Thinking of getting a new (to me) car in the near future

[BD2003]

I'm thinking about picking up a new (used) car in the near future...

Must have good handling and sub 7 (pref 6) 0-60, torque is much appreciated.

I'm coming off of a 6-speed 2000 celica gt-s. It's mostly fast enough, but I'd like to do a bit better when it comes to low end torque. I prefer small, nimble cars, not huge beasts.

The shifter in this car is a clunky disaster. I'd probably stick with manual, but a large part of me would prefer a automanual as long as it had the HP to make up for the slushbox.

I also prefer coupes, but I'd go for a 4 door if it performed right. I also find domestics to be pretty ugly overall, and I don't nearly trust their reliability as much, based on personal experience. And there's nothing in the world that could ever convince me to buy a euro such as a VW.

Rx-8
Pros: Fastest of the bunch, rotary engine seems fun, 50/50 balance, RWD, 4-doors while still looking like a coupe.
Cons: Most expensive of the bunch, crap mileage despite being a featherweight, peaky engine/weak low end torque, supposedly punishing suspension, tons of road noise.
A bit unsure on the looks as well, and don't know anything about reliability.

RSX-S
Pros: Fast enough, handles good, good mileage, honda reliability, supposedly more refined, quiet and comfy than the rest of the lot.
Cons: FWD, peaky engine.
Looks a bit plain, but I still dig it.

Scion tC
Pros: Torquey engine. FWD, Good mileage, toyota reliability, super quiet, get a lot for the money.
Cons: Slowest to 60 of the bunch, 5-speed only, far too plain/borderline fugly, good value but also comparatively low rent, not quite the handler or performance of the others.

All would fall in about the same range of about 17-18k, so thats what I'd be working with. Any other cars I'm missing?

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Originally posted by: BD2003
torque is much appreciated

Rx-8
RSX-S
Scion tC

wtf

Get a Subaru.

- M4H

 

[bucwylde23]

Originally posted by: MercenaryForHire

Originally posted by: BD2003
torque is much appreciated

Rx-8
RSX-S
Scion tC

wtf

Get a Subaru.

- M4H

Yep I think WRX FTW. Great cars

 

[Platypus]

I test drove all of those and went with the 05 subaru impreza wrx wagon for my needs (this was 04). The RSX-S had no balls at all until you hit like 45-50mph and then what's the point.. plus isn't that car being phased out anyway? The RX8 was sure a lot of fun but totally impractical and even the dealer said you better be a car hobbyist if you get this one.

The WRX wagon had everything I wanted.. AWD, 4 doors, huge cargo space, tons of low end balls/torque.

Good luck!

 

[BD2003]

Originally posted by: chrisg22

Originally posted by: MercenaryForHire

Originally posted by: BD2003
torque is much appreciated

Rx-8
RSX-S
Scion tC

wtf

Get a Subaru.

- M4H

Yep I think WRX FTW. Great cars

Ya, I know, strange selection considering that. But I can't think of any V6s that I like that fall into my price range that aren't too big and handle well.

There's something about those subarus that I just don't like. The bug eyed ones always seemed so unbearably ugly to me, but perhaps I should read up a bit more on the newer ones, if they fall in the price range.

 

[iversonyin]

Mazda 3 and VW GTi

 

[vi edit]

Okay...so you want Japanese only...and want it small...and want it torquey...and preferably in a coupe form.

Good luck with that.

You want a BMW 3 series.

 

[overst33r]

used 350z? e36 m3?

 

[bucwylde23]

Originally posted by: BD2003

Originally posted by: chrisg22

Originally posted by: MercenaryForHire

Originally posted by: BD2003
torque is much appreciated

Rx-8
RSX-S
Scion tC

wtf

Get a Subaru.

- M4H

Yep I think WRX FTW. Great cars

Ya, I know, strange selection considering that. But I can't think of any V6s that I like that fall into my price range that aren't too big and handle well.

There's something about those subarus that I just don't like. The bug eyed ones always seemed so unbearably ugly to me, but perhaps I should read up a bit more on the newer ones, if they fall in the price range.

I had an '04 WRX sedan. sold it because I bought a house and didn't need 3 cars. It was the best car I've owned so far. Extremely reliable, and felt like it was built much better than the RSX/tC's. I have never driven an RX-8 so I can't comment on that, however.

They are also pretty fast, and compared to hondas, they have a hell of a lot of torque.

You can't beat a subaru in the snow, either. Trust me, I even tried to lose control in the snow and could hardly do it.

I am also going to say just take the RX-8 out of the list.

 

[BD2003]

Originally posted by: vi_edit
Okay...so you want Japanese only...and want it small...and want it torquey...and preferably in a coupe form.

Good luck with that.

You want a BMW 3 series.

Heh, yes, I realize that....what I really want is an IS350. But I can't nearly afford it. I'd give up the torque and just shift more often before going for something like a mustang.

 

[Chrono]

lol!!!!!!111 wtf is the point of going celica gts to these cars you've listed?????????????

 

[BD2003]

Originally posted by: Chrono
lol!!!!!!111 wtf is the point of going celica gts to these cars you've listed?????????????

Wtf is the point of your post?

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Originally posted by: BD2003
Ya, I know, strange selection considering that. But I can't think of any V6s that I like that fall into my price range that aren't too big and handle well.

There's something about those subarus that I just don't like. The bug eyed ones always seemed so unbearably ugly to me, but perhaps I should read up a bit more on the newer ones, if they fall in the price range.

The bug eyes weren't naturally ugly ... they used to be normal cars.

""

See, there's a pic.

Then the Subaru engineers told them how much boost was going to be applied.

":Q"

And they got all bugeyed.

fin



- M4H

 

[OS]

Originally posted by: vi_edit
Okay...so you want Japanese only...and want it small...and want it torquey...and preferably in a coupe form.

Good luck with that.

You want a BMW 3 series.

bmws don't make much torque either

 

[BD2003]

Originally posted by: chrisg22

Originally posted by: BD2003

Originally posted by: chrisg22

Originally posted by: MercenaryForHire

Originally posted by: BD2003
torque is much appreciated

Rx-8
RSX-S
Scion tC

wtf

Get a Subaru.

- M4H

Yep I think WRX FTW. Great cars

Ya, I know, strange selection considering that. But I can't think of any V6s that I like that fall into my price range that aren't too big and handle well.

There's something about those subarus that I just don't like. The bug eyed ones always seemed so unbearably ugly to me, but perhaps I should read up a bit more on the newer ones, if they fall in the price range.

I had an '04 WRX sedan. sold it because I bought a house and didn't need 3 cars. It was the best car I've owned so far. Extremely reliable, and felt like it was built much better than the RSX/tC's. I have never driven an RX-8 so I can't comment on that, however.

They are also pretty fast, and compared to hondas, they have a hell of a lot of torque.

You can't beat a subaru in the snow, either. Trust me, I even tried to lose control in the snow and could hardly do it.

I am also going to say just take the RX-8 out of the list.

Whats so bad about the rx-8 that I shouldn't even consider it?

The subies are a bit confusing though...

Impreza is the reasonable econobox type.
Impreza WRX is the performance version.
Impreza WRX STi is the boy ricer, sacrifice everything for speed version.

Is that right?

 

[Chrono]

point being is the cars you've listed are relatively the same performance wise.

 

[Shawn]

of those 3 the rx-8.

 

[BD2003]

Originally posted by: Chrono
point being is the cars you've listed are relatively the same performance wise.

So? I own the celica because thats the kind of car I dig. Is it so surprising that I'd like something similar?

 

[HgrdGman]

Get a Subaru Impreza 2.5rs 2000 or 2001 and then do an STi engine swap...you get good looks and a very fast ride. PM me if you want links for more info on the RS

If you just really hate Subarus then I would go with the RSX type-s

 

[bucwylde23]

Originally posted by: BD2003

Originally posted by: chrisg22

Originally posted by: BD2003

Originally posted by: chrisg22

Originally posted by: MercenaryForHire

Originally posted by: BD2003
torque is much appreciated

Rx-8
RSX-S
Scion tC

wtf

Get a Subaru.

- M4H

Yep I think WRX FTW. Great cars

Ya, I know, strange selection considering that. But I can't think of any V6s that I like that fall into my price range that aren't too big and handle well.

There's something about those subarus that I just don't like. The bug eyed ones always seemed so unbearably ugly to me, but perhaps I should read up a bit more on the newer ones, if they fall in the price range.

I had an '04 WRX sedan. sold it because I bought a house and didn't need 3 cars. It was the best car I've owned so far. Extremely reliable, and felt like it was built much better than the RSX/tC's. I have never driven an RX-8 so I can't comment on that, however.

They are also pretty fast, and compared to hondas, they have a hell of a lot of torque.

You can't beat a subaru in the snow, either. Trust me, I even tried to lose control in the snow and could hardly do it.

I am also going to say just take the RX-8 out of the list.

Whats so bad about the rx-8 that I shouldn't even consider it?

The subies are a bit confusing though...

Impreza is the reasonable econobox type.
Impreza WRX is the performance version.
Impreza WRX STi is the boy ricer, sacrifice everything for speed version.

Is that right?

You are correct. don't waste your time with the base impreza.

I'd prefer the WRX for your price range. When you start looking at used STi's, I've found that a lot of them have been driven pretty hard and are modified.

I just don't care for the RX-8's, and I think they are overpriced generally and aren't that great of performers.

I kind of agree with chrono, though. RSX and the tC are pretty decent cars, but when you compare them with the GT-S they aren't much of an improvement.

My wife owns a Celica GT and it's been a very good car even though it's an auto.

 

[Vic]

RX-8 and RSX-S are both torque-less wonders, as bad as your 2000 Celica GTS.

The Scion tC is essentially the new-age Celica, and like the Celicas of old it has a torquey engine. Unfortunately, it has no top-end and short gear ratios, so it's not particularly fast either.

You shouldn't get an RSX. They are being discontinued permanently. Replacement is the new Civic Si.

Your price range seems a bit over the map, from below $20k to almost $30k. Coupes are falling out of popularity, especially with insurance companies, and I suspect resale values will reflect that. My advice would be to look at an Impreza WRX if you want AWD, or a Mazdaspeed 3 if you don't need AWD and wouldn't mind a hatch.

 

[BD2003]

Originally posted by: chrisg22

Originally posted by: BD2003

Originally posted by: chrisg22

Originally posted by: BD2003

Originally posted by: chrisg22

Originally posted by: MercenaryForHire

Originally posted by: BD2003
torque is much appreciated

Rx-8
RSX-S
Scion tC

wtf

Get a Subaru.

- M4H

Yep I think WRX FTW. Great cars

Ya, I know, strange selection considering that. But I can't think of any V6s that I like that fall into my price range that aren't too big and handle well.

There's something about those subarus that I just don't like. The bug eyed ones always seemed so unbearably ugly to me, but perhaps I should read up a bit more on the newer ones, if they fall in the price range.

I had an '04 WRX sedan. sold it because I bought a house and didn't need 3 cars. It was the best car I've owned so far. Extremely reliable, and felt like it was built much better than the RSX/tC's. I have never driven an RX-8 so I can't comment on that, however.

They are also pretty fast, and compared to hondas, they have a hell of a lot of torque.

You can't beat a subaru in the snow, either. Trust me, I even tried to lose control in the snow and could hardly do it.

I am also going to say just take the RX-8 out of the list.

Whats so bad about the rx-8 that I shouldn't even consider it?

The subies are a bit confusing though...

Impreza is the reasonable econobox type.
Impreza WRX is the performance version.
Impreza WRX STi is the boy ricer, sacrifice everything for speed version.

Is that right?

You are correct. don't waste your time with the base impreza.

I'd prefer the WRX for your price range. When you start looking at used STi's, I've found that a lot of them have been driven pretty hard and are modified.

I just don't care for the RX-8's, and I think they are overpriced generally and aren't that great of performers.

I kind of agree with chrono, though. RSX and the tC are pretty decent cars, but when you compare them with the GT-S they aren't much of an improvement.

Ya, performance wise, they are pretty much the same. But the shifting (GT-S has the worst shifter ever created), and general refinement would be a step up, for the rsx at least.

The wrx sounds good, but I just don't know if I could bare to look at anything but the 05-up in my driveway. I really, really don't like the look of the older ones. How's the reliability on them?

I'd never consider the STi. I'm all for performance, but not when it comes with a complete sacrifice of comfort and dignity.

The post might seem a bit self-contradictory, but I'm still debating whats important right now, and I can only start with what I know.

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Originally posted by: BD2003
Whats so bad about the rx-8 that I shouldn't even consider it?

You know that famous 9000rpm redline they're talking about in all the ads? Get used to seeing it if you want to experience any torque.

Rotary engines are also thirsty, both for gas and oil. 20mpg on premium, and get used to adding a quart of oil every 5000 miles or so.

I wouldn't go as far as to say it's a "bad car" ... just "bad for your needs"

- M4H

 

[vi edit]

Originally posted by: OS

Originally posted by: vi_edit
Okay...so you want Japanese only...and want it small...and want it torquey...and preferably in a coupe form.

Good luck with that.

You want a BMW 3 series.

bmws don't make much torque either

A 330ci puts out anywhere from 40%-50% more torque than anything else he listed. It's pretty even in specs to the 3.0 I6 in the IS300. Except the BMW is quite a bit more fuel efficient...and quicker.

And if he is concered about the reliability of Euro, I'd *personally* be hesitant to purchase a Rotary engine.

 

[Vic]

Originally posted by: HgrdGman
Get a Subaru Impreza 2.5rs 2000 or 2001 and then do an STi engine swap...you get good looks and a very fast ride. PM me if you want links for more info on the RS

If you just really hate Subarus then I would go with the RSX type-s

Have you done the swap? I'd love to see the pics.
I own a 2001 RS coupe (un-swapped, it's my GF's ride).
Yes, doing an STI drivetrain swap makes for a hell of a ride, but it's not cheap or easy, and (as the RS was a relatively low volume model to begin with, IIRC around 10k total sold in the US over 4 years) there really aren't a lot of RS's left out there.