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Looking for a new(ish) car for @ $25K or less. Test driving this weekend.

N

nitrousninja

Golden Member
I sold my 2003 Cobra last weekend because I was rarely driving it and I got a really good offer. Now I want a semi fast but nice coupe or sedan instead of an all out beast (460 rwtq with bolt ons). I want it to have a little power but be fun to drive under normal conditions. I'll be looking at these cars this weekend:


'05 Legacy GT

used G35 coupe

used G35x

'99 BMW M3

'01 BMW M3

used Audi A6

'01 Audi S4

I have driven the Legacy GT before and it's a lot of fun but not the others. It's also the best bang-for-the-buck but I want to try these out too. Anything else I should add to the list?



Anything else I should put on the list to drive?




BTW i have a PT Cruiser for a work/winter car.
 
Drop the A6 off your list. It won't have the "fun" factor of the others.

Add the Volvo S60-R and Saab 9-3 Aero.
 
Originally posted by: vi_edit
Drop the A6 off your list. It won't have the "fun" factor of the others.

Add the Volvo S60-R and Saab 9-3 Aero.
Click to expand...

:heart: sexy swedish beasts.
 
For $25K you should have no problem finding a low mileage 06 Legacy GT. The M3's have always been one of my favorites but BIG bucks to repair.
Would you want to consider the Acura TSX? FWIW, I have no regrets with my 06 Legacy GT wagon.
 
"'07 Mazdaspeed 6 before they are gone."

I thought about those too maybe I'll give one a drive tomorrow on the way home from work. I pass a Mazda dealershipevery day.

"Would you want to consider the Acura TSX?"

Those look nice maybe i'll check them out too. I'm not in a hurry to buy i just want to test the field before I pull the trigger on something.
 
Ive had an audi a4 and drove an audi a6. I now have a Cadillac CTS I would consider test driving one its much more funner to drive.
 
01' S4 if you want a car that is VERY VERY easily modified.

HUGE aftermarket and easy mods, chip (+50 hp), K04 turbos, intake, exhaust and your talking a huge hp gain.

Not to mention AWD if you live in an area where it snows.

Fantastic cars, especially for the money, they can be found for 14-16K,
 
Originally posted by: BouZouki
01' S4 if you want a car that is VERY VERY easily modified.

HUGE aftermarket and easy mods, chip (+50 hp), K04 turbos, intake, exhaust and your talking a huge hp gain.

Not to mention AWD if you live in an area where it snows.

Fantastic cars, especially for the money, they can be found for 14-16K,
Click to expand...

S4's are nice...but you get a K04 and AWD already with a MS6..not to mention DISI. 😉
 
Acura TL 2004 if it is in your budget. I have a 2003 TL S Type and I love it. All the extras. Gas mileage is so-so. I average about 24mpg and 80% of my driving is highway.

This just in.. looks like it is in your range and a consumer first choice:

Link to Edmunds and Acura TL

$23kish. I also looked at the G35 and the Maxima and I found the TL to be much quieter and smoother.
 
Originally posted by: Insane3D
Originally posted by: BouZouki
01' S4 if you want a car that is VERY VERY easily modified.

HUGE aftermarket and easy mods, chip (+50 hp), K04 turbos, intake, exhaust and your talking a huge hp gain.

Not to mention AWD if you live in an area where it snows.

Fantastic cars, especially for the money, they can be found for 14-16K,
Click to expand...

S4's are nice...but you get a K04 and AWD already with a MS6..not to mention DISI. 😉
Click to expand...

S4 is a biturbo V6 though. put 2 KO4's on instead of sport KO3's, and you essentially have an RS4 good for ~400hp. quattro is also a superior AWD setup 🙂

not to mention the S4 looks better 😉
 
I just bought a 2006 Saab 9-3 Aero. 2.8L V6 Turbo built by Holden in Australia. 250HP 258TQ

I test drove a '07 Mazdaspeed 6 and liked the Saab better.

'07's have a 100K mile warranty and 3yrs scheduled maintenance.


 
Originally posted by: Fmr12B
I just bought a 2006 Saab 9-3 Aero. 2.8L V6 Turbo built by Holden in Australia. 250HP 258TQ

I test drove a '07 Mazdaspeed 6 and liked the Saab better.

'07's have a 100K mile warranty and 3yrs scheduled maintenance.
Click to expand...

That's all they have for power with a larger V6 and a turbo? The Saab's are nice, but you see them EVERYWHERE. I'm putting down almost 270ft-lbs of torque at the wheels...and it's an AWD car. Also, it looks like the Saab's start @ $35k...I got a loaded, brand new MS6 GT for $25k OTD.

FWD FTL...

I guess I'm the only one who likes the speeds...

Legacy GT's are nice too...but softer suspension, not as "fun" (IMO), and you see them everywhere. I almost bought one before I drove the MS6.
 
If I were you, I would look into something with 4 doors since you already had a cobra which has no backseat. Those extra doors sure do come in handy.
 
Originally posted by: bpatters69
Acura TL 2004 if it is in your budget. I have a 2003 TL S Type and I love it. All the extras. Gas mileage is so-so. I average about 24mpg and 80% of my driving is highway.

This just in.. looks like it is in your range and a consumer first choice:

Link to Edmunds and Acura TL

$23kish. I also looked at the G35 and the Maxima and I found the TL to be much quieter and smoother.
Click to expand...

^ Truth.

Either the TL or G35 will get you 4 doors, strong V6, and no high-maintenance extras. Moderately fast, very comfortable, and a big step up in class/refinement from the rest of the pack listed here.
 
Originally posted by: Insane3D
Originally posted by: Fmr12B
I just bought a 2006 Saab 9-3 Aero. 2.8L V6 Turbo built by Holden in Australia. 250HP 258TQ

I test drove a '07 Mazdaspeed 6 and liked the Saab better.

'07's have a 100K mile warranty and 3yrs scheduled maintenance.
Click to expand...

That's all they have for power with a larger V6 and a turbo? The Saab's are nice, but you see them EVERYWHERE. I'm putting down almost 270ft-lbs of torque at the wheels...and it's an AWD car. Also, it looks like the Saab's start @ $35k...I got a loaded, brand new MS6 GT for $25k OTD.

FWD FTL...

I guess I'm the only one who likes the speeds...

Legacy GT's are nice too...but softer suspension, not as "fun" (IMO), and you see them everywhere. I almost bought one before I drove the MS6.
Click to expand...

Way to compare MSRP to MSRP:roll: Saab is currently offering $4K in rebates + dealer discounts!

I drove these cars back to back.

The MS6 felt unrefined and looks boyracerish, the car is loud and buzzy at 80mph. MS6 is peaky, gotta stay on the boost to get any power out of it all while driving it like you stole it. Color choices also sucked for me as I did not love any of them. The MS6 was only produced for 2yrs, good luck finding parts and support. The rear diff is known to fail, the stock clutch also has issues and is known to fail. Will Mazda support you?

Saab gets you 3yrs of scheduled maintenance, a 4yr warranty, refinement, and luxury features. I don't need AWD as it does not snow and rarely rains here. My Saab will never see the track and on a recent 1900 mile drive I averaged 28.3mpg while averaging 78mph on premium with the AC on!

Car is 5star IIHS safety pick so my insurance dropped too.

Considering 20K Saabs in total are sold in the US per year I'm suprised to hear you say you see them everywhere but I've heard thath the New England area residents love their quirky Saabs.

My car is far from perfect but it suited me much more than the MS6 did. Everyone is different and SVTCobra needs to drive numerous vehicles to decide what he wants/likes/prefers.




 
I just got an 03 G35 Coupe, 37k miles with 23k / 2yrs left on the power train for 20k.. Awesome Awesome vehicle, it is very fast, comfortable and a true pleasure to drive. You can pick up a pretty nice 05 for around 26-28k.
 
Thanks for the suggestions!

I drove a 2007 G35x and I loved it. They didn't have an older one for me to drive but I know the sales manager. Too much money for what i'm looking for.

I drove an Audi A4 but it was sluggish and the engine was noisey at idle. It had lots of features though.

I drove two 2005 Legacy GTs. One was an auto and the other was a 5 speed. The five speed had all the options on it and was a lot of fun to drive. it didn't have any of the issues people were talking about either. I think I can get a good price on this so we'll see what happens this weekend.

I drove a 1999 M3 with a custom suspension too. It was a lot of fun but impractical for what I want.


I've been looking for an S4 but there are none in my area or even close that i could find.
 
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