I picked a 2000 Acura Integra GSR about 5 months ago. NOT reading and reviews. Just liked the testdrive.(full power package, leather, VTEC, 180(?)hp @ 7900rpm)
after reading a lot of mags, should I have bot either:
Honda Prelude SH (200 hp, same price, no leather)
Mitsubishi Exclipse… not available in Canada (coulda gone south to buy though)
Subaru Impresa 2.5 RS (kick ass, but pretty ugly)
Toyota Celica. (looks wierd, but new. underpowered though)
I have a walk away lease. Should I try something else? I just sold my 1999 VW GTI? (so VW not being considered)
thanks!!
The Impreza sold in America is completely wussed out. It has a basic 2.5l HO4 and only puts out like 165HP. The rumor is that they are going to bring a turbo charged Impreza for the 2002 model year. Its probably not going to be as bad as the 22B but it may be like the WRX, One rumor is a turbo v6 at about 220-230HP, for about 25k, and that is something ill sit on a waiting list for…
This is a pretty nice car for the money. I was considering buying one-but I am really scared of Korean cars in general-they generally have lousy resale value, and nobody i know has ever kept one longer than 3-4 years. The concensus seems to be that they fall apart after 4 years-can anyone comment on this?
too gimmicky
tiburon = shark (korean)
car is built to look like a shark. too plasticky.
however, I think the next generation Tiburons are going to be worth a look. they’ve got to trim back on the frame a bit.
i think if mazda or some other maker made the tiburon, it’d super sell. hyundai still has a bit to go. sigh, stop aiming for the discount market Hyundai!!
UNDER POWERED!!!
If you don’t want to spring for a Prelude, go for a Honda Civic SiR
Something along the lines of a VW GTI VR6. Performance, handling, class - and it does not look like a flying door wedge a la Honda/Acura/Toyota…
The 3 series BMW is a good bet as well. A 330Ci would suit your coupe desires nicely. Need I mention the M3?!
The A4 series Audi is excellent as well. With the All wheel drivetrain, you are almost unbeatable in wet and snow. For an extra few thousand you could move up to an S4 which would give you 265bhp.
… and you don’t have to redline these cars to get the juice (unlike the hondas where the engines have to scream in order to get into the power band).
Have you given any thought to some of the better received american cars?
The Ford Focus comes to mind. It’s no hotrod but it’s kind of funky looking (after you get over the initial ugly shock) and it comes nicely equiped for a good price.
You know, if you did have the cash, you could have an Integra Type R with left hand drive shipped from Japan. That would pretty much kick the crap out of any of the other cars you mentioned.
I didn’t know they pussified the Impreza for the US market. Here in Europe, the standard version produces 238 BHP and does 0-60 in about 5 seconds - no car in that price range beats it!
The Honda Integra Type R is available as a RHD in the Netherlands, FWIW.
I disagree on the VW Golf VR6. The last true boy racer Golf was the Mk. II. The IV is a terrible car when it comes to cornering, even the GTI is disappointing. The VR6 may very well be the worst engine choice: it’s great off the line, but if you like to throw it around a bit, you’ll find that the V6 engine makes the front end way too heavy: mass understeer!
I’d suggest a Peugeot 306 GTI, but Peugeot doesn’t export to the US anymore. The Ford Focus has great handling. I think it’s ugly, but I guess it’s a love it or hate it kind of car.
Coldfire: What do you euro peoples mean when you name a car a “Mk II or Mk III” or whatever. I know it means Mark, but what does it signify?
Is it like a “gen” here in American? Like 1984-1987 was the 1st gen Cav, 1988-1991 was the 2nd gen Cav, 1992-1994 was the 3rd gen, 1995-? is the 4th gen?
I’m getting a 1992 Toyota Celica in about a month. My dad’s driven it and says it drives much like our Volvo C70 convertible, in terms of acceleration. Why do you think it’s underpowered?
I should add that the latest issue (August 2000) of Consumer Reports recommends the Honda S2000, Toyota MR2 Spyder, and Toyota Celica. They also reviewed the Mitsubishi Eclipse, but said it had a cramped interior, lack of sporty feel, and handled like a midsized sedan rather than a sports car.
(coulda gone south to buy though)