What car should HaVoC get? (new or used)

[HaVoC]

Ornery I also happen to like all the new features like airbags and multi-link suspensions, etc. I don't think I could use a muscle car as a daily driver. Maybe 10 years down the road I could have one parked in the garage next to my daily car.

 

[StageLeft]

Yeah, a muscle car isn't a great daily driver. New technology means safer in an accident too...and better gas mileage!

 

[Ornery]

Well you didn't mention that, just not being reliable. I take issue with them not being reliable. Don't see anything wrong with using one as a daily driver either, other than the gas mileage. Sh!t, they cost less than a normal new car by a huge margin and nobody thinks twice about taking their $40,000 SUV out in traffic. If I owned one, I'd drive it! I wouldn't pamper it either. I'd keep it running with OEM type parts and drive it like any other car.

Hell, been driving my '77 since '82 and I trust it totally. Rugged as a brick and cheap and easy to fix when the time comes. Just put a water pump in last year for $15.00! Leaked for a few years before I figured out where the coolant was disappearing

 

[StageLeft]

Ornery, it also depends where havoc lives. A muscle car in California is one thing, but in Alaska it doesn't make the best of winter drivers - and it would be a frigging shame to rust out a baracuda wouldn't it!

 

[Zulu8]

I can't remember if an Integra Type-R is in ur price range but if it is then u should consider it. Its a really nice car, albeit not V6.

 

[geno]

'96 300ZX-TT or a Supra Turbo. I like the 300ZX better, but I gotta admit that I see less Supras and they tend to turn more heads. The 300ZX is a little smaller and nimble - but the Supra is just as appealing. If the RX7 doesn't float your boat, these should

Found a couple of prices, if you're lucky you can find a '98 Supra for around 25k, and a '96 300ZX for around 20-21k. Nice solid rides with Japanese refinement, definitly something to keep in mind

 

[HaVoC]

Well I've been reading up and this Impreza WRX is looking to be pretty impressive! Those 227 ponies are the main factor as well as the low sticker price of $24K for a all-wheel drive rocket. It is a 4-banger rice burner, but that turbo should make for some devious fun.

Only problem is explaining to my friends that I bought a Subaru without them dying of laughter. I need to test drive this thing!

 

[StageLeft]

havoc Yes! The WRX is a beauty...Your friends won't laugh when you are almost neck to neck with a new mustang GT at the lights will they?

genocide Not really a sedan though is it - sweet car though!

 

[Tominator]

Go and drive a Mustang GT...you'll have your question answered.....

 

[StageLeft]

hehe - if by "sport" he means _fast_ then a mustang is the answer.

 

[geno]

Subaru makes some great cars, the interior can feel platicky at times, but the car itself is very solid. They definitly make some great engines as well. If you don't go for something more upscale, do yourself a favor and testdrive the WRX

 

[StageLeft]

Oh i forgot - I'd always wondered what it would be like to launch an AWD/4wd at the lights with a 5-spd and lots of power. I bet you could pretty well jam the RMP right up there, drop the clutch and have minimal spin and a sweet take-off

 

[HaVoC]

<< Oh i forgot - I'd always wondered what it would be like to launch an AWD/4wd at the lights with a 5-spd and lots of power. I bet you could pretty well jam the RMP right up there, drop the clutch and have minimal spin and a sweet take-off >>

Or you might just burn your clutch up. Actually, I haven't ever driven manual trannies before (on account of our family always giving into my Mom who didn't want to learn manual) so I'd probably test drive an automatic. (Don't wanna embarass myself by stalling out the test drive car)

 

[Triumph]

you want a sports sedan, with V6, and an automatic? Well then the answer to your question is a 2000 Passat V6 with Tiptronic. I'll bet you can find a few more on the lots that the dealers want to get rid of for well less than 25K, you'll get a smooooooth V6 engine, one of the best Tiptronic-type tranny's on the market, and the interior beats anything in it's class. I think you should seriously consider this car. The V6 is a 2.8-liter 30-valve V6 engine, 190hp at 6000rpm, 206 lb.-ft. of torque at 3200rpm using double overhead cams w/ variable intake valve timing, spur belt driven, 5-valves per cylinder (I'm cutting and pasting here). Is 0-60 in 7.3 seconds quick enough for you?

Check out these links:
Some info on the Passat
Edmund's information
Some pics of the interior at night

I guess you can see I'm biased towards this car, but that's because I have it and I LOVE it. Well, I have it with the 1.8T engine, which is a wonderful engine itself. But I ALWAYS get comments about my car. Oohs and ahhs and the like. I think you should seriously consider it.

 

[jimmygates]

for $28K you can get a Acura TL...or maybe a TL-S in a couple of months








-jimbo

 

[lupin]

<< Used Bimmer is a good bet, but replacement parts are expensive. Will keep at the end of my shortlist. >>



Replacement parts for any european cars cost about the same. Regardless it's a Benz, BMW, Audi, Volvo, or VW.

 

[atom]

I like the Subaru. AWD is sweet. As far as acceleration is concerned, they take off like a bat outta hell. I met a couple people at an import meet with Subaru 2.5 RS's and they smoked everyone off the line, even a TT Z car. They just don't have very good top end though. The turbo in the WRX should patch that up nicely.

I'm kinda biased towards Subaru though. I would kill for one of their new twin turbo Legacy's. What a sweet &quot;family&quot; car.

Besdies Subaru, I'm partial to a used M3.

 

[mustang659ut]

I would say a VW Jetta VR6. Can outrun a Mustang GT and insurance is not too pricey as they are a &quot;family sedan&quot; and alson one of the most popular tuner cars... these also have the features that a luxury sedan would...

 

[StageLeft]

You didnd't just say that a VW Jetta VR6 stock can take out a Mustang GT did you? Mustang GT 0-60= 5.4 seconds (approx). Jetta VR6 is high 6's or 7?

 

[HaVoC]

Okay, I'd really like to keep it under $25k. If I spend more than that, I'm definitely getting a Lexus or Bimmer.

The WRX is something I have to test drive. I'm curious about Noise, Vibration and Harshness. I'm sure I'll be happy with performance and handling. It's the NVH stuff that can get on your nerves on long trips. I live in Texas and going between major cities is AT LEAST a 2 hour drive.

 

[lupin]

around $25,000:
'95 M3, $23,000


'95 M3, $25,900

'95 M3, $24,000

And from BMWCCA classiffieds:

1995 M3 coupe Cosmos black/grey, 5 speed, Motorsport lightweight alloys, OBC, 6 CD, 61k, fresh
Inspection II, new AVS sports, sunroof. $23,000. 303 881-4146. (CA)

1995 M3 coupe VIN WBSBF932XSEH08086 Avus blue/mulberry leather (light grey), 5 speed, luxury, every
option, sunroof, computer, heated seats, keyless entry, BMW CD &amp; integrated phone, 75k miles, no
dings, dents or accidents, flawlessly maintained, all records, $25,500. Bob: 814 355-1280 (h); 814
238-1551 (w); rdavis@haasaep.com. (PA)

1995 M3 coupe VIN WBSBF9325SEH03250 Morea (turquoise) green/tan leather interior. Rare and gorgeous
color combination. 5 speed, power seats, sunroof, 6-disc CD, hands-free mount for Nokia phone,
upgraded water pump in August 2000, stock, no smoke, new tires, garaged, California car in excellent
condition. 71k miles. $24,800 obo. Ken: 916 446-0960; wslaw@flashcom.net. (CA)

1995 M3 VIN WBSBF9321SEH08302 Boston green/champagne leather int., luxury package, 5 spd, 6
CD/trunk, wing, Conforti chip, TriFlo exhaust, orig. owner, recently tuned, new shock mounts, new
tires, no wrecks/racing, 142k hwy miles, extremely clean, must see. $23,900. Greg: 301 515-5216;
GWager1@aol.com. (MD)


there are a lot more.. try looking up from autotrader.com for one around your area. Keep in mind that you can always bargain the price. I think it's fairly easy to get one for $23,000.

 

[Triumph]

i'm tellin' ya man, take the Passat for a test drive! it can't hurt.

 

[tHa ShIzNiT]

If I had that amount of money to spend I'd buy a used '99 Honda Civic Si.
While it only has a 4 cylinder engine, it's a speedy one. And if you supercharge it (as seen in recent issues of Sport Compact Car) it will do 0-60 in under 6 seconds, and my god this car is fun to drive...sounds great too. My $0.02
Shiz.

 

[tHa ShIzNiT]

Oh...and for GOD's sake don't forget about the WRX...that car is SUPER PHAT. I'm serious, don't buy a car until you test drive that. 0-60 in almost 6 seconds BONE STOCK! Gotta love that.
Shiz.

 

[vi edit]

If I had $25 grand to blow on a car, a civic would be ONE OF THE LAST vehicles that I would look at. Then again, I go 6' 200 pounds and can't get my legs under the steering wheel...

Triumph, I agree with you. For $25k, the Passat GLX w/ the VR6 is one hell of a buy.