Looking for a car for $25K or less

[Solema]

Hi All,
I am about to get a new job and will finally be able to buy a decent car. I live in Cleveland, OH, and am a self-professed "car nut." The wife is only demanding that the car have 4 doors, anything beyond that is my call. SO, I am trying to find something that will be sporty and fun to drive daily, and also be decent during the crappy winters we tend to have here by Lake Erie. I have been thinking about all-wheel-drive but when I get this car it will likely be summer and so I won't really be able to tell the difference then, so I am hoping some of you can help me out with that.

I am open to getting a used car provided it has under 35K miles and is no more than 2-3 years old, if it will get me something more to my needs/desires. Any ideas people?

The only car I have on my list to try out is the Subaru WRX. I am also not sure if I will go manual or auto. I know the arguments for both, but it comes down to if I want to always be "fully-interactive" or not. If I can find a car with a "manumatic" that might solve that issue as well.

Hit me back with any ideas you guys have. I appreciate it!

EDIT: I forgot to mention, I am not interested in any SUV's, I very much like a low center of gravity and I am partial to smaller-type cars.

Thanks
Nick

 

[vi edit]

I would look at the Legacy GT in place of the WRX. A little bit more roomy, a lot cheaper on insurance, and a very comfortable, yet sporty ride.

You could squeeze into a new GT for right around 25K before TTL.

 

[desy]

Sorry thought it had 4 doors

 

[Solema]

You know, I was just thinking about the Legacy GT. I hear they also have great resale value.

I've thought about the GTI, but in the past when I have looked at them they always seemed to be underpowered compared to the competition while still being more expensive. Has this changed?

 

[ZetaEpyon]

If you're considering a WRX, you might also take a look at the Mazdaspeed 3. 6-speed manual transmission only, and FWD instead of AWD, but it should be fine in the winter with appropriate tires.

I just took delivery of mine (Grand Touring trim) on Friday for under $25k out the door. :thumbsup:

 

[vi edit]

Originally posted by: Solema
You know, I was just thinking about the Legacy GT. I hear they also have great resale value.

I've thought about the GTI, but in the past when I have looked at them they always seemed to be underpowered compared to the competition while still being more expensive. Has this changed?

The 2.0t in the GTI is anything but underpowered. In real world driving it's probably more responsive than the 2.5L turbo in the WRX because it spools up so much quicker. Plus you can't knock the fuel economy it provides.

It's quite feature packed in base trims too. Can be had for around 21k. A decent amount of car for the money. Slap some winter tires on there and it should do well in the winter.

The GTI and the Mazda3 are not exactly roomy for 4 adults though.

Another often overlooked candidate is the Fusion/Milan AWD.

 

[Solema]

Am I to also expect that any of these cars that we are talking about will require separate winter tires? I've never had to swap tires for different seasons on a car before. Will that add significantly to the cost?

 

[ViviTheMage]

try an AUDI QUATTRO

an S4 if you want sporty...twin turbo 2.7L if I recall.

 

[ViviTheMage]

Originally posted by: Solema
Am I to also expect that any of these cars that we are talking about will require separate winter tires? I've never had to swap tires for different seasons on a car before. Will that add significantly to the cost?

well, an extra set of rims + winter tires... most people just get doughnuts, or use the stocks as there winters and buy a nice set of larger rims, or whatever they prefer.

 

[ZetaEpyon]

Originally posted by: Solema
Am I to also expect that any of these cars that we are talking about will require separate winter tires? I've never had to swap tires for different seasons on a car before. Will that add significantly to the cost?

I can't speak for the GTI or the Subarus, but you'd definitely want winter tires for the Mazdaspeed3, as it comes with performance summer tires that would be terrible in snow.

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Originally posted by: Solema
Am I to also expect that any of these cars that we are talking about will require separate winter tires? I've never had to swap tires for different seasons on a car before. Will that add significantly to the cost?

"Require" is definitely YMMV - I haven't and don't plan on buying winter tires for my Civic yet, and I'm further north than you. A good set of all-seasons is generally more than enough.

Regarding cost ... it's going to depend on size of tire required. A set of good winter skins on 15"/16" steelies should be at the most $500.

- M4H

 

[TuffGuy]

If you're looking to mod, Evos take better to mods than WRXs/STIs. But buying an Evo/STi/WRX is a gamble, since they've probably been driven hard by their previous owners.

That said, the Mazdaspeed3 and the GTI have nicer interiors. But they're both FWD, which is a problem when you start making some serious power.

 

[Solema]

Also, I did say $25K. I think an S4 is way outta that range...

Does the Mazdaspeed 3 ride on 17's or 18's? Did you get winter tires for yours? How much did they run? I'll be able to get nicer tires down the line, but I'll have to make do with what I have up-front, unless I can roll extra tires into the $25K.

 

[Solema]

Also, I don't think I'm ready to do any serious modding since this will be my everyday driver, and I don't want to get into voiding warranties and such.

 

[TuffGuy]

If you're truly a car nut, modding is unavoidable. Especially if you get something with a turbo. You get used to the feeling of torque very quickly, and you're always chasing that sensation of being slammed into your seat.

If it's a daily driver, I'd go for a GTI with DSG, and a $500 Revo flash:

http://www.revotechnik.com/products/softwareProduct.aspx?pvID=625

You can always flash it back to stock if you gotta take it in for service.

 

[ZetaEpyon]

Originally posted by: Solema
Also, I did say $25K. I think an S4 is way outta that range...

Does the Mazdaspeed 3 ride on 17's or 18's? Did you get winter tires for yours? How much did they run? I'll be able to get nicer tires down the line, but I'll have to make do with what I have up-front, unless I can roll extra tires into the $25K.

The Speed3 comes with 18" wheels standard. Since I just got it this weekend, I probably won't be getting winter tires anytime soon. I'm considering getting some nicer rims for the better seasons and using the stocks for winter tires, but it may not be cost effective since they're 18". We'll see.

As far as getting nicer tires, I don't really see that being necessary on the Speed3, unless you want to track the car or just get a more cushy ride or something; the stock ones are Y-rated Bridgestone Potenzas, and have very high ratings across the board on TireRack.

 

[ViviTheMage]

yeah you can get an S4...2001, give er take a year or two for 25k.

 

[Fenixgoon]

ford fusion AWD?

hey, just had to throw it out there

 

[MikeyIs4Dcats]

we just got a V6 Mercury Milan and like it quite a bit...

 

[Solema]

I've actually thought about the Fusion AWD. But I have read that the engine is underpowered for its class.

 

[HigherGround]

another vote for Audi S4, the new one V8 is definitely out of you price range, but you should no problems finding the older model (biturbo V6) for less than $25K. The car makes 250HP, but with a simple ECU change you can get it passed 300.

 

[Solema]

Interesting! I am checking those out now. Any other guys?

 

[MikeyIs4Dcats]

Originally posted by: Solema
I've actually thought about the Fusion AWD. But I have read that the engine is underpowered for its class.

The I4 is definitely underpowered, but I've found the V6 to be quite capable.

 

[DougK62]

Originally posted by: HigherGround
another vote for Audi S4, the new one V8 is definitely out of you price range, but you should no problems finding the older model (biturbo V6) for less than $25K. The car makes 250HP, but with a simple ECU change you can get it passed 300.

I'm sure he wants something reliable.

 

[vi edit]

"Underpowered" is really kind of a misleading phrase anymore. Cars have gotten so powerful that you have freaking family sedans running low (if not sub) 6 second 0-60's. It's really kind of crazy when you think about a Camry having 265HP under the hood.

The Fusion "only" has a 3.0L in it that puts out around 220HP. Sure it isn't as potent as some of the others, but to call it underpowered for a midsize sedan is bit much. 5-10 years ago anything above 200HP was considered pretty impressive. Sure safety and size have added weight to counteract some of that power increase, but the fact still remains that your average family sedan today would humble a typical sports car from 10 years ago.

Also - as much of a VW/Audi fan that I am, I couldn't in good faith recommend a previous gen S4 (2.7 twin turbo). The horror stories and costs of repair/maintenance on them is quite discouraging.

If I wanted a fast AWD German car, I'd look for a pre-owned B6 (2006 or newer) Passat w/ the 3.6L and AWD. That is a seriously fast family car. And without the expensive (dual!) turbos of the S4.