DisgruntledVirus
Lifer
I have looked at a lot of vehicles between 20-20k price range. The only 3 that are remaining in my list are the Civic Si, Mazdaspeed3, and Lancer GTS. I have test driven all 3 and know what features and such I like.
The Civic Si is looking to be what I will go with, but there are a few things I don't like about it. I do not like the upholstery fabric. It seems like the fabric is the type that will always have crap in it (just that normal stuff that you always see where the back of the seat meets the bottom). It is blown away performance wise by the Speed3 (as it should be when it has 70 hp less and about 60 ft/lb torque less as well). The Civic seems to handle well from my limited test driving (nothing too fun unfortunately), but the gear box seems a bit.... clunky. It doesn't seem to be a nice smooth gear box. The plus side though is it is the right price (just over invoice), and will maintain high residual value. Honda's are also very well built, and the interior doesn't look all plastic looking.
The Mazdaspeed3 is by FAR the most enjoyable to drive, and has the best "get up and go". The upholstery is the nicest (on the GT version, as I have yet to see the Sport version of the fabric), and the seats just wrap around you. I also like that it is a 5 door, and it's a smooth gearbox. The issue is that it doesn't lease out the best, and its also the most expensive (if I buy). I also think the interior is on par with the Si, but I am unsure if it is worth the extra cost.
The Lancer GTS is the neatest car technology wise. With the FAST key, and it would also have the navi package (it adds more then just the GPS system like the other two) it is definitely the "coolest" as far as technology factor. Unfortunately the interor is not near the quality of the other two, the upholstery is average and it has a plastic-y feel to the interior. It is the cheapest of the 3, and would be the most "economical" of the 3. It just wouldn't be as fun of a drive as the other two. It has the lowest HP of the 3, and doesn't have a 6 spd gearbox nor is it really smooth.
Edit: Subaru Impreza WRX is around same as the Speed3, and was also a hatchback (which is a + in my book). Between the Honda and Mazda for performance, and very reliable vehicle. I wasn't impressed by it though, the gearbox I thought was 3rd (better then only the Lancer) and interior was above average. For the price I like the Mazda more.
I have 2 05 Dodge Neon SXT's that I want to get rid of and move into a newer vehicle, and step up from the Neon level of car. Right now I am paying $428/mo in car payments for 2 cars. I don't need 2 cars for one of me, nor do I want a car payment of $400+/mo. I can be okay with $300/mo for buying or $225/mo for leasing (give or take some). I would be throwing about $3k at it to help in bringing down the monthly payments. I want something better then the Neon, and less then I am paying combined for the 2 current cars.
My other option is to privately sell one neon (would be about $1500 negative I would have to pay, which would be about 50-66% of what I would put down on a new car), and drive the other (which just fell out of bumper to bumper warranty) until fall or it starts getting expensive to repair.
PS if you are wondering why I have 2 Neons, I bought one for my ex-fiancee because I was younger and wasn't thinking.
The Civic Si is looking to be what I will go with, but there are a few things I don't like about it. I do not like the upholstery fabric. It seems like the fabric is the type that will always have crap in it (just that normal stuff that you always see where the back of the seat meets the bottom). It is blown away performance wise by the Speed3 (as it should be when it has 70 hp less and about 60 ft/lb torque less as well). The Civic seems to handle well from my limited test driving (nothing too fun unfortunately), but the gear box seems a bit.... clunky. It doesn't seem to be a nice smooth gear box. The plus side though is it is the right price (just over invoice), and will maintain high residual value. Honda's are also very well built, and the interior doesn't look all plastic looking.
The Mazdaspeed3 is by FAR the most enjoyable to drive, and has the best "get up and go". The upholstery is the nicest (on the GT version, as I have yet to see the Sport version of the fabric), and the seats just wrap around you. I also like that it is a 5 door, and it's a smooth gearbox. The issue is that it doesn't lease out the best, and its also the most expensive (if I buy). I also think the interior is on par with the Si, but I am unsure if it is worth the extra cost.
The Lancer GTS is the neatest car technology wise. With the FAST key, and it would also have the navi package (it adds more then just the GPS system like the other two) it is definitely the "coolest" as far as technology factor. Unfortunately the interor is not near the quality of the other two, the upholstery is average and it has a plastic-y feel to the interior. It is the cheapest of the 3, and would be the most "economical" of the 3. It just wouldn't be as fun of a drive as the other two. It has the lowest HP of the 3, and doesn't have a 6 spd gearbox nor is it really smooth.
Edit: Subaru Impreza WRX is around same as the Speed3, and was also a hatchback (which is a + in my book). Between the Honda and Mazda for performance, and very reliable vehicle. I wasn't impressed by it though, the gearbox I thought was 3rd (better then only the Lancer) and interior was above average. For the price I like the Mazda more.
I have 2 05 Dodge Neon SXT's that I want to get rid of and move into a newer vehicle, and step up from the Neon level of car. Right now I am paying $428/mo in car payments for 2 cars. I don't need 2 cars for one of me, nor do I want a car payment of $400+/mo. I can be okay with $300/mo for buying or $225/mo for leasing (give or take some). I would be throwing about $3k at it to help in bringing down the monthly payments. I want something better then the Neon, and less then I am paying combined for the 2 current cars.
My other option is to privately sell one neon (would be about $1500 negative I would have to pay, which would be about 50-66% of what I would put down on a new car), and drive the other (which just fell out of bumper to bumper warranty) until fall or it starts getting expensive to repair.
PS if you are wondering why I have 2 Neons, I bought one for my ex-fiancee because I was younger and wasn't thinking.
