JRock

Looking at imports but excluding STi or Evo.
Looking for a car to take to low 13s (high 12s if practical) with some style (still comfortable, reliable daily driver) for around $35k total. Probably not a reasonable expectation to have. =p

Lemme know what I miss:

Sedans

A4 1.8T Quattro
+AWD
+comes with turbo setup
-notoriously unreliable when modded
-general longterm reliability is expensive to maintain
-expensive mods

TSX 6spd
+price (for me)
+affordable turbo kits will become fairly plentiful
+nice interior
-exterior not all that great in stock appearance
-FWD

IS300 5spd
+six cylinder engine compared to previous two choices
+/- RWD (good for performance, bad for winter travel in this area)
-expensive to mod - turbo kits very expensive
-hit or miss interior design
-CD player sucks (jams frequently)
-unknown MY05 changes - could be more powerful I6 and AWD as rumored lately, or could go to 3.3L V6 (kills the mod scene) as expected

WRX 5spd
+AWD
+comes with turbo setup
+price
+broad mod community
-hit or miss looks
-hit or miss exhaust note
-notoriously hectic transmission
-ECU not easy to tune (likes to revert back to stock maps when simply flashed as opposed to piggy-backed)
-really starting out slow compared to other choices so requires more mods and more mods generally means less reliability: not good for a daily driver when heavily modded.

S40
-truly a nothing car until MY05 when they might offer a 5spd manual with a worthwhile engine


Coupes

350Z 6spd Enthusiast/Performance model
+great engine (even though dislike V6 exhaust note it won't matter when it's turbo'd)
-stock appearance (hate the front end and the door handles)
-expensive turbo kits
-so-so quality - many TSBs... small issues (some resolved, some not)
-cheap interior
-poor visability


Looks like nothing really fits the bill right now.

JRock

crap I forgot this under IS300:

+price (not selling well so can be had at or near invoice)

Slimey

Subaru Forester XT
+price in mid $20K range
+AWD
+high 13s stock
+STi engine minus larger STi turbo, IC, and ECU mapping (it comes with the same turbo and IC as the WRX)
+lots of STi/WRX mods available
+decent cargo area
-5MT in USDM not available with moonroof
+/- a lot of 5MT owners feel the 4.4 final drive too short
+/- pretty comfortable, but not at level of Acura, Lexus, etc.
-sound system reasonable, but if you are into premium sound you'll desire an upgrade
+/- OK rear seat comfort

We have the XT with Premium Package (moonroof/leather) and 4EAT and love it. It's my wife's daily driver with incredible 'sleeper' ability.

Folks seem to mod the Forester for either for performance (STi suspension mods, 17" wheels, STi intercooler, intake and exhaust mods) or off-road (bullbars, off-road wheels/tires, snokel, sumpguards).

Check out reviews/opinions on Subaruforester.com and NASIOC Forester forums. Lots of cool pictures too.

97-3-pt-OH-C-el

do you mind going domestic?

now lets see..... under 30k and in the 13 range? ever heard of a Trans Am?

JRock

The Forester is not a car and not interested in domestics. Thanks though.

ChadT

Get one of those with a 5 speed and put a turbo on it. Then you'd have something. Or find a Supra turbo in really good shape.

Slimey

Hmm, it says 'passenger car' on the VIN plate.



But I think I know what you mean.

farberstyle

um...accord 6-speed?

oonowindoo

SRT 4. it s techincially an import instead of a dodge.

+:
22K outta the door
NICE RACING SEAT!!
cool pedals and stuff
high 13 stock
lovely exhasuts tone
FMIC

-:
it s a neon with mitsubishi turbo
it s still a neon afterall.

Zapata

get a beater car for now. TSX is rumored to have turbo and awd soon. Prolly MY 05....wait......

suXor

IS300 w/turbo can be done for <30k

pimpscls

Id go with the WRX hands down or the Lexus

18anatak

350Z Greddy TT kit. End of story.

JRock

SRT-4 is a low $20k compact. If that goes on the list so does the RSX-S, and it doesn't.

Thanks, I knew I was forgetting something!

Accord EX V6 6spd
+240hp V6 stock
-FWD

Dunno anything else about it lol

Zapata - those sort of wild rumors are so incredibly unlike Honda/Acura's conservative model revisions I have little faith in such talk. Would be nice though. Btw, MY05 brings hopefully some upgrades to the TSX and also brings the new IS so wait and see is the plan.

03typeS6spd

I think you are better off with the new accord over the tsx, if you can find a 6-speed

the tsx engine is weak imo... id rather have the rsx

darrinb

350z w/ a greddy tt kit

cusdaddy

If you are looking for a fast/cheap car, go with a SRT-4.

Here's my take on the Z:

Disagreements with your assessment:

Reliability: Very good from my experience. The early first year models had some issues, but the majority of those issues are fixed either by the dealer or fixed for the 04 models. I have had mine almost 1 year and haven't hand a single problem. I also have 3 friends who have Z's and haven't had a single problem either other than window grease (easily fixed)

Visibility: Totally fine. When people first drive the car, they complain about this. But it gets better over time with proper mirror alignment and seat position. Now that I am used to the car, I have no issues whatsoever. The view out the back window is smaller, but you can see just as far back as on any other car.

FI prices: You can get a SC setup for less $$ than the TT setup, and there are other FI setups coming which will hopefully drive the prices down.

Styling: Subjective. I personally am not a huge fan of the door handles, but I got the car in silver, so you can't really see them.

Negatives that I experienced:

Ride quality: It can get pretty rough for day-to-day driving.

Space: Very limited storage space, and items such as cup holders & glove compartment are not ideally located

Interior Quality: Could be better, but for what the car is, it's fine for me. I do like the design though (real aluminum)

Mod Cost: Can get expensive to make really fast compared to something like the SRT-4, which is why I recommend that car over the Z for you

JRock

Except that it's the view of what's right behind you and what's just off your left and right rear quarters in adjacent lanes that you can't see. Not exactly an uncommon problem in a hatchback but it's exaggerated by the design of the 350Z's rear area. I'm sure it can be fixed with those little convex mirrors you can stick on the outside mirrors.

Except the SC is irrelevant because it's a noisy bastard thing and if I ever go FI it'd be a turbo setup.

Yeah it is subjective, but the only opinion that matters is the buyer's. =)


Dude, this is supposed to be a list of mid to high $20k cars with decent level of quality/luxury to them (the Z being an exception there already) and you're recommending a Neon? That thing's a piece of junk that happens to be fast. It's ugly inside and out. I'd take an RSX-S any day over that thing. But again they're both tiny cars that don't have four doors or practicality like everything else listed (the Z again an exception to the rest of the list).

The Z's just on there because a TT Z is badass. The rest are the more realistic choices for a decent car that can seat four or carry a decent amount of stuff yet can be modded. Oh, the S40 is currently an exception there as well on the mod front but it's expected the MY05 will offer more there.

cusdaddy

Look JRock. I already know you hate the Z, so I don't know why you even bother listing it here. Nothing I can say will change your opinion of the car, so I won't even bother anymore. The TT Z is a great choice, but it way out of the price range you are looking at.

Good luck trying to get the RSX-S or TSX into the 12's. Light FWD car and that much power = pain in the ass and not a truly enjoyable total package.

I mentioned the SRT-4 because it's the best bang for the buck currently. It's not a great quality car by any means, but the price/performance ratio can't be matched currently.

Good luck with your choice

darrinb

y dont u want a evo or sti

JRock

This isn't about what I want - I was just looking for what cars exist in that price range that are basically entry-level luxury sedans. I threw in the Z because it's a pretty cool car and twin-turbo really completes it nicely.

How much you think it would cost OTD to get a Z running on twin turbos?

I agree, that's why I don't understand why you would list the SRT-4. I didn't list the RSX-S, and the TSX is only listed because it's a nice car and there are rumors of AWD on MY05.

I don't think bang-for-the-buck was anywhere listed in the topic post as being important though. Just kinda curious what options are out there. Looks like TSX, IS300, A4, WRX, and Z are the majority of the choices for a serious car. RX8 kinda uncertain with that rotary. S40 is weak.

oonowindoo

G35C 6speed TT , forget about Z..

GreenMonster

Used Z's (performance and track models) are around $27K (with 10-15K miles in my area). I'm not sure what the new Z's are going for, but I'm sure you can get 'em cheaper then when they first came out.

+ 4700 for the TT kit + installation.

SO low 30's for a used 350Z TT or high 30's for a NEW 350Z TT. At those prices, a used Z06 might be another option (if you're looking at 2 seaters).

I really think that if I hadn't bought my CLS and was going to buy a new car today, the G35C would be at the top of the list. If the G35c eventually gets the AWD scheduled for the sedan, it'll be more attractive. You'll just have to get used to the interior.

JRock

Yeah the G35Coupe is money, in both meanings of the word though. =p

(Hot but pricey.)

I'd want to have a car and make it fast for the price a G35C would be (~$35k).

Crazy Bimmer

2002 S4

Plus most cars arent reliable when you mod it.


Gotta pay if you wanna play.

JRock

Nah, could just get an Evo or STi and drop $3-5k on it and run 12s easy. Just would be nice to stick with classier cars.

Crazy Bimmer

ok then just get the evo or STI.


havent you been shopping for like 6 months now Pick a car already!

Beltfed

Recommending a coupe.

04 VW R32.....buy go fast parts from below.

http://www.hpamotorsports.com/home.htm

JRock

LOL Jesal I'm not even shopping. I just like discussing cars man. At one time right after I sold my CLS I was thinking about buying but I've decided to wait until spring/summer at the earliest. No hurry right now.

Belty - yeah I'm sure 550hp is cheap. =p

Crazy Bimmer

:o sounds like you are shopping to me when we are discussing YOUR requirements

JRock

It didn't start out with my requirements but some posts asked for more definement so it had to be given.

I think we're all potentially shopping to some extent. Why else would we discuss other cars. Right now you are about as likely to buy a car as I am though.

Btw Belty, their inability to spell "vehicles" correctly in a main graphical link on their page leaves a bit to be desired. =p

Beltfed

Who said anyone needs 550hp, they have less expensive mods.

JRock

Well among other issues, it's a VW, the R32 is ass expensive, and it doesn't even come with every feature the European version does, so it's not even really worth considering. Besides, I would never spend $30k on a VW. I'd rather <insert silly statement here> than do that.

Crazy Bimmer

You can drop 5k into a s4 and be in the 11s. :P

Beltfed

They have a great rep, if I judged the people I did business with going just by their website.....I would have missed out on some of the best products on the market.

JRock

Well they have several errors on their page and that's just at a cursory glance. I've avoided plenty of trouble by avoiding people who can't even read and write properly on their BUSINESS website. :-p

Jesal - Yeah that'd only put the total around $50k. :p

Crazy Bimmer

:shakehd: :shakehd: :shakehd: :shakehd: :shakehd:

You will eat your words within 3 years. Oh and i would rock a toureg any day.

JRock

If VW can turn around its longterm reliability and expense issues in three years I would be happy to. Until that time I think I'll stick with non-German brands to keep my bank accounts happy. =p

Crazy Bimmer

you saying the Evo is reliable?

Beltfed

Only thing its missing that I know of is the HIDs.

Why not spend $30k on a VW, hate to inform you that $30k is the average new car price in the U.S.....hence, its not that expensive.

The R32 is built in Germany (vs. New Mexico), which is nice.