I saw that other car thread and thought I'd ask your guys' opinion. I'm saving right now for a car to move to LA with. It should be in the 5k-9k range, hence probably a 90's era vehicle. I could use suggestions. The right car would be:
1) stylish
2) affordable
3) reliable
4) fuel-efficient
5) fast
I was thinking of a 1990-model couple such as a Nissan 300zx or Toyota Supra, along those lines. Also thought of the Toyota Solara and Ford Thunderbird. 4-door is always an option. Would prefer 5k-8k range, but under 10k might offer more choices. Any ideas?
(http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/9554/supraneuso4.jpg) (http://imageshack.us)
s14 240sx
(http://www.nissanclub.com/240SX/jrsx/jrsx01.jpg)
early style headlamps
late model s14 97-98 with projectors
(http://www.modacar.com/Merchant2/body_kits/nissan/240_9798front.jpg)
affordable, 4 seats, two doors, fast, RWD, and fun! and very mod friendly . fuel efficent as well
300zx as much as I love it will probly be a money pit for you. that v6 motor is hard to work on and not always as reliable as one would like. for that price range they are usually pretty ragged out cars and need work. but if you find one for a good deal go for it. the 300zx is one of my dream cars.
if you do go with a 300zx go for a Twin turbo.
like this 1990
(http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c359/RobZ90TT/Zmoneyshot.jpg)
if you really want to save some money and do something custom and have somthing that will turn heads go with this.
1975 280z. actually you can find the same body style from 71-78 just dont go with the zx because it had the 2+2 seats and was really a slug.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v92/Nismosis/Miata/Datsun/Z4.jpg)
forgoten jewel
porche 944 turbo
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/29/1987_Porsche_944_Turbo.JPG/250px-1987_Porsche_944_Turbo.JPG)
ofcourse you cant forget about the mazda RX7
(http://news.caradisiac.com/IMG/jpg/image129wr.jpg)
dodge conquest/mitsubishi starion
(http://www.dodgeforum.com/models/conquest/images/Dodge-Conquest.jpg)
(http://www.rallyaccion.com/compraventa/starion.jpg)
mitsubishi 3000gt/dodge stealth
(http://www.edmunds.com/pictures/VEHICLE/1999/Mitsubishi/12689/007887-396x249.jpg)
don't buy a thundershit. And if you do make sure that it has the V8 not the V6. imports are almost always more reliable later on in life than domestics....
You can alway get THE american classic. C-4 Corvette's are in this range, I bought my '89 for $6000.
Quote from: jimbo1 on February 27, 2007, 08:01:29 AM
You can alway get THE american classic. C-4 Corvette's are in this range, I bought my '89 for $6000.
yeah and the 350's are a great engine, reliable and parts are easily had for relatively cheap. Insurance might not be so cheap though. 2 doors 4 seater = sports coupe, 2 doors 2 seater = sports car and a big difference in insurance.
Quoteyeah and the 350's are a great engine, reliable and parts are easily had for relatively cheap. Insurance might not be so cheap though. 2 doors 4 seater = sports coupe, 2 doors 2 seater = sports car and a big difference in insurance.
Insurance on the vette is $80 every 6 months, my daughter's '89 escort is $87. Go figure.
Quote from: jimbo1 on February 27, 2007, 08:28:36 AM
Quoteyeah and the 350's are a great engine, reliable and parts are easily had for relatively cheap. Insurance might not be so cheap though. 2 doors 4 seater = sports coupe, 2 doors 2 seater = sports car and a big difference in insurance.
Insurance on the vette is $80 every 6 months, my daughter's '89 escort is $87. Go figure.
Is that if they were both driven by your daughter, cause age has a lot to do with it. My moto insurance droped a mega-ton when once i hit 25 last September, i can't wait till renewal time with the car insurance :laugh:
I bought my 03 SVT Focus for 11k on the dot WITH a 7 year warranty. It's not super fast for sure, but it's alot of fun, light tossable with 170 hp. PLUS a 7 year warranty is really really really nice.
Quote from: VTNewb on February 27, 2007, 09:06:25 AM
I bought my 03 SVT Focus for 11k on the dot WITH a 7 year warranty. It's not super fast for sure, but it's alot of fun, light tossable with 170 hp. PLUS a 7 year warranty is really really really nice.
+1 That is the ONLY American sport compact I have really liked. It's a cool design, has a lot of potential and is fun to drive out of the box.
328iS
Insurance doesn't matter who drives them. Its one policy, with my daughter as a driver in my house.
Of course, SHE doesn't know that.
focus = FWD.. . NOPE.
Quote from: Susuki_Jah on February 27, 2007, 11:07:13 AM
focus = FWD.. . NOPE.
FWD doesn't mean not sporty. Also I believe nightrider stated that he wanted fast, stylish, fuel efficient, but no specific mention of RWD. Take an Integra type R, Focus SVT, Civic Si, Eclipse GS-T, Mazdaspeed3, VW GTI- all examples of nice FWD cars that are sporty, fast, fuel efficient and practical.
OOh, I forgot to mention the Honda Prelude- it's a nice looking car and a decent balance between sporty and usable. You can probably land a Type SH 5Speed for around $6-10K
Quote from: jimbo1 on February 27, 2007, 10:51:47 AM
Insurance doesn't matter who drives them. Its one policy, with my daughter as a driver in my house.
Of course, SHE doesn't know that.
yeah, i forgot you could do that. I have my fiance on my policy but i listed her as the primary driver of the car which changes the rate according to her record, I take the pickup or my bike :laugh: :laugh:
Quote from: CasiUSA on February 27, 2007, 11:37:46 AM
Quote from: Susuki_Jah on February 27, 2007, 11:07:13 AM
focus = FWD.. . NOPE.
FWD doesn't mean not sporty. Also I believe nightrider stated that he wanted fast, stylish, fuel efficient, but no specific mention of RWD. Take an Integra type R, Focus SVT, Civic Si, Eclipse GS-T, Mazdaspeed3, VW GTI- all examples of nice FWD cars that are sporty, fast, fuel efficient and practical.
oh i didnt mean it wasnt sporty casi. I just meant Im not into FWD cars anymore and if you are looking for an older sports car I would try to go RWD. even though I think the focus is a nice car and I really like fords . I ran a sentra SER in autox and it just doesnt handle near the way a RWD can. and try to get out of a sticky situation.. LOCK UP.
FWD can be sporty but I wouldnt ever consider them to be a true Sports car. Front wheel drive cars are usually more of a pain to swap motors and suspension as well. trust me ive worked on all of them and i hate ever FWD car I ever laid my hands on. they pack so much crap in the engine bay its not even funny. and talk about AWD thats even worse to work on. it will take me about 3-5 hours to pull a engine and tranny thats in a driveway from start to finish in a FWD car thats including wires and labeling and bagging bolts. it will take me a little over an hour to pull the engine and tranny out of a RWD car doing the same thing.
same with suspension FWD takes forever, RWD pull out slap in.
plus you cant really do donuts the way you can in a rwd :laugh:
but reverse donits are fun :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:
I like the Integra 93-96 I think and the 240 SX nissans.
I also like riced out VW bugs.
Cool.
Srinath.
Quote from: VTNewb on February 27, 2007, 09:06:25 AM
I bought my 03 SVT Focus for 11k on the dot WITH a 7 year warranty. It's not super fast for sure, but it's alot of fun, light tossable with 170 hp. PLUS a 7 year warranty is really really really nice.
You could have both the focus and the rwd, there are many kits available...it might go over your budget though.
Or... if you can get past the FWD thing that has been brought up, check out an SVT Contour. They can be had for dirt cheap right now, imho look much better than the focus, are quicker, and have the best online car forum that I have ever seen. Plus, with what is currently available for them, you could have a 400hp 4 door car that looks great but easily fly's under the radar and easily come in under your budget. Just another thing to think about.
Also, in regards to the front wheel drive thing, I personally made a what was thought to be a huge compromise when buying my CSVT. I still have a preference of RWD or sometimes AWD but have come to love the CSVT. I traded in a convertible RX-7 for the CSVT and the two other cars that I now own (excluding my wife's car) are both RWD. Even so, I would have a tough time getting rid of the contour.
Quote from: nightrider on February 27, 2007, 03:36:09 AM
I saw that other car thread and thought I'd ask your guys' opinion. I'm saving right now for a car to move to LA with. It should be in the 5k-9k range, hence probably a 90's era vehicle. I could use suggestions. The right car would be:
1) stylish
2) affordable
3) reliable
4) fuel-efficient
5) fast
Mazda Miata, although the stylish part might be up for debate to some.
Miata = girl car
Miatas are nice and great fun but as I have described recently in another thread, I have already been mistaken in the past for g@y. I don't need to make that problem worse. :laugh:
Thanks for the additional suggestions. Some of them like the svt contour I never would have thought of... favorites so far, 300zx and 240sx, prelude, eclipse. I have a lot more research to do... reminds me of when I first started looking at motorcycles. I think I discovered the GS500 through some review articles, and it was very highly rated esp. for first timers. I guess I'm looking for the 4-wheel equivalent now :P
Porsche 944. :thumb: I have an 84 Non turbo but need to finish putting the Front Drivers side Suspension back together.It hit a Curb and Folded the Arm up.I've Had it for close to 10 years but haven't had time to do much to it.I had to rip theCarpet out a While Back since there was Moss Growing in the passengers Side Florboard. :mad: :mad: Oh Well I only have $500+ Dollars in it.I figured I'd go Mad and Strip the Inside to Save a little Weight. :thumb:May just Spray bedliner stuff on the Inside to make it look a little bit better. :icon_lol:
I think they made the 944 interior a bit too "frilly" anyway. Look inside a 911SC. THAT is how the interior is supposed to look.
On the other hand, though, mine had a crappy odometer that kept breaking, even after replacing the gear with one of the new spiffy ones from Pelican, kept blowing DME relays, the a/c was shaZam!, and it was soooooo underpowered for it's weight. I built a full exhaust for her, though, and man did that 2.5 I4 sound nice!
Quote from: makenzie71 on February 27, 2007, 04:57:57 PM
Miata = girl car
not if you put a rotary in it....a turbo rotary...
why would you put a 13B in a Miata when you can put it in an RX7 for cheaper and have a chassis far more appropriate for being a "sports car"?
(I will add that RX-7 vert = girl car)
Quote from: makenzie71 on February 27, 2007, 08:40:29 PM
I think they made the 944 interior a bit too "frilly" anyway. Look inside a 911SC. THAT is how the interior is supposed to look.
On the other hand, though, mine had a crappy odometer that kept breaking, even after replacing the gear with one of the new spiffy ones from Pelican, kept blowing DME relays, the a/c was shaZam!, and it was soooooo underpowered for it's weight. I built a full exhaust for her, though, and man did that 2.5 I4 sound nice!
I have an 81 924 too.It ran good for a While but everytime I put a part on it something else would fall off.It finally just quit Running and is setting next to the 944.I believe I put 2-3 Pump relays in it and a Fuel pump then the rear Bumper fell off and Kept Backfiring thruthe Intake.After taking the Valve cover off I found out that the Oiler tube Plugged up and Ground the Back Lobes off of the Cam. :mad: :mad:
Last time I tried to start the 944 it wouldn't even Grunt but I think it's the FP Relay since I couldn't hear the Pump Kick in. :dunno_white:I may take a day this week and Try to get the Front endd back togetherso I can att least roll it around a bit. :thumb:
Yeap the Interior is too Frilly.Just too many Pieces and parts.The Dash really Sucks.I think I'll Scrape all of the Cracked and Rotted Padding off and just Lay Fiberglass Over it and paint it.
Not that I'm biased (don't look at my avatar) but I like 240s... you can pick them up pretty cheap and theres lots of different mods available from turbo-ing the stock engine to get easy 400+hp, to engine swaps, to even putting in an LS1 v6 in there to get lots of power.
But even left stock they are a fun car. The stock engine is a very sturdy 2.4 liter engine that is very similar to the truck engines and very rarely ever blow, the head gaskets and timing chain tensioner (yes timing chain, not belt=seldom replacement) are the main culprits but after that its a very sturdy engine. Weight distribution is very even and with even some cheap coil overs or even just new shocks and springs it is a very fun car in corners.
I also like rx-7 but their wankel is a choice that I have shied away from, after I turned some seals in a 13b and learned how rotaries work the hard way. I like Supras also, and was looking at buying one b4 I found my 240.
Quote from: Jughead on February 27, 2007, 09:28:14 PM
Quote from: makenzie71 on February 27, 2007, 08:40:29 PM
I think they made the 944 interior a bit too "frilly" anyway. Look inside a 911SC. THAT is how the interior is supposed to look.
On the other hand, though, mine had a crappy odometer that kept breaking, even after replacing the gear with one of the new spiffy ones from Pelican, kept blowing DME relays, the a/c was shaZam!, and it was soooooo underpowered for it's weight. I built a full exhaust for her, though, and man did that 2.5 I4 sound nice!
I have an 81 924 too.It ran good for a While but everytime I put a part on it something else would fall off.It finally just quit Running and is setting next to the 944.I believe I put 2-3 Pump relays in it and a Fuel pump then the rear Bumper fell off and Kept Backfiring thruthe Intake.After taking the Valve cover off I found out that the Oiler tube Plugged up and Ground the Back Lobes off of the Cam. :mad: :mad:
Last time I tried to start the 944 it wouldn't even Grunt but I think it's the FP Relay since I couldn't hear the Pump Kick in. :dunno_white:I may take a day this week and Try to get the Front endd back togetherso I can att least roll it around a bit. :thumb:
Yeap the Interior is too Frilly.Just too many Pieces and parts.The Dash really Sucks.I think I'll Scrape all of the Cracked and Rotted Padding off and just Lay Fiberglass Over it and paint it.
damn jug you sound like me. wanna sell anything>?
Hmmmm Well I'd Kinda Like to sell both my Porsches. ;) that way I can get them out of my Driveway and don't have to work on them. :laugh: :laugh: Come down with a Big Trailer and Pick them both up. :thumb: I'd probably give someone a Great Deal right Now.They are Rough and Need Work but I need Money. :laugh:
I'll trade you a llama .40SW auto for the two of them.
Quote from: Jughead on February 27, 2007, 11:27:07 PM
Hmmmm Well I'd Kinda Like to sell both my Porsches. ;) that way I can get them out of my Driveway and don't have to work on them. :laugh: :laugh: Come down with a Big Trailer and Pick them both up. :thumb: I'd probably give someone a Great Deal right Now.They are Rough and Need Work but I need Money. :laugh:
PM
nissan motors are pretty bulletproof. The 240's take to turbos like chicken does to rice. The bottom ends are unkillable. Now if you go 70's zcar, get a 280z (i agree with staying away from zx) and you can run 12psi+ on a stock bottom end with minor top end work.
I'm partial to BMW's though. You could get an e30 (3series from 85-91) for 3000k in really good condition. Those cars are super easy to mod, you don't get GOBS of power, but you can make them really really fun to drive. Bilsteins with H&R's, set of swaybars and if you'd like some strut tower braces and you have a super stiff autox killer. They make GREAT track cars for very little money. And they take anything you can dish out to them.
Miatas (MX-4's) are pretty fruity stock but you can get some nice aerodynamics, a hardtop and a turbo and have a ballsy little go cart. Stiffen the frame though. Do either a cage (not a cheesy chrome bolt on but a REAL cage) or strutbraces and you'll be able to hit any corner you'd like at stupid speeds.
Miatas are MX-5's.
Quote from: Jughead on February 27, 2007, 11:27:07 PM
Hmmmm Well I'd Kinda Like to sell both my Porsches. ;) that way I can get them out of my Driveway and don't have to work on them. :laugh: :laugh: Come down with a Big Trailer and Pick them both up. :thumb: I'd probably give someone a Great Deal right Now.They are Rough and Need Work but I need Money. :laugh:
Sorry for the O/T BUt what model are they?
I had an 87' 924S as my first car and loved it. I'm not particularly interested, just curious :)
(http://unclean.org/images/full/z3m/z3_02.jpg)
the new ones are even nicer, Jah.
(http://www.rsportscars.com/foto/02/bmwz4mcoupe_05.jpg)
and sorry, mx4 and mx5 is close enough. I've never really wanted one, just listened when other people talked about them.
and 944's are maintenance pits... well, porshes are maintenance pits in general.
bah...the bengal coupes a are nicer than the verts but they're all still sooooooo ugly! At least the bengals don't look like giant penises, though.
Quote from: nightrider on February 27, 2007, 03:36:09 AM1) stylish
2) affordable
3) reliable
4) fuel-efficient
5) fast
Now pick 3...
Quote from: makenzie71 on February 27, 2007, 08:59:09 PM
why would you put a 13B in a Miata when you can put it in an RX7 for cheaper and have a chassis far more appropriate for being a "sports car"?
(I will add that RX-7 vert = girl car)
well, because the miata is an awesome car, it's lighter, and it's not something everybody else has....when you put a 13B in it.
That is why i do not own a vert, plus they are slower.
My little bro has a 89 supra 7mgte custom built and bad. they are one of the two best buildable cars you can get. His is a little over the top 15,000 over the last few years. It is two fast for the street but he is nuts, it has titainium springs and valves 1mm over, ported and polished head, 3mm low comp pistons, custom rods, 30lbs of rotating mas reduced from internals, oversized injectors, custom built intake, over sized turbo, custom exhaust manifold, and a lot more.
The shop that did the engine said it would hold 1200 hp which would make the highest known 7m but current turbo wouldn't do it 750 tops it's still new and for sale. back in the shop and getting completly redune.
the other car I would get is a RX7 GTU they can be built cheaper if you can find some body to build one for you.
Quote from: makenzie71 on February 27, 2007, 08:59:09 PM
(I will add that RX-7 vert = girl car)
hmmmmmm... :flipoff:
(http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/4/web/712000-712999/712016_1_full.jpg)
just because you had a vert doesn't mean it wasn't a girl car. My GTUs would have kicked its ass.
http://portland.craigslist.org/clk/car/286106244.html (http://portland.craigslist.org/clk/car/286106244.html)
(http://img243.imageshack.us/img243/4804/hvf1dnwtdvcgmwhl6jixlmryx3.jpg) (http://imageshack.us)
Niice. 85 Supra, 90k miles supposedly mint, $6500. This would be ideal. just not in a hurry to buy right this second.
Toyota AE86 Maybe?
On eBay (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/COROLLA-GTS-LEVIN-TRUENO-JDM-4AGE-AE86-DRIFT-CUSCO-RACE_W0QQitemZ110096775213QQihZ001QQcategoryZ6445QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)
http://youtube.com/watch?v=EFvI8B6nU84]See it shred up a Skyline r34 (http://youtube.com/watch?v=EFvI8B6nU84)
VW corrado SLC (has a VR6, not the G60 model) They are pretty quick stock. only problem is they are FWD.
A couple points...
I like the idea of the Focus that someone mentioned, they are fun little cars. If you want to get something cheaper but similar, but check out an older Countour SVT. It's basically what the Focus replaced. You would just have to get over it being plaing and boring looking.
Where in LA are you moving? Do you know what you will be commuting? LA traffic blows, and after doing it on the bike I could never go back to a car. Don't be surprised if you are using the bike the vast majority of the time, if that will factor in to what kinda car you want to get.
Quote from: brett on March 01, 2007, 12:06:25 PM
A couple points...
I like the idea of the Focus that someone mentioned, they are fun little cars. If you want to get something cheaper but similar, but check out an older Countour SVT. It's basically what the Focus replaced. You would just have to get over it being plaing and boring looking.
Where in LA are you moving? Do you know what you will be commuting? LA traffic blows, and after doing it on the bike I could never go back to a car. Don't be surprised if you are using the bike the vast majority of the time, if that will factor in to what kinda car you want to get.
:thumb:
Quote from: cuda_06 on February 27, 2007, 03:25:39 PM
You could have both the focus and the rwd, there are many kits available...it might go over your budget though.
Or... if you can get past the FWD thing that has been brought up, check out an SVT Contour. They can be had for dirt cheap right now, imho look much better than the focus, are quicker, and have the best online car forum that I have ever seen. Plus, with what is currently available for them, you could have a 400hp 4 door car that looks great but easily fly's under the radar and easily come in under your budget. Just another thing to think about.
Also, in regards to the front wheel drive thing, I personally made a what was thought to be a huge compromise when buying my CSVT. I still have a preference of RWD or sometimes AWD but have come to love the CSVT. I traded in a convertible RX-7 for the CSVT and the two other cars that I now own (excluding my wife's car) are both RWD. Even so, I would have a tough time getting rid of the contour.
Hey, the csvt was mentioned twice in one thread outside of the CEG. This is great advice.
you could probably pick up a nice 540i or 535i from that era.
Quote from: brett on March 01, 2007, 12:06:25 PM
Where in LA are you moving? Do you know what you will be commuting? LA traffic blows, and after doing it on the bike I could never go back to a car. Don't be surprised if you are using the bike the vast majority of the time, if that will factor in to what kinda car you want to get.
See, I've asked before if LA was do-able moto-only, like I am now in Puddletown, where it's fine, I've gotten mixed responses but you make it sound like it's pretty okay. If that is the case I might forgo the car altogether and just save up even more in case of emergency. It would definitely cut down on my costs, my only problem would be going job-hunting on a motorcycle, where you're not the most presentable.
I am targeting Santa Monica/WeHo/lower SFV/maybe Echo Park/Silverlake. commuting to some hopefully semi-decent restaurant somewhere, and class most likely in studio city.
If you want a Supra the best man to go to on the east coast is "Supraman" he is an older man how loves Supras. last time I was their he had 30 or so 3 of which where ready for sale complete everything new or working perfect.
Charlie sorrell (423) 753-2618
johnson city TN.
While the Miata may be a "girly" car, I bet you'll be more than happy with it.
i have a MazdaSpeed MX5 and it is far from "girly" on the road. has a more aggressive stance, 180 HP, turbo, 6 speed, tighter suspension, better stereo.
and it doesn't attract attention from Mr. Fuzz. worth looking at. they only made them in 04 and 05.
more info here: http://www.mazda-speed.com
Quote from: nightrider on March 01, 2007, 03:33:25 PM
Quote from: brett on March 01, 2007, 12:06:25 PM
Where in LA are you moving? Do you know what you will be commuting? LA traffic blows, and after doing it on the bike I could never go back to a car. Don't be surprised if you are using the bike the vast majority of the time, if that will factor in to what kinda car you want to get.
See, I've asked before if LA was do-able moto-only, like I am now in Puddletown, where it's fine, I've gotten mixed responses but you make it sound like it's pretty okay. If that is the case I might forgo the car altogether and just save up even more in case of emergency. It would definitely cut down on my costs, my only problem would be going job-hunting on a motorcycle, where you're not the most presentable.
I am targeting Santa Monica/WeHo/lower SFV/maybe Echo Park/Silverlake. commuting to some hopefully semi-decent restaurant somewhere, and class most likely in studio city.
If anywhere is do-able moto only, LA is. Like the job hunting you mentioned, there are a few times when you really need a car. Unfortunately, those places you mentioned are kinda at the fringe of LA's already horrible public transportation system. My thinking was that if you don't need a car very often, you can go a couple routes. One option is to go for a more impractical car than normal. If you don't use it very often, who cares if it gets bad gas mileage and/or it's only a two seater? On the other hand, if you're not driving much, who cares if the car is a beater? You could get something that's cheap to buy, maintain, and insure. Definitely don't forget about insurance; it's higher in LA than pretty much anywhere else in the country. Another thing to think about is renting a car when you need it. Depending on how often you drive, this could be cheaper and easier than the other options.
The long and short of it is that having a bike in LA gives you a lot of options. If you can pull it off, I would try and wait till you're in LA for a month or two to get a feel for what your wants/needs really are.
Quote from: brett on March 02, 2007, 11:14:53 AM
Quote from: nightrider on March 01, 2007, 03:33:25 PM
Quote from: brett on March 01, 2007, 12:06:25 PM
Where in LA are you moving? Do you know what you will be commuting? LA traffic blows, and after doing it on the bike I could never go back to a car. Don't be surprised if you are using the bike the vast majority of the time, if that will factor in to what kinda car you want to get.
See, I've asked before if LA was do-able moto-only, like I am now in Puddletown, where it's fine, I've gotten mixed responses but you make it sound like it's pretty okay. If that is the case I might forgo the car altogether and just save up even more in case of emergency. It would definitely cut down on my costs, my only problem would be going job-hunting on a motorcycle, where you're not the most presentable.
I am targeting Santa Monica/WeHo/lower SFV/maybe Echo Park/Silverlake. commuting to some hopefully semi-decent restaurant somewhere, and class most likely in studio city.
If anywhere is do-able moto only, LA is. Like the job hunting you mentioned, there are a few times when you really need a car. Unfortunately, those places you mentioned are kinda at the fringe of LA's already horrible public transportation system. My thinking was that if you don't need a car very often, you can go a couple routes. One option is to go for a more impractical car than normal. If you don't use it very often, who cares if it gets bad gas mileage and/or it's only a two seater? On the other hand, if you're not driving much, who cares if the car is a beater? You could get something that's cheap to buy, maintain, and insure. Definitely don't forget about insurance; it's higher in LA than pretty much anywhere else in the country. Another thing to think about is renting a car when you need it. Depending on how often you drive, this could be cheaper and easier than the other options.
The long and short of it is that having a bike in LA gives you a lot of options. If you can pull it off, I would try and wait till you're in LA for a month or two to get a feel for what your wants/needs really are.
That is hella encouraging and makes a lot of sense. Conventional wisdom would be to buy a reliable car in a cheaper market and take it down, but the bike adds a new twist. My plan A now I think is to save for a car, but wait to decide once I'm there. Maybe leasing would work for jobhunting and being presentable.
Course, the coolest would be to ride the GS all the way down the coast on 101... much cooler than rolling in with a Budget rent-a-truck.
(http://img363.imageshack.us/img363/8089/4238yamahafz6vssuzukisven0.jpg) (http://imageshack.us)
hahahahahahhahaha dude that picture....... oh man!