...

[canadianpsycho]

I'm buying a motor scooter!

 

[radioouman]

How can they call the Civic an Acura in Canada? That amazes me. I understand calling the Intrepid a Chrysler, but I don't understand an "Acura Civic".

 

[Ryan]

Go with the Mazda - it has superb handling.

 

[canadianpsycho]

Originally posted by: radioouman
How can they call the Civic an Acura in Canada? That amazes me. I understand calling the Intrepid a Chrysler, but I don't understand an "Acura Civic".

Listen Yank, they don't call it an Acura Civic...

Its Honda Civic just like down there. And the Acura 1.7EL. Which the wife owns (and while somewhat similat in body style to the Civic is much better), and is pretty nice.

 

The difference in price is only 3k. You may find out that in a year or so you really should have went ahead and spent that extra 3K.
I've heard that more than enough times to believe that it's true.

Both are very nice cars. I would say the subaru has an advantage because it's had time to prove itself.
I would personally stay away from the SRT4. Traditionally crappy build quality coupled with an insanly turbocharged motor spells definate problems in the future.

Money issues are always tough, and that's not an amount to just laugh at.
So, take your time and choose wisely.

 

[StageLeft]

Holy fvck man you want to buy a car that costs almost as much as your yearly gross? I was going to offer an opinion on these cars, but quite frankly I won't because I'd feel irresponsible doing it. Get something cheaper.

 

[Doggiedog]

WRX comes in yellow too!

 

[Budmantom]

How about a maxima?

How much are you looking to spend? I don't think you should be spending close to your yearly salary for a vehicle.

What is considered the norm % of your salary to spend on a vehicle?

 

[amdskip]

Originally posted by: Skoorb
Holy fvck man you want to buy a car that costs almost as much as your yearly gross? I was going to offer an opinion on these cars, but quite frankly I won't because I'd feel irresponsible doing it. Get something cheaper.

Very well said. Be more realistic and don't burry yourself in more debt.

 

[StageLeft]

Originally posted by: Budmantom
How about a maxima?

How much are you looking to spend? I don't think you should be spending close to your yearly salary for a vehicle.

What is considered the norm % of your salary to spend on a vehicle?

That would depend on what you make of course...I don't see many people making $200k/year buying $100k vehicles, but I would personally advise against anybody spending more than half their yearly gross on a car. It depends on how much you have in savings, job security, future potential earnings, etc., but $36k CAN works out to around $2200/month net, and a $33k car after GST, assuming 5 years at 0% will set you back over $600/month. Then you've got insurance on top of that, which clearly will be very expensive on a WRX, and insurance rates in Canada are high. All said and done I'd have to estimate in the ball park of $800/month for the car with a take home of $2200. That's neuseating.

 

[bernse]

78 F100 4 speed.

You know you want one.

 

[Budmantom]

Originally posted by: Skoorb

Originally posted by: Budmantom
How about a maxima?

How much are you looking to spend? I don't think you should be spending close to your yearly salary for a vehicle.

What is considered the norm % of your salary to spend on a vehicle?

That would depend on what you make of course...I don't see many people making $200k/year buying $100k vehicles, but I would personally advise against anybody spending more than half their yearly gross on a car. It depends on how much you have in savings, job security, future potential earnings, etc., but $36k CAN works out to around $2200/month net, and a $33k car after GST, assuming 5 years at 0% will set you back over $600/month. Then you've got insurance on top of that, which clearly will be very expensive on a WRX, and insurance rates in Canada are high. All said and done I'd have to estimate in the ball park of $800/month for the car with a take home of $2200. That's neuseating.

Canadianpsycho I hope your wife brings home the bacon

 

[LAUST]

You are married, are not mechanically inclined and you want a performance car for your primary driver that also costs almost as much as you make?.. you must be pretty young. Oh well, atleast the good thing is you have time to make mistakes and learn

 

[CChaos]

I think you'd be happy with either. If you are serious about comfort being secondary than I'd go WRX over the 6. Personally, I'd happily drive either of those though the Subaru is a bit "boy racer" for me.

Now back to reality. As Skoorb pointed out: Can you really afford that? Perhaps you should check out the new Mazda3.

 

[helloedchen]

WRX hands down, 2k3s can still be found new here in the states for close to 21-22K.

got mine this past summer for 23, love everything about it.

 

I think the man is asking for opinions on thoes two cars.
I'm sure he does not need your advice on HIS money matters.

 

[StageLeft]

Originally posted by: GideonX
WRX hands down, 2k3s can still be found new here in the states for close to 21-22K.

got mine this past summer for 23, love everything about it.

Damn, that's not a bad price for a new one...unfortunately with the exchange rate what would buy somebody in Canada a low end WRX (low/mid 30's) would buy us here a fully loaded 350z (for instance).

 

[StageLeft]

Originally posted by: SammySon
I think the man is asking for opinions on thoes two cars.
I'm sure he does not need your advice on HIS money matters.

Well, it's a public forum and I would think that he posted his income at the beginning of the thread in a subconscious or deliberate effort to receive an opinion of the cars based on money matters. That's all we've done. I am not sure why you thought it necessary to emphasize the HIS part. Afterall the car will be HIS as well, but he's still looking for advice on it, and since it's HIS money I see no problem with advising in that area as well.

 

[Vic]

brand-new SRT4.

I'm serious. It goes like hell and it's likely to be just as reliable as the Mazda or the Subaru.

 

[StageLeft]

While I'm yapping I'll opine on the cars too. I would not feel comfortable buying a used WRX because I would guess your friend has driven it hard.

That aside you'd have to test drive both cars, ideally in the form you plan on buying them in. The manual 6 will feel significantly faster than the auto I would have to think, and it's good you're leaning towards a standard in either case.

The WRX off the line will trounce a 6, but once you get up to highway speeds the differences will be less significant. Surely the 6 would have a more comfortable drive, lower insurance rates, and feel a little classier vs. the boy-racer impressions from the WRX.

Course the WRX's AWD could be a benefit in Canada.

It seems to me that a WRX would be similar in price to a reasonable well optioned (leather is sweet!) 6...

 

[Siddhartha]

Originally posted by: canadianpsycho
OK,

So my lease is up in 2 months. I've started looking for a new car. I know I want to go standard (although I've only driven auto before) and I want something with some decent power and handling. Comfort is a secondary. I enjoy driving pretty fast, but I'm not much of a gearhead, so many of the subtle nuances of being a car freak are pretty much lost on me.

So far I'm torn between a new Mazda 6 V6 GS with the GFX package (wife insists it looks better with it - I agree) or trying to find a 2k3 WRX.

I've driven both, albeit under crappy circumstances.

The WRX is a friends. I suck with standard, but he let me try it out, and I liked it. He also put it through its paces (along with his RX-7) and I got a decent feel for the car.

The 6 I drove in an Auto. So I'm not sure how much quicker the MT might feel. I was impressed with its get-up-n-go.

I'm kinda scared of going used, as I have no tools nor skill to repair a car, and wouldn't know where to start picking a used one. I was contemplating a SRT-4, but have yet to go check them out, not to mention Ive lost lot of faith in domestics (owned Neon, Sunfire, Grand Am)

My personal thoughts:

WRX

Pros: Easier to customise or squeeze a few more hp out of, AWD is always a nice idea. The concept of having a turbocharged car gives me wood. Slightly better hp/torque then the 6.
Cons: Interior not as nice. More expensive, and I can't afford a new one.

Mazda 6

Pros: Tons of room, yet still feels/looks sporty. Handling is supposed to be pretty phenominal for a FWD. Comes in yellow!
Cons: Not many tuning options as of yet, IMHO doesn't have same appeal as WRX to me. Wife likes the car (She may learn stick and try to steal it from me )

Anyways, I'm interested to hear some thoughts about these models or others. My buddy who owns the WRX was recommending a Talon or Eclipse used, but he also says it can be a headache, as they can require a fair amount of minor regular repairs.

Idea of my budget: I make 36k a year, Cdn. The Mazda I want MSRP is 32k. WRX NEW is 35k. I'm postive I can't budget for a new 2k4 WRX especially after taxes (15% sucks hard) but a used would be somewhat more manageable.

Considering how much you make, perhaps you should consider a cheaper or an older car. You really do not want a car payment to negatively affect your quality of life.

 

[CChaos]

Originally posted by: SammySon
I think the man is asking for opinions on thoes two cars.
I'm sure he does not need your advice on HIS money matters.

I'm sure he posted HIS salary in this thread, so I don't see why you think it's out of bounds to comment on it.

 

[vi edit]

Although it's just a 4 cyl, I'd at least look at an Acura TSX. All reviews say it's a blast to drive, and it's incredibly well optioned. May be a smidge more expensive than the WRX or 6 though.

 

[helloedchen]

i thought the TSX used the RSX engine? nice ride, fun and easy to drive nonetheless, and a bit cheaper than what you mentioned in your post.

the SRT is a fast car for the $, but its a Neon, don't expect the parts to last too long...

here's a few things i don't like about the WRX in case you are considering. it might turn you away:

1) my driver side window squeaks, the window tracks are too tight. but i got them replaced by the dealer, i expect them to act up again sooner or later.
2) there are noises that come from the dash
3) gears are sometimes hard to get into, especially reverse. it is also very notchy.
4) some ppl complain about the paint quality. Subaru is known to have used weak paint, but i haven't had any issues thus far in regards to chipping or swirling (knock on wood)

here are the things i do like about it:

1) its turbocharged, when it kicks in at 3K, its instant wood
2) easy to modify, remove uppiped, downpipe and exhaust system, add 30 horses. and enjoy the earlier boost.
3) AWD
4) 4 doors
5) it is unique looking (2k3 model)
6) it can beat the pants off of a lot cars on the road. even funnier if you buy the wagon, many people will go WTF.

take the advice of people who have actually been in these cars, don't listen to the people dishin out advice based on what they read on C&D or MT.

i've been in all that was mentioned, and i still chose the Scooby. good luck and have fun

 

Well, it's a public forum and I would think that he posted his income at the beginning of the thread in a subconscious or deliberate effort to receive an opinion of the cars based on money matters. That's all we've done. I am not sure why you thought it necessary to emphasize the HIS part. Afterall the car will be HIS as well, but he's still looking for advice on it, and since it's HIS money I see no problem with advising in that area as well.

I'm sure he posted HIS salary in this thread, so I don't see why you think it's out of bounds to comment on it.

Very true. I interpreted it differently though. He's not asking which car, or how much car he can get for his money. He was asking for opinions on thoes two cars, and possibly others.