In this edition of Ask Nathan:
- 2017 Hyundai Genesis Coupe rumors!
- I want a fun car for $5,000
- Should I get a minivan for college?
Today’s first question comes from a fan who wants to know about the next generation 2017 Hyundai Genesis Coupe.
Q: Hi Nathan!
I saw the video where you and Roman were split on the older Hyundai Genesis Coupe. You seemed to like it a lot. I’m wondering about the next one. I hear rumors that it’s going to be supercharged or turbocharged with a V-6. It is supposed to be bigger too.
What do you think?
Thank you!
Michael M.
A: That’s a great question.
This is what I have picked up over the past few months:
- The 2017 Hyundai Genesis Coupe may have a twin-turbocharged V6 making over 400 horsepower (up to 480, some say).
- Hyundai may allow the Genesis Coupe to display the “N Performance” badge.
- The 2017 Hyundai Genesis Coupe may be lighter and smaller than the current model.
- Hyundai is said to have finally made space for their V8.
- The 2017 Hyundai genesis Coupe may have a beefed-up four-banger and a lower base price (to compete with the FR-S)
- Hyundai may build a new body but keep the old platform.
- The 2017 Hyundai Genesis Coupe, or a concept closely related to the Coupe, may debut at the 2016 NAIAS.
All of these points are just rumors and speculation.
N.
This next question comes from a young fan who wants something fast and fun for about $5,000. I think the TFLcar crew could help on this one.
Q: Hi Roman, Nathan, Emmy and Andrew!
i am a huge fan and I have watched the Fast Lane for a long time. I am 15 years old and need to buy a new car because my mom’s old Toyota Camry that she gave me is smashed up. I like Toyota but they don’t make fun cars. And that’s what I want.
Can you guys give me a few suggestions about a fun car to get for about $5,000? I want something that makes the rest of high school fun. I don’t care if it is small or big.
Thank you!
Oscar. MM
Phoenix, AZ
A: Great question! I think I can give you the suggestions based on what the crew might choose.
Emme: “1992 – 1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata”
Fun, fast and reliable, these Mazdas are Emme’s favorite. They run between $2,400 and $5,200. Avoid lowered, stanced and modified ones if you can. It (usually) means it has lived a harsh life.
Andre: “1991 – 2001 Volkswagen Golf GTI”
You can get serious performance out of the VR6 models and the utility of the Golf makes it even better. Just like Emme’s car; avoid modified ones if you can and look for owners who kept service invoices.
Roman: “Acura Integra GS-R or Acura RSX”
Honda engineering, great performance and good bang-for-the-buck.
Once again, try to avoid the ones that were modded, lowered, bagged, banged, repainted, dipped, stripped or owned by anyone your age.
Nathan: “Ford Mustang GT – just about any year. Hell, you could even find a SVT for that price point.”
Mustangs are cheap as chips and, when you slap a 5-speed manual to the GTs, you have a fun car. Unlike the rest of the team, I say you might find one that has been (tastefully) upgraded. Tires, suspension, brakes and engine mods done by someone else (might) be a great way to get something fast and fun with little fuss.
Hope that helps! Keep us in the loop!
N
—
BTW: Emme doesn’t mind a misspelled name but Andre goes into a ‘roid rage when people get it wrong.
Just kidding.
This last email comes from a fan who wants to forgo the family van in college.
Q Hello Nathan and company.
I am kind of bummed because my parents want to give me the family van before I head to school in a few weeks. This is the same van, a 1991 Toyota Previa, that my older siblings took to school as well. My dad had the engine replaced five years ago and it runs fine. It never has any problems and it has all wheel drive. I don’t think I’ll need that in California. It’s also slow and purple. I can’t drive a purple minivan to my first year of college! Help! Make this medicine easier to swallow!
What would you do in my place?
Sad Peter heading to Harvey Mudd in California
A: Buck up Peter!
Fist of all, the Toyota Previa is a great machine with lots of seats and lost of space. Extra space and seating makes for a great place to put friends and help other colleagues move things. That’s a great way to be indoctrinated into positive social circles.
You’re “Peter, the guy with the van!” That can be a huge benefit.
Here are some positive points to consider:
- Thinking about starting a band? You got a van, so you’re half way there!
- Need to move quickly because your new roommate is co-chair for the Kanye West 2020 Presidential Committee? Bro, you’ve got a van!
- Want to go camping but don’t have a tent?
- Want to lock that buddy up in a safe place while he comes down from a bad trip?
- Need to shove all your laundry somewhere to bring to your parent’s place?
Dude, you’ve got a van!
One final thing: I know purple sucks on a large vehicle. Why not dip it? Why not use it as an open canvas and paint psychedelic colors on it? You could have it painted in primer gray for very little money and get dozens of paint pens and let your friends go to town!
I hope that helps. I know that you can be a rock star in your van if you have the right attitude.
Cheers!
N
Speaking of Toyota products…
Nathan and The Fast Lane Car team are here to answer your (reasonable) questions. Interesting and/or entertaining emails will be posted to this column. If it’s relevant in the automotive universe, there’s a chance we may know something about it. The author’s email address and name will be omitted – leaving your initials or nickname, your preference.
From day one, The Fast Lane Car has made it our policy to answer as many questions and comments as we can. We get thousands of emails and comments and feel that, as part of a tight-knit automotive community, having an open dialogue with you keeps things fresh and exciting.
Got a question for Nathan? Drop him a line at: asknathan@tflcar.com
 | Easily amused by anything with four wheels, Nathan Adlen reviews vehicles from the cheapest to the most prestigious. Wrecking yards, dealer lots, garages, racetracks, professional automotive testing and automotive journalism – Nathan has experienced a wide range of the automotive spectrum. His words, good humor and videos are enjoyed worldwide. |
