|
|
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 681
Member
|
Member
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 681 |
Originally posted by Eric: Originally posted by TheGSRGuy:
[b]RSX Type-S :rolleyes: hmmm.....such an insightful statement.
blake
02 acura RSX type S, arctic blue pearl/ebony
- OEM fogs, S2k shift knob, 35% formula one tint, injen SRI
62 chevy C10 fleetside pickup, tan
- stock I-6, 3-on-the-tree, currently immobile in my garage
former owner of:
98.5 E1 SVT #4910, silver frost
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 195
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 195 |
Try the new Mazda Protege. For a car that stickers for around 15k, it is a pretty stout machine. Handling is far better than a new civic. And you can still get a sunroof for that price!
Mushu's pretty cool too!
98 Black/Blue SVT
#3829 of 6535
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 249
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 249 |
~~~~~~Mike~~~~~~
Silver 2000 Contour SVT
# 1200 of 2150
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 2,587
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 2,587 |
If you are looking for reliability, the Focus may not be a good choice. I have been through a PS pump and a rack and pinion assembly and am only at 3000kms. Hopefully that's all over with but we'll see. I still love the car, and my service department is awesome so getting the work done wasn't a hassle. But from what I hear the SVT versions are having problems already, and it seems Ford service departments have a tendency to suck. I guess I'm just lucky right?
Another car you should definetly consider:
Maxda Protoge 5 (It was tops on my list but the Focus beat it out after taking them both out for a while, just personal tastes) Great handler, but it is dayum slow, like the Focus was. It does not borrow any components from the Focus so it should probably noe exhibit the same problems. Although the engine power ratings are the same they are not the same engine.
I am not fond of the new Civics but they are good little cars. I do like the Sedan, but find there are way too many coupes driving around, which turned me off that car.
If reliability is important, consider a Grand Am with the 2.4L. It is not very fast but those motors seem to run after alot of abuse. Despite all the 16 year olds I've seen bagging thier little Sunfire GTs, I have honestly never seen a Sunfire broken down at the side of the road. Also, you can get a 5speed with the 2.4L so it is worth a look anyways.
Finally, any VW Jetta (2nd gen or 3rd gen) will be good for what you are looking for. Just be careful that all the maintenance was done, If you take core of a VW it will run forever, if not they fall apart faaster than a Vega (maybe not that fast)
1996 Contour "Mean Green" (99-02)
2002 Malibu Blue Focus ZX5 - something to hold the PB 15...
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 3,223
Moderator
|
|
Moderator
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 3,223 |
Saturns are over priced!
Mazda Protege 5!
I've been looking a lot at them and they are winning lots of awards right now. Very fun to drive and a good price.
-Andy
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 4,983
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 4,983 |
Originally posted by SVTMike:
VW Jetta I second that. VW Jetta.  I prefer the A3. The A4 Jetta has been a bit more "tempermental" than the A3. Just make sure it was well taken care of. The previous owner of mine kept all maintenance records, so I know I got one that was babied! You could always get a TDI.... 
P. Valdez 1998 VW Jetta TDI 1.9L I4 direct injection turbo diesel 5 speed manual no mods, no money AIM:PackRatTDI My exhaust smells better than yours.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 304
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 304 |
What abou the non-turbo Impreza? Looks like the WRX with out the extra power and price. They were good cars b4 the WRX came into North America.
Black
"You are the all singing, all dancing, crap of the world" -Tyler Durden
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,087
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,087 |
The new CIVIC is a great little car... They aren't the quickest thing around, but definitely not the slowest.
The only down sides on mine are the 14" rims (easily fixed), rear suspension rolls quite a bit (RSX TYPE S sway bar will take care of that) and the stereo could use some upgrades (again, easily fixed).
It's gets great gas mileage, although the new Jetta TDI is better, it rides on the interstate nicely, it's got the Honda name behind it (which generally means quality) and it has a great aftermarket...(of course, the performance parts are lacking right now just because the dagum car is so new...
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 1,847
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 1,847 |
Nah, here is a vote for the SVT Focus. If any division of FoMoCo stands behind their products, it's SVT. Look at the 99 Cobra fiasco. You think that would have been fixed if SVT was not involved? No way. Ford would have said, "Too bad, so sad, but horsepower ratings are not covered under your warranty.". SVT made it right. Not many car companies would.
"When I take action, I'm not going to fire a $2 million missile at a $10 empty tent and hit a camel in the butt. It's going to be decisive." - President George W. Bush
95 Contour SE ATX V6
"Cracked" Secondaries
DMD Installed
SVT Brakes
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,264
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,264 |
i just would like to say that im also taking a look at you all's suggestions... turns out the SVT is a bad idea and I need to buy a brand new car- nothin used... sucks b/c I was really looking forward to buying the SVT but I guess Ill have to wait on that one  but all I really care about at this point in time is getting a new car! But Im going car shopping this weekend and Im going to keep your suggestions in mind so thanks
~!Rach!~
2002 emerald green Protege ES
dont hate b/c im a troll Im a 'tour girl at heart!!
|
|
|
|
|
