Looking for new car, opinions?

[infinityswoled]

Well I have a bit of a dillema on my hands. I currently drive an 01 Mustang V6 auto (yah, it's boring as hell). I live in NY, so we get pretty nasty winters. The Mustang is a death trap, and my winter vehicle is about to shit the bed. So I'm selling the Mustang to my brother and looking for a year round vehicle.

I was sold on an 04 Evo, but the more I think about it, the more I don't want to drop $30k on a car, which will just depreciate to no end. On top of that I'll be in college this fall, and I don't want a $30k car sitting in a college parking lot all day, or outside a party on someone's lawn, or on the street. I don't want to be owned by my car. Constantly worrying if it's okay, or if it's going to get keyed, stolen, etc. After college I'll spring for the nice new car.

I have this nasty little part of me that wants an Integra. I know it's not far behind the Civic in the rice category. When I hear "Teg" I think rice. But I've been looking at some nice Type-Rs, for around 17-20k, and they do appeal to me. Acura reliablity, nice looks, 195HP, great handling, and endless mod potential. They are FWD, so they should be much better in the snow than my 'Stang, especially if I get some studded snow tires.

My second option is a 97-99 GSX. AWD is very nice, and it's turbo, which is really fun, haven't had a turbo car but I like the sound. Looks good (maybe a bit better than a Type-R) and has a 4G63, bulletproof engine. The only thing I question is Mitsu reliability and reliability of a modded car. Alot of the GSX I see are modded, and pretty rare. Most are atleast 500 miles from me. Integras are more common around here so it seems.

I guess I'm looking for some testimonial from owners, maybe people who have owned both? I want a fun car, deffinetely 5-spd, that I can baby, but not have to say " get away from my car don't touch it", and constantly worry about. I know the Type-Rs are very popular and probably a target for theft. But the car scene isn't huge here, nor is car theft. Plus the mere virtue that they cost a whole lot less than a Evo makes me feel better.

I will be honest. Leaning towards a Type-R. Let me know what you guys think.

 

[paranoidTSi]

I'll explain to you why I would take a GSX over a Type-R:
1- GSX looks better, and you are much LESS likely to be viewed as a "ricer" in a GSX than a Type-R. This is with accordance to the scene over here, I don't know about over there.

2- Ive taken a Type-R with exhaust with a bad clutch, bad enough to where I couldn't launch my car at all with out the RPMs shifting all over the place.

3- The 4G63 Motor can hold about 350 to 400 HP on STOCK internals without a problem, you CANT do this to a Type-R motor.

4- There are MANY upgrade paths on a GSX..probably more so than a Type-R.

5- There are plenty of VISUAL upgrades for a GSX.

6- You are more likely to find a GSX for cheaper than a Type R.

7- You'll have AWD, a absolute HUGE advantage in racing, snow, and other slippery terrians.


Now, the only problem is finding a GSX that hasn't been beat to death. This is WHERE the reliability factor comes in to play, a GSX can be reliable if you can find a good one.

Crankwalk is also another issue on the 2G DSM, the cause is unknown but you would be risking having to get a new head if you were to suffer from it. I personally have not gotten it on my 95 and I am approaching 110K miles now. Its just a risk with getting the car. Miatas are also known for this.


Bottomline, I think you'd be happier with a GSX as it would be cheaper, more upgrade paths, and looks nicer than a Type-R.

 

[TurBoGs-T]

I'm bias to the 97-99 GSX.........

 

[infinityswoled]

I am with you on the engine being bulletproof. I did a ton of research over on Evom.net about Evos, same engine. I don't know, I don't think either car is stunning. But I think the Type-R looks more mature and it has a good heritage. Plus the Acura/Honda reliability is good. Such hard decisions. If I could find a really clean, GSX, '99, in black, leather taking care of very well, that would be one thing. I'm just not seeing that on Autotrader.

 

[JoJoTSI]

Id go with a TypeR.
my opinion.

 

[infinityswoled]

I think I want an AWD Type-R hah.

 

[n0va91TSI]

wow I cant believe ppl are even considering an R-Type over any turbo DSM. go get your r-type and all the dsms can watch you in our rear views.

NA FWD vs Turbo AWD

what a joke
:laugh:

 

[n0va91TSI]

are you talkin about the integra or RSX

here are the quarter mile times of....

stock 95 talon = 14.90 s @ 91.3 mph
stock 01 Integra type R = 15.24 s @ 93.74 mph
stock 02 RSX type R = 14.92 s @ 96.51 mph


stats courtesy of car-videos.com

 

[blcknspo0ln]

wow never saw an RSX type R here in the states :laugh: i think you mean type S

 

[talon1979]

The faster you make either car, the less reliable it will be and the quicker it will wear out. If you are going to modify the car then the Eclipse has a much better bang for the buck as well as just about any part you would like to get for a car. I live in UT and I can go up hills in my AWD that I see 4wd trucks get stuck on. The AWD dsm's are little snow plows. It has been my experience that the people in the DSM racing community are much more helpful and friendly in general than the people w/ Honda's. DSM's also have an extremely solid upgrade path that works exceptionally well. If you want speed and you are not rich the DSM IMO is the only way to go.