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Which car from 15-25k?


93-240SX-COUPE
07-12-2005, 04:00 PM
I'm going to a real college and the parents always said "When u get to college we'll get you a car", so here I am. I dont really want to deal with warranty issues so I would like to get a new car that's covered. I was looking at previous threads and saw a good starter question that someone left, I think it was Laechen or something like that.

1. How old are you? 22
2. What kind of motorsports are you interested in? Auto X, Stock Car Racing
3. Do you have a preference in drivetrain? RWD, since I drive a 240
4. Do you have a preference between american, japanese, german, etc..? Like Japanese, but open to others
5. Will this car be a daily driver? Yes
6. Do you live in an area that snows seasonally? No, Live in So. Cal
7. Do you have any cars in mind that have always interested you? BMW's but come on.
8. Can you work on the car yourself or will you be dependant on a mechanic for any work/repairs? Oil changes, fuel filters, simple shit I got but major mechanical or engine problems, No
9. What years are you looking for, what is too old? New
10. Is expensive insurance a problem? Obviously but most likely car is going to be under parents name and I am going to be an "occasional driver"

I did my research since I quickly learned that u better come prepared since I am from the mod-less 240forum (although J-Swigz has been holding it down as of recent).

Well I have a lot of options since there is a $10k window. So here it is:

Scion TC 160HP/163 TQ $16,515
Honda Accord 2.4 DX 160HP/161TQ $16,810
Mazda 3S 160HP/150TQ $17,175
Nissan Altima 2.5 175HP/180TQ $18,030
Nissan Sentra SE-R SPEC-V 175HP/180TQ $18,580
Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart 162HP/162TQ $19,074
Mazda 3 SP23 160HP/150TQ $19,245
Mazda 6i 160HP/155TQ $19,555
Ford Mustang V6 Deluxe 210HP,240TQ $19,890
Honda Accord 2.4 LX 160HP/161TQ $20,290
Mitsubishi Eclipse GS 147HP/158TQ $20,294
Acura RSX 160HP/141TQ $20,845
Pontiac G6 200HP/220TQ $21,300
Chevrolet Cobalt SS 205HP/200TQ $21,995
Toyota Solara SE V6 225HP/240TQ $22,190
Honda Accord 2.4 EX 160HP/161TQ $22,715
Mazda 6S 220HP/192TQ $24,155
Volvo S40 2.4i 168HP/170TQ $24,255
Acura RSX TYPE S 210HP/143TQ $24,240
Honda Accord 3.0 LX 240HP/212TQ $24,465
Mitsubishi Eclipse GTS 210HP/205TQ $25,494
Subaru Impreza WRX 227HP/217TQ $25,620
Ford Mustang V8 GT 300HP/320TQ $25,815

These are ones that I was interested in or I thought were a good deal cuz they were in that price range. Let me know which one u think is the best deal and why. And if there's any that I over looked, let me know. Thanx.

P.S. I don't even like Honda's but they're so damn inexpensive for the most part that they kept coming up.

kman10587
07-12-2005, 05:04 PM
The only rear-wheel-drive cars you're gonna find for that kind of money are the Mazda Miata and the Ford Mustang, and it'd be a stretch to get the Mustang with a V8. The Miata would be my top recommendation, but if you don't mind front-wheel-drive, there are a number of other superb options, among them the Corolla XRS, the Mazda 3s, and the Acura RSX. If you really wanna run, you could get an SRT-4, but I don't get the impression that that's your kind of car.

93-240SX-COUPE
07-12-2005, 05:36 PM
I have never really liked the Miata's cuz they're really small. There fast as shit cuz of their weight and lots of potential but just too small for my taste.

Yeah and not to big on hatchbacks and neons, focuses, xB's, or any other type a car like that. I respect what they can do but looks go along way too.

Right now it kinda seems like the Mazda 3 or 6, the Ralliart, or the Cobalt SS are the favorites cuz of the price and performance.

P.S. U have any pix of the Corolla XRS, I cant seem to find anything about it.

EDIT: Nevermind about the pix. I found it. But 127 Torque is a little too low for my taste.

King Of Crunk
07-12-2005, 06:33 PM
i would get a used corvette or camaro v8....it would smoke all those other cars....but if you want new i would go with the cobalt SS...and since you like BMWs you could get a newer used M3...they're in that price range...

93-240SX-COUPE
07-12-2005, 07:19 PM
Used M3's are in the 30's and BMW has an alright warranty on used vehicles but at this point Im tired of fixing little things that just keep adding up.

BlackGT2000
07-12-2005, 08:06 PM
In my opinion the best car on the list is the 05 GT mustang, but its also the most expensive on the list most likely. If I had 25 I would just get a 03 vette.

k3smostwanted
07-12-2005, 09:55 PM
well since you want new...im not gonna give other options because when you have this type of price range and you include used cars, the list of options becomes enormous.

i would say one of the better choices is the RSX type-S. its not RWD but it will sure as hell run circles around some RWD cars. its fun when you want it to be be relaxed and smooth when not.

i also noticed that you have listed some cars twice: ie. mitsubishi eclipse GS or GTS...this makes me question the price range your looking in. do you not know for sure yet??? i would think you anyone would take the GTS if that is their official price range.

how about a Subaru WRX non STI?? great performance.

illegal_eagle187
07-12-2005, 10:36 PM
a used corvette C5, i know u can find one within that price

Zachp911
07-13-2005, 06:20 AM
I vote for the RSX Type-S. It has alot of upgrades, its reliable, quick, and it wont require alot of maintainance since its a Honda.

NISSANSPDR
07-13-2005, 10:02 AM
Used E36 M3's are in the low 19's and 20's range always on ebay

kman10587
07-13-2005, 04:55 PM
He said no used cars, guys, so quit recommending Corvettes and M3s.

93-240SX-COUPE
07-14-2005, 02:59 PM
i also noticed that you have listed some cars twice: ie. mitsubishi eclipse GS or GTS...this makes me question the price range your looking in. do you not know for sure yet??? i would think you anyone would take the GTS if that is their official price range.

how about a Subaru WRX non STI?? great performance.

I listed cars twice cuz I was asking for the best deal as far as dollar wise and if the GS was a better deal at the price compared to the GTS. Performance wise, big difference as well.

And the WRX listed is not at the bottom of the list isn't an STi.

I vote for the RSX Type-S. It has alot of upgrades, its reliable, quick, and it wont require alot of maintainance since its a Honda.

I was thinking about the Type S till I saw the Torque, or rather lack of. I was checking on the RSX forums and they all agree that the mid-range torque is just about non-existent. True to the Honda style of cars, its pretty peppy from the get go, and then just kinda dies off till u hit the 5k rpm's. A test drive would definetly be a must.


He said no used cars, guys, so quit recommending Corvettes and M3s.

;)

clawhammer
07-14-2005, 03:31 PM
Wrx. AWD (just don't kill the tranny) Looks great, pretty reliable, plus turbo.

kman10587
07-14-2005, 04:08 PM
I think the V6 Mustang would be a good bet if you like a lot of mid-range torque. Plus, it's rear-wheel-drive, it's fairly cheap, the handling is predictable and enjoyable, and it's got a nice interior and shifter-clutch combo. It's an easy and fun car to drive. You're probably going to get flamed by a lot of people for not getting a V8, but just ignore them. As nice as the V8 is, the V6 still has plenty of get-up-and-go, and it'll save you a bunch on not only the cost of the car, but on gas and insurance, too.

k3smostwanted
07-14-2005, 06:42 PM
im still going with teh RSX type-S...reguardless of lack of torque it still one of the best performers you have on that list. it is one of the best handling and runs a consistent mid 14 in the 1/4 mile.

and the WRX is a gerat buy too. still runs a mid 14 and handling is superb and Subaru has one of, if not, the best AWD system out.

i mean the choice is yours but for what your looking at...i dotn think these cars should be overlooked.

and sorry..i didnt really go through your whole list of cars you had listed so i just mentioned the WRX.

as for the GTS and GS...neither perform very well but the GTS obviously performs better but there are so many other better buys that this car shouldnt even be considered for its price. my :2cents:

SuperHighOutput
07-16-2005, 02:39 PM
So far the best car listed has been the Cobalt SS. The interior is much nicer than that of an SRT-4, and with the exception of the Mustang GT none are really any faster. The Cobalt also handles very well, and imo looks great as well.

ghostx
07-20-2005, 09:15 PM
I'd get something from 16k-20k. (i'd prefer a SRT-4 or Mustang) Then I'd spend the extra 5k on mods. :) but that's just me.

that avatar's cool as sh:t SuperHighOutput

jcsaleen
07-20-2005, 11:27 PM
The new mazda six turbo. 275 Whp. It hauls ass 24,500 I think but dont quote me on that lol. Or a used Supra or Rx7 for around 20k an good condition too.

ghostx
07-21-2005, 01:22 AM
You really should be more open minded about used cars. If it wasn't for the '05 Mustang, I wouldn't even look at buying a new car.

jcsaleen
07-21-2005, 07:40 AM
Used M3's are in the 30's and BMW has an alright warranty on used vehicles but at this point Im tired of fixing little things that just keep adding up.

It all depends on the owner you know. Also certain cars tend to attract certain type of person (enthusiast or non). A guy who doesnt care about his car will usually drive a regular car not sports car so keep little things like that in mind. Also some manufactures have really good warranties as well that you might want to think about. Just keep it in the back of your mind just incase... :)

93-240SX-COUPE
07-21-2005, 09:59 PM
I'd get something from 16k-20k. (i'd prefer a SRT-4 or Mustang) Then I'd spend the extra 5k on mods. :) but that's just me.

I dont like the srt-4 and I'm kinda thinking about the Mustang cuz its the most bang for your buck, or the Lancer Ralliart or Mazda 6, but I like the idea about spending from 16-20 then using the rest to mod it. Other than under 20k, I'm liking the Cobalt.

The new mazda six turbo. 275 Whp. It hauls ass 24,500 I think but dont quote me on that lol. Or a used Supra or Rx7 for around 20k an good condition too.

$29,925 for the MazdaSpeed Mazda6. Kinda figured that the Turbo would be around 30k cuz the regular 6 is $24,155.

And yeah its really on my pops which car I ultimately get cuz its gonna be them paying for it and the insurance so I guess I'm looking for a new car cuz the APR is gonna be lower, the insurance is gonna be lower, and the maintenance (<sp) is gonna be covered through the warranty. I am openminded about used cars but its really more peace of mind.

It all depends on the owner you know. Also certain cars tend to attract certain type of person (enthusiast or non). A guy who doesnt care about his car will usually drive a regular car not sports car so keep little things like that in mind. Also some manufactures have really good warranties as well that you might want to think about. Just keep it in the back of your mind just incase... :)

So if someone like me owns the car then I shouldn't buy it cuz its gonna be beaten up.



Ultimately, what do u guys think? I know its my decision but what would u buy?

cash1188
07-22-2005, 11:18 PM
i'd go with the cobalt ss or a stang. The ss horsepower is very underrated. I think ford might be having some new deal to compete with GM (correct me if wrong), making a mustang GT fall into your price range. but i would test drive several different cars before you buy one.

93-240SX-COUPE
07-24-2005, 07:46 PM
I was talking it over with some friends last night and they all ripped me a new one for even thinking about any domestic car, especially the ford. And to be quite honest the only real reason that I like the stang is cuz of the performance not really too into the actual cosmetics of the car.

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