Mitsubishi 3000GT
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- old-guy64
It (the Prelude) may be over-rated. But it is faster than most of us want to drive on a day to day basis.
It is a good-looking little coupe.
If left unmodified, or only lightly modded is reliable enough for me to send my wife or kids out in one, knowing that they won't need rescued from breakdowns.
Although, I have to admit that my current strategy for obtaining sporty cars is to go look at the one Car and Driver, Motor Trend, and Road and Track panned. While everyone is drooling over the top pick the prices are falling off on the bottom rung pick, and it usually is plenty good for the type of driving I do most.
As for the Mini being ugly: All your taste is obviously in your mouth
I had an Austin America that was MUCH uglier. And I have always liked the Mini of old and the new one is instantly identifiable with the old timer.
It is a good-looking little coupe.
If left unmodified, or only lightly modded is reliable enough for me to send my wife or kids out in one, knowing that they won't need rescued from breakdowns.
Although, I have to admit that my current strategy for obtaining sporty cars is to go look at the one Car and Driver, Motor Trend, and Road and Track panned. While everyone is drooling over the top pick the prices are falling off on the bottom rung pick, and it usually is plenty good for the type of driving I do most.
As for the Mini being ugly: All your taste is obviously in your mouth
I had an Austin America that was MUCH uglier. And I have always liked the Mini of old and the new one is instantly identifiable with the old timer.
The Vanishing Boy
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Acura RSX Type-S is a better choice, a proven track record (Integra), engine power with fuel mileage, and least expensive to own compared to the Mini. Besides I consider the Mini as a toy not a car.
But the Prelude is a perfect fit for your lifestyle, especially (if you know where to look) there are some few remaining new cars that are left out before it was phased out.
Here's another alternative, the Honda Accord EX V6 w/ 6-speed, Car and Driver said that the EX V6 has the spirit of the much missed Prelude (a perennial 10 Best Cars in the past years). And the insurance wil not expensive due to excellent safety ratings from both NHTSA and IIHS.
But the Prelude is a perfect fit for your lifestyle, especially (if you know where to look) there are some few remaining new cars that are left out before it was phased out.
Here's another alternative, the Honda Accord EX V6 w/ 6-speed, Car and Driver said that the EX V6 has the spirit of the much missed Prelude (a perennial 10 Best Cars in the past years). And the insurance wil not expensive due to excellent safety ratings from both NHTSA and IIHS.
I hate to burst your bubble, but the RSX has no track record of any kind. It's a new frame, new engine, new transmission...practically new everything. While the parent company -- Honda -- has a great track record, that doesn't mean that the (arguably crappy) K20 engine will be anything like the (already proven) B18C. As for the Mini, it is not only a better-built car than the RSX, but it is a far better handling car than the RSX. Hands down. Drive one and see. The Mini was (and is) not just about great packaging but about efficient engineering.
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The 3000GT has pretty neutral styling. The headlights on the later models were pretty ugly though.
I also dont like how the 3000GT had a sideways mounted engine, this means that it is built on a FWD chassis, and most of the initial torque would be going to the front wheels.
I also dont like how the 3000GT had a sideways mounted engine, this means that it is built on a FWD chassis, and most of the initial torque would be going to the front wheels.
Joey D
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Hooligan I totally agree with you on how the RSX isn't all that great. I drove one and I thought it was just ok, nothing to special.
I haven't driven a Mini Cooper S yet so I couldn't tell you if its good or bad. But from what I've read the little car is quite impressive.
I haven't driven a Mini Cooper S yet so I couldn't tell you if its good or bad. But from what I've read the little car is quite impressive.
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Hey, how much does the K20 have in common with the S2000's engine? Is it the same block or something. How much work would it take to make a K20 into an S2000 engine? I wonder if it can be done?
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- old-guy64
Good question.
I think that there is some difference as one is mounted sideways and the other is mounted "correctly". There would be some re-engineering involved.
But then we get into my only major gripe about Hondas.
What good is VTEC if you have to risk blowing up the engine to experience its benefits?
I have to agree with Hooligan re: the Mini. Alec Issogonis, the guy who actually designed the thing was simply trying to make a car that was as good and effecient as the VW Bug. Plus, back in the early days of the Mini, Sir Alec (he was knighted for designing the little beast) challenged people to try and roll one. He offered a substantial amount of money to the person who could do it. He never paid out on that challenge.
Yeah, the Mini is small, (hence the name). But it is one of the most efficient ff platforms going. It is also the original "hot hatch". It begat many other hot hatches which includes the Civic, the Rabbit/Golf, The Focus, Etc.
The RSX has plenty of potential, but it doesn't have the "cool points" of the ITR....yet.
I think that there is some difference as one is mounted sideways and the other is mounted "correctly". There would be some re-engineering involved.
But then we get into my only major gripe about Hondas.
What good is VTEC if you have to risk blowing up the engine to experience its benefits?
I have to agree with Hooligan re: the Mini. Alec Issogonis, the guy who actually designed the thing was simply trying to make a car that was as good and effecient as the VW Bug. Plus, back in the early days of the Mini, Sir Alec (he was knighted for designing the little beast) challenged people to try and roll one. He offered a substantial amount of money to the person who could do it. He never paid out on that challenge.
Yeah, the Mini is small, (hence the name). But it is one of the most efficient ff platforms going. It is also the original "hot hatch". It begat many other hot hatches which includes the Civic, the Rabbit/Golf, The Focus, Etc.
The RSX has plenty of potential, but it doesn't have the "cool points" of the ITR....yet.
My understanding is that the K20C (RSX) and F20C (S2000) share one thing in common: the "20C" part of their engine code. I was told that the F20C spins counter-clockwise (like the B18C, D16, etc.), and the K20C spins clockwise. Because of that, just about everything had to be re-worked. The blocks themselves are quite different. Specifics can be found at:
http://spoonman.uhome.net/spec/honda.htm
Although they only list the K20A, it should be similar to the K20C, excepting intake & exhaust plenums & valves. There may be no actual way to convert a K to the F. The bores & strokes are quite different. While shortening the stroke is fine, boring out an already thin Honda engine wall would be treading on thin ice.
I think you may be better off converting a K20C to a K20A. You might only need a change of heads. Pluswhich, the transmission won't have to be re-done, nor the engine mounts, etc. I'm sure loads of JDM K20A parts are available somewhere.
Me? I'd rather put the F20 in a Caterham kit. I had thought about doing a muscle car rebuild in a few years, but I'm vaccilating between that and something lightweight, with even a Subaru EJ20 turbo. Perhaps when I actually have the money I'll be able to make up my mind.
The Vanishing Boy
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Hooligan, I know that the RSX is a completely new car but in a deeper perspective, the RSX IS the Integra (a name not used in the US anymore). I'm not talking anout the car itself, but the cars past reputation on the previous models (DC body-series, and DA body-series like my car pictured above).
The Vanishing Boy
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Alpha-numeric names suck, bring back the good 'ol names like the Integra, Vigor, and Legend. But leave the NSX name alone.
The Vanishing Boy
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I don't call the 3000GT a "pig", the Camaro is the real "pig" because it gobbles a ton of gas at the pump.
The Vanishing Boy
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Power-to-weight ratio for the 3000GT is not so impressive. However, this weight benefits for long distance highway cruising. But at the time when it first released (1992), it was considered as one of the best performing cars on the track (even beating the 300ZX).
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As any regular member here knows, I love Mitsu's. So let me give you the lowdown:
-It's 4WD, and it has weight and acceleration similar to a Skyline [R-34]. I don't know if thats what you're into but the two are very comparable.
-GTO's [3000GT's] are kinda heavy but can haul arse.
-They come in either NA or Turbo..NA can get a higher overall HP if you plan on modifying but the Turbo can scare your pets...
If you want more info, just PM me.
-It's 4WD, and it has weight and acceleration similar to a Skyline [R-34]. I don't know if thats what you're into but the two are very comparable.
-GTO's [3000GT's] are kinda heavy but can haul arse.
-They come in either NA or Turbo..NA can get a higher overall HP if you plan on modifying but the Turbo can scare your pets...
If you want more info, just PM me.
Oh, well, yeah: based on the company's reputation, the RSX should be a fine engine (and I know how Japan still calls this the Integra). In fact, I can't think of a single Honda engine that hasn't lived up to their previous reputation. Not my favorite, but I'll give credit where it's due.
The Vanishing Boy
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Holigan: Well, Consumer Reports mazagine did just that.
KosmikFool: I used to be a Mitsu fan before, until the Eclipse GSX and the GTO/3000GT were phased out.
KosmikFool: I used to be a Mitsu fan before, until the Eclipse GSX and the GTO/3000GT were phased out.
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I don't like the new eclipses...
You're, like, totally right. That, like, totally doubles their, like, market share!
If ever there was a company in need of across-the-board overhauling, it's ****subishi. Even their TVs suck. I think they used to make great cars, but the EVO 7 GTA is a sure sign that things have hit rock bottom.
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Dude, don't diss Mitsu's! They totally rock! At least they win some races unlike most other Japanese car companies.
The Vanishing Boy
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Same here, the new 2000 and up Eclipse tottaly suck especially theres some Chrysler parts with it.
I don't diss Mitsu (esp the EVO-series), but when I found out that the GSX and the GT gone, I got pissed.
I don't diss Mitsu (esp the EVO-series), but when I found out that the GSX and the GT gone, I got pissed.
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- SolidFro
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I wish Mitsubishi would bring back the 3000GT... 
Mitsubishi definitely has an image problem. Look at their Outlander and Eclipse, horrible! Even the yo-boys hate the new Eclipse. And the redesign of the Lancer might drive the last nail in their coffin.
Mitsubishi definitely has an image problem. Look at their Outlander and Eclipse, horrible! Even the yo-boys hate the new Eclipse. And the redesign of the Lancer might drive the last nail in their coffin.
What, like getting their a$$es handed to them by a French manufacturer? In the dirt?!? The recent WRC Mits EVO is nothing like the EVO 6 of old. Heck, even the new Impreza is doing well compared to them. And while the EVO 7 will best the v7 STi nine times out of ten, the EVO is Mitz's only sporting car. Period. One by one, they wimped out of every other sector.
http://www.motorsm.com/WRC_2002_results.asp
What good is VTEC, VVT-i, VarioCam, and whatever else the manufacturers call them, if you have to risk blowing up the engine to experience the benefits?
As far as I know, VTEC is just variable valve timing, which basically every manufacturer has. There's no such thing as a "VTEC experience", it's not NOS, it's not turbo boost, it's just variable valve timing which many engines from all sorts of manufacturers have.
Again, nothing special about VTEC. The fact that the S2000 revs to 9000rpm is special. The fact that it has variable valve timing, isn't.
