YACT: Help Me Pick a Car

[Underground727]

Ok, I need to buy a car to be able to get around post and drive back from base during the holidays.

I have a bad driving record so I can only afford liability coverage. That means I have to buy the car flat-out. I can put together about 5, but would like to spend more like 4.

My previous car was an S14 Kouki, partly responsible for my driving record.

I want another semi-sporty coupe with a stick.

I have been looking at:

91-93 Nissan 240SX
91-95 Acura Legend


What else is out there?

 

[Toastedlightly]

Get a used Grand Prix SE. Durable and if you take care of them, they last (i have one w/ 170k miles)

 

[Underground727]

I thought the Grand-Prix only came in auto?

 

[Underground727]

I was looking at a Datsun 280ZX but it isn't in good enough shape for me to consider it reliable.

It is a neat little sports car from back in the day. What other 80's sports cars might be out there?

 

[Actaeon]

What other 80's sports cars might be out there?

RX-7?

 

[Underground727]

Originally posted by: Actaeon

What other 80's sports cars might be out there?

RX-7?

That would be cool, but how reliable is a rotary after that many years?

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: Toastedlightly
Get a used Grand Prix SE. Durable and if you take care of them, they last (i have one w/ 170k miles)

Grand Prix=crap with wheels. :thumbsdown:

 

[Actaeon]

Originally posted by: Underground727

Originally posted by: Actaeon

What other 80's sports cars might be out there?

RX-7?

That would be cool, but how reliable is a rotary after that many years?

I believe the non-turboed ones lasted a while, but the turboed one required a tad bit of maintenance to keep running. Look at some RX7 boards. I see alot of the 2nd gen, non turbos running around.

If you look around, there was some video of this trashed RX-7 hitting the revlimiter for like 5 minutes straight and kept going. Eventually it boiled and steamed all of the coolant and that finally ended the motor. I would guess if the engine still had coolant, it would have gone on for much longer. Neat video.

 

[Underground727]

How many miles is a 5.0 Mustang good for? What will likely need to be replaced?

I am looking at an 89 5.0 Hatchback with mods and 114,000 miles. They want 5 for it.

 

[Actaeon]

Originally posted by: Underground727
How many miles is a 5.0 Mustang good for? What will likely need to be replaced?

I am looking at an 89 5.0 Hatchback with mods and 114,000 miles. They want 5 for it.

5k for a 1989 Mustang? I would leave it alone.

You want pure speed, best bang for the buck for $5k? Look for an LT1 F-body (Camaro/TransAm). 265hp, 5.7L V8. Search for the 1993-1997. My brother bought his 93 for about 5k about 4 years ago. I'm sure you can find a couple.

 

[Actaeon]

95 Z28

95 Z28 2

95 T/A

93 Formula

Results from a quick search of my Local area (also in Florida). No other car will be faster for 5k.

 

[sniperruff]

i'd just get an integra. fun to drive and reliable, not to mention great on gas. sure it's common, but there's nothing wrong with that!

if you can find one, the new mercury cougar is pretty rare and looks pretty hot too.,

 

[thedarkwolf]

both the 5.0l mustang and v8 camaros are pretty reliable. The interiors are crap but the drivetrains will lasts forever. The 89-93 mustangs do have crazy resale values but if you keep looking you should be able to find a nice hatc for $3-4k. The coupes are a little harder to find for that kind of money in good shape but the hatches are all over the place. Insurance even with just liabillity would probably kill you though with your driving record. I'd avoid all the rx-7s turbo or not. Lots of people have them last a long time but more don't. You really have to keep up with the maintenance on those.

 

[ajayjuneja]

95 Maxima

 

[DaWhim]

I got my 96 subbie for $3500. 130k on it tho, but then, it is nothing.

 

[flot]

Originally posted by: Underground727
I was looking at a Datsun 280ZX but it isn't in good enough shape for me to consider it reliable.

It is a neat little sports car from back in the day. What other 80's sports cars might be out there?

You should be able to get a 280ZX for under $1500. I owned a 79 from 1993-1998, it was a lot of fun to drive and the engine was rock solid dependable. Fuel injected inline 6 = runs and runs and runs. There really weren't a lot of fast 80s cars - the 280ZX included - it is respectable but nothing by today's standards.

$5k will go a long way, though - I would be looking newer if I were you. You should have no trouble finding a mid-late 90s car for that - I sold my 91 300ZXTT for $6500. (Although it would NOT help your driving record...)

 

[jlee]

N/A Mk2 MR2..won't be 'fast', though..but it'll handle like a dream =)

 

[toant103]

Originally posted by: Underground727
Ok, I need to buy a car to be able to get around post and drive back from base during the holidays.

I have a bad driving record so I can only afford liability coverage. That means I have to buy the car flat-out. I can put together about 5, but would like to spend more like 4.

My previous car was an S14 Kouki, partly responsible for my driving record.

I want another semi-sporty coupe with a stick.

I have been looking at:

91-93 Nissan 240SX
91-95 Acura Legend


What else is out there?

don't get the legend, it's a bad bad car. That's why Acura stop making it.