a summer of saving, what shall i get at the end?

Atomic Pineapple

ok so after yonks of threatening to get rid of my car and get me something a bit more powerfull i've finally sorted out my finances and came up with a list of cars i want to look at.

i'll have to save through the summer first so i'm gonna be out and about looking at cars and finding out whats the best i can get, so as per usual i've to ask you lot what you think first...

i'm after a jap performance car mainly, heres what i was thinking

-Toyota Celica ss-III or GT-4

-Toyota Altezza

-Toyota MR2(older model)

-Nissan 200sx

-Honda Integra Type-R

really like the 200sx but finding a nice looking but standard one seems hard, love the celicat gt-4 but again looking on carzone doesnt seem to be many.

I should have about €15000 to spend on the car, so what do you guys think, which one would you go for? and any reason you wouldnt go for the others?

Kimbot

ITR!!! Get a 98+Spec DC2!! Savage car but make sure you get a really good alarm on it when you get it!!

Henry Ford III

Import a 200SX from the UK. Loads over there. Great fun to drive but tricky in the wet. Touring spec. essential.

Atomic Pineapple

yeh i was mad about the ITR awhile ago.....lovely car

yeh the RWD on the 200 would be a bit of a dodgy one in the wet but worth the risk i think, some cars....

forgot to say i will be driving it daily to college come sept.....30 - 40 miles a day so taking that into consideration....i think the altezza would be a good choice??

Atomic Pineapple

no other opinions??

would a levin, lancer mivec/gsr, crx del sol be better options for a daily driver?

ninty9er

not a fan of Jap performance but if I was the Lancer would be my choice

Atomic Pineapple

ninty9er wrote:

not a fan of Jap performance but if I was the Lancer would be my choice

what would you recommend as an alternative to a jap performance car?

something around the same ie: 2.0l - 2.3l, around 200bhp?

ninty9er

If I had €15k (which I don't) as I'm the poorer variety of student and was commuting that far to college (I only do about 10 miles return journey) I'd be looking at the likes of these: not exactly 200bhp, but at that mileage diesel could be an idea

If you do a lot of heavy traffic this Auto might be nice (I'm looking for one atm)

A3 TDi

However with the machines listed I would imagine an autobox isn't a main attraction so these:
Diesel
A4 130bhp

323F

Mazda 6...Could look for the 136bhp

Saab 9-3

Volvo S60 2.4 D5

Petrol
TT 180bhp

Z3

Focus ST170

Accord Coupe

It may be a Ford in Sheeps clothing, but it's still a V6

MGTF 160BHP

Astra Bertone

SAAB 9-3 Viggen unusual rare

C70


Just a small few alternatives eh:rolleyes:

Atomic Pineapple

ninty9er wrote:

SAAB 9-3 Viggen unusual rare

Just a small few alternatives eh:rolleyes:

holy god even i havent done that much searching for a car yet cheers

yeh i was looking at the saab 9-3 viggen, theres one for sale on adverts for 10k, insurance is just too expensive at the minute but would have bought it like that if i had the finances right now, there lovely cars and if theres one of the 12 in ireland on sale when i'm looking i'll definatly test drive it.

oh and i dont pay for petrol(company perk) and theres no traffic on the 18mile trip to college or back

astraboy

First off, I like the look of your original selection. Finding a performance car for under 15K is easy, the world is your oyster so to speak. I can really see why you are going Jap, the only other alternative I would consider would be a mid 90's BMW M3, these can be got for the 10-12 grand range or you could import one from the UK and VRT it for the same. UK cars tend to be better looked after.

I'll post up what I know about each of your choices:
Toyota Celica ss-III or GT-4
The ss-111 has over 200BHP, it runs a yamaha "beams" engine. FWD. As its a toyota, it should not give you much trouble. The GT4 is a seperate animal, being turbocharged and 4WD. If you are looking for a clean one, I'm sure any of the jap import companies could sort you out, they are regulary adverised in the autotrader. It may be worth going up North for a GT4, you would have to VRT it but you would probably have a wide selection and the end price would be the same or cheaper.


-Toyota Altezza

Runs the same Yamaha Beams engine as the Celica SS-III. Rear wheel drive fun, I think these are a great looking car to boot. Again, the autotrader or the JAP import garages will have plenty of these. I have not heard of any major problems with these, just carry out the usual checks, oil, water, does it heat up ok? Check body work etc. The Beams engine is fairly bulletproof from what I have read.

-Toyota MR2(older model)
2 seater, great looking car. Comes with a 2.0 turbo engine or a 2.0NA. The turbo is very tunable. Not as practical as the Altezza though.

-Nissan 200sx
Again, comes in 2.0 or 2.0 Turbo, the turbo being a tuners favorite. RWD, and powerful. Make sure the turbo does not smoke, as it means its on the way out. If it has been tuned(either in japan or by Irish owner) get full list of spec and ensure all work has been properly carried out.

-Honda Integra Type-R
1.8L VTEC. Probably one of the best drivers cars on the list. It does not have the same power as the rest, however it has 189bhp I think so its far from slow. One of the best handling FWD chassis made. Honda designed this car as a raw car, it is one you will really enjoy driving and comes with Brembo brakes and recaro seats.

If you need any more info on any of the cars join up to Driver.ie, the guys over there know all about the above cars so should help you out.

I would also consider a Misit Evo 4 or 5, it would be in your price range and you get 280BHP standard and 4WD. Just make sure you can afford to tax, insure and run all of the above cars on a daily basis, with the turbos especially they will drink petrol!

Atomic Pineapple

cheers astraboy, yeh i'll join up to driver.ie asap.

yeh i've come to the conclusion that turbo's are prob not the way to go especially on the 200, the maintanence cost would be way too much for me...

the exception being the gt-4 would love one of them.

i like the beams altezza so i do, seen a lovely looking one a few weeks ago and just wanted it

you reckon the ITR would be the best drivers car??

hhhmmm....cant wait to start test driving in the summer

I hear the GT-4 has weak suspension that gives problems when it is given a hard time. (super strut?) Parts are harder to replace also.
Would check this with someoone that knows their celicas though..

Atomic Pineapple

ronoc wrote:

I hear the GT-4 has weak suspension that gives problems when it is given a hard time. (super strut?) Parts are harder to replace also.
Would check this with someoone that knows their celicas though..

yeh i have to start doin a bit of research into the cars and get to know the ins and outs before i make the decision, really goin for this now, have a money saving plan set out and estimated date i'll have the money to buy

astraboy

The super strut suspension comes on some toyotas, the levin being one and I'm fairly sure variants of the celica have it too. It does not take the abuse from Irish roads easily and is difficult to replace. I know if I had an 18 mile trek to college each day on empty roads it would be the Integra type R I would choose. Been in a friends one and when the VTEC hits its as good as any old school turbo lag! The thing just moves. The 200sx can be got in 2.0 non turbo I think too. I really like these cars, fine examples can be got with leather interior etc. If you are able to handle RWD and a confident driver I would look at these. RWD will only bite back if you push it too hard, if you do and you don't know what you are doing you could be going backwards into a ditch! Best bet is to test drive a few of them and see which suits your driving style best. The fact that petrol costs are not an issue is a BIG bonus!

bigkev49-2

IMO go for the Altezza, mate bought one two weeks ago and hasnt looked back. The beams engine is super sweet, drove it myself tonight and the 6 speed 'box is fantastic. In my group of mates there are a few skylines, a GT4 and an ITR and having driven all of them my choice would have to be the Altezza.

Toyota reliability, RWD, great looking, practical (nothing "boy racer" about it) and that brilliant beams lump.

Atomic Pineapple

yeh the celica has a bit of a boy racer image with it, something i'd like to stay sort of away from, the integra and altezza have a less of a problem with that image.

Not having petrol costs is a big bonus but what would the maintenace costs be on some of them? i think the 200sx would probably be the most expensive, what would the others be like for keeping serviced and getting parts?

Volvoboy

Nissan Skyline! Drove one a few weeks ago and it has to be the most fun you can have with you jocks on! Seriously quick and i was just driving a 2.0 not the 2.5! its a nice car big powerful, i had 15k and in the market for a quick car thats what i'd go for.



-VB-

Atomic Pineapple

Volvoboy wrote:

Nissan Skyline! Drove one a few weeks ago and it has to be the most fun you can have with you jocks on! Seriously quick and i was just driving a 2.0 not the 2.5! its a nice car big powerful, i had 15k and in the market for a quick car thats what i'd go for.



-VB-

the 2 litre turbo version?? must have been cos the non turbo has only 123bhp the turbo has 212bhp.

yeh i like the skyline but think maybe one of the cars i mentioned will do me first then maybe when i'm ready to go for a gtr r34 a few years down the line

tuxy

draffodx wrote:

yeh the celica has a bit of a boy racer image with it, something i'd like to stay sort of away from, the integra and altezza have a less of a problem with that image.

I regularly see skanger boy racers in all three of those cars. Buy one of those cars if it's what you really want. But don't be fooled many people will look at them and think boy racer.

Volvoboy

tuxy wrote:

I regularly see skanger boy racers in all three of those cars. Buy one of those cars if it's what you really want. But don't be fooled many people will look at them and think boy racer.

I'd agree with tuxy, and the majority of the other cars named including the skyline, the Altezza is the only one that dosent have the boy racer image tbh.



-VB-

tuxy

Volvoboy wrote:

I'd agree with tuxy, and the majority of the other cars named including the skyline, the Altezza is the only one that dosent have the boy racer image tbh.



-VB-

Well in the last year or so I have started to see a number of altezza's with very poor tacky mods. So I think they have now got their hands on that car also.

What about something like this
http://www.usedcars.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=Car&carID=640918&message=You%20searched%20for%3A%20Lexus%20IS220%2C%20Year%3A%202000%2E%20Your%20search%20returned%20one%20vehicle%2C%20which%20is%20shown%20below%2E&CFID=866331&CFTOKEN=11306930?

Atomic Pineapple

tuxy wrote:

Well in the last year or so I have started to see a number of altezza's with very poor tacky mods. So I think they have now got their hands on that car also.

yes i'd have to agree but i wont be after one with tacky mods, i like the tte bodykit for it but thats the most i'd go for, same with any of the other cars would be after a pretty standard one, especially no tacky exterior/body mods.

tuxy

Some more options

Mitsubishi FTO
Honda Prelude

or something non Japanese
BMW 323i coupe , Much nicer interior then most things Japenese imo.

Atomic Pineapple

tuxy wrote:

Some more options

Mitsubishi FTO
Honda Prelude

or something non Japanese
BMW 323i coupe , Much nicer interior then most things Japenese imo.

http://www.usedcars.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=494718

that one is lovely!

http://www.usedcars.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=593353

holy crap so is that

http://www.usedcars.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=602803

not so sure about the fto though

yeh i'm aware of the dullness that will come as standard in a interior of the jap cars and dont mind it at all

Atomic Pineapple

pure car porn................. see attached

Atomic Pineapple

after doin a good bit of research over the last couple of days i like the look of the ITR, not the fastest but seems to be a great driver and has the least problems associatted with it.

anybody got one and let me know what to look out for?

a dc2 seems to be the best option, more affordable anyway a dc5 is just out of range....

something like this?

http://www.usedcars.ie/usedcars/inde...r&carID=557668

Rowley Birkin QC

There should be bucket loads of them around the place. Personally I think if you could squeeze the price of one out of the bank go for a DC5, they look incredible on the road.

Other than that look out for one that hasn't been modified, they come out of Japland pretty well set up as regards suspension, tyre size etc.

They do like a sup of oil more regularly than most cars, open to correction but I think thay only drink fully synthetic.

All told they are a great fast car, just don't make friends with any tall people, they will not like the back seats.

Still think you should go for an Altezza though, practicle, quick and discreet!!

Atomic Pineapple

bigkev49 wrote:

Still think you should go for an Altezza though, practicle, quick and discreet!!

yeh i would like to go for an altezza but they seem very expensive and over priced, 15k only seems to get a pretty high mileage one.

ya never know a dc5 might be within price range by the end of the summer, they look lovely what are they like compared to the dc2? faster? well built? same driving experience?

iremex

OP, i know of a 200sx on the market that is a standard and extremely clean. well under 15k. if you are interested PM me and i'll give you the full spec with pics

Atomic Pineapple

bigkev49 wrote:

Still think you should go for an Altezza though, practicle, quick and discreet!!

actually think i'm gonna go for the altezza now, was looking at a few today, there lovely cars, lots oo auto's about but have grown fond of them and there the most expensive but think i'm gonna stretch to get one.

so anyone got one?
whats to look out for?
what kind of spec should i be looking for around the 15k price mark?