Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

help my gf pick out a car

Collapse
X
Collapse
  • Page of 2
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts
Previous 1 2 Next
  • #1

    help my gf pick out a car

    So my gf's V6 626 is starting to have problems that make us think it's gonna be a doorstop soon (electrical issues that the mechanic can't track down, it stalls randomly for no reason, etc) so she's decided she's gonna get a new car.

    Heres the requirements:

    - Absolute most she can spend is probably 8 grand, and we are looking at $7k - $7.5k as a good shooting range.
    - 4 doors
    - V6 only (unless they've got 180hp+ 4's out there)
    - black
    - she WANTS a manual tranny but i've convinced her to be happy with either


    So right now she's primarily looking at 98 - 99 Accord V6's:

    3.0 liter V6, 200hp, 195torque, 3285 pounds, KBB is at $9,775 - $10,600

    And 96-99 Nissan Maximas:

    3.0 liter V6, 190hp, 205torque, 3014 pounds, KBB is at $8,775 - $9,600



    Does anyone have any suggestions on either of these cars, or can think of other cars that might fit the bill?

    Oh and she doesnt like anything domestic pretty much (contours, taurus' stratus, neons, anything pontiac) cause she says they look "boring".
    Tags: None
  • #2
    get a new mechanic or a GF that likes Pontiacs Just kidding.
    I'm in sort of the same boat with my daughter. She is graduating HS and she doesn't like any American cars, because of their looks. Good luck brother.


    99 Silver Z28 A4, T tops, ZR-1 wheels (SOLD)

    Comment

    • #3
      the new accords are great. I was impressed with them. However I think an 02+ would be out of her price range.
      -Rico

      Click here to visit my CarDomain page!

      01 Camaro Convertable, A4, White, Audiobahn 12" subs and amp 800W/RMS,Xenon
      98 TA/WS6, M6, All options,stock with minor mods, stealth JL Audio-Sold
      98 Camaro, V6, A4, Silver, Xenon Body kit, white guages, MTX system, custom interior SOLD
      94 Camaro, 3.4L, M5, Quasar Blue, SOLD

      Comment

      • #4
        My GF just picked up a Jetta...1.8T. Sweet ride...quick and pretty dern nice.

        My pick...Jettas, Accords, Maximas. Camrys are too old folks...sad to say but not many Americans cars can compete with quality. I would suggest the new Malibu, but it's kinda fugly and out of the price range since their new.

        Grand Ams??? Grand Prixs??? I know not much to choose from. V6 Bird???

        Christopher Teng

        1999 · A4 · 3.73's · Auburn LSD · Whisper Lid · K&N · Pacesetter Headers/Y-pipe
        Magnaflow Cat & Catback · MSD Coils/Wires · Bosch +4 Plugs · EGR Bypass
        B&M SuperCooler · 160* Stat · Descreened MAF · SLP CAI · BMR STB & SFC
        Strano Sways · Eibach Springs · Bilstein HD Shocks · Hawk-Pads · Brembo Blanks
        Speedlines · Nitto 555s · Texas Speed Mail Tune

        Lots of Weight Savings · Stubby Antenna · Corbeau TRS · Zaino · 273K

        F-Body Dirty Dozen

        Comment

        • #5
          I know a girl who has a Maxima and it has over 350,000 miles on it. Nobody has been in the motor either. Well except timing belt.
          2002 Electron Blue Vette, 1SC, FE3/Z51, G92 3.15 gears, 308.9 RWHP 321.7 RWTQ (before any mods), SLP headers, Z06 exhaust, MSD Ignition Wires, AC Delco Iridium Spark Plugs, 160 t-stat, lots of ECM tuning

          1995 Z28, many mods, SOLD

          A proud member of the "F-Body Dirty Dozen"

          Comment

          • #6
            I never thought the Grand Prix GTs or Supercharged GTPs were boring??? ...especially in contrast to a Maxima or Accord? I would have her test drive a Supercharged GTP...just for the heck of it. I have a female friend who absolutely hated Pontiacs who test drove a Grand Prix on my suggestion and loved it...she wants to buy one now. Even the Grand Am Ram Airs are kinda cool. You may be able to find one of the mid 90s Acura Legends with low miles...probably your best bet. I pretty much can't think of anything except a five speed V6 Firebird or Mustang. Good Luck!!! My X bought a Chrysler Concorde...she really like that. The new Stratus Coupes are kinda nice.
            '77 K5 rock-crawler project
            '79 T/A: WS6, 400 4sp, 40K miles; Completely stock and original
            '87 Lifted 3/4 ton Suburban (Big Blue) plow truck
            '94 Roadmaster Wagon (The Roadmonster) 200,000 miles and still going
            '97 T/A: (SLP 1LE Suspension, SB, & sfc(s), Loudmouth); 4.10s; B&M Ripper; R/A Hood; ZR1s
            My daily drivers: '06 Jeep Liberty CRD (wife); '01 Yukon Denali XL (me); '03 Stratus Coupe (me)

            I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them.
            Thomas Jefferson

            Comment

            • #7
              jettas (and volkswagons) are some of the must unreliable cars in existence. consumer reports put them on their "super bad" list because they've been on the "unreliable" list year after year. my mechanic says its all mostly from their electrical systems being too danged complicated (and expensive) to fix when they break.

              mustangs, v6 firebirds are a no-go, she wants 4 doors. this other girl i know has like a '94 grand am, and damn that thing sucks.

              And aside from firebirds, formys and trans ams, she thinks pontiacs are fugly. And to a point, so do I, especially when they had those rain gutter side facias on all their cars. The new GTP's, the GTO and the latest sunfire didn't look that bad though. too bad sunfires are 2 door.


              Other good suggestion I've gotten (and the only domestic she's shown interest in so far) is a '98 or '99 ford contour SVT. 2.5l, 200 HP V6, does the 1/4 in 15.4 stock... 4 door, actually doesn't look that bad IMHO. Anybody familiar with the build quality / reliability issues on it? Reliability is really one of our main concerns here, since the REASON she's getting rid of the mazda is cause she's tired of repairing it.

              Most people have recommended the accord though... i guess they are pretty good cars. but just when i think of "sporty fast 4 door v6's", accords dont come to mind. maximas do.

              and yeah she said no to camry's as well, just too grandma

              Comment

              • #8
                Originally posted by markd79ta
                I never thought the Grand Prix GTs or Supercharged GTPs were boring??? ...especially in contrast to a Maxima or Accord? I would have her test drive a Supercharged GTP...just for the heck of it. I have a female friend who absolutely hated Pontiacs who test drove a Grand Prix on my suggestion and loved it...she wants to buy one now. Even the Grand Am Ram Airs are kinda cool. You may be able to find one of the mid 90s Acura Legends with low miles...probably your best bet. I pretty much can't think of anything except a five speed V6 Firebird or Mustang. Good Luck!!! My X bought a Chrysler Concorde...she really like that. The new Stratus Coupes are kinda nice.
                what years are you refering to on the grand prix gts, SC GTP and stratus coupe?

                Comment

                • #9
                  Originally posted by briantech98
                  what years are you refering to on the grand prix gts, SC GTP and stratus coupe?
                  '97 to '03

                  Here is a '97 GTP on ebay. I think these were a darn nice looking car...dang fast too once you start playing with it.

                  http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...474957541&rd=1

                  The Grand Ams were junk until they redesigned them. The latest iteration is a nice car. They are being discontinued this year in place of the G6 coming this fall. I think the younger crowd will like those a lot more. Seriously though, see if you can find a low mileage mid 90s Acura Legend. The Ford Contour is pretty quick...small. I don't know how they are mechanically. They were short lived...only out for a few years before they were cancelled due to the SUV craze.
                  '77 K5 rock-crawler project
                  '79 T/A: WS6, 400 4sp, 40K miles; Completely stock and original
                  '87 Lifted 3/4 ton Suburban (Big Blue) plow truck
                  '94 Roadmaster Wagon (The Roadmonster) 200,000 miles and still going
                  '97 T/A: (SLP 1LE Suspension, SB, & sfc(s), Loudmouth); 4.10s; B&M Ripper; R/A Hood; ZR1s
                  My daily drivers: '06 Jeep Liberty CRD (wife); '01 Yukon Denali XL (me); '03 Stratus Coupe (me)

                  I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them.
                  Thomas Jefferson

                  Comment

                  • #10
                    You can get a Nissan Altima with a 3.5 L VQ V6 engine and a manual transmission...

                    I am not sure what they go for, but this is a fast V6 (de-tuned 350Z motor) in a 4-door w/ a manual.
                    Former Ride: 2002 Pontiac Trans Am WS6 - 345 rwhp, 360 rwtq... stock internally.

                    Current Ride: 2006 Subaru Legacy GT Limited - spec.B #312 of 500

                    Comment

                    • #11
                      V6 Accords weren't available with manuals until the redesign in 02 or 03.... Other than that, they are pretty quick...

                      Aside from Maximas and such... and since VWs are outta the question... You could look into mid 90s Bimmers... The 3 series-- 325 & 328s were the I6s available... Solid cars, fun to drive, maintenance may be a concern...

                      Mid to late 90s Acura CLs are also within that price range. The 3.0CL was practically a better V6 Accord. They still didn't come in manuals, though.
                      1996 Camaro- L36, 5 spd, intake, Pacesetter headers, Flowmaster 80 series

                      My name is George, and I am an audiophile.

                      Anyone interested in an Xtant X603 multi-channel amp? Let me know...

                      Comment

                      • #12
                        Both of these models are really nice if she is into the import stuff. The Acura and Lexus stuff lasts a good long time fairly trouble free. Once you get into the mid 90s and newer...it becomes increasingly more difficult to get a manual except the econo cars, performance cars, and trucks. If maintenance is an issue...I would shy away from the European cars.

                        '95 Acura Legend
                        http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...474998079&rd=1

                        '97 Lexus ES300
                        http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...474983687&rd=1
                        '77 K5 rock-crawler project
                        '79 T/A: WS6, 400 4sp, 40K miles; Completely stock and original
                        '87 Lifted 3/4 ton Suburban (Big Blue) plow truck
                        '94 Roadmaster Wagon (The Roadmonster) 200,000 miles and still going
                        '97 T/A: (SLP 1LE Suspension, SB, & sfc(s), Loudmouth); 4.10s; B&M Ripper; R/A Hood; ZR1s
                        My daily drivers: '06 Jeep Liberty CRD (wife); '01 Yukon Denali XL (me); '03 Stratus Coupe (me)

                        I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them.
                        Thomas Jefferson

                        Comment

                        • #13
                          The new Malibu sucks, especially in the looks departement. It has lots of power when you push the pedal but it also spins real easy and sometimes it feels like you're going to loose control (steering wheel goes real easy).

                          Luckily it's only a rental and I don't have to put up with it for much longer.
                          97 Trans Am A4 more or less stock (Mods: WS6 Ram Air with Fernco & K&N, 12 disc CD changer, power antenna, SLP Fan Switch, LS1 Aluminum DS, Borla Cat back, McCord power plate, Spohn tower brace, Sirius, HID fog lights)


                          1and1 Web Hosting

                          Comment

                          • #14
                            id stick with the maximas i hear theyre good cars

                            ps my gf loves firebirds shes got one tattooed on her back

                            Comment

                            • #15
                              go for the accord

                              accords are more reliable ,they have plenty of interior and trunk space. My other car is a 99 honda accord lx(gas saver).Ive never had any problems whatsoever.Why would ur girlfriend want a fast car if its not american?my accord is a 4cyl. v-tec and its not fast
                              but acceleration isn't a problem. thats not what i wanted it for,thats why i got my SS.heres a pic. of the accord.(not too ricey)
                              www.freewebs.com/team_evil/99accordlx.htm


                              RIBBET RIBBET

                              Comment

                              Previous 1 2 Next
                              Working...
                              X