So I Need A New Car Soon

[RollWave]

Originally posted by: NaOH
Sorry for the confusion. I don't like the wrx over ALL of the other cars listed. I like it over the mazda 3. I like the legacy the next and the saab the most. I just looked at the infiniti G35 sedan and it looks pretty nice and classy. Plus it has 300+bhp under it's hood so it sounds sweet already. Kinda costy at 30k+ though. I love your opinion guys...keep em coming.


AWD would be nice since I snowboard often during the season.

How bout something like this?

Very efficient engine, best AWD system available, great interior, and on the used market they're very affordable!

 

[b0mbrman]

How much do the Mazdaspeed3's sell for?

 

[Arkaign]

Originally posted by: RollWave

Originally posted by: NaOH
Sorry for the confusion. I don't like the wrx over ALL of the other cars listed. I like it over the mazda 3. I like the legacy the next and the saab the most. I just looked at the infiniti G35 sedan and it looks pretty nice and classy. Plus it has 300+bhp under it's hood so it sounds sweet already. Kinda costy at 30k+ though. I love your opinion guys...keep em coming.


AWD would be nice since I snowboard often during the season.

How bout something like this?

Very efficient engine, best AWD system available, great interior, and on the used market they're very affordable!

Fun, but :

Noisy
High Maintenance (turbo/awd)
Look like a polished-up VW

 

[Demo24]

and if you wanted to stretch the budget a bit, the legacy now comes with a 6cyl boxer engine. Dunno how fast it is, probably similar to the gt.

 

[RollWave]

Originally posted by: Arkaign

Originally posted by: RollWave

Originally posted by: NaOH
Sorry for the confusion. I don't like the wrx over ALL of the other cars listed. I like it over the mazda 3. I like the legacy the next and the saab the most. I just looked at the infiniti G35 sedan and it looks pretty nice and classy. Plus it has 300+bhp under it's hood so it sounds sweet already. Kinda costy at 30k+ though. I love your opinion guys...keep em coming.


AWD would be nice since I snowboard often during the season.

How bout something like this?

Very efficient engine, best AWD system available, great interior, and on the used market they're very affordable!

Fun, but :

Noisy
High Maintenance (turbo/awd)
Look like a polished-up VW

Noisy? I dont think so at all. Only time you hear anything is when you get aggressive with the engine...and what you do hear is nice as far as I'm concerned.

I agree that the linked one isnt the best looker, if you can find an s-line trimmed model it looks much better.

Maintenance = every 10000 miles. The new gen A4s are rather reliable.

As far as the VDub comment, this thing screams much higher qual

 

[Arkaign]

Originally posted by: b0mbrman
How much do the Mazdaspeed3's sell for?

Start @ 22.8

Fun, but still only recommended for kids or people who like to really hear that little motor make all that noise!

 

[RollWave]

Originally posted by: Arkaign

Originally posted by: b0mbrman
How much do the Mazdaspeed3's sell for?

Start @ 22.8

Fun, but still only recommended for kids or people who like to really hear that little motor make all that noise!

And lets not forget the torque steer

 

[Arkaign]

Originally posted by: RollWave

Originally posted by: Arkaign

Originally posted by: b0mbrman
How much do the Mazdaspeed3's sell for?

Start @ 22.8

Fun, but still only recommended for kids or people who like to really hear that little motor make all that noise!

And lets not forget the torque steer

No doubt! I think the sweetest class+performance possible in this budget would be a lightly used+warrantied

2005 330Ci
2005/6 G35 Coupe

Both RWD and gutsy, with great handling, class, etc.

 

[RollWave]

Originally posted by: Arkaign

Originally posted by: RollWave

Originally posted by: Arkaign

Originally posted by: b0mbrman
How much do the Mazdaspeed3's sell for?

Start @ 22.8

Fun, but still only recommended for kids or people who like to really hear that little motor make all that noise!

And lets not forget the torque steer

No doubt! I think the sweetest class+performance possible in this budget would be a lightly used+warrantied

2005 330Ci
2005/6 G35 Coupe

Both RWD and gutsy, with great handling, class, etc.

If he's looking for snow performance, I'd tend to avoid both....but the 330Ci is definitely a nice drive.

For me i'd go 330ci > A4 > G35.

The interior of the G is the deal breaker for me....

BTW, did anyone mention used IS? With those Toyota guts it'll likely last ages.

 

[zerocool84]

Originally posted by: Arkaign

Originally posted by: Regs

Originally posted by: Arkaign

Originally posted by: Regs
The Acura TL is an over priced family Sedan. You're paying 10k for the Acura name.

I agree to some extent, but it's not JUST about the drivetrain, I've driven the new V6 accord and the TL in the same day. It really is a nicer car in a lot of ways apart from styling. The ergonomics, low noise level (tires still rumble a bit), incredibly nice audio/nav system, etc, make for a great deal. Performance is excellent, and it compares VERY nicely against the G and BMW 3 series, as Acura gives you loads of options without nickel and diming you for them. An equivalent 3 series will cost 10k more, and in your words, you're just paying 10k more for that BMW name. Not entirely true, as the BMW has it's own eccentricities and charms (to some) that can make it a good value.

Like the BMW and Mercades, they are also over priced. Ever since they stopped making them by hand at least.

Though I wouldn't mind a BMW M3 and M5.

And I agree with the Honda V6 SE. Though maybe not the better looking exterior or interior of it's year, it's not an eye sore like the mini-wrx box cars (made for dirt rally's and not for the highway). I also love Honda's automatic transmissions. The tight 1,2,3 gears are great for off-the-line acceleration and the throttle-by-wire (introduced a few years back) offers good responsive acceleration around 50-65 mph mark on the highway.

Well that's sensible, and I'm pretty close to your perspective on this. For this kind of investment, I really think a classy mid-sized V6 strikes a good balance of performance/reliability/style/flexibility that can't be found with the little 4-cyl turbo jobbies. Not that a spin in a WRX/Evo isn't a lot of fun, but those kinds of cars can wear you out as daily drivers. I'm not 20 years old anymore I used to have a Jackson supercharged custom Prelude, but putting 200+ miles a day in Dallas traffic in that thing was a beating for sure, and I can only imagine a smaller civic/wrx/evo Besides, the low-end torque of the V6 combined with lower noise levels, and lower maintenance costs, add in better resale value, and it's almost crazy to buy one of those baby rockets. Of course, in cars, it's a good measure of what's in your heart, if you're not having any fun, you haven't found the right car for you.

Regards, I recommend :

TL/G35/Legend/Accord/Maybe a used BMW 3 (watch out in maintenance on these, but BMW does great warranties)

Well see you had aftermarket stuff put on which will always change how the car drives. Buying a decently quick DD that is stock should last as long as anything else out there, as long as it isnt beat on badly.

 

[NaOH]

Now that I think about it, why would I want a legacy when a G35 sport sedan can be had for nearly the same price?

 

[mitaiwan82]

Originally posted by: NaOH
Now that I think about it, why would I want a legacy when a G35 sport sedan can be had for nearly the same price?

some might prefer the AWD and potential for chipping the turbo

 

[Arkaign]

Originally posted by: mitaiwan82

Originally posted by: NaOH
Now that I think about it, why would I want a legacy when a G35 sport sedan can be had for nearly the same price?

some might prefer the AWD and potential for chipping the turbo

Aye, but have you SEEN these things side by side? The G35 looks twice as expensive, and feels better as well. Killer wheels, silky 3.5V6, niiiiice

 

[NaOH]

Originally posted by: mitaiwan82

Originally posted by: NaOH
Now that I think about it, why would I want a legacy when a G35 sport sedan can be had for nearly the same price?

some might prefer the AWD and potential for chipping the turbo

True. I always wanted a turbocharged car because I love the sound of it spoolin up and the blow off valve. The AWD would be nice but I don't NEED it often (only during the winter when I go snowboarding, I live in CA for crying out loud).

Oh my head...

 

[Vic]

Originally posted by: DEMO24

Originally posted by: Nyati13

If you can, wait a few months until the 2008 Impreza comes out. The new sedan looks a lot like a small Legacy (and the hatchback looks bit like a Mazda 3), and the WRX version gets the current Legacy GT's engine (which is re-chippable to 300hp easily).

the WRX got the 2.5l engine in 2006, and it is not flashable to 300hp with out mods. That stock turbo isn't that good.


and if you want a impreza, get an STI even if it means going for a slightly used one. Trust me it would be well worth the investment to go up a model.

Still it sounds like the legacy is for you.

Who told you all this? They reflash up to 300hp at the crank all day every day without modding. The 2.0L could hit 300 at the crank with just a reflash and a TBE. The TD04 might be small and somewhat limited, but it still gets the job done.

The STI is a lot more than just more a bigger turbo. A lot lot more.

 

[Malfeas]

You can get the Legacy for just over dealer invoice. I paid 25.4k for mine.

 

[NaOH]

Originally posted by: Malfeas
You can get the Legacy for just over dealer invoice. I paid 25.4k for mine.

Which model and what options did you get? How's the car?

 

[RollWave]

Originally posted by: Arkaign

Originally posted by: mitaiwan82

Originally posted by: NaOH
Now that I think about it, why would I want a legacy when a G35 sport sedan can be had for nearly the same price?

some might prefer the AWD and potential for chipping the turbo

Aye, but have you SEEN these things side by side? The G35 looks twice as expensive, and feels better as well. Killer wheels, silky 3.5V6, niiiiice

I'd still go german if I were this guy. If he lives in cali then 330Ci for sure.

 

[Malfeas]

Originally posted by: NaOH

Originally posted by: Malfeas
You can get the Legacy for just over dealer invoice. I paid 25.4k for mine.

Which model and what options did you get? How's the car?

It is a manual 2005 Legacy GT base model (cloth seats). I think the only option I had was the security package and short throw shifter.

You can read up more and ask questions at www.legacygt.com , but even the newer models can be had for just around invoice if you are persistent.

I've never had any problems with my car. The only expenses I've had so far are gas and oil changes over 29k miles.

 

[ballmode]

Decisions decisions

 

[DivideBYZero]

Originally posted by: Vic

Originally posted by: DEMO24

Originally posted by: Nyati13

If you can, wait a few months until the 2008 Impreza comes out. The new sedan looks a lot like a small Legacy (and the hatchback looks bit like a Mazda 3), and the WRX version gets the current Legacy GT's engine (which is re-chippable to 300hp easily).

the WRX got the 2.5l engine in 2006, and it is not flashable to 300hp with out mods. That stock turbo isn't that good.


and if you want a impreza, get an STI even if it means going for a slightly used one. Trust me it would be well worth the investment to go up a model.

Still it sounds like the legacy is for you.

Who told you all this? They reflash up to 300hp at the crank all day every day without modding. The 2.0L could hit 300 at the crank with just a reflash and a TBE. The TD04 might be small and somewhat limited, but it still gets the job done.

The STI is a lot more than just more a bigger turbo. A lot lot more.

Thank you. I was sure the motors couldn't be THAT different between US/UK. The the GC/GF the five speed box was really the limiter as it got a bit 'chocolaty' at ~320hp.

 

[Felisity]

Originally posted by: NaOH
The mazdaspeed 3 equals cheap sportiness and speed.
WRX Looks a bit nicer in my opinion and has AWD.
Legacy looks classier but costs about 30k.
Saab 93 looks sexy and I could get the 2.0T but it only has 210bhp =(


I'm leaning more towards the Saab 93 or the mazdaspeed 3. But if I were to get the Saab 93, I'd want to go for the Aero model which has a turbocharged v6 instead (Again, 30k =( ).

If you're going to spend 30k, why not just get a Mazdaspeed 6? They are soooo sweet. I wanted one, but my price range was a bit lower. So I ended up with a Mazda 6i sport, 5 door. Zoom, zoom... baby!

 

[ayabe]

Originally posted by: Vic

Originally posted by: DEMO24

Originally posted by: Nyati13

If you can, wait a few months until the 2008 Impreza comes out. The new sedan looks a lot like a small Legacy (and the hatchback looks bit like a Mazda 3), and the WRX version gets the current Legacy GT's engine (which is re-chippable to 300hp easily).

the WRX got the 2.5l engine in 2006, and it is not flashable to 300hp with out mods. That stock turbo isn't that good.


and if you want a impreza, get an STI even if it means going for a slightly used one. Trust me it would be well worth the investment to go up a model.

Still it sounds like the legacy is for you.

Who told you all this? They reflash up to 300hp at the crank all day every day without modding. The 2.0L could hit 300 at the crank with just a reflash and a TBE. The TD04 might be small and somewhat limited, but it still gets the job done.

The STI is a lot more than just more a bigger turbo. A lot lot more.

Just to jump in here my '06 WRX with a Stage 2 flash and only a downpipe dyno's 235hp/285tq at the wheels.


All that costs around $1000 and gets you close to stock STI performance as far as power goes.

I wouldn't touch a used STI with a ten foot pole, way too many videos of idiots doing 6000 rpm clutch dumps.

Personally I am horrified at the new '08's, they are just dreadful to look at, especially the hatch, it's an abomination. Throw in the fact that the new STI will only be in hatchback form and well....my next car might be an Evo.

Subaru's should be ugly, but in an endearing sort of way, not in I have a Chrysler grill and a Corolla body sort of way.

But I digress.

I drove a Mazda 3 and it has a nicer interior but I absolutely hated the electronic shenanigans you have to put up with to avoid torquesteering yourself into the curb and hatch's to me are just FUG.

If you are serious about performance I don't see how you can be looking at FWD, even with all the gizmo's, it's just not the same.

 

[RollWave]

Originally posted by: ayabe

Originally posted by: Vic

Originally posted by: DEMO24

Originally posted by: Nyati13

If you can, wait a few months until the 2008 Impreza comes out. The new sedan looks a lot like a small Legacy (and the hatchback looks bit like a Mazda 3), and the WRX version gets the current Legacy GT's engine (which is re-chippable to 300hp easily).

the WRX got the 2.5l engine in 2006, and it is not flashable to 300hp with out mods. That stock turbo isn't that good.


and if you want a impreza, get an STI even if it means going for a slightly used one. Trust me it would be well worth the investment to go up a model.

Still it sounds like the legacy is for you.

Who told you all this? They reflash up to 300hp at the crank all day every day without modding. The 2.0L could hit 300 at the crank with just a reflash and a TBE. The TD04 might be small and somewhat limited, but it still gets the job done.

The STI is a lot more than just more a bigger turbo. A lot lot more.

Just to jump in here my '06 WRX with a Stage 2 flash and only a downpipe dyno's 235hp/285tq at the wheels.


All that costs around $1000 and gets you close to stock STI performance as far as power goes.

I wouldn't touch a used STI with a ten foot pole, way too many videos of idiots doing 6000 rpm clutch dumps.

Personally I am horrified at the new '08's, they are just dreadful to look at, especially the hatch, it's an abomination. Throw in the fact that the new STI will only be in hatchback form and well....my next car might be an Evo.

Subaru's should be ugly, but in an endearing sort of way, not in I have a Chrysler grill and a Corolla body sort of way.

But I digress.

I drove a Mazda 3 and it has a nicer interior but I absolutely hated the electronic shenanigans you have to put up with to avoid torquesteering yourself into the curb and hatch's to me are just FUG.

If you are serious about performance I don't see how you can be looking at FWD, even with all the gizmo's, it's just not the same.

Jeez. IF you want to talk about reflashes and what not, the 2.0T in the A4 is reflashable to about 250HP and 300tq WITHOUT the use of a downpipe or any physical mods.

 

[ayabe]

Originally posted by: RollWave

Originally posted by: ayabe

Originally posted by: Vic

Originally posted by: DEMO24

Originally posted by: Nyati13

If you can, wait a few months until the 2008 Impreza comes out. The new sedan looks a lot like a small Legacy (and the hatchback looks bit like a Mazda 3), and the WRX version gets the current Legacy GT's engine (which is re-chippable to 300hp easily).

the WRX got the 2.5l engine in 2006, and it is not flashable to 300hp with out mods. That stock turbo isn't that good.


and if you want a impreza, get an STI even if it means going for a slightly used one. Trust me it would be well worth the investment to go up a model.

Still it sounds like the legacy is for you.

Who told you all this? They reflash up to 300hp at the crank all day every day without modding. The 2.0L could hit 300 at the crank with just a reflash and a TBE. The TD04 might be small and somewhat limited, but it still gets the job done.

The STI is a lot more than just more a bigger turbo. A lot lot more.

Just to jump in here my '06 WRX with a Stage 2 flash and only a downpipe dyno's 235hp/285tq at the wheels.


All that costs around $1000 and gets you close to stock STI performance as far as power goes.

I wouldn't touch a used STI with a ten foot pole, way too many videos of idiots doing 6000 rpm clutch dumps.

Personally I am horrified at the new '08's, they are just dreadful to look at, especially the hatch, it's an abomination. Throw in the fact that the new STI will only be in hatchback form and well....my next car might be an Evo.

Subaru's should be ugly, but in an endearing sort of way, not in I have a Chrysler grill and a Corolla body sort of way.

But I digress.

I drove a Mazda 3 and it has a nicer interior but I absolutely hated the electronic shenanigans you have to put up with to avoid torquesteering yourself into the curb and hatch's to me are just FUG.

If you are serious about performance I don't see how you can be looking at FWD, even with all the gizmo's, it's just not the same.

Jeez. IF you want to talk about reflashes and what not, the 2.0T in the A4 is reflashable to about 250HP and 300tq WITHOUT the use of a downpipe or any physical mods.

And? Just confirming Vic's numbers.