Help me pick a new car!

[QuietChaos]

I've had my Vette for just 3-4 months now, but I'm realizing that I won't be able to keep this thing on the road for too long..I'm spending almost 200/month on gas and paying 1500/year for insurance, not to mention repairs and maintenance. Gas consumption in this thing is brutal. It`s a fun car, but I think I need something more economical, while still fun.

Here are the basic parameters..I might be a little flexible though.

-5-6k
-decent on gas(my idea of "decent on gas" might be different from yours..all I've ever known are big, thirsty V8s and a SOHC I6.)
-decent insurance cost
-good looking
-sporty and fun to drive
-quick and FR or AWD

I honestly have no idea if anything out there fits the bill. I've been scouring Craigslist for ideas.

We've come up with a few cars that might work.

Z32 300ZX TT-Definitely a looker. Purchase price is low. Hard to work on. That's all I know about it.

94-96 Impala SS-Weird, I know. Wanted one for a while. Have really depreciated, and I think the value will only go up from here. Upsides: much more practical than the Vette. 300bhp LT1. Bit of a sleeper. Downsides: It's a little too "downtown." Hideous interior.

I know I don't have a lot of options..but if you have any ideas at all, please let me know!

Thanks.

[Wolfattak]

240sx/180sx/silia?

[NerdJuice]

Get a Subaru! I love my legacy as a daily driver. You can get older Impreza/WRX for your cost, and they fit all your requirements. Killer in snow as well.

[QuietChaos]

@Wolf: That's a good idea. But I think for the money, I'd rather take a 300ZX..if it's not a wallet rapist. Too many unsavoury types own and abuse the S-chassis. It's definitely a good bang-for-the-buck, though.

@NerdJuice: Definitely a solid all-round kind of car. The looks don't really do it for me though.

Thank you both for your ideas, I'll keep them in mind.

[canadianjoker]

buy my friends car. as much as i dont want him to sell it, i figured id try and help him out a bit.

the car is in good condition, and hasnt been abused, the engine just needs a little tlc.

http://forums.gtrcanada.com/f37/fs-89-gts-t-%243000-42680/

(picture was taken awhile ago, but you can see its a nice car.)
black gtst

[QuietChaos]

Wow, that price is unreal. Someone will snatch it up quickly. I'm not really looking for a project though, as small as it may be. If the engine turns out to need much more than a tune and tweak, I'm not sure if I could stomach it.

[derbeck]

how about a twin turbo toyota gt-4 all wheel drive small little bit of power and cheap on gas and insurance run around 6

[CelicaKidd_205]

how about a twin turbo toyota gt-4 all wheel drive small little bit of power and cheap on gas and insurance run around 6

Not twin turbo, it's twin ENTRY turbo. The ST185 are decent, though the ST205 is surprisingly faster than you'd think for a 4 cyl.

[GTR-guy]

An FB RX-7. Simple 12A carburated engine, reliable, fun to drive, great looking and cheap to buy! PERFECT!

[cyberspyder]

Buy a 4Runner, that's what I'm doing.

[mrcraka]

300zx's are like 20 mpg if you stay out of boost, but parts for Z's can be EXPENSIVE, but the vg is a amazing engine.

[QuietChaos]

I get the odd idea that "CelicaKidd" really knows his Celicas, lol.

What are everyone's thoughts on the MKIV Supra? N/A and TT. I'd also like to get more opinions on the Z32 300ZX if I could. Both of these cars look good, which is important for me. I have to look at it every day, after all - might as well enjoy it.

I haven't really thought about the RX-7 yet, at all. I'm not too familiar with rotaries. However, I have seen FBs for sale on Craigslist with Mustang 5.0 swaps, etc. I think I'd be more comfortable with that. The car is still lightweight enough (even with the 5.0) to be relatively good on gas. Something I will definitely consider.

I've got a friend who bought an FC a couple years ago and is only getting it on the road now. Regardless of how great the FD looks, it's not something I can live with right now.

@Mrcraka: I looked around on Craigslist last night and probably found a dozen or so dirt cheap 300ZXs, in N/A and TT. Very enticing. I always thought it was a good looking car. Even prices on the LHD models have gone way down. How reliable are the TT cars? What are the usual problems that come up? I'll definitely search around on some Z forums.


Thanks!

[QuietChaos]

I've always had an interest in the Porsche 928..I'm not really a "Porsche guy," but this is not a Porsche purist's first choice.

This looks great. Still looking into the cost of running and repairing the car. Probably not much of an improvement (if at all) over the Vette.

[CelicaKidd_205]

The 928 will not be cheap for maintenance. They are pretty solid if taken care of properly though. A MKIV Supra N/A is going to be underwhelming, and you are going to be embarrassed when people ask you if it's a TT. Compared to the 'Vette, a TT MKIV will be good on gas, but unless you want an automatic (again an embarrassing factor), the ones equipped with a 6spd are considerably more valuable.

BTW I've owned both a ST185 and now a ST205, so I guess I have to know my stuff :P

[MattRose]

I wouldn't say the NA supra is underwhelming by any means. He's looking for reliable and sleek looking, i'd say thats bang on. The car is drop dead gorgeous, and I got a good run for my money the other day against one when I was in my R33 Gts25t. Now before we all go saying how slow my car must be, thats not the case. The NA's have lots of grunt, and are very cheap on insurance compared to the TT. Now say down the road you want to go for more juice, swap in the 2JZ-GTE and you're laughing. Cheap on insurance and you now have the ideal Supra.

DO IT

BTW: I also second the ST205, my buddy had one last year and it was very sexy. It pulled really hard and felt very nice to drive. That would be my second choice over the Supra no doubt! Plus if you had to winter drive it, Krown the underside and you have an all season beast of a car!