yet another 20k car thread....but want HP over MPG....and domestics welcome. :D

[railer]

Arggg. I've been wanting a Pontiac G8 GT for a couple of years now. I just think they look badass, and they're virtually unheard of in my neck of the woods....which is kind of cool.

But, I really don't need a 4 door. I also don't need it to be RWD. I really don't care FWD vs RWD vs AWD.

And now that I have the money to spend, I've having a bit of car-buyers dysfunction I guess because I don't know what to pull the trigger on.

I could probably pick up a late model Mustang (the Camaro doesn't really do it for me), but those Mustangs are literally as common as nails around me. Everyone has a Mustang.
I am not opposed to an import, but I find most of them to be a little fruity looking, honestly. I was on a Maxima kick a few years ago, but the more I see them the more I think of them as a wife car.

I would consider an Evo or WRX, but usually people buy them to beat the hell out of (IMO), so that's a consideration. I do not have the personality to drive a German car. I find them to be too pretentious. Getting behind the wheel of an Infinity or Acura would be tough, but I could pull it off.

I guess my short list right now is:
CTS DI
G8 GT
Mustang GT

I actually thought about a Grand Prix GXP (303 hp), but for the money required for that (probably 13k or so), I'm not going to be stuck in an old w-body.

Or maybe I'll just say the hell with it and get a 390 hp Dodge Ram and call it a day.

Any advice is appreciated. If I don’t buy a car soon I’ll end up spending the money on my house….and that would be unfortunate.

Oh, and my commute to work is about 5 miles. So, 15 mpg is just fine. Anything over 300hp would do the trick nicely.

 

[RavenSEAL]

G8 GTs are really beautiful cars, would take one over a mustang personally.

 

[vi edit]

Another huge fan of the G8 here as well. Would love to own a GT G8.

 

[jlee]

CTS-V is definitely an option.

 

[power_hour]

slightly used Vette vert ... enjoy being late to work in the morning as you stare at it

 

[DigDog]

my advice is completely OT here, but since it's the same advice i give - always - in these threads, here it is:

if you want comfort, functionality, blah blah all the good and "sensible" stuff, get a 2nd hand BMW 318 or a cheap merc.
if you want speed, get a bike.

car+speed makes no sense. it's like saying "i'm looking for a laptop to do folding on".

 

[sdifox]

fwd + big hp = bad news

 

[jlee]

my advice is completely OT here, but since it's the same advice i give - always - in these threads, here it is:

if you want comfort, functionality, blah blah all the good and "sensible" stuff, get a 2nd hand BMW 318 or a cheap merc.
if you want speed, get a bike.

car+speed makes no sense. it's like saying "i'm looking for a laptop to do folding on".

Except you won't be nearly as comfortable when it's 115° outside. Or raining. Or 30° outside. Or with three passengers. Or hell, trying to have a conversation with one passenger. Etc.

 

[Fenixgoon]

my advice is completely OT here, but since it's the same advice i give - always - in these threads, here it is:

if you want comfort, functionality, blah blah all the good and "sensible" stuff, get a 2nd hand BMW 318 or a cheap merc.
if you want speed, get a bike.

car+speed makes no sense. it's like saying "i'm looking for a laptop to do folding on".

sure it does. you can't autocross a motorcycle (unless you're a god). try as you might, you cant really transport 4 people and have stuff in the trunk.

a car with reasonable speed and handling can be plenty of fun. if the OP is expecting to get motorcycle-like speeds, then he needs to temper his expectations.


+1 for G8 GT, CTS-V, etc.

 

[IcePickFreak]

Well, wouldn't talk you out of a G8 GT. I have no kids but still like having the four doors, tons trunk space etc. If you really don't want the four doors though, how about a GTO? Look for a 05 or 06 so you get the LS2. You could go for a manual trans then too, unlike the G8 where you'd have to step up to a GXP for notably more $$. They are a bit more raw though in their power delivery.

 

[saratoga172]

I was in the same boat. Single, no kids, no one to tote around, I had no need for 4 doors. I was really into coupes when looking at new cars...also had only had coupes prior. Now since I've had my 4 door Mazda 3 for over a year, I really like the 4 doors. There have been countless times where I throw something in the back seat that is much easier because of the door. Or times when we go to lunch with some guys from work and I have plenty of room.

I Would definitely be fine with a coupe, but the 4 door is actually nice.

I love the styling of the G8's. I'd love to get one. Especially the GT. I say do it if you find a nice, low mileage one. Otherwise check out the CTS-V...around 04-05 or so. Jlee just got one that he seems to like.

I'm personally a fan of the G35/G37's.

My list:
Mustang GT cheap for mods, CTS-V, G35/G37, 350z, G8 GT, WRX

 

[DigDog]

i stand by what i said, and you help me prove it; you can't do "sensible" things on a bike, like talk to people, carry stuff, or not get wet.

if sensible is what you are looking for, then a low-mileage, will-never-break beemer or merc from 2005 is possibly the best investment. anything else and you have to make major compromises.

4 wheels+4 door+ 300hp+ doesnt break every week + diamond steering wheel = 20k ? think not

but then again a 2006 BMW 325i 3.0 can be had for $12k, then modded.
random link : http://www.edmunds.com/bmw/3-series/2006/

mind you these cars come out of the factory with engines that will run 130k miles as new.

edit:

jaguar: 300hp from the v6, expensive to maintain, breaks constantly.
audi: up to 400hp from a 1.8L, but mpg is ludicrous. or the 4.2L, but mpg is for millionaires. random link : http://www.motortrend.com/ni/used_cars/14/2005/audi/a6/42/california/dublin/1039922/2869/ ($18k)
list goes on. european cars tend to be .. better .. than US made, for the price. older, larger engines in the US are viewed as classics, euro large engine cars are viewed as tax-on-wheels, so they tend to be cheaper; a maserati quattroporte from the 80s is sold in the US as a classic at $13k, in Italy at $800. same car.

 

[DigDog]

still looking ...

 

[nerp]

Charger.

 

[Zargon]

i stand by what i said, and you help me prove it; you can't do "sensible" things on a bike, like talk to people, carry stuff, or not get wet.

if sensible is what you are looking for, then a low-mileage, will-never-break beemer or merc from 2005 is possibly the best investment. anything else and you have to make major compromises.

so either sensible or a bike?

thats stupid.

sure its why I bought a truck over a sports car, but I already have bikes.....and I still would like vette, for when ya know.....weather strikes, or its too hot or cold to ride

 

[jlee]

4 wheels+4 door+ 300hp+ doesnt break every week + diamond steering wheel = 20k ? think not

I've got everything except the diamond steering wheel sitting in my driveway. Easily found under $20k.

 

[railer]

You've got a V, jlee? I do like the 2nd gen v's a lot, but obviously I'm not going to get an 09 V (don't think they made them in 08) for anywhere near 20k. I could pick up an 05 V for 20k pretty easily. I guess the nice thing about the 09 GT vs the 05 V, although the GT is down a bit on HP, I'd have the 5/100k powertrainn warranty on the GT.
I do like the bike idea....but I can pick up a cheap mid-2000's 600cc bike for only a few grand. I still need a nice, fast car. That's right..."need".

 

[jlee]

You've got a V, jlee? I do like the 2nd gen v's a lot, but obviously I'm not going to get an 09 V (don't think they made them in 08) for anywhere near 20k. I could pick up an 05 V for 20k pretty easily. I guess the nice thing about the 09 GT vs the 05 V, although the GT is down a bit on HP, I'd have the 5/100k powertrainn warranty on the GT.
I do like the bike idea....but I can pick up a cheap mid-2000's 600cc bike for only a few grand. I still need a nice, fast car. That's right..."need".

Indeed I do

 

[p_monks33]

GTO is a good choice. I have had 2 of them. Only downside I see with them is they are a bear to launch. IRS sucks and hops all over the place if you make decent power. An easy 800 dollar fix though get some gforce halfshafts. I had a cammed 04 that put down 400 to the wheels and now I have a bolt-on 05 that makes about 380. They are fun and fast cars.

 

[railer]

Indeed I do

yea OK.....an 04 V for $12k? I'd buy two at that price. I did find an 07 V near me (on ebay) for $16k....but it's got 125k or so miles.

Edmunds lists them as being pretty affordable, but I guess the people selling them around me don't have internet access, because 04-06 V's seem to be pushing $20k.

 

[jlee]

Haha, I did happen into an almost impossible deal, but looking around on Autotrader they can be found for well under $20k.

Maybe I should list mine in your area and make $7k

 

[HarryLui]

Test drive, test drive, and test drive. Go to used car dealers and test drive everything that might peak your interest.

 

[Sidekicknichola]

IS350 ?

300+ HP - plush interior, lots of neat gizmo things, toyota guts make it pretty reliable, and 30 mpg

*Note the owners goggles*

 

[vi edit]

After looking at the Autoshow this weekend...what about a Hyundai Genesis Coupe?

 

[nicolaskl]

i stand by what i said, and you help me prove it; you can't do "sensible" things on a bike, like talk to people, carry stuff, or not get wet.

if sensible is what you are looking for, then a low-mileage, will-never-break beemer or merc from 2005 is possibly the best investment. anything else and you have to make major compromises.

4 wheels+4 door+ 300hp+ doesnt break every week + diamond steering wheel = 20k ? think not

but then again a 2006 BMW 325i 3.0 can be had for $12k, then modded.
random link : http://www.edmunds.com/bmw/3-series/2006/

mind you these cars come out of the factory with engines that will run 130k miles as new.

edit:

jaguar: 300hp from the v6, expensive to maintain, breaks constantly.
audi: up to 400hp from a 1.8L, but mpg is ludicrous. or the 4.2L, but mpg is for millionaires. random link : http://www.motortrend.com/ni/used_cars/14/2005/audi/a6/42/california/dublin/1039922/2869/ ($18k)
list goes on. european cars tend to be .. better .. than US made, for the price. older, larger engines in the US are viewed as classics, euro large engine cars are viewed as tax-on-wheels, so they tend to be cheaper; a maserati quattroporte from the 80s is sold in the US as a classic at $13k, in Italy at $800. same car.

Complete BS on multiple fronts.

1. Running a 12 1/4 in my Shelby is just as fun, if not more, than running a 10 on my ZX-6. They're both amazing, for different reasons. Of course a motorcycle has more performance for less money, that doesn't make high performance cars pointless and stupid. They're just different, better in some ways, worse in others.

2. I'd rather have the clap than a 7 year old Mercedes.

3. Better for the price? What does Europe have that competes, for the price, with the Corvette? Or the Mustang? Which VW is more reliable than a Focus, or a Fusion?