Time For A New Car

[TheNewKid89]

Thank you for the constructive post 2000LS1Z28. Just playing with you guys...

Anyways, 90% of my driving will be city driving so I care more about the city MPG than than the highway.

Thanks for the comments on the Acura Integra though. I think that may be just what I'm looking for. I don't really want anything that's super fast now anyways, as long as I can build it up. Quick question, what's a VTEC head? Also, how much money do you think I would be spending to get it running in the low 14s to high 13's?

One more thing, we talked about how most 4 Banger Non-Tuned cars feel like they have no guts up until 30 MPH or whatever. What would I have to do...or "tune" these cars to not make it feel like that?

Thank you so much.

[uranium235powered]

Originally Posted by TheNewKid89

Okay, thank you guys. I really appreciate the input and help from everyone.

Nissanfanatic - That really helped. Thank you.

So far I've been recommened:

- Acura Integra
- Ford SVT Focus
- Z24 Cavalier
- Suzuki Aerio SX

Any other recommendations would be greatly appreciated. Out of these cars which do you guys think would be the best? I would love to get the Integra GSR but aren't the newer ones really expensive? Maybe an older one...but I'd have to be able to find it on a dealership lot, my parents don't really want to buy from any private owners.

Also, if there are any Toyota's or Scions that may be good for me that would be even better as a good friend of ours works at a Toyota Dealership.

Well, if you're heading towards the Acura Integra route, make sure to get a good alarm system. Maybe even Lo-jack it. They are....cars that are commonly stolen. I'd get one anyway though.

I'm kinda surprised that nobody mentioned a 240sx.

[TheNewKid89]

I would love to get a 240SX except that the newer ones (S15's right?) are just too expensive...

[uranium235powered]

Uh...I don't think S15's are even avaliable in the US, you have to import them from Japan or somewhere. Get an S13 or an S14, the S13 being boxier looking and lighter.

EDIT: Sorry, I skimmed through the posts, I didn't see that you wanted a car no more than a couple of years old.

[-Jayson-]

if you are considering a Cavalier Z24, get one with the year models 2000-2002. Gm released a Supercharger package for them and really bring the car to life. Also you get to keep your gas mileage. I have the supercharger on my car. Honestly dont listen to what anyone else says about a Cavalier Z24 unless they have owned one. I love mine to death, and pretty much every other person i know who owns one, loves there as well. The Z24 comes fully loaded, has gobs of low end power, and is very reliable. You can pick them up for around 7-10K depending on milage and condition.

[TheNewKid89]

Okay, thanks Jayson. Do you know if any GM dealers still have them in stock with the supercharger? Were not really going to be looking at private sellers so whatever is on the lot is what I get...kind of.

Thank you guys!

[2000LS1Z28]

They don't sell supercharged Cavaliers on lots (Atleast not commonly, unless someone like Jayson trades his in). Of course the Cobalt SS is more or less the new Cavalier.

If you get a tegra, get an alarm like the guy said, cause those cars are stolen like crazy. I can't even fathom leaving a Type R in the Downtown Los Angeles area.

[xXxRocker5150]

okay, well sorry I dind't have time to read all the previous threads, but it just came to my attention (in the z forums, thanks again LLZ) that one of the ultimate sleepers is in fact a minivan... yes, they were made in 1989 and 1990, they're dodge grand caravans, plymouth voyagers, and chrysler town&country's. They came with turbo'd I-4 engines... stock they get about 21MPG city, and they don't have too much power, but they're easy to mod, and the pistons crank and heads (I think so don't quote me on it) can support up to at least 25+ PSI on the turbo. If you're interested go to www.turbominivan.com ... the guy who hosts the site I think is in 13s rite now, maybe lower... good luck!

[nissanfanatic]

Originally Posted by TheNewKid89

Wow! Never knew that. Maybe that will persuade my parents minds. Probably not though, my Dad is pretty stubborn.

Anyways, lets just say that I can get an older car you said that you had some recommendations. Any chance you'd be kind enough to share those with me?

Thank you!

O man...

1st gen DSM
2nd gen DSM
any civic(swap)
any integra(swap)
S13 240sx
S14 240sx
MR2 turbo
......the list goes on and on. You should check out some of AFs car specific forums and talk to some of the regulars. They can give you a good idea of what each car is capable of and how well it handles upgrades/daily driving/gas mileage.

[TheNewKid89]

Out of those cars that you listed I think that I would have to pick the Integra or Civic. Quick question, what engine would you recommend to swap into an Integra? Also, the non-GSR models, do they have any potential with their stock motor? Quick question, what's a VTEC head? Also, how much money do you think I would be spending to get a non-GSR Integra running in the low 14s to high 13's?

[King Of Crunk]

i am not knowledgable about hondas but i'm thinking that a vtec head is a more performance oriented head that gived you better compression....and to get a non gsr integra to run 13s would probably take around 3k....or less if your'e thrifty...

[TheNewKid89]

Okay, thanks for the quick reply.

One more thing, the Del Sol VTEC caught my eye and I was wondering how it would compare to some of the other cars that we have talked about. In particular, the Integra and Z24.

[nissanfanatic]

Well...

ET is pretty easy to get. Make a lil power and throw on some grippy slicks. You could be running 13s and trapping 95mph.lol

Click here

Check out some of the civic forums and maybe do some research online.

For performance modifications and general knowledge on automobiles, I recommend these two sites. You can find pretty much anything you need to know on both of these sites.

SDSEFI.com
Stealth 316.com

I recommend reading them until your eyes are bleeding.

[2000LS1Z28]

Originally Posted by xXxRocker5150

okay, well sorry I dind't have time to read all the previous threads, but it just came to my attention (in the z forums, thanks again LLZ) that one of the ultimate sleepers is in fact a minivan... yes, they were made in 1989 and 1990, they're dodge grand caravans, plymouth voyagers, and chrysler town&country's. They came with turbo'd I-4 engines... stock they get about 21MPG city, and they don't have too much power, but they're easy to mod, and the pistons crank and heads (I think so don't quote me on it) can support up to at least 25+ PSI on the turbo. If you're interested go to www.turbominivan.com ... the guy who hosts the site I think is in 13s rite now, maybe lower... good luck!

Thanks alot man, you just found my next purchase for an auxilary vehicle. Gonna probably buy one next year, and they are dirt cheap (Less then a $1K in some cases). Hopefully they don't get that poor of gas mileage.

[turtlecrxsi]

Originally Posted by TheNewKid89

Okay, thanks for the quick reply.

One more thing, the Del Sol VTEC caught my eye and I was wondering how it would compare to some of the other cars that we have talked about. In particular, the Integra and Z24.

Z24s are nice cars that if you leave stock looking (ie. no gay tail lights or stickers) can be made into sleepers. Maybe if you get a z24 you can add a supercharger later. I've even thought about it...

Integras aren't swapped, unless you swap from a better integra into it. Civics are swapped from integras. Civics have no guts unless you spend money or unless someboy already spent the money and then you will most likely inherit somebody else's headache (like me). But still, Hondas can be reliable. Superchargers and turbocharger kits are made for the integra.

DSMs (ie. Eclipses) are nice too (turboed through 99... GST, GSX, TSi) but I doubt your parents would go for that right? Still, a stock GST (hard to come by) is a pretty cool car.

240sx are awesome as well. You can probably find a 98 for a decent price and add power to it later...

Basically, it all comes down to personal preference. You'll be driving it and you'll be the one sitting in the driver's seat. Personally, I like old Japanese cars because the ergonomic set up and the good gas mileage and reliability. Would I drive an LS1 Camaro?... hell yeah but would I want to drive it everyday... probably not... pockets empty.