Ok guys I got a lot of big questions this is just one. In the spring time im going to be looking for a secondary car. The reason being is I want to get more hands on with my car, i've already started doing maintenance on my current car a 97 accord auto 4 door. I'm also looking to go to car meets so I want a car that looks good and not really a dime a dozen. Im not tryna go to the track but i want a car i can use on occasion while i keep my accord my everyday car, I am not planning on keeping the car for more than a year as i have projects in mind i want to do and for this car il just do a little simple tuning. So with that being said a erson on another forum steered me to the GTIR. He sent me this forum link and told me to ask you guys about the car to see if I like it. Im looking for a car under 5k. I live in toronto, ontario. What i really wanna know is what excites you the most about this car? How good is the gas? How does the car ride? How does the car put up against other cars? and lastly what are the common problems, are there any fixes?
I know I cold spend hours researching the car since i was steered here but i wanna know from an owner's perspective. I'll do research if i find interest in the car. I am a nissan fan tho.
Take it from an owner. The GTi-R is not a 1 year, cheap flip or thrills project. It's a love-hate relationship for someone looking for a long-term project. What you will find for under 5k will likely require another 4-5k to get on the road in the shape you want it. Unless you're up for a long term project, strongly suggest you find something else. That said, if you change your mindset and want a long term project, it's one of the most rewarding, unique vehicles you can find.
I'd have to agree with Alpha. This car isn't a buy and sell quick. I bought it when I was 17, 9 years ago now. To this day its the most fun winter car i've ever driven, but I care about it too much to drive it in winter. Since I've owned it I've replaced 2 alternators, the maf wiring/grounding issues always seems to be a problem with the car (but i think thats just 90's nissans, my dad's sentra was the same way. If the car is pushing anything more than stock power an upgraded fuel pump is a must, and my clutch fried on hardly more than stock power. The awd makes it a fun little car on the street, but its front end heavy and really doesnt handle that well as a little 90's pocket rocket should. The brakes need to be upgraded if you plan on tracking it at all.
In my opinion a car like this should be owned by a gti-r enthusiast, someone that doesn't mind spending time on it, because you will be spending alot of time on it.
If I get a car to have for more than a year than i might as well get a skyline r32 or r34 gTT, Mitsubishi evo 5, or mazda rx7? These are good cars i can find for under 10k in good running condt. and they're somewhat my dream cars. What sets the pulsar apart from these cars?
I got to research the pulsar and it has sleeper potential. But i want a minimal problem car i can maintain and doo stuff in. Nothing serious just testing waters.
If you want something reliable, fast and cheap you really will find nothing in good shape. Every cars you listed need a lot of attention and are getting old so reliability will be affected. Remember that a fast car at a cheap price will mostly be beaten hard by last owners and will require more attention than a clean and well maintained one.
Also RWD skyline WILL have some abuse in form of drifting, here or in Japan, and I would stay far away from those, same thing for the RX-7 if you don't know a mechanic specialized in Wankel motors.