What Kind of Car Do You Drive?

[98XJSport]

Owners on other forums are saying the same thing, Ive just got to figure out what they get and if I will be able to keep off the skinny pedal

Im really not seeing any alternatives, either. Thats the hard part. STI or EVO have the power, but suck as bad or worse on fuel.

 

[Stitch]

There just aren't that many cars that get decent mileage, and give you 300+ to the wheels.

I'm not trying to be a jerk, but why do you want a DD that has 300+hp?

There are a lot of other cars out there that can give you 30+mpg and still be quick. A Honda Accord would probably suite you well for the power and gas mileage needs. :main_huh:

 

[98XJSport]

I already have a quick DD. It's fun for the most part, gets 32 MPG. But it just doesn't have the power that would sometimes be nice.

Im not trying to be entirely practical here Just looking for something thats faster than what I have. It's an addiction, what can I say?

Ive considered Miatas, RX-8s, S2000s, 350Zs, Mustangs. The first 2 will handle great, but the Miata doesn't have the power and the RX-8 is as bad or worse than a Camaro on gas. The last 3 have similar power, handling edge to the S2000. But for the power/cost ratio the Camaro wins on both factors.

Just my opinions here. But I figure I spend over 2 hours a day alone in a car on well maintained roads. I might as well be doing it in something that makes me grin while I drive "spiritedly". Legally, of course

 

[Gecko Ranch]

I'm not trying to be a jerk, but why do you want a DD that has 300+hp?

There are a lot of other cars out there that can give you 30+mpg and still be quick. A Honda Accord would probably suite you well for the power and gas mileage needs. :main_huh:

A Honda just does not have the raw torque of modern injected V8, and to get it to perform anywhere near a V8 it must be revved high, which does not work for any kind of mpg or longevity. Most folks trying the sporty approach with Hondas have tons invested in their motor and almost without exception, have NOS.

As far as handling, you have a case, but not for power. A V8, not pushed in the slightest, will easily outperform a garden variety 4 cyl that is trying to keep up with it.

I have owned many Firebirds, mostly 3rd and 4th gens (street cars and race cars), even one 2nd gen Camaro. My auto '89 Formula 350 got 28mpg highway on a trip to LA once, with AC blasting and also my aftermarket stereo going. My present '97 Trans-Am has gotten 27mpg several times on the same trip. These are even both auto cars, manual will be better for city driving.

It is all about how you put your foot to the pedal that determines your mpg. When I was in HPDEs (high performance driving events) with my '97 on road race tracks I remember the day I figured out I got 6mpg. I was so proud!!!!
:main_laugh:

 

[Gecko Ranch]

I already have a quick DD. It's fun for the most part, gets 32 MPG. But it just doesn't have the power that would sometimes be nice.

Im not trying to be entirely practical here Just looking for something thats faster than what I have. It's an addiction, what can I say?

Ive considered Miatas, RX-8s, S2000s, 350Zs, Mustangs. The first 2 will handle great, but the Miata doesn't have the power and the RX-8 is as bad or worse than a Camaro on gas. The last 3 have similar power, handling edge to the S2000. But for the power/cost ratio the Camaro wins on both factors.

Just my opinions here. But I figure I spend over 2 hours a day alone in a car on well maintained roads. I might as well be doing it in something that makes me grin while I drive "spiritedly". Legally, of course

4th gen Camaros and Firebirds can be had for a song nowadays. I'd recommend either an LS1 (not 1998, there were problems with those motors), which is an all aluminum block and very powerful, or an LT1 six speed car. Neither will disappoint, too bad you are not in my corner of the country, I will have a six speed 1996 LT1 Firebird Formula with low miles for sale soon!

 

[98XJSport]

A Honda just does not have the raw torque of modern injected V8, and to get it to perform anywhere near a V8 it must be revved high, which does not work for any kind of mpg or longevity. Most folks trying the sporty approach with Hondas have tons invested in their motor and almost without exception, have NOS.

Thats exactly what Im trying to avoid. I have a 2000 Celica GTS. It's quick in stock form, and fun. But it would take full bolt-ons and a great driver to just barely beat a LT1. Stock. Turbo or bottle to hang with an LS1. Im not going to dump that kind of money into a car that sees that much abuse. Even if I match the power, 1st gear would be useless due to the FWD.

I would love to build a 2zz swapped MR2 spyder maybe, but I dont have the $$$ to get fancy, I just want something out of the box that will keep me happy for another few years. Then I will probably move on to a vette, etc.

 

[yellermelon]

Im not trying to be entirely practical here Just looking for something thats faster than what I have. It's an addiction, what can I say?

Ive considered Miatas, RX-8s, S2000s, 350Zs, Mustangs. The first 2 will handle great, but the Miata doesn't have the power and the RX-8 is as bad or worse than a Camaro on gas. The last 3 have similar power, handling edge to the S2000. But for the power/cost ratio the Camaro wins on both factors.

NISSAN 240SX. SR20DE-T

 

[stewieleogecko]

i can tell you that there's nothing much better than hitting the gas in a muscle car and being slammed into the seat! My 68 coupe, before swapping out rear end gears from 4.10 to 3.55, would pin you down while it would spin the tires in all 4 gears, but now just 2, maybe 3 if i really got on it. i've rode in my cousin's integra type r that he had fixed up under the hood, but it jus wasn't the same to me. now i'm not trying to start no imports vs. domestics here, everyone likes different vehicles, and i'm glad, because it would be boring looking at the same car everyone has lol

 

[98XJSport]

NISSAN 240SX. SR20DE-T

Very rare car up here, which is why Im avoiding it. If it's a DD I want to be able to get parts fast, and relatively cheap if I can. Plus in stock trim, it's not all that impressive. Modded, of course, it's a beast. But there are no places that do tuning within hours of here, not to mention the cost and downtime doing what would need to be done.

Its not so much about foreign/domestic to me as it is torque and power. If you think a camaro sets you back, a spooled up launch from an evo will kill a camaro out of the hole. It may also break parts, but it will set you back in your seat. But I don't live on a quarter mile track. I want something that's decent all around. My celica is only quick ~40-100. Evos die off in the 80-100 range, but are amazing down low. LS1s are good all around, some of the european cars are good all around. But there aren't even dealerships up here, big $$$ for any parts on an already expensive car.

 

[Stitch]

I've never owned nor driven a car with more then 150hp. I have no issues with beltway driving or long distance. Although my work drive is only 20-30 minutes city driving. I live in Baltimore where the streets are very crowded so 300hp would be overkill. I guess owning a house and being married kinda changes how you see things. I'm sure it would be fun to drive a car with tons of power, but I couldn't justify it in my situation.

 

[paulnj]

I drive a 500hp truck at work LTL9000 log truck and it's governed to go no faster than 83 mph

 

[98XJSport]

The way I look at it, I only have so much time until I do have to worry about other things. And until then, I don't want to drive around with something that slightly entertains, I want to go all out. You only live once.

 

[yellermelon]

In the case of the 240 being rare for those reasons, I say go for the camero The 240s arent so rare around here..I have one for sale right now for 1500 lol...Buddy has a 500 HP BEAST for sale for 8 g's lol... But I love 69 cameros they are awsome...I would like to get my mitts on 1 or..2 lol Good luck in your endeavours

 

[AVALover5498]

Ok guys, I'm rethinking my decision. I've been looking at the new 2008 toyota yaris hatchbacks. 29 in town and 35 highway. I do travel a lot which is what initially drew me to it, but now I just can't get over how "cute" it is. Plus, I can get one completly loaded for just under 15,000. It would be cheap to insure and payments would be amazingly cheap as well. I'm just not sure if it's going to last a long time. Although, I have heard that toyota's are fairly reliable. What do you guys think? Does it seem reliable? Is it worth the price?

-Chris-

 

[yellermelon]

Toyotas are very reliable, I dont think you would have problems with a time frame as long as proper maintnence is observed..

 

[98XJSport]

My friend's wife just got one, drives well gets great mileage. And unless toyota broke thier trend with that one, it should last a good long time with proper maintenance.

 

[Ccrashca069]

I finely got around to taking a pic of my new truck. Its a 2004 Ford Ranger. It has a V6 3.something engine lol, less then 36,000 miles on it. It also has 4 doors :main_laugh:

 

[fallen_angel]

I haven't driven in 5 years, but I used to have a dark blue '01 Chevy Cavalier, I miss it

 

[giantkeeper]

Our latest addition to the driveway, 1997 E36 M3 ....grrrrrr :main_evilgrin:

 

[Gecko Ranch]

I likea da M3s!:main_thumbsup: