Which new compact car would make the best pocket rocket?

[bassik277]

Im getting a new car soon and planning on tuning it.

These are the cars i'm considering, please give me your opinions on which you prefer in terms of performance, looks, and tuning ability

2002 VW GTI VR6 (With 201 horsepower)
2002 Honda Civic SI
2002 Acura RSX Type S
2002 Subaru Impreza WRX
2002 Ford SVT Focus
2001 Toyota Celica GT-S

[DVSNCYNIKL]

This is the order I had written in the previous one you deleted.

Acura RSX
VW GTI VR6
Toyota Celica GT-S
Subaru WRX
Honda Civic

I don't care too much for Fords, so I won't bother listing that one.

But if you get the GTI, that is a smart choice also. I'm looking into an RSX myself.

[RCer]

My preferences will go:

1.- WRX, well I own an Impreza so I'm biased.
2.- Acura RSX
3.- GTI
4.- Celica, Hey slow down!!!! nice ad!
5.- Nothing else, thanks.

[bassik277]

In my opinion the ugliest car listed was the new honda civic Si, but the only reason I am considering it is because honda is the leader of the import scene and the new Si will probably end up with thousands of tuners making parts for it. On the other hand the focus looks okay but it is ford which sucks. The GTI felt like the best quality when I test drove it and it had good handling and acceleration plus the GTI i test drove was a VR6 with 170 Horsepower and a 5 speed manual, now that the 2002 model is coming with a 6 speed plus 204 horsepower that has my PICK! I also love the new RSX but it doesn't have the original soul of the integra, it seems like an improvement but nothing spectacular. While the Subaru has a zero to sixty time of 5.8! And the Celica is also a worthy competitor because it to like the civic Si has a lot of tuning parts plus it looks sweet. These are the reasons I am choosing between these cars, but as of now the two that im most likely to get are either the RSX or GTI.

[Adam]

2002 VW GTI VR6 - Not good loookin' enough
2002 Honda Civic SI - Good reliability, but when it compared w/ the RSX, get the one w/ more bhp (RSX)
2002 Acura RSX Type S - my fav. car under $50k. great buy. great power. great interior. car mags praise handling and feel and response
2002 Subaru Impreza WRX - pretty good option, supposed to be fun to drive, but 4 doors make it not as sporty looking.
2002 Ford SVT Focus - it's a Ford. delete it. not good enough. kinda ugly in certain views.
2001 Toyota Celica GT-S - great reliability (as does Acura/Honda).

For me, it would come down to the Celica and the RSX. I would take the RSX simply because:

1. it's a honda

2. it has a cleaner shape, fun to modify

3. it's design is new, so it won't change for a little while. Celica is changing soon. but the new celica will (according to Car and Driver's artist renderings) look GREATTT!!! but the RSX is still a honda

4. I LOVE LOVE LOVE the RSX's interior. I like it better than ANY other interior -- in the world.

RSX interior:





oh yeah, and, notice, that the RSX has the most reviews from car magazines. Kinda tells you that they like the RSX better. or i'm just blind to the other reviews

[MiSter MAn]

I would just go with the rSx. it looks bootylicious and has the new i-vtech engine. It has a nice interior and you will be able to fix it up easily. Its also a honda, which has great reliabilty. Ford focus is a ford and is booty looking, so forget that. And forget the rest because i said so.

[MiSter MAn]

The gti is my second choice but it has 170 horse power and only 5 speed manual compared to the 6 speed on the rsX.

[bassik277]

Actually mista man, the new 2002 GTI which I am reffering to, has 204 Horsepower which is four more then the RSX plus it is coming with a 6 speed manual.

[kris]

Well, If it were to me, I would go with the VW. On any given day (speaking from this past week) i see maybe, 1 or 2 GTI's. I see plenty of civc Si's, so the new one will be just as popular. I have seen at least 4 RSX's, a good amount of celicas, and lots of focus'. Granted the Focus' were not SVT's.... But, you get the idea. I also see a few Subies, but not really any VW's.

[MiSter MAn]

U made a reely good point.

[Adam]

IMO, don't go by what's rare. then you could get a pinto. get the best. try the RSX. sure, it'll be just as common as the integra, but if you mod it, it will be as distinctive as you want.

to me, the VW is just too boxy. it's in need of a facelift. maybe one'll come soon because it's been a while.

4 horses doesn't make much of a difference, especially if you mod it.

if i were you, i would go by looks. you know that you could do a whole bunch of stuff with just about all (or maybe all) of those cars. then go by the best looking. (IMHO RSX)


IMO Adam

[justin@af]

Out of all of those i would get the RSX...I'm kinda biased toward acura/honda, but i definitely think the RSX has potential, especially being up there with the type-r in time specs. But make sure its a Type-S, if not then get the GTI or GTS

[Sleepy]

go with the subura its all whell drive good power badass car i would have one but its not made for tall people sucks bad

[DVSNCYNIKL]

Originally posted by Adam
to me, the VW is just too boxy. it's in need of a facelift.
4 horses doesn't make much of a difference, especially if you mod it.

if i were you, i would go by looks.

IMO Adam

While I'm all for the RSX. The GTI is a close second. I have to disagree with you about the boxy shape thing. It is definitely not boxy! I have a few friends that have the new models and have them modified etc. The looks are to die for. Again, I am not taking anything away from the RSX, since I will be probably purchasing one in the near future. But I would definitely want to be fast than look fast.

As for the horsepower difference. Yes the RSX is new in technology, but let's not forget that the GTI is a VR6 as opposed to a four banger. After all, stock the GTI has it beat and I'm sure that modded, the GTI would still have an edge.

With all that said, I still want an RSX.

[MiSter MAn]

What do you all think of the new honda, ford, and the celica?