Tiburon?

[Rupert]

What do you folks know about the Hyundai Tiburon? I always got the impression that it's kind of a silly car, even if well-built. Like it's trying to be an Eclipse (which sucked by the late '90s, anyway). Am I right?

http://bellingham.craigslist.org/car/308196346.html

[chevyguy06]

The newer ones aren't so bad, but that one looks bloated and out of proportion.

[Raza]

Damn, I thought I knew the answer to this one.  But I've only been around the second generation. 

[Minpin]

I like the new model. All the previous ones are pretty ugly though.

[Eye of the Tiger]

I'd have to say no to that, at least for the price. If it was <$2k I'd consider it. But for $3k, I'd want a newer V6 Tib.

[ifcar]

The Tiburon actually stacked up fairly well in the late 90s, but since then the competition has improved faster than it has. Of course, that was before the Hyundai quality turnaround and they were not sold at very high volumes then, so I'd be concerned about reliability and parts availability though.

[Rupert]

It's an ugly-ass car, no doubt. It sounds like a less than stellar idea, at any rate.

Danke, as always.

BTW, now I've actually got $3k to spend on a car. It's exciting.

[ifcar]

So what sort of car are you looking for?

[Onslaught]

While I'm impressed with the current Hyundai's I can't say much for this one. For one it's kind of ugly and cheap on the inside. But old Hyundai's had a problem with the valve chatter. It sounded like a little Korean guy was inside the motor trying to pick Axe himself out.

[Rupert]

Hahahahaaha!

[Rupert]

So what sort of car are you looking for?

I'm not totally sure yet. I've been lusting after some old BMWs (535's are within range), and some old Mercedes', but those are likely expensive to maintain (and will need maintaining). More practically, Subarus and Volvos (wagons, of course). I like Sidekicks/Trackers, too. And, of course, Troopers. Externally imposed criteria (being a student is shitty when you have to depend on someone else to pay for your car . On the other hand, someone else is paying for my car ) are that it be newer than 1993 or so, and not be a piece of crap. I can probably get around the age thing.

Any other ideas?

[ifcar]

I don't know what your standards are, but do you have any experience with the 97-01 Escort/ZX2? Inexpensive, reliable, and fuel efficient, easy to find, and not terrible to drive.

[Rupert]

I've never driven one, but I think I'd prefer something with more of a soul.

[ifcar]

Cars with a soul are more likely to break. Your choice.

[Onslaught]

Cars with a soul are more likely to break. Your choice.

That's not alway true.

MX-5, 240SX, Prelude, MR2  and others have some soul and are reliable. And you can get them for cheap.

[ifcar]

That's not alway true.

MX-5, 240SX, Prelude, MR2  and others have some soul and are reliable. And you can get them for cheap.

At the age the 240SX, Prelude, and MR-2 are cheap, nothing is reliable. And Psilos has had a Miata in the past, so I assume there's a reason he isn't considering it his time around.

And by the way, I didn't say it was impossible for a reliable car to have a soul, just that the more reliable cars tend to be rather dull.

[Raza]

Porsche 914.

[Rupert]

At the age the 240SX, Prelude, and MR-2 are cheap, nothing is reliable. And Psilos has had a Miata in the past, so I assume there's a reason he isn't considering it his time around.

And by the way, I didn't say it was impossible for a reliable car to have a soul, just that the more reliable cars tend to be rather dull.

I'd buy another Miata if it was a second car. Or if they could be found for $3000 (and still be good cars).

But that's true, about reliable cars tending to have less of a soul. That's exactly my dilemma.

[Rupert]

Porsche 914.

That'd be neat.

[ifcar]

I'd buy another Miata if it was a second car. Or if they could be found for $3000 (and still be good cars).

But that's true, about reliable cars tending to have less of a soul. That's exactly my dilemma.

Go for soul-less transportation now, and trade it in for something more interesting when you can afford repairs.

[Rupert]

Pah. Why drive something I hate?

[Eye of the Tiger]

Porsche 914.

Yes. That is the perfect car for $3000. Psilos must get one.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1972-Porsche-914-1-8-liter_W0QQitemZ200097773485QQihZ010QQcategoryZ6430QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Save up another $3000 and you can swap a Chevy 350 into that baby.

[ifcar]

Pah. Why drive something I hate?

Why buy a car that doesn't run?

[Rupert]

For $3000, I can find a car that has soul and runs.

[ifcar]

For $3000, I can find a car that has soul and runs.

I suppose your luck is bound to change eventually. :P

[Rupert]

Indeed.

[Laconian]

I think you can pick up a MX6/Probe in good shape for that price. They were decent IIRC.

[Eye of the Tiger]

For $3000 you can get a Celica, Sentra SE-R, Integra LS, Civic Si, Escort ZX2, two or three Neons, or even a beat up old 318ti if you so desire.

[USA_Idol]

You might find a decent 1993-ish Ford Taurus SHO for that kind of money ($3,000).  If you want a car that large, that is.   

[Rupert]

I think you can pick up a MX6/Probe in good shape for that price. They were decent IIRC.

Yeah, that is the short list of coupes.

None of the cars NAcar mentioned really do it for me. I need something more... eh, practical, I suppose. Or more fun.

I'd love an SHO, but the ones I've seen around here are high mileage, automatic, in bad shape, or hells of expensive.