Approx. $9k to spend on a new car. Suggestions?

Approx. $9k to spend on a new car. Suggestions?

Well my mom just told me she will fork out ~$9k for a new car for me when summer starts. Man, I am so happy. I mean, I love my Corolla, but I just want a newer, more performance oriented car. I have four choices in mind...

00-Up Nissan SE-R Spec V
97-Up Infiniti G20t
00-Up Toyota Celica GT-S
00-Up Lexus IS300 (wishful thinking)

What do you guys think of my choices? The one I want the most is the Spec V, it is probably the one I will end up with, but, I am also interested in the other three. The IS300 is probably out of the question, but, hey, I can still want one. The G20t is really, really nice. I LOVE these cars, but I don't think the 140hp is going to cut it for me. I'm not really that into Celica GT-S, but, it IS a Toyota, and I love Toyota, so I thought I would try one out, and see how I like it.

Do any of you have any suggestions of any other cars in my price range? Keep in mind, I want a performance-oriented car, preferably 4 door, but in no way am I ruling out coupes. And, the most important thing is I want a car that I don't have to swap out the engine for decent power. Oh, and as you can see, I'm not really into domestics.

tC.

Spec V.

What kind of performance are you looking for, straight line or handling?

I'm kinda biased, but I'll say the Celica GTS. It is one of the best handling FWD cars ever made, and in a straight line it's faster than a Spec-V (Spec-V has a low redline, less gears, and isn't quite the same high-end beast as the GTS).

It would also help to know what else you're looking for in a car, because I could think of a few other very nice handling cars that you may not be interested in (the Miata comes to mind).

MR-S...mid engine and RWD :: drool ::

Capeside you want performance? Go test drive an 05 WRX.... You'l walk out with one.. heheh

You can get a WRX for about the same price ( depends on your options) as a Celica gts, and it is WAY more car.

Renfield what do you mean, less gears? They both have 6. And don't forget the Spec-V's torque numbers. With that said though I'd still get the Celica. lol The Spec-v is ugly as sin. LOL

I agree about the Miada though. I do not want to own one as my only car but I hear for Auotcross there is nothing better, what with the weight and handling.

Oh, yea, I guess just saying "performance-oriented" is pretty general. What I am looking for is straight line, as I am pretty much going to be driving it on the street most of the time and not an auto-x course. And, with a performance oriented car, even if it isn't one of the best handling fwd cars ever made, it of course will have above par suspension, responsiveness, etc, so i'm not too worried about any of the cars not satisfying my handling needs. I love the way the Sentra looks, but I can see how some people don't...I think it is either love it or hate it, but most people seem to love it.. I think. But, then again, it is the same with the Toyota Celica. With its crazy design it attracts a lot of people, but I'm sure a lot of people opt for something more subtle. I love them both nonetheless. Actually, I am more biased in favor of Toyota, but do I love the Spec-V numbers, and also the four door functionability.

And about the 05 WRX, I said I have about $9k, not $39k . STI<3

I hear you on four-door. That is my main critera when shopping for a vehicle. I can still have the look of functionality. hehe

One of my roommates has a Spec-V, and although I do not care for the look, I can say it is "deceptively fast". The handling was nice too. I liked it more than the XRS even, which I was biased to for a while. Lift is nice, but I'll take torque anyday. The Sentra's Engine would seem to be a better candidate if you wanted to go turbo.

9K as in a down payment or 9K to spend outright?

Oh nono, Sti is WAY too expensive. lol I mean the WRX, some dealerships start just under $24k, comparablie to the $22K-ish of the Celica.

teh Nissan SE-R SPEC V fo sho.

im with you...i like the SE-R SpecV outa the ones he listed, although id take an IS300 anyday

i'd say use the 9k on a sweet downpayment on a tC!
if you can find an is300 for that, i'll buy it
go for with the spec v

Yea I think G20t's are too over looked by people. It would be more original to have a nice, tuned G20t than say a Spec-V or GT-S. Also, in my opinion, I think G20t are one of the nicest looking cars ever produced. Damn, I forgot how much I love G20t's...



Marry me?

Test drive all of them and see which one fits you best!

Get a 1996 Maxima SE. 3.0V6 with 190hp and 205tq 5-speed. You can do the MEVI (middle eastern valve intake) and which gives it like a Vtech at 5200rpm (average setting). And do intake, exhaust and jwt ecu with that. And your looking at 230-250hp with a VTech/Lift style engine. And you can do a tranny swap with the Infinit 30 and have LSD 5-speed. After buying the car and having that done, your looking at about 12,000.

If it was me, i'd get a 92-95 civic hatchback, do an engine/tranny swap, quality set of coilovers, stripped interior, good set of wheels/tires and a nice titanium exhaust. Everyone might have a Honda, but you know, they have the best parts support. $9000 is enough to build a killer track day car.

^he said he didnt wanan hav 2 swap 4 power and if he were going that route id suggest he get a 240 and do that to it instead of the hatch

i suggest getting a late 90's prelude, theyve got some power and the aftermarket support

I guess it helps to read the thread...lol

In that case, i'd say you could try to find an early 90's MR2 Turbo, or N/A. I personally wouldn't buy a toyota if it's got vvt-i. I know, i've got one, but there really doesn't seem to be any engine management to control it. It just complicates modding. You could also look at BMW M3's. Like 1992 gens. Those take to mods nicely, and $9000 is enough to find a decent one.

how about late model volkswagen golf gti's?

I like G20 a lot too. Spev-V is one of my favorite also. If you want to get a car between those 4 you listed. I would pick this 2.

I can see tC will be a big hit. It will have a very big aftermarket support. 9000 down and finace the rest isnt that bad.

Srt-4

right now, for the bang for the buck and you still get the 4 doors.......SRT-4. i love my rolla, but the srt 4 is a 13 sec car off the lot.

13 second car? Try more like low to mid 14's.

I was going to say a 98-ish Mustang Cobra, but you're iffy on domestics..

Then again, it *would* probably be faster than almost any other car listed here..lol

you know what i was tryin to say.......the srt-4 cant be f'd with.....

Mantis,
Yep. It also gets the best gas mileage of any of the 4-door turbo beasts right now. 30, if I remember correctly.

Gas mileage all depends on how you drive it.

As far as I know, the Spec-V only had five gears, maybe they changed something recently...but the Celica is still faster. I've read several races, they just come up empty towards the top.

I think the best thing to do is something that's already been mentioned: go out and start test driving these cars. You should find something that you'll like, never get tired of, and something you can live with for a long time.

Spec V has always had a 6-speed. Also, I think they're more of a low-mid range car, but it wouldn't take much to get a nice top end.

I'd go with a turbo'd mr2 man those cars are shweet hehehe