Daily Driver w/ Potential?

TheNewKid89 · #1 10-16-2005, 05:24 AM

Hi,

I'm in the market for a new car and am looking at these cars:

- SVT Focus
- Honda Civic Si (99-00 EM1)
- Mazda 3
- Chevrolet Z24
- Dodge Neon
- Toyota Matrix
- Honda Del So
- Suzuki Aerio SX
- Acura Integra (Non-GSR and ITR)

Out of all of these cars what I'm looking for is reliability as it's a daily driver and something that has potential to be a decently fast car. What I mean by this is that I would be able to have it run high 13's eventually. Anyways, what do you guys think is the best pick? Sorry there's so many, I just can't decide!

Thanks!

clawhammer · #2 10-16-2005, 11:23 AM

Civic Si. It's a Honda, it's going to be reliable. Lots of potential with turbo kits and engine swaps.

kman10587 · #3 10-16-2005, 02:08 PM

Civic Si or Cavalier Z24. The others are going to be tough to get into the high 13's, but the Civic Si and Cavalier Z24 have done it numerous times, and have an array of available engine swaps and aftermarket forced induction kits.

VAD0R · #4 10-16-2005, 02:24 PM

The same can be said for any Neon R/T or any Neon with the Magnum SOHC heads, as well as the SRT-4 I suppose.

The Mazda3 also has pretty good potential. And people are finding out you can get 10hp out of the Aerio with a CIA and a bit more with exhaust, thing is you might want to preffer to either swap a manual into the SX or get the sedan model.

TheNewKid89 · #5 10-16-2005, 02:40 PM

There aren't any manuals for the SX model? Darn. I thought for sure there was.

Anyways, thanks for all of the replies guys.

Vador - Which do you think would be best for me if you could only choose one?

Thank you!

Edit: Whoops. Forgot to say that I'm also looking at the Toyota Celica.

pik_d · #6 10-16-2005, 03:44 PM

i also thought the non-awd aerio SX came as a manual...

i would get either the focus SVT or the civic SI, but you can get the focus in a 4-door, not just a 2-door like the civic. not sure how much that matters.

you may also consider a volkswagen gti 1.8t, since you seem to like hatches.

applebonker · #7 10-16-2005, 03:50 PM

hate to say it but probly the civic SI. If you're willing to spend the money for a turbo or engine swap then they can be really quick.

SuperHighOutput · #8 10-16-2005, 05:03 PM

If you can find a DOHC Del Sol Si that might be a good one to look at, not as common as some of the others and has a good engine to boot. On the other hand if you're not opposed to some American muscle an LT1 Camaro will get you there with a couple of bolt-ons while still maintaining the reliability of a stock motor.

TheNewKid89 · #9 10-16-2005, 05:15 PM

Okay,thanks. Doesn't the Del Sol Si have the same engine as the EM1? What engine does the EM1 have and which one does the Del Sol Si have? Ugh, maybe I'm just going crazy...what else it new?

With either model though, a turbo would get me where I want to go right? Thanks.

GForce957 · #10 10-16-2005, 09:53 PM

I vote for Mazda 3. Everyone does a civic, but i havent seen any fast 3's around. Theres a kit out that gives 240 whp at http://hiboost.com/kitmmazda3.htm. That might be up your side street

TheNewKid89 · #11 10-16-2005, 10:08 PM

Quick question, if I did get a turbo, is there any way that I could still keep the good fuel economy on these cars when I'm just using it for normal daily driving? I don't expect it to get good gas mileage when I'm running it really hard...

SuperHighOutput · #12 10-17-2005, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheNewKid89

Okay,thanks. Doesn't the Del Sol Si have the same engine as the EM1? What engine does the EM1 have and which one does the Del Sol Si have? Ugh, maybe I'm just going crazy...what else it new?

With either model though, a turbo would get me where I want to go right? Thanks.

The Del Sol has the B16A3, and the Civic Si has the B16A2, and a turbo would get you where you want, you could even get there with NA.

SuperHighOutput · #13 10-17-2005, 03:09 PM

Just another thought, you may want to check out Foxbody Mustang 5.0s, they're cheap , fast, easily modifiable, and reliable.

clawhammer · #14 10-17-2005, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheNewKid89

Quick question, if I did get a turbo, is there any way that I could still keep the good fuel economy on these cars when I'm just using it for normal daily driving? I don't expect it to get good gas mileage when I'm running it really hard...

It all depends on how you drive it. If you can stay out of boost then yes, but you probably won't have the self-control.

TheNewKid89 · #15 10-17-2005, 07:20 PM

Okay, so if I stay out of boost I'll still get around 25ish MPG for city driving? Or even lower?

Secondly, the Del Sol would have to be an Si or VTEC one, right? Also, you say NA. Is NA much more reliable than forced induction?

Thanks.

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