The done school, have a job, want something fun and reliable, what car thread

You seem committed to FWD, which you may find frustrating in your driving career.

PaulY wrote: So a quick look for a gsr came up with a ton of salvage, super high mile, swapped and Frankenstein'd buckets. There are a few really nice and clean em1 2000 civic si's for a decent price. Does anyone have any good info on them?

Handle well, economy interior, decent gas mileage, tight trans, pretty gutless motor unless it's screaming for mercy.

I'm really not a fan of a B16 unless it's either boosted, or in a much lighter car than the EM1.

That said, somehow... the whole package "works." I wouldn't turn down a nice priced EM1.

ZOO wrote: You seem committed to FWD, which you may find frustrating in your driving career.

+1

Especially if you like to drive and work on your own car. Steering the drive wheels is for fork trucks and the packaging makes everything harder to get to.

I have nothing against rwd, I just want something bigger than a miata and I'm just not feeling the bmw right now and there arn't that many around me that fit the bill. Other than that I totally agree about the packaging and how it would be easier to work on.

I'm really liking the idea of a small economical screaming honda.

Right now I'm completely salivating over something you may find tasty but meets none of your requirements - an FD RX-7 with a LS1/T56 swap for under $15K:

I have always said to myself if I lived in Cali, I would buy a pre-emissions car (probably a slant six Dodge Dart or a first generation Toyota Celica)

I hate to generalize, but I'd stay away from Honda's in Cali, especially if you're in an urban-ish area. Too high profile for theft.

Miata, E36 M3, Porsche 944, Nissan 240sx (if you can find a clean manual one), Ford Focus SVT or 2.3L.

If you're really thinking FWD, or just want the newest sporty car you can get for the money, Focus isn't a bad way to go. Out in Cali we actually got the best motor to go in the Focus. I think it was in the like '03-'04 or '04-'05. They're cheap, not theft bate, and have lots of factory aftermarket support. There are even factory kits to set them up for rallycross.

I would keep the appliance you already own, and just add a Miata to the garage. You should not track you family DD.

For $9000 I can sell you my 944Spec race car and the '03 Chevy Astro I tow it with. I'd even deliver them for the cost of gas and a plane ticket back.

I owned an old EF civic Si. It had nice wheels, exhaust, and was lowered. Other than that it was completely pedestrian. I live in California, specifically in the bay area. Owning a Honda in California is great, getting pulled over once a month because the officer thinks you have non CARB legal components. Everyone under the age of 24 will challenge you to a stoplight drag. Oh and theft. My car was stolen twice before I finished it off. Owning a Honda with a B series is like the holy grail, everyone wants it. Seriously. I'm only 21 and I would honestly never consider owning a fun pre 2001 Honda again. As a street car, it's just not worth it. Always worried someone is going to steal it and having to be very careful because local law enforcement know the little Honda's street racing reputation makes it no fun.

I would also strongly consider keeping a toy as a toy. If you are going to bring anything to the track expect the worst to happen. You don't want to be the guy who commuted all the way from San Francisco to a Buttonwillow track day to test out his new BMW S1000RR and lose it at 120 and have to beg a friend to get him back home in time for work Monday.

That FD is sweet!

Unfortunately owning three cars is not in the bag right now and my wife will need the accord on a full time basis. Maybe track days are not the best idea with a daily driver but I don't see why I have to worry about a dual purpose autocross and DD. I accept the risks involved and would take the chance compared to the alternative of not racing.

Thanks for the CA specific Honda issues. I'm not saying I'm immune but it should help that the car will be garage kept and my work parking lot is quite safe. To be honest the ep3 appeals to me more because of its lower profile and reduced thefts but most of them seem just outside of my price range. I have found a few seemingly decent em1 si's for around the 5 grand mark.

Surprised this hasn't been mentioned yet, but what about a last gen Celica GT. At least around here they sell for that, and in my opinion, are far better driving than the Civic option. I have a Honda so don't want to bust on them too bad, but on track, a Celica is a delight to drive even if it is FWD. Gentle lift throttle oversteer when you need it, not much torque steer, and huge grip. As a bonus it gets great mpg too and is still competitive at local level autocrosses.

nderwater wrote: Right now I'm completely salivating over something you may find tasty but meets none of your requirements - an FD RX-7 with a LS1/T56 swap for under $15K:

I did not need to see that. What a pretty car. Now with a badass drivetrain.

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv/cto/2667540526.html

The motor was professionally swapped, chassis millage is unknown, unmodified except for the cheap coilovers.

Thoughts?

What about a mustang?

PaulY wrote: http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv/cto/2667540526.html The motor was professionally swapped, chassis millage is unknown, unmodified except for the cheap coilovers. Thoughts?

$6k is too much for a car that needs paint work up front (possible accident damage) and has 'unknown' mileage.

I think for a price it could be worth it.

I'm also looking at these, http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac/cto/2645180915.html - not sure about all the mods http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac/cto/2662037242.html - he sent me some pics, it looks really clean, 136k miles

My friend's ITR clone. He would like to sell it since he doesn't use it but can't stand the thought of someone not taking care of it. It is always garaged. It's every part from a real ITR that was rear ended badly, B18C5 , close ratio LSD, suspension, 5 bolt hubs, even a jdm rear bumper with the single fog light, brand new beautiful yellow paint.I would buy it but my commute is too long plus I have my Crx & getting a 911 project. This would fill the short commuter and racer since that's what the ITR was for. It's in Virginia. Text if interested 540-219-3959

PaulY wrote: I think for a price it could be worth it. I'm also looking at these, http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac/cto/2645180915.html - not sure about all the mods http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac/cto/2662037242.html - he sent me some pics, it looks really clean, 136k miles

The first one he makes a special point of saying that it is a clean title and has never been in a crash, right from the start. So he's really thinking a lot about that, probably because it has been.

Maybe one (or even both) is legit, but I wouldn't buy either without a very close pre-purchase inspection.

Text sent. Thanks for the input

Went and saw a "low mile" one on the weekend at a skeezy dealer only to find it not as in the pictures with mounds of plastic and glue on the dash from some failed gps mount and suction cups bonded to the cluster which was hard to see through whatever product ate the plastic window. Oh and the gear leaver was mostly disolved. All in 85k miles...

Going to look at this today, 85k miles, regularly serviced, owned for 5 years, completely stock and owned by a family guy who just picked up a mini-van.

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv/cto/2675250770.html

Thoughts?

I know you have been beat over the head with the miata stick already. But one of my car regrets was not getting one earlier.

you see...
When I graduated engineering school I was already, a parent. my daughter was about 5 years old and my wife was dead set on having two 4 seat cars. I really wanted to replace my beat to death subaru with a miata but I ceded the fight to my wife and got a sporty sedan instead.
Fast forward a few years and I am able to afford a miata. Which I drive all the time, my other car almost never gets driven and as a result we are planning on selling it. I could have saved a lot of money and been happier if I had just gotten the miata up front.

So I have said my piece, that is the last whack with the miata stick I will impart upon you.

As far as some other options:

944 --> not a very good 4 seater. My dad had one when I was growing up at the age of 12. I had to ride in the back with my butt in one seat and my legs in the other. It sucked.

Focus--> My wife has a zx3 hatch back I love the car. Its a lot of fun. I swapped in the SVT suspension kit when her shocks needed replacement, and it is the perfect DD for windy mountain roads.

If you can deal with a 2 seater, the AW-11 MR2 is a lot of fun and it has a surprising amount of storage space.

How serious are you about Autocrossing / Track? Could you be content racing around in something that is likely uncompetitive. If you AutoX with the SCCA there are only a few cars in each class that are really in the hunt. If that is going to be a factor for you you should consider it.

Capt Slow wrote: So I have said my piece, that is the last whack with the miata stick I will impart upon you.

Get a miata!

On a serious note, I got my 2002 one owner 96k miles WRX for a grand under the price of that civic, and I haven't driven an civic but I feel like the WRX is a whole lot more car, PLENTY of performance parts out there and they are on tracks and autox courses everywhere. Plus the 4 doors means lots of room, and even more if you get a wagon, which is what I'm rocking.

Sorry to disappoint the miata faithful but I picked up that silver '03 Si last night and I love it!

Thanks again for all of the advice.

cyclecam90 wrote: I owned an old EF civic Si. It had nice wheels, exhaust, and was lowered. Other than that it was completely pedestrian. I live in California, specifically in the bay area. Owning a Honda in California is great, getting pulled over once a month because the officer thinks you have non CARB legal components. Everyone under the age of 24 will challenge you to a stoplight drag. Oh and theft. My car was stolen twice before I finished it off. Owning a Honda with a B series is like the holy grail, everyone wants it. Seriously. I'm only 21 and I would honestly never consider owning a fun pre 2001 Honda again. As a street car, it's just not worth it. Always worried someone is going to steal it and having to be very careful because local law enforcement know the little Honda's street racing reputation makes it no fun. I would also strongly consider keeping a toy as a toy. If you are going to bring anything to the track expect the worst to happen. You don't want to be the guy who commuted all the way from San Francisco to a Buttonwillow track day to test out his new BMW S1000RR and lose it at 120 and have to beg a friend to get him back home in time for work Monday.

wow...very interesting. I live on east coast (sticks) and nobody ever gives a Honda or Acura (any Honda or Acura) a second glance. Police included. Young tattoed dudes sometimes eyeball them but usually don't have the smarts or tools to actually steal them unless you leave the window down, the key in the ignition, and it happens to be an automatic.

Another here for the Civic.