New Car for Jenn

[Adam]

- Good fuel economy

Define. By some metrics, you aren't going to get "interesting," "powerful" and "larger" with "good fuel economy" at the same time - especially not for <$4k. Depending on your definition. On the other hand, a car like the 4th gen Maxima could check a lot of those boxes for me, though not sure if mileage falls into "good for 2017." I'd say it's more "good for 2005." Which may be fine. Just using that car's power/weight, fun to drive, niceness and spaciousness as a data point.

I don't know what it means either. My requirements are tagged, everything else is from her. She originally thought that the Riviera's fuel economy was too low in the low 20's, but after driving the Ranger, the Riviera is now ok I guess (no complaints). Her Civic gets ~30 mpg mixed, so that's where she's coming from.

[Adam]

Oh yeah, no Nissans is another requirement. Until it isn't.

[Adam]

I don't have any problems with TPMS. I think most of her reservations are from working at dealers and having to deal with people calling and coming in with lights on not knowing what it means. Especially in the fall when it starts to cool off.

That reminds me, I should check all my tire pressures (since I don't have TPMS to do it for me).

[Adam]

Legend:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ha5MN96ApDw

[Adam]

Added the 91-96 Prelude to the list. She doesn't like the 97-01 Prelude because of how the front lights look, nor does she like the pre-91 Preludes because of the popup headlights. I think I'll just update the earlier list rather than interleave other models into this thread.

[Adam]

Legend:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ha5MN96ApDw

For the record, I also like the Legend. However, they are really rare and I think they are fancier than she realizes (pretty sure she hasn't seen one in person).

[kevm14]

In the beginning of that video I got excited when I saw the Legend. I remembered the 230hp 3.2L V6 and 6-speed correctly. I was less excited when I actually watched the rest of it. Nice interior, though.

Probably not worth bending over backwards to find a unicorn that is clean, available, and priced right. <Maxima rant>From where I sit, for a 90s Japanese ride in this class, I'd rather look for a 4th gen Maxima or, how about this, an I30t. Sedan though. And Nissan. You either match or gain performance, with a substantially better back seat. I'm not sure I can think of a better 90s Japanese FWD sedan. I guess she doesn't care about the back seat. I am having trouble with that - probably because the Maxima/I30t is lighter and better handling than the Legend, with better fuel economy (coupe fail). You will have an easier time finding an I30t than a Legend coupe but fancier is not the direction she probably wants to go. </Maxima rant> I'm projecting my preferences...but wait....Camry V6 coupe? Oh yeah, that is on your list already.

So here's what came over me though.

You finish the SC400. That, combined with the Fleetwood, becomes part of your car fleet (you can tell people you drive "a Cadillac" and "a Lexus"), giving you an all-RWD fleet (Ranger!), which you are perfectly capable of handling. Sell Jenn the Riviera for a price she can't refuse - that way she's not "borrowing" it and this ordeal will be over. I'm not sure the Riviera gives up much to the Legend, at least in numbers. I think it is a bit faster, and it would seem the handling is probably not much worse. I will admit the braking in the Legend was shockingly good. Lousy shifter feel is also shocking.

4th gen Prelude is good. Very small vehicle - no larger than the Civic at all inside. Maybe smaller somehow? And finding a clean one for a good price is going to be either challenging or require a very long drive. If you look at an automatic non-VTEC, you will have hit a new low.

Which brings me back to my aforementioned idea above. Discuss.

[Bob]

Added the 91-96 Prelude to the list. She doesn't like the 97-01 Prelude because of how the front lights look, nor does she like the pre-91 Preludes because of the popup headlights. I think I'll just update the earlier list rather than interleave other models into this thread.

I loved my 94 Prelude VTEC. I imagine it would be hard to find one in decent shape these days. Also, oil consumption was an issue with the H22A.

[Adam]

The Maxima and the I30t are both 4-door Nissans, so they are right out.

Not my idea, just conveying the "requirements".

[Adam]

Also, oil consumption was an issue with the H22A.

Yeah, I had a friend with a 2001 (or 2000?) Prelude VTEC with the same problem. In related news, he had to replace the engine due to lower-end knocking which I'm fairly sure was related to prolonged low oil level accompanied with "spirited" driving. Also, her Civic had problems with oil consumption, so nothing new there.