LS4 Performance - Seeking Car Advice.....REALLY long winded

Hi all, for those who are new, I had the first Turbo GXP using a Cartuning kit, results are below in my sig. Last fall I was dead set on selling the GXP so I put the car back to stock except for the lowering springs, built trans and dual valve springs but when I looked for another car at the time I didn't see anything I liked.

Then I thought I would wait till spring and just beef up the motor and do a more hardcore turbo setup with Cartuning's help and shoot for 650whp. So here we are, it's pretty much almost spring here in Canada and I'm weighing out my options.

I'm at the point (29, getting married this year, no kids, own a house etc.) where I want a FUN car to drive rather then a huge boat however I still need to commute to work 30 miles each way so it needs to be somewhat economical (GXP not so economical).

So I have been thinking of options for a replacement car instead of an all out build. Since I'm upside down on my loan as I'm sure most are with a 2 year old GXP, I want to get something used maybe 04/05 ish so when we add my left over loan my payments would be lower then what I have now. In Canada, we either didn't get some of the same cars as you guys or they are way too much $$ here so it's a bit limiting. I am looking at a car that is either RWD or AWD and something that has a manual tranny. Something I can drive daily, drive in winter with good winter tires, something that's "cool looking" something that I can go to a track day and have fun with etc.

Options:

-RX-8 I really like the looks and that is has rear seats, it's got SHITTY torque but apparently a really nice car to drive in the twisties with, can't drive it without making sure you get it up to operating temp before turning it off, needs a turbo kit

-350Z love the looks of this car, no rear seats which sucks, still needs a turbo kit to get decent power

-Subaru WRX, They are decent, turbo upgrade and fuel upgrades they can get some good power but apparently anything over 300whp the trans can't hold the power...the STI here in Canada is still WAY too much $$$, 25k cdn for them so when you add the amount I'm upside down on it just doesn't make sense.

-G8, the sales here in Canada SUCK, so used there aren't any CHEAP options and new is still too much $$

-Early 2000 Vette they are still pretty expensive, sweet cars though

-F-body's, there really aren't many for sale here, not sure I would want one anyways

-Mazda Miata, I could get an older one and swap in an LS1 that would be insanely fun to drive

What else is out there?

The weird thing is I ALWAYS come back to the GXP and say to myself "This car REALLY isn't bad at all" But it's just a big FWD boat with an auto trans, corners like shit compared to others and other then stepping on it in a straight line or putting 4 adults in there with luggage isn't really "fun" to me anymore :( (I still love the car for what it is, and all the features like HUD but it's gotten super boring and if I do it up with more power, then all I can do is go fast in a straight line but then I get pulled over and car impounded and lose my license, what good is that?)

Anyone else in the same boat or were in a similar boat and moved to a GXP as a result?

Sorry for the super long post.

370Z, but that's probably more than you're wanting to spend.


Find a 03-04 Mustang Cobra.

Oh yeah, Mustang is on the list as well, 03/04 Cobra is still close to 30k...way too much but insane car. a 03/04 GT or even the newer style 05 GT is still pretty cheap, of course cuz it's a domestic, but still

370Z is like 50k + what I would still owe on the GXP that would be WAY too much.

Geez, Canadian prices are insane. The 370Z at my dealership is 33k with sport package.


You got me thinking, what about a GTO?

never sold them here so if there are any they are imported from the US right now there is one in the auto trader, an 05 with 20k miles on the clock going for 25k....

If I wanted to stay domestic I could get a 08 Cobalt SS with the turbo, they have the 4 door one as well and used they are cheap, it actually got some really good reviews but it's still FWD http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/hot_lists/high_performance/features_classic_cars/the_lightning_lap_2008_feature+page-2.html

The Cobalts do get great reviews, and apparently aren't shabby in the handling department.

I have the same thoughts. Its really not that bad, I love the power and torque it has. The dual auto climate, seat heaters, heads up, factory remote start, bilsteins, bigger brakes, 18s, and a LSX motor make it a pretty neat sleeper/underdog. In the end no matter how I look at it though I want a rear wheel drive manual car that I can have fun in the twisties and not just going in a straight line. I have been heavily considering trading in on a GTO or a CLK500 before I get upside down on the loan.

Why not just keep the GXP so you don't lose out money? An older Miata with a swapped 302/306/347 ford motor would be cheap and haul ass and be tons of fun. If you have a little more to spend they have the LSX swap kits too.

since it seems like you're starting a family, and want something with back seats, but is still decently fun to drive and can at least somewhat handle, and can use in the snow, how about a Charger R/T AWD?

What’s up Jay, if you get rid of the GXP you really have to drive the turbo Cobalt. A friend of mine has one and it is fun as hell. I can’t believe how nice it rides for a small car.

I have the same thoughts. Its really not that bad, I love the power and torque it has. The dual auto climate, seat heaters, heads up, factory remote start, bilsteins, bigger brakes, 18s, and a LSX motor make it a pretty neat sleeper/underdog. In the end no matter how I look at it though I want a rear wheel drive manual car that I can have fun in the twisties and not just going in a straight line. I have been heavily considering trading in on a GTO or a CLK500 before I get upside down on the loan.

Why not just keep the GXP so you don't lose out money? An older Miata with a swapped 302/306/347 ford motor would be cheap and haul ass and be tons of fun. If you have a little more to spend they have the LSX swap kits too.

So the problem is I got this car with $0 down so my payment is ridiculously high, I couldn't keep this and also spend money on another project.

But I feel the same way. I guess if I got by for another couple years it will be paid off and then I could get a fun car.

Go for an Audi S4, S6 or if you can find it cheap RS4, RS6.

i was looking at a gto or 90s vette. both were around $15k but the vette had way more miles. sucks they dont sell the gto in canada. can you import it?

Do you guys have Suby Legacy GT's Awd 2.5 flat four. turbo. VVT 5 spd man. 250 hp stock. With turbo change, exhaust and chip should be close to 400. Still fun. AWD for winter and handling. I love audis but they are pricy. Look at the old school audi s4/s6 from 92-96. Stronger motor than the 2.7 TT in the late 90's and early 2000'2 S4. If u want luxury The saab 9-2x wich is basically a suby wrx but with nicer interior. Mazdaspeed6 2.3 Direct Injection Turbo/intercooled. AWD, Man trans avalible, VW or audi with the 1.8 or 2.0T models. plenty of upgrades for them. Lots of ideas depends what u want. Older M3. Caddilac STS-v or CTS-V

Yeah, you're right, pretty much all of those are good options! Man, so many things to think about.

I agree they are a good DD or wife car. Get decent milage and kinda cool and rare but there is only so much that we can do and really have it worth while. I enjoy driving it around from point a to b. But its not a true toy i dont think.

LOL at suggesting an RS4. Even used that's going to be WAY out of his price range. Personally I'd stay away from the RX-8. If you're dead set on a manual you might as well cross the G8 off your list unless you're gonna find a used GXP already.

I'm so desperate I called and sent requests to shops to see how much to convert my GXP to RWD Manual, lol

hahaha I'd imagine that wouldn't be worth the cost unless you have some major connections. I really would look into a Charger R/T as mentioned by someone else, although I'd go with the RWD version. Plenty of aftermarket for the 5.7L Hemi. I've heard alot of stuff actually isn't compatible with the AWD cars that are with the RWD ones so there would be a much smaller aftermarket.

The Charger is still a pretty heavy tank though, wouldn't be the car to go carving corners with lol.

Yeah no, my buddy has a Charger SRT-8 with some mods and it's still pretty damn SLOW. It's a HUGE beast and still Auto :(

Converting the GXP I was told would be around 20k ish....the guy told me to buy a G8, I really don't think he gets it, lol

A Charger R/T is still just as fast as the LS4 cars, with alot more aftermarket. I'm confused as to what you want here. You're saying an SRT8 is too slow when stock for stock it's considerably faster than our LS4 cars are, yet an RX8 is on your list and that runs a 15 sec 1/4 mile(although fun to drive in the twisties), not to mention gets worse gas mileage than the LS4 cars get.

And no matter how much you love your car $20k for that conversion is an utter waste of money. Including what was spent on the car, a new turbo setup, your tranny, the conversion, you're looking at over a $60k car. Seriously?

IMO, you need to narrow down what you want alot more, your list is really too all over the place and kind of contradictory.

..but have you thought of an MR2 Turbo?

My '91 has 166000 miles and is solid as a rock. Not a creek or rattle. The mid-engine RWD sticks like tape to the ground, and it's 2900 LB weight makes it incredibly agile. The ridiculously overbuilt 3sgte engine has no complaints about my HKS upgrades. The car is the anti-thesis of my SS.

You probably could pick one up for less than 5,000.

Personally, I say just keep it. These ARE nice cars and you already know that. If you are getting married and may have children this is the car to go with. In stock form (driver depending) they are faster than a Charger. You have an advantage already having built your transmission with 3.29's. So that right there makes a big difference. I think you shuld put a turbo on it again. You were happier then... Keep the car Jay.... : )

-Mike

Seriously though, a Charger R/T is not what I want, that car is slow. If I'm going to switch to a RWD car it needs to be lighter then the GXP and manual, lol Charger is none of that.

RX-8 is a different car, revs to 9000rpm, sure is slower in the straight line but you can track that car no problem :)

I am thinking of keeping it, I need a new torque converter the stock one is shot, I can put a cam in it and do NA stuff like that then re-turbo it next spring after the wedding.

If that's not what you want that's fine, I'm merely saying it's hard to give an opinion when you're comparing possible cars that are in completely different corners lol.

And that usually means keep what you have.

I think it handles pretty good?

http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=877400

I think these cars handle great for what they are. It handles WAY better than the GTP I have! I mean, night and day! The GTP is a 2dr too... Jay, do you have any strut stabilizers on it? If not, get some. Makes a noticable difference. Cheap mod anyway.

-Mike

I have them with donrom brackets, sitting in the garage, lol I might put them back on this weekend :)

I agree, I had a turbo 98 GTP with built trans and tonnes of power and this car is NIGHT AND DAY way better....

They arent bad for as heavy as they are and being FWD. I noticed u alsmot gotta treat them like you was on dirt over drive it at first. turn in fast to get the rear end to lossen up a bit more then correct a bit and keep a good line.

I would put those back on. What ya waitin' for? lol...

It's funny becaue I was in the same boat about 6 months ago regarding to keep my GXP or not. I was going to go with a Charget R/T RWD but decided against it. I was pissed because my the GXP needed a new trans. and I was not sure I wanted to fix it or not. I have 2 years left on the loan and I know I won't get a thing for it so I decided to fix it. I also didn't want to assume 3 more years on a newer car in this wicked (yes, I live near Boston lol..) $hitty economy.

Ok, there is my reasoning for you keeping your car, Jay...lol

-Mike

Yeah, sounds like we were thinking the same thing :) I am financing this car for 5 years total (pretty much standard here in Canada, you either finance for 5 years or lease for 5 years....crazy huh?) I'm half done paying for the car which also means that since the loans are front heavy with interest I've paid most of the interest off already so my payments now almost all go to the principle which is good. and I only have 2.5 years to pay rather then 5 if I get a different car.

My other problem is before the GXP, I never had a car longer then a year, I had 11 cars in 7 years until I got the GXP but every time I think of getting rid of it I find reasons to keep it, lol

Even this post is pointing only towards keeping it.

Maybe I'll throw in the LS6 cam when I do the Torque Converter in a month and do a downpipe/intake.

All I would have to do for reasons of keeping my car if I were you is to look at your signature. Your in an elite league there, Dude... You were the 1st one with the ball$ to do that.

-Mike

yeah, but now I feel like a loser for having sold it, lol

I was at Cartuning today though, working plans out.... :devil:

LOL! see...

I would get a BMW 335i or 335xi. There are quite a few 335i's running high 11's with just a Juicebox (from Berger Performance), exhaust and intake. The stage 3 juicebox, which is a simple plug in inline with the ecm wiring only costs about $600. The 335xi's are running low 12's with just a juice box. A used 335/335x can be had for high 20's to low 30's.

http://www.dragtimes.com/results.php?carmodel=1365&op1=%3E%3D&data1=&search2=et&op2=%3C%3D&data2=&days=10000000&carmake=5&name=Search+DragTimes

http://www.dragtimes.com/results.php?carmodel=1483&op1=%3E%3D&data1=&search2=et&op2=%3C%3D&data2=&days=10000000&carmake=5&name=Search+DragTimes

http://www.burgertuning.com/index.html

Well Jay if you decide on a Beeemer you better stock up on some wool turtleneck sweaters. lol...

-Mike

Well Jay if you decide on a Beeemer you better stock up on some wool turtleneck sweaters. lol...

-Mike

BAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA :D Now that's funny as hell!! hahahahahaha

i'm thinking 240sx coupe with ls1/t56 setup mmmmmhhh

Yeah no, my buddy has a Charger SRT-8 with some mods and it's still pretty damn SLOW. It's a HUGE beast and still Auto :(

Converting the GXP I was told would be around 20k ish....the guy told me to buy a G8, I really don't think he gets it, lol

AWD be cheaper? was wondering how much that would cost to convert to would be very cool

The thing i hate about GM anymore is it hard to get a manual trans unless u buy an eco car or Vette. you cant buy anything with decent performance with a manual. I have a fiend for Manual, AWD, and Turbo charged motors. And GM finally built one with the Saab 9-3X. But thats the only option from GM. Other wise your basically looking at Audi, Subaru, or the new BMW's