New Car Time

[Ineffable]

Alright so with the passing of my baby (my 97 cavalier) which has been with me for many years and was there for me before and after my Altima Coupe was totaled I am in need of a new ride. Within the next week I will find out about a research position I am applying for at UNT (U of North Texas) so I could be moving back to Dallas. If this happens then I going to use my bike as sole transportation for the next month or so while I decide and see how X-Mas treats my new car fund. I am taking recommendations, I can't spend above around 35k (talked my parents into matching what I can put down since I am going back to grad school) I have am really liking the new Cameros but they are a bit much for what I really need. I would really like to get into an Audi 4 door or a C-Class but I am open. I am looking for something 4 doors and a little upscale as I will be driving it for quite some time. But once again I am open to just about anything if I like it and it gets decent gas mileage. So what does everyone here drive and what are your thoughts on it?

P.S. If anyone suggests a Prius I will gouge out your eyeballs with a dull pencil.

[CasterTroy]

I've become a HUGE fan of the MazdaSpeed3

It's not at ALL what I'm use too. I have a BMW 5 sedan and an exploder, and I'm very happy with them. Especially the 5 series. Perfect size and friggin rails. But with everything shrinking in the cities and parking getting so tight you need a shoehorn to get in and out of the car in parking decks I would like to have a car with a smaller footprint that can haul 4 people and haul ass

The speed3 does that VERY well without killing your kidneys like a Scubby STI

[Cutty72]

Originally Posted by CasterTroy

I've become a HUGE fan of the MazdaSpeed3

It's not at ALL what I'm use too. I have a BMW 5 sedan and an exploder, and I'm very happy with them. Especially the 5 series. Perfect size and friggin rails. But with everything shrinking in the cities and parking getting so tight you need a shoehorn to get in and out of the car in parking decks I would like to have a car with a smaller footprint that can haul 4 people and haul ass

The speed3 does that VERY well without killing your kidneys like a Scubby STI

I loved the speed3 when I worked at a mazda dealer, virtually no issues with it, and fast as HELL!
IIRC it was the fastest stock FWD vehicle in 2008.
Didn't get full power till 3rd gear, cause you were buring the tires till then anyway, even with TC.

[neebelung]

Originally Posted by CasterTroy

I've become a HUGE fan of the MazdaSpeed3

It's not at ALL what I'm use too. I have a BMW 5 sedan and an exploder, and I'm very happy with them. Especially the 5 series. Perfect size and friggin rails. But with everything shrinking in the cities and parking getting so tight you need a shoehorn to get in and out of the car in parking decks I would like to have a car with a smaller footprint that can haul 4 people and haul ass

The speed3 does that VERY well without killing your kidneys like a Scubby STI

When we car shopped back over the summer, the contenders were:

MazdaSpeed3
Civic SI (4 door)
WRX's & STi's (we opted for WRX cus we really wanted the Hawkeye Wagon)

All 4 were a blast to drive, and had we not found the deal on the wagon that we got, the '08 Mazdaspeed3 was in a close second place. SHIT TON fun to drive, comfortable, decent mileage, though not a hell of a lot of cargo room, but the rear seats do fold down, and oh yeah, fun to drive. The WRX was just MORE fun to drive, plain and simple. But it was a close race between the two.

As for killin kidneys, I've heard people say that about both the WRX and the STi, but I have yet to drive/ride in one that shook my guts like people claim they do. (we've had passengers in ours who said it's plenty comfy in the back seat, too).

And while I pick on Civics, the '08 Si was a respectable little car. I was surprised at how nicely the interior finish was especially. It just FELT much more solid and refined than I would have expected.

Any of the three (the regular Mazdaspeed wasn't quite as fun) would be a great choice.

[Cutty72]

Originally Posted by neebelung

Any of the three (the regular Mazdaspeed wasn't quite as fun) would be a great choice.

What do you call the "regular" mazda speed?

They have variations of 3 different vehicles

MazdaSpeed3 07-08-(09?)
MazdaSpeed6 06-07
MazdaSpeedRX-8 05

[neebelung]

Originally Posted by Cutty72

What do you call the "regular" mazda speed?

They have variations of 3 different vehicles

MazdaSpeed3 07-08-(09?)
MazdaSpeed6 06-07
MazdaSpeedRX-8 05

Sorry, I meant regular Mazda 3. Work + forum posting = fail.

[Cutty72]

Originally Posted by neebelung

Sorry, I meant regular Mazda 3. Work + forum posting = fail.

Standard 3 is pretty peppy too, as long as you have the 2.3L. The 2L is a big dogish off the line.

BUT, the 2.3L can be built to Speed specs later if you want...

[karl_1052]

Originally Posted by CasterTroy

I've become a HUGE fan of the MazdaSpeed3

It's not at ALL what I'm use too. I have a BMW 5 sedan and an exploder, and I'm very happy with them. Especially the 5 series. Perfect size and friggin rails. But with everything shrinking in the cities and parking getting so tight you need a shoehorn to get in and out of the car in parking decks I would like to have a car with a smaller footprint that can haul 4 people and haul ass

The speed3 does that VERY well without killing your kidneys like a Scubby STI

Fook the STI

Legacy GT wagon(or sedan, if you are so inclined).
AWD, 2.5 turbo, tons of room for anything, and a very nice looking car IMO.

[Ineffable]

Anyone know anything about the Honda Accords? Never owned a Honda and always had the perception they were PoS due to all the crappy civics I see on the road but that probably has more to do with my general hate for the idiots who think if they slap on a $100 bodykit they are speedracer

[RACER X]

Originally Posted by Ineffable

Anyone know anything about the Honda Accords? Never owned a Honda and always had the perception they were PoS due to all the crappy civics I see on the road but that probably has more to do with my general hate for the idiots who think if they slap on a $100 bodykit they are speedracer

we have an '08 accord EX-L w/ Navi 4cyl

1) don't get nav. it sucks
2) decent car, road noise is kinda high, but we think it's in the tires.
3) no probs in 23k
4) a few squeaks
5) 4cyl is sufficient power
6) avg mpg in town is about 23-24, 29-30on hwy