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Okay, rijowysock posted a thread about this. . . . and I'm not picking on you specifically brotha, but this is something that must be addressed.

Okay. . . like the title says, can't decide what car to get next? If you MUST post a thread on ANY web board asking other people how to spend you money, you have got to get a few things straightened out.

1. What the hell do want a new car for? Seriously? Why?
2. How will said new car be used?
3. Budget. And PLEASE. . . do be realistic about this.
4. Do some research!! I can't stress this enough.
5. Will you be able to afford the insurance? Most of you are young, it's an issue to be sure.
6. Expect some criticisms for your choices. That is, after all, what threads open you up to.

Those points stated, I'll make this simple. Put some thought into what it is you're going to use your new car for. THEN, if you must ask for other people's opinions, make sure you're prepared to hear what they have to say.

I'll use myself as an example. I had a 2002 Civic EX coupe. I decked the thing out for show. It was slow as hell and I knew it. I wanted to change that. So, rather than swap a K20 in there, I thought it best to start with something that better-suited what I wanted out of a car.

Here's what I needed:

1. Power. That's it. I wasn't playing games this time.
2. Handling. Not of paramount importance since I prefer to tweak handling, anyway.
3. Room. Until I build a house, this was to be my only car, and daily driver.
4. Versatility. See reason #3.
5. Styling. . . well, I wanted something stylish, but usability came first in this case.
6. Budget. I knew what I could spend. I've been working almost as long as some of you have been alive.

My initial choices were based on a few criteria:

350Z - I've always wanted a true sports car, and this is it. Problem, 2-seater.
RX-8 - Different, quick, handles like a dream. Just too small, and not quick enough.
S2000 - Again, a roadster is a fun car. Nimble, stylish. But 2-seater, and smaller than the Z.
G35 Coupe - If for no other reason, I didn't want this car because that's what EVERYONE tells people to get.
RSX-S - Stylish, quick, nimble, but everyone's got one, and tuning can be hard.

This all brought me to my current car. The STi does it all for me. It's rediculously-quick, handles well (and will handle better the more I play with it), has room for four adults plus an adequate trunk, has AWD to get me through almost any conditions, and is stylish enough. . . come on, it's an ugly car, but that's why it's so beautiful.

Here's what I've actually USED the STi for in the 10 months I've owned it.

1. Autocross, every few weeks since April
2. Road trips, hauling people and stuff around, does the job
3. SNOWBOARDING. Oh my GOD. I don't know what I would have done without my AWD.
4. I'm still going to find time to get my track cert at Pacific Raceway so I can lap the thing.
5. Haven't done any drags with it, but I could care less about 1/4 mile in this car.
6. It's appeared at a few large meets with great fanfare. Shows have been lame over here, lately.

Things I still plan to do with the car:

1. Activity #4 from above. Just need to make the time in the next couple months.
2. No rallying. . . but I'm building it up as a GT car.
3. With a few more modifications, I'll be showing it next summer as a streetable racecar.
4. Teaching my young girlfriend she doesn't have to fear powerful cars. She'll be autocrossing it with me before long.
5. More snowboarding excursions.

You see, I bought the STi for a few specific reasons. I was a bit undecided on my choice for a while. . . then I actually evaluated my wants and needs from my prospective purchase. Once I did that, I was able to quickly narrow-down my choices. Actually, my NEXT car will likely prove to be a harder one to pick. But with the STi already in the garage, I can concentrate on finding something more comfy, sophisticated, and utilitarian. . . like a Legacy GT wagon. (Won't need an SUV with that thing at the ready.)

I hope this thread proves useful for the young poeple on this site who have dreams and aspirations to move on to another car. I'm not saying anyone should. . . but sometimes our needs and desires force us to. Any new car is a butt-load of money. Don't rely on the opinions of mostly strangers who know little or nothing about what you need from a car. And don't succumb to peer pressure. That can be a very expensive mistake.

 
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i think rijowy just started that thread to show that he is rich or is going to be rich. it was more to show you that he will be making a lot of money rather then the cars :wink:

congrats to him though if his gonna be makin that much cuz its a good amount to get by haha

 
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My point is. . . I wasn't picking on him. Just that his thread reminded me of TONS of threads before it that asked the very same question.

I've always liked the guy.

 
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uhhh...are you really gonna buy the car that we all pick for you? Why cant you decide youself? I dont get why people start these threads...

 
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I can tell right now. . . you didn't even read the first post.

 
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Wow, that was in depth, props.

i did one of these the other day the whole g35 vs 350z common debate...i only put it up here because i dont know a whole shitload about them so i was interested in what people on here thought about them considering they knew a lot more about cars...and i was just also curious...

but in my own defense i did go through a lot of those things you listed in my head and on paper and have researched with insurance agencies so i wasnt completely ignorant...i was already leaning towards the g35 and just curious what the consensus was overall...maybe the 350z had some glaring benefit that i missed....

either way it wasnt going to affect my decision....but i did go and think more and the odds are ill hav eto deal with a lot of traffic for a new job so a stick would get annoying so now im going to go test drive the lincoln aviator 4x4....


but good thread yukonart you are a smart SOB! props, and i love your wrx

 
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Yup. I wouldn't start planning mods out for cars I'd like to buy with money I should potentially be making.

 
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You know what....your right, ahaha, it looked like too much, I just read the title and thought, "look, another moron" My bad huny.

 
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good write up.

 
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It's all good. It's late.

 
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1. What the hell do want a new car for? Seriously? Why? Work and pimpin...haha jk but i need to look more professional and have a ride that doesnt make me a dork
2. How will said new car be used? for work and pleasure
3. Budget. can afford 35k car/truck
4. Do some research!! test drives like a motha
5. Will you be able to afford the insurance? yes


ha sorry im bored ;\

i like the aviator...when i was 16 i had a new 4 runner then wanted a sportier car and got a civic so i could learn to tune...and now i want a sports car or a SUV again, but a sports car just doesnt seem practical to me anymore...plus you cant fit 24's on a car

 
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Yay for Suby's! AWD owns you all!

 
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What should i get after my 15 years of hibernation?

Ferrari 360
Porsche 911 GT2
Lamborghini Murcielago
Mercedes-Benz SL-Class SL65 AMG Roadster

not sure?

 
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Man, just get the ride that you will be able to incorporate the most mods to because no matter how sweet the stock model is, you will get bored with that after a few months...

I love the RX8, sweet *** car. If it's too small for you that might be the only downfall. As far as qucikness/performance... remember, U can always mod it!

 
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^ hes not buying a new car, He was just trying to make a point... Out of those choices he picked neither and went for an STI

 
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Guilty as charged. I guess I didn't read the whole thread either...

In any event, I like the RX8.

(Wish I had one) Maybe the tranny would work a little better...

 
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Yukon, Great points.... This is deserving of a sticky.

 
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yea very nice yukon but i have off topic question. im 18 and im getting an rsx-s as my next car for sure. why did you say its tricky to tune? the high compression?

 
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Very nice post.... I don't know why people come on here and post about what car they should get next.. maybe trying to impress us but the people that do that all the time "riley im looking at you" haven't gotten a new car yet.

here are the cars i was looking at when i went and got my Z.

350Z - True sports car, RWD, alot of Power, 6spd
RX-8 - Lacked power, small trunk then Z
EVO8- Everyone has one where i live, only 5spd
STi - I almost got this instead however in the end i felt the Z would better fit my style of driving also they wanted 38k for it when they only go 31k

 
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good post yukon

 
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a used NSX would do me nicely. Very nicely. NSX!!!!!!!!

 
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That and the fact that it's FWD means that you have to work extra hard to get the car to rotate in autocross and at the track. For what I was looking for in a car (great daily with immense track car potential) the Type-S was nice, but there are much better choices out there. Ideally, I should have gotten the Z, but again. . . I needed a daily driver that can do it all until I'm ready to add another car to my garage.

Thanks, everyone. I have several friends who have upgraded their cars in the last year or two, and seeing the variety of choices made (and how they're living with them) has given me some additional insight. Before the STi, I hadn't really had a purpose for any car I bought other than it look nice, run well, and not cost too much to maintain. Things have obviously changed for me.

 
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Great write up Art. Props to you man. If you were around when I was younger, I wouldn't have gotten into so much trouble with my other Civic, my Accord, my Mustang... etc...

The thing is, to those who are young, many people see a vehicle as an form of expression and an extension to their personality. I don't know, I guess some just need a second (or third, or fourth) point of view to make that determination.

 
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Clem, I was that way when I was younger, too. I *SAW* myself in something, so I wanted it. I wanted people to know how I felt about cars. Problem is, doing so doesn't usually get the person a car they can really use. Hence the turbo Accords with automatic trannies, etc. . . basically, cars that were "cool" to the owner when they first got it, then they realized they wanted more power, better handling, more "style", etc.

Taking a step back, and asking yourself what you actually want to do with a car, THEN looking mainly at the cars out there that can fill those needs. . . . THAT is what good car buying is about.

Every month, I write out a BIG check to Chase Automotive for my Subaru. If it weren't for the fact that the car does everything I could ever hope for out of it, I might have an ounce of buyer's remorse. In the 10 months I've owned it, I've reaffirmed that it's one of THE BEST purchase decisions I've ever made.

 
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^ cuz of all the ***** you get


jp man, nice effing post.

 
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thanks bro for the advice!!!!