Car Ideas?

Falloutboy

Diamond Member
Jan 2, 2003
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been looking at getting a new car since my current one has seen better days. looking to spend 15-17 maybe 18 at most. cars on my list I"ve liked:

2003-04 G35 coupe kinda hard to find in my area and might be a stretch on my budget, also michigan winters makes me think this is prolly not a good option

SAAB 9-2x Aero- basically a better trimed WRX, just wish there were more of them hard to find.

CTS - my dad is looking to trade in his 04 and has offerd it to me for 15 (what he was offerd for trade in).

Pontiac GTO - needs to be an 05 or it looks to much like a cavalere, but most i've seen are out of my pricerange.

anyone have any other ideas? basically looking for something with highperformance, but not so much of a sports car that I would need to get a winter car.
 

dud

Diamond Member
Feb 18, 2001
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How about a 2000 Porche Boxster (silver with dark blue convertible top, 44,000 miles in mint condition for $16K?
 

Arkaign

Lifer
Oct 27, 2006
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'06 Legacy GT, should be able to find at the top end of your price range. Very comfortable, nicely equipped, pretty quick, moddable if you want, and extremely practical. Downside is middling fuel economy (but compares well to your list). AWD makes winter a snap as well. Subaru is historically a very reliable brand.
 

Kabob

Lifer
Sep 5, 2004
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I picked up an '02 WRX with 44K miles for $13K, you could possibly find a newer model or STi around the top of that price.
 

Arkaign

Lifer
Oct 27, 2006
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WRX is you want small, Legacy GT if you want a bit more practical of a car with about identical performance.
 

Chapbass

Diamond Member
May 31, 2004
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g35 sedan? those are usually cheaper than the coupes. you could also get the g35x then which would get you AWD.
 

ViviTheMage

Lifer
Dec 12, 2002
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madgenius.com
I personally hate the interior of the WRX...I would say audi, but I dislike the 1.8t engine (that would be your only car in that price range for Audi).

those saabs, are nice though.
 

Kabob

Lifer
Sep 5, 2004
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Originally posted by: ViviTheMage
I personally hate the interior of the WRX...I would say audi, but I dislike the 1.8t engine (that would be your only car in that price range for Audi).

those saabs, are nice though.

That I will admit, the interior of the WRX is a bit spartan. Not nasty, but a bit basic. If you're looking for blingy the WRX is not for you. It gets the job done, the seats are comfy and grip you well, and it's got some zip.
 

Falloutboy

Diamond Member
Jan 2, 2003
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I'm going to take a look at some legacy' this weekend. don't really want a WRX mainly for the interior reasons, want a nice interior, which the wrx really doesn't have. took a peak at audis, and whats in my pricerange doesn't interest me. and what does interest me is out of my pricerange. still keep comming back to the CTS though, the car is loaded and only is missing nav as possible options. 15k for a 2004 CTS with 50k miles seems mighty tempting.
 

Vette73

Lifer
Jul 5, 2000
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I own a 04 CTS. If it has the 3.6L motor then I would go for it. Very quick and nice IMO.

If you want it to handle better then there is aftermarket sway bars or you can buy a set from a CTS-V owner that upgraded theirs. I got a set of CTS-V sway bars for my car. Did not mess up the ride but makes it handle better on hard turns. Also put some drilled/slotted rotors on the car. Other then that its all stock.
 

Falloutboy

Diamond Member
Jan 2, 2003
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well i'm between getting a 2006 Saab 9-3 2.0T with 25k miles, or my dads 2004 CTS (has the 3.6L motor) with 60k miles. the CTS will cost me 15k, no tax no nothing since its a family swap. the saab atm is at 15.9 + tax, haven't really tried to work the dealership on price, but i'm confident I can get it to 16k out the door. anyone have any experience with ether of these cars? saab seems nice, less power than the CTS, but also seems better made.
 

PCMarine

Diamond Member
Oct 13, 2002
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Of the two, I'd go for the Saab. I couldn't plunk down a lot of money for the CTS knowing that the latest generation is exponentially better (and its not the one I bought).
 

Falloutboy

Diamond Member
Jan 2, 2003
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hehe i'm kinda at that point....going to my dads tommrow for a bday party for my sisters, i'm going to go drive that car one more time, now that i've driven several saabs to compar, I think I'm going to go saab though, shame because the deal my dad is offering my is pretty nice
 

Bignate603

Lifer
Sep 5, 2000
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Originally posted by: PCMarine
Of the two, I'd go for the Saab. I couldn't plunk down a lot of money for the CTS knowing that the latest generation is exponentially better (and its not the one I bought).

I fail to see how that should affect his decision. He's not looking at the new one, it's out of his price range.

I'd got with the CTS just because you know it's history. If your dad has taken care of his car you know it should be good for a long time. Any other used vehicle is a mystery.