new year + new job = new car?

[csiro]

I'll go with the Mazda 6. The 4 cylinder version got 2nd in the lastest Car & Driver shootout. The V6 should probably get 1st.

 

[Thegonagle]

Originally posted by: isildur

Originally posted by: vi_edit
Personally, I think the Spec-V and the GLI are way, way, way overpriced for what you get. You can get a "like-new" Maxima, Altima SE, or Passat complete with V6's and all the fixin's for roughly the same price. Much larger cars, much more comfortable, much more powerful engines(except the passat), and much better options for the same price.

Just not worth the money.

"Like new" Passat for roughly same $$?

I can see the Altima/Maxima for roughly that price, but I didn't think a "new-er" Passat could be found for that dime.

Originally posted by: vi_edit
I got a two year old Passat with 30k miles on it that could have passed for a new car. Immaculate condition. It was originally a $28,000 car. I paid just over $20,000 for it a little under a year ago. It was two years old, and had 30k miles on it, and I saved about $8,000.

See? Listen to this guy. Every time I see a newer Jetta VR6, I cringe knowing how much that person paid for that sub-compact car. The Passat is a much better value.

I like Accords, but I think you might really enjoy a Mazda 6 (I know I would). Pick up the February Car and Driver and read this month's comparo, where they test a bunch of the cars in this category, like the Altima, Accord, Passat, and Mazda 6. Yes, the Accord won, but the Mazda 6 and the Passat were very well received, both finishing within 3 points of the Accord overall.

EDIT: FYI, a 2003 Passat GLS V6 lists for $25,960, including destination. It even includes a sunroof! I'll be damned if you can't talk them down quite a bit. I didn't check, but there could even be factory incentives.

 

[vi edit]

The only "problem" with the Passat is that it's not really considered "sporty". Don't let that fool you though I can pretty easily hit 80-90MPH on the onramps to the interstate with my passat V6...and it's an auto. I would imagine the 5spd would be even quicker. It's a very quiet, smooth, and torquey engine under the hood of that car. The suspension also is geared more for comfort than sport sport, but that doesn't mean that it wallows through corners like a crown vic either.

 

[isildur]

Originally posted by: nord1899

Originally posted by: isildur
I should have mentioned that too - I'm not interested in "bigger" so much. Passat/Maxima are really pushing it for me in the size that I would prefer. I'm married, but have no kids and none on the horizen so a smaller sports sedan is more to my liking.

Okay, so you want a good performing smallish 4 door sedan, is that about right? Something in the Jetta to Accord size range. From the looks of it, below $25k.

The cars listed will all do. But check out the Subaru's too.

Read the reviews over at Edmunds.

Out of the ones you listed, I'd probably get the Nissan (and I am not a Nissan fan boy, I drive an Acura CL which will be replaced with an Audi A4 or Subaru WRX in less than a year).

Oh yeah, the WRX is nice, but by the time I got it trimmed out it was $29,000

 

[vi edit]

Oh yeah, the WRX is nice, but by the time I got it trimmed out it was $29,000

?

What?!?!?!?!?!!?

You should be able to get a 5spd WRX for about $24,000. And that's MSRP. All the options are pretty useless IMHO. It comes with power everything, and an in dash 6 disk changer. Is there really anything else you need?

 

[Thegonagle]

Originally posted by: vi_edit
The only "problem" with the Passat is that it's not really considered "sporty". Don't let that fool you though I can pretty easily hit 80-90MPH on the onramps to the interstate with my passat V6...and it's an auto. I would imagine the 5spd would be even quicker. It's a very quiet, smooth, and torquey engine under the hood of that car. The suspension also is geared more for comfort than sport sport, but that doesn't mean that it wallows through corners like a crown vic either.

And the front-heavy Jetta VR6 with its cushy ride is a real corner-carver? I don't think so.

 

[isildur]

What?!?!?!?!?!!?

You should be able to get a 5spd WRX for about $24,000. And that's MSRP. All the options are pretty useless IMHO. It comes with power everything, and an in dash 6 disk changer. Is there really anything else you need?

Base msrp on their website (w/ 5sp) is $24,720 - I added premium stereo and suspension upgrade...oh hey, you're right, its more like $27000 - I wonder what else I would have added last time??

So the WRX is probably a possibilty then! Rock! What about the improved suspension they offer as an option though?

 

[vi edit]

I don't know of any suspension upgrades, and from what I've read, the stereo upgrade is a waste of money.

According to Edmunds, you should be able to get a base WRX 5spd for around $22,700.

 

[nord1899]

Yeah, the Subaru's have standard sizes for the stereo slots (unlike so many car manufacturers these days using Bose crap). So you can get an aftermarket stereo setup that will be much better.

 

[isildur]

Originally posted by: vi_edit
I don't know of any suspension upgrades, and from what I've read, the stereo upgrade is a waste of money.

According to Edmunds, you should be able to get a base WRX 5spd for around $22,700.

hmmm, interesting...I'm not crazy about their headlights, but everyone I know that's driven one has fallen in love with them.

 

[nord1899]

Originally posted by: isildur

Originally posted by: vi_edit
I don't know of any suspension upgrades, and from what I've read, the stereo upgrade is a waste of money.

According to Edmunds, you should be able to get a base WRX 5spd for around $22,700.

hmmm, interesting...I'm not crazy about their headlights, but everyone I know that's driven one has fallen in love with them.

The 2004's have new headlights. There was a thread about them somewhere here. I like them much better then the current ones.

EDIT: Here you go.

 

[Justorq]

I'd wait just a little bit (2-3months), there's the new TSX coming out from acura (around 25k)... now that's a nice car
2.4 Liter DOHC, I-VTEC
200 Horsepower@6800 rpm; 166lbs-ft of Torque@4500 rpm
5 sp sequential auto transmission (sportshift)
6 sp close ratio manual transmission
Drive by wire throttle system
Double wishbone suspension
VSA
17 inch Alloy whls P215/50 R 17 Tires
Dual stage airbags, side airbags and side curtain airbags
HID headlights
Navi system with voice recognition (optional)
perforated leather seats
dual zone auto climate control
360 total watts audio system with 8 speakers and 6 disc in dash changer


Interior Pic
Pics for the car

 

[vi edit]

$25,000 on the TSX? I'll believe that when I see it.

 

[Justorq]

ok then ... what do you want me to say ...

It cannot go over the base TL cuz it's mainly a european accord without v6 so .. i dunno but you do the math !!!!

Justin

 

[isildur]

those specs are nice, but the styling is rather bland

:-\

 

[Thegonagle]

Originally posted by: Justorq
I'd wait just a little bit (2-3months), there's the new TSX coming out from acura (around 25k)... now that's a nice car. . .

Drive by wire throttle system. . .

Interior Pic
Pics for the car

Not an advantage, IMHO. I've driven all the new Nissans that have this and it sucks. Too much latency, and when the cruise is engaged, you can't "feel" it when you give it a little more throttle to pass someone.

I hope Honda's DBW throttle is better.

 

[cchen]

22k for the 4 cyl accord coupe? my mom bought a lx for 18k

 

[splice]

I'd say go for the Mazda 6 or a Subaru WRX

 

[OS]

Lancer Evolution

 

[ElFenix]

i'd go mazda 6 or maybe the a4... the others are a little bit cramped inside.

 

[isildur]

lol

dude I'm 5'9" 170#

I fit into a Jetta w/ much room to spare

 

[slikmunks]

if there were a poll, i'd vote the mazda 6 2nd prob'ly the mazdaspeed protege... or wait until there's a mazdaspeed 6...