Need Car decision help!!

[xRichieRich07x]

ok so heres the deal...i have a 1990 Mitsubishi Eclipse GS 2.0 N/T....ive had a problem with it almost every month that I've had it....not to mention the paint job on it is garbage! But now, my tranny needs replaced and I dont know if I feel like putting the money into another tranny for this car because its not worth it. It has 132,000 miles on it, and has a few other problems with it still besides the tranny. It's really not fast enough for me. The problem is my job is very sloow during the school year because I'm in highschool and its a catering service, so I wont even start making any half decent money until June. So what should I do?...I wont have nearly enough money saved till the end of the summer to get a decent car, and by then my tranny will be long gone. I could get another 1-2000 dollar car but then thats like starting from scratch again and Im a newb to working on cars so I cant do much. I'd appreciate it if you guys left me your opinion. Thanks.

 

[Snobordin8]

It seems like money is the issue, I'd say look for a new job that could keep you busy more often, unless you really like your job. I modded a 96 GSX through high school with my own money, paying insurance, car payments, and everything I did aftermarket, and that was with the lovely pay from K-Mart .

 

[DSM_TSI_95]

I would save your money and be really gentle and smooth with your car. Try to prolong your tranny for as long as possible and then once you have enough money and you want a faster car get a turbo version. These cars take alot of time and patience (i cant spell this word today for some reason) though. Since money is an issue with this as most things are save all you can while you can.

 

[xRichieRich07x]

It seems like money is the issue, I'd say look for a new job that could keep you busy more often, unless you really like your job. I modded a 96 GSX through high school with my own money, paying insurance, car payments, and everything I did aftermarket, and that was with the lovely pay from K-Mart .

wow kmart pay haha..yeah this job sucks during the school year...but during the summer I get payed pretty well and I've been working there for 2 years now so its kinda tough for me to just quit when the summer is coming up soon..but yeah next years my senior year...defineatly not working there next school year ha

 

[erebusknight]

stick with the ### cars if money is the deal. I have a German piece in the fleet and I love/hate it. Its been good, until it needs work done to it, plus initial price of the German cars anyway...N/A's get good mileage on a plus (I've tried to go easy in the GSX but every light hits a little go fast switch inside me)
try Autotrader, EBay, Carmax, etc.....I have faith that find what you want eventually
Good luck!

 

[GTM]

...
It's really not fast enough for me.
...
I could get another 1-2000 dollar car but then thats like starting from scratch again and Im a newb to working on cars so I cant do much. I'd appreciate it if you guys left me your opinion. Thanks.

It looks like you are buying into the idea that fast is better. "Ain't" nothing like peer pressure to get that notion planted in your brain. There is little doubt that a 1G Talon Tsi will out perform most current production cars on the road for a _lot_ less money. Finding a 1 owner car will be next to impossible so you are left with finding something which has not had a long history of various owners. People will buy these because of age and low resale value OR they know they are a screamer. It's the latter which you want to stay away from for they will have been driven hard and abused thus the incidence of failing expensive parts goes up exponentially. They are a very high maintenance car and will eat you out of house and home if you don't have the skills or resources for cost effective parts. They will make you a slave to the car rather than the car a slave to you.

You think you have problems now, why would this change by a turbo which would be faster and from the above comment seems to be your bent. You want to stay away from any car that has been modded for that tells you that at least one of the owners was a speed merchant and thus the abuse factor. There goes the economy and reliability, you can't have it both ways.

Are you ready to have a second job that takes you away from school or socializing with friends. Do you think this is going to attract more girls when you tell them it goes 0-60 in y seconds. I was your age once and fortunately cars were a lot simpler and gas was 21¢ a gallon. I'm sure you will find others closer to your age who will have a different view but they are being less than candid with the reality.

If college is your goal it becomes even less practical though you will find many college and university students here but they may have a different economic base. I wouldn't consider driving across country in one without a trunk full of spare parts, the tools, and the knowledge how to fix it. There is an adult member here that lives in San Francisco area who has 4 DSMs, he no longer will drive any one of them more than 100 miles from home because of the high maintenance and unforseen breakdown. Tripple AAA may after the second road assistance call cancel your membership or at the very least exclude the car, does that tell you anything...

My son offered to give me his when he went off to college 2,400 miles away when he bought something with a lot more reliability, I'm old enough that a car has to be a slave to me. My 2¢ may not be what you want to hear but needed to be said.

Cheers,
GTM