| Author | Message | ||
     Ohsoslow |
i figure this would be a good place to ask since i could get an open mostly unbiased opinions. here is my situation, right now i have a 2000 ford lightning for 5 years, which i absolutely love. the biggest problem i am having is gas prices, the thing only gets 12-15 mpg, that coupled with its going to need some major maintenance soon (i.e. front suspension needs to be rebuilt soon there is a lifter sticking from time to time when its cold.) on to the new car im not really looking to spend a lot because this will be a DD so no more than 12k on the price is capable of mid to low 14's in the 1/4 decent in the winter, it doesn't have to be great (i drove the lighting through a full winter i feel i can handle just about anything in the snow at this point...lol) good on gas, 20 mpg +/- (i know this may not seem good to a lot of you but im used to 12 mpg) preferably a manual but am open to an auto depending on make/model absolutely NO srt-4's, not trying to offend anyone but dammit i cant stand them i would prefer something boosted but again am open on this. thats about all i can come up with, i already have something in mind but want to see what you guys think as well. oh and i do most all of my own work so maint. costs really are not an issue with me, unless parts are ridiculously over priced. so badweb what do you think? | ||
| Thumper74 |
Newer Audi A4. A low mileage one is a little more than you want to spend at about 15k. It's roomier, 6spd, all wheel drive, boosted, etc. They are direct injected and get around 30mpg if you drive conservatively. They also respond REALLY well to a tune and basic bolt-ons, though the bolt-ons are a little pricey. The turbine housing is integrated into the exhaust manifold and expensive to replace, but the car is well sorted. It's on my listed since, for the time being, I work for an Audi dealer and a used one is cheap for me. | ||
| Crackhead |
Subaru | ||
| Daggar |
Saturn Ion Redline or Chevy Cobalt SS SC. | ||
| Fahren |
So, go ahead and spill the beans. Whatcha got in mind? | ||
| Whitetrashxb |
5.0 stang? | ||
| Jasonk |
Focus SVT | ||
| Buellriderx |
SUBARU!!! love those cars. | ||
| Swordsman |
This is on the super-frugal side of the spectrum, but my vote's on an old Saturn S series. Fantastic used vehicles. Run forever, body panels are dent resistant, paint always looks waxed, and my old '95 used to get 38 mpg no matter how hard I beat on it. Slow as hell and seats feel like they're whittled out of cardboard, but great basic transportation with a manual gearbox. .jpg) ~SM (Message edited by Swordsman on March 04, 2011) | ||
| Gnx423 |
GrandPrix GTP | ||
| Azxb9r |
Sooo... You want 1-14 sec. 1/4 miles 2-20+ mpg 3-Less than 12k Pick any two. A Mustang will get the performance you want in that price range, but not the mileage. A Subaru WRX STI will give you the performance and mileage, but good luck finding one worth buying for less than 12k. The WRX is a bit cheaper than the WRX STI, and still performs well...it just isnt as ferocious. | ||
| Bads1 |
The WRX is a bit cheaper than the WRX STI, and still performs well...it just isnt as ferocious Yeah if your talking pre 2009. The base WRX is actually just as fast in 1/4 mile times and some mag tests it actually edges the STI out. If your looking for mileage. A new WRX will get you about 18-19 city and 26-27 HWY if your nice to it. | ||
| 2008xb12scg |
I'm with the Grand Prix GTP, fast handle good and decent milage. Oh and not everybody has one. | ||
| Toona |
What about an LS1 based '98 or newer Camaro? Vette's of that era had the same engine, but are bringing a little more than your budget amount. | ||
| Hootowl |
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Volkswagen-Golf-GTI -2-0T-2006-VW-GTI-2-0T-TURBO-6-SPEED-LEATHER-SUNRO OF-XM-RADIO-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem3365406700 QQitemZ220742051584QQptZUSQ5fCarsQ5fTrucks It's got a few miles on it, but it hits your price range and fuel economy numbers, and they're pretty quick. Also appears to be a stick. I didn't think a 6 speed manual was available in 06, but maybe it was on the GTI. | ||
| Hootowl |
Also, that appears to be the stock 6 disk in dash CD/MP3 player. | ||
| 86129squids |
Convertible Yugo. Drop a sleeper motor in it, yuks all around! | ||
| Reepicheep |
2000 - 2003 Saab 9-3 SE (the hatch back ones). Got a 2001 two years ago with 80k miles for $7000. Love the car. Before buying, have somebody check the oil pan for sludging. If its not already sludged, you have about 4 hours and $200 worth of updates to apply, and you are good to go. 24 MPG city, up to 33 mpg highway, 22mpg pulling a trailer with two bikes. Turbo, heated leather seats, good brakes, factory subwoofer. Sprung a little on the soft side for daily driving, but you can fix that if you want. It'll burn up sensors every now and again, but if you do the PCV updates and run full synthetic, it should go 150k to 200k miles without much drama (and maybe even on the original turbo). At 135k miles, I have had to replace the mass airflow sensor, maybe 10 feet of vaccum lines, instal the PCV "rev 6" update, a new crank position sensor, a new serpentine belt, and three pullies. The fuel pump will be the next thing to go. | ||
| Thumper74 |
I don't know about the Subaru suggestions. My experience with higher mileage turbo boxer motors has been less that positive. | ||
| Firebolt020283 |
I would go with the GTP or a monte carlo supercharged ss (same care for the most part) | ||
| Cityxslicker |
84-87 Buick GNX, that is all. Carry on | ||
| Ohsoslow |
thanks for all of the suggestions! i was thinking about a WRX i have read about the oil consumption issues and timing belt issues. i havent been able to find an STI in my price range plus insurance is a bit steep on them. reep, thanks for the saab suggestion i will be looking in to these. city, i would love to have a GNX but it would be blasphemy to DD one through winter | ||
| Cityxslicker |
buick regal t type  | ||
| Pkforbes87 |
Sorry to divert from the original question a bit, but do you really need the performance in a car? By eliminating that requirement you can easily spend a lot less than 12k on something that gets 25+ mpg. I'll use my last 2 cars as an example: 1987 Honda Civic DX low 30s city / low 40s highway purchased for $500, sold for $500 1998 Ford Mustang 3.8L low 20s city / high 20s highway purchased for $2100, sold for $2700 Personally, I want my cars to sip gas and never break down. They're for getting me from A to B as cheaply as possible when weather or circumstance makes riding inconvenient. The bikes are there for the other 90% of the time  | ||
| Thumper74 |
PK, I'm in the same boat. The bike is the fast one, the car is there for groceries, picking up the kid, etc. I'd rather get good gas mileage than have something fast, since I don't really get to flex that muscle on the street anyway, plus having it is the temptation I don't want anymore. A Fit Sport with a manual transmission is a surprisingly fun car to drive, without being a gas hog and it gets almost double what your requirements are. | ||
| Court |
>>>but do you really need the performance in a car? I was going to ask the same question. If price is a constraint, I wonder why 1/4 miles times are important. . . .unless . . you are using the car to race, win money and make a living. The best, and by far the cheapest, car I've ever bought was by accident. I bought a 2010 Ford Focus (a down sized version of the 2010 Ford Fusion which was the Motor Trend Car of the Year) . . . . and I'll say this. The thing is CHEAP. I got something like 22% of MSRP. Driving from NYC to East Troy and back consistently yields 37.4 MPG with cruise set at 80mph. The car (the entire car) cost less than the option package on the Mercedes-Benz it replaced. The Ford has nearly all (heated leather seats, full Bluetooth, sunroof, state of the art 300w stereo with sub-woofer in trunk) amenities of the more expensive car. Just a thought . . . We were buying this a a "gap" car when the lease on the CLK-C ended and there was a 5 month gap waiting for the E-Cab . . but, for now, it's a keeper and will stay even when the new Cab arrives. | ||
| Larryjohn |
+1 on the focus. My 2009 replaced a subaru SVX and I was positive I would hate the focus. I bought it because it was cheap and gets good mileage, just what I wanted as a daily driver. I got a manual and the thing is a blast to drive. I also have the sync system which at first I didn't think I would care about but it is now a requirement for our next car when we replace my wife's Outback. | ||
| Court |
I couldn't live without the Sync either . . kinda nice having your car e-mail you a "Vehicle Health Report" when it doesn't feel well . . . or driving down the ol' Interstate with the Godfather on the iPod and the audio coming at you in 300w of surround sound. Not altogether bad for a $16,000 car. | ||
| Ohsoslow |
i dont really have a price constraint, just 12k is what i limited my self to. i dont want an expensive DD like i did the with the lightning. i also dont want a "beater" not that all of the suggestions were beaters but my experience with cheap cars, and i have had alot of them, is they nickle and dime you. i know this is a possibility with any used car. just in my opinion is more likely with an older cheap car, and yes even hondas. the 1/4 mile thing was just a reference for "sportiness" i guess. right now my truck runs mid 12's, i feel like going from that to a 100hp econo box would be like quitting smoking cold turkey. no i dont want to race, i have no intentions of even going to the drag strip with it. i just wanted to know what options i was missing is all and by all means a 14 sec car is not fast at all. (Message edited by ohsoslow on March 05, 2011) | ||
| Ratbuell |
Old-school 2.2 turbo Dodge - Daytona, Shadow, Spirit, Charger or Omni. Hell, there were even turbo Caravans and Voyagers if you really want a 'sleeper'! They made billions of 'em, parts are cheap and easy, aftermarket is strong, and a buddy of mine is working on winning the GRM Challenge with an 87 Shadow turbo (he took second overall last year). I've run 12s in my Daytona turbo with the only mods being a $7 valve to control the boost (upped from stock 9psi to 18psi) and a set of +40% injectors. Guys with bigger turbos (I'm building a 2.5 right now with a 70-trim garrett) run consistent 10s on stock bottom ends...and on the highway they're still totally streetable with mid-high 20s for fuel economy. And, like our Buells...they're "different" |
