Need Help Choosing Next Car (Teh Trooper Blew Up...)

[dr!ft]

Ok, so my parent's are pressuring me into finding a car, and finding one soon. Basically, if I don't find a car by the end of this weekend, they'll buy me some stupid car and not help me on another car. And I don't want that to happen! (they think civic's are "sporty")

Here's my choices: - 1 - 91 Toyota Supra Turbo, - 2 - 77 Datsun 280z, (not the green one, the blue one) -3 - 00 Sentra SE (if he ever sends a reply), and last but certaintly not least...



Now I'm leaning more towards the MR2. And yes, it's turbo.

[jEzTeR]

2) 77 280z

[Altiman94]

i like that mr2. Decide what you wanna use the car for. If reliability is a factor, I wouldnt buy anything FI.

[dr!ft]

Well, I'd like to keep it as a daily driver. The MR2 has about 120k miles, with a rebuilt turbo, new brakes, KYB AGX with Eibach Sportlines, ADR wheels, and if anyone didn't notice, it's a hardtop model. More rigid than targa's, and less weight...

[BadMojo]

Keep in mind cost to insure too. The Supra and MR2 could be a bit pricey. Anyway, they all seem like good choices (most RWD) and none of them suck. That's a good thing.

Edit: Why the big rush to buy a car? If I'm going to buy something that costs thousands of dollars, I wanna be damn sure it's in good working order and that I'm willing to live with it for many years.

[dr!ft]

So how would the insurance be on something like the 77 280z? Better than those turbo cars?

And the reason I really need to buy a car, is because I don't have a form of transportation right now. I have to bum rides off friends, and when I can, my brother. I've been doing this for the past week, and would like to have my own ride...

edit: I do have an idea of how much insurance would be on a MR2, because my bro has one, but would a Supra be less or more than the MR2?

[Mr1der]

being that you live in CA, I'd go with a 240 for some of that sweet sweet emissions exempt goodness.

[BadMojo]

The Z would probably be cheaper than the Supra or MR2, but the only way to be sure is to get some quotes. Get the VINs for all the vehicles involved and ask your parents if you can call the insurance company and get quotes on each of the actual vehicles.

Personally, I'd never actually go through with the purchase of a car without knowing *exactly* how much it will cost. Do your parents make you pay for your own insurance? If they're paying, they might appreciate the initiative to find out how much it's gonna cost.

With the Z, if you insure it for physical damage (comprehensive and collision) you'll want to mention that the car has been restored. The insurance company may make you get the vehicle appraised to see how much it's worth in its current condition.

[dr!ft]

My parent's do pay for part of the insurance. I know that after my parent's help, my brother pays $75 per month towards his 91 MR2 turbo. I belive it would probably cost the same for me, and will probably get the insurance qutoes today after I get off school. Do I need the VIN's for an insurance quote? Or can I just tell them the make, model, and stuff.

And regarding the vehicle appraisal, is that something I will have to pay? About how much would that cost?

Oh, I've also found a 95 240sx SE for $4k, and might look at that as well...

[BadMojo]

My parent's do pay for part of the insurance. I know that after my parent's help, my brother pays $75 per month towards his 91 MR2 turbo. I belive it would probably cost the same for me, and will probably get the insurance qutoes today after I get off school. Do I need the VIN's for an insurance quote? Or can I just tell them the make, model, and stuff.

And regarding the vehicle appraisal, is that something I will have to pay? About how much would that cost?

Most places will quote cars without the VINs, but it's more accurate when you have the VIN (less chance of the person doing the quote picking the wrong submodel of MR2). Still, you could probably make do without having the VINs.

As for the appraisal...I'm not sure how much that would cost. Maybe they won't ask for it. When companies insure a vehicle, they normally insure it at what's called Actual Cash Value. That would be the cost of the vehicle when it was new, minus several years of depreciation. In the case of the 280Z, this wouldn't really be accurate since the vehicle is in better than average condition for one of its age and has restoration work done.

So...in some way you and your insurance company would have to agree on a set amount that the vehicle is worth, in case it's totalled, for instance. One way to do that would be to have a Joe Mechanic look at it and say "yup, it's worth $5K in this condition."

Then again, if you say that comparable Z's go for X amount on the market and send them some photos they might be OK with that too. Only way to find out is to ask.

[nametakennow]

On another note, the Sentra will be easy as crap to insure.

My '01 SE w/PP runs about $1k/6 months for full coverage on 4 people- 17yr male (me), 47yr male (dad), 46yr female (mom), and 20yr male (brother).

Issues I see are (besides insurance) that the Z is pretty durn old, the Supra and MR2 are screaming money pit in shop costs (even with the rebuilt stuff, an MR2 that's modified has probably been driven pretty darn hard); while the Sentra has probably been puss driven.

Just my thoughts... I'm a bit biased but in the case of just a daily I'd probably be leaning toward the Sentra... project would be MR2 hands down.

[BadMojo]

I agree that the Sentra is definitely the practical choice. It's definitely easier to find parts for a 4 year old car as opposed to a 27 year old car. Granted, there are places on the web where you can find your Z stuff, but it's not as easy as going down to Autozone or your local Nissan dealer and asking for a part.

As far as cost of ownership the Sentra is #1 in my opinion (as in, the cheapest). I'd personally be afraid that the MR2 and the Supra could potentially be expensive to maintain.

The Z *is* an old car. I don't know how much has been restored on it, but stuff is going to wear out. You'll have to be prepared to get your parts off the net (or find a really good local Z shop or junk yard) and you'll have to learn the long lost Black Arts of the Carburetor.

Still, I'd kill to have the 280Z. Get some headlight covers for it, some side mirrors way down the fender (I'd imagine that's probably illegal here) and swap on some of the cool 240Z bumpers (before crash test standards ruined the bumpers).

[dr!ft]

Once again, thanks for all the help. As for the 280z, it actually already has a MSA front, and rear spoiler. So no ugly stupid bumpers for me. And I have a little bit of experience in dealing with carburetours, as I helped maintain an old Mustang that belonged to the principal of our high school. Can't say I enjoyed constantly tuning the carb, but I doubt it would be bothersome.

The insurance for my brother's MR2 is $200 a month, with full coverage and only covers my 17-year-old brother. My dad said he would check in with the insurance company today while he's at work. I gave him the VIN's of the Supra and MR2, but I haven't gotten one for the Z, so I just gave a description. He should get the quotes within a hour or two...

Today, me and my bro went around to the local car dealers and I actually found a decent car! It's a black 97 Maxima with the V6, leather interior, manual, and a fat key mark on the rear trunk lid. No emblems were on the car, so would this be an SE, or what? It was an awesome car, but had 133k miles and they're asking $8k. How much would you pay?

[BadMojo]

Today, me and my bro went around to the local car dealers and I actually found a decent car! It's a black 97 Maxima with the V6, leather interior, manual, and a fat key mark on the rear trunk lid. No emblems were on the car, so would this be an SE, or what? It was an awesome car, but had 133k miles and they're asking $8k. How much would you pay?

Personally, I'm not impressed with the styling of the Maxima. It's really quite bland. Anyway, I think the GLE had stock alloys and leather while the GXE had cloth seats and wheel covers over the 15" steelies and the SE had standard cloth interior, alloy wheels and fog lights.

$8K seems a little high to me considering the mileage, but it fits in with Edmunds (which IMO is always too high).

I guess it all comes down to the type of car you want to get. The Max is definitely in a different class of vehicles than all of the others you've listed so far.

Too bad you live so far away. I'd help you car shop. I love it!

[dr!ft]

Haha, I wish I had some car-knowledgeable people helping me shop. Honestly, what I want is a 91-93 240sx SE coupe. But the apparent lack of those has prompted me to look elsewhere. I'd like to have something that has decent power, preferably RWD, and reliable. I wouldn't mind driving something like the Maxima, it has decent power, nice interior, but I'll always be itching for something RWD. Which is why I'm leaning towards the Supra, 280z, and MR2. Although the guy with the MR2 sent me an email, and apparently there's a crack on the turbo. But he isn't car-literate to explain exactly where it is. "There's a small crack on the turbo thingy where it connects, kinda after the clamper, so it shouldn't be a problem..." And there's a squeaky noise coming from the front wheels. So I might hafta forget about this '2...

[prigo]

Buy my S13

[BadMojo]

Although the guy with the MR2 sent me an email, and apparently there's a crack on the turbo. But he isn't car-literate to explain exactly where it is. "There's a small crack on the turbo thingy where it connects, kinda after the clamper, so it shouldn't be a problem..." And there's a squeaky noise coming from the front wheels. So I might hafta forget about this '2...

Yeah...I'd probably scratch the MR2 off the list. He sounds like the kind of guy who would say "you mean you have to actually put oil in these things?"

I would never buy a car from someone who is that automotively ignorant unless they had proof of regular servicing by a competent mechanic. Nothing like buying a car that comes with a free boost leak and bad wheel bearings (god only knows what's actually wrong with the thing, but you get my point).

I'm almost hesitant to say this, but have you thought of any of any DSMs? An AWD Talon?

What's your price range exactly?

[BadMojo]

Hmm...two Euro choices would be a Porsche 944 and a BMW E30 M3. The Porsche would probably be within your price range but cost of maintenance and insurance would probably be high. You can find a ton of 'em here on the East Coast and they usually sell cheap. They're RWD, excellent handling vehicles, decent power.

Don't know too much about the M3's other than they're RWD and are also known for excellent handling.

The above two are probably not particularly practical, but they'd probably be fun.

[cys19]

how much is a 91 mr2 turbo? 13k?

[jdmfreak]

How bout this?

00' awd Impreza 2.5 RS(4 Door though)

[Altiman94]

I would look into finding something local. Look in your newspapers and autotrader.

[BadMojo]

How bout this?

00' awd Impreza 2.5 RS(4 Door though)

I was looking at one of those for my brother. Pretty cool car. Unfortunately, every one I found in my area was rather overpriced. Nice choice if you can find a low mileage car for a good price. I even like the way they look...I'm not the only one, right?

[dr!ft]

My limit right now is about $7500. Which basically rules out the Impreza, as those go for $9,000+. I've thought of the 944's but all the talk about expensive maintenance somewhat steered me away. My parent's picked out a 98 Toyota Camry that they want me to buy. Of course, I'd rather have something else. They said if I don't find a car in the next couple of weeks, they'll buy that and call it a day.

Speaking of DSM...

92 Galant VR4 - 95k miles, black/black, and only $2700

[BadMojo]

Eeeek...not the Camry. You may as well turn in your pen15, because you won't be needing it if you're driving the Camry.

Anyway, what with the time deadline and all, it seems like the Sentra is the practical choice. You know you'll be getting a reliable car with decent power. It's FWD but from what nametakennow has said (and I think we discussed it in length when discussing a car for my brother) it's a fun car to drive.

The Sentra should be cheap to insure, the engine will go forever, it's a Nissan so we're all here to help you out with workin' on it and it's still a pretty cool ride.

I was trying to get my brother in to either an '02 or '03 Focus ZX3 (with all necessary recalls done) or a Sentra SE. I honestly liked both of them though I was a bit skeptical of the Ford's reliability. It did have some really cool stuff available through Ford Racing, including SVT Focus parts and Focus RS stuff.

I ended up recommending a Sentra SE to him...so, of course he bought a Jeep Cherokee.

I'm assuming a Spec V is a little bit out of your range too?

I don't blame you for being wary of the maintenance costs on the Porsche 944. If I recall correctly, you need to keep a close eye on the timing belts and they're not easy to work on. I think clutch jobs are also fiendishly difficult.

If you're feeling the Sentras, I'm sure Nametakennow can give you all the details you'll need. He edumacated me on Sentras.

Hit me up on AIM if you have any questions. Did I mention I love shopping for cars?

[dr!ft]

Heh, unfortunately I don't have AIM. ( *reminds self to download it later) And oh God, that Camry is horrible. I just got back from test-driving it with my dad, and it's so damn boring. My dad just seems hell-bent on "reliable" transportation, because he thinks Toyota is the only company that makes long-lasting cars.

Anyways, that one Sentra SE's already sold, and there doesn't seem to be any in my area anyways. But if anyone feels like searching, my zip code is 95482 and I don't mind driving up-to 300 miles. Oh, and yeah, the SE-R is out of my price range.

Here's a few 240's I found:

1995 Nissan 240sx SE, w/ 56,000 miles (!), but automatic transmission (5-speed swap?) - $6500 obohttp://www.craigslist.org/sfc/car/41896608.html

1990 Nissan 240sx SE w/ SR20DET, bunch o' JDM stuff - $6200 obohttp://www.craigslist.org/sfc/car/41890464.html

[dr!ft]

Oh, and then there's this: http://www.craigslist.org/sfc/car/41932503.html (just click on it...)

[BadMojo]

So...any luck with the car hunt (the Skyline doesn't count)?

[krazy skwerel]

Why not a G20 if you like the Sentra SE?

[dr!ft]

Haha, actually my parent's just went ahead and bought me that aforementioned Corolla. They got tired of me looking for a car (had been for a few months before the Trooper blew up) and decided my lack of transportation was a good enough reason to get it. Oh well. It runs better than the Trooper, better mpg, and has a decent stereo. Sure, it's not the "funnest" car in the world, but it works as a daily driver.

As for cars that I'm currently looking at, I found two more 240's that I'll go and check out:

95 240sx SE - 135k miles, nice deck / speakers, FWD offset rims, $5500 http://www.craigslist.org/eby/car/42353802.html

92 240sx SE (coupe!) - 96k miles, $3400 obo http://www.craigslist.org/sfc/car/42383039.html

Thoughts? Opinions?

[BadMojo]

Can you buy another car since you have the Corolla (my condolences, btw)?

If it were me, I'd go with the S13 *if* it's really clean and hasn't been modded. I've just got a thing for S13's (though I really like the fastback) and I wouldn't want to buy a car that someone else had been modding.

Maybe you can get the S13 guy down to $3K even...I paid about $3400 for my '93 Fastback with about 97K on the odometer.