2nd car advice

[Porsche]

Originally Posted by Re~Mix

In case you were on the fence

Ooooooh...


Nice photo, too. I like it.

[zygrene]

What are the chances that I could find a NSX targa top with <75k miles and <$35k in the next 6-9 months? It would be so perfect for this glorious CA weather that I'm finally becoming accustomed to.

[Re~Mix]

Considering I just did a 5 minute search on Autotrader.com and found multiple cars meeting that criteria, fairly good.

When you get one, I'd be interested in a ride-a-long haha. Hoping that is enough to satisfy my itch and not have me trade the FR-S in to get one.

[zygrene]

Originally Posted by Re~Mix

Considering I just did a 5 minute search on Autotrader.com and found multiple cars meeting that criteria, fairly good.

When you get one, I'd be interested in a ride-a-long haha. Hoping that is enough to satisfy my itch and not have me trade the FR-S in to get one.

Really? I couldn't find a single one within 500 miles of San Jose that is less than $35k and less than 75k miles. Also needs to be a manual.

EDIT: never mind, if i expand search radius to all of US, there are several meeting that criteria. I wouldn't mind flying out to somewhere like Arizona, picking up the car, and driving it back to Cali.

[Re~Mix]

Originally Posted by zygrene

Really? I couldn't find a single one within 500 miles of San Jose that is less than $35k and less than 75k miles. Also needs to be a manual.

I didn't notice your targa top requirement. Personally, I'd be willing to extend my budget 10-15K if it meant cutting those miles in half or getting a cleaner car.

There are also a lot of forums worth lurking around in to find cars (looks like someone on this thread has one for sale as well!)

Plus these are used cars, people are willing to cut a deal.

[serialk11r]

Hola.
If I were to get an NSX I wouldn't daily drive it if I had to go any considerable distance, since they'll probably be worth some good amount as collector cars in a few decades and so I wouldn't want to put a lot of miles on it or risk it getting damaged. Vandalism in the Bay, I dunno, probably depends on area. My MR2's previous owner was in Santa Cruz and it got keyed there (gigantic 4 foot gash in the hood ), but I haven't heard of anyone getting their car vandalized in the Bay.

Also personally I'd try to get a '97 or higher since they had the composite liners (3.2L) and 6 speed gearbox.

I'd say go for it as a second car if you have a garage, you can always sell the A3 down the road, but why go through the hassle now if you have the means to keep it?

By the way if you get one that's in good condition, consider getting it wrapped in Ventureshield or whatever, my car has gotten a crapload of very bad rock chips in just ~1000 freeway miles. Every time I take it onto 580 I will hear at least 2 very loud, nasty clunks against my car and numerous small pebbles pelting it. Roads here suck as you probably noticed.

[zygrene]

Originally Posted by serialk11r

Hola.
If I were to get an NSX I wouldn't daily drive it if I had to go any considerable distance, since they'll probably be worth some good amount as collector cars in a few decades and so I wouldn't want to put a lot of miles on it or risk it getting damaged. Vandalism in the Bay, I dunno, probably depends on area. My MR2's previous owner was in Santa Cruz and it got keyed there (gigantic 4 foot gash in the hood ), but I haven't heard of anyone getting their car vandalized in the Bay.

Also personally I'd try to get a '97 or higher since they had the composite liners (3.2L) and 6 speed gearbox.

I'd say go for it as a second car if you have a garage, you can always sell the A3 down the road, but why go through the hassle now if you have the means to keep it?

By the way if you get one that's in good condition, consider getting it wrapped in Ventureshield or whatever, my car has gotten a crapload of very bad rock chips in just ~1000 freeway miles. Every time I take it onto 580 I will hear at least 2 very loud, nasty clunks against my car and numerous small pebbles pelting it. Roads here suck as you probably noticed.

Great advice.

What exactly is the advantage of the 3.2L over the 3.0L? It doesn't seem like the extra displacement increases power output very much. Is it more reliable? And is the 6-spd just better for freeway driving?

Obviously I'd like a newer NSX if possible, but the pricing is just so much higher on them. Like 40-50 grand versus 30-35.

And yes, bay area roads are crap. And the drivers are even worse. The tiniest bit of rain turns everyone and their Priuses into sloths.

[serialk11r]

Originally Posted by zygrene

Great advice.

What exactly is the advantage of the 3.2L over the 3.0L? It doesn't seem like the extra displacement increases power output very much. Is it more reliable? And is the 6-spd just better for freeway driving?

I don't care for the extra displacement, but the composite liners are exotic, and exotic is cool. Just like how the NSX has titanium valves and rods, even though they didn't set the rev limit that high considering the stroke. And yes, 5 gears is lame.

[zygrene]

Here's another question for you guys:

What's the best way to get a loan on a 20+ year old car bought from a private party? The autotrader loan application and the one through my bank both only accept cars around 15 years old.

[fatoni]

Originally Posted by zygrene

Here's another question for you guys:

What's the best way to get a loan on a 20+ year old car bought from a private party? The autotrader loan application and the one through my bank both only accept cars around 15 years old.

personal loan. pricey, but i dont know what else to do.

[zygrene]

Originally Posted by fatoni

personal loan. pricey, but i dont know what else to do.

What about credit unions? I did a quick search and people on other forums said they're the way to go for older cars.

[n2oinferno]

Originally Posted by zygrene

What about credit unions? I did a quick search and people on other forums said they're the way to go for older cars.

Depends on the bank or credit union itself.

I was looking into older, more expensive vehicles not too long ago. Penfed has no year limits as long as the car is under 100,000 miles. If it is 100,001-125,000 miles you can get a two-year loan.

Best bet might be a personal loan though if you only need a couple grand and plan to pay it off quickly.

[zygrene]

Originally Posted by n2oinferno

Depends on the bank or credit union itself.

I was looking into older, more expensive vehicles not too long ago. Penfed has no year limits as long as the car is under 100,000 miles. If it is 100,001-125,000 miles you can get a two-year loan.

Best bet might be a personal loan though if you only need a couple grand and plan to pay it off quickly.

Well, if I found a suitable NSX in the next month or 2, I would need a loan of about $20k. Penfed looks interesting since I only need to pay a $20 annual membership fee and 1.49% APR is awesome. I will submit an app with them and see what they can offer.

[n2oinferno]

Originally Posted by zygrene

Well, if I found a suitable NSX in the next month or 2, I would need a loan of about $20k. Penfed looks interesting since I only need to pay a $20 annual membership fee and 1.49% APR is awesome. I will submit an app with them and see what they can offer.

I don't believe that fee is annual. Once you donate to one of those groups you're in Penfed for good, if I remember correctly.