Need some advice AF

[clawhammer]

Well, pretty soon I'll have a difficult decision to make. Let me start by giving a little bit of background. In August of 2004 I bought my 91 CRX, but now she has 201,500 and needs attention. It needs the brakes fixed (probably master cylinder, can't do myself, thing is so rusted that every other bolt breaks, and I don't have the proper equipment to fix it) $170, and needs the exhaust fixed (fell off) $125, but the thing is in really bad shape, so I do not want to spend all of that money on it.

My other car is a 91 MR2 (non-turbo) which I bought back in February of 2005. Immediately I started to rebuild the engine and just now it's getting to the end (took 3 months off during the summer, don't comment, I know I'm slow). I've already tried starting it for the past 2 weeks, but it has some kind of electrical problem (injectors aren't pulsing), and I can't start it. I tried everything, and I'm ready to give up. I will try one more thing (check for broken wires in the harness), but if that doesn't fix it, than I will pretty much have to give up on the project, because I don't have time for it anymore. I have somewhere between $3000 and $3500 in the car (car + parts), and I will probably not get more than $1000 in the condition it's in.

Well, I really need a reliable car. I would like something that has decent speed (mid 14s or better), and handles like it's on rails (I like autocrossing, and will do probably 10 events next year). Even if I got my MR2 running, I would not be happy with it, because it's rather slow (high 15). I have all the money saved up for my next years tuiton (2006-2007 school year), I have good investments, and I make roughly $1000 a month after taxes during school, and double that during the summer. I tried to stay away from car payments, but looks like I won't be able to, as I only have $1000 in my savings account right now. Here are basically my 3 options:

1. Hope the MR2 starts up, and buy a bike for $2-3000 in the spring (good: no loans) (bad: not sure how long the MR2 will last, since I put it together)
2. Buy a Turbo MR2 and I'll have a $300/month car payment for 2 years (good: I'll have a car that I'll love) (bad: the car will be old, probably a 93, resale value, will probably mod)
3. Buy an S2000 and I'll have a $300/month car payment for 4 years (good: dream car) (bad: not sure that I'll want to keep a car for 4 years, most expensive on insurance)

I appreciate everyone's 2 cents.

[chevytrucks92]

My advice to you is to get the car that you REALLY want and not to settle for second best. Because if you don't, then you won't be satisfied with it no matter what you do.

I guess I'm saying if you REALLY want an S2000, and can afford it, then go with that.

[GForce957]

^ I like his thinking. In the back of your mind you will always be wanting the S2000.

[sganc4life_4]

mr2 turbo is faster then the s2000, i would go with the mr2

[SiGNAL748]

not stock for stock.

[GForce957]

1993 Toyota MR2 Turbo 6.1 14.7
2000 Honda S2000 5.5 14.2

[clawhammer]

If I get the S2000 I will be dampachi and prove to you guys that stock S2000s can run 13s

Also, please don't compare the 2 cars. I already know all the details about both of them, there is almost nothing new that you can tell me about the cars, but rather what I need is advice about the whole situation.

[carrrnuttt]

Originally Posted by clawhammer

If I get the S2000 I will be dampachi and prove to you guys that stock S2000s can run 13s

Also, please don't compare the 2 cars. I already know all the details about both of them, there is almost nothing new that you can tell me about the cars, but rather what I need is advice about the whole situation.

All you need to do is to seriously ask yourself if what you'll be losing out on (saving money, less money for mods, less money for other interests, etc.), will be worth the extra you'll be paying just to get, and keep the S2000.

If you think it's worth it - then there's your answer.

Personally, I'm all about driving fun, and although the S2000 is imminently faster than the MR stock-for-stock, and is more "tossable", you will however, have more money to make the MR tons more fun than the S can be in stock form.

Then again, though a Toyota, the MR is not nearly as reliable as the newer S, though if you have doubts on keeping the S for 4 years, then it's less of an issue.

[mason_RsX]

I think, as valiant an effort as the MR2 was, you should get the S2k

Ppl are right, every time you have problems with your MR2, and everytime you have to fix it all your going to think is "I should have bought the 2000"

If thats your dream car, and you can afford to buy it now...BUY IT!

ps if I had a S2000 with me in school I would honestly have the baddest car in on campus...by alot

[drftk1d]

Originally Posted by chevytrucks92

My advice to you is to get the car that you REALLY want and not to settle for second best. Because if you don't, then you won't be satisfied with it no matter what you do.

I guess I'm saying if you REALLY want an S2000, and can afford it, then go with that.

last time i said that i took alot of flak but eh.

are you going to get a used s2000 or what? even if you cant mod it, its a good car on the track alone

i'd go for it

[turtlecrxsi]

Put a for sale sign on the CRX. Some kid will want it regardless of it's condition. Next, hope the MR2 starts. It sounds like you put a lot into it and you should just at least get it started. Then you can trade it in for an S2000. I guess you don't really care about back seats or cargo space since the 2 cars you own now are lacking them. I think the newest S2000 is pretty badass. GL

[kris]

you caNT CHANge a master cylinder, but you can rebuild a motor? wtf?

[BP2K2Max]

i would go with the bike and hope to get the MR2 running, since the bike is cheap to buy and insure. that way you can use the bike for track days(since you like autocross) and when your money situation becomes more stable you can work the MR2 into a track car.

[clawhammer]

Originally Posted by kris

you caNT CHANge a master cylinder, but you can rebuild a motor? wtf?

Everything is rusted out on this POS. I don't even want to work on it. I'm tired of breaking/stripping bolts. Just for comparison, the MR2 has no rust, and I've only stripped a couple of bolts on it. It's really not worth spending the money when I don't want the car.

I'm leaning more and more towards the S2000. Will talk to the bank Monday.