$30,000 -- NEW sport-ute, sedan, sport coupe, pony car, or pickup?

[NFS4]

<< 2 links to 1 I win... lol ( yes, honey I am comming!! )

In addition, I don't even think using your warped idea of placement by price will work this time.. I doubt you can even load up a Tibby to the base price of the celica which is 18,345


Smile!

:|:Q >>


http://autos.yahoo.com/compare/compare_over.html?count=3&amp;cmpCar1=36609570&amp;cmpCar2=36609857

I must say that a Mustang vs Celica GTS is a bit more of a stretch than a Celica GT vs Tiburon.

But that's the joy of TRIM LEVELS.

Celica GT -- Tiburon
4 banger Integra -- 4 banger Eclipse
Celica GTS -- V6 Mitsubishi Eclipse
Celica GTS -- V6 Mustang Deluxe (although I still don't agree with Edmond's comparison)
Mustang GT -- Camaro Z28
Mustang Cobra -- Camaro SS

The joy of trim levels

:|:Q:disgust::frown:

Anyway, I think that you and I have had enough arguing for now

 

[NFS4]

<< Still waiting for an answer to my question! (yes I'm feeling neglected)

>>


Ohh, I'm sorry RossMAN I test drove two '01 Highlanders. I test drove a mid-range mode model that had 4WD, leather, and CD player. It was 31,500. I also test drove a Limited model which has 4WD, leather, 6-disc in-dash CD player, moonroof, fog lamps, 16&quot; alloys, tow-package, dual front heated seats, power driver's seat, liftgate spoiler, and remote keyless and it was $35,000.

 

[ElFenix]

<< Yep, it's a 2.0 liter four-banger. Highest specific output for a normally aspirated engine at 120HP per liter. >>



OS .21 engines make about 600Hp per liter. i still wouldn't want one in my car. i used to want an s2000 until i actually heard one being stomped on one day... that engine sounded like a yak giving birth.

for that much... CL-S... maybe an accord coupe with a supercharger... mustang GetThere with supercharger... oooo!!! the 2002 maxima 6 speed with supercharger! the mustang would supercharge better though... of course... the max is 4 doors so i could carry my stuff and some friends. so i guess that would be it. and if it had a sunroof too that would be nice. blow that crappy litte celica tiny thing out of the water. heck, even a stock 5 speed max would give the celica a run for it. the current one is only 1/10th of a sec behind... wonder what the boost to 260 horses is going to do

 

[Aenygma]

Thank you for proving my point!

Your sites you quote can't even agree on the base price lol.

As I stated before, relying on internet sites for your information is flawed.

The REAL base price of a Celica is.. ( thumbs through brochures.. here we go.. this one we test drove in March... it's 17,565.)

A Tibby MSRP is. ( again thumbing through..14,894.) Fully loaded it goes out the door, less than the base of the Celica.


However, I am confident you shall find some site that says hey, we can get a loaded tibby to over lap a base stipped out celica by 100 bucks lol.

So, I guess the ZX3 and Sunfire GT.. are the Celica's competition too??? Hmmmmm

Keep Smiling!

:Q

 

[RossMAN]

Thanks for finally responding to my question

$31,500 for a reasonably equipped Highlander doesn't seem that bad of a deal, is there any reason you'd buy a similarly equipped Explorer instead of the Highlander?

 

[Aenygma]

Sorry about the time NFS4.. it takes longer to look through real hard copy material then to just copy/paste stuff from sites that don't even agree, and are not real-world based

Ok.. 1/2 hour after I said I had to go, they are finally getting up.. So feel neglected.. If I can I will pop on later tonite, to further assist you.

Keep smiling!!!




P.S. Now, let's get off cars and dig into something serious, like is it odd to have over 50 Shrink Wrapped DVD's in your collection Ross?? lol

Man, I am going to pay for that.. I only wish I had that many hanging around Ross

Keep Smiling!

 

[ElFenix]

i've heard good things about the new trailblazers. if you haven't taken a look at those yet you might want to. the engine is awesome. more power, better mileage, and it runs on regular. about the same size as an explorer, little less expensive.

 

[RossMAN]

P.S. Now, let's get off cars and dig into something serious, like is it odd to have over 50 Shrink Wrapped DVD's in your collection Ross?? lol

Man, I am going to pay for that.. I only wish I had that many hanging around Ross

Actually I've only watched maybe 30 out of my 260+ DVDs (90% of the movies I have already seen in the theatre and liked a lot or they were super hot bargains I just could not say no).

 

[NFS4]

<< i've heard good things about the new trailblazers. if you haven't taken a look at those yet you might want to. the engine is awesome. more power, better mileage, and it runs on regular. about the same size as an explorer, little less expensive. >>


Test drove a $34k Trailblazer. It was powerful, but the rear end skipped around a bit and the interior was very cheesy even compared to the '02 Explorer.

 

[N8Magic]

Ross,

The Highlander is wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyy overpriced man! As far as a mid-size SUV goes, I would recommend the Pathfinder, or the new Chevy Trailblazer before the Highlander.

A friend of mine has one, he likes it (he has kids), but it is way too much like a mini-van for me. Also, it is VERY limited in its offroad capabilities, due in part to the fact that it only has 7 inches of ground clearance. (and no skid plates).

31k (base price) for a glorified mini-van is a lot of cash.

 

[NFS4]

<< Ross,

The Highlander is wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyy overpriced man! As far as a mid-size SUV goes, I would recommend the Pathfinder, or the new Chevy Trailblazer before the Highlander.

A friend of mine has one, he likes it (he has kids), but it is way too much like a mini-van for me. Also, it is VERY limited in its offroad capabilities, due in part to the fact that it only has 7 inches of ground clearance. (and no skid plates).

31k (base price) for a glorified mini-van is a lot of cash. >>


The Highlander beat the '02 Trailblazer and the '02 Explorer in I believe May's issue of C&amp;D. It also got C&amp;D's best mid-size SUV award in this months issue. It has a car-like ride and is quieter than my Camry. It is also more fuel efficient than the TrailBlazer and Explorer and has nearly as much interior space (about equal with the TrailBlazer, a bit behind the Explorer). And how many people that by SUV's take them off-road...REALLY!!?? I'd rather have a smoother ride than to be able to tackle rocks. Our '97 Explorer XLT has not seen one rock bigger than my foot. Most people don't take $30,000 SUV banging around in rocks. $30,000 SUV's are kept as clean as Acura TL's and BMW 3-Series models.

As for the Pathfinder, that platform is too old for my tastes. And the base price of the Highlander according to Toyota's site is $25,395 for the 4WD 4-cylinder model and $26,975 for the 4WD 6-cylinder model. $31,500 is for a well equipped model with leather and CD player. $35,000 is with all the bells and whistles.

I don't know where you're getting a $31k base price from :Q

 

[N8Magic]

<<
The Highlander beat the '02 Trailblazer and the '02 Explorer in I believe May's issue. It has a car-like ride and is quieter than my Camry. It is also more fuel efficient and has nearly as much interior space. And how many people that by SUV's take them off-road...REALLY!!?? I'd rather have a smoother ride than to be able to tackle rocks. Our '97 Explorer XLT has not seen one rock bigger than my foot. Most people don't take $30,000 SUV banging around in rocks.

As for the Pathfinder, that platform is too old for my tastes. And the base price of the Highlander according to Toyota's site is $25,395 for the 4WD 4-cylinder model and $26,975 for the 4WD 6-cylinder model. $31,500 is for a well equipped model with leather and CD player. $35,000 is with all the bells and whistles. >>



I guess we have different priorities then. Personally, I am buying an SUV for off-road purposes. It really gets me going when people expect a &quot;car-like&quot; ride from an SUV.

IT'S A TRUCK.

It's not meant to be smoother and quieter than Mom's Camry. Nor is it meant to be as fast as a race car. Granted, these things are nice to have, but having them bastardizes the whole concept of owning an SUV. If you want those things, they sell wagons and mini-vans for a reason.

Look at the Grand Cherokee. It is a VERY capable off-road machine, but 99.995% of the time, you see soccer moms driving their kids to game with a kid in the baby seat and another bun in the oven. She would be MUCH better served by a mini-van, with the lower step in height, and more fuel efficient engines. /END RANT.

As for the Pathfinder, they are built on a new platform with a new 3.5L engine for this year. They made them larger and more powerful when they released the Xterra.

 

[RossMAN]

Ross,

The Highlander is wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyy overpriced man! As far as a mid-size SUV goes, I would recommend the Pathfinder, or the new Chevy Trailblazer before the Highlander.

A friend of mine has one, he likes it (he has kids), but it is way too much like a mini-van for me. Also, it is VERY limited in its offroad capabilities, due in part to the fact that it only has 7 inches of ground clearance. (and no skid plates).

31k (base price) for a glorified mini-van is a lot of cash.

I think the Lexus RX300 being the highest selling Lexus vehicle is a testament to it's quality, smooth ride and value. Of course I can barely afford a $17,500 Accord right now but a few years down the road I may want an SUV and the Highlander may be refined enough to be the right car for me. I'm sure that 99% of my driving will be on paved roads but every now and then I may feel daring and go on a dirt paved road

Does the Highlander seem &quot;big&quot; to you guys though? Looking at it next to a Lexus RX300 or Nissan Pathfinder I can't help to notice that it's big.

NFS4 - When you test drove the Highlander how responsive was it? Did it feel like a huge Buick boat? How fuel efficient is the V6? I don't need a V8, no hauling.

 

[RossMAN]

POLL: It seems that wyst, NFS4 and I read car magazines.

Which car magazines do you guys prefer (in order?). The only subscription I'll pay for is Motor Trend, I can't remember much about Road and Track, Car and Driver and I think there's 2 or 3 others I'm not naming.

So which car magazines are your favorite and why?

 

[NFS4]

<< As for the Pathfinder, they are built on a new platform with a new 3.5L engine for this year. They made them larger and more powerful when they released the Xterra. >>


As far as I know, the Pathfinder is still using the same platform introduced in '96. It got a new 3.5 liter engine, a new interior, and some revised bodywork for mid '99, but it is still the same platform/structure underneath as it was in '96. And as stated, the size remains the same b/c nothing major has been done to the platform.

Go look up some specs (wheelbase/track/cargo capacity/etc.) for a '98 4WD Pathfinder and a '00 model and you'll see what I mean. It will be completely restyled in the coming years.

 

[NFS4]

<< Does the Highlander seem &quot;big&quot; to you guys though? Looking at it next to a Lexus RX300 or Nissan Pathfinder I can't help to notice that it's big.

NFS4 - When you test drove the Highlander how responsive was it? Did it feel like a huge Buick boat? How fuel efficient is the V6? I don't need a V8, no hauling. >>


The Highlander has a slightly longer wheelbase (3 inches longer) and length than the RX300 (even though they're the same basic vehicle). The V6 was potent. I floored it and that thing was gone. Corners flatly and rides smooth as butta. Sucks up bumps with no problem. I didn't drive it long enough to get a feel for fuel economy but it more fuel efficient than the Explorer or Trailblazer's stated numbers.


<< Which car magazines do you guys prefer (in order?). The only subscription I'll pay for is Motor Trend, I can't remember much about Road and Track, Car and Driver and I think there's 2 or 3 others I'm not naming. >>


Motor Trend is the only one I subscribe to. I glance over C&amp;D and R&amp;T at the newstand.

But as for my preference:

1) Motor Trend
2) Car and Driver
3) Road and Track
4) Automobile (mofos don't even track test the vehicles or give their performance numbers so they get dead last)

 

[RossMAN]

Well that's good news that the Highlander rides like butta and the V6 seems to haul ass althouggh that may be a different story with a full load.

What do you like about Motor Trend magazine?

 

[NFS4]

<< Well that's good news that the Highlander rides like butta and the V6 seems to haul ass althouggh that may be a different story with a full load.

What do you like about Motor Trend magazine? >>


1) Letters to the editor (I even got my letter published last year concerning the Viper GTS...also got one published in R&amp;T last year):

http://forums.anandtech.com/arcmessageview.cfm?catid=38&amp;threadid=197983

2) Industry News
3) Tons of review and previews
4) AWESOME supercar roundups
5) Tuner car specials
6) Add-on component reviews
7) Long term tests

I could go on and on. I just feel that it is a more complete magazine

 

[b0mbrman]

Save up and get a Volvo Station Wagon instead.

 

[ndee]

Subaru Impreza 2.0 Turbo

 

[LAUST]

So which car magazines are your favorite and why?

I don't like any of them cause I've never read from a editor that had any mechanical skills, they drive it around abit then read the white papers. I get my info from looking at the mechanics of the vehicle.

Why did I get the new Silverado? Cause between the LS1 LQ4 and LM7 all the parts are similar and most of the time interchangeable. Also the Ignition system (DistributerLESS) is great. The Tranny is an improved version of the 4L60-E Motortrend will only tell you if it was &quot;Too Firm&quot; which they think is a bad thing, but when you talk to any Professional tranny guy thats putting any amount of torque to it will say it's great to be firm, It's called less slippage and less heat.

It's nice to get the latest from them.. but as far as having anything to do with my decision.. Thats all on wearing t-shirt and jeans to the dealer so you can get a little dirty crawling on the ground if you have to.. I asked the guy at Jerry Roth to put it on the lift in the service station for me so I could see better. You want SERIOUS info... there's how you do it.

As for the 30K I only see 3 types of vehicles existing in the world.. the rest are a waste.. Race, Truck (SOME SUV's), Econo

In order I would get either a Cobra or SS, a Silverado or Lightning, or a Civic, Accord or Camry

 

[RossMAN]

Does anyone subscribe to a car magazine other than Motor Trend?