Cars to look at for $22K?

[A5]

Edit: Pretty much decided on something mid-sized, probably the Mazda 6i Touring - some impressions of other midsized cars in that range would be nice

Getting ready to do some test drives next week, and my current list is something like this (no particular order yet):
Small cars:
Mazda 3s GT
Civic EX (maybe Si, but I'd like more torque for the money)
08 Jetta Wolfsburg (tough to find, but 200hp turbo 4 with DSG trans...)
Impreza (? seems like a huge gap between the 2.5i and the WRX, and only a 4sp AT)
Lancer (Don't know about any of their models)

Midsize:
09 Sonata SE V6 (or Limited I4)
Accord LX-P
Chevy Malibu (only if I can get one with the new 6sp AT - not too familiar with their models)
???

Any help would be appreciated. Also, the $22K (before TTL) is a hard cap, so no "if you can stretch your budget by..." posts please

 

[Dman877]

Does it have to be new?

 

[A5]

Originally posted by: Dman877
Does it have to be new?

Yeah - plan on keeping it for a long time. Also, used luxury cars usually get poor mileage and require premium fuel, so I'd like to avoid those - I originally wanted a used G35, but it ended up not being too practical for the above reasons...

 

[Arkaign]

Well, an offbeat suggestion for you. Combo of used/new.

Grab an early high-miles C5 Vette.

Get a *new* crate motor, new trans, new seats, new paint, new tires, new brakes, have the wiring/electronics checked out thoroughly

Total w/labor shouldn't be too much higher than $20k if you can find a decent deal on the car, and a built 5.7 or 6.0 can easily push 550+hp at the wheels with even a generic roots kit.

Of course, it's waiting, shopping, more waiting, etc, but it all depends how hardcore you want to be for that cash.

well, financing is also an issue. It's one thing to get a loan for $22k, it's quite another to spend $22k cash on something out the door.

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/...max_price=&cardist=530

^^ could even just drive that straight up while saving for a built LS6 for ~800+hp.

Of your new choices, have you looked at the light version of the Lancer Evo? It's called the Ralliart, hopefully they won't be too crazily priced when they hit the streets, as the motor is the same as the Evo, just downtuned and with a smaller turbo (that will still be easy to mod up to ~300hp pretty easy I'd bet).

 

[KDKPSJ]

Altima Coupe? Quite sporty styling-wise as well as performance-wise, pretty reliable, and should be in the price range. Also, it has smooth CVT. I know many ATer hate it as it's worse than Automatic tranny, but for ppl like OP or me who prefer AT, it's better than traditional AT tranny.

 

[xanis]

The Lancer Ralliart didn't even come to mind, but it's actually not a bad idea. Like Arkaign said, they shouldn't be TOO much when they hit the street.

Have you considered a Hyundai Tiburon? The GT model with a 4-speed automatic has an MSRP of $21,025 and for that you get a 2.7L V6 good for 172HP and a slew of standard features. It's also not a half bad-looking car IMO.

Another choice is the Cobalt SS. For $21,495 after a $1500 discount, you can get a supercharged four banger good for 260HP. It also comes with a bunch of stuff.

Finally, you could get a fully-loaded Corolla for $21,280. While it's not necessarily the sportiest car on the road, it looks pretty decent IMO.

 

[Imported]

The Lancer Ralliart will most likely be a few grand more than 22k.

What about a Mini?

 

[A5]

I'd rather avoid a coupe as I plan on having the car for a long time, so I'd want easy access to the back for future car seats and things like that.

The Ralliart is interesting, but MSRP on that is $26,490 so it's well outside my price range.

As far as Minis go, I'd want the S but that can't be had for the prices I'm looking at - and it's really small.

 

[krunchykrome]

$22K, I'd buy a new Civic Si. If you're budget was a few grand more, I'd get a WRX.

 

[Vette73]

Saturn Aura

 

[Pandaren]

Originally posted by: A5
I'd rather avoid a coupe as I plan on having the car for a long time, so I'd want easy access to the back for future car seats and things like that.

If this car will eventually become a family car, a mid-size sedan is your best choice. I see you've already put Accord and Malibu on your list. Altima sedan, Camry, and the new 2009 Mazda6 are probably also worth considering.

 

[Bignate603]

The Camry is a great family car but I have yet to get in one that I would consider sporty.

 

[bruceb]

Do you want a 2 door or a 4 door car ? ?
If a 2 door, I would look for a used Pontiac GTO either the 2004 model with the 350HP V8
or the 2005 / 2006 with the 400HP / 400Lb/Ft V8 ... there are plenty of automatics out there
for sale that can be had for under $20K with less than 30K on the clock

If you want a 4 door, check out the Pontiac G8 ... also a V8 rear wheel drive car with a lot of hp.

 

[A5]

Originally posted by: Pandaren

Originally posted by: A5
I'd rather avoid a coupe as I plan on having the car for a long time, so I'd want easy access to the back for future car seats and things like that.

If this car will eventually become a family car, a mid-size sedan is your best choice. I see you've already put Accord and Malibu on your list. Altima sedan, Camry, and the new 2009 Mazda6 are probably also worth considering.

Yeah - the thing is you can get a lot more features on small cars for this price, and I'll probably have it 3-5 years before I have to worry about any family duty, so I want something a little more for the time it's just me

 

[woodie1]

There is an SE Camry Model that has a slightly sporty suspension and body work.

 

[Joony]

Mazda3!!!

 

[apac]

Look into the Subaru Legacy 2.5i SE as well. Great handling, though lower gas mileage than a camry. If you can snag an '08 they're probably on clearance now.

 

[imported_Champ]

I'm not sure what your looking for imparticular Ie. something fast economical or mixed

I have a lancer and it is a sweet vehicle...one thing you will notice is it will handle quite well and it is a good looking car

Power wise it is a little lacking although (at least thats what I found) in this range though its more then you get in a lot of vehicles (planning on getting SRI and ALUM crank wheel to fix that)

The only worry with the lacer is the paint is kinda cheap if you go for it make sure you get the 3M covering the front and sides

I took mine out to sylvan lake and back, 650km (1 gas tank) and averaged 26mpg although I was driving 30+km above the limit (on the QE2 thats the average speed)

Really the lancer is a good overall car because it is well above average in every category plus just a cool and fun car to drive

 

[A5]

Drove 4 cars the last 2 days, here's some quick impressions:
VW Rabbit - Good feel, peppy engine, but just too small.

VW Jetta (Wolfsburg Ed) - Sportiest and best drive of the four, but it seems expensive for what you get. The 2.0T engine and DSG made a 60-80 highway passing maneuver effortlessly.

Accord LX-P - Huge, but floaty steering and awful center stack made this not as good as I was expecting.

2009 Mazda 6i Touring - Saw them unload 4 from the truck when we were driving the Rabbit, so I went over for a look...this car looks great in person and the interior is nice (the plastics felt/looked better than the Accord's, and the center stack was much better). Driving experience is almost exactly in the middle between the Jetta and Accord - not as taut and precise as the Jetta, but there's noticeably less body roll than the Accord. This car is going to be HUGE for Mazda if they can get people in the dealer to drive it. This is the current leader for me.

Did not drive the Civic because the dealer said they're selling them for sticker with no problems - I'm sure it's good, but not worth MSRP

 

[vi edit]

At *some* point Subaru is releasing an Impreza GT as an '09 model which will bridge the gap between the WRX and the base Impreza. It will have the 2.5L turbo found in the WRX, but not the sport seats and a couple other upgrades. May be worth the wait.

 

[A5]

Originally posted by: vi edit
At *some* point Subaru is releasing an Impreza GT as an '09 model which will bridge the gap between the WRX and the base Impreza. It will have the 2.5L turbo found in the WRX, but not the sport seats and a couple other upgrades. May be worth the wait.

Saw that on leftlane - looks like the price on that is going to be near $25K though.

 

[Pandaren]

Originally posted by: A5
This car is going to be HUGE for Mazda if they can get people in the dealer to drive it. This is the current leader for me.

I think Mazda is going to see a big resurgence with the new 6. It looks great and apparently has good performance.

Edmunds has a review and they seemed to like it overall: InsideLine review

Edmunds liked the handling and power (zoom-zoom), but noted a tiny bit of torque steer (FWD) and some road noise (tires?).

I will definitely test drive one at some point, as you can get a MT in the I4 equipped models

I'm happy to see that Mazda is back in the game in the midsize segment. My guess is that Mazda's main target with the new 6 is none other than the Nissan Altima, which easily stole Mazda's Zoom-zoom lunch as the sportiest mid-size sedan over the past few years.

 

[Pandaren]

Originally posted by: A5
Accord LX-P - Huge, but floaty steering and awful center stack made this not as good as I was expecting.

The center stack on the Accord LX-P actually does makes sense.

Here's what it looks like for those who haven't been inside the 8G Accord:
Accord LX-P Center Stack

The HVAC controls occupy their own row. Analog rotary knobs control the fan and temperature, while buttons control the modes. The knobs make sense for the fan and temp controls because you don't need to set these settings exactly... just turn to the general speed/temp you want. I like having buttons for the different modes because you can easily choose a setting right away.

The audio system are oddly shaped which may explain why people find them intimidating, but upon inspection they are not any different than most other cars.

 

[A5]

Originally posted by: Pandaren

Originally posted by: A5
Accord LX-P - Huge, but floaty steering and awful center stack made this not as good as I was expecting.

The center stack on the Accord LX-P actually does makes sense.

Here's what it looks like for those who haven't been inside the 8G Accord:
Accord LX-P Center Stack

The HVAC controls occupy their own row. Analog rotary knobs control the fan and temperature, while buttons control the modes. The knobs make sense for the fan and temp controls because you don't need to set these settings exactly... just turn to the general speed/temp you want. I like having buttons for the different modes because you can easily choose a setting right away.

The audio system are oddly shaped which may explain why people find them intimidating, but upon inspection they are not any different than most other cars.

True - but part of the problem for me is that it moves the temp knob almost out of reach of the driver, and the storage areas below the buttons just seem like wasted space. One seems like it's designed to hold CDs, which makes some sense (for the 3 people who don't have a PMP yet ), but the other hole seems pointless to me.

 

[A5]

What do you guys think about a Camry LE V6? I can get one for ~$20,600 before TTL through USAA. At this point, it's pretty much between this and the Mazda 6i Touring (~$21,700). I think I like the accessories and styling better on the Mazda, but the extra 100 HP in the Camry is pretty tempting.