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Don't think I'm a traitor or anything, but I'm seriously considering a Toyota Matrix. They look awesome, and have plenty of power as well. It has a 1.8L DOHC engine, that puts out 180hp@7600 RPMs. It has a VVTL-i engine (Variable Valve Timing and Lift with Intelligence)...which is basically Toyota's version of the VTEC. It also has a six-speed manual transmission. I have been looking at several cars lately, and can't decide what to do yet. I have $20,000 I can spend, so I have several options. One: I can get a 2k2 Civic. Two: I can get a used 2k1 Celica GTS or 2k1 Mitsubishi Eclipse (I don't want to lose storage or passenger room, though). Three: I can get a new Toyota Matrix. Four: I can get a used 2k Civic, and drop about 8 G's on custom paint, ground effects, engine upgrades, etc. Five: I can get a 2k Civic and a used Mitsubish 3000GT VR-4 (I've checked out prices...it is possible to get both). Anyway, what do you think? The Matrix is looking awful good. The Celica and Eclipse are both awesome cars, but I don't really like the idea of giving up cargo and passenger room. I think I could make a 2k Civic awesome if that's all I got...but at the same time, I would like a weekend toy as well. The Mitsubishi VR-4 is awesome. It has a twin-turbo 3.0L V-6 that puts out 320hp@6000 RPMs completely stock. It'll do 0-60 in 5.4 secs. It also has a 6-speed trans, all-wheel drive, all wheel steering, and electronic control suspension (just like my mom's Stealth R/T...the ECS, I mean). Anyway, let me know what you think!

 
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all on you...

 
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Hmm...btw, I forgot to mention that the VVTL-i engine and six speed tranny are the same ones found in the Celica GT-S.

 
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Take my word for it, you will absolutely love the VR4. I had a 91 VR4 (the old body style with the flip up headlights)..OMG this thing turned so many heads, was fast as crap, especially off the line, and was a blast to drive. I would get another one if the insurance wasn't so high. And if you can get a 2k civic along with it?? You cannot go wrong. Trust me.


also.. if you have any questions about it, just pm me or email me!

 
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matrix is a little bulky... i would say celica, imo

 
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Thanks for the advice...I'll have to take it into consideration...especially since a guy in Dayton, OH (less than 200mi from me) is selling a Pearl White '92 VR-4.

 
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Toyota gearbox's suck...I guarentee prob the 7th gen should be able to beat a Matrix. As for the 2k1 Eclipse- the only good eclipse's had turbos...

 
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I don't know about you, but I would rather only have one car b/c 2 cars=2 insurance notes

 
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6th Gen Civic. You can still make it into a powerhouse.

Don't get the Celica GT-S unless you're up to mastering a stupid 6-speed. If the Matrix gets the same gear box, I axe that one, too.

The Eclipse GT is fast, but inconvenient to have over 2 people in it.

The 3000GT VR-4... hmm... no fun fixing something that's already fixed up.

 
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Hmm...I don't think I'll have too much of a problem paying the insurance...especially if I have the 2k civic and 3000GT VR-4. The 2k Civic is gonna have fairly low insurance rates because of what kind of car it is, and the VR-4 I'm looking at is a '92, so it automatically gets a lower rate for being 10 years old. I know it's a sports car...but the insurance shouldn't be too high. Oh yeah, and I would also get a discount for having two cars.

 
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Matrix does NOT suck.

The most recently tested 1/4 mile times of the Matrix XRS (180HP w/6-Speed) were 15.5s and 15.7s..... I doubt even Mario Andretti can pull those times off with a 7th Gen Civic. Civic's best time I've seen posted by people was 16.2... that's a huge gap.

Personally, I strongly recommand the Matrix after test driving it. At first, I didn't like it that much. It reminded me of the Eagle Summit. But the chassis and suspension is second to none. In fact, Motor Trend said it out handles an Impreza WRX--a car that's supposed to be THE sheit right now. Besides out accelerating and out handling the Civic, it is also more useful--it can seat 4 adults a lot more comfortable than the Civic, as well as significant more cargo space. The XRS will cost more than the Civic, however, but not by much. The base and mid models can actually undercut the Civic, but will be slower with the 140HP engine & 5-Speed. But you still get the razor handling & utility.

I wouldn't really get the Mitsubishi. They don't come close to as being as reliable as Honda or Toyota. You must also consider the resale value. The used 3000GT VR-4 would indeed be a performance bargin, but keep in mind, that it is a used car, and the person who went out of their way to buy a high performance car would most likely have been "abusing" it. That's obviously not always the case, but the chances are strong.

Honestly, for your budget, my top choices would be:

1. Toyota Matrix XRS (you know why)
2. Acura RSX Base (why get the Civic hatchback, when you can have this sexy Acura)
3. Toyota Celica GT (way under-rated, out-handles everything, including RSX & WRX)
4. VW Golf GTi 1.8T (0-60mph in 6.5s, luxerious interior, new lowered price)

And of course, you could get the 7th Gen Civic too. In my humble opinion though, I would go with the LX over the EX. The horsepower difference is not much, but the stricker price is. Don't forget the insurance too. But if you must have the sunroof and ABS, you have no choice but to get the EX. Althought it's not the fastest car right now, you do get Honda's reliability, best resale value in the market and tons of mods.

But if you want to get a Civic, get it for the right reasons. Not because it's a "Civic", which a lot of people are doing. They mistake it for a high performance car. Sure it can be turned into one...... after dropping a few grand. Which then, you could've just bought a better car to begin with.

 
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IMO you should consider the VW GTI 1.8T. I almost bought one about a month ago, but then I discovered the blue book value on my 2K1 was less than what I owed.[IMG]i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif[/IMG] Anyway the GTI is pretty much faster and rides smoother than anything in its class

 
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Older Mitsubishi cars are decent.

 
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92-96 civic hatch + B16A2 + turbo + race suspension + rims/tires = 10-13K

and low 13s at least [IMG]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/IMG]

 
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Hmm...I'm still thinking about that Matrix...but I'm also starting to lean more and more towards a 6th gen Civic. I found a '97 Civic for sale in Louisville, which is only 30 mins away from me. It has 79,000 miles. It's a 5-speed with Kandywine paint, 17" rims, Viper Alarm, TV, DVD player, Playstation, and more for only $11,500 OBO. It sounds great...but at the same time, I would hate to change that paint. That's awesome paint, but I plan on getting ground effects and a custom paint job if I get a 6th gen civic. I also found another '97, with 81,000 miles for $11,400 OBO. It has 17's with new tires, a DC Sports header, AEM CAI, Sebring exhaust, and a B&M short shifter. Hmm...perfect candidate for ground effects and custom paint? There is a place about three miles from my house that does custom paint jobs with airbrushed graphics. They're really good.

 
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<< 92-96 civic hatch + B16A2 + turbo + race suspension + rims/tires = 10-13K

and low 13s at least [IMG]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/IMG] >>



Is that all it would cost?! Damn!! Of course, I prefer the 6th and 7th gen civics over the 5th gens. It would still be cool as hell, though...prolly be able to beat damn near any car around here. The fastest car around here is a 3000GT non-turbo.

 
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For 11 grand, you can buy SiRacer's 6th gen Si.

 
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<< For 11 grand, you can buy SiRacer's 6th gen Si. >>



That would be awesome! Btw...that's the Canadian Si...isn't it? J/w...I live in the U.S. I would really like to buy it, except for the fact that it may be two or three months before I can actually buy a new car. It may be sooner, though, so that's why I'm trying to decide on a vehicle.