Turbosauce's New Car.

[TurboSauce]

***edited thread title and first post contents.***

Well, I decided to pick a car... and It's this.. So far I call her noisy

[Bubba1]

Miata. Want my pants size?

[ScrapMetal]

04-06 Chevrolet Colorado regular cab with the 2.8L 4 cylinder and a 5 speed manual, they could be had for about $5k, they're good on gas (about 25mpg), good power(185hp), easy to work on and parts are cheap and it's a pick up truck. The one pictured has the ZQ8 package(bigger wheels, lowered a bit).

There's no free pants

[TurboSauce]

See the problem with the miata is that there is no storage space.

[TurboSauce]

Also, when I get whichever car in september.... I may just send the first person to choose what car it is pants. Who knows?

[OriginalWheelman]

Florida
(college)
reliable
fun

http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail.js ... listType=1



SVT Focus

http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail.js ... listType=1

[TurboSauce]

Omg epic

little miss sunshine all over again

[NolimitZ32]

- Mazda Protege 5 or 3 hatch < had a 5 as my first car, the 2.0 was enough to get me in trouble and the hatch provides for decent storage without it looking like a complete shopping mobile
- Focus < a good choice all around, I would go with the hatch
- EP3 Civic Si (01-05 IIRC) < My dad had one until very recently, so much fun, rides on rails, a bit under-powered but still awesome to drive and you get the plus of Honda reliability. Be careful because lots of these have been abused.

At the price and with your constraints I would go with one of the above, there are definitely many more but IMO these are the best, Number 1 being the EP3.

[Bubba1]

See the problem with the miata is that there is no storage space.

It has some, more if you include on & in front of the passenger seat.

You might look for an unmolested Acura RSX or Integra. they have some room & are fun.

[nissangirl74]

Miata or Maxima with a manual.

[TurboSauce]

Since you're the first person to recommend a max, mind if I ask your reason in doing so?

[Kompresshun]

2002-2003 Maxima only with a manual. Dead nuts reliable, plenty of power, and will run forever if you can find a low mileage one. May be hard to find, but probably the best Maxima ever made.

Outside of that you should look at a Mazda 6. They're excellent cars for the money and you can get them with a manual as well. Fun to drive, good looks, and low repair cost because it's basically a Ford.

[dre1507]

Turbo, If you had read the PM I sent you yesterday, you'd have seen I also supported the Maxima idea when you brought it up. Let me reiterate. My neighbor has one that's looked brand new since she bought it new in 2003. For as long as she's had it, there's only been one occasion that I perceived it was in the shop. She sported a rental for about 3 days. Other than that It's always made its way back home. Their daughter now drives it.

I don't think you can get anymore reliable than that. And in your case, as Kompresshun says, pick one up with a manual and you have the fun part of your criteria.

[AZ89two4Tsx]

Inb4 twofourtehessex

Who? Me?

I went from a 240sx a sold it precisely because I was going to (in) college.

....And I just happened to get a Maxima. Yeah, it's not a sports car, but I have absolutely no complaints about it. It has more than decent power (VQ), plenty of room, and has been nothing but reliable. Definitely a "bang for my buck."

Oh yeah, you should buy mine btw.

[Jesda]

Florida? Get a Miata. Make sure the one you buy has a top that seals properly (you get some monsoon rain down there) and enjoy the hell out of it.

5-speed Maximas with reasonable mileage are getting very hard to find but they're outstanding cars. The fact that they routinely show up at car auctions with 250,000-300,000 miles is evidence of their durability and longevity.

[TurboSauce]

Dre, I read your pm which is why the max made it to the top of the list.

I'm surprised that no one is recommending the Legacy gt. like anyone.

now im seriously considering a max

[TurboSauce]

or any of the volkswagens

[Bubba1]

Dre, I read your pm which is why the max made it to the top of the list.

I'm surprised that no one is recommending the Legacy gt. like anyone.

now im seriously considering a max

The legacy GT is absolutely a nice car, but it has full time AWD, something you really don't need in Florida, it's gas mileage is notch lower than comparable cars because of the AWD (which could be a factor for a young person on a budget), and it uses premium gas (also more expensive).

10 yr old Maxima's are fine (assuming they were properly maintained) but finding a clean, non-beaten one with a manual transmission might be a challenge.

If you're considering 10+ yr old somewhat sporty cars with trunks, and are budget conscious, you might want to think more about a small 4 cyl vehicle instead of V6. Think about cars like a Subie WRX (again, AWD), or Sentra SE-R, or an Acura TSX (luxury goodies in a small tossable package).

[TurboSauce]

good now that knocks it off the list

[TurboSauce]

SVT Focus

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1hyKNr3LZ4w[/youtube]
in my price range (its for sale)

[JTR32gtst]

^Worst car video music ever....


2002 Nissan Sentra SER/Spec V

[nissangirl74]

Since you're the first person to recommend a max, mind if I ask your reason in doing so?

Everything you need / want in one car. Performance, manual trans, power, (some) luxuries, seats 4-5 people. Win / Win

[AZ89two4Tsx]

Try to get an 02-03 one with the VQ. The manuals come in a 6-speed and the VQ is overall a better engine. More power, gas mileage, etc... As long as it doesn't burn any oil.

[TurboSauce]

Christian, is your max auto or manual trans?
And what's the torque steer like?
Also, does it seem like a heavy car, or is it slightly nimble?

[AZ89two4Tsx]

Christian, is your max auto or manual trans?
And what's the torque steer like?
Also, does it seem like a heavy car, or is it slightly nimble?

1. Slushbox. The car was originally for my dad but when I sold my 240 I ended up just buying it from him because I needed reliable transportation for college.

2. Not really that noticeable. I mean, there's a tad as it's fwd, but nothing that would ever make you lose control or anything.

3. It doesn't feel heavy, but I wouldn't call it "nimble." Honestly, you're going to be let down a little if you're expecting a great handling car. It's a powerhouse for what you get in the straight lines, but the torsion bar in the back really sucks in the body roll department. I was on coils for a while and they helped A LOT (seriously). But honestly, it's not a sports car, it doesn't handle like one....My E34 weighed WAY more but would run circles around my Max. But that's the difference between a ~50K car and a ~25K car....

The best part of the Maxima is by far the VQ. A solid engine that gives the car a lot more pep than most people think. Parts for them are cheap, they're cheap to insure, and can look/handle decent with a few modifications.

[stm37s]

How about a Mazda 929, alot of storage space, pretty good engine and alot of comfort and creature features, or a Chevy mailbu, they have come a long way and a used one shouldn't cost over 5 g's, then you could go with a Toyota Camry, they are pretty good to. There are alot of good other options to.

[TurboSauce]

Christian, is your max auto or manual trans?
And what's the torque steer like?
Also, does it seem like a heavy car, or is it slightly nimble?

1. Slushbox. The car was originally for my dad but when I sold my 240 I ended up just buying it from him because I needed reliable transportation for college.

2. Not really that noticeable. I mean, there's a tad as it's fwd, but nothing that would ever make you lose control or anything.

3. It doesn't feel heavy, but I wouldn't call it "nimble." Honestly, you're going to be let down a little if you're expecting a great handling car. It's a powerhouse for what you get in the straight lines, but the torsion bar in the back really sucks in the body roll department. I was on coils for a while and they helped A LOT (seriously). But honestly, it's not a sports car, it doesn't handle like one....My E34 weighed WAY more but would run circles around my Max. But that's the difference between a ~50K car and a ~25K car....

The best part of the Maxima is by far the VQ. A solid engine that gives the car a lot more pep than most people think. Parts for them are cheap, they're cheap to insure, and can look/handle decent with a few modifications.

y-you know just what to say to a girl don't you.

This information really puts the max in the lead. Unfortunately there aren't a great deal of manual maximas for sale (on craigslist anyway) in my price range. So it's more than likely I'm going to be getting an auto, which really doesn't bother me. I think i'm going to need an auto car to keep my speed down anyway (there's something about manual transmissions that makes me drive faster)

To tell you guys the truth, before I even created this thread I was seriously considering getting a Jetta/golf 1.8t simply because it was turbocharged, and the boost would be fun.

But I probably get a lot more max for the money.

Also, threads like this is what makes NICO awesome.

[AZ89two4Tsx]

Don't get an MK4 Jetta/Golf unless it has a VR6. The 1.8T does have a big following, but I've driven them and they're pretty lame in my opinion. They're tiny engines with no torque and have zero power in the low-end. You're way over 3K on the highway and 80mph is ~4K. Plus, that generation is riddled with electrical problems and other things you'd expect out of a German economy car....

Cheap sedan economy cars feel....cheap. That's what "economy" means. Unless they're turbocharged or a have better suspension from the factory they're really only worth using as a commuter. You'll probably be happier springing for a bigger, roomier, quieter, V6 car that doesn't feel like a piece of s***.

6-speed A33s are hard to find, but not impossible. Just make sure the trans isn't trashed and the engine doesn't burn oil and you'll have a very nice, reliable car for the money. Automatics are okay but it definitely leaves some to be desired..

Take a look at Altimas too. My roomate has a ~05 4cyl SE. It's a really decent car, and has a nice interior (leather). Not really any power, but enough to get you from A to B without feeling like you're in a Civic/Sentra.

[warpanda]

Turbosauceee!!! Whats up

Bro, honestly if you want reliability, good storage, some speed, I'd listen to everyones advice on picking the Maxima. Check this post out for example http://miami.craigslist.org/mdc/cto/3888498669.html

The 2002-2003 maximas are pretty fun to drive. I've driven one a few times, and it was pretty quick. It was an SE and the seats felt amazing to say the least.

If not the maxima, what about a clean & manual 300zx N/A? Or even a bone stock 1999-2000 EM1 civic Si? (I dislike Hondas in general, but that car looks sweet stock and I'm sure it has a bit of a kick to it.)

Either way good luck! And good thinking about avoiding the s-chassis right now, because down here everyone abuses 240's. (ALMOST everyone, lol)

[TurboSauce]

Wow, that's a killer find! sucks how I won't be able to get it (unless by some witchcraft & magic it's still for sale and hasn't been bought by september. )

That maxima looks awesome.

Thanks.

SO I Reconsidered the 'pants' part of this help, I was thinking I might go to ross, buy a pair of slacks and embroider The NICO logo on a pair and ship them to someone. :P (when I get the car that is)