Well, I haven't been on the forums in a while. My life is in major transition mode.



We finished building our FSAE car and place 2nd out of 140 schools, and finished 1st in the Road & Track challenge, meaning we (team picture + car and trophy) will be featured in the November issue, set to come out in October.



I graduated in middle May with my degree in Mechanical Engineering, and got an offer from Lockheed Martin Space Operations in Clear Lake (south of Houston), set to start some time in the next couple of weeks.



I am living in San Antonio, waiting for teh official offer to arrive in teh mail. I went and checked out apartments in Clear Lake and found a sweet 1 bedroom for $575, on the lake, with a 1 mile jogging course around part of the lake, and sand volleyball court and a pool and gazeebo next to the lake. it's a pretty cool spot.



Once i start working, my money will go to buying furniture for my apartment, paying off loans and credit card bills, and saving up for a new car, which is resulting in a new delima: what to buy.



I'm thinking either Nissan Titan 4x4 with the offroad package ($28000), or a mazda rx-8 ($30000).



opinions, comments, and advice welcome. when i get to clear lake, i'll hook up my computer and post pics of the FSAE competition in detroit and other crap.

Congrats!

Interesting choices you have narrowed down to on your next car. My suggestion: Buy both of them!

Car picks?



I am so pissed at our 2001 Audi right now. (Audi Sucks!!) I am toying with selling it and getting a hybrid. I dont see gas prices going down anytime soon. 50 MPG is looking good to me.



http://www.hondacars.com/models/model_over...erDetected=True

such a dilemma lol!



CONGRATS!! https://www.nopistons.com/forums/pub...IR#>/bigok.gif

The insight is known to mostly get 70+mpg, hell sometimes the thing will nail 90mpg!!! https://www.nopistons.com/forums/pub...DIR#>/ohmy.png

Where have you heard this? I was reading in Motor Trend about how the tests that manufacturers are required to do to get mpg figures aren't up to snuff for hybrids.



window sticker might say 50 mpg, but actual driving reveals closer to 40. still good mileage, though.

i think i'm going to test a titan today. i've driven the rx-8, and it felt slow and weak. sure, it handled well, has a nice interior, and looks hot. but my fc tii is much quicker, handles just as well, and i can rag on it much more.



here's what i get with the titan for about the same amount as the rx-8 ($28000):



"5.6-liter V8 Engine



The numbers are big. 305 horsepower. 379 lb-ft of torque, with 90% kicking in below 2,500 rpm and a full 80% on tap at a class-leading 1,000 rpm.* But 'the story of Titans V8 goes beyond brute strength. No pushrod relic, this engine is a double-overhead-cam beneficiary of Nissan's advanced engineering. An aluminum block and forged crankshaft offer exceptional strength, while keeping performance-robbing weight down. In addition to the easy-breathing DOHC layout, the high-flow intake ensures that every gulp of air counts. To help cut friction, the camshafts and crankshaft are microfinished, and the piston skirts wear a slick coat of molybdenum, all so the engine can deliver more with less effort. And taking a cue from the jet age, an electronic drive-by-wire throttle connects the brain, right foot and throttle more quickly — and efficiently — than ever."



"Off-road Package



The whole idea here is to save you a trip to the aftermarket. First on the list is Titan's 4x4's standard front and rear active brake limited-slip, which offers phenomenal traction. Also included are Rancho® shock absorbers, a lower final drive gear ratio, massive P285/70R17 B.F. Goodrich® Rugged Trail® tires, 17" aluminum-alloy wheels, skid plates (on the oil pan, lower radiator and transfer case), and fog lights."



my friends think i'm crazy for going after a import truck, when i could take a ford or chebby that have been established competitors. but, i hate american cars, and the fact that the imports are passing them my leaps and boungs in their own territory tells me something.



I'M OFF TO TEST DRIVE THE TITAN.



if mazda comes out with a stock blown rx-8 with like 300 hp, i'd be temped to get it. otherwise, teh titan with a 0-60 time of 6.9 sec and a 1/4 mile time of 15.5 sec will due for me. maybe nissan will come out with a nismo titan to compete with the lightning and the srt-10 ram...

Aaron cake owns one, he saw upwards of 100mpg on a trip to a car show.

The honda insight, not a civic hibrid or the old toyota prius.

seriously, i've replied to this post like 3 times, and it keeps stalling on me or i press the wrong button!