Hi.  I just found this site and thought I would give this a shot.  I was a big fan of Dave Coleman’s writing with SCC and always had a lot of respect for his point of view around vehicles.  So, I thought I might ask you guys for a little advice around my next car purchase.  Normally, I am very negative around “Which car should I buy?” threads on any forums, and generally feel that someone has to decide for themselves, but here I am……….

I currently own an 08 VW GTI (speed manual).  Some of my previous cars were a 1987 Ford Mustang, 1987 Nissan Pulsar NX, 1998 & 2004 Nissan SE-R, 1990 Mazda RX-7, 2004 & 2007 Honda Civic Si, 2005 & 2007 Subaru WRX………

I am currently looking at getting another car.  I am looking for one that I will, hopefully, keep for around 80-100,000 miles, if not keep for a really long time after it is all paid off and make it a dedicated project car.  The car will be my daily driver and will see, rain and snow, and crappy roads in MA.  I am looking for it to offer me a connection to the driving experience.  I value the drive and experience/joy of the man and machine connection over all else.  With that said, it will have to be at home on the highway and the back roads, as my commute to work is 40 miles each way, and I usually do almost 100 miles a day in total.  The car will not see any track or autox days, as I plan on getting a cheap fixer-upper/project car this winter to make into an autox car.  I needs something that will excite my passion for cars days after day, yet still be able to drive day in, day out without a concern.

At this time, the cars I am looking at are new vehicles, as I don’t want to be concerned around what someone else did to the car before me and I want the full warranty without having to add one myself for more $$$.  I need to stay under or around $25,000.  The cars that I have been spending my time thinking about are as follows: Subaru WRX, Mazdaspeed3, 2010 GTI (yes, I already have a GTI, but I like the new redesign and slight changes), Hyundai Genesis Coupe, Mazda MX-5 Miata, Mazda RX-8 (with rebates and dealers wanting to move them, the price is well bellow $25K).  I have also thought about the Mitsu Ralliart, but I would need an end of the model year sale to get it around my price range.

Well, there you have it.  Thoughts and suggestions are welcome and appreciated.  Thanks.

I'm more of a pre-owned guy myself as I'd rather step into a higher tier of a car for the same amount of money.  These are my choices in order of preference.  All of these cars hover around $25,000.

Pre-owned

• Audi S4 V8 
• BMW 330i (zhp)
• 2007+ Infiniti G35 Sedan

New

• MS3
• GTI
• WRX

Posted By John Brown on 11-23-2009 10:58 AM
Look and see if the last of the Pontiac Solstice GXP coupes are available. I drove one this weekend and it makes the Brown Stig sad to say the chassis has been killed.

I've never driven one but somehow GM figured out how to make a turbo 4 sound lame in every video I've watched.  Is it better in person?
 

Have you thought about the cobalt ss turbo? similar, if not more power than some of the cars you listed with amazing handling to go with it.

I am a fan of the EVO IX, IMHO, the best car for the money if you are not a lamer snob.

Posted By bdrecksage on 11-23-2009 04:44 PM

Have you thought about the cobalt ss turbo? similar, if not more power than some of the cars you listed with amazing handling to go with it.

Ah, the car i hate to love.  It does great numbers but somehow feels like a rental car.

Posted By smartbomb on 11-23-2009 06:57 PM

Posted By bdrecksage on 11-23-2009 04:44 PM

Have you thought about the cobalt ss turbo? similar, if not more power than some of the cars you listed with amazing handling to go with it.

 

Ah, the car i hate to love.  It does great numbers but somehow feels like a rental car.

 

 I will give you that, but i think it adds a little twist, cause you don't expect it to move. So, its always a nice surprise and unexpected. I agreed with the evo x, they are really growing on me. Wish i could afford one.

Posted By smartbomb on 11-23-2009 06:55 PM

I am a fan of the EVO IX, IMHO, the best car for the money if you are not a lamer snob.

I would love an EVO, but I can not come anywhere near affording a new one, and I would not really feel comfortable buying that car used.  I had a chance to drive a used EVO VIII once......probably my favorite out of all the cars I have ever had a chance to drive.

Posted By smartbomb on 11-23-2009 06:55 PM

I am a fan of the EVO IX, IMHO, the best car for the money if you are not a lamer snob.

I really love the EVO XIII and almost identical EVO IX cars.  For a daily driver I could probably live with the non-spoiler RS.  The RS slides under the "please pull me over" radar a little.  It would be nice if the EVO had a larger gas tank but any change to the car would probably upset the balance everyone gushes over.

Posted By PureDrive on 11-24-2009 06:46 AM

Posted By smartbomb on 11-23-2009 06:55 PM

I am a fan of the EVO IX, IMHO, the best car for the money if you are not a lamer snob.

 

I would love an EVO, but I can not come anywhere near affording a new one, and I would not really feel comfortable buying that car used.  I had a chance to drive a used EVO VIII once......probably my favorite out of all the cars I have ever had a chance to drive.

Certainly you'll have to do your homework but I wouldn't be afraid to buy used.  Those car's were ment to take a beating.  The key is to find the car that hasn't been abused.  To do this I would stay away from the cars that have modifications.  In addition find the car that has been properly maintained and whos owner has the service history.
 

Posted By smartbomb on 11-23-2009 06:57 PM

Posted By bdrecksage on 11-23-2009 04:44 PM

Have you thought about the cobalt ss turbo? similar, if not more power than some of the cars you listed with amazing handling to go with it.

 

Ah, the car i hate to love.  It does great numbers but somehow feels like a rental car.

I am jaded, I owned a 2005 Chevrolet Cobalt 2.2L base M5. Yes while the interior is very plastic, I can be happy to say I had a total of two unscheduled dealer trips. One for was a trim piece inside the trunk at 418 miles, one was for the headliner recall.

If I were a better driver and could afford the tires I would bet that it would have been very competitive in H stock in th eDetroit region. I say this because I would be within .4 of the daily dimes dropped by one of the better H stock Focus' while he was on Azenis and I was on stock Continentals.

I think you should keep the GTI. Some of the people suggesting slightly used cars over new - based on the value aspect - might not have caught the fact that you're looking to sell a two year old car.  I imagine you'd lose money at this stage in the depreciation game and therefore should ride it out at least a little longer based on your dollar. Plus I'm an old VW guy.

Though I've had two WRX's including my current DD, and there's a lot to like about them, I've never really *loved* them. In some ways they are a lot of fun, but in others they are a bit boring. It's a great DD, but there's not a lot of drama or excitement on a daily drive and the reflexes can be a little slow to boot. Unless you want to get into the modding game which you don't - in which case you might as well do a couple things to the GTI to up the amperage.

Posted By yo vanilla on 12-07-2009 01:28 PM

Though I've had two WRX's including my current DD, and there's a lot to like about them, I've never really *loved* them...

I've really enjoyed this thread.  I hope the author has as well!  I seem to fall in and out of love with the cars/motorcycle I've owned.  Narrowing it down to just one vehicle is tough.  Like many here I read top 10 lists from the experts and think "not even close."  For what I consider champagne money on a new car like a Honda Accord I drool at the supercars of yester-year on my beer budget.  The key on these aging supercars for me (and I assume many others) is to find one whos parts wont break the bank.

Posted By Sootfoot on 12-09-2009 08:52 PM

Posted By yo vanilla on 12-07-2009 01:28 PM

Though I've had two WRX's including my current DD, and there's a lot to like about them, I've never really *loved* them...

 

I've really enjoyed this thread.  I hope the author has as well!  I seem to fall in and out of love with the cars/motorcycle I've owned.  Narrowing it down to just one vehicle is tough.  Like many here I read top 10 lists from the experts and think "not even close."  For what I consider champagne money on a new car like a Honda Accord I drool at the supercars of yester-year on my beer budget.  The key on these aging supercars for me (and I assume many others) is to find one whos parts wont break the bank.

And that pretty much limits a guy to NSX, certain Porsche models, maybe in a few years Corvette Z06...

And yeah, narrowing it to just one car can about make your head explode! My list last time was all over the place from the Mustang GT, RX8, MS6, MS3, GTI, WRX, more. Plus I had a second list of used cars. I spend a solid 6 months narrowing it down to one and then I quick bought before it was too late!

My father bought a '96 Viper new for his daily driver. It's got 70k miles on it. He passed away last year and left it to me. I like my Miata for a daily driver. The Viper is just too intimidating...and expensive. $800 for a headlight assembly, $11,000 for a hood. That said, a 12-second car out of the box. Woof!

I was awed by my brother's 2005 WRX STi. What a car! Except the gearing, didn't like that so much. Out of place in a street car, IMO.

Posted By Slartibartfast on 03-08-2010 01:26 PM

My father bought a '96 Viper new for his daily driver. It's got 70k miles on it. He passed away last year and left it to me. I like my Miata for a daily driver. The Viper is just too intimidating...and expensive. $800 for a headlight assembly, $11,000 for a hood. That said, a 12-second car out of the box. Woof!

I was awed by my brother's 2005 WRX STi. What a car! Except the gearing, didn't like that so much. Out of place in a street car, IMO.

I'm not sure how the late model Vipers are but the early model ones like your's really have a tendency to swap ends with minimal use of the go pedal.  Seems like a fun toy to hold onto until you're tired of it or don't want to pay to fix it anymore.