Not happy

by "PartyPooper2012" (PartyPooper2012)
Published 06/07/2017 at 12:35

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STARS: 0

I was driving around in my SUV - 2005 GX470. Automatic couch on wheels.

I had this burning desire to drive something exciting with a manual.

Went and got me a 1999 corvette with 6 speed.

It’s fast. It’s loud. It’s manual. but... I don’t know how to explain it.... It didn’t hit the spot. The itch was not scratched.

Maybe I need one of them 80's or 90's Hondas with manual.... Integra or something. Am I crazy?

Replies (90)

"thebigbossyboss" (thebigbossyboss)
06/07/2017 at 12:37, STARS: 0

Mustang GT vert?

"PartyPooper2012" (PartyPooper2012)
06/07/2017 at 12:39, STARS: 0

allergic to ford. sorry

"Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies" (jordanwphillips)
06/07/2017 at 12:39, STARS: 0

Fiesta ST. Super peppy, decent manual, handles on rails. Can be had for cheap now.

"Discerning" (discerning2003c5z)
06/07/2017 at 12:40, STARS: 0

Put some money into the C5 and you’ll likely stop thinking you need a Honda.

But I have felt somewhat similar. There’s something unique about sitting in a wide and low car like a C5, but it’s also very refreshing to drive something that is more sedan like.

Getting out of my Z06 and into something like an E90 is always somewhat of a pleasure. A sedan’s upright seating, short dash, and short hood can feel better than a low slung car in my opinion.

Unfortunately, there is no one car that can be everything.

What makes you yearn for a Honda?

"PartyPooper2012" (PartyPooper2012)
06/07/2017 at 12:40, STARS: 0

allergic to ford... how do I look going from corvette to fiesta?

"Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies" (jordanwphillips)
06/07/2017 at 12:41, STARS: 2

As someone who grew up in GM’s finest shit piles, extremely happy.

"Ash78, voting early and often" (ash78)
06/07/2017 at 12:42, STARS: 0

GTI? That ’ s usually the answer once people get over Miata. I also like the RSX in that same space.

"itschrome" (itschrome)
06/07/2017 at 12:42, STARS: 3

sexy.

"PartyPooper2012" (PartyPooper2012)
06/07/2017 at 12:43, STARS: 0

that red integra... i owned one. The shifting was smooth like silk. The engine sound it made at those high RPM was just music.

"XJDano" (xjdano)
06/07/2017 at 12:43, STARS: 0

My neighbor prefers his Acura to his corvette. But his wife likes the vette.

"PartyPooper2012" (PartyPooper2012)
06/07/2017 at 12:44, STARS: 0

LOL

"PartyPooper2012" (PartyPooper2012)
06/07/2017 at 12:45, STARS: 0

bow ties have their problems, but fords be trying to kill me.

"itschrome" (itschrome)
06/07/2017 at 12:45, STARS: 0

see you might be allergic to the north american ford. they are known to be highly allergenic. Sufferers are known to suffer lethargy, migraine headaches, compulsive on temporary on set of tourettes, and are frequently found dazed and confused on the side of the road. the Global species of ford really are less prone to cause these symptoms, frequently suffers from NA ford allergies find them self quiet at home in global fords. you should check out a fiesta ST..

"PartyPooper2012" (PartyPooper2012)
06/07/2017 at 12:45, STARS: 0

Drove miata. Drove GTI. just meh on them

"itschrome" (itschrome)
06/07/2017 at 12:47, STARS: 1

have you tried a global ford though? trust me I’m a GM guy (see self hating, resentful car owner who wishes his stuff was just a little better than they are and knows that last 20% of missing build quality was cut out by some damned committee looking to save $23.50. mother fuckers) and I’m turning around on my aint ford status. the global stuff isn’t what we know when we think ford. they are actually pretty nice.

"Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies" (jordanwphillips)
06/07/2017 at 12:47, STARS: 0

Cough, cough...ignitionswitchornobrakesinstalledrecall cough cough

"PartyPooper2012" (PartyPooper2012)
06/07/2017 at 12:48, STARS: 0

Those WERE the symptoms I was experiencing in all North American species of Fords. It also causes irrational leakage out of wallet. I don’t want to risk it...

"Discerning" (discerning2003c5z)
06/07/2017 at 12:48, STARS: 0

So you miss the feeling. Despite what some people will say, it’s not always about outright speed.

I don’t think it would be crazy to switch from a C5 to an Integra in that case.

But it might be worth looking at other things that could maybe mix the two cars into something else. An S2000 might exceed the shifter feel and the revy nature of an old Integra and you won’t lose the RWD and you won’t sacrifice too much speed.

"random001" (random001)
06/07/2017 at 12:49, STARS: 0

C5 Car is best car!

"PartyPooper2012" (PartyPooper2012)
06/07/2017 at 12:50, STARS: 0

Oh, I have been eyeing those S2000s forever. Price is unobtanium. Most instances of Integras I’ve been looking for have the severe case of Rusted to dust

"itschrome" (itschrome)
06/07/2017 at 12:50, STARS: 0

yeah that violent wallet leakage is the worse. I had it happen on a date once with my old 03 Taurus. it leaked all over the place. soo embarrassed.

"Noah - Now with more boost." (antriebverliebt)
06/07/2017 at 12:50, STARS: 1

It sounds like you need something older? That adds a lot to the excitement, even when you’re driving slowly. 635csi, 535i, Fox Mustang, C3 ‘Vette, etc.

"Highlander-Datsuns are Forever" (jamesbowland)
06/07/2017 at 12:50, STARS: 0

Toyota Tacoma X Runner.

"PartyPooper2012" (PartyPooper2012)
06/07/2017 at 12:50, STARS: 0

pffft. sell it to you cheap. use money to get honda product.

"PartyPooper2012" (PartyPooper2012)
06/07/2017 at 12:51, STARS: 0

I already have GX470

"PartyPooper2012" (PartyPooper2012)
06/07/2017 at 12:53, STARS: 0

My 1986 Sable leaked all over my face.
1975 Maverick nearly drove me into a crowd of cars at red light
There were others i rather not recall. Wallet Leakage must be stopped

"HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch)
06/07/2017 at 12:53, STARS: 1

Aw11 Mr2

"boredalways" (boredalway666)
06/07/2017 at 12:54, STARS: 0

Do you have 996 money?

"PartyPooper2012" (PartyPooper2012)
06/07/2017 at 12:54, STARS: 1

Only things older I was entertaining began with datsun and ended with Z

"Noah - Now with more boost." (antriebverliebt)
06/07/2017 at 12:55, STARS: 0

240z is probably a blue chip investment right now.

"PartyPooper2012" (PartyPooper2012)
06/07/2017 at 12:55, STARS: 0

you’re not going to believe me, but I never cared for porsche. I’ve driven plenty of them. It was always a snooze.

XJR excited me more.
S600 was more better.
S2000
Hell. CRX was more my speed.

"boredalways" (boredalway666)
06/07/2017 at 12:56, STARS: 1

S2000?

"benjrblant" (benjblant)
06/07/2017 at 12:56, STARS: 0

Maybe you need crappier tires. I recall hearing that any car can be made much more fun with terrible skinny tires.

"Discerning" (discerning2003c5z)
06/07/2017 at 12:56, STARS: 0

Didn’t realize a clean S2000 had become hard to get at a good price.

"PartyPooper2012" (PartyPooper2012)
06/07/2017 at 12:57, STARS: 1

I am not looking to make a profit or invest into a car. I am looking to drive something fun and not care about extra mile I am going to put on or a ding I might get in a parking lot.

"PartyPooper2012" (PartyPooper2012)
06/07/2017 at 12:58, STARS: 0

They are either too much money or too many miles. I suppose some place there is a unicorn at perfect price and miles, but I have not found it yet.

"PartyPooper2012" (PartyPooper2012)
06/07/2017 at 12:59, STARS: 0

hmmmm.

"Noah - Now with more boost." (antriebverliebt)
06/07/2017 at 13:00, STARS: 0

So let me elaborate... IMO a 240Z is like a Lotus Elise right now (what about one of those!?) in that you can buy a nice one, drive it as much as you want, and probably sell it in a few years for the same amount if not more as long as you took good care of it. That’s what I meant.

"PartyPooper2012" (PartyPooper2012)
06/07/2017 at 13:02, STARS: 0

Yeah. I got you. I feel like the C5 I got is at that point as well. I don’t see too many corvettes for sale in my area cheaper than what I paid for mine.

If I put on 30,000 miles on it, I can still sell it for what I paid for it now.

"Noah - Now with more boost." (antriebverliebt)
06/07/2017 at 13:04, STARS: 0

I think you’re right, IMO the C5 is aging better than the C6 and they hold value insanely well. I was looking into them before I lost my job.

"Sovande" (sovande)
06/07/2017 at 13:06, STARS: 0

2008 Volvo C30 R Design with a tune and suspension upgrades? Can be had for cheap, is surprisingly nimble and quick and looks damn good. I may know where one is for sale....

"PartyPooper2012" (PartyPooper2012)
06/07/2017 at 13:07, STARS: 1

hahaha. It’s manual. Brake with engine... or foot out the door.... or a locally grown tree will stop me.

"PartyPooper2012" (PartyPooper2012)
06/07/2017 at 13:09, STARS: 0

those I have not really entertained yet. I can’t decide how I feel about them. Didn’t drive too many of them. Don’t see too many on the road. I don’t know. I just don’t know

"PartyPooper2012" (PartyPooper2012)
06/07/2017 at 13:10, STARS: 0

gasp... where? In your backyard?

"HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch)
06/07/2017 at 13:10, STARS: 0

sounds like you aren’t looking for speed, you are looking for an fully involved experience. Seems like a slow, old basic minimalist sports car might scratch the itch.

"PartyPooper2012" (PartyPooper2012)
06/07/2017 at 13:11, STARS: 0

Well, get a job. Buy my C5. I’ll get me a honda. We’ll go for a sunday drive.

"Highlander-Datsuns are Forever" (jamesbowland)
06/07/2017 at 13:16, STARS: 0

Come on this thing is sporty.

"PartyPooper2012" (PartyPooper2012)
06/07/2017 at 13:16, STARS: 0

yeah. speed can be had for additional money in any car. After all you can bolt on a jet engine to anything with wheels.

"PartyPooper2012" (PartyPooper2012)
06/07/2017 at 13:19, STARS: 0

What sport does it participate in?

"random001" (random001)
06/07/2017 at 13:24, STARS: 0

Don’t tease me.

"Sovande" (sovande)
06/07/2017 at 13:25, STARS: 0

No. My guess is it would blow the doors off that vette though! And would certainly outperform a mid 90's Honda. Good luck with your search!

"deprecated account" (savethei4s)
06/07/2017 at 13:25, STARS: 0

Cheap NSX? I don’t really know how cheap a cheap NSX is but if you like Honda products there ya go

"PartyPooper2012" (PartyPooper2012)
06/07/2017 at 13:28, STARS: 0

Cheap NSX is around 60-80K. Some are even higher. 91 NSX is ridiculously expensive.

"PartyPooper2012" (PartyPooper2012)
06/07/2017 at 13:28, STARS: 0

It’s here when you’re ready

"awmaster10" (awmaster10)
06/07/2017 at 13:30, STARS: 0

it would beat the stock vette but with the same money into the c5 the vette would likely be faster in all situations. Although i do get the appeal of the little go kart, I love c30s myself

"PartyPooper2012" (PartyPooper2012)
06/07/2017 at 13:30, STARS: 0

sigh... i am not looking for performance. When I am sitting on 95 doing 3 mph, 0-60 performance is irrelevant.

If I was after performance, I would get several piggy banks and save for a mclaren or something.

"boredalways" (boredalway666)
06/07/2017 at 13:31, STARS: 1

Oh well. I agree with everything else you listed.

Even saw a XJR parked outside my building yesterday.

"deprecated account" (savethei4s)
06/07/2017 at 13:33, STARS: 1

Perhaps a 90s SC300? Basically a supra and much easier to find and more affordable. Also, GX470 squad! I have a 2003.

"awmaster10" (awmaster10)
06/07/2017 at 13:33, STARS: 1

I vote either put a little money into the corvette in JUST feel related stuff like a shifter reminiscent of your integra, and upgraded suspension. Huge aftermarket for c5s and at good prices. Dont make it any faster since thats clearly not the problem.

BUT since you seem keen on something else

- e30 with some sort of exciting swap

- s2000 just as many have suggested. Just hold out for the right one or say fuck it and go high mileage

-1st gen sc300 with mods

-1st gen sc400 with just exhaust

-sky or solstice turbo (redline/gxp) with simple suspension and shifter mods

"random001" (random001)
06/07/2017 at 13:35, STARS: 0

pics or it didn’t happen.

"PartyPooper2012" (PartyPooper2012)
06/07/2017 at 13:36, STARS: 1

I might have to work on the vette a little more.

I think part of the issue is that I have no time to work on cars myself. I bring them to a man with a clipboard. I pick them up and viola. It’s all better.

My integra had to put up with my wrenching however shitty it was at my 17 year old age.

"awmaster10" (awmaster10)
06/07/2017 at 13:40, STARS: 0

I think so too. You mentioned you got it for cheap, and you will likely be able to drive it for a while and sell it for no loss, so id say get a little more comfortable with it.

They are simple to work on, and the aftermarket has a solution for pretty much everything. Id say fix the shifter first and youll gain a lot of the sensation youre lacking from the integra. Next coilovers all around. Tires also make a HUGE difference on an old corvette.

Have any pictures of it?

And as weird as it sounds, if it has some sort of loud aftermarket exhaust you may want to go back to stock or something quieter. Its sometime more exciting to have to rev it out to get it to scream kind of like a honda.

"PartyPooper2012" (PartyPooper2012)
06/07/2017 at 13:48, STARS: 1

This was an image taken by previous owner and used on craigslist. Dude was a talented photographer.

"PartyPooper2012" (PartyPooper2012)
06/07/2017 at 13:51, STARS: 2

fucking kinja. won’t let me add my image

This one has different rims.

"Noah - Now with more boost." (antriebverliebt)
06/07/2017 at 13:52, STARS: 1

The current fantasy = C4 track car!

"PartyPooper2012" (PartyPooper2012)
06/07/2017 at 13:54, STARS: 1

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

"Sovande" (sovande)
06/07/2017 at 13:54, STARS: 0

What’s a used 1999 Corvette? $12k? So twice the cost of a 2008 C30. With another $6,000 I bet I could build a pretty fast C30. I bet a 1999 C5 Corvette would be pretty fun too though.

"PartyPooper2012" (PartyPooper2012)
06/07/2017 at 13:55, STARS: 0

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

Currently selling it for million dollars. Negotiable

"awmaster10" (awmaster10)
06/07/2017 at 13:55, STARS: 0

Yeah its a really nice color too...even if you buy something else it would almost be wise to keep it for 20k free high speed driving miles.

A couple years ago (all with a manual trans)

-c4s with an LT1 could be had for about $6-8k

-c5s could be had from $8-12k

-c6s were pretty expensive and stayed about the same (around $20k)

Now the c4 has jumped to the c5 bracket and c5s are starting around $12k

There are TONS of exceptions to these prices but in general if you get a deal on a c4 c5 or c6, you better take it and drive it for free for a couple years.

I am crazy and would still spend $10k for a clean LT1 c4, like this one:

https://southjersey.craigslist.org/cto/6128928663.html

God I love the black c4 with that spoiler, and nothing is sexier than the front hinged hood

"Sovande" (sovande)
06/07/2017 at 13:57, STARS: 0

Huh. I thought, based on your post, you were looking for a car that had some sort of visceral connection to the road with a manual. Or, if not, why not just sit on 95 in your vanilla SUV?

"PartyPooper2012" (PartyPooper2012)
06/07/2017 at 13:57, STARS: 1

Oh hell yeah. I think you would need black rims for that thing tho. Murdavet

"random001" (random001)
06/07/2017 at 13:59, STARS: 1

So pretty....

"Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle" (1500sand535)
06/07/2017 at 14:00, STARS: 0

RX-8? RWD, high revving, low COG. Im guessing if you go into it with money and mindframe that you may need an engine rebuild, that ownership is probably pretty fun.

"PartyPooper2012" (PartyPooper2012)
06/07/2017 at 14:00, STARS: 0

The shifting in C5 is so much crappier than the crappiest shifting in a honda. I can’t put it in words properly. I don’t know how to express that feeling. Maybe if I switch the shifter knob to a honda knob it will feel different.

"awmaster10" (awmaster10)
06/07/2017 at 14:01, STARS: 0

Ahh yeah I guess purchase price I didnt consider as much. Although I assumed a clean c30 was more than $6k. Either way they are very different thrills but both fun

"awmaster10" (awmaster10)
06/07/2017 at 14:01, STARS: 0

Ahh yeah I guess purchase price I didnt consider as much. Although I assumed a clean c30 was more than $6k. Either way they are very different thrills but both fun

"awmaster10" (awmaster10)
06/07/2017 at 14:02, STARS: 1

The c5 is better in so many ways so I hope it comes down in price soon, but I feel like I will own a c4 relatively soon. As long as my pathfinder survives as my backup, I see myself in a vette within 5 years.

"PartyPooper2012" (PartyPooper2012)
06/07/2017 at 14:02, STARS: 0

I saw RX-8 when it first came out. Sat in it. Looked at it. Shut the door and rear and front door both sorta caved into the cabin and bounced back. That didn’t sit right with me since.

"PartyPooper2012" (PartyPooper2012)
06/07/2017 at 14:03, STARS: 1

doooeeet!

"Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle" (1500sand535)
06/07/2017 at 14:18, STARS: 1

Well, truly you are a party pooper.

I kid I kid. That’s a strange occurrence, not sure if that’s from crappy build quality, or if some sort of flex from the door arrangements, or you just didn’t close them right...

"PartyPooper2012" (PartyPooper2012)
06/07/2017 at 14:25, STARS: 0

It was a new car on showroom floor. I have no idea why the doors flexed inward. I don’t want to find out either.

"Sovande" (sovande)
06/07/2017 at 15:00, STARS: 1

Depending on mileage and condition, they can be had for pretty cheap. Mine is tuned and has some basic suspension upgrades (springs, Koni’s and a sway bar) and I could probably get a little more than $6k, but the values have pretty well tanked. It’s a fun car that I will likely hang on to since they are so easy to DIY and I have the Volvo software and dedicated laptop, etc.

I also have a 1987 El Camino with a 350, headers, open exhaust, etc and I can completely see the other side of the coin. It’s so much fun to drive, but in a completely different way. It’s not particularly fast, but the drama involved in getting going makes it seem fast. It handles like a small boat, but that makes turning that much more interesting.

"Sovande" (sovande)
06/07/2017 at 15:02, STARS: 0

I have only driven a 2002 manual Civic. I have heard that Honda shifters are among the best, but I didn’t get to experience anything other than glacial acceleration.

"PartyPooper2012" (PartyPooper2012)
06/07/2017 at 16:26, STARS: 0

http://bringatrailer.com/listing/1995-acura-nsx-6/

"Shift24" (the-nope)
06/07/2017 at 17:04, STARS: 0

What are you looking for though? Something you can ring through the gears, take on curvy roads, or more power? (though a C5 has decent power and slight mods can get you well north of 400hp easy)

For going though the gears of course S2K needs to be on there but you could also consider a Cayman, which can be fun depending on the motor.

Curvy roads, look to BMW for RWD and FiST/FoST or Honda for FWD. And ideas on BMWs is its not always the best to get an M car. Look for M-Sports (like 550i or 235i) which can be almost as fun but half the price.

Power, your going to have to go newer muscle/Vette or get german luxury and pray it doesnt bankrupt you.

"PartyPooper2012" (PartyPooper2012)
06/08/2017 at 06:16, STARS: 0

S2000 is definitely on the radar. It’s priced a bit high. Always has been. I think I can bring that 4 cyl engine to its knees though. Maybe not, but that’s my fear. I don’t want to be the guy who kills a unicorn

90s NSX is also on the radar, but that’s nice new car money and I can’t tell my wife I am about to go plop house downpayment on a 20 year old sports car

Maybe I would be happy with a supra, but again, crazy money.

I was sitting with my wife yesterday and told her how unhappy I was with the C5 only a week after I bought it. She reached for the knife...

Later in conversation I said there are few thngs I can do to the vette to make it a little better and more mine. She said - why are you gonna sink more money if you’re going to sell it... and that made me think. Maybe I am not that unhappy. It just hasn’t been made mine. I need to make changes to it. When I walk into a parking lot and see a slew of navy blue metallic C5 corvettes, I need to look around and say yup. That one there is mine.

"PartyPooper2012" (PartyPooper2012)
06/08/2017 at 06:25, STARS: 0

Take that civic and go sit in traffic for an hour.

C5 does some self centering where it wants to move my shifter from between 1st and 2nd to between 3rd and 4th.

Sure C5 has enough power where it doesn’t stall going from 1st to 4th, but my intent is to go from 1st to 2nd and anything that takes away from that I hate with passion.

So as per some literature I read - there is a spring in the shifter mechanism that pushes the shifter to the center. At high speeds, it’s not really noticable since you’re in higher gears, but when you’re in traffic and you are either grinding gears or shifting from lowest gear to semi high gear, car bogs down.

Honda, however, doesn’t do any of that. You want it in 1st, by god keep it there. You want it where you want it and it doesn’t mind. Do what you want in honda.

Honda for president.

"Shift24" (the-nope)
06/08/2017 at 09:37, STARS: 0

Yeah but on the NSX you need to spin it as an investment not a 20 year old car. One day those cars will be worth their weight in gold. Set it up as an investment portfolio and then have the numbers on its increasing value and how it could be a great opportunity. Even so I dont think thats going to go over well lol.

Yeah S2Ks have always been seen as the halo 4cyl RWD sports car. Miata might be the answer but S2K is the actual answer. And from what i have heard you have to blow or turbo an S2K to kill it.

Supras arent a bad idea but everyone and there mother wants a 2jz.

And I do agree that it has to feel like its yours. There are very few exterior mods that look good on a C5 but a relatively cheap mod is the exhaust. There are tons of exhaust videos for the C5, just need to find which one you like. The other thing to do is go to AutoX event. That can make or break whether youll like the car because you will find the limitations of the car to you. And if anything it gives you a moment where that car was yours and it was you hustling it across that finish line, no one else.

"PartyPooper2012" (PartyPooper2012)
06/08/2017 at 09:47, STARS: 0

An investment portfolio can’t come out and play. It would have to sit in a climate controlled garage and polished twice a day. FUCK THAT

I am exceptionally talented when it comes to killing things.

This weekend I will get to wrench on it a bit more. Maybe i’ll make some changes to make it mine.

It’s already got really nice rims. It’s already got really loud Borla Boat exhaust.

"deprecated account" (savethei4s)
06/08/2017 at 10:06, STARS: 0

damn.