An AWD DSM (1g probably) as a daily car: worth it?

[DinK]

Hey guys, I'm just wondering that if you all had a second chance, if you'd do it again.

My current car is an '89 5-speed mazda with 110hp and 3750lbs under it's small body. Needless to say, when I switch up to something new, it'll be quite the improvement. (I have lots of fun with it now though)

There are lots of options though. My next car must be a manual, and I would really really like to get some AWD. I'm pretty flexible on price, though sometimes you get what you paid for.

That's why I'm wondering how guys with stock or lightly modded dsm's think they do as daily drivers that perform when needed. I'd probably get like a 93-94 GSX (for ABS and LSD) and be willing to dump some money into mods similar to this page's stage 1. (set at like 14psi with a full intake/exhaust, unless I feel like messing with the fuel system) I wouldn't run it hard very often, and it would probably never see harsh track-like conditions, though I'll probably get addicted to boost at least a little.

I'd also be getting a car in good shape rather than a fix-er-upper, and would have a mechanic check stuff like compression, crank play, boost leaks, turbo bearings, and other normal car stuff. If I buy any time soon I'd probably have to finance through a dealer or something, so spending like 6K on the car to start with wouldn't be a huge deal. (Edmunds right now says 5,900 dealer retail for a '94)


All of this, now, is in opposition to just laying down the money, taking on some debt, and getting something newer. I would absolutely love to get a 2004 WRX for example. It's a real total package, especially with the nice body redesign. In this case I'd have a more modern car, probably more comfort, better safety features, no wear on anything, and everything guaranteed to work for a few years at least. Most important, I'd have a vehicle that only I had ever driven, that I could take care of, and make last 10+ years for the few years of payments that I put into it. I would probably also NOT modify a new car like this in any way, at least for a few years, and maybe never if I liked how it performed stock. (anybody know if intake, exhaust, and boost controllers void a warranty? )

I've been researching cars of all types for months now, and I'm always bouncing back and forth on what would be best. If it's not some AWD turbo, it's a corvette for the V8, or an accord for the resposible side of me, or a little roadster for handling, or something else random.

I guess a lot of it might depend on what cars I can find for sale, too.

 

[TurBoGs-T]

Sounds like you have a little bit of money to play with. Plain and simple IMO "if i were you" I would be on the market for a Blk or Coal 99GSX

 

[DinK]

I'd definitely be open to a '99 GSX. I've been concentrating on 1gs just for the performance bargain, and even though it's rarer in the latest 2g years, that dirty CW-word scares the hell out of me.

I think they definitely got the looks, and don't they have better handling too?

do 99 GSXs have LSDs center and rear? How many came with ABS?

 

[DaveDSM]

I love my 1G awd..2nd one I've owned in the past 5 years as my daily

 

[candela]

Well I personally HATE debt and think to many people take it on to easily. most end up becoming slaves...but thats beside the point. I chose my 1G for the same reason most do...performance at a cheap preice. At the stage 1 level these cars can, with proper maintenace, be perfectly reliable. Fun, fast, handle well in all situations and cheaper on insurance (did I mention no payment like wrx)....

At the full stage one level a 1G should be quite fast and be very reliable. Just keep in mind most will need at leist 1k in tune up to get them to reliable/healthy state, but after that its all fun!!

 

[Defiant]

I've been in daily driver DSMs for four years, and a 200SX Turbo for three years before that. They've been very reliable, still not stranded. I don't beat on them, race them, nor drag, but I don't slow down much, either. Only problems I've had is that the nubby parts on the tires keep getting smoothed off....

 

[DinK]

candela: what exactly would need 1K put into it to make it healthy and reliable? This is the kind of thing that would interest me most. (love that talon btw)

I do all my own car work anyway, so right after getting one I'd probably track down all the info I could find and fix everything up.

 

[candela]

Well Im pretty anal, so I like to replace all kinds of things. If my plans were to keep the motor and turbo stock then youd prolly need a few things. I replaced bushings, bolts, every fluid, plugs, wires, all filters, fuel pump, all hoses, all sensors a few other things and this adds up.

If you only want stage 1 you may need a replacement/rebuilt turbo as most 14b's die of old age and a new owner doesnt ever know it
Maybe a refreshed head and a timing belt, tensioner/belt, all teh rest of the belts...etc

I just figure that for your case, unless the car is really immaculate, that roughyl 1k in extra work may need done. These are pretty old cars if you think about it

 

[MrPikolo]

Yeah, I need to do a large tuneup to my car.

A dsm as a daily driver is not a problem at all. They don't get really bad gas mileage(expecialy the 1.8s), fun to drive, save for weather conditions(big reason for an awd), and they can be really reliable. I recomend a first gen, because they are cheaper and don't look like such cop magnets

 

[DinK]

candela: thanks for the insight there. If I pick a car up in the next couple months, I'll have to compile a good list of little things like that I might overlook. Hopefully most of it can be done yourself without heavy or specialized equipment.

mrpikolo: My sister actually has a '93 1.8L laser. I haven't gotten to take it out on the road, but it seems that little engine has to get a-revvin to do anything. The interior is tight, but it has a cool cockpit feel, and the shifter is in a really nice place. (hers is an automatic though)

I also agree about not attracting attention like the look of the 2gs will do. I dislike attention so much, that I'm not sure what I'll do about the cat-back part of the exhaust, just because I don't want a big tip or muffler hanging down. I'm not really researching them at the moment, though.

 

[LaserBrndU]

hah. I have pikolos old 1.8 laser. if you think that is good you will love the turbo!!! It amazed me and pikolo the first time we gunned it it has good acceleration. never ridden in the all wheel drive model though

 

[MrPikolo]

I don't think the cat back will make it that much louder. If you are worried about it, get a high performance muffler and a resenator for the cat, wouldn't that help it be more quite?

 

[DinK]

Heh, well if you look at the specs on my current car above, a gsx stock will probably blow my mind. I can already drive much more faster than is comfortable in my current car, and I don't even rev past 4000 much since the thing has 210K mikes and I think my compression isn't too hot. (you'd be surprised how changing driving style can change oil comsumption!)

That's part of the reason I'm only planning stage 1 mods. While I love big numbers, I know I'll never need 400hp, nor would I be able to use it much. I'd be willing to kick it up a notch with the standard airflow and boost controller type mods, but that's already more than I require.

It's kinda similar to how I was talking about getting a WRX and just not touching it. I wouldn't want to on a brand new car anyway. I'm still not totally sure whether newer or older is the best way for me though. I can get a great condition car for 4-6K and have fun, or I can buy a new car, drive it for TEN YEARS, and only then will it be at the same age & mileage of a 1g DSM bought now. (not to mention more modern, safe, and so on)

For what it's worth though, I saw a regular GS 1g in town today, and it made me want one more. Decisions decisions.

 

[allwheelTSI]

an AWD DSM in good mechanical condition is probably the best daily driver you could own,in my opinion.

 

[Boosted 1.8]

just a couple suggestions, #1, I used to work for a subaru dealer, the WRX is a piece of garbage, I would rather have some ratty as hell piece of sh!t gsx ANYDAY over a WRX. They are slow, unreliable, they are in the shop for new transmissions EVERYWEEK. They are useless. Now that we're past that.

I dont see why your concerned with lsd, a dsm is AWD. you need Major power to haev a traction issue. And you dont plan on doing that. PLus the only thing I would keep in mind is that ABS on a Dsm is rare...so dont get your hopes up. And do me a favor, if you going to buy a DSM, 1G, dont go over 3 grand, cause that obsurd. These cars are over 10 yers old, most with 100,000+ miles on them. I dont care if they run 10's, their not worth 6 grand.

So good luck, dont let the subby dealer steer you the wrong way...if you want a NEW car...Get an Evolution VIII.

 

[LaserBrndU]

Originally posted by Boosted 1.8
just a couple suggestions, #1, I used to work for a subaru dealer, the WRX is a piece of garbage, I would rather have some ratty as hell piece of sh!t gsx ANYDAY over a WRX. They are slow, unreliable, they are in the shop for new transmissions EVERYWEEK. They are useless.

WHAT???? I have heard everything but that. A kid at school that I talk to about cars works at a Subaru dealer and he said that the only reason he's seen WRXs in for work was a new head gasket because the original ones were basically made of paper. For not being fast they sure do beat the GSX pretty good. The 2004 WRX does something like 12.7. Thats about as fast as a GSX with 3/4 of the stage 1 modifications done to it.

 

[Shalaby]

In my opionion I dont want to drive any other car other then my DSM. Thats how much owners of DSM's love their cars. Also I think WRX are ugly and slow and I have never been beaten by one. BTW, i was going to by a new car a couple months ago and i looked around everywhere and their is no car out their I would like as much as mine. BUY a DSM and I garentee you, you wont regret it. DId i forget to mention that women will be all over you if you buy a 2g and make it look nice. Especially if you had money to through into it.

 

[DinK]

Boosted 1.8: I've heard people say the WRX transmissions are fragile, but that's what you get dumping the clutch in an AWD car because you think it's a drag racer. I've read magazine tests where WRXs were one of the only cars not to break anything during their torturous track tests. But still I can believe you about them needing service a lot, if you worked there.

Furthermore, about the LSD, it's obviously not a dry pavement driving or drag racing kind of concern. It's an advantage in low-traction situations. What if I put some wide low profile tires on it, and then get stuck driving home in snow or up a muddy road? It's helpful, if I can get it. As I understand it, LSDs were just more common on the later year 1gs than the early ones.

As for ABS, it's not a total requirement, but if I can get it then I'd want it. I've had to do a few emergency stops in my current car which is heavy and has narrow tires, so I'd probably have a much shorter starting distance to begin with in a DSM. All my research has indicated that '93 and '94 GSXs have ABS standard, and it's an option on everything else, except maybe a '99. (note that by GSXs I just mean eclipses, as talons and lasers didn't have them standard)

I'd also love to spend just 3 grand and get a great condition car, but we'll see. A '93 or '94 in top shape with much less than 100K on it would be very much worth a couple grand more.

I agree about the EVO 8, it's nice, even if it looks a little goofy in the front. I'm not letting dealers talk me into anything. I don't even deal with them till I know what I want.


LaserBrndU: I like hearing you supporting the subarus, but saying that a WRX runs a 12.7 kinda kills your credibility. They run in the 14's man. If you meant the new STi model, that's more understandable, but I thought they were supposed to be like a low 13. Not sure though.


Thanks for the other input guys. It's nice to know that people really appreciate their cars once they get them to their liking. That's kinda how I am with my current one, just because it's mine, I know how it works, and it does me good. (pay no attention to the fact that I have the belt off the AC and power steering, heh)

And Shalaby my g/f will just have to fit in the passenger seat of whatever I settle on. Will probably be fiance though before I pick up a new car.

 

[LaserBrndU]

I do like the WRXs but my Laser will be good enough for me. I tend to have a strange taste in cars, almost like Misundaztood, wellll not that bad.

 

[DinK]

I think it'd be cool to get a laser. I really like the body style of my sister's '93.

I'm thinking more and more a 1g dsm (awd of course) is the way to go. Maybe I can start shopping soon!