[Isaac Hunt]

Been viewing as a guest for a while and would like some of your opinions please:

Am almost ready to take one more step in the world and change my car, but don't know what to get. Have been considering all sorts such as Celica GT4 (ST205), Integra Type R, Evo 4, or GTS Skyline. Insurance is a major issue as im just approaching 21.

I know the answer is probably obvious, but i would like to know the views of those with opinions worth having (I.E You lot).

 

[RoboPope]

Isaac,
Most of us chose the our cars for more reasons than just its power output / performance. Personally i like the Skyline for its asthetics and novelty / rarety value as well as the fact its reasonably nippy.

The best thing you can do is go drive them, find out which you are most comfortable in. Carws are a very personal thing and our own personal opinions may not be that of yours. Dont rush in to your decision, wait find the right car for you

Good luck

Paul

 

[Jason Abz]

hmmm...

to be honest mate, i would seriously look into the insurance of all the above cars before even thinking about test drives etc to avoid disappointment. At your age i think you wllbe in for some pretty horrific quotes.
jason

 

[smootster73]

check out the guys name!!

class one issac,
i saw that on a t shirt once and laughed out loud!

 

[b]

Just sussed the name, brilliant. How much is that deed poll thing?.
I would look at the GT4 st205, like a mini gtr I suppose, if you can afford the insurance, fill yer boots, your a long time dead/married.

 

[smootster73]

Has to be Evo 4

mate. point to point there aint much quicker and they are a piece of piss to drive. totally flatter the driver especially if you are 21 and think you are nigel mansell (as we all did at that age!)
save yer pennies for a gtr as skylines are a mare to insure.
forget the normally aspirated stuff.
GT4s are good but heavy.

the smoot.

 

[J4P RX]

GT4's are relatively cheap to insure though, and evos are not. I had a gt4 and looked at getting an Evo and the insureance difference was huge!

Cheers
Lee

 

[smootster73]

good point and

anything in this sort of market aint cheap. GTiRs are cheap to buy, they are rapid but an absolute pig to run. u always end up tuning them and breaking them no matter what!! peer pressure, getting done over by another car etc.

As for skylines you normally end up needing 2 of everything so major money to run....how does 10-15 mpg sound?

nick

 

[Isaac Hunt]

Thanks chaps.

Agree that front wheel drive is pony, had enough of over 200bhp+ through front wheels! Skyline GTS is RWD not sure im ready for that yet. Evo is a bit expensive to insure, so that leaves the GT4. Insurance is £2100 Fully Comp on the GT4 so that looks like the way forward. Am looking at one next weekend. Maybe one day i will join the ranks and buy a GTR

I hate paying for insurance as i work bloody hard to earn my dosh, but then your a long time dead (or married as Buster says).

Im glad you like the name i gave it too myself before anyone else did.

Would you still accept me on here with a GT4?!?

 

[Pidge]

Get the GTS, you won't regret it

 

[Big Bear]

Evo 4

Go for an Evo 4 for sure! Fantastic all rounder. Have you thought of getting a Scooby? I'm an ex-Scooby man and truly believe there are some really excellent offers out there.

You could also have a look at an RX-7 possibly or perhaps a Cossie? All execellent cars...

Rupert

 

[Isaac Hunt]

Agree that the Evo is a breathtaking car but Mr insurance says a big NO.

Scoobys are great cars & there are good deals at the moment, but the insurance is just out of my reach.

Cossie's are stupendous (esp. Escort) but i really like Jap cars.

The RX7 may be a bit exotic on insurance...jaffa may be able to enlighten me on this one.

I suppose its either the Integra (FWD...Pony) or the GT4 as i have had insurance quotes on both and driven both.

 

[tonysmiff]

my mate had a m-reg gt4 and before he put it into a lamp post let me drive it. and on standard suspension i felt it was very twichy at speed/cornering (compared to my sunny) which he proved by putting it into a lamp post on a corner....
was a very nice solid built car and with a few tweeks here and there would be a storming motor..
be careful of the back end stepping out and lamp posts mind.!!

 

[Isaac Hunt]

Evil things Lamposts, just jump in our way. A tree once got in my way a bit like your mates Lampost, they just appear from nowhere!

I think i would be safer in four wheel drive than RWD so i suppose the GT4 is the next logical step (with realitavely cheap insurance). How do you find 4WD Mr Smiff, as i have never owned a 4WD drive beast?

 

[Isaac Hunt]

Good points there Mr Cake.

I only say i'd be safer in 4WD as i have driven a very powderful RWD car (on several occasions) & it sometimes 'seems' less controlable, which adds to your point of confidance & safety with 4WD. Like most things in life i suppose different cars do take getting used to.

I will check a few quotes on the RX7 and see if its an option.

 

[Fred]

Get yourself an Integra type R. Front wheel drive I know, but regarded as one of the best front wheelers around by virtue of its LSD. I've never driven one, but was fortunate enough to get a ride on a track day at Brands. The car was standard apart from an induction kit, and trust me when I say it was one of the quickest cars on a drenched track (made GTR's, evo's and scooby's look slow)! In fact the only car which was quicker whilst we were on track was a Radical. I imagine it would be cheaper to run and insure than the other cars you have mentioned.

 

[J4P RX]

All very well, but I dont know anyone who drives on the road like they do on a track!

All the cars you have listed are very different. I would advise on just deciding what you actually want from the car and not what one you can afford, as they will all be expensive one way or another.

I didnt buy my RX7 for ages just because I wasnt sure what car to get. I didnt want to spend all the money and wish I had something else.

Lee

 

[Fred]

Fair point Lee, but it shows that the Teg is no mug, and shouldn't be dismissed just because its fwd. But I agree that there is no substitute to trying all the options and making a more informed personal decision.

 

[b]

Tis all so true, its all about individual choice, good old saying, "never dis a blokes motor or his bird". The only good thing you can gain from an interesting discussion like this is reliabilty and charecteristics of different motors, as experienced by people who have been there.

 

[Jason Abz]

4WD!!

Really think you should go the four whel drive route!1 Two reasons really, one being that you say you eventually want to own a GTR, so better to learn the skills of driving a four wheel drive now in preperation for enjoying your Skyline. I think you would be pretty pi**ed to put your GTR into another post or tree when you get it, all because you hadn`tb dealt with 4wd before!
Two: Not wanting to get into an arguement here Fred but i seriously doubt that your freinds impressive stint in the `drenched track` had anything to do with 4wd versus 2wd. To suggest that a 2wd car left a 4wd for dead on a wet surface is pure fantasy and must have been down to peoples driving ability. I think we would see a radical change in motorsport if 2wd cars with trick LSD suddenly offered more grip than 4wd?? Not going to bore everyone about this as it has been one to death on various other threads , just look at the argument between big power Supra`s and GTR`s on the drag strip etc. No amount of power, LSD or fancy set ups is ever going to overcome the main issue of traction and getting the power down.
Sorry Fred, not starting any sort of argument but its simply a fact.

jason