Cars

[Miike 1]

Well i'm finally looking around for my first car. I've been looking on Ebay and the AutoTrader site, and finding some good deals here and there, especially on ebay. I'm making a topic because i want a few opinions on what cars to look at. I don't really want to spend more than $8-$10g's for the car, even though i'd be adding to it. What would i add to it? Sound system (subs, amps, deck, speakers) need ideas for a reasonable but powerful system. Rims, a nice looking rim. A "simple" body kit, and possibly lambo doors (i have a little thing for them). What kind of cars do you think would be good to look at to do this stuff to, and any opinions on audio/video, body etc... All would be appreciated.

[Vapor 0]

DONT DO LAMBO DOORS. They look trashy on any car but a lambo.

[Miike 1]

I sort of thought they look better on some other cars besides Lambo's.

[Vapor 0]

please give me an example.

[Miike 1]

In my eyes example would be pointless. Because i may think it looks good, but you would most likely think it looks totally whack.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Nissan-350Z...1QQcmdZViewItem

[Vapor 0]

I just think it dosent look right. Especially on a car that is going to be under 10k dollars, and PLEASE do not put them on a sedan... wow

[Chadd 916]

I just think it dosent look right. Especially on a car that is going to be under 10k dollars, and PLEASE do not put them on a sedan... wow

I'm getting scared that I'm with Vapor again. Maybe it's just because I'm getting old but I just don't get putting a lot of money into a cheap car that you're probably never going to get back.

[Vapor 0]

spend as much money as you can on the car and save the rest for servicing the car. A body kit will not make the car look cooler, it really isnt original at all anymore. Maybe upgrading the audio system is a good idea, but please no leds or stickers or kits or fart cannons, you arent going to shave 3 seconds off your 1/4 mile because of that 7" exaust

[Miike 1]

Lambo doors could be going to far, and starting to think it is. Like i stated to my parents i don't want a show car like you see on 2fast2furious etc.. I just want something that looks good/sporty, with a nice sound system.

I'm not interested in doing the whole car like neons, stickers, engine. I just want a sporty car, with a nice audio/video system in it

[Vapor 0]

Get a Twin turbo Nissina 300ZX, they made some pretty good power and are still nice cars.

autotrader

[Miike 1]

That Nissan, 300hp. Damn.

[Miike 1]

Also looking at some older BMWs. Seem to be able to get some good deals on them if you look around.

[Vapor 0]

dont do it... parts and labor can be pricey. Stick with a jap car... get the z, quick car for its day.

[Miike 1]

My uncle drives a 350z. May be able to get that from him when he's done with it.

[LegoDoom 0]

This doesn't have Lambo (scissor) doors, but has butterfly doors.

http://www.supercars.net/PicFetch?pic=1987..._gullwing-2.jpg

[pantherfan 0]

No its all about suicide doors now!

http://media.urbandictionary.com/image/lar...doors-11268.jpg

[hockeysew 0]

Apply the K.I.S.S. theory on this one-Keep it Simple Stupid

This is your first car correct?

Then face the reality that it will be a learning tool and is going to get dinged if not wrecked at some point in time.

Why dump a bunch of $ on things that wont really affect the way it drives-if you are going to put things on it make sure that they are items that if -God forbid- you wreck it, you can transfer it to another car.....Keep your reciepts in case of wrecking it or theft

Remember also the hotter the car looks and runs, the more likely a target of theft.

Stay away from Turbo's or Supercharged rides for now-They can be hard on an engine and drivetrain and if you get something with higher miles you can be getting into Pandoras box when it comes to upkeep-not to mention insurance cost and the tickets you will get cause "you have to hear the turbo kick in!!"

Stay away from the European vehicles as while they are very good vehicles, they can be quite expensive in the parts department-Saab alternator=$350

The Riceburners are generally well made yet reasonable-Toyota alternator=$90

My oldest son went through the same dilema as you and luckily his common sense prevailed, he picked up a very clean non-turbo Supra for waaay cheap and has been gradually fixing it up as time and money can afford. He is focusing on making it as mechanically sound as he can first, and then tweak things as he moves along.

Remember that this is your daily transportation first and foremost and you NEED it to be reliable.

Gull Wing or Scissor doors on anything but a Lambo-Pantera-Ferrari etc is like screwing your sister-it might feel good but you know its not right and do you really want somebody that you know to see you doing it??

[hip check 0]

Excellent advice. I'm with hockeysew on this one.

If you do want to tweak and tune your car, go for better handling (and not just slamming the car, that doens't help!) and braking. You might as well do something that will actually be good for your safety as well as more performance. Anything can get to 80 mph these days, but not everything rides, turns and stops well.

[Cheesehead 0]

get a Toyota Supra

[hamstercaster 2]

Looking cool in your car shouldn't be your number 1 priority, not even number 2.. or 3 or whatever for that matter. You should look in a car that will be reliable, cheap on gas as gas prices will only keep going up, cheap to upkeep (repairs etc.) and something practical. But I think that way possibly because I'm 35 and consider cars to be a luxury/necessity nowadays and would rather get a decent ride at a decent price that will be practical and reliable then looking all cool and being able to do 0-100 KM/H (0-60 MPH) in 5 seconds. Adding car kits and such is a waste of valuable cash IMO. A good sound system is worth it as long as you're not going to piss everybody off with the bass coming from the music you'll be listening too... common sense would be to at least turn your music down when entering your neighborhood as not to piss your neighbors off.. or your parents for that matter ;-)

I'd be looking into Mazda 3, Corolla, Honda Civic, Toyota Matrix, Nissan Sentra/Altima but keep in mind that Japanese cars are expensive to upkeep an repair. You should also look at the Hyundai Elantra/Sonata models. Hyundai has become quite reliable and are fairly cheep to upkeep.. granted they may not look as cool as a Supra or any sports car for that matter.

It all comes down to a personal choice though but I think that if you'd go with a Masda 3 you'd get a reliable/practical car that also looks cool IMO.... Same can be said about the Toyota Matrix for that matter

[Thockey17 1]

but keep in mind that Japanese cars are expensive to upkeep an repair.

Are you kidding me? Japanese care are super reliable and the parts are easily the cheapest in the auto world.

[Cheesehead 0]

A good sound system is worth it as long as you're not going to piss everybody off with the bass coming from the music you'll be listening too... common sense would be to at least turn your music down when entering your neighborhood as not to piss your neighbors off.. or your parents for that matter ;-)

keep in mind that Japanese cars are expensive to upkeep an repair.

It all comes down to a personal choice though but I think that if you'd go with a Masda 3 you'd get a reliable/practical car that also looks cool IMO.... Same can be said about the Toyota Matrix for that matter

1. dont forget about noise complaints with your pumpin sound system(involoves cops)

2. Japanese cars very cheap parts

3.Toyota Matrix are one of the ugliest cars on the market imho.

[TBLfan 25]

but keep in mind that Japanese cars are expensive to upkeep an repair.

Are you kidding me? Japanese care are super reliable and the parts are easily the cheapest in the auto world.

until you start putting aftermarket performance parts into it. DO NOT buy any DSM if you're going to upgrade the engine, it will be in the shop more than it will be on the road. Everyone and their mother has a civic, so you can find those cheap. They are reliable and there's a HUGE aftermarket and it's easy to find OEM parts, perfect for a first car. Not to mention an inline 4 will get good gas mileage.

[Thockey17 1]

until you start putting aftermarket performance parts into it. DO NOT buy any DSM if you're going to upgrade the engine, it will be in the shop more than it will be on the road. Everyone and their mother has a civic, so you can find those cheap. They are reliable and there's a HUGE aftermarket and it's easy to find OEM parts, perfect for a first car. Not to mention an inline 4 will get good gas mileage.

Agreed. DSM and the Rotary Mazda's do not take a liking to mods. Sure they can easily make big power, but you wont be able to use it

[Vapor 0]

Just a little aside... I love how mazda says rotary is the engine of the future :). Sure you can make 300 hp out of a N/A 1.5L engine... but what is that at 9 million RPMS? Damn Mazda. How bout some low end tourque?