need some ideas for a new car

[atlanticx]

i am in the market for a new car... specifically something with a bit of zip but won't leave my pockets empty. i've been told by a lot of people to go with a civic si, which i love, but was wondering what compares to it. I've also been told to check out VW GTI's, which i don't like as much.

what would be nice is a coupe with around 225 hp or higher, decent torque, fun to drive, and decent MpG. something that i can be cost effective with, but still take it out and still be able to blow by at least a few people.

budget: msrp around or under $30,000 (approx)

any ideas?

[offroad]

I personally like Acuras. They have Honda reliability, and their designs are futuristic. Their interiors are nice as well. The materials are VERY high quality, but not as expensive as competitiors. I like the Acura TL or the Acura TSX. The TSX looks really sporty. So you should get the TSX w/ Sport Package. Sport Package adds: rear spoiler, front spoiler, side spoiler. Looks real nice! Hope I helped!

[atlanticx]

Originally Posted by offroad

I personally like Acuras. They have Honda reliability, and their designs are futuristic. Their interiors are nice as well. The materials are VERY high quality, but not as expensive as competitiors. I like the Acura TL or the Acura TSX. The TSX looks really sporty. So you should get the TSX w/ Sport Package. Sport Package adds: rear spoiler, front spoiler, side spoiler. Looks real nice! Hope I helped!

as much as i would love a TL, its a little out of my price range with features. the TSX runs me 39 for the V6 and the sport package. id rather the Civic Si coupe for 28 instead of the same amount of zip in the 5 speed TSX for 35.

on the other hand... u have sort of turned me around to acuras... never really looked closely at em until u mentioned it. so i really do appreciate it. thanks!

[offroad]

haha. youre welcome. btw if the tl is outta ur price range then u should consider a infiniti g37, mb c300 or a lexus is350. ive owned all of them and the infiniti BY FAR is the best.

[atlanticx]

Originally Posted by offroad

haha. youre welcome. btw if the tl is outta ur price range then u should consider a infiniti g37, mb c300 or a lexus is350. ive owned all of them and the infiniti BY FAR is the best.

ur so much help! thanks!

[offroad]

no problem. im happy to help! p.s. the is350 back seats are so small theyre almost useless. lol.

[atlanticx]

no worries... if any out of the 3 it would be the infiniti. still would run me 43 or so for the full package... got a lot of thinking to do. if i go with the civic si i could beef it up to be around 250 hp with a decent amount of torque (i think) for only 33 or so.

thanks for the help tho!

[atlanticx]

Originally Posted by offroad

no problem. im happy to help! p.s. the is350 back seats are so small theyre almost useless. lol.

just looked at camero's. they are lower priced than all of these. i had no idea... i was SUPER surprised when i found out.

[Tesla220]

I'd stay away from anything European. Their interiors are fantastic, I guess thats why they sell however as they age even just a little they really become expensive to keep.
Many people love their new Camaro's. Honda, Lexus, all fine too.

[Oldengineer]

Tesla: Ever owned a European Car? I've owned 4 - 3 Jaguars and, now, a Benz SUV. Never got to the "really expensive to own" part. I do most of my own service, and, buy them because they're certainly not vanilla like a lot of the other stuff on the market.

Regards:
Oldengineer

[Tesla220]

Originally Posted by Oldengineer

Tesla: Ever owned a European Car? I've owned 4 - 3 Jaguars and, now, a Benz SUV. Never got to the "really expensive to own" part. I do most of my own service, and, buy them because they're certainly not vanilla like a lot of the other stuff on the market.

Regards:
Oldengineer

yes, I have. Ive been a mechanic for 32 years. Worked on all makes and models save exotic Italian . The last 8 years in my own shop.
I get the fact that they are not vanilla, but you sound like you own older ones. You wont be servicing the newer ones on your own as they intentionally make this impossible. The newer ones are over the top upside down complicated, you my friend cant even change your own oil any longer. Unless you buy their special tools. very expensive.
besides, and just for instance, when some clown puts the wrong tail bulb in his BMW and it burns out a $2500 body computer, I just call that shitty engineering. Period.
When you need a bulb replaced in your VW and the dealer has to reset the bulb out indicator to the tune of $100 thats BS.
Exotic 12 dollar a quart oil...
$25000 information systems...
Front suspension components only last 60k miles...
Mercedes with their endless body computer problems, programming errors, battery draws, cat malfunctions....
You better stick to the ones that are 15 years old or better because you are in for a RUDE awakening

[Oldengineer]

Tesla:
Nope - never messed with an older one - had a 2003 X-Type 2.5, a 2006 X-Type 3.0, and a 2006 S-Type 4.2. Now have a 2011 Mercedes GLK 4Matic. I've been wrenching on my own stuff for about 52 years. I'm currently restoring a stock 1948 Chevy Fleetmaster Town Sedan. I was in the car business too for a while - worked for GM as an engineer for 9 years after college.

Regards:
Oldengineer

[Tesla220]

O engineer

Awesome, I have a client who's father in law worked as an engineer at GM.. I'd love to chat with you for a while...lol

[jamesslcx]

So many great cars to pick from today! I would be hard pressed to pick one. I'have never had any problems from any cars especially European cars, but I might have to lean toward a Honda.

[Oldengineer]

Tesla:

Yeah, I worked at Delco Moraine in Dayton, Ohio from 1969 - 1978. Our GM Division made brakes, engine bearings, brake boosters, master cylinders, transmission bands, and powered metal parts like rocker arm balls. Our plant was actually completely tooled up to make the rotors for the GM rotary engine before they pulled the plug on it. I saw a couple of them running in our test cells. They were much larger than the Mazda unit of the time, and, made over 300 HP on the dynos. Problem was - they wore out at short mileage, and, nobody could solve the issue. Hence plans for production were cancelled at the last minute.

Regards:
Oldengineer