Need your Help choosing wich car to buy
Discussion
Hi Yes I am confused I need help I sold my TVR Chimaera, and im seriously needing some speed in my life and iv decided its got to be a Jap, BUT WICH ONE, this is where i need help i've got three in mind an FTO gpx or GPvR, GTO/3000, or a Supra, i love the idea of twin turbos but for some reason im a bit warey about them probably cause i dont know much about them, or scared about the cost if they go wrong not sure. But i would apreciate your input from the people who know and have had or got them, and know the pitfalls so please give me your expert opinions on these cars. Thanks
cjr said:
Hi Yes I am confused I need help I sold my TVR Chimaera, and im seriously needing some speed in my life and iv decided its got to be a Jap, BUT WICH ONE, this is where i need help i've got three in mind an FTO gpx or GPvR, GTO/3000, or a Supra, i love the idea of twin turbos but for some reason im a bit warey about them probably cause i dont know much about them, or scared about the cost if they go wrong not sure. But i would apreciate your input from the people who know and have had or got them, and know the pitfalls so please give me your expert opinions on these cars. Thanks
The lack of 'turbo-lag' with 2 smaller turbos will amaze you if you've never experienced it.
Suggestion: check out the respective car forums, profess your intention and ask if there's anyone who lives near you and would be willing to give you a short drive to experience the car. Many owners would be only too pleased to show off their P&J to a prospective fellow-owner.
FTO is non-turbo, FF, and would probably feel a bit slow after the TVR. Other two are twin-turbo and about 300hp, so are comparable.
Turbos in general aren't that much to worry about. There are a few more ways they can go wrong, but usually turbo-related problems are basically just pipes and gaskets, so the car can still be driven and the repair isn't too expensive. The turbos themselves generally don't fail that often.
The Supra is £10k+ for a turbo manual one, GTO is much cheaper, just a few grand.
If you want to maintain the wind-in-your-hair feeling, there are some targa-top Supras around.
For the cost of a Supra, you could consider these other twin-turbo Japanese sports coupes:
Skyline GTR R32/33/34 - very similar layout but smart 4wd to combine traction with powerslides
Mazda RX-7 - lightest of the top-line Japanese sports cars, available from £5k, but unique rotary engine has a cost in fuel and potential rebuilds
Nissan 300ZX - probably the closest Supra rival, lots cheaper to buy but a reputation for expensive bills partly due to the cramped engine bay (was originally designed as a mid-engined car)
Also consider a 350Z for similar money, not quite as quick perhaps (non-turbo), but newer, simpler, and perhaps closest to the TVR philosophy - also available as a convertible.
Turbos in general aren't that much to worry about. There are a few more ways they can go wrong, but usually turbo-related problems are basically just pipes and gaskets, so the car can still be driven and the repair isn't too expensive. The turbos themselves generally don't fail that often.
The Supra is £10k+ for a turbo manual one, GTO is much cheaper, just a few grand.
If you want to maintain the wind-in-your-hair feeling, there are some targa-top Supras around.
For the cost of a Supra, you could consider these other twin-turbo Japanese sports coupes:
Skyline GTR R32/33/34 - very similar layout but smart 4wd to combine traction with powerslides
Mazda RX-7 - lightest of the top-line Japanese sports cars, available from £5k, but unique rotary engine has a cost in fuel and potential rebuilds
Nissan 300ZX - probably the closest Supra rival, lots cheaper to buy but a reputation for expensive bills partly due to the cramped engine bay (was originally designed as a mid-engined car)
Also consider a 350Z for similar money, not quite as quick perhaps (non-turbo), but newer, simpler, and perhaps closest to the TVR philosophy - also available as a convertible.
I can't really comment on the other suggestions here, but I've owned an Rx7 Twin Turbo for 8 years and they're very, very good sports cars. Light and fast, great handling, it's virtually impossible to get it to understeer, there's such little weight up front. IMO the best looking jap car as well, subjective I know. They're not what you'd describe as economical though, although I do get decent mpg on a steady cruise.
I've recently bought an M5 for practiacl reasons, so I'm thinking of selling my Uk spec model, if you'd like details let me know.
I've recently bought an M5 for practiacl reasons, so I'm thinking of selling my Uk spec model, if you'd like details let me know.
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