tell me what you think about this.Another locla car I found.Its a 1991 mazda rx-7.


Price $3,500 Mileage 97,000 Exterior Color Blue Interior Color Black Body Style Hatchback Doors Two Door Engine Rotary Engine Trans. Manual Fuel Type Gasoline Drive Type 2 wheel drive


This is a 1991 mazda rx7.The engine is the original S5(fast). The paint is in great shape, the interior is custom & refabricated. Has aftermarket steering wheel, shift knob. new speakers, amp and deck. Engine mods include cold air intake, as well as advanced timing. A flo-tech electric aluminum fan has also been added, pulling 3000 cfm(keeps engine super cool & adds more horsepower) Has a brand new battery, and battery terminals. The chromed five spoke wheels just put on. For tires it has the Z rated Kumho supra's, with a road hazard warrenty(near new). the rear and side windows are limo tinted.

Insurance for the 3000GT VR4 or the turbo FD RX-7 isn't going to be cheap that's for sure, and you have to consider the potential money pit factor of buying an older, rare high-performance car.

How about a BMW? I am sure you can buy a very good late 90's BMW 328is with $15000. It's a pretty good all-rounder in performance and comfort.

That N/A 91 RX-7 sounds pretty nice. If the car is in good enough condition I might go for that :)

Why you want NA man? Go turbo w/the RX7's...it's better...ie faster

With an RX7 you may not find anyone who can fix it. I've never owned a rotory, but i've heard service can be hard to find.

I Like the looks of the TCs, but its not my decision. My friend had one for 670 mi then he got hit by a drunk square in the passenger door by a pickup (labor day weekend). Both occupants walked away with seatbelt bruises. The car may or may not be totaled.

As for the celica i also like the styling, but if its going to be phased out it may not be a wise choice.

I dunno much about preludes, but it is a honda so it must be reliable.

My personal pick: Scion TC. It looks cool and it will be new.

Beamers are kinda boxy.
maybe a z3 or somethin....

91 RX7... I know a guy with an 87 Turbo II RX-7, it's not a bad car, kinda slow... I've heard the rotors have to be replaced every 60k miles or something??!

A N/A Rx7 I imagine is pretty slow.... though a decent car, styling is kinda bland too. (IMO) They are really cheap though, which is a big plus :D

N/A 3rd gen. RX-7's are not slow. They aren't fast like the turbos, but they definitely don't feel sluggish.

Maybe it feels different when driving it, but my friends turbo doesnt even feel that fast.

Oh and the 91 he mentioned is still the old style. the FC I beleive it was called.

The third gen you speak of is the FD, which are the ones with the Twin Turbo options, as opposed to the single turbo on the FC