Buying, Owning, Driving and Maintaining a car in North America

devarshi84 · 3rd February 2009, 06:00

From the shoddy images, the interiors looks well maintained and the exteriors show that its not been abused much. But do check out for minor niggles. Looks great if it fits your budget.

but is an automatic and the stereo doesnt seem great. Has a Sunroof though as it shows.

lamborghini · 3rd February 2009, 07:04

@devarshi: thanks for the reply bro.
Well I will go and see the car tomorrow mostly. Dad wants me to get an Auto only out here and the music system is something I will be looking at upgrading once I save up enough money for it.

lamborghini · 7th February 2009, 11:30

Hey guys,
I am down the three options. Need your help.
Option 1:
Silver Lancer with 16" wheels, upgraded ICE, KnN Intake Kit and a free flow

Option 2:
2004 Lancer Ralliart with a 2.4 MIVEC, 162 bhp, 16" wheels, Infinity speakers with sub, sunroof. No mods on this. Will need new tyres by the end of this year.

Option 3:
2002 Mitusbishi Galant GTZ V6, with 195bhp, leather, sunroof, 16" wheels. Maybe minimal mods depending on his final price. However, entry/exit for rear seat passengers not good.

lamborghini · 12th February 2009, 21:29

Coming soon:
Mitsubishi Galant V6 GTZ!
Will post pics once I get her home.

Mpower · 12th February 2009, 21:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by lamborghini

Coming soon:
Mitsubishi Galant V6 GTZ!
Will post pics once I get her home.

So finally you fell for the V6 power. Good Boy!!
Now enjoy the thrussst !!

The 02 is a much better and sleeker looking car than the current one that looks like a big boat. As a student I dont think you are going to have a long commute so gas mileage should not be a killer.

lamborghini · 13th February 2009, 06:09

Thanks Mpower! I was like why not have some fun and be practical and this is what popped up.
Just got her home.
Will update gallery soon.
Till then, here's a pic:

Buying, Owning, Driving and Maintaining a car in North America-dsc00792.jpg

mohit · 13th February 2009, 06:49

An excellent choice! This gen of galant has excellent steering feel and dynamics. Should be fun to drive one.

vivekiny2k · 17th February 2009, 03:47

awsome. I had a 2002 mits galant (4 cyl though), sold last month. really fun to drive. newer versions don't look as good.

@Rocky, I ignored the thread for a while too. enjoy the cars while you are here. I would say take a convertible and drive to florida....you may be able to do some topless driving there

vivekiny2k · 21st September 2009, 19:24

ok guys, looks like I will be buying another car again. Basically change of plans in life.

Wife is trying to get a license and if she does, I will probably buy a smaller car. on weekdays i will be driving it to work. I am not crazy about power/speed. but I like to have comfort and styling. a convertible mazda miata and mustang worth around 11K have caught my eyes so far. mostly I will be driving this car alone to work when she drives the kids in the van. so I am open to all kinds of ideas. Please throw ideas on types of fun cars good for second hand purchase. I will have to scan in local classifieds here. I want to stay lower than 10K, but can make an exception. I even thought about smart-for-two, but when it snows, it will be stuck at the driveway.

Wish I had a weather for riding a bike thruout the year

blackasta · 21st September 2009, 19:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by vivekiny2k

ok guys, looks like I will be buying another car again. Basically change of plans in life.

Wife is trying to get a license and if she does, I will probably buy a smaller car. on weekdays i will be driving it to work. I am not crazy about power/speed. but I like to have comfort and styling. a convertible mazda miata and mustang worth around 11K have caught my eyes so far. mostly I will be driving this car alone to work when she drives the kids in the van. so I am open to all kinds of ideas. Please throw ideas on types of fun cars good for second hand purchase. I will have to scan in local classifieds here. I want to stay lower than 10K, but can make an exception. I even thought about smart-for-two, but when it snows, it will be stuck at the driveway.

Wish I had a weather for riding a bike thruout the year

why don't you try out a Mazda RX 8? Not many cars can boast of 200+ hp from a 1.3 litre engine - be it a rotary!

And reportedly - Jeremy Clarkson likes it too!

YouTube - Top Gear - Mazda RX8 - BBC

and not too many cars get this comment from Jeremy Clarkson - 'of all the cars that I have driven this year, this is the best!'

vivekiny2k · 21st September 2009, 22:35

while RX-8 is a good car otherwise, the power is not a motivating factor.

blackasta · 22nd September 2009, 00:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by vivekiny2k

while RX-8 is a good car otherwise, the power is not a motivating factor.

z3/z4 are also good options.

Something from the Nissan Z series maybe? 350Z in yellow? One of the people I knew had one and it looked awesome.

I guess you are looking into craigslist as well?

Nitin · 22nd September 2009, 00:38

If you are looking for something in the range of $10k,you might be better off looking at the Miata. The Mustangs are good cars too,but they do have their own set of problems. Especially if you are looking for a convertible. Another option would have been the S2000,but you won't find anything under $10k.
Have you had a chance to test drive the Mustang?

mohit · 22nd September 2009, 00:40

Looks like someone shelved travel plans! I'd say stick to the Miata if you want a fun car thats easy on the wallet. Everything else is going to be a pain in the long run considering you will not be buying a newer model.

And stay away from the RX-8 unless the local mazda mechanic is your buddy!

If you want a bigger motor, 350z or the Infiniti version will fit the bill but then you are looking at cars with lots of miles on them.

vivekiny2k · 22nd September 2009, 01:56

thanks guys.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nitin

Have you had a chance to test drive the Mustang?

yes, after 15 mins the roaring macine feels like a tiring truck.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mohit

Looks like someone shelved travel plans! I'd say stick to the Miata if you want a fun car thats easy on the wallet.

YUP, shelved for a while, I gave up my admission in HEC. miata looks like a good option.

Quote:

Originally Posted by blackasta

z3/z4 are also good options.

Something from the Nissan Z series maybe? 350Z in yellow? One of the people I knew had one and it looked awesome.

I guess you are looking into craigslist as well?

these will be costly, and yes, i am looking at craigslist.

funny nobody mentioned open top jeep. a couple wrangler sport are available under 10K, but I really need strong assuring words before I take a jeep.

3rd February 2009, 06:00	#226
devarshi84 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Ahmedabad - Tor Posts: 4,024 Thanked: 211 Times View My Garage	From the shoddy images, the interiors looks well maintained and the exteriors show that its not been abused much. But do check out for minor niggles. Looks great if it fits your budget. but is an automatic and the stereo doesnt seem great. Has a Sunroof though as it shows.
	() Thanks

3rd February 2009, 07:04	#227
lamborghini Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Mumbai Posts: 6,113 Thanked: 5,760 Times View My Garage	@devarshi: thanks for the reply bro. Well I will go and see the car tomorrow mostly. Dad wants me to get an Auto only out here and the music system is something I will be looking at upgrading once I save up enough money for it.
	() Thanks

7th February 2009, 11:30	#228
lamborghini Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Mumbai Posts: 6,113 Thanked: 5,760 Times View My Garage	Hey guys, I am down the three options. Need your help. Option 1: Silver Lancer with 16" wheels, upgraded ICE, KnN Intake Kit and a free flow Option 2: 2004 Lancer Ralliart with a 2.4 MIVEC, 162 bhp, 16" wheels, Infinity speakers with sub, sunroof. No mods on this. Will need new tyres by the end of this year. Option 3: 2002 Mitusbishi Galant GTZ V6, with 195bhp, leather, sunroof, 16" wheels. Maybe minimal mods depending on his final price. However, entry/exit for rear seat passengers not good.
	() Thanks

12th February 2009, 21:29	#229
lamborghini Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Mumbai Posts: 6,113 Thanked: 5,760 Times View My Garage	Coming soon: Mitsubishi Galant V6 GTZ! Will post pics once I get her home.
	() Thanks

13th February 2009, 06:09	#231
lamborghini Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Mumbai Posts: 6,113 Thanked: 5,760 Times View My Garage	Thanks Mpower! I was like why not have some fun and be practical and this is what popped up. Just got her home. Will update gallery soon. Till then, here's a pic:
	() Thanks

13th February 2009, 06:49	#232
mohit BHPian Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Toronto / Kurukshetra Posts: 677 Thanked: 168 Times	An excellent choice! This gen of galant has excellent steering feel and dynamics. Should be fun to drive one.
	() Thanks

17th February 2009, 03:47	#233
vivekiny2k Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: cincinnati, jabalpur,chennai Posts: 1,264 Thanked: 209 Times View My Garage	awsome. I had a 2002 mits galant (4 cyl though), sold last month. really fun to drive. newer versions don't look as good. @Rocky, I ignored the thread for a while too. enjoy the cars while you are here. I would say take a convertible and drive to florida....you may be able to do some topless driving there
	() Thanks

21st September 2009, 19:24	#234
vivekiny2k Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: cincinnati, jabalpur,chennai Posts: 1,264 Thanked: 209 Times View My Garage	ok guys, looks like I will be buying another car again. Basically change of plans in life. Wife is trying to get a license and if she does, I will probably buy a smaller car. on weekdays i will be driving it to work. I am not crazy about power/speed. but I like to have comfort and styling. a convertible mazda miata and mustang worth around 11K have caught my eyes so far. mostly I will be driving this car alone to work when she drives the kids in the van. so I am open to all kinds of ideas. Please throw ideas on types of fun cars good for second hand purchase. I will have to scan in local classifieds here. I want to stay lower than 10K, but can make an exception. I even thought about smart-for-two, but when it snows, it will be stuck at the driveway. Wish I had a weather for riding a bike thruout the year
	() Thanks

21st September 2009, 22:35	#236
vivekiny2k Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: cincinnati, jabalpur,chennai Posts: 1,264 Thanked: 209 Times View My Garage	while RX-8 is a good car otherwise, the power is not a motivating factor.
	() Thanks

22nd September 2009, 00:38	#238
Nitin Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2006 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 3,294 Thanked: 20 Times View My Garage	If you are looking for something in the range of $10k,you might be better off looking at the Miata. The Mustangs are good cars too,but they do have their own set of problems. Especially if you are looking for a convertible. Another option would have been the S2000,but you won't find anything under $10k. Have you had a chance to test drive the Mustang?
	() Thanks

22nd September 2009, 00:40	#239
mohit BHPian Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Toronto / Kurukshetra Posts: 677 Thanked: 168 Times	Looks like someone shelved travel plans! I'd say stick to the Miata if you want a fun car thats easy on the wallet. Everything else is going to be a pain in the long run considering you will not be buying a newer model. And stay away from the RX-8 unless the local mazda mechanic is your buddy! If you want a bigger motor, 350z or the Infiniti version will fit the bill but then you are looking at cars with lots of miles on them.
	() Thanks