The next car to save for?

[Vagabond142]

Hey all... well, I've decided that I'm gonna start saving for a "next car." I have my current "first car," and I'm that point where I feel that I want to upgrade a little. As such, I've narrowed my choices to three different divisions: performance, pimpage, and economy.

For performance, the cars I'm looking at are:

Earlier 240SX
Pulsar GTi-R with a workaround around the new JDM rules by transport alberta
Gen3 or Gen4 Prelude
MkII MR2


For pimpage, I'm thinking:

E30 or E36 3-series BMW, maybe even an E30 M3 if I can get that much
190E or 320E Mercedes
Earlier model Lexus LS or SC
Acura Legend or Vigor

For economy:

Honda Civic Hatch, 92-99ish
Honda Accord EX-R


If anyone has any suggestions (mature ones) with a budget with a ceiling of $15k firm, please post. Also, comments and opinions on choices above. I will not buy a DSM and I do not want an American branded car (that's not import fanboy-ism, that's just personal preference). I want something that can go faster than my current car, be home serviced to a certain extent, and is decent on gas (better than 22 MPG, which is what the Merc 320E gets). I will also consider a Merc diesel.

So... I have a year or more... help me make a good choice :bigpimp:

[AJL]

out of those choices... e30 is the most pimp. If you can find one...

[Hakkola]

<<<<------------ You know you want it. ;)

[Vagabond142]

^^^ I know a lot about cars, but I would still love to hear why you think it's so pimp :bigpimp: I need information, opinions, owners comments if people own these cars (like maintenance costs, reliability, comfort, performance, moddability, etc)

Oh, I would PREFER a manual transmission, but I can live with an auto if the pimp factor is high enough :bigpimp:

[Hakkola]

maintenance = $$$ if something goes wrong
"moddability" = $$$ if every thing goes right :D

Comfort will top everything on your list, but if you don't want to spend around 2 g's a year keeping your ride in tip top shape, don't go for it.

I don't mind spending money on my ride because I love it, but if money is an issue there are better choices.

Then again, looking at your list I believe the money issue will come into play with all the rides in the "pimpage" section.

[max_boost]

Keep the Civic for winter and get a MR2 Turbo for summer. Do you remember the red 91 for sale not too long ago? What a gem. Amazing condition, I still regret not buying it despite already having a few cars at my disposal hehe

OMG so clean. :drool: :love:
http://www.members.shaw.ca/elenang/MyMR2/2002_MR201.jpg

[dj_rice]

If you are seriously interested in a GTI-R...I have a friend who wants to sell his soon so LMK

[95EagleAWD]

+1 for a MkII MR2.

Sexiest Toyota ever.

[Vagabond142]

^^^ I would rather have the NSX, but I don't feel like taking out a $35k bank loan just yet :D

I do so love the MkII MR2 :D As much as I do, tho, I want my next car to have that certain :bigpimp: factor. Not trying to show off the size of my testicles, tho. Understated pimpage like Hakkola's 320E is a perfect example. Rage2's E55 is the same. It's sleek, nice, but has a small feather stuck in its hat while still being smooth and a definite cruisemobile.

But, on the other hand, I want a raw performance vehicle, hence the interest in the GTi-R. SR20DET + super-light chassis + AWD = zoom :burnout: MR2 is kinda a balance between a nice :bigpimp: interior with Ferrari-esque exterior. GAH!! It's soooo hard to chose what to save up for!!! Then again, I do have 12+ months before I think I'll be financially ready to take the step up from first car Civic to nice car :D (but I also do so love my civic :love: )

[88CRX]

Honda for life.

Get a Civic, throw in a K series + bolt on's and call it a day.

[Vagabond142]

OH CRAP! I forgot to mention that I'm also looking at an Acura Legend or Vigor in the pimp section (would have to be a coupe style, not the sedan style)

[Neil4Speed]

Acura Legend Coupes are amazing, 6-Speed, just brilliant cars overall.

Lexus SC400/300's are reallly my thing these days, I can't stop thinking about them. A good mix of everything nice in a car.

Maybe take a look at a Merc 300CE? Its a rarer car, and is quite nice. It was very expensive new, close to 80k in 1992. You can get one imported from Japan quite cheap, which still leaves you for space for mods etc.

[rc2002]

Heh. 3rd and 4th gen preludes aren't performance cars IMO.

[3G]

Originally posted by richardchan2002
Heh. 3rd and 4th gen preludes aren't performance cars IMO.

3rd gens are really ncie reliable cars, but if u want performace, theres nothing for htis car, they handle like they are on rails though, if get one find a 4ws, and drop in a H22A

[nismodrifter]

95' Mercedes E300 Diesel. OMG you know you want it (well I want one....only 95 though....nothing earlier).

[max_boost]

Originally posted by Vagabond142
^^^ I would rather have the NSX, but I don't feel like taking out a $35k bank loan just yet :D

I do so love the MkII MR2 :D As much as I do, tho, I want my next car to have that certain :bigpimp: factor.

Yah I prefer the NSX too but that's crazy money. You can get MR-2's for cheap $10K and $5k of mods will make it look stellar. :drama: :hitit:

[Vagabond142]

Originally posted by max_boost


Yah I prefer the NSX too but that's crazy money. You can get MR-2's for cheap $10K and $5k of mods will make it look stellar. :drama: :hitit:

That does have a point, but I'm also having to look at cars that may be year round as I don't know if the place where I move out to (whereever it is) will let me have two cars. If it's an apartment building, then it's 1 car only.

I saw a GORGEOUS 320E today that wasn't Hakkola's. It was anthracite, with gunmetal wheels (looked like AMG special wheels) and limo tint. Looked positively EVIL :bigpimp:

[88CRX]

Originally posted by 88CRX
Get a Civic, throw in a K series + bolt on's and call it a day.

Plus you can drive it year round. EG or EK, coupe or hatch, take your pick.

[andres_mt]

I've always been a fan of getting a car that's really rare. Go for something not too many people have. Either that or I've always wanted a cheap little EG and suping the shit out of it.

Depends on what you like though I guess. :D

[Vagabond142]

Well... tbh, I'm really falling for older 1990-95 E-Class mercs. They are comfortable, well suited to our climate, REAR WHEEL DRIVE! :clap: and can do a decent rate of speed without too much effort as they WERE designed in a country where commuting to work at 155 mph is not all that uncommon. Downsides are very heavy and automatics :\ But, the pimpage factor is high. The other thing I'm thinking about is a Legend 6MT Coupe. Prob a 94, as the 95's had the slightly wonky engine. Thing is, they're a lot more common than a 320E or 400E. I've only ever seen 3 320E's in Calgary that I know of, all of them in beautiful condition. I think I want a slice of that pie. :D :bigpimp:

I mean, just LOOK at what a 320E can look like with a couple grand of mods

http://forums.beyond.ca/attachment.php?s=&postid=1529424

Who knows... I might make the MB the daily driver, and get me an MR2 Turbo for a fun car a couple more years down the road :D

[DuPont]

Originally posted by andres_mt
I've always been a fan of getting a car that's really rare. Go for something not too many people have.

^^mmm, good idea.



Originally posted by Vagabond142
I'm also looking at an Acura Legend or Vigor in the pimp section (would have to be a coupe style, not the sedan style)

What about a CL?
LOL, it even kinda sounds like a really slow NSX :D
http://i2.tinypic.com/zo8jg6.jpg

Mine's for sale, check it out:
1997 ACURA CL (http://forums.beyond.ca/showthread.php?s=&threadid=130671)

[Vagabond142]

Well, it'll be a year before i even have close to the money needed, although if the right car appears, I wouldn't be too adverse to getting a bank loan to buy it. Something like Hakkola's 320 for $10k I would do something like that for. I did set my ceiling at $15k, but I would really like to stay around $10k, which is why a BMW 3-series is in the pimpin section :bigpimp: GAH! I just don't know what I want. Those 1994 and before E classes are just dead sexy, but so is an E30 3 series. I dunno why, but I'm really leaning towards German cars, although if a really good other model (not american) comes around at the right price, i might be tempted.

Guurggg... and I haven't even considered Audi's, mostly because they understeer like a bitch and that's not good in our climate.


Edit: OMG... now I know why people were suggesting a CE class MB....

http://www.geocities.com/nsx1164/pictures/93ce-lf2-800w.jpg :drool: 300CE

[Hakkola]

Originally posted by Vagabond142


I mean, just LOOK at what a 320E can look like with a couple grand of mods

http://forums.beyond.ca/attachment.php?s=&amp;postid=1529424



:bigpimp:

Just so you know though, just for the headlights, kit and rims that's about 10 grand.

[Vagabond142]

Weird... I've found lowering kits for a 320E for ~$300 CAD. Those must be hella expensive rims to make it $10g's

[Hakkola]

Body kit homey. ;) I actually forgot about the lowering kit. Then you have to add exhaust if you do a body kit, and when you do rims you gotta get the cross drilled rotors.

It adds up fast, just keep that in mind.

Ohh, and yes the CE is amazing, if I was to start over with an older benz it would be the CE or SEC.

[Vagabond142]

Ah...

Also... I would appreciate thoughts on the Lexus SC300 from the early to mid 90's... there was one on the cruise and I must say... it was quite impressive in motion. Also, being a Toyota, you could probably shoot it with a howitzer cannon and it'd still drive.

[harley11]

Originally posted by max_boost
Keep the Civic for winter and get a MR2 Turbo for summer. Do you remember the red 91 for sale not too long ago? What a gem. Amazing condition, I still regret not buying it despite already having a few cars at my disposal hehe

OMG so clean. :drool: :love:
http://www.members.shaw.ca/elenang/MyMR2/2002_MR201.jpg

How much did this car sell for?

[Hakkola]

I think it was for sale for 17 500, as far as I know it didn't sell, at least I don't remember there being any mention of a sale in the thread.

[d.maczko]

e30 +1

i just feel like a pimp cruising around in my e30

just wish i wasnt selling it already, now that ive got some money i should be keeping it and throwing some parts into it :(. gonna miss that car for sure.

but yeah if you can find a rust free e30, definitly get it and swap the m5 s50 motor in.

good luck with your choice!

[Vagabond142]

http://www.iforged.com/albums/album06/sc3002.sized.jpg

That's what I'm talkin about :bigpimp:

So... right now my two faves are the 320E and the SC300 in the pimpage department.

For performance, it's definitely MR2 :P

[88CRX]

Originally posted by Hakkola
It adds up fast, just keep that in mind.

:werd: + regular wear and tear

[statick]

You're going the right path with the old Benz'.

[Vagabond142]

Originally posted by statick
You're going the right path with the old Benz'.

Yeah, I get that feeling. It IS the brand that the Yakuza use, it's a dead evil looking car... but still, the lexus and the M3 tug at me, but after looking around, the M3 is just outside my price range (a good one goes for ~$20k). So it's really down to super-pimp but $$$ maintenance Benz, or somewhat-pimp but less $$$ maintenance Toyota. And I'm going to be debating that until next summer.... pity me, please? :P

[88CRX]

Originally posted by Vagabond142
And I'm going to be debating that until next summer.... pity me, please? :P

You'll change your mind 10x by then lol

[Hakkola]

Just curious Simon, was the anthracite benz the same generation as mine?

[carter_prelude]

i vote +1 for the MR2, but i dunno if 2 seats would be a piss off, i know i use mine alot. It is fast, and could be made faster pretty easily.

[Hakkola]

Real pimps drive SEC's.

[iceburns288]

My dad drove a 500SEC, lol

[Nova316]

Holy Crap SEC's
are baller cars
that would for sure make u a :bigpimp:

Tho the SC300 looks pretty dam impressive
espectally the 5spd ones

[Hakkola]

If only I wasn't leaving for a year....

www.jsautostudios.com/ new_vehicles.php

[Hakkola]

Only 15 g's CAD.

SEC FTW.

Wasn't able to add both pics to the same post, probably cuz I'm tired, sorry.

:D

[Vagabond142]

I've been doing a shitload of reading, and as much as the Merc W124 tugs at my heart... I'm reaaaaaaaaaaaalllly leaning towards the Lexus SC cars. Both the 300 and 400 can come with 5 speed manuals, are toyotas so they'll run until the earth explodes, and are *gasp* CHEAPER to fix than a Merc :nut: I might still get a Merc when I am much more financially stable, like once I'm in my late 20's, early 30's with a career job and settled down, but for my price range, comfort level, and preference for manual transmissions, the SC300 looks to be a sure winner. You get an ASTONISHINGLY comfortable interior, good performance from the engine (which is a Inline 6 2JZ-GE engine so it's very moddable :D), and a very nice ride. Plus, it's Japanese so, as I said, maintenance should be a tad cheaper than european. Also, they are not all that common in Calgary... I've personally only seen two, and if I hadn't gone on the cruise, I wouldn't have seen one of em :D I'd be happy with one with an automatic. And to show how serious a performer it is, as it is a rebadged Toyota Soarer, all suspension and drivetrain bits can be interchanged between it and a MKIV Supra. It uses the same chassis, just different setup :D

So for right now, my three top choices are:

Lexus SC300/400
MkII MR2
Mercedes Benz 320E

Honorable mention:

Acura Legend.... it's nice, but I don't think it has the same presence as the Merc or the Lexus. It would make an AWESOME grocery getter replacement for the Civic, tho :D

[Vagabond142]

Okay... Lexus SC300 it is, definately... just found out the turbo potential of one :devil: 400 hp is a nice number ^_^

Oh, and...
http://www.intellexual.net/images/13786Alexa_with_my_car_blue.jpg

Need. I. Say. More?

[Ashkente]

*cough* Aristo swap....:D

[Vagabond142]

Originally posted by Ashkente
*cough* Aristo swap....:D

2JZ-GTE engine from JDM Source shouldn't be that hard to get, ne? :thumbsup: And if I do get an auto, I believe the autoboxes on Soarers (SC300) is rated to handle 500-550 bhp

[ZorroAMG]

Originally posted by Hakkola


:bigpimp:

Just so you know though, just for the headlights, kit and rims that's about 10 grand.

And that's just for replica ish....:D My bumper alone is $3500.

fuck....even tuner wheels on an MB are 5k for 18's lol.....

[Vagabond142]

BY THE LIGHT OF THE HEAVENS, I COMMAND THIS THREAD TO RESSURECT!!!

Okay... it's been a while since the last post in this thread. I was originally gonna be staying with the Lexus, even have $1000 set aside already (after paying huge amounts of summer bills :\ ) and starting to save in earnest....

... when I was walking into the Country Hills Blvd NW superstore and a Mercedes drove by me. Dead black. Just glided along. But what surprised me was that I wanted it, and even more surprising was that the engine wasn't purring. It was chugging. It was... a diesel :drama:

So, I think that a 1991 Mercedes Benz 300D is challenging the Lexus. Thoughts? How reliable are Merc diesels? Mod potential? Upkeep? etc etc etc. I know that gas will be a tad cheaper, though :) And it still hauls ass (it left the parking lot and was at 60 kph in about 1.5 seconds from what I assume was a 10 kph roll) for a large heavy car

[ashee]

Q7:clap:

[Vagabond142]

Q7? :confused:

[euro_racer]

the lexus sc is a nice car and the gasoline consumption is not too bad, a little bit more than my prelude. i believe the one u were talking about seeing on the meet was my old car haha. it was an automatic and a very solid car, i regret selling it but im deffinately going to look into buying one again with the 5spd. :bigpimp:

what i loved about it was that i have only seen about 7 sc's in calgary all together and 5 of them were sc400's. also reliability issues were never in the picture with that car and if something was to go wrong i wouldn never be too scared of a big repair bill :D

and to my suprise when it was time to sell it, it went amazingly fast. the first person to call me/come bought it

mine....
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v630/karnaibsg/hi-lex001.jpg

pimp potencial:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v630/karnaibsg/vipsoarer3.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v630/karnaibsg/SWSC3T28.jpg

tuner potencial:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v630/karnaibsg/volkgt-n.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v630/karnaibsg/428.jpg

:bigpimp:

[pinoyhero]

I'd go with the lude, you get decenr perf. an great palette for upgrades, reliability and choice as thre should be some out there for sale in your range...

[b_t]

Originally posted by Vagabond142
I will not buy a DSM

awwww

get an ESi can be had for like $8k with only aroudn 115km on them, and they have a dodge neon motor so they are reliable as can be, still very tuneable, and drop dead gorgeous :D

[pinoyhero]

Wow, some of those lexus sc's are pimp man, super nice.

[euro_racer]

yea preludes are nice cars, but not nearly as luxurious or solid as the sc...and the RWD is something the ludes are missing really badly if u ask me

it would be possible to import a is300 from the states if you can source out one for that cheap...man those cars are :drool:

[tentacles]

Q7?

I guess she means the Audi Q7 Crossover SUV (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Audi_Q7)

I'm guessing it probably costs a bit more than $15k.


...yeah :dunno:

[Ca_Silvia13]

It really sounds that you are leaning to more of your pimp car then anything. Have you ever considered buying an older car? Some like an impala or caddy? If your looking for low and slow it doesn't get any better then 4000lbs of gas guzzling muscle!

Just my .02 cents

[djayz]

lexus sc's are great cars
a friend of mine used to own one and he enjoyed the car...hardly any repairs just regular maintainence which is fairly cheap considering its just a nice toyota.

and for looks ive always wanted one...something about the low long looks does it for me

:thumbsup: for a sc

[core_upt]

Legend would be my pick - I'm still looing for one, but want a 94 or 95 Coupe, GS trim with the Type II Engine, 6 speed manual, less than 150,000KM and with either black or white leather interior... They're pretty f'n hard to come by in good condition.

[Vagabond142]

I'm not so much into the "low n slow" as I am into the "All around luxurious pimpage" :bigpimp: I mean, when you see a Mercedes that isn't too expensive, but still puts out a presence, has a superb interior and just LOOKS good while rollin... you think "nice..." and that's the thought I'm after. The SC is still my #1, but the 300D or even a 320E are really tickling at my "buy-me!" sense :P

[3G]

Originally posted by euro_racer
yea preludes are nice cars, but not nearly as luxurious or solid as the sc...and the RWD is something the ludes are missing really badly if u ask me


Real men don't drive FWD :thumbsup:

Have you thought of an e34 5 series?

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/4/web/184000-184999/184332_10_full.jpg

[Vagabond142]

I was looking into a Beemer, but all the ones around here for sale are really in poor shape. And if anything, I'd get an E30 3-series, but they are HARD to find. It's about #4 on my list of cars right now

[frostyda9]

IMO, you should pick your car based on how much YOU like it, not on how much you hope other people will like it ;) .02

[88CRX]

Originally posted by 88CRX


You'll change your mind 10x by then lol

quoted FTW.

that didnt take long lol ;)

[Vagabond142]

Originally posted by frostyda9
IMO, you should pick your car based on how much YOU like it, not on how much you hope other people will like it ;) .02

I will ultimately do so....


But this **IS** a car forum, ya know. Lots of knowledge, opinions, etc out there, might as well get all the info I can before I buy a car :D

[SILVIA KING,S]

Get a nissan silvia it is fast and fun.

[Vagabond142]

As much as I would like a Silvia, I think I'm over my "omg tuner!" part of life, and I'm now looking for something that is comfortable to ride in, good for looks but not overstated, and is that little bit pimp, hence a Lexus and a Mercedes are topping my list :D

Who knows? With my current job as it is now (I've started a new job that PAYS $$$$$$$$$$$$ ) I might even look at buying a new MX-5 (something I really want. Comfy, tad bit pimp, good for looks :D). But a Merc would be even nicer, even if it was 15 years old and a steel chugger :D