Daily Driver - Reliable w/ Good Performance?

Hi,

I’m looking at getting a bunch of different cars and can’t decide which one would suit me best. Here are some of the cars that I’m looking at:

- Nissan Sentra SE-R
- Nissan NX2000
- Nissan Maxima
- Nissan 200SX
- Chevrolet Z24 Cavalier
- Dodge Neon
- Honda Civic Hatchback (5th Generation)

Which of these cars would be able to get the best performance but still be reliable? The car doesn't need to have good performance stock as long as it can be upgraded?

Also, when I was researching the NX2000, I couldn't find much information. How's the aftermarket for this car as I like it a lot.

Thank you.

Which of these cars would be able to get the best performance but still be reliable? The car doesn't need to have good performance stock as long as it can be upgraded?

I hate to say it, but the Honda Civic Hatch is probably the most reliable and has the largest aftermarket out of all the other cars. You are talking about the '05 Civic Si Hatchback, right?

you should let him know that its going to take some money to get alot of performance out of that . The Maxima can be made fast with not too much money, depending what year it is.

MAXIMA!!

Actuall the Maxima or Sentra, I've never heard of the NX200, and the other cars are just kinda geeky. But whatever fits you best, I actually like 2 door neons if they have the DOHC engine, because 150 hp isn't tooooo bad I guess, for that car, and the turbo kits made for that year neon are pretty bad ass. I believe that someone on AF when I first joined had one too. But reliability issues come to mind with Neon's. I hate Cavy's and Civics stock too, well not Cav's so much.

But it all depends on your use, do you care what people think of your ride, or do you want it just as a use of reliable transportation, that gets you there quick if need be?

maxima would be a good choice, they are pretty quick stock, but have good i/h/e, cam work some rims and rubber and it would be a good choice

Awesome, thanks guys. What would you guys choose as your second choice? Also, what do you guys think of the Infiniti G20, Ford Escort, and the Ford Probe/Mazda MX6?

Thank you!

I have a friend back home with a 95 Mazda MX-6V6 and 5 speed. That is a really nice car in my opinion. He did it all tastefully. Lowered an inch or two, exhaust (sounds like a motorcycle), bigger brakes nice looking brushed aluminum wheels 17s I think, he added a factory little wing on the back(its not really a wing its more like a bump) Its black with tan leather interior. Its decently quick and really smooth. I do like that car.

I doubt I'd be getting the V6 though since gas mileage is a concern (Pizza delivery if you're going to ask.).

I doubt I'd be getting the V6 though since gas mileage is a concern (Pizza delivery if you're going to ask.).

Have you considered a Prelude? Its alot better than the Civic Hatch you mentioned. 2.2L I4 200hp DOHC VTEC (5th gen Prelude). You get a car thats good on gas, but also is a lot faster than a Civic. I'm not being biased because I own one eiter.

I would love to get a Prelude but so many of my friends have them and they know what to expect. I kind of want to catch them off guard. :) Thanks though!

Edit: I'm really sorry for doing this but I just keep on seeing new cars that I like and that get pretty decent gas mileage. The car that caught my eye was a Pontiac Fiero GT 4 Cylinder. I've heard that their decent. Anyone know much about them?

Thank you so much!

I don't think that V6 was really a gas hog, it was only a 2.5 liter.

Edit: I'm really sorry for doing this but I just keep on seeing new cars that I like and that get pretty decent gas mileage. The car that caught my eye was a Pontiac Fiero GT 4 Cylinder. I've heard that their decent. Anyone know much about them?

Thank you so much!

i have always liked fieros but i have always wanted to build one into a race car. i dont think their reliabilty is that strong and i bet the gas mileage isnt that good eventhough it is a 4 cylinder.

the maxima and cavalier are pretty quick stock.

a have seen a stock Z24 calvalier manual get into the 14's on stock tires. the maxima is almost as quick but lacks a little sportiness in comparison to the cav.

Okay, thanks. I was born and raised in a family that always got Honda's and Toyota's and we have never owned a domestic because my dad thought that the quality was lacking. Anyways, how's the reliability of the Z24?

Surprisingly I found that the 4 Cylinder Fiero gets around 25 MPG (City). But if reliability is lacking I don't know if I want it anyway.

I'm surprised no one mentioned the Integra GSR yet, thats another good car for gas mileage and performance.

Okay, thanks. I was born and raised in a family that always got Honda's and Toyota's and we have never owned a domestic because my dad thought that the quality was lacking. Anyways, how's the reliability of the Z24?

Surprisingly I found that the 4 Cylinder Fiero gets around 25 MPG (City). But if reliability is lacking I don't know if I want it anyway.

well, in general...Japanese cars do seem to have a bit more quality than american cars.

the Cavalier Z24 will just give you more bang for your buck when comparing it to civic or 200zx. reliabilty doesnt seem to be a big issue with these cars but then again i have never owned one but i have a couple buddies that do and they dont have problems with them.

Okay, thanks. I'm seriously looking at the Fiero GT but I'll also give the Cavy a good look too. Thanks guys and any other opinions are welcome.

How would the Z24 compare to the CRX or Civic Hatchback? Sorry for throwing all of these cars into the mix I'm just very thorough before buying. Thank you.

How would the Z24 compare to the CRX or Civic Hatchback? Sorry for throwing all of these cars into the mix I'm just very thorough before buying. Thank you.

In terms of reliability, either Hondas will definitely be more reliable than any domestic car, enough said.

In terms of performance, the aftermarket world is alot bigger for japanese cars than it is for domestic cars.. you will have trouble finding engine parts for a Cavalier vs. a Civic.

Good luck choosing!

The car that caught my eye was a Pontiac Fiero GT 4 Cylinder. I've heard that their decent. Anyone know much about them?

GT Fieros came stock with a 2.8 V6. If the car has a 4 cylinder it's not the original engine.

About the Z24. Don’t get the V6 version. The you want to get is the 2.4 Twin Cam it’s reliable (150,000+ miles) and there is good aftermarket for it.
http://www.gmgoodwrench.com/perfpartsjsp/partlist.jsp?cat=14253&section=ep
http://www.superstreetonline.com/howto/99118/

Thanks guys. I'm so hopelessly lost though. I've debated and debated but I still can't decide which car I like best...

One way for us to help you to narrow it down would be it you would give us an idea how much you want to spend?

Well, I was hoping around to spend around $5K although if I go over that a little that would be okay.

Edit: I was talking to my buddy today and he said that one of his friends has a Suzuki Aerio SX. He said it isn't anything that will be beating any 5.0's any time soon but he said that for the money it's pretty good. It gets good gas mileage, is supposed to have a good AWD system, and is pretty economical. How much potential does this thing have? Could it ever compete with any other "racing" cars? Thanks.

Well, I was hoping around to spend around $5K although if I go over that a little that would be okay.

Edit: I was talking to my buddy today and he said that one of his friends has a Suzuki Aerio SX. He said it isn't anything that will be beating any 5.0's any time soon but he said that for the money it's pretty good. It gets good gas mileage, is supposed to have a good AWD system, and is pretty economical. How much potential does this thing have? Could it ever compete with any other "racing" cars? Thanks.

if your looking for performance, your best bet would be to swap in a Suzuki Hayabusa motor and modify it. :rolleyes:

and to answer your questions...the Aerio was never built to compete with any "racing" cars nor was it built to modified. it was built for economical purposes only...usually a car not built for performance will not yield good performance unless you like to spend lots and lots of money on modifications.

Okay, I guess I'll steer clear of it. Poo, the look was starting to grow on me. :)

Well, I was hoping around to spend around $5K although if I go over that a little that would be okay.

Edit: I was talking to my buddy today and he said that one of his friends has a Suzuki Aerio SX. He said it isn't anything that will be beating any 5.0's any time soon but he said that for the money it's pretty good. It gets good gas mileage, is supposed to have a good AWD system, and is pretty economical. How much potential does this thing have? Could it ever compete with any other "racing" cars? Thanks.

a Suzuki Aerio!? Are you kidding?! My best friends dad has one of those, its literally a box on wheels! No way in hell you can ever compete against anything with that car. Dude if you want a car with good gas mileage but also able to modify, than get a Civic... :rolleyes:

The Aerio isn't that bad. It'll certainly hang with any Civic short of the Type R stock vs. stock. It's got AWD and 150 horsepower, so you could do worse.

Focus ZX3, or if you have the money an SVT Focus.

I would like to get one of those but aren't they utterly unreliable? I heard if I want a Hatchback a Civic would be a better bet.

Look at the reliability ratings the focus is excellent.

Really? Where may I see these "reliability ratings" you speak of?

http://autos.msn.com/research/userreviews/reviewlist.aspx?modelid=11145

A quick google search will find you plenty this is the first one I clicked on. Personally I have never heard of the focus being unreliable. Nothing wrong with a civic either, i really don't care what you get just giving you some information.

Okay, thanks.

Edit: Quick question, how are the older VW Golf's? Like the years 95-99? Sorry for all the questions!

Bump

I'd probably stay away from older Golfs, I'm not sure about the reliability, but I do know that anything that does go wrong is an expensive fix.

Awesome, thanks.

Buy the Z24, cheap cars are always more fun. If you buy a Honda you will be worried resale value. With the Chevy you can run in hard not worry about it.

The problems you can expect to see are little things, water leaking in, interior squeak and rattles. Thats about it. As long as you get one with the Twin Cam engine your not going to have any problem with point A to point B reliability. Also if you can’t find a Z24 or don’t like the looks the Pontiac Sunfire GT is the same car.

I personally like Z24's, they relatively cheap cars 4-8k, and are pretty quick stock. They torque off the line pretty well compared to a civic,maxima,integra etc... Ive raced a z24 w/ intake against a 96 honda w/ intake, 4:1 header, exhuast, a 95 integra with same mods, among other class cars, and easily overtake them.

Im not saying its the best option, but you get quite a bit of performance, with reliability.
Gas mileage is pretty good on them too, I would reccomend over honda/acura... my 2 cents