Car Shopping.....what to choose???

[CraigRT]

Originally posted by: Mwilding

Originally posted by: CraigRT

Originally posted by: Mwilding
buy a used car...

like a nice contour SVT

With that kind of budget you could get one and do a 3.0L engine swap and add a supercharger. HELLOOOOOO 350HP.

Nice.. same reason I wanted a 98ish Maxima... supercharge that 3.0 and you're flying!

 

[GroundedSailor]

Get a slightly used 300M - fun to drive, confortable, nice looking, American, automatic but can be driven like a clutchless manual - can cook rice anytime

Drove one for over a thousand miles (did 400 highway miles in 6 hours including stops for gas/coffee/food - this on I-95 passing thro' Wash DC) grinning all the way.

Would have bought one if I didn't require a 4 x 4 due to nature of my work.

 

[DuBobD]

Cool. My dad was looking at a 300M but he went with the Regal Gran Sport with the supercharged 3800 V6. Talk about a sleeper!

 

[Vortex22]

I'd get a new Accord 6 speed coupe. They are VERY VERY nice and fairly fast with 240 hp.

 

[Ausm]

Originally posted by: DuBobD
I am starting some car shopping and so far, I have 2 candidates. I was wondering if anyone has any input on these two models and/or other suggestions. I am looking for 200+ HP, with a manual tranny preffered. I do not want a 4-banger engine. I prefer German or American and it has to be under $30k. My choices so far are: 2003 VW Jetta GLI 2003 Dodge Stratus R/T Let me know what you think! Thanks!

IMHO VW and Dodge both suck....


Ausm

 

[ElFenix]

the v6 jetta is almost worthless, just chip the darn 1.8T and hope VW's supplier fixed that coil pack thing

of course theres like no leg room in the jetta...

 

[DuBobD]

Ok, so let's rule out the Jetta......now I am left with the following choices.

2003 Dodge Stratus Coupe R/T V6 5-speed
2003 Honda Accord Coupe EX V6 6-speed
2003 Pontiac Grand AM GT (supposed to be redesigned in 2004 1/2 with new 3.5L V6. new tranny's?)

I tried to do an Audi configured the way I'd like and I might as well get an M3! The 300M's are nice but a little too big for me right now. Maybe my next car with the kids start popping up!

Thanks again!

 

[Vortex22]

Car & Driver comparison

Doesn't have the Pontiac but you might wanna look at it anyway.

 

[BatmanNate]

Do they still make the Stealth? That would give the Stratus a nice spanking.

 

[Medellon]

I'd go with the new Honda Accord Coupe EX V-6. 6 speed manual, 240 HP, and 0-60 in the low 6's. You could go with the LX I think and save a couple thousand.

 

[GasX]

another used suggestion: Audi S4

 

[vi edit]

Originally posted by: Mwilding
another used suggestion: Audi S4

Wow. Nice find! Even at the "buy it now price" that's an awesome car for the $$.

 

[Ausm]

Originally posted by: DuBobD
Ok, so let's rule out the Jetta......now I am left with the following choices. 2003 Dodge Stratus Coupe R/T V6 5-speed 2003 Honda Accord Coupe EX V6 6-speed 2003 Pontiac Grand AM GT (supposed to be redesigned in 2004 1/2 with new 3.5L V6. new tranny's?) I tried to do an Audi configured the way I'd like and I might as well get an M3! The 300M's are nice but a little too big for me right now. Maybe my next car with the kids start popping up! Thanks again!

Ok Now your're getting better...I would personally go with a 2004 Pontiac Grand prix GTP with a supercharger.

Ausm

 

[kyu614]

get the honda, american cars suck. the stock internals prob wont last very long if you put in a supercharger and their build quality is nuthin compared to japanese cars.

 

[notfred]

Originally posted by: DuBobD
I am 26 and on my 2nd used car......it's time to buy something brand new, unless I can get a 2001 M3 for ~$30k!.

Only two cars in 10 years?

 

[vi edit]

Originally posted by: kyu614
get the honda, american cars suck. the stock internals prob wont last very long if you put in a supercharger and their build quality is nuthin compared to japanese cars.

Pffffft! Even with the forced induction the 3.8L is still one of the most bullet proof engines out there if you take care of it. I won't argue on the build quality. Interior design and the overall quality of materials used are below the bar set by German and Japanese companies. Brand new, without major incentives, I don't think I could recommend a Domestic sedan over a Japanese or European make, but in the used market, the deals you can get on year old domestics are unbelievable!

 

[DuBobD]

Yeah.....I had a 1990 VW Fox from 1993 to 2000, then I took over my parent's '96 SL2 Saturn from 2000 to now. I HATE it. They should call it Uranus instead of Saturn.

I like the Grand Prix GTP's but they are EVERYWHERE. I want something more unique but that doesn't bust the bank. Maybe Windogg can sell me his M5 for $30,000? I'm not wild about the 2004 GTP's interior though.....a little too retro but maybe it could grow on me.

I want something that is fun to drive and is a head turner.

Again, thanks a lot for all of the input. I swore that I wouldn't buy Japenese but the Acura 3.2CL Type S 6 Speed sounds nice, but the looks aren't that sporty.

 

[vi edit]

You could get into a '01 SVT Lightning for ~$25,000

That's fun to drive and a head turner.

 

[toant103]

what's wrong with Japanese?

 

[GroundedSailor]

Originally posted by: DuBobD
Ok, so let's rule out the Jetta......now I am left with the following choices.

2003 Dodge Stratus Coupe R/T V6 5-speed
2003 Honda Accord Coupe EX V6 6-speed
2003 Pontiac Grand AM GT (supposed to be redesigned in 2004 1/2 with new 3.5L V6. new tranny's?)

I tried to do an Audi configured the way I'd like and I might as well get an M3! The 300M's are nice but a little too big for me right now. Maybe my next car with the kids start popping up!

Thanks again!

If you want to "eat rice" (see your post near the top) then cut out the Honda from that list - IMHO hondas are great cars once you have kids and want all the family values blah blah...but they have no 'soul' and fail miserably in the 'fun to drive' segment.

Re 300M: yup it looks big but you'd be surprised how nimble it is. Get on a nice winding road and watch it go.

Instead of supercharging which can be bad for the engine, get a FIPK installed. I have one and you get good power and pickup across the range - not as good as a supercharger of course - as well as better economy (well, at least till you start lead footing it )

 

[vi edit]

One more food for thought - Used Boxter S

Certainly fun to drive, and definitely turns heads

 

[RayH]

If you're looking for a sleeper and can give up a couple years on the car, how about an A6 2.7T?

 

[DuBobD]

Yeah, I want to eat rice.......so out go the Japanese. I thought I would at least look at them, but I heard that they aren't fun to drive at all. My wife has a 1999 Grand Am and that is fun!

I like the looks of the SVT Lightning, but they don't have a Cab which I would really like. The F-150 Harley Davidson Edition has a cab and a similar engine as the Lightning but they are kinda hard to find.

I need back seating so there goes the Boxter S.

GroundedSailor: what's a FIPK?

Well, now I am at:
Dodge Stratus Coupe R/T
Chrysler 300M Special
Pontiac Grand Prix GTP

Also, what kinda of $$$ can I talk the dealers down to? I live in Amish Country PA (Lancaster County).

 

[thedarkwolf]

Mercedes c230 Kompressor.
It is a 4 banger but its supercharged.

 

[vi edit]

http://www.autotrader.com/findacar/results.jtmpl?model=GP&start_year=2001&end_year=2002&min_price=&max_price=&distance=50&advanced=y&advcd_on=n&make=PONT&address=17605&search_type=used&x=58&y=10
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