Any big car lovers here?!

[Zack]

Hey
I am looking to get a new car and would like a eclispe. Curious if anyone has one or if people have any comments on them? Also looking for a good car forum if anyone belongs to some.

Thanks
Zack

[MikeS]

I love cars...but my tastes run towards American muscle and sports cars....my current "toy" is a '97 Pontiac Trans Am LT1... :D

Mike

[specsgirl]

Don't go with the eclipse...very unreliable as a whole. I have owned many import cars...actually go to the big national shows and compete...if you have any other questions, please let me know.

[Zack]

specsgirl,
Lets talk!! I really need help chosing a car and want to know your ideas. Looking for one under 15K that "looks good" Any ideas?

[chode]

im with mike i like american muscle. im only 16 and dont have a car yet cause most my money is in my tank but i really want a either a 1970 chevelle ss or a 93 mustang cobra. the american muscle cars have so much more power in my opinion

[fragged]

For transportation, I've got a Ranger.

However, my baby is a '66 Mustang Coupe that I'm restoring (on the 3rd year of the project). Nothing is better than teaching yourself all the ins and outs of cars than a ground-up resto!

Tony J.

[cich1]

is this big enough for you? my 79 Cadillac Sedan Deville
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v188/cich1/MVC-093S.jpg

[cich1]

heres my new compact, it used to be midsize
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v188/cich1/MVC-085S.jpg

[MikeS]

Zack....

what are you looking for? Performance? Reliability? Economy?

Since you are looking at eclipses, I'm assuming you are leaning towards performance...if that is the case then under $15K the best bang for your buck IMO are the Forth Gen F-Bodies (Camaro/Firebird). The performance is awesome, and there are plenty of them out there to select from under $15K.

The main drawback is insurance, they are a high performance/high risk vehicle and not cheap to insure...

Mike

[Zack]

I would prefer not to get an american if possible. I am looking for a miux of all that that really does "look good" I have beren saving up for quite sometime and would really like to get something newer.

[MikeS]

No American? Why, that's un-American... :lol:

I still say for pure performance, you can't beat the good 'ol American V8....but if that's not your style, that's ok... :roll:

The newer Subaru cars have some pretty impressive performance, the WRX is a quick little car...it's no LT1, but it scoots pretty good...Some of the used ones may be starting to approach $15K...

Mike

[MikeS]

Here's my LT1 T/A....

[Zack]

Whoo i like that Mike. What make and model is that?

[MikeS]

1997 Pontiac Trans Am...
5.7 litre LT1 V8, factory rated @ 285 HP & 325 lb/ft torque (GM under-rated the LT1... :wink: :D )

It's a fun car....lighting quick, fast, handles well....it even gets 27 mpg on the highway.... :D

Drawbacks are very expensive insurance, and can be spooky on wet roads, horrible on ice. Fortunately, it's not my daily driver...it only gets about 3000 miles put on it every year, weekends and fair weather driving only...

Also, IMO not a good choice for those new to sports cars to learn how to drive one in....it can be very unforgiving....

Mike

[nbaker]

I'll have one of these please. I'm always had a love for the 69 or 70 Boss 429 (nascar only engine) Mustangs. But seeing how there were only 1300 some odd Boss 429's ever built I doubt it would ever happen. These new Ford GT's are just awesome. and will knock the socks of most any foreign competitors. Any of you watch Top Gear or 5th Gear? On BBC? Nice ride mike.

[MikeS]

Thanks Nathan.....

Cars have been a hobby of mine for a long time, almost as long as saltwater... :D

I've had quite a few different old musclecars, but I love T/A's....the '97 is the fourth T/A I've owned...hopefully pretty soon I'll be adding my fifth to the list....looking for an LS1 Ram Air T/A.... :D

Mike

[nbaker]

Oh and the Subaru's WRX sti boast 300hp and all time 4 wheel drive as well. However, the best I've seen any wrx go for is about 17,000 it was a 97 and had 68,000 on it. Are you looking for economy? If so check the Honda Civics, or maybe the new mazda 6's. I'll tell this from resent buying experience: stay away from kia, and mitsubishi sure they may used to have been good cars however both of them are black labled around here. I tend to ask all the mechanics in my family for opinions on what they've seen lately and well both of them were instantly mentioned. now I bought my wife a GM Malibu LS last year I paid 10K w/ a 100,000 waranty however it was used w/ 30k miles on it and 2002 model. She loves it :D alot of pep out of that little 3.1 liter that gets 30mpg. Good Luck!

[nbaker]

Mike you ever tracked it, what's the 1/4 mile if so. The LS2 would be a great upgrade eh, but I'm saving for the GT @ 139,000 it will be a great while. I'll tell you what I'd give you the old ford challange if it ever happened too. hehhee wouldn't be to fair seeing how the Trans AM design never took a Le Mans thou.

[MikeS]

Yeah, the WRX with the STi package has some pretty nasty perfromance figures, low 13's right off the showroom floor...it's just too bad they are so UGLY :lol:

I'd like to race one, I can beat the regular WRX pretty easily...but I know the STi is a LOT faster...

Mike

[Zack]

wow... so much info... I just don't know know what to do now :roll:

[MikeS]

[quote="nbaker"]Mike you ever tracked it, what's the 1/4 mile if so. quote]

I havent taken it to the track yet....

I've done about 50 HP or so worth of modification to it, (plus GM underrates the LT1, it's actual HP is higher than 285) I'm guessing it's getting roughly 300 HP to the rear wheels, which should be good for maybe mid/high 13's at my altitude...(5300 above sea level). At this altitude, I'm gaining around .5 to .7 sec in the quarter mile over sea level #'s. Judgeing from what I've heard from others with similar mods who have taken their cars to the track, at sea level the car would probably do mid/low 13's maybe....I'm gonna have to track it some day....

Mike

[specsgirl]

Yeah, the WRX with the STi package has some pretty nasty perfromance figures, low 13's right off the showroom floor...it's just too bad they are so UGLY :lol:

I'd like to race one, I can beat the regular WRX pretty easily...but I know the STi is a LOT faster...

Mike

No offense, but the STi would own you. :razz:
Hmmmm...under 15k huh?
Lets see...
the new civic si's are nice

Have you looked at the specv's? They are torque monsters and with 4 doors are still functional. As long as you stay away from the 02's you'll be ok engine and tranny wise.

Email me or pm me and let me know what you're looking for...there are many cars out there in your price range, but depending on if you want to leave them stock or mod them out...makes a difference. Like the spec is a nice car stock, but to mod it is pretty expensive, because there are only limited parts available..where as the hondas are a little cheaper, but easier to mod because of the fact that parts are so available and interchangeable with them.

I have plenty of experience with imports....I deal with them everyday....they're my life..lolo :lol: I do happen to know what I'm talking about though...even if I'm a girl, I put most men to shame...from mods to frankenstein motors, I know it.

Or you could just save your money and buy a skyline.. :shock: :)

Above all.....go IMPORT! Better resale, better reliability, better car...hehe...

BTW...if you want to check my credentials just wait for the December Issue of Sport Compact Magazine to come out...wait...that's my car on the cover...hehe :)

[MikeS]

No offense, but the STi would own you. :razz:


None taken, specsgirl :wink:

Own me? maybe...or maybe not..... :lol: :-D

I know for a fact that the LS1 WS6 Trans Am's can routinely beat the STi at the track, with my mods my performance is pretty comparible to an LS1....

I have not timed mine yet, but I'm pretty sure it would do a low 13 at sea level, which is what the STi does...I have no problem smoking the regular WRX, which is only about .5 seconds slower than the STi 0-60....

The STi does have the advantage of all wheel drive, and at my altitude, that turbo gives it an advantage over me, it won't lose as much HP as mine does because of the high altitude...but I'd still like to see what happens... :-D

Mike

[nbaker]

I'm very positisve the 300hp sti, or even the limited 320hp sti wr1 would not own a LS1. We are talking corvette engine here. when you place a a big block against a small block I garranty the end results would be him at the other end faster. That's why most drag alcohol cars are baised off of Chrysler 7 liter Hemi modified blocks, not 2.5 liter subaru boxer engine. The WRX series sure has a awesome engine and it would own most anything on a dirt track. The WRX was designed to race using short burst of well gripped power, meaning it will fly of the line up through second and maybe just maybe third then thats when it starts to taper off. Even the older WRX's boasted a lot of power for a small box the 2001 WRX had a 0-60mph time of 5.7 secs, but the 1/4 was at 14.4 sec @ 94.5mph hummm that shows most of its time durring that 14.4 sec was spent after 60mph trying to make those tall gears talk. You can look at all the numbers, even up to now, but the wrx just isn't designed to race big blocks on pavement.

And yes I have driven one, had the chance to take one on a road trip to Lubbock last Janurary. It was the 2002 STi model, and ohhh how the west Texas plains look good at 100+ mph. It was the best week and a half I've had since my honeymoon :lol: and ohh the skyline, would be awesome but there's a long long line just for that waiting list and you want to talk about high insurance, add that to the $50k plus sticker. And the Ford GT would still kill it on any paved track.

[MikeS]

Yeah, I've seen lots of track times for both cars. The base WRX is no match for either an LT1 or LS1 equipped F-Body. Mustangs give me a better race than the WRX...it's nasty on the low end, but it runs out of steam pretty quick......The STi, on the other hand, statistically will beat (1/4 mile) a stock LT1 (the LT1 is also a 'Vette engine), but is usually slightly slower than an LS1, particularly the WS6 LS1. A lot of it really boils down to track conditions, altitude, and driver ability. The STi has a traction advantage over the LS1, and the turbo helps a lot at higher elevation tracks. I also believe the STi is a bit lighter. But, the LS1 has more HP (the GM factory rating of 320 is grossly underrated, IHRA stats put the LS1 closer to an estimated 340-350 hp), more torque, and a much flatter torque curve.

My modifications have put my LT1 equipped car pretty close to LS1 WS6 performance numbers, I've ran a few LS1 WS6's and it's pretty darn close. Actually, I can usually beat them in short distances from a stop, but they do catch me. My big problem against the STi would be my altitude. The STi is going to lose a lot less HP at this altitude because of the turbo than I am (5300 ft above sea level) so it will have a pretty good advantage there. Give me slicks and some new rear end gears (I have 3.23's) and I bet I could beat an STi....but as my car sits now, who knows....maybe I'll find out soon...there are 2 or 3 of them running around town...

:!: NOTE :!:

For those of you following this thread, I neither advocate nor endorse illegal street racing. It's dangerous, and it is very illegal. I'm not trying to be a hypocrate, I'd be lying if I said I never participate in the occasional "stop light gran prix"...Where I live, we are blessed with being able to drive 10 minutes and have a multitude of flat, wide, straight and rarely used highways where you can see for miles in all directions. While this helps eliminiate the danger to other motorists, it is still dangerous to the racers and it is still expensively illegal. In my youth I was pretty into drag racing, but I very rarely do it any more...the best advice is use a track...

Mike


BTW....Specsgirl....what kind of import do you drive? What have you done to it as far as mods?

[specsgirl]

Nice touch on the street racing voucher...btw....it's just plain stupid...now to track a car on the other hand....ahhhhhh.....nothing like life a 1/4 mile at a time!
STi way lighter....your car is a pig(lol) yes you have more torque and hp, but with the turbo spooling faster, and a the awd, I'd still put my $ on the STi. I know you are talking with getting new slicks and gears, but if the same were put on the STi and it was tuned properly....he would still walk. jmo though....

[specsgirl]

Hmmmm....how about this car....wait it's a 4 banger and fwd....sorry it's not the 7 liter hemi though....this car would def own....
http://www.superstreetonline.com/featuredvehicles/91618/

[nbaker]

Specs I'm not try to dis the import seen, I have alot of respect for those guy's and gal's. It was JMO. Like Mike asked what kind of ride do you have? Sounds like a nice one if it's covering a magazine.

[cich1]

theres an old saying "theres no replacement for displacement" if this car does reach the 200mph club who will be there to greet it? why the same ole american V-8s that have been there for years

[MikeS]

STi way lighter....your car is a pig(lol)

STi weighs around 3260...LT1 T/A hardtop like mine weighs around 3490...230=/- lbs difference....that's not very much....maybe give you a .1 or so advantage in the 1/4...and the LS1 weighs around 3350-3400 give or take...less than 100lbs difference... :-D So not really that much lighter...

Yeah, some of those imports are pretty impressive...but, in the end, ya can't beat physics...there is no replacement for displacement....you want to build big power you can drive on the street, the big engine is the way to go IMO....

I've always had a saying when it comes to cars....

"even if you don't agree with the theme, you have to admire the craftsmanship and work"

....I apply that to the import tuner crowd. I don't care for the imports, but I do admire the work and craftsmanship that goes into some of them. The big thing I could never figure out about the whole import street car scene is this....why would somebody spend so much time and money on a car just to get it to maybe perform as well as a stock Trans Am, Z28, or Mustang? I mean, if it is pure performance you are after, you dump the same amount of $$$ into the average American pony car, and you'll smoke 99% of imports out there...

Not hacking on ya at all specsgirl...I respect your hobby, in the end we are the same, we are both automobile enthusiasts who love cars, we are just divided on themes....
:-D

Mike

[nbaker]

My point exactly mike. Displacments what the american engines have going for them, and if said american car is racing a twin turbo fire breathing nitros fed import beast I would expect the american BB to equiped equally so. After all were talking displacment and not what can be done to make up for it. I've always liked the luxury that comes cheaper. So I stick to american as well. We all have our opinions thou.

[specsgirl]

The new car that's out on the circuit is an RSX S, we're shooting for it to make HCI's #1 car of the year this year. They are unveiling it at NOPI nationals in Sept and then it gets sent back to Vegas in time for SEMA. We're also hoping to make several of the japanese mag covers yet this fall....we're working on the "negotiations" with those. Not bad for a little car comming from the middle of nowhere in Wisconsin.
Sorry I just read that you wanted to know what I had for mods on the car....way too many to list....right now I'm up to about $40k in mods on it...you name it from engine to suspension, interior to sound and av system...I have it on the car. Yes it is turbo'd as well as running a 75 shot on it, the engine has been stripped and completely redone with all new internals, etc. I got lucky though, I have 13 of the largest names in the import business right now as my sponsors like Ground Designs 2000, Nitrous Express, Tein, Toyo, Blauplunkt, Greddy, etc....

I also have had the specv(nice little car for the economy minded family person...lol and if I could find a photo I would show you the perfect example why you don't let your "friends" drive your car), we have a CRX, a Civic, a Sol, and now looking at a NSX.

I do agree that the "american muscle cars" do have more displacement, but it takes a whole lot more than displacement to a fast car. I also don't agree that we import "tuners" have to spend more just to get ours to compete with a "stock" american car...I have never seen that happen. Yes imports are more expensive generally, but then again they hold resale longer, performance and reliability is greater, and now "mods" have come way down in price since the imports have started to hit on the American market.

I will agree that currently american cars own the strip, but give it a few years.....that will all change...jmo In my experience our cars (the high rev tuners) can handle more tweaking and tuning than an american car. And if you think of the whole list of the nice high end cars....how many of them are american?

I also have to credit american cars with comming up with a lot of the things that imports now use....namely the stang tried a lot of things first, we just made em better...lol :lol: sorry couldn't resist

I'll agree to disagree on this one....but you'll never get me to budge on my "imports are better" philosophy...so for now I am going to retreat to my corner and count the change in my couch for the new 2005 Murcielago that I just saw on the cover of Auto Week....btw does anyone have an extra $319,250 laying around???

[CoreyB]

I recommend Ford :D

I own a 85 Mustang GT, 97 F-250 Powerstroke, and a 81 toyota 4x4 pickup

[MikeS]

the little lettering on my side mirrors says "Objects in Mirror are Mustangs".... :lol:

Mike

Mike your too funny :lol: , ie..."Objects in mirror are Mustangs" I will have to remember that one.

The imports are kinda sweet, I know, I was in Japan and had a mid 90's Skyline and raced it every night on the street. Then I got an F body and really started schooling all the "yanky boys" (JN gearheads) out at Namiki off exit 4 Yoko - Yoko expressway in the finer points of American muscle! Occasionally I would get embarrassed, but it was a pretty rare occassion. They made about the same horse power and sometimes more than my camaro, but they couldnt compete with the bone crushing torque going to the TH-400, 12 bolt rear end and M&H "DOT D-20'S. Yokohama's finest in Blue never caught up with me either! Cant say that much for the Mitubishi GTO's, Silvia's, or RX-7 Savana's, or Skylines for that matter. In a straight away blast, it just wasnt happening for them. At Fuji speedway, I was sucking with that set up.

But I do appreciate a well built finely tuned car irregardless of brand or make. Its all good!

[Mongoose]

American cars are way better IMO. I'm, not a big fan of the F-bodys (camaros and firebirds) but I really think that Corvette is where its at. Camaros are too heavy and they sufer un other areas like brakes and handleing. The Corvettes C4s and C5s are turely amazeing if you have the skill to drive them to the limit. I had a 96Z-28 Camaro and sold it for a 96 GrandSport Corvette I couldn't belieave the upgrade that it was. Handleing was sure and staible. Brakeing is awesome...if you have the balls to step on it all the way it will stop RIGHT NOW hahaha. I had to sell it for "practical reasons" but I would like to own another one when its possiable maybe a Z06 since prices are dropping now that the new Vettes are out. :wink:

[Aquaman]

I own a 2003 Eclipse and it is ok. I got it for my wife. It runs great, never had any problems with it. My biggest complaint is that it is very small inside. Even with the seat all the way back I get uncomfortable driving it and I'm 5'11". The rear seats are tiny also. Don't plan on putting anyone bigger than 3ft tall back there. IMO, for the money you can get a much nicer vehicle. Now my wife wants to trade the Eclipse in on a Durango. ...............It never ends!

[Aquaman]

By the way, Most Import cars are no longer "IMPORTS" A large portion of them are made right here in the USA by American workers. I work for a supplier to the NUMMI plant if Fremont Ca. Toyota produces the Corolla/Tacoma, and believe it or not the Pontiac Vibe. The Vibe and the Toyota Matrix are the same car. A lot of Import manufacturers now depend on American companies to produce their cars. My Toyota Tacoma was made right here in Fremont, Ca. I love the truck, got 109,000 miles and runs like it's brand new, never a problem. Saying an Eclipse is unreliable simply isn't true. If they were really unreliable nobody would buy one. However, I must say that Mitsubishi is in a lot of trouble right now. They are not investing any money into new engine design. So basically if you buy a 2005 Mitsubishi, you are getting a car with the 2004 engine design. If that doesn't bother you then go for it. Like I said before, Mine is uncomfortable but it's still a reliable car.

[rossignol]

Hi

I currently own 2 Mitsubishi vehicles: a 2001 Montero and a 2002 Galant.

As for the engine design, well, the 2 and 2.4 liter 4's they use are two of the most bulletproof motors EVER made by any company so I would urge them not to redesign them. :)

I owned a '98 Eclipse GSX -- well 2 of them if you count the one I blew up 15 days after taking delivery.

The pre-2000 Eclipses were far better performance-wise than the newer design which is hugely unpopular with car enthusiasts and which is going into its last year of production. A change in 2006 will be closer to the previous Eclipse and MAY see an all wheel drive version again, but likely no turbo.

For an inexpensive performer, the '96 - '99 Eclipse GSX will out perform ALL vehicles in the price range and the reliability is much higher than TA's, Camaros and Mustangs.

Now, keep in mind, I mean outperform as an overall statement. The American muscle cars will out accelerate the Eclipse if the traction is equal. But if the muscle car so much as spins its tires, the Eclipse automatically gains at least a second. As for overall handling, there simply is no comparison. This car is on par with the newer Vettes and even the Porsche 911 (which I have also driven).

The older Eclipses are pretty inexpensive right now and for under $2000, you can increase from 215hp and 5.9 0-60 to about 400hp and about 4.5 seconds 0-60 ($10,000 will get you under 4 seconds).

However, for my personal preference (because everyone is driving mod'd rice burners and things like Ford Contours with a Jag emblem - yes, that is actually what the Jag X-Type is), I am looking at likely getting an Aston Martin (probably the Vanquish) before too long to soothe my sports-car jones. But first, I am going to play with my Montero a bit. A new suspension and 42" tires to have more fun off-road than I already do! As soon as I convince my wife that she should be driving an Endeavour so that we have at least one SUV for the ski trips. :)

But, Aquaman, you are 100% correct about the 'import' thing. The Honda Accord and Toyota Camry have 2 of the highest percentages of parts made here in America of ANY cars! In fact, GM has moved a lot of production to Mexico.

The funniest thing was when Chrysler introduced the America Series vehicles back in the '80s and they were all built in Canada. :)

- Brian

[Aquaman]

Toyota is also opening a new factory in Mexico this December to produce about 50,000 Tacoma's per year to help suppliment the production of the Fremont, Ca. plant. Toyota purchased 700 acres of land in Mexico for this project so you better believe that they have huge plans in the near future. I figure that the Celica will eventually be produced in Mexico as well as all of the Tacoma's. The NUMMI Fremont, Ca. plant was originally a joint venture GM/Toyota. For those of you who didn't know. A lot of people ask, why would GM hook up with Toyota?
The answer is simple, Toyota has the best production system in the world hands down. When they formed the venture, Toyota was allowed to begin production of it's vehicles inside the United States and in turn, GM was allowed to learn the Toyota production system. Out of that came Saturn, GM manufactured vehicles using the same production ideas as Toyota.
I saw a program recently about Boeing switching over to the Toyota production system. It cut the lead time for a new 747 by 29 days. AMAZING!

Being that I work for one of the largest automotive suppliers in the world I tend to get a little irritated because a lot of people do not realize how many Americans depend on these jobs. California is struggling to keep Toyota here because they employ about 5,000 people plus the countless thousands who work for suppliers (like myself). Even though Toyota is a Japanese company, they are helping to drive our economy. California paid Toyota 6 million dollars last year for employee "TRAINING" which really means "PLEASE DON'T LEAVE CALIFORNIA"!!!!
How did I get off on this rant? Anyhow, I love American muscle cars, My dream is to own a 65 mustang someday. I guess for now I'm stuck sitting on my couch watching the fish swim, which suites me just fine!!

[rossignol]

... and for me, it would be a '69 Camaro.

I have been wanting one for a long time, but really just don't have the time to do the restoration. Sure, I could pay someone to do it or buy one already restored, but it just wouldn't be the same, ya know?

- Brian

[Aquaman]

I agree!

[Zack]

Looks like a mazada protuge for me :)

[specsgirl]

Good Luck...and remember if you need any mods, I'll help you look or put you in touch with one of our sponsors :lol: :D