Need New Car

[Player0]

Hi guys, I'm looking to buy a new car in the next month or two. Probably sooner than later. Once I get tax money and such, I'll have about $2000 for a down payment. I'm planning on buying a brand new car, since depreciation doesn't matter to me. I will probably be driving the thing for the next 10 years anyway. I want to spend sub-$25,000, and the more sub the better. I want something sporty. Doesn't have to be small, I'd prefer a four door. But definitely peppy. But not a cop target either. Here are some of my thoughts:

1.) Subaru Impreza WRX. Turbo 4-cyl. Car & Driver top pick for while now. I love the look of this car, and i may get the Wagon.

2.) Acura RSX Type S. Looks sleek, I think its only two doors. Not as powerful as the subaru. But is the inside nicer? I definately want something comfortable.

3.) Dodge Neon Turbo - I just saw this on TV the other day. Its cheap, and the Turbo 4/Sports Package makes the neon attractive. But, its a Dodge...i mean...how good is that? Might be hard to find as well.

4.) Pontiac Grand Am/Grand Prix. Definately powerful and solid. I love the old Grand Ams we had. You see them everywhere, but...not as much as a Toyota or a Honda. Costly though.

5.) Ford Focus - Always gets good ratings, doesnt seem very sporty tho.


I'm leaning heavily on the Impreza. Yes, I know. Toyota and Honda are good cars. But, they are just so common place, it really puts me off buying one. They're boring. There are some other nice cars, like some of the Volkswagons look nice. Turbo Diesel hehe. Mitsubishis look nice, also a little common place, and maybe a bit over priced as well.

Thoughts?

[MrP]

Hi,

dunno what prices are, or the exact model, but go for a test drive in the sporty focus (over here its the ST170, think its the SVT or something over there.

2 liter engine, with around 170 bhp, handles like a dream, loads of space, comfy, air con, heated front windscreen etc etc etc

if we had the choice in the near future, thats what we would be betting

toodle pip

[speculative]

I'll post more when I get home late tonight, but off the top of my head I can also think of the Mazdaspeed Protege. It's a sportier edition of the regular Protege which is already supposed to be one of the best-handling cars. Should MSRP for around 20k or so. Limited edition though, but it's a 4-door and if you're looking for unique then it might be up your alley.

Oh, and of course I can recommend the WRX. ;) Superb bang-for-the-buck deal. There will be a new styling for the '04 models, so you might take a look and decide if you like it better than the looks of the '03. Of course, you might be able to pick up a new '03 cheaper once the '04's come out as well.

-spec :djsmiles:

[speculative]

Originally posted by MrP
Hi,

dunno what prices are, or the exact model, but go for a test drive in the sporty focus (over here its the ST170, think its the SVT or something over there.

2 liter engine, with around 170 bhp, handles like a dream, loads of space, comfy, air con, heated front windscreen etc etc etc

if we had the choice in the near future, thats what we would be betting

toodle pip

Do you guys also get the Cosworth model? Saw some spy pics of the new one the other day, and I have to say that would be a sweet car! :)

-spec

[MrP]

we already have the focus RS

dunno which you have seen, but this one is 212bhp, front wheel drive with a diff.

amazing track car, but supposed to be a little bit of a handfull for every day use.

on a track its supposed to out pace the subara WRX!!

toodle pip

[Farabomb]

WRX STi :D

I love my scooby and if you thought mine was peppy (I wasn't even close to gettin on it) the STi should make you s**t yourself.

I don't like Fords.

Acura would be my second choice. Its a pricier Honda and they make some strong cars. I'm not a fan of the look of the RSX but it's not bad.

I don't like the Neon for personal reasons but that is a pocket rocket. Wicked fast for cheap. I just still can't get over those damn commercials they had when they came out. The neon will allways be a toy in my eyes.

GM makes a good car but I'd stick with a jap product if you plan on keeping it for a while. I've had 3 comaros and a firebird and they all treated me well. Even though I put a whooping on them.

[Player0]

Yeah, but what about a regular WRX? I can't find an STI in the area, plus they are more expensive.

I dont know about the Ford still. I league it with the Dodge. Both are cheap, and both also probably feel cheap. I grew up with cars like these. But, I was never impressed. Still, in terms of my price range, I should go test drive. I guess thats the most important part.

Unfortunately, with my foot like it is, makes it hard to get out to the lots :) Ill look in to the Protege more.

Do you think I should wait until Spring and get lower prices on the 03 models? (shouldnt 03 models just be coming out? Whats with 04? I guess im not a car guy lol). Or, can I talk the guys in to giving me a price?

Im not sure I know exactly how to haggle.

[MrP]

ok,

i cant stress this enough.

the focus wont the german TUV contect for cars up to 3 years old showing how well built it is.

it almost has the german solidity and feel to it from my eyes. nothing squaks, feels cheap or anything..go test drive either a zetec model or the st170 and i garentee you will be impressed

toodle pip

[Player0]

I cant find any SVT models anywhere in my area. Id have to go to NJ or something.

[Player0]

What about a Chevy Impala? Whats the word on those?

[Farabomb]

The Impalla is a nice car. A bit big for my tastes but nice.

I don't think the STi is avaible yet. The only bad parts "I" find with the regular WRX is that the trans that comes with it is not as strong as the STi one. I've been told that it's the same "glassbox" trans that's in my Impreza L. That being said I've fully beat the HELL out of that trans to the point that I've munched the syncros into almost non-existance and it still works beautiful. In fact it feels better now. The STi also has some meaty Brembo brakes and that's one of the Impreza's weaker points. Understand that I'm exeremely hard on my car and I rally with it sometimes.

The Neon would be my choice if it was between the ford/dodge. Beleive it or not the "cheap" cars don't feel that cheap anymore. It's not a Benz but it's not a go-kart either. My friend had a Focus for a month long rental and it wasn't bad at all. I just don't like fords.

Learn to haggle. I'm not to good at it but you can ger a much better deal that way. Look in the papers for the "one on the lot deals" sometimes you can do well there. If you want to look around by me in Jersey let me know. There are dealerships all over the place down here. My father just bought a EB explorer and a EB expidition up in Walton N.Y. (I think) and got them for a steal. He took his time and went 2 or 3 times to show interest and one time he was overheard by the owner while haggling with one of the salesmen and the owner gave him his price. Don't look too eager. Make them want to sell you a car.

[Player0]

I kinda like bigger cars. I just want something with some oomph behind it. I have no intentions on every doing rally or racing with any of these cars, and im not gonna worry so much about thrashing the transmission :) Although, i worry with 220HP if they didnt use a crappy tranny that cant handle it.

[WesM63]

Hey tom,
You seem to have some good choices. I really like the Impreza's, Except they have some flaws like Fara has stated.

My sister has a 01 Focus and it's not a bad lil car, of course i'am gonna say that cause i bleed blue. But really it's pretty peppie for having a Ztec 4banger, althou when you get on it, it sounds like it's gonna blow up. But like you said if you plan on having this for a while I would'nt reccomend it. If your at least 6ft tall there will be no room in the back for anyone, the seats arn't the greatest either.

Neon's ... the middle mans car company. If you don't like ford and don't like GM what else is there to buy? Of course your gonna buy american cause you are american ;) Just kiddin. These are nice lil cars, i actually checked out the Turbo one and the auto show last year, great lil car. My friend works at a dodge dealership here in ohio so i'll see what he can dig up on one.

Don't know much about the RSX, I checked one of these out last year too. There comfy and sporty, would'nt plan on fitting two full sized adults in the back thou.

Grand Am/Prix, Always been fond of these cars. Don't know much about them, but it's one of those everyone has one cars. Don't get a teal green one everyone here in ohio owns one.

I see someone mentioned the protege, nice lil car (owned by ford :D). Don't know much bout these either, I sat in one at the auto show, nice n comfy, not to bad in the back either, built in MP3 player if you get the mp3 version.

Impala. Nice car, only rode in one, does good.. but a bit ruff ride. Back seat is good too.

Just my .02

[spldart]

Nothing wrong with Dodge :squint:

[speculative]

This might be a good reference to look into: http://www.modernracer.com/frames.html

Oh and here's a link to that Protege model: http://www.modernracer.com/mazdaspeedprotege.html It's much different than the MP3 and regular models - this one has a turbocharger and 170hp, as well as upgraded suspension.

Well, gotta go. The 4 inches of snow we got in the last couple of hours are beckoning me and the scooby. :djsmiles:

-speculative

[NorthernYankee]

OH MY GOD...I just drove a brand new WRX Turbo. My cousin just bought it it has 200 miles on it...My heart is still beating 1000 beats per minute.

That car is so FAST I cannot believe it, the 5 speed is so sssmoooooth, it snicks in and out like butter. and the car itself is so beautiful...I want one!!!

--NY

[Farabomb]

I LOVE my scooby and it's not even a WRX :)

I've wanted a WRX since 98-99 after I got mine. Too bad they didn't ship them over from japan. They have some even faster versions over there.

Snow is good :D :D

Sideways in snow is even better :D

[Player0]

The STi is coming here in the summer.

I've decided to get the blue WRX wagon with manual, STi muffler, and the 17" bbs wheels. Oh, and the added security system and the sound system upgrades (if i dont buy it now, ill never have money to do it again ;)

Unfortunately, it doesnt look like I can order it until mid-febrary, since im waiting on tax refund. And after I order it, it will take 4-8 weeks for me to get it, since its coming factory fresh. So the end of March. ick.

[WesM63]

ooo nice. Have you guys seen the Introduction of the sti at the detroit auto show? Well it's here (http://autoshow.msn.com/autoshow2003//coverage.aspx?date=1/6/03) bout 3/4 way down the page, you can't miss it's sleek blue body. Me want!!

[Farabomb]

Blue, Wonderful choice :thumbsup:

Good luck m8 :)