YACT: $12-$13k.. what to get? Protege5?

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Imported

Lifer
Sep 2, 2000
14,679
23
81
So it seems insurance is finally going to decide and total the car I had [it was stolen, recovered]. Not sure how much I'll get for it, but I'm still looking at getting a car in this price range.

Currently, I've been looking at used 97-99 A4s, and 95-98 240SXs. I don't want to get another Civic. I also love the way the new Mazda 3 looks, but I'm unsure on it's release date [I need to buy the new car asap].

Anyone have any suggestions for this price range? There isn't much in American cars that I like, besides the SRT-4 [which I know I won't be able to score in that price range].

I'm looking for something sporty, though not a sports car; something with some room [I was able to fit most of my belongings for college in my Civic], decent power [if I get the A4, 1.8T, it'll be chipped regardless], handles well [I like to autocross], and fairly easy to modify [new shocks/struts, springs, basic bolt-ons, etc.].
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Update -

Okay, so I test drove a 2003 Protege 5 today.. handles quite nicely, has the room I want, has the modifications I want available. Got into pricing, checking credit history, etc.. If I put $9500 down, I'll be making payments of $180 for 60 months [Which I won't be doing.. I'll be paying close to $300 a month instead]. They have a $2500 rebate right now so the out the door price would be around $15,500. The bad thing is my interest rate would be around 10%; they said something about lowering it in 6 months, because I'm a first time buyer and wouldn't have my parents as a co-signer.

Any feedback from you guys?
 
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Imported

Lifer
Sep 2, 2000
14,679
23
81
No Civic, no Hyundai. :p

Civic - Had one, it was fun, but I'd rather not get another. For what I like to do, I'd have to mod it.. which means it'll just be stolen.. again.

Hyundai.. I just don't want. Same with Kia.. and Daewoo.. and whatever else.

A GTi maybe worth looking at though.. since it has the same 1.8T as the A4 has right? Though my friend has a GTi.. I'd feel like I'm just copying him.
 
OS

OS

Lifer
Oct 11, 1999
15,581
1
76
2004, stick, base corolla. Seriously. You can probably get one 14k out the door, does 1/4 in 16 flat, handling is firm and decent. Aftermarket isn't huge on these cars, but all the bolt ons you named exist.

You're probably thinking base means stripped, but base corollas come with CD players and A/C. You just don't get power windows, but I was ok with that.
 
NutBucket

NutBucket

Lifer
Aug 30, 2000
27,155
635
126
Originally posted by: OS
2004, stick, base corolla. Seriously. You can probably get one 14k out the door, does 1/4 in 16 flat, handling is firm and decent. Aftermarket isn't huge on these cars, but all the bolt ons you named exist.

You're probably thinking base means stripped, but base corollas come with CD players and A/C. You just don't get power windows, but I was ok with that.
Click to expand...

A Corolla does not qualify as a car that handles well. Beam axle out back?
rolleye.gif
Quit being a Toyota whore. iVTEC pwnz j00 now!!!!!!!!
 
OS

OS

Lifer
Oct 11, 1999
15,581
1
76
Originally posted by: NutBucket

A Corolla does not qualify as a car that handles well. Beam axle out back?
rolleye.gif
Quit being a Toyota whore. iVTEC pwnz j00 now!!!!!!!!
Click to expand...

You ricer, Honda sucks!!! :p According to here, the corolla posts the highest slalom numbers, smacking down the civic and AT's precious mazda!!!



 
Imported

Imported

Lifer
Sep 2, 2000
14,679
23
81
Originally posted by: abaez
mazda 3
Click to expand...

I'd love to get this car.. but from what I was told in the other Mazda 3 thread, it won't be out till December. I need the car asap. :(
 
P

pac1085

Diamond Member
Jun 27, 2000
3,456
0
76
Saab 9000 Aero (93-98)

Theres quite a bit you can do to that car. (Its 225 hp stock) And its all pretty easy (Bolt on 3" exhaust, ECU upgrade, bigger turbo (not really needed, but hey ;), free flowing air intake and a better intercooler, etc) I bet youd love how the car handles, too. My 9000 rocks considering its a stock suspension on it (want to get koni's some time though) TONS of space in the hatch too! The seats in the aero have to be the best car seats ive ever seen.

Pic1
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KokomoGST

Diamond Member
Nov 13, 2001
3,758
0
0
Didn't we just have a thread similar to this? Only restrictions were... no Honda and no Mustangs on that one.

If you like to autocross, the typical "autocross" cars are out due to their mainly sports car nature and you said no Civic and no Neon prolly follows that.

The A4 isn't really a good autoX car unless you tune the bejeezus out of it dropping a whole crapload of money just to make it into basically what an S4 already is. What's left is the WRX (ruler of the roost in STX) and BMWs mainly.

An older 3series should fit the bill nicely. The GTI is a good choice if you don't mind having a small car. And the 240SX??? Isn't that as close to a friggin sports car as you can get?? Might as well go for a DSM or even a friggin RX7 or Supra if you're even considering a 240...

Maxima as an autoX car... umm, no. That's even worse than me in my postively cambered FWD open diff turbo Eclipse with stock springs and shocks. BLEH!!! You're better off with an SE-R of some sort.

You might be able to pick up a Galant VR4 if you want a poor-man's Evo (4 dr sedan with AWD and 4G63T) and mod the living snot out of it (you can find decent examples of the car for $3-5k). Very easy to mod since it is a DSM cousin and all the major Japanese aftermarket guys make parts galore for it. Aftermarket is big and fairly cheap in comparison to the BMW aftermarket.
 
Nebor

Nebor

Lifer
Jun 24, 2003
29,582
12
76
I hear Mazda's pretty much pwn autocross?

I don't know anything about it, but I can go 0-60 in 5.4s.... Straight lines > *
 
Imported

Imported

Lifer
Sep 2, 2000
14,679
23
81
Originally posted by: KokomoGST
Didn't we just have a thread similar to this? Only restrictions were... no Honda and no Mustangs on that one.

If you like to autocross, the typical "autocross" cars are out due to their mainly sports car nature and you said no Civic and no Neon prolly follows that.

The A4 isn't really a good autoX car unless you tune the bejeezus out of it dropping a whole crapload of money just to make it into basically what an S4 already is. What's left is the WRX (ruler of the roost in STX) and BMWs mainly.

An older 3series should fit the bill nicely. The GTI is a good choice if you don't mind having a small car. And the 240SX??? Isn't that as close to a friggin sports car as you can get?? Might as well go for a DSM or even a friggin RX7 or Supra if you're even considering a 240...

Maxima as an autoX car... umm, no. That's even worse than me in my postively cambered FWD open diff turbo Eclipse with stock springs and shocks. BLEH!!! You're better off with an SE-R of some sort.

You might be able to pick up a Galant VR4 if you want a poor-man's Evo (4 dr sedan with AWD and 4G63T) and mod the living snot out of it (you can find decent examples of the car for $3-5k). Very easy to mod since it is a DSM cousin and all the major Japanese aftermarket guys make parts galore for it. Aftermarket is big and fairly cheap in comparison to the BMW aftermarket.
Click to expand...

The cheapest WRX I've seen was a 2002 for $15k.. had a small boost leak, but it was sold already. :(

I'll look at some Galant VR4s and older BMWs (Though I really only like the style of the 99+ 3-series..).
 
Ns1

Ns1

No Lifer
Jun 17, 2001
55,420
1,600
126
you can easily get a 97 prelude for that much (my current car)

240sx's are nice, but good luck finding a 97/98 in stick/good condition, it's almost impossible (i was trying to get one before the prelude)

besides, the 240's the new bandwagon car
 
StageLeft

StageLeft

No Lifer
Sep 29, 2000
70,150
5
0
That 240sx is dog slow without a new engine AFAIK.

You could get a 00 maxima for $14k, and probably even a 2001.
 
Turkish

Turkish

Lifer
May 26, 2003
15,547
1
81
Originally posted by: Skoorb
That 240sx is dog slow without a new engine AFAIK.

You could get a 00 maxima for $14k, and probably even a 2001.
Click to expand...

wtf skoorb, u r not banned :confused: and your sig :confused: :Q
 
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