All-wise car mods please help me in my conundrum

ericbdougherty · 05-03-2005, 12:51 PM

I need a car. Right now I've got an 87 Ford Ranger. Fun. Anyway, I'm not very knowledgeable (nor do I care that much) about cars. (GASP!) I'm looking for something decently good looking, maybe kinda sporty, but not too expensive. Any suggestions?

mattslope · 05-03-2005, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ericbdougherty

I need a car. Right now I've got an 87 Ford Ranger. Fun. Anyway, I'm not very knowledgeable (nor do I care that much) about cars. (GASP!) I'm looking for something decently good looking, maybe kinda sporty, but not too expensive. Any suggestions?

You can have any two of the three following: cheap/fun/reliable

Which two do you want?

**thesteve** · 05-03-2005, 03:07 PM

how cheap is cheap?

ChrisHarbison · 05-03-2005, 04:02 PM

Dodge Viper?

Wally · 05-03-2005, 07:05 PM

How important is roominess?
Can you do maintenace yourself?
How much are you looking to spend?
By fun, what do you mean?
2 dr/4 dr?

***Art*** · 05-03-2005, 07:12 PM

How much $?

ericbdougherty · 05-03-2005, 10:19 PM

That's funny, I remember writing "all-wise car bods" not "mods".

Anyway. Mattslope, I say cheap and reliable, I guess. Fun is, well, not necessary to get places.
thesteve and art, I say $3000 to, oh maybe $5000 if it's a good deal.
Chris, I say no. Unless of course you want to give me one.
Wally, not very, changing the oil is about as far as I get, previously answered, I never said fun except in sarcastic reference to my pickup, doesn't matter

Oh yeah, I forgot to say thanks for your rapid responses. THANKS!

mattslope · 05-04-2005, 12:04 AM

In that case, a simple FWD economy car would fit you well. Don't worry about mileage as much as maintenance (oil changes, alignments, etc). Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, Mazda Protege, Ford Focus or Chevy Cavalier should fit the bill.

ericbdougherty · 05-04-2005, 08:50 AM

I will ignore your evil editing and pretend nothing ever happened.

Wally · 05-04-2005, 10:48 AM

All of the ones Matt mentioned, although I would not recommend the Cavalier. Having frequently driven and ridden in 2, one of the early 90's another a 2000, I was not very impressed with either one as far as comfort, performace, although the reliability was decent. Altenators kept going out though...

I'd also recommend the Honda Prelude. Less room, less mileage (i still get over 330 miles out of a tank), but more fun. I'd recommend the 92-96 Si non-vtec. More low end torque for the rpm range that you will most likely see compared to the vtec model.

ericbdougherty · 05-04-2005, 11:28 AM

I like the Prelude idea. Where's a good place to check approximate value of cars? I was just going on autotrader and checking what most where going for. Maybe I want to change my former answer to "cheap and fun". Like what do you guys think of a Mercury Cougar?

mattslope · 05-04-2005, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ericbdougherty

I like the Prelude idea. Where's a good place to check approximate value of cars? I was just going on autotrader and checking what most where going for. Maybe I want to change my former answer to "cheap and fun". Like what do you guys think of a Mercury Cougar?

The Cougar seems fine, as long as you consider a Prelude to be fun (I am in no way suggesting that those cars are not). They are not for me or Redbaron.

ericbdougherty · 05-04-2005, 11:54 AM

Why not for you?

mattslope · 05-04-2005, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ericbdougherty

Why not for you?

FWD = Understeer = Yuck
The Prelude, Civic, Focus, Cavalier, etc option is a good one for someone that doesn't need speed, cornering or acceleration. Each does make for excellent economy cars, though. I want a car that offers fun, luxury or economy. The P/C/F/C's are each economic. A DSM, RX7, Z car, Supra, etc would satisfy my desire for a fun car (each offers incredible speed, cornering and acceleration). My Q is a straight comfortable car that squashes all mentioned autos with its luxurious power/heated seats and 313 horse RWD platform (but severely lacking in economy and fun).

Wally · 05-04-2005, 03:05 PM

The 'lude is certainly not "fun" in the grand scheme of cars, but certainly more "fun" than say a cavalier. I'd always recommend a DSM but the dedication to the car is a necessity to make it affordable and reliable.

Another option is an older mr2. Light has heck, rwd, certainly could be fun.

Realize that to have a nice handling car under more extreme driving scenario's, a rwd (and to some extent awd) is a necessity. You can have a little fun in a 'lude but it'll mainly be in a straight line and it really won't be that quick.