Getting rid of car for Honda or something?

[rhinton]

Okay guys, this is a serious question about car speed, performance, and just general maintenance.
I'm thinking about getting rid of my 96 Pontaic Trans Am for something else. I'm just tired of fixing it. GM has really pissed me off with this car. It was my dream and now I'm just tired of it. I've had issues with the differential, optispark, sparkplugs, fuel injectors, and who can forget my driver window in which every year the motor goes out. F'ed up I say.

Anyway, what are some opinions out there? If I'm getting rid of this car (also insurance is high cuz of speeding tickets ) what kind of car should I get next? Should it be a Honda Civic because of lower priced aftermarket parts and a possible drop in my insurance payments. Or should I get a Mitsubishi? But I have heard that they have problems as well.

What should I look out for when looking into an import? I love cars...but I have no idea when it comes to Hondas or anything. Lets say I get a Honda that has 111,000 miles on it. Will it still perform well for several years without an engine rebuild?

My Trans Am only has 63,000 miles on it and I've had so many problems...I just want to get rid of it.
Plus, keep in mind I don't want a car payment. I just want to buy the car and thats it! Or should I get a newer Civic or Accord and make payments? I just don't like the new Civic body style...looks fat in the rear but the Accord looks nicer.
What is the best car for aftermarket parts?
Please help me decide!

(edit)
Also add that I already performed a transmission repair on this thing. I think the previous owner raced the mofo...or it could have been me having too much fun. I've only had it for 2 years now. Bought the Trans when it had 36,000 miles on it.

[CivicSpoon]

If you're looking for real performance with just the stock engine and some bolt-ons, skip the Civic (unless it's a '99-'00 Si) and get an Acura Integra. Civic's are good for 4 things; reliability, gas mileage, light weight, and major building. If you're really considering a Civic and still want real performance, you should consider doing an engine swap and/or turbo kit. Behind the '99-'00 Si (with 160hp) the next one is the EX and later ('92-'95) Si models; with 125-127hp. With the Integras, you can get the LS/RS/GS models with 140hp (also lower compression for adding turbo), or the GS-R with 170hp.

[Rampart Crawler]

Originally Posted by rhinton

Okay guys, this is a serious question about car speed, performance, and just general maintenance.
I'm thinking about getting rid of my 96 Pontaic Trans Am for something else. I'm just tired of fixing it. GM has really pissed me off with this car. It was my dream and now I'm just tired of it. I've had issues with the differential, optispark, sparkplugs, fuel injectors, and who can forget my driver window in which every year the motor goes out. F'ed up I say.

Anyway, what are some opinions out there? If I'm getting rid of this car (also insurance is high cuz of speeding tickets ) what kind of car should I get next? Should it be a Honda Civic because of lower priced aftermarket parts and a possible drop in my insurance payments. Or should I get a Mitsubishi? But I have heard that they have problems as well.

What should I look out for when looking into an import? I love cars...but I have no idea when it comes to Hondas or anything. Lets say I get a Honda that has 111,000 miles on it. Will it still perform well for several years without an engine rebuild?

My Trans Am only has 63,000 miles on it and I've had so many problems...I just want to get rid of it.
Plus, keep in mind I don't want a car payment. I just want to buy the car and thats it! Or should I get a newer Civic or Accord and make payments? I just don't like the new Civic body style...looks fat in the rear but the Accord looks nicer.
What is the best car for aftermarket parts?
Please help me decide!

(edit)
Also add that I already performed a transmission repair on this thing. I think the previous owner raced the mofo...or it could have been me having too much fun. I've only had it for 2 years now. Bought the Trans when it had 36,000 miles on it.

What you want to buy is all up to you at the end. Sorry to hear about your T/A. They are so nice. Too bad yours has to be a bitch. Get used to your car not going anywhere when you hit the gas if you get a civic.:P

Try to get a '99-'00 Civic Si, or a late model Accord V-6. They have some puch to them.

[rhinton]

Originally Posted by CivicSpoon

If you're looking for real performance with just the stock engine and some bolt-ons, skip the Civic (unless it's a '99-'00 Si) and get an Acura Integra. Civic's are good for 4 things; reliability, gas mileage, light weight, and major building. If you're really considering a Civic and still want real performance, you should consider doing an engine swap and/or turbo kit. Behind the '99-'00 Si (with 160hp) the next one is the EX and later ('92-'95) Si models; with 125-127hp. With the Integras, you can get the LS/RS/GS models with 140hp (also lower compression for adding turbo), or the GS-R with 170hp.

Keep the ideas coming guys, I want to hear all of the comparisons between Honda, Mitsubishi, Toyota, Acura, and Nissan. Actually...no Nissans...they are still over priced IMO.

I was actually looking at the new Si Hondas today while my friend test drove the S2000. Not bad looking, if it was for looks I'd go with that one first then the Accord then lastly the new Civic, blah.

So your telling me the Integras with the stock engine can handle a turbo? What about the Hondas?

[CivicSpoon]

Yeah they can all handle boost, but the LS seems to be able to handle more in stock form than the others. Of course if you built an engine, that goes out the window because they will all be able to handle more.
But just a little fyi, you might want to wait till the end of the year because the new Civics are coming out. There are rumors of a 200hp 6-speed engine in the new Si that will be coming out. Just something to consider.

[rhinton]

Well, I wish I could consider that...but currently, in this time of my life, I can't afford a new car payment. Ouch!

[knorwj]

I would go with a mid-late 90's Acura integra gs-r, It may not be quite as quick as the pontiac but it has great all around performance and much nicer interior styling than the GM. and you should be able to find one for around what you sell the trans am for. then later on when you get some more cash it is just as upgradeable as any civic, only difference is you already have a better start, and a nicer car than a civic.






edit: and as far as reliability after 100,000 thousand.... I wouldn't start worrying too much till it hits 200,000. I have a 93 gs-r and it has about 170,000 and it runs and pulls good still.

[rhinton]

Thanks! I think I'll start pricing the Acuras out. I actually think I saw a black one for sale on the side of the road today. Hmmm...

[rhinton]

Okay, I've already been looking for Acuras and such but I have ran across the LS versions and GS-R versions. What are the differences? I guess I could use a search engine on the internet huh? Oh well...tell me! Muhaa haa!!

[knorwj]

Originally Posted by rhinton

Okay, I've already been looking for Acuras and such but I have ran across the LS versions and GS-R versions. What are the differences? I guess I could use a search engine on the internet huh? Oh well...tell me! Muhaa haa!!

LS is two models down from the gs-r I believe.

gs-r is fully loaded power-everything, leather seats, etc. It also has a more powerful engine and closer ratio tranny. difference in speed of the two would be about a 1-1.5 second difference in the 1/4.

[rhinton]

Hmmm...so its top of the line. Wish I could just afford a Bugahtti. Is that how you spell it? Now thats a top of the line car! Mmm mmm...

[jchavis]

Well if you want a cheap, out of the box ballsie car think american. Cars like the old 5.0 stangs, or 350 cameros, maybe even the old stealths/talons/eclipes. If you insist on an import, good luck. V6 accords have good go, but if you want to stay under 10k you might not find one. civic si's are peppy, but not fast. It might be hard to go from a TA to an econo box. you might go into torque shock. You could get some old grocery getter like mine!

[knorwj]

I believe the point of the switch is because he is tired of the unreliability of domestics though sooo I don't think your plan would work. If he wanted a ballsy domestic he could just stick to the TA.

[rhinton]

Ya, I just want to switch to something more reliable.
Well, one question I have to know...what about the engine in the imports? At 100,000 miles...how are they. LIke the Hondas and such.

[knorwj]

Originally Posted by rhinton

At 100,000 miles...how are they. LIke the Hondas and such.

just barely broken in.


As long as you follow the recomended maintenance schedule on the hondas they should run smooth up to and beyond 200,000.