The Test Drive Thread

Alright, I'm making a thread about the cars that i have been driving and seeing what was out there in the market while i was looking at used cars. the price range ws 10-14k. Feel free to add your own review to a car's test drive and have the thread going.
im just getting the list of the cars going with pros and cons, then adding experences.

its kinda hard to do this while watchin the horrible show of shot at love with tila tequila, so some of it might not get done right away lol...

2002 Celica GTS

Pros :
6 speed manual
1.8L I4 engine
high compression
great throttle responce
easily modable
toyota reliability

cons:
too expensive for the price they wanted (carmax wanted 14k everything for 76k miles no hassle, only one in my area within 75 miles)
bad blindspot
the brakes were kinda iffy
gauges were hard to read in the sense for economical driving, it makes you want to drive faster(idk if thats a bad thing)
suspention seemed a bit too soft for a 'sporty coupe'
when turning hard, it seemed to have a bunch of understeer

when i saw it on the lot, and i saw it was a 6 speed and not the 4spd auto, i told the carmax guy i wanted to test drive it asap. i was pretty stoked being able to actually drive it after wanting to for so long. the clutch was nice and easy. it has a couple blind spots, but thats where spririted driving comes into play :). it was interesting to say the least. 1st gear is just about perfect, 2nd as well, and 3rd is great. diddnt do any full throttle pulls in 4th-6th though. its weird at first when you hit 7k or so and you hit toyota 'vtak'. sure its great, but it sucked as it only lasted for like 1k or so. i think with a 2000 ecu it would be more fun reving to 8400.

the shifter felt nice and easy. it was in the exact right spot. no annoying arm rest to get in your way either. the throws were a little too long, so i couldnt chirp 2nd, but then again maybe i couldnt shift it fast enough, as i was being easy on the car as the reverse thing is pretty wierd for me anyway.

2000 VW Jetta VR6

Pros:
v6
roomy interior
easy to read gauges
everything was put in the right place
no large blind spots
comfy seats

Cons:
auto trans
brakes seemed 'mushy' (think they needed to be replaced. had to push the pedal almost to the floor to stop)
lack of 'power'( felt like driving my friends 1.6 cavi)
suspention was really jumpy
seemed kinda bland on the interior, nothing that hit me saying oh this is what a vw is like...

it seeme this car needed some work. i swear it needed new spark plugs and a compression test, as well with a brake test with new pads and check for air in the lines at least.

brother saw it, as it might have been his first car. had tints and wheels and the whole 9 yards. auto tranny. that was a plus about it for him. one thing i noticed right away, was the seats were interesting. they felt semi-bucket- semi not. you have to sit in one to know what im saying. the gauges were rather plain as well. nothing really striked me on the inside that said this car was a VW. seriously. started to drive the car, and i could tell right away that i wouldnt like the car. gave the car some gas, it moved at its own pace. the gas pedal felt mushy. i came from a dead stop and took a right turn. i floored the car, 0-60 was slower than my sentra. every turn i made with the steering wheel, the car shifted, like the suspension was out or something. the brake pedal was really mushy as well, and diddnt feel like it had any pressure either. had a bunch of body roll. felt like the car had a leaking head gasket or something. no power once so ever. i would rather drive my parents sienna tank of a van than that car.

2002 Mtsubishi Elipse GTS

Pros :
v6 power
car demands to be driven
leather bucket seats
trans shifts smoothly
brakes seemed lacking

Cons:
car seems heavy
understeers when you dont want it too
nasty blind spot( mirror helps to an extent)
long shifting throw
everyone almost has one around here(deemed a girls car here)
thing screams to me ugly

dont get me wrong, the car is decently comfortable. the gauges easy to read, but the dash looks like it came right out of a fast and the furious movie. part of it was black, part of it was dark blue. i woulda kept it one color...

eitherway, the clutch pedal was kinda a problem for me, as you had to push it so far down to shift it smoothly. i diddnt like that at all. but, if i was in 1st or 2nd, and mashed the gas, the car moved quickly in a straight line. too mad it wasnt the same when i was turning hard. it honestly reminded me of the mazda 6, but a little better. it feels like the suspension on this car doesnt have a lot of travel in the rear, and it understeers like crazy. the brakes are fine, and the gear box is good too. i diddnt like the blind spots you get from it. cant look over the shoulder to those small windows to see if someones there. gotta adjust the side mirrors, or put those ball mirror things on your mirrors.

the car looks decent while moving, but thats the extent. goes quick in a straight line, but start turning it, and its like the mazda 6. its heavy and understeers liek crazy.

2003 Sentra SE-R Spec V

Pros:
brembo brakes
smooth shifting gear box
limited slip
basically same car as the one i have now
TQ monster for a fwd I4
gears are too short

Cons :
TQ steer is a b*tch
the low redline makes me hurl
very limited aftermarket
car diddnt have a header, was scared of the butterfly screws and the precat dieing

it overall wasnt a big difference than driving my sentra. started it up, gave it a little gas, and was on my way. it felt a lot like my car, but a little stiffer, as the spec is a little stiffer than mine. the brembo brakes worked nicely. i liked the fact that i could be in any gear and not have to shift out to pass someone. 6th gear, 45mph. floor it and pass someone easily. i liked the 6 speed, but the gears were too short. 04-06 are said to have a little bigger gears, but its not that much of a difference. the qc rawred when the butterfly's opened, but felt that they should stay open after 5200 period. 1st gear 5200 open, and keep them open until the driver stops giving the car full throttle. think it would help a bit.

overall, its the same car, diff engine, tighter suspention, and short geared tranny. not worth spendin a bunch to get one.

1995 Mazda Miata

Pros :
coupe
2 seater
light as heck
near 50/50 weight distribution
great handling
small pedals (great for heel + toe)

Cons :
dash isnt exactly pretty
2 seater
rather small height (cant see over some wagon cars)
the rear window is basically useless
very bad blind spots with the top up
very small pedals
its a pita to maintain with such small areas to work in

i took it out from the lo. started it up, and the underpowered miata gave a little noise saying it was on. let it warm up for a minute and was on my way. the gears were smooth, and the throws were pretty damn short if you ask me. the car felt extremely balanced, and was fun to drive. i just wish it had more power. it could pick up and go with its own power, and handle even better. give the car maybe 170whp, and you will send the competitors running away.

send it into a corner, and it listens to your every input. car felt like it was one rails, everywhere. too bad its only a 2 seater, otherwise it could give the s2k a run for its money even more.

2004 Saturn Ion RedLine

Pros:
Boosted LSJ stock
bunch of TQ
fun to drive
instant 'on' power
loves to be driven
like the view from the drivers seat

Cons:
its a saturn
the huge rear wing gets in the way of your view
reminds me too much of my cousins j body
diddnt like the shifter(might be the knob, idk)

2005 Scion Tc

Pros:
same engine as the celica
nice and peppy
interior was nice
toyota reliabllity
shifting was quick and easy

Cons:
kinda heavy
same understeer problem like the gts
blindspot again
overpriced for what you get
are common around here

2004 Mazda 6

Pros:
a bit bigger than the 3
more roomy
easy to read gauges
great for hauling people

Cons:
a bit on the heavy side
kinda slow(4 cyl)
throws were kinda long
seemed like i was driving a tank compared to the sentra

i drove my cousins. he had a couple mods, but nothing major. just intake, catback, and a clutch.

started the car up, let it warm up, and then had at it. put it into first, and the clutch was a little stiff, as he just broke it in basically with 1k miles. the gauges are huge and easy to read. shifted from 1st to second, and it was smooth, but the engine wasnt as smooth. it was pretty torquey if you ask me. reminded me of the spec v, but with bigger gears and heavier. it felt like it was hugging the road like the gtp i drove. it was a little wider, but felt like a tank. you do sit a little high up if you ask me too. took it around some turns, it went where i wanted it to go, but it felt like i was pushing the car rather hard where i wanted it to go, when it was so much easier in the sentra. if i wanted to take a turn hard, i would have to turn the oppisote way first, then my intended way to offset the weight on the wheels so it would understeer more in the direction i wanted. brakes were firm, and gripped, but it was something about the pedal that i diddnt like. it wasnt hard, or soft, but then again it just diddnt feel right. also, when you went over a bump or a change in tar to asphalt, you feel it. the big comfy seats are there since the suspention sucks. you feel every thing on the road. i hated it. feel every bump and not be able to handle? eh, no thanks. the car needs jenny craig.

2001 Ford Mustang GT

Pros:
v8 powa
instant power
goes fast in a straight line
cheap parts

Cons:
diddnt like the handling
seemed like driving a tank
it was either a understeer or oversteer problem in slow turns
gas milage
i felt i was along for the ride, not controling the ride
felt like it was a car confensating for something
made me want to put on the local rock station and grow a mullet ;)
would be scary to drive in the snow, if traction is hard to get on dry pavement

1999 Pontiac Gran Prix GTP

Pros:
go fast in a straight line
cheap speed
comfortable enough
speed display on the windshield
turns when you move the wheel pretty quickly

Cons:
diddnt like the gauges
the leather felt really hard
kinda a delay when pressing the throttle(auto)
felt like a tank
suspention was really soft
horrible for autox

the celica gt-s is a 1.8L, not 2.0L ;)

2000+ celica gt-s: if you look hard enough, they are 9k-12k cars ;)

the scion tc has the same engine as the camry, not the celica ;)

I'm glad you're finally upgrading chiquea, it's about time. Out of those cars, i would pick the celica gts, sentra se-r spec v, or the ion redline.

Whichever way, i'm happy you're getting a new car man ;)

didnt know u were selling the sentra, so ingore my reply in the previous thread. seems like you like the torque, so id rule out the celica gts. id pick between the ion and the gtp. there seems to be an abundant community for those two on AF, so im sure youd get plenty of help n advice. good luck choosing

2003 eclipse gt
pros:

V6 is torquey and give excellent responsiveness, while the top end leaves much to be desired.
Brakes ( on the non-abs) bite and bite hard
comfortable feel for the short commuter
responsive steering until the breakaway point
very reliable if treated properly

Cons
limited aftermarket
Understeers but is controllable and the understeer on mine has been compensated with firm rear bars
Expensive to maintain with the timing belt.
Limited by fwd
spoiler can cause a blind spot as well as the large c-pillar. Though easily compensated by attentive driving
driveline parts don't hold up well to abuse
quirks you'd have to get used to.
*fuel pump gurgle
*sunroof judder
*TOB rattle

I would say either the redline, sentra se-r, eclipse, or celica. The redline is the quickest of the 4, and the rest are probably close to each other. My friend has an Eclipse GT and i like it quite a bit. I like how it handles and how smooth and torquey it is, but when we raced i beat him pretty bad. I posted the race in the SR section a couple months ago if ya wanna watch. I've never driven a sentra or celica but i like both cars

I say Redline. I would say the Mustang, but you seem to have a heftier con list on that than the Saturn. Though one of your cons for the Ion confused me...

"Its a Saturn"

Thats a pro! those things are made of gladware and run on love. And with today's gas prices, Love is much more fuel efficient!

Well, I say Redline as my verdict. But hey I am a little partial to LSJs, so i may be a bit biased... But its a great car. Cant go wrong with the GT either, though. I have always liked mustangs, though most of the ND guys dont :D

Dont forget about the car reviews musashi and I had done.

Mazdaspeed 3
http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=757330


Mazdaspeed 6
http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=615661

Mini Cooper S
http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=543199

RX-8, you guys know the final verdict on this one for me, lol.
http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=543970


Musashi's review of a 350Z
http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=543279

Musashi's review of saturn redline (way before they bought one)
http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=541540

Musashi's review of a Altima SE-R
http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=543926

Musashi's Review of the RX-8
http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=544897


Musashi's GTO Review
http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=547038



There is another list of the test drives musashi and I did. I've been testing out other cars cause ive been bored and wanted to waste the dealers gas, lol.

We really need to get a thread stickied for all the test drives, cause they are full of different info that is really helpful to people who are looking to buy a car, whether they buy new or used.

^^^agreed. i do have to agree with mushmans rx-8 review. its exactly how i felt while driving it.

Dude after having it for 2 years i still love it, I mean its notlike i go and line up next to new mustang gt's all the time or anything and when i want to smile all i have to do is turn off the traction and take a hard turn and it makes my day brighter. The car is so comfortable ive slept in it a few times if i got to work too early, lol.

05 Toyota Corolla S auto

Pros : cheap
reliable
great gas milage
can carry 4 adults easily

Cons : the interior feels cheap in a way
almost everyone has one
the steering radius sucks on it
there is bearly any steering response when pushing the car
will understeer like a bitch
the non bucket seats throw you all over the cabin when pushing it.

I'll be taking a spin in a supercharged M3 on Saturday. I'll let you know how it goes.

you can't say the miata is only a 2 seater and that it falls short of the s2k on that premise and that alone, last i checked the s2k is also on a 2seater.

bang for you buck, miata, no doubt. the engine can be turbo'd as is boosting power up to 250hp without any issues. it's handling is amazing, the aftermarket from mazda and other companies is very strong, and most of all a 95 can pull upwards of 35mpg. btw: all convertable's with the roof up have very big blind spots.

i don't like toyota or toyota products so eh on those. if you had to, i'd say mr2 turbo from the early to mid 90's. they can be had for around 5-8g.

how new are you looking?

Porsche 968:
Pro's: performance
handling
looks
rarity
all around usefullness
mostly 6spd manual
very nice interior
power everything

Con's: expense of some repairs
crappy tiptronic setup on auto's
back seat for kids only

for being a rwd, it's pretty good in snow with proper tires(no toyo proxes types) has about as much power as a honda s2k(about 240hp and 238tq). as a Porsche, its part of a community of people who help in most every way possible. it's all around practicality is amazing, the hatch design allows for food shopping and yet you still can go to the track on the weekend(wouldn't suggest dragway). though their warrenties have run out by now, relize over 90% of all porsche's produced from 56-now are still on the road, so they aren't shitty build quality. the aftermarket for upgrades is amazing, from turbo's to suspension and brakes, everything you can imagine is there.

don't go for the turbo s versions of these, as only 16 were produced and command up to 60g, the turbo rs, only 5 and around 75g(only cause they were raced an abused). the CS(clubsport) very good combo of lightweight performance and creature comfort.

you can't say the miata is only a 2 seater and that it falls short of the s2k on that premise and that alone, last i checked the s2k is also on a 2seater.

i just know that most guys will buy the miata over a s2k, as they are basically in the same class. that would give them more of an edge :D

stop emphasizing your 968 in every thread :D. 20 yr old + Porsche = buttsexed by insurance.

Hmm, I could give you a VR4 review as I have been in stock to wildly modified VR4's. If I were to give a VR4 (second generation) review it would go something like this:

Pros:
Good power
6 Speed Getrag Transmission
AWD
Lots of downlow power (315lb/ft @ 2,500 rpms)
Huge brakes (4 pistion front/ 2 piston bakc)
Visually Appealing

Cons:
It has a leather interior
Transmission shifts very stiff in cold weather
Stock boost gauge is worthless as it doesn't measure true boost
Active Aero, is it really neccessary?
Stock synchros could be stronger
Could lose a couple lbs.

The VR4 has tremendous power down low with AWD which makes it get out of the whole with no problem. The TDO4 9b turbos spool up quickly and provide good power up to 5,500 rpms where they hold about 10-11psi @ its 7,000 rpm redline. Gears are quite long which helps the VR4 out in roll races, as well as its aerodynamic design. With a curb weight of about 3,700 lbs it stands on the heavier side but so does the new R35! In tests, the VR4 pulled MORE lateral G's than the Acura NSX-T, the Toyota Supra Turbo, and even the C5 Corvette.

(YOU MUST COPY AND PASTE LINK/S ON ADDRESS BAR IN ORDER FOR IT TO WORK) Link: http://www.stealth316.com/2-ecmremoval.htm

Upon going through a 600ft slalom, the VR4 fell slightly behind the Supra and ahead of the C5 Corvette. And while towards the bottom of this list, the VR4 still stays competitive in supercar territory.
Link: http://stealth316.com/images/mt_5-97-p17.jpg

With a curb weight that is just a couple hundred pounds shy of weighing 4,000lbs you would expect the VR4 to have some trouble getting to a stop. However, Mitsubishi put hugh brakes on the car in order to help bring it to a stop as fast as the others. The VR4 60-0 distance was 2 feet shy of the Ferrari F355 Berlinetta, the same as the C5 Corvette, and shorter than the Acura NSX-T along with the Dodge Viper.
Link: http://stealth316.com/images/mt_5-97-p21.jpg

Other links of interest:
http://stealth316.com/images/mt_5-97-p14.jpg
http://stealth316.com/images/mt_5-97-p13.jpg


In closing, while the VR4 does have its cons with a leather interior, some uneccessary equipment, heavier weight, etc., it makes up for it through ingenius Mitsubishi design that allows it to compete with its anorexic competition.

i just know that most guys will buy the miata over a s2k, as they are basically in the same class. that would give them more of an edge :D

stop emphasizing your 968 in every thread :D. 20 yr old + Porsche = buttsexed by insurance.

it's a review of any car, i own a 944 not a 968, if you want a list of all the car's i've driven it'd cover more then 5 pages.

as for the insurance, considering i have 7 speeding tickets i only pay 80 a month. the only porsche's that are expensive are the 911, 550, and 356. the only reason i pay 80 other than tickets, it has no saftey equipement. 968 however has everything.

and if it's sarcasm about the miata, o well, i'd still rather a miata over a s2k, yet another torqueless wonder of the world.

like i said this is a car review, i'm not pushing thte 968, just offering it up in a review. want me to do a different car?

and if it's sarcasm about the miata, o well, i'd still rather a miata over a s2k, yet another torqueless wonder of the world.

A reveiw for a Miata calling the S2k a gutless wonder. Who woulda thunk it?

it's a review of any car, i own a 944 not a 968, if you want a list of all the car's i've driven it'd cover more then 5 pages.
no angry here, all sarcasm :D

by all means, post em up. we want this thread to grow!

i'll go alphabetic, and not every day either.

Alfa Romeo Spider(82):

pros: i guess the name
drop top
looks
the simplicity of it
can be cheap...to buy

cons: the cost of repairs
not very good in other then 60* weather

it was a fun car that i drove for about 20mins. i liked it's gear ratios, and the fact that above 50mph it could still accelerate in 4th with it's little amount of power. i won't say that it had creature comforts galore, but this one had power windows and locks, along with power steering and 4whl disc(not sure if thats stock) overall, awsome car for turns, not great in a strait line

aston martin v8 vantage(idk yr)

pros: the power
the comfort
the 6spd
the looks
the looks from others

cons: cost
leather interior, it was 90* out and black leather

friend's car for a period of 6 months, i ask if i could get a ride, he gave me the keys in trade for keys to my stealth. it was a very relaxing car that almost felt like it had nothing untill you really hit the gas. i've driven better, but it is a good alternative to a maserati

bmw 330xi

pros: all season drivability
comfort
looks
bullet proof motor
handling
6 disc cd

cons: the windows didn't work
6 disc in trunk

whether the window issue was common or not, it didn't phase me. the engine at higher rpm was an amazing sound. though not an m3 it still could perform well enough and carry luggage. its overall practicality was amazing.

bmw m3(08)

pros: the performance

cons: the navi system

didn't get but 5mins, so not much to say. it performed well, but felt a lil sluggish in turns. it looked awsome in red, no other color could've been nicer. interior was supportive in a turn, but i could imagine a long trip possibly being annoying. still as practical as a regular 3 series, just more power, and worse mpg.

buick rivera(67)..dads

pros: the interior space
the big v8

cons: brakes
cornering
manual everything

though now it's getting some work done, i did drive it for a few miles. i couldn't really start moving without a lil tire chirp or peel. awsome sunday driver, but not DD. huge trunk "fit 3 bodies in that". the interior...holy shit, huge. big torquey 430ci v8 with 360hp...fun, but it's gotta be 4000lbs.


that's it for now, i think i missed some, but o well.