So, I've been thinking about getting a new car to be my daily driver once I get married in May. I'd love to turn the 240SX in to a 100% project car and try to go KA-T. Without a daily driver, I currently can't afford the downtime on the 240SX.
I started thinking about the kind of cars I'd most likely buy (reasonably new and affordable to allow me money to work on the 240SX and also something new enough to keep me from having to constantly work on two cars).
Here's where the car junkie sickness starts...
I was thinking I could get an '02 or '03 Focus ZX3. Call me crazy, but I always like the styling and it's practical and at least not completely pitiful as far as power goes. Then I start looking at the Ford Racing Parts catalog...I start thinking, SVT suspension, Vortech Supercharger, SVT Wheels...then I start thinking...what about Cosworth parts?
At this point, I start thinking that I may as well get an SVT Focus.
I also like the Subie 2.5 RS. Then I start thinking about Prodrive stuff and all of the Sti goodies that could bolt up to the car.
Mazdaspeed Protege...I wonder what kind of aftermarket that has!
Anyway, I think you see my point. I can't allow myself to get a completely ordinary and lame daily driver, yet I don't want to start modding the car I buy with the purpose of modding my 240SX!
It's a sickness!
It's a sickness!!!
Re: (jdmfreak)
Yeah, I do prefer those two to the SVT Focus (which does get pretty good reviews in general), but they're a bit pricey, even used. I'd love to get the 2.5 RS as the AWD would be nice for the PA winters. I just don't think I could resist the urge to mod it.jdmfreak wrote:LOL! I wish I even had that option.
IMO, Id go with the Mazdaspeed or the 2.5 RS.
Am I going to have to get a complete turd like the Toyota Echo or Chevy Aveo or a Scion xA or B?
We'll see how my financial situation is next year, but getting a decent low mileage Subie might be a stretch. The Mazdaspeed would be great too, but I can't believe how much those things cost. The best part about the Ford is the unbelievable depreciation.
Re: (w1ngzer0)
I'd definitely have no desire to mod either of those two cars, that's for sure. It would just wound my Inner Automotive Child to be driving them.w1ngzer0 wrote:just go buy a civic or old corolla that isn't beat. Hell even the new cars that are 00-03 aren't to bad.
I was stuck with a power blue Ford Tempo for over a decade...after that, I vowed to never buy another car I'd hate again. I think I'd probably develop a loathing for the Civic and the Corolla.
The problem is that I want a fairly cool daily driver, but I'll have to resist the temptation to mod it. Hmmm...maybe I'll win the lottery within the next year.
Re: (jdmfreak)
The tC doesn't really do it for me, and it's a bit out of my price range for a daily driver, but I'd probably end up loading it up with TRD goodies. Mmmm...TRD supercharger.jdmfreak wrote:Hmmmmm....Scion TC? TRD?
Who says you have to get a car for daily duty?
Get a truck, maybe a small truck like the frontier or older hardbody, or a tacoma. I love my tacoma and am very grateful for the ability to haul parts, toss stuff in the back seat, get decent mileage, and stay off the theft radar.
A light duty truck is perfect for when you park the project. A 1/2 ton or larger will be better for when you make the project a tow-only affair, but those trucks get real expensive really fast, so again, back to the Tacoma/Frontier
Get a truck, maybe a small truck like the frontier or older hardbody, or a tacoma. I love my tacoma and am very grateful for the ability to haul parts, toss stuff in the back seat, get decent mileage, and stay off the theft radar.
A light duty truck is perfect for when you park the project. A 1/2 ton or larger will be better for when you make the project a tow-only affair, but those trucks get real expensive really fast, so again, back to the Tacoma/Frontier
Re: (J-Spec Tuner)
That's what I did.J-Spec Tuner wrote:Another 240sx
And as for the truck thing, if I have a little powerwheel truck like that, I'd definitely wnat to lift it with a bigger wheel/tire combo and things like that. =\ Damn mods I can't afford.
Re: (SeVa-S13)
There's actually some really cool stuff in the Ford Racing Catalog.SeVa-S13 wrote:Focus ZX3 + Built 302 = more than most 240's can ever hope to be.
(Cosworth 5.0 Focus)
http://www.fordracingparts.com...g.pdf
I could just see myself loading up on cams, a supercharger, lots of Focus RS goodies...and there would go the 240SX budget!
Come on...who can resist this?
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rousie13
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Re: (SeVa-S13)
I had the urge to mod my powerwheel truck.....nothing big, but still spent money on aftermarket stuff (bed cover, brush guard, and driving lights).SeVa-S13 wrote:And as for the truck thing, if I have a little powerwheel truck like that, I'd definitely wnat to lift it with a bigger wheel/tire combo and things like that. =\ Damn mods I can't afford.
The Tacoma/Frontiers can be had for a decent price too.
Re: (SmithSR)
I'm just not a truck guy. I don't really like driving them and I just can't see myself in one. It's a weird mental block. Being able to haul stuff would be nice, but I'd probably rather get a Subie wagon.SmithSR wrote:Get a truck, maybe a small truck like the frontier or older hardbody, or a tacoma. I love my tacoma and am very grateful for the ability to haul parts, toss stuff in the back seat, get decent mileage, and stay off the theft radar.
I want something that'll be fun, reasonably attractive (to me at least) and sedate enough that my fiance will want to ride in it. She doesn't even like riding in the 240SX now...wait 'til I'm done with it!
I'm so insane that part of me wants a Porsche 944 or an E30 BMW M3 as a daily driver...then I remember the part about not wanting to have to fix stuff all the time.
Re: (SeVa-S13)
LOL! Lets have an open mind.SeVa-S13 wrote:It's still FWD. =\
Re: (SeVa-S13)
Yeah, but except for the Subie, I'm not going to find a cheap RWD daily driver. I'll still have the 240SX for RWD goodness. I'm thinking FWD is a compromise I'm going to have to make.SeVa-S13 wrote:It's still FWD. =\
Besides, the Mazdaspeed Protege is FWD and by all accounts handles brilliantly. Damn, but they're expensive.
Re: (SeVa-S13)
Hey, at least I'm not the only one who feels a compulsive need to mod vehicles. I have a feeling I'm *far* from the only one like that around here.SeVa-S13 wrote:And as for the truck thing, if I have a little powerwheel truck like that, I'd definitely wnat to lift it with a bigger wheel/tire combo and things like that. =\ Damn mods I can't afford.
Re: (BadMojo)
How about an old school FC3S Turbo II? Keep your 240 as a daily driver and drive the 7 for sh*t & giggles.
An open mind I have, but if it comes down to spending all the money on a FWD Ford instead of the 240, that ain't right.
And I have heard the same thing about the Turbo Proteges, their lack of power bothers me though. In the modern day and age, 175 or so hp out of a turbo car is well, pathetisad. Sure the CA18 makes that but it's about a decade and a half old, plus it's proven to be an amazing little engine capable of much higher numbers...but this is a Protege. =\
I wouldn't mind a FWD car for the snow, if a comparable AWD one was not in my price range. And I don't think anybody would mind having a 2.5RS as DD.
And I have heard the same thing about the Turbo Proteges, their lack of power bothers me though. In the modern day and age, 175 or so hp out of a turbo car is well, pathetisad. Sure the CA18 makes that but it's about a decade and a half old, plus it's proven to be an amazing little engine capable of much higher numbers...but this is a Protege. =\
I wouldn't mind a FWD car for the snow, if a comparable AWD one was not in my price range. And I don't think anybody would mind having a 2.5RS as DD.
Re: It's a sickness!!! (BadMojo)
What about a BMW 5-series. I've thought about getting one for a daily driver and found you can get a late 90's with low miles on it for a very reasonable price. That'd take care of you wive wanting to ride in it, and it'd be reliable enough, and you'd even get RWD.
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AZhitman
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Late 90's 5-series is more expensive to maintain than a Q. Ixnay on that.
I drove an SVT Focus recently. Great power, but here's what sucks: Ford has ALWAYS had this stupid idea to have the AC compressor disengage at WOT (to preserve power). Well, I've driven 3 Focus's (Focii?) and they did it at 1/2 throttle!!!! Crap!!! That, to me, is enough to sway me away from any Ford product.
My vote for a nice daily (beater) driver? a 92-95 Civic Si. Cheap, indestructible, quick, handsome, comfortable and useful.
I drove an SVT Focus recently. Great power, but here's what sucks: Ford has ALWAYS had this stupid idea to have the AC compressor disengage at WOT (to preserve power). Well, I've driven 3 Focus's (Focii?) and they did it at 1/2 throttle!!!! Crap!!! That, to me, is enough to sway me away from any Ford product.
My vote for a nice daily (beater) driver? a 92-95 Civic Si. Cheap, indestructible, quick, handsome, comfortable and useful.