So in the future I want to sell my current car and get a different one. However, I have limited options since I'm into performance cars and can't go over $10k. I've found many cars that fit the bill (you can suggest your favorites) but it's realistically come down to two options: A 4th-gen Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 or a 2003 Acura CL Type-S. Why these? Both have manual transmissions and both are cheap/practical enough to be fun and still do "car" things like commuting. Sorry Miata, but you're too damn small. So here's the list of pros and cons of each and I'm wondering what I should go with.
4th-gen Camaro: Pros: -RWD -5.7L V8 with 300+ HP -Cheap to fix -One of my coworkers has one and I'd get a lot of bro credit from others -LOUD
Cons: -Finding a V8 Camaro for under $10k in decent condition is difficult since they're now pretty much collector's cars. -GM build-quality. This thing will probably won't even start at least once a week and the interior/exterior would make me feel like a peasant. -It looks like a catfish. -Cannot handle too well since it's a muscle car -Insurance will bend me in half.
2003 Acura CL Type-S:
Pros: -3.2L V6 with 260HP -LSD so no FWD wheel-spin -One of the best handling FWD cars ever -Rare, only about 4k were sold in the US. -Honda reliability -Super practical -The interior is amazing, with leather bucket seats and luxury stuff like a great audio system, heated mirrors, cruise control, etc. -All the safety stuff like ABS, Traction control, Multiple airbags, stability control, etc. So cheaper insurance. -Dual purpose, can be a performance car one minute and a comfortable commuter the next. -I'll get mad respect at Honda meets from people in their Civic SI's, yo.
Cons: -FWD -Rare, so there aren't many of them, especially ones with 150k miles or less. Also, clutches are like $2000 for this thing. -Nobody knows what the fuck this thing is. -The exterior of this car is soooooo boringgggg.
Camaro bro!
CL Type-S is the best.
Other (please give your suggestion below)
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+1 y
I like the CL more because it fits more of my needs and my personality, but the Camaro is obviously much cooler.
and for the Camaro, please note that peeling out of parking lots and having people hear you from 5 blocks away is important for a 20 year old's lifestyle.
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+1 y
I've actually decided to go with the Camaro since I can't find a good CL for a decent price anywhere around and after having a ride in my coworker's I've realized how awesome they are.
I don't know what your commute situation is like but i too was once young and pour all my money into cars and here's my 2 cents.
Car 1: Buy a reliable daily driver, 4 cylinder 4 door. Since you'll be working on the car, keep it simple and cheap.
Car 2: Here's your toy. spend a couple of years blue printing what you want or get out there and talk to guys at the drag strips and autox or whatever you're looking to get into.
If you spend$ on your daily driver, it's going to be a nightmare. You need time and effort when your working on cars and no car = no work = no $...
So many guys who buy a v8 end up selling their half assed projects because of funds. I too started out thinking i can do it but.. the golden rule:
Cheap, reliable, fast.. pick 3 because you can have them all.
If i could go back, i'd get 2nd car that is my project car while maintaining a boring daily commuter. If you don't have $$ to play. Don't freaking do a project. Cars are terrible investments. Every $2000 you spend in upgrades yields - $200 in value to the car.
If it were me, i wouldn't buy two cars similar to one another. If you already have a 4 cyl and you're looking for something fun. Why not just go with the v8?
That is true, but a V6 is good too (not in the Camaro though). The CL is only slightly similar to my current commuter in the fact it's FWD. Other than that it's completely different.
I honestly have no idea but the camaro looks like they tried making a Ferrari or Porsche and totally failed. And the Acura looks cheap and is way too mainstream. But a car's appearance really doesn't matter right now because if you want a car to pick up hot girls, you'll need a luxury car, and trust me, you aren't getting one of those, only like 5 percent of people can afford one. So out of these options, i'd go with the cheapest and safest one, just put the appearance aside :).
I would get the CL, it seems more practical for where you are in life right now. When you can afford more, you'll be able to buy a car that looks cooler. And your neighbors could get annoyed if your car is too loud, although if you're really into that, I think you can buy something that makes your car louder.
Given a choice between these two, I'd pick the Camaro Z28. It's hard to find a V8 Camaro under $10K, especially an SS like the one in the picture. But I don't think they have become collector cars just yet.
And it is unfortunately very, very true that the gas and insurance would bend you in half six ways to Sunday.
But I still think they're cool. I think the catfish/spaceship looks are neat, actually. And I wouldn't feel like a peasant in any V8-powered muscle car. I'd rather have a muscle car than any of the luxury exotics, even.
However, if I was going GM, I think I'd go with a 1998-2002 Firebird Trans Am WS6 or the rarer, slightly more powerful SLP Firehawk. Engine-wise it's the same as the Camaro and Corvette of its day. But while the Camaro is more down-to-business outside, the Trans Am is a little flashier in terms of style. It looks like a cross between a jet fighter and an actual giant hawk. Even though they haven't been made in 13 years, they still look great if you ask me.
Just make sure you have a winter car as well, since RWD is very difficult to manage in snow and besides, you don't want to get a nice car like a Camaro or Trans Am and then watch the road salt rust it away.
Keep in mind though that when driving one, listening to Guns 'N Roses, AC/DC, Scorpions and other 80s rock is pretty much required for the full F-Body experience.
C4 Corvette i9.photobucket.com/.../...ertibleZoraDontov014.jpg Powerful enough. Handles like, well, a Corvette. Bullet proof reliability. Not a glorified Accord or Redneck lead sled. Like a Harley, you "belong" once you own one. Convertibles can be found for about $12,000 and even less. Fixed roof and T-tops much less. If you keep it up, it loses almost no value over time. The list of aftertmarket improvements is long..
Your selection and coddling of an older Corvette says "stable, keeper" to girls. It says: "Sure, you are over 30 and there are young hotties galore, but I am committed to you."
Cheap too. There is a 89 C4 6 speed for sell here with 85K miles and the guy wants 4000 for it. And the 5.7 is obviously very easy to modify for more power although 240hp and over 300tq is terrible
I voted B. Sleepers are the best. It's like having all the performance without drawing any attention from cops.
I drive a supercharged '99 Buick Regal with custom shift. I'm hoping to tweak the supercharger at some point to get some extra oomph. But it drives comfortable and fast, and is great for long commutes. Can't exactly say the same for my friends' Charger and Mustang, and my HP is right up there with theirs. For about $5K, not a bad experience.
If you are on the fence, get the cheaper car and use the extra money for upgrades, tweaks, and adding more features. For instance, I added a X2600BT radio, built a sub, added a rear-view camera, got an OBD reader, and swapped out all the lighting with LEDs. For less money than I would have spent for a newer Monte Carlo that needed more work.
Ok your 19 what are your plans the next couple of years? Are you going to college? Working? How long do you want this car to last? You really dont want to be spending a lot of money on repairs and stuff. I know at 19 your thinking I am gonna get the car I want. Which is rightfully so but wjthin reason. Have you checked Kelly Blue Book on these cars? You really should go with a car that will last and preferable less then 150,000 miles. Also do you drive through snow and ice on the roads were you live. RWD cars aren't the best if you do. Which you have both FWD as your options. I have a 03 Impala that I have been driving for 8 years. Thats a Chevy so the camero might be good. I don't know much about Acuras and how. lomg they last typically. So I guess do your research before you buy.
I have done some research and these were the best options I came up with for the money and my life situation. The CL is much more of an "adult" car though.
Alright good :). I really wanted a Cadillac as my first car but my dad said I shouldn't (we butt heads so I said what does he know) so I asked around. Well back when I got my license this computer stuff wasntreallly out yet in older cars. You can buy used Cadillacs for the same price at what your looking at but the problem with them was that if something broke it just costs a little more to fix especially since Cadillacs are a higher model of car.
Seriously, both of those are horrible cars, and this comment:
-One of my coworkers has one and I'd get a lot of bro credit from others
Made me cringe. You're buying a car for you to use, not to get bro cred from anyone. Zero effs given about their opinion.
Now for my advice on car: Used Audi RS4 with the 4.2L V-8 (B7 - so 2006-2008 model year). They look good, they come with 420 hp, they're AWD, they're easily modified to higher hp, have a very nice interior (although the tech would be a little dated now, so I would recommend an upgraded SAT NAV/Entertainment system), and they perform better than either of the two cars you mentioned in their respective strong spots.
It's fast, practical, usable in all seasons/weather conditions, and enjoyable to be in.
I love Audi, and I especially love that glorious 4.2L. However, did they import the RS4 to the US? I think they did but they might be a rarity. Another consideration was a B6 S4. My only issue with owning a V8 Audi is the fuel economy and the maintenance costs. Other than that I'd be chest deep in one.
Dude, I can get either of those for like $3000-$5000 each. You can do better. Just try craigslist, and you can find good deals if you're cautious enough.
Acura is way more practical and way more reliable. I think it'd feel quick enough too.
But are there any other cars you're considering? You have very similar taste to me, apart from not wanting a Miata. Also my brother has a 4th gen Camaro that he got for $5k and it's been reliable after he fixed the starter.
Nah that one is not what I'm looking for, wrong transmission. There were other cars I considered, like a WRX, B6 S4, and 2nd gen Boxster. I just don't like the Miata because it's way too impractical and slow for my taste (I know speed isn't all, but I'm tired of slow now). If you have any suggestions please let me know.
If I wanted to buy a performance car of some sort and was limited to under 10k I wouldn't worry so much about trying to get a 300-ish horsepower vehicle because of rarity and abuse it's likely been put through. I'd be looking instead in the 225-250 horsepower range such as 2002-spec Subaru WRX. I think that generation would be easier to come by than a good condition Camaro and the Acura is just too expensive to fix and too hard to get parts for I would think.
The CL isn't that expensive to fix as long as it's not a clutch. Anyone, yes anyone can work on it since it's so simple. Yeah I was looking into WRX's as well since I like those.
Didn't see a single one for under $20k. While this is a great suggestion because the new Camaros are very nice, they aren't exactly my style and cost too much. If I had access to my parent's deep pockets I would have considered it.
I have 2008 infiniti g35x 300+ hp Rear wheel but when I need it awd automatically. I can take turns 45-60 mph. Based on tires, road conditions, and layout. Luxurious interior. Lots you can tinker with. Check them out.
Others: 2006 Audi a4 or a6 02-06 BMW 3series- but many have them, but that's for a reason Acura TL- too Honda for me, but decent 1999 Boxster- maintenance may be expensive...
I hate new cars, I rather have the older of the 2 cars you shown. That darn computerized crap. I hate computers in cars. It makes them cost a bundle of money and expensive to fix. Just one wire and wamo! everything has to come apart!
@front2back I don't think you can go wrong with the Acura but I would also suggest an older Lexus. They run forever and getting over 250,000 miles on a Lexus is very reasonable.
LS1 Camaros have so much potential and are still fast by todays standards. And with a manual they were one of the few 90's cars with 6 gears and are quite frugal on gas when highway cruising. Also quite reliable. The interiors kinda suck though /:
I'd say motorcycle but that may very well be out of the question. in this case just chase whats cheaper and more reliable for now, it won't be your last.
I DO want a motorcycle, but getting one might be hard to come by and there's no way I could use it to commute anywhere but my 2nd job, since my first job commutes on an interstate that is largely dangerous to bikers.
oh, sorry i will admit i didn't read you desciption haha. Um i would say if you want more fun to drive car, go with the camaro, more practical i would say CL-S. My choice is the camaro sir!
Ok if you're going to buy something around the 4k price point, I would get a truck because you will need to fix a lot yourself and you'll need the groudn clearance and space.
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