.:HSTuners::

04-16-2004, 11:22 PM

Ok this is a serious question. I'm not asking about project cars or anything of the sort. I'm asking about a practical car that is reasonably economical and hopefully fun to drive. New or used is ok but I need realistic suggestions. Any drivetrain is acceptable.

It needs to:
* Get me anywhere reliably, long distance trips included.
* Be capable of carrying a bike, preferably on the roof so I can salvage my existing bike rack.
* Avoid trees.

So some new cars I've tossed around in my head.

Mazda 3 5-door.
TSX
RSX
GTI
Imprezza
Jetta
Prius
Scion
Mini-S

b

ebpda9 · 04-16-2004, 11:35 PM

what happened to the new accord ? they look pimp

04-16-2004, 11:50 PM

I'm not a fan of Saturns. :o

b

drdingo21 · 04-17-2004, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by hondaman-iac
what happened to the new accord ? they look pimp

YES! For a couple of grand more you can get the new accord ex v6 with Navi. Go test drive one, they are load of fun to drive and have every option you could think of

MAXed Out · 04-17-2004, 11:49 AM

I would say GTI or WRX.

04-17-2004, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by MAXed Out
I would say GTI or WRX.

WRX have more power and 4WD.

What about G35 Sedan?

black95gs-t · 04-17-2004, 01:49 PM

I would say Dakota R/T. How do you get a bike on the top of a car? Wouldn't that crush the roof?
J

ShagginJet · 04-17-2004, 01:50 PM

25k??

Your MOM!!

But what would I do with the other 20K?? Not sure... you have a sister?

black95gs-t · 04-17-2004, 01:52 PM

Or an aunt? A cousin maybe?

*ChrisCantSkate* · 04-17-2004, 02:22 PM

i'd say a is300.. used lexus certified preowned. half those cars up there, like the wrx and whatnot are just gonna turn into moneypits. the is is nice, comfortable, reliable, and uhh... its a lexus

*pdiggitydogg* · 04-17-2004, 02:31 PM

didnt we have a thread like this already?

drdingo21 · 04-17-2004, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ChrisCantSkate
i'd say a is300.. used lexus certified preowned. half those cars up there, like the wrx and whatnot are just gonna turn into moneypits. the is is nice, comfortable, reliable, and uhh... its a lexus

I was considering this when i picked my accord, it was between the accord the is300 and the G35. THere were no infinity dealers in my area, the is that was equiped as well as my accord was 10k more. Not to mention the is is god aweful underpowered.

VR4_Craver · 04-17-2004, 11:29 PM

you could get the new neon

dingos accord is no joke fellas.

Get the g35 just cause no one you know has one

Daviso27 · 04-17-2004, 11:36 PM

Mazda 3 5dr

GT40FIED · 04-19-2004, 05:27 AM

Out of your list I'd pick a GTI or Imprezza. The Acura models are decent too. The Jetta, Prius, and Scion are miserably underpowered and a Mazda 3 might as well be a Focus for as gay as it looks. I also like Chris' idea of an IS300. It doesn't have as much power as some of the listed models, but it's got enough and it's RWD. Plus I've seen dyno figures on turbo'ed models that were damn near 600hp. I'd drive one if I had the money.

Racing Rice · 04-19-2004, 08:53 AM

A used Nissan Hardbody 4x4 and another bike!

Whiteclipse99 · 04-19-2004, 01:19 PM

I'm partial to the GTI mainly because I was looking at getting one along with the Jetta, but I'm just a girl so what do I know.

I'm also a fan of the R32.

Rob · 04-19-2004, 01:21 PM

EVO EVO EVO!!!!!! Rob likey

VR4_Craver · 04-19-2004, 09:37 PM

You know that the ion redline that is s/c makes like 198 at the wheels and is steadily climbing all the way up to the 6750 redline. Raise the red line and a little better tuning you could probably get like 210-225 at the wheels on one of them

Bah is300's are underpowered stock. I raced on in my si and he passed me at 110 but after some money like gt said 600hp easy

04-21-2004, 03:55 PM

VR6s are nice too

04-25-2004, 10:11 AM

Well as it turns out I'm not in the market for a new car. They're fixing my car rather than totalling it out, but I'll put my comments for future reference.

I found out the R32 is out now. Pretty sweet. But $32k for a pill? I'm not so sure it's worth it.

The STi is around the same price and a lot more car for the money. I took out a WRX and that car is just a blast to drive. I'd rather have an STi though. Since I'm not looking to buy right now, then maybe I can afford one when I do buy.

I didn't put the is300 on namely for cost reasons. I certainly wouldn't say the car is underpowered, it's comparable to the 330 and A4. However I'm not a big fan of the 'i' part of VVT-i, nor was I impressed with their (possibly fixed by now) handbrake design flaw. It's a very nice car, I've spent many hours driving one, and I'd really like one....but it fails the $25k test and I'm not a huge fan of used cars like that.

The Mazda 3 is impressive in the number of features it offers for its class. HID, navigation, TPMS all under $22k is impressive for the class of car. The tranny was smooth as butter but the car is definitely underpowered, just like most 4-bangers. It looked better in pics than it did in person and I must say I'm not too fond of the looks after seeing it in person. Also they mounted the shift lever way too far back, it was more like digging into the console to shift rather than a normal placement, that alone would keep me from buying it.

b

thermal · 04-25-2004, 11:59 AM

imprezza.............

04-25-2004, 05:37 PM

Sti = bad gas mileage

WRX = the best

What about the VW Passet?

04-16-2004, 11:22 PM	#1
spoogenet Posts: n/a	$25k & under: What car would you buy? Ok this is a serious question. I'm not asking about project cars or anything of the sort. I'm asking about a practical car that is reasonably economical and hopefully fun to drive. New or used is ok but I need realistic suggestions. Any drivetrain is acceptable. It needs to: * Get me anywhere reliably, long distance trips included. * Be capable of carrying a bike, preferably on the roof so I can salvage my existing bike rack. * Avoid trees. So some new cars I've tossed around in my head. Mazda 3 5-door. TSX RSX GTI Imprezza Jetta Prius Scion Mini-S b

04-16-2004, 11:35 PM	#2
ebpda9 Repost Wagon Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: over here Age: 44 Posts: 17,266	what happened to the new accord ? they look pimp __________________

04-17-2004, 11:49 AM	#5
MAXed Out 6th Gear Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Cleveland, OH Age: 38 Posts: 1,974	I would say GTI or WRX. __________________ SHIFT_MyNuts Some people call it an obsession I just call it my maxima 1997 Maxima SE 5spd, Stillen Body Kit, Warpspeed Y & B pipes, Magnaflow Muffler, Koni Yellows & Tein S-tech springs, JVC Headunit, Directed 7" in dash screen,Stillen Intake, red/clear tail lights, AE mod, Paceseter STS, EL-Glow Gauges, Clutchmasters FX300 Clutch, rebuilt tranny, 19" Mille Miglia Evo 5's with Pirelli Pzero's(summer), 18" Hp D-10 hyper silver wrapped in Goodyear ultra HPR, SPW front strut bar, Helios 7000k HID, Motostorm UDP, Viper 5000Vx alarm, 2 12" PowerClass 124 subs, Kenwood 1200 Watt amp, DVD Changer

04-17-2004, 01:49 PM	#7
black95gs-t Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Southern Cali Age: 42 Posts: 728	I would say Dakota R/T. How do you get a bike on the top of a car? Wouldn't that crush the roof? J __________________ LOONEY TUNES!!!! "Hearts and minds gents.... And if that doesn't work, two in the heart and one in the mind." "Life sucks.....so drop your pants and let the good times roll!" Mycivicjust8u

04-17-2004, 01:50 PM	#8
ShagginJet Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 1,584	25k?? Your MOM!! But what would I do with the other 20K?? Not sure... you have a sister? __________________ RECENTLY UPDATED!!! 5-20-04 http://63.249.135.19/hdrive/car/index.htm

04-16-2004, 11:50 PM	#3
spoogenet Posts: n/a	I'm not a fan of Saturns. :o b

04-17-2004, 01:52 PM	#9
black95gs-t Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Southern Cali Age: 42 Posts: 728	Or an aunt? A cousin maybe? __________________ LOONEY TUNES!!!! "Hearts and minds gents.... And if that doesn't work, two in the heart and one in the mind." "Life sucks.....so drop your pants and let the good times roll!" Mycivicjust8u

04-17-2004, 02:22 PM	#10
ChrisCantSkate Thought Police Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: orlando florida Age: 40 Posts: 9,662	i'd say a is300.. used lexus certified preowned. half those cars up there, like the wrx and whatnot are just gonna turn into moneypits. the is is nice, comfortable, reliable, and uhh... its a lexus __________________ Black Vtec Prelude-h22a power'd Many dreams come true, and some have silver linings. I live for my dreams and a pocket full of gold.

04-17-2004, 02:31 PM	#11
pdiggitydogg Yahoo Watashi wa kattaze! Join Date: May 2002 Location: Meanwhile, up in The D... Age: 41 Posts: 10,579	didnt we have a thread like this already?

04-17-2004, 11:29 PM	#13
VR4_Craver Banned Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: The stixx Age: 38 Posts: 1,550	you could get the new neon dingos accord is no joke fellas. Get the g35 just cause no one you know has one __________________ me from another forum (im the top geekz0r) the geekz0r (11:03:46 PM): basicly, look at it this way...the 6speed is the same is the 5speed in 2,3,4,5,and 6...only the speeds are different because of the fd the geekz0r (11:04:16 PM): so 2nd pulls like 1st in the 5speed, 3rd is like 2nd, etc. PortugeeTex (11:04:26 PM): so whats 1st like then? the geekz0r (11:04:49 PM): 1st is like hitting a cheeta in the ass with a tazer PortugeeTex (11:04:53 PM): lmfao

04-17-2004, 11:36 PM	#14
Daviso27 3rd Gear Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Orlando, Florida Age: 44 Posts: 426	Mazda 3 5dr __________________ Zoom3 Hatch/Injen CAI/Phat Exhaust Piping/Clarion VTR/CD/DVD/PS2/XBOX/MTX MONO Block AMP/2 MTX 12"/Chrome Tint/Pepsi Blue w/matching calipers

04-19-2004, 05:27 AM	#15
GT40FIED Best...mod...ever Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: At the end of the longest line Age: 43 Posts: 7,451	Out of your list I'd pick a GTI or Imprezza. The Acura models are decent too. The Jetta, Prius, and Scion are miserably underpowered and a Mazda 3 might as well be a Focus for as gay as it looks. I also like Chris' idea of an IS300. It doesn't have as much power as some of the listed models, but it's got enough and it's RWD. Plus I've seen dyno figures on turbo'ed models that were damn near 600hp. I'd drive one if I had the money. __________________ 1984 1/2 Mustang GT350 #842, Faster than you...nuff said Anna Fan Club President/Dictator Someday, in the event that mankind actually figures out what it is that this world actually revoles around, thousands of people are going to be shocked and perplexed that it was not them. Sometimes this includes me. "If you want a vision of the future, imagine a boot stamping on a human face - forever." - George Orwell Welcome to the new Amerika

04-19-2004, 08:53 AM	#16
Racing Rice Project Combat Honda Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Highland,OH Age: 45 Posts: 7,985	A used Nissan Hardbody 4x4 and another bike! __________________ Racing Rice

04-19-2004, 01:19 PM	#17
Whiteclipse99 4th Gear Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: York, Pa Age: 44 Posts: 952	I'm partial to the GTI mainly because I was looking at getting one along with the Jetta, but I'm just a girl so what do I know. I'm also a fan of the R32. __________________ Don't smoke too much, drink too much, eat too much or work too much. We're all on the road to the grave -- but there's no need to be in the passing lane. -- Robert Orben

04-19-2004, 09:37 PM	#19
VR4_Craver Banned Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: The stixx Age: 38 Posts: 1,550	You know that the ion redline that is s/c makes like 198 at the wheels and is steadily climbing all the way up to the 6750 redline. Raise the red line and a little better tuning you could probably get like 210-225 at the wheels on one of them Bah is300's are underpowered stock. I raced on in my si and he passed me at 110 but after some money like gt said 600hp easy __________________ me from another forum (im the top geekz0r) the geekz0r (11:03:46 PM): basicly, look at it this way...the 6speed is the same is the 5speed in 2,3,4,5,and 6...only the speeds are different because of the fd the geekz0r (11:04:16 PM): so 2nd pulls like 1st in the 5speed, 3rd is like 2nd, etc. PortugeeTex (11:04:26 PM): so whats 1st like then? the geekz0r (11:04:49 PM): 1st is like hitting a cheeta in the ass with a tazer PortugeeTex (11:04:53 PM): lmfao

04-21-2004, 03:55 PM	#20
Shot 2 Hel Posts: n/a	VR6s are nice too

04-25-2004, 10:11 AM	#21
spoogenet Posts: n/a	Well as it turns out I'm not in the market for a new car. They're fixing my car rather than totalling it out, but I'll put my comments for future reference. I found out the R32 is out now. Pretty sweet. But $32k for a pill? I'm not so sure it's worth it. The STi is around the same price and a lot more car for the money. I took out a WRX and that car is just a blast to drive. I'd rather have an STi though. Since I'm not looking to buy right now, then maybe I can afford one when I do buy. I didn't put the is300 on namely for cost reasons. I certainly wouldn't say the car is underpowered, it's comparable to the 330 and A4. However I'm not a big fan of the 'i' part of VVT-i, nor was I impressed with their (possibly fixed by now) handbrake design flaw. It's a very nice car, I've spent many hours driving one, and I'd really like one....but it fails the $25k test and I'm not a huge fan of used cars like that. The Mazda 3 is impressive in the number of features it offers for its class. HID, navigation, TPMS all under $22k is impressive for the class of car. The tranny was smooth as butter but the car is definitely underpowered, just like most 4-bangers. It looked better in pics than it did in person and I must say I'm not too fond of the looks after seeing it in person. Also they mounted the shift lever way too far back, it was more like digging into the console to shift rather than a normal placement, that alone would keep me from buying it. b

04-25-2004, 11:59 AM	#22
thermal Banning Machine Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: My Garage, Va. Posts: 5,547	imprezza............. __________________ Project Teg Visit the Turbo Forum

04-25-2004, 05:37 PM	#23
pbateson Posts: n/a	Sti = bad gas mileage WRX = the best What about the VW Passet?

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