Cylo

I'll buy my RX-8 if I get a raise, if not I gotta go down to the 15 - 20K range. Which of these cars would you pick out of the 15-20K range?

eccles

The SRT-4 is interesting, but it's still a Dodge.

RotorGeek

I'd get the 6. There is sooo much room to put a turbo on the 4 cylinder

Elara

I'd go for the 6 or the Protege- but them I'm biased towards Mazda right now. The MINI is also really cool, but you have to get used to the tiny back seat and the weird centered dashboard gauges. I have also been really impressed with the interiors on the new Tiburons, but I've never actually driven one.

I would only definitely say no to the Celica- yeah, I know, it's not a bad car, but for some reason it's one of the few cars (the current MR2 Spyder is another) that I absolutely despise. But that's just me.

Hercules

Used WRX

Hercules

Or actually.... you could just lease the RX-8 like I'm doing

In three years if you're in a better place... then finance the rest. You will wind up paying more money but things are always MORE expensive when you don't have the money... when you have the money, an expensive item before might seem cheap.

It's all relative.

Cylo

This is my alternate plan for my lease of the RX-8. I never planed on buying it. Unfortunately my company does not pay me well enough (due to the economy) for me to afford to purchase it. I can't even afford to lease it unless I get a 20% raise.

llama

Ive never looked into leaseing a car...anyone care to explain it to me and in specific leasing the rx8

Hercules

If you know how to work out the details and bargain for the interest rate.. you should get the RX-8 with 2000 down, for around 400 a month. That generally includes GAP insurance (that's a catch-22 if you don't remember).

Cylo

Check out this thread: http://rx-8forum.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=2869

cueball

May I ask why you hate your spyder? I know sevearl people who love MR2s, but I never driven one.

lurcher

Mini Cooper out of that lot (although I don't know some of those cars, being UK-based) but check out the "Works" Cooper that's been making waves in UK car mags recently. Around 200bhp if I remember correctly and loads of other tweaks all round, looks like a seriously fun machine.

wakeech

i think i really just love the look of the Celica... not to mention that it's a Toyota, and well, has a pretty damned good set of everything.

... i think though, that second on my list would go the Tiburon, and maybe MAYBE that stupid SRT-4... that retarded NON FUNCTIONAL (don't ever try arguing different) hood scoop is el-retardo... i just repeated myself!! :D ahaha...

whatever.
yeah. Celica.

Cylo

Unfortunately only the base MINI is within the 15-20K range... the Cooper S is out of the price range.

fishsauce

you should add mazdaspeed protoge to your list if you can find one. sport compact car mag says they prefer it over the integra type r, it has a front differential and it should be easy to tune for more hp if you were so inclined.

my $0.02

fishsauce

i'm so stupid...i meant the mazdaspeed protoge has a front lsd.

Cylo

Actually that car is ALSO over the 20K mark at $21,000 for Base Retail MSRP.

RotaryXTypeSH

maybe a Lexus SC series....

FamilyGuy

I thought the Honda Civic SI was ugly until I saw one close up at a dealership.
I have no idea how comfortable it is or isn't, or how it rides. But now I think it looks awesome.


It can't hurt to test drive one, right?



On the other hand, be practical. If a $26,000 car and its insurance exceeds your budget, then a $20,000 car and its insurance doesn't give you much of a safety margin in case you need emergency expenses. I'm kicking myself, because my wife and I bought two $20,000 cars to replace the perfectly fine used cars we had. In addition to the $775 in payments, our car insurance increased over $100 more per month. To top it off, we were given a higher than expected rate on our mortgage because the car loans raised our debt-to-income ratio.
All told, buying the new cars has eaten over $1,000 of our monthly budget. If we had kept the old cars and put the money we saved in the bank, I'd be able to pay cash for my own RX-8 by next Christmas. As it stands, I'll be in the market for a used RX-8 in about five years. Do youself a favor and make sure you won't be repeating my mistakes.

max_stirling

I picked the Mazda6 as the best of the bunch, with the Protege5 and Mini in third, but if you include used cars the quickly becomes much more interesting. Though, the Mini is the coolest of the bunch price is deceiving, they are a lot more expensive then they claim and the truly fun version (Works) is almost $30K.

The WRX would definately be at the top or near the top of my purchase list if I only had $20K to burn for a recently used ride (2-3 years old). Of course you can go with even older cars, but reliability and maintenance will start to become a major factor.

A used WRX is a great bang for the buck vehicle, especially with the Evo and STi coming out. Many WRX owners will be tempted to dump their ride for a lost to advance in the arms race.

Personally, I'm going to hold on to my current ride as long as possible (until there are signs of major repairs looming). Spread out the depreciation and have a few years without a car payment and then buy my next car out right.

Cam

iTrader: (1)

Well I drive an 02 Focus now, and I do like it (not enough power though), so i'd go with the SVT Focus.

zoom44

i could go right down the street right now to the local scooby dealer and get a WRX for $4,000 under msrp which brings it in just above $20,000. just saw the ad today in this mornings paper. they have 4 on the lot and 30 more coming by the end of next week. moving them out to make room for the new ones.

of course i'm not going to do it, it wouldn't be prudent. i have to much vested in the rx-8 now and i know i would regret it especially when my wife started hitting me:D

dunny

I voted for the SVT Focus, but I'll third the recommendation for a used WRX. That or a used Integra Type-R are superb used values. Plus you avoid the steep initial depreciation of a new car.

And paradoxically, if you get one with low mileage, you chances of good reliability might be better than with a brand new car. Assuming the person has all the records, you know the car isn't a lemon, and any early problems that were going to pop up probably have (and hopefully they've been repaired).

Think about it: more bang for your buck, less depreciation, maintenance and repair costs that are similar if not identical, what's not to like about buying a used ITR or WRX?

Fëakhelek

Actually, the MSP is $19980 MSRP. After Destination charge of $520 it is $20,500.

I just bought one in Black Mica. After looking at a lot of choices in this price range I don't think there is any car that has such a good balance of features, looks, and performance for the price. In the real world it will keep up with most drivers behind the wheel of a stock Mustang and do much better through the twisties for $1000s less. Much nicer interior than an SRT, cheaper than a WRX, limited production, and nice exterior touches without looking "ricey".

Of course this is just my opinion and I did just buy one. :D