Looking to buy a Sport Sedan/Hot Hatch. Input?
- Thread starter Jinx18
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I would get the Focus.
Some other options to look into:
- The new MB CLA250 starts at $29,900, although after you're done piling on the options, you'll easily blow your budget.
- BMX X1 starts at $30,800 and it's RWD - that's if the whole idea of a powerful FWD does not seem too appealing.
- The new MB CLA250 starts at $29,900, although after you're done piling on the options, you'll easily blow your budget.
- BMX X1 starts at $30,800 and it's RWD - that's if the whole idea of a powerful FWD does not seem too appealing.
I recently drove the Focus ST and Fiesta ST. I would really recommend giving them a look -- you will be very surprised.
Used Lexus is350...add bilsteins and new springs...possibly tsw wheels.
Luxury car inside which is still surprisingly quick. Not to mentions it'll last u til the end of time even bouncing off the Rev limiter for 200k miles.
Luxury car inside which is still surprisingly quick. Not to mentions it'll last u til the end of time even bouncing off the Rev limiter for 200k miles.
You travel into NYC much? You'd be a fool to get the Focus ST with it's ridiculous nearly 40 foot turning radius.
Google it.
I'd get the WRX if I were you.
The Focus ST is overrated while the GTI is underrated.
Since some like to magazine race, why is the Focus ST the same E.T. in the 1/4 mile while being 1 MPH slower than the GTI?
Why is the Focus rated better EPA fuel mileage while the GTI does better in the real world?
http://media.caranddriver.com/files/2012-volkswagen-gti2012-volkswagen-gti-slot-car-comparison.pdf
Google it.
I'd get the WRX if I were you.
The Focus ST is overrated while the GTI is underrated.
Since some like to magazine race, why is the Focus ST the same E.T. in the 1/4 mile while being 1 MPH slower than the GTI?
Why is the Focus rated better EPA fuel mileage while the GTI does better in the real world?
http://media.caranddriver.com/files/2012-volkswagen-gti2012-volkswagen-gti-slot-car-comparison.pdf
[soapbox]
Originally Posted By: dwcopple
be smart. buy used.
^this x1000
You're 26 and said:
Originally Posted By: Jinx18
I also keep cars for awhile. My current car I bought new in 2008 and currently still have it at 93,000 miles.
That's not a long time. That's the amount of time to loose the most value to depreciation.
Unless you max out your Roth IRA and a 401k already, you will be much better served for the rest of your life to put some cash away each month vs impressing your friends with the latest car.
[/soapbox]
If I'm totally off base, I apologize. Test drive them all and get the one you like the most. Or save your $, drive a beater, and retire a decade+ earlier than your peers.
Originally Posted By: dwcopple
be smart. buy used.
^this x1000
You're 26 and said:
Originally Posted By: Jinx18
I also keep cars for awhile. My current car I bought new in 2008 and currently still have it at 93,000 miles.
That's not a long time. That's the amount of time to loose the most value to depreciation.
Unless you max out your Roth IRA and a 401k already, you will be much better served for the rest of your life to put some cash away each month vs impressing your friends with the latest car.
[/soapbox]
If I'm totally off base, I apologize. Test drive them all and get the one you like the most. Or save your $, drive a beater, and retire a decade+ earlier than your peers.
Mazda 3
'10 Fusion Sport with the 3.5L AWD combo. Bulletproof and stupid amounts of power. I'd search hi and lo for a black on black one JMHO.
http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/16/in-the-autoblog-garage-2010-ford-fusion-sport/
http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/16/in-the-autoblog-garage-2010-ford-fusion-sport/
Hermann
Site Donor 2023
for 30 large you could get into a Mustang GT now that it clearance time with lots of rebates. JHMO I know its not a sedan or hatch
I watched a lot of video reviews on the Focus ST. This would be my pick. People were saying this is the best FWD handling car they've ever driven. Car just looks great overall.
I prefer the looks of the Subaru and GTI. Like others said GTI is the most refined and easy going daily driver of the bunch.
I'd do the Focus, GTI, Mazda, and then WRX, in that order.
I'd watch this video, great stuff right here.
http://youtu.be/OISFrU4I_7s
Another great hot hatch comparison:
http://youtu.be/3oapP8qzehI
I prefer the looks of the Subaru and GTI. Like others said GTI is the most refined and easy going daily driver of the bunch.
I'd do the Focus, GTI, Mazda, and then WRX, in that order.
I'd watch this video, great stuff right here.
http://youtu.be/OISFrU4I_7s
Another great hot hatch comparison:
http://youtu.be/3oapP8qzehI
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Hard to beat the Ford ST. My only complaint is they don't offer the 2 door version here and you can't get HID headlights without leather seats. The Recaro's are excellent, imo. The ST offers low maintenance costs with quality that is at least as good as it's competition with German safety (it's really a German vehicle made here). The new GTI (not in US yet) is slightly better but will likely suffer VW reliability and maintenance costs down the road.
If you can go 3-door, Volvo C30
Similar platform to the Focus and Mazdaspeed 3.
Swedish interior can be a nice departure from the usual Japanese or German interiors.
It's not quite the hooligan that the 'speed3 is. Closer to the GTi in driver experience. 5 cylinder turbo comes up between the GTi and 'speed3 in horsepower.
The negatives? It is only a 3-door and Volvo is now owned by Geely.
To the best of my knowledge, it is still made in Ghent or Gothenburg though, not China.
If you must have 5 doors? GTi or Mazdaspeed3. They end up performing about the same in various categories, but they are very different cars. The 'speed3 is what many of the Honda fanbois dream their Civics will run like. Vicious and raucous. Kinda' sorta' the soul successor to the Neon SRT/4. The GTi is more refined, not always as much fun as the "Banzai!" 'Speed 3 but easier to live with as a daily driver.
Similar platform to the Focus and Mazdaspeed 3.
Swedish interior can be a nice departure from the usual Japanese or German interiors.
It's not quite the hooligan that the 'speed3 is. Closer to the GTi in driver experience. 5 cylinder turbo comes up between the GTi and 'speed3 in horsepower.
The negatives? It is only a 3-door and Volvo is now owned by Geely.
To the best of my knowledge, it is still made in Ghent or Gothenburg though, not China.
If you must have 5 doors? GTi or Mazdaspeed3. They end up performing about the same in various categories, but they are very different cars. The 'speed3 is what many of the Honda fanbois dream their Civics will run like. Vicious and raucous. Kinda' sorta' the soul successor to the Neon SRT/4. The GTi is more refined, not always as much fun as the "Banzai!" 'Speed 3 but easier to live with as a daily driver.
Gotta see and drive them all and see what you like best, of course. But I'm sure you're already planning to do that.
I bought a WRX (2011) because my "requirements" were:
- Fast/fun.
- Stick shift.
- Wagon/hatch.
- Not FWD (and I didn't want transverse FWD based AWD system either).
There's basically nothing under the luxury level (e.g. CTS wagon, 328i wagon, and those aren't as fast outside of the CTS-V either) that satisfies these criteria other than the WRX. STi and Golf R both satisfy the requirements too if you're willing to spend the extra money.
If I had to replace my WRX right now I'd probably just buy another one. I would also consider the GTI because it seems like it's a really well balanced car. The Focus ST sounds awesome too but I'm not sure I like the idea of the heavy brake based torque vectoring and other tricks they've used to make it handle more neutrally and try to minimize torque steer.
The Fiesta is an interesting car but personally I'd skip it for more power and more practicality in the other options.
In fairness, the only other car I've driven in the list is the MS3. Plenty powerful but I'm pretty sure I'd get tired of the torque steer. I'm sure it can be kind of fun if you don't mind it, but having owned a RWD sporty car in the past and now the WRX, I'm just more partial to cars that go straight when you accelerate and feel better when you apply throttle coming out of a turn.
I bought a WRX (2011) because my "requirements" were:
- Fast/fun.
- Stick shift.
- Wagon/hatch.
- Not FWD (and I didn't want transverse FWD based AWD system either).
There's basically nothing under the luxury level (e.g. CTS wagon, 328i wagon, and those aren't as fast outside of the CTS-V either) that satisfies these criteria other than the WRX. STi and Golf R both satisfy the requirements too if you're willing to spend the extra money.
If I had to replace my WRX right now I'd probably just buy another one. I would also consider the GTI because it seems like it's a really well balanced car. The Focus ST sounds awesome too but I'm not sure I like the idea of the heavy brake based torque vectoring and other tricks they've used to make it handle more neutrally and try to minimize torque steer.
The Fiesta is an interesting car but personally I'd skip it for more power and more practicality in the other options.
In fairness, the only other car I've driven in the list is the MS3. Plenty powerful but I'm pretty sure I'd get tired of the torque steer. I'm sure it can be kind of fun if you don't mind it, but having owned a RWD sporty car in the past and now the WRX, I'm just more partial to cars that go straight when you accelerate and feel better when you apply throttle coming out of a turn.
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Oh, one more thing to say about the WRX: It's actually got pretty good ride quality and is a decent cruiser car along with being able to handle. It's not gonna float over bumps like an old Buick but between the slightly taller sidewalls (45 series 17s instead of IIRC 35 series 18s on the MS3 for instance) and the slightly softer/longer travel Subaru suspension tuning it does quite well. Mine replaced a 2007 Civic Coupe (not an Si) and I specifically remember thinking that the WRX rode just as well or better over bumps when I got it.
I'm guessing the GTI has this going for it as well but the MS3 and the Focus or Fiesta might not be quite as good in this department.
I'm guessing the GTI has this going for it as well but the MS3 and the Focus or Fiesta might not be quite as good in this department.
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Originally Posted By: LotI
Originally Posted By: dwcopple
be smart. buy used.
Make sure you don't misread this and buy a used Smart
Haha good one!
Originally Posted By: dwcopple
be smart. buy used.
Make sure you don't misread this and buy a used Smart
Haha good one!
Originally Posted By: rationull
Gotta see and drive them all and see what you like best, of course. But I'm sure you're already planning to do that.
I bought a WRX (2011) because my "requirements" were:
- Fast/fun.
- Stick shift.
- Wagon/hatch.
- Not FWD (and I didn't want transverse FWD based AWD system either).
There's basically nothing under the luxury level (e.g. CTS wagon, 328i wagon, and those aren't as fast outside of the CTS-V either) that satisfies these criteria other than the WRX. STi and Golf R both satisfy the requirements too if you're willing to spend the extra money.
Don't dismiss the EVO so easily. In spite of being a "FWD based AWD system" it usually comes out on top vs the STi.
The big difference is that Mitsubishi doesn't make an EVO Sportback for the US market. Just 4 doors.
Gotta see and drive them all and see what you like best, of course. But I'm sure you're already planning to do that.
I bought a WRX (2011) because my "requirements" were:
- Fast/fun.
- Stick shift.
- Wagon/hatch.
- Not FWD (and I didn't want transverse FWD based AWD system either).
There's basically nothing under the luxury level (e.g. CTS wagon, 328i wagon, and those aren't as fast outside of the CTS-V either) that satisfies these criteria other than the WRX. STi and Golf R both satisfy the requirements too if you're willing to spend the extra money.
Don't dismiss the EVO so easily. In spite of being a "FWD based AWD system" it usually comes out on top vs the STi.
The big difference is that Mitsubishi doesn't make an EVO Sportback for the US market. Just 4 doors.
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