Which car from 15-25k?

[93-240SX-COUPE]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

a used corvette C5, i know u can find one within that price

[Zachp911]

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]

Used E36 M3's are in the low 19's and 20's range always on ebay

[kman10587]

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

[93-240SX-COUPE]

Originally Posted by k3smostwanted

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.

Originally Posted by ludespeed501

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.

Originally Posted by kman10587

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

[clawhammer]

Wrx. AWD (just don't kill the tranny) Looks great, pretty reliable, plus turbo.

[kman10587]

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]

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