Looking to Replace the Celica...

[sentra_dude]

The S2K is a VERY nice car...I'm actually looking into one as well  The 02's also have some minor updates compared to the first model which make it better(glass rear window for one). From what I've read, they are very reliable cars considering the level of performance they offer, the only thing you have to look out for is the tires...especially the ones on the rear. They can easily last less than 10k. Another thing to be careful for is that the AP1's have no TC, and are notorious for having their rear-ends kick out. Besides that, it's an awesome car...imaging driving top down and hitting 9k RPM  If you don't need to carry many things/people, and can live with a hardcore 2-seater, then by all means, go for the S2K!!!

The Prelude is a very nice car as well, but like I said, if you can live without the extra space and are willing to pay the extra $3k, then go for the S2000. As for the premium fuel...it does add up... I use it in my car, and end up spending roughly $45-$50 per week(around $4.10/gallon). So I basically spend ~$150/year than I would with using 87 octane, which isn't a deal breaker, but it does add up.

The RSX is also another nice car, I have a few friends that have them and they're very happy with it. Also, compared to the other two cars, it has a considerably lower amount of miles, although since they're all Honda engines they should easily go past 200k.

In order of what I'd get, it would be:
1) S2K
2) RSX
3) Prelude

Good luck 

Thanks for the advice and comments man! I'd loooove to have the S2000, I really would. The only thing holding me back from it is the lack of storage space and relative lack of comfort on the highway. The trunk really isn't that small for being a hardcore sports car (my dad has commuted to work for many years with a Miata and before that an MGB which both have smaller trunks) but I have to bring with me a suitcase and a large briefcase every time I go to work. Just a cursory look at the S2K's trunk I'm about 90% sure something wouldn't fit in the trunk and would have to ride on the passenger seat.

Thinking about the premium fuel thing in more detail, I guess it's not really that big of a deal. The great thing about the S2k, is that from what I've read it gets really respectable mpg. I'm also glad to hear about that glass rear window. Just from experience with my dad's Miata, the glass rear window makes a HUGE difference.

...imaging driving top down and hitting 9k RPM 

That was me this afternoon! 

I like the Prelude, but I just can't get over the seats for some reason. I'll have to sit in them again for a while and see if I can get used to them.

Good luck on your hunt zot! Are you going to go for a two car fleet or trade the TSX for a S2K?

[zot09]

Thanks for the advice and comments man! I'd loooove to have the S2000, I really would. The only thing holding me back from it is the lack of storage space and relative lack of comfort on the highway. The trunk really isn't that small for being a hardcore sports car (my dad has commuted to work for many years with a Miata and before that an MGB which both have smaller trunks) but I have to bring with me a suitcase and a large briefcase every time I go to work. Just a cursory look at the S2K's trunk I'm about 90% sure something wouldn't fit in the trunk and would have to ride on the passenger seat.

Thinking about the premium fuel thing in more detail, I guess it's not really that big of a deal. The great thing about the S2k, is that from what I've read it gets really respectable mpg. I'm also glad to hear about that glass rear window. Just from experience with my dad's Miata, the glass rear window makes a HUGE difference.

That was me this afternoon! 

I like the Prelude, but I just can't get over the seats for some reason. I'll have to sit in them again for a while and see if I can get used to them.

Good luck on your hunt zot! Are you going to go for a two car fleet or trade the TSX for a S2K?

I'm sure it's very possible to live with on a day to day basis. One of my neighbors down here at school has a hot red AP2 that he uses on a daily basis. You should seriously give it some thought...I'm sure the fact that you have convertible would make up for the lack of space in the trunk 

As for me, either the S2K or 135i would be replacing the TSX. It probably won't be for another year though until I graduate with my BS and get into grad school(hopefully).

[goodduck]

those are some interesting options. the RSX sounds like a good option given the cars you are considering. I do not know much about preludes other than i have always thought they had a pretty nice design. I absolutely love S2000's and would really consider getting one in a few years. maybe you could take along some suitcases with you if you see the car again to see how everything fits. and even though this is sort of a silly idea, i have seen people use those trunk top racks on miatas and other small convertibles. that isnt really practical in the rain, or ever for that matter.

 maybe you could check out older 5 series bimmers in that price range? not going to get the bulletproof honda reliability or cheap repairs though... good luck with the search.

EDIT

zot, would you mind posting some pics of your car in the 'parking lot'?  a friend of mine is looking at those to replace his current car.

[danidmas]

The S2000 is for sure tempting... especially if the price is within your price range... but as you say, it can be a bit problematic on a day-to-day basis if it's gonna be your only car anyway, after driving it I would have a hard time finding reasons not to go for the Honda

The Prelude... well, I've never been a fan of that particular model, basically for the looks... it's a bit dull from the front. And the interior doesn't look much better either from your words

I think the RSX and the IS300 are the 2 strongest candidates to replace the Celica. Personally I'd go for the Lexus - a bit more roomy and comfortable... and let's not forget it's RWD! The RSX doesn't look too bad either... and they both are better daily-drives than the S2000

[sentra_dude]

Finally I had another day off so I was able to go and test drive some more cars.

Disclaimer: I have not lost my mind.

Yes, I drove a C4 Corvette today...and I'm semi-serious about it. No, I'm not going to turn into RC! I promise!  

Some nights I've been pretty much living on autotader/cars.com/ebay and just for fun I started searching for various cars, and I noticed, wow, I can actually afford some late model C4 Corvettes.  Anyways, I found a very nice looking 1996 6spd LT4 (330hp) and went out and drove it today.



This example is a very clean, one owner, well maintained beauty of a car (with 161,00 miles, yikes! ). It is also the last model year and hence has 30 more hp than previous years. Here are some other things to consider for all your haters, with a prudent right foot city mpg can touch 22, and highway can easily reach 28-30mpg.   The handling is very good, the brakes have good feel and stopping power, and it has decent luggage space.

Getting in the C4 is a bit of a challenge since it has very high sills. It looks like you will be sitting in a small hole, but once you are actually in the seat it's really pretty nice. There is a great view out over the long hood and visibility is decent for such a car. I like the hunkered down feel (the car is only 46"/118cm tall) and the seats are surprisingly good. The dash design leans towards being a lost cause, and why they didn't just use a normal analog speedo and tach is beyond me. The interior is typical American (i.e. not great), but since the price is only $11,600 for a car with 330hp it's hard to complain too much.

You can tell as soon as you start driving that the C4 is a sports-car through and through. The ride isn't overly stiff but there is almost no body roll. The steering feel is fairly good and certainly not over-boosted like I half expected it to be. The steering wheel though, it's ghastly. I just hate where the wheel part connects to the inner area. I think I could get used to it, maybe. Here's a pic: 


It's an easy car to drive and the transmission is pretty good, and a 6 speed, so there are lots of ratios to play with. I especially like the "engine's almost idling while highway cruising," courtesy of the insanely tall 6th gear ratio.

Here's the biggest kicker: I found the power to be a let-down, and the handling to be better than expected.  The V8 certainly isn't lacking in power, but it didn't have the kick you in the ass acceleration I was expecting and hoping for. Maybe I didn't rev it high enough, or maybe it didn't feel that fast because I couldn't hear the engine very well (a/c blasting), I'm not sure. I plan on driving the car again to find out what the deal was. 

Also, because of the trunk design (only the glass hatch lifts up) it is a real pain to put heavy objects in there. You must lift up, over, across, and then down into the trunk. That alone might be a deal breaker for me... But it is a decent sized trunk.

Oh and if I did actually lose my mind and buy this 'Vette, you can bet I'd be getting long tube headers and a hot cam as soon as I had some spare cash around.

Pros: Good handling, close to zero body roll, fairly smooth ride considering the handling limits, 1800RPM cruising at 70mph (114km/h), respectable fuel mileage, decent luggage room, comfy well designed seats, easy to work on, rock solid V8 engine, easy to mod, RWD 

Cons: Didn't have the earth shattering acceleration I was hoping for with 330hp & 3300lb, dodgy American made electronics, American reliability, weird steering wheel, unsuccessful gauge design, cheap interior plastics, difficult to load heavy objects into trunk area

[regele]

Two words sentra: S2000

[DMF]

Nice find!

Didn't realize the C4's were capable of 30MPG too..

Go for it

[ARMAN]

LOL Always loved the looks of C4(as all the other vettes), its up to you if the handling/feel from the car is what you expect to have

[Skaala]

go for the vette! 

[danidmas]

Two words sentra: S2000

I would definitely take the jap as well over the Vette... anyday. It looks kinda rubish from the inside... and I'm not talking about the quality of materials, but also from the design standpoint but well... as you say, $12K for a 330hp sports car is very tempting indeed

[zot09]

Not bad, not bad at all...I'm not the biggest fan of American-made cars, but the 'Vette is one of the few I really do like!

The C4 doesn't look/sound to shabby(well, except the interior LOL). I bet it would be much faster than the S2k in the straight-line, and it is probably a bit more practical than the S2k in terms of day-to-day use. But I would still go with the S2000 for a few reasons:
1) I personally think the S2k looks much better, and you will get more looks in that car. The design of the C4 really shows its age, while the S2k still looks like a newly designed car.
2) S2k is a convertible! That alone means a lot!
3) I bet the S2k would be a better-handling car.
4) The 6-speed in the S2k is probably smoother(I haven't driven a C4, so this is just an assumption I'm making).
5) S2k has HID's. This may not sound like much, but now that I own a car with HID's I cannot go back to halogens. It really does help a lot at night.
6) It has a driver-oriented cockpit, just like the C4, but it looks much cleaner(wtf is with the steering wheel in the C4? It looks like a guy with a fat-ass bending over to pick something up lol).
7) That C4 has held up beautifully, esp. with 161k on the odo., but I would be willing to bet that a S2k would last longer.
9K RPM redline 
9) Did I mention it's a convertible?! 




VS.



Make the right choice! hahaha jk No matter what I'm saying, pick what you want. Best of luck in your search!

[Thamar]

an old vette is a redneck car

[sentra_dude]

I would definitely take the jap as well over the Vette... anyday. It looks kinda rubish from the inside... and I'm not talking about the quality of materials, but also from the design standpoint but well... as you say, $12K for a 330hp sports car is very tempting indeed

Yep, I'm pretty much a hardcore Japanese import guy, and there are just too many things I didn't like about the 'Vette. Now, if the acceleration had been monstrous like I was expecting, I might have been willing to forgive a lot of those things. I drove a WRX almost back-to-back with the 'Vette, and it felt just as fast, but the power delivery was more exciting. I think very tall gearing lets down the 'Vette in this respect. I totally agree with you Dani on the design of the interior...and how GM thought that was a good steering wheel shape is beyond me.

Not bad, not bad at all...I'm not the biggest fan of American-made cars, but the 'Vette is one of the few I really do like!

The C4 doesn't look/sound to shabby(well, except the interior LOL). I bet it would be much faster than the S2k in the straight-line, and it is probably a bit more practical than the S2k in terms of day-to-day use. But I would still go with the S2000 for a few reasons:
1) I personally think the S2k looks much better, and you will get more looks in that car. The design of the C4 really shows its age, while the S2k still looks like a newly designed car.
2) S2k is a convertible! That alone means a lot!
3) I bet the S2k would be a better-handling car.
4) The 6-speed in the S2k is probably smoother(I haven't driven a C4, so this is just an assumption I'm making).
5) S2k has HID's. This may not sound like much, but now that I own a car with HID's I cannot go back to halogens. It really does help a lot at night.
6) It has a driver-oriented cockpit, just like the C4, but it looks much cleaner(wtf is with the steering wheel in the C4? It looks like a guy with a fat-ass bending over to pick something up lol).
7) That C4 has held up beautifully, esp. with 161k on the odo., but I would be willing to bet that a S2k would last longer.
9K RPM redline 
9) Did I mention it's a convertible?! 


(Image removed from quote.)

VS.

(Image removed from quote.)

Make the right choice! hahaha jk No matter what I'm saying, pick what you want. Best of luck in your search!

1. I actually really like the looks of the C4, especially with the 5 spoke wheels this one has (although I wish it was black instead of boring silver). S2K is not as dated though, and looks better.
2. Convert means a lot, good and bad.
3. Hell yes the S2K handles better hahaha
4. The 6spd in the S2K is one of the best I've ever used, the C4's 6spd is just satisfactory
5. I'll take you word for it on this one
6. The S2K's cockpit, wow, from a driver's standpoint it's just about perfect; in the C4 the cockpit has many design faults but it's decent
7. In a battle for reliability between GM & Honda I'd bet all my poker chips, plus some more I didn't have on Honda.
8. 9,000rpm is the best part of the S2K! Then you just have to get over near 4,000RPM cruising on the interstate...

The Corvette certainly has some advantages over the S2K (torque, lower revs in normal driving, most likely much better top-end), but in so many ways the S2K is the superior driver's car, and it really shows that a well-designed car doesn't just happen. Too bad the S2K's trunk is so damn tiny and it's a screamer on the interstate...

an old vette is a redneck car

LOL!

[everso]

haha! no fucking way about the C4.  it's shit! handles like shit and it's slow.

get the S2000. be happy!