Kinda shopping

[FlatBlackCaddy]

I sold my 540 a few weeks ago and i'm kind of car shopping.

Right now I've been enjoying alittle financial freedom. I've unloaded some items and with a large recent tax return i've got a bank account stuffed full of money.

As much as I love having cash sitting around(either in a account or in the market) I can't help but start to look for something new to drive.

Right now i'm hammering around in my fathers jeep, i've detailed it and fixed a few things for him. However I can't drive such a beast for too long. I'm a car guy and sitting up too high with poor handling and a confused automatic will only last for so long. With that in mind I have been looking at some classifieds here and there, I'm in no hurry at all.

I'm looking for something sub 20K, prefer to be in the 10-12K area so that I can still maintain plenty of on hand cash for other projects and just for financial emergency purposes.

What I need from you all are some suggestions, both statistically and from first hand encounters.

I'm having a hard time shopping for cars due to my requirements and of course the price range.

I want something fun, driver focused with average to better than average power/performance.

Utility is a plus, but not a requirement. This will be a year round car.
So far i have a short(very short) list.

Mazdaspeed3
Mazda 3s 5 door
Mazda RX8
Bmw 3 series

Anything that fits my requirements that i'm missing?

It seems that for bang for the buck mazda can't be beat.

[GoCougs]

Wow, everyone's rich on the 'SPIN.

I say WRX.

[the Teuton]

Wow, everyone's rich on the 'SPIN.

I say WRX.

Plus one, Cougsy. Plus one.

[FlatBlackCaddy]

Wow, everyone's rich on the 'SPIN.

I say WRX.

Haven't been following, so i don'g know what you are talking about.


Good point, and something I considered.

WRX wagon is certainly a top pick.

At this point I can't somewhat be drawn to the OVERALL package the RX8 offers. Though down on power, the balance and overall chassis performance seems to be what I really like in a car.

Subie's, tuned, flat raspy fours and AWD is very tempting as well.

Side story, I'll never forget years ago when i was outside at work smoking(long time ago) and i saw a bug eye wagon come flying out of the parts store on main street. Everyone for blocks HEARD this, I was lucky enough to see it. The unbelievable scream of a uncorked flat four and all four tires scrabbling for traction in a wonderful 4 wheel drift. 

[FlatBlackCaddy]

The thing about the RX8 is that 12K buys a pretty clean one owner 35K car.

Subies are hard to come by without tons of miles on them.

[the Teuton]

That sound is the sex. My next car will hopefully be a WRX or Saabaru...which are considerably cheaper for a better car...

[FlatBlackCaddy]

That sound is the sex. My next car will hopefully be a WRX or Saabaru...which are considerably cheaper for a better car...

Hmm, thanks. Forgot about the bastard saab, they did plummet and should be a nice used buy.

[MX793]

The thing about the RX8 is that 12K buys a pretty clean one owner 35K car.

Subies are hard to come by without tons of miles on them.

Resale on WRXs seems to be surprisingly good.  I saw a bug-eye for sale by owner on the side of the road last fall and I stopped to see how much they were asking, figuring it might make a nice winter rat.  I thought they weren't going for more than $8K at that age.  They wanted I think $12K for it, which seemed kind of steep for a 7-8 year old car with average mileage.  I looked up the book value on it and sure enough, that was in the expected price range.

[S204STi]

Yeah, resale rocks on those cars.

I think the MS3 would be a great buy too.  From all accounts it handles better than the WRX stock, and it should gain on one in a straight line (unless it's a tuned 2.5L).

[FlatBlackCaddy]

I'm thinking

RX8
Mazdaspeed3
BMW 330i
WRX
Minicooper S (edit)

seems to be the simple short list for used.

Possible new would be a GTI lease, though i prefer used for savings purposes.

[FlatBlackCaddy]

I've also thought about selling the Z and making dreams come true.....in the form of a F355.

[Rupert]

Oh dear. Bugeye is this:

[FlatBlackCaddy]

Red X

[MX793]

Oh dear. Bugeye is this:

I thought those were called "Frog Eyes".

[Jon?]

Resale on WRXs seems to be surprisingly good...

You're not kidding.  When I bought my STi brand new I got it for under invoice at the dealership.  When I sold it, it was for what I paid for it new. 

[FlatBlackCaddy]

You're not kidding.  When I bought my STi brand new I got it for under invoice at the dealership.  When I sold it, it was for what I paid for it new. 

Reminds me of my EVO, i beat the hell out of the dealer.

Bought it for well under invoice, drove it for 18 months and sold it for 3 grand more than i payed.

Still, all said and done, I wish i would have kept it.

[FlatBlackCaddy]

Back on topic I know we have owners of all my short list cars(save maybe the speed3). Would love some owners impressions on reliability and repair costs etc.

I can't believe rotor would miss a op to plug the old wanker....er wankel.

[Raza]

Hm...why not another Evo?

I can't imagine you in a GTI.  If you're going to buy new, the new widebody WRX looks pretty damn good. 

[The Pirate]

I lust after a Mazdaspeed3.

[FlatBlackCaddy]

Hm...why not another Evo?

I can't imagine you in a GTI.  If you're going to buy new, the new widebody WRX looks pretty damn good. 

Alittle higher in price, though i haven't looked.

The reality is that I got good money for my evo because there are none around this area. At best I would have the pick of maybe 2-3, not a good buying position to be in.

I like(really like) the new GTI, while I despise most other(not your, the younger beat up jetta kids) owners I could look past if for a good car.

I would be leasing, not buying(though probably buying the lease at the end). This is another thing that makes the GTI attractive. With low lease rates it is a damn good car for the money.

Frankly, considering your raza, i'm surprised you didn't push me on the financially wreckles emotional decision of the F355.

[FlatBlackCaddy]

I lust after a Mazdaspeed3.

I want the first gen.  Not just for price reasons but i prefer the front end design.

sadly everyone in my area is red, Black is all i would go for.

[Raza]

Alittle higher in price, though i haven't looked.

The reality is that I got good money for my evo because there are none around this area. At best I would have the pick of maybe 2-3, not a good buying position to be in.

I like(really like) the new GTI, while I despise most other(not your, the younger beat up jetta kids) owners I could look past if for a good car.

I would be leasing, not buying(though probably buying the lease at the end). This is another thing that makes the GTI attractive. With low lease rates it is a damn good car for the money.

Frankly, considering your raza, i'm surprised you didn't push me on the financially wreckles emotional decision of the F355.

I'm really tired.  I'm off my game.  I'm leasing to buy my Jetta as well; good way to keep your initial costs down, though many here are against leases.  I think the GTI is a great car, but you already know how I feel about Volkswagen, so I didn't feel the need to say it again. 

As far as the 355...great car, gorgeous, and insane.  They're still running in the 90K range, aren't they?  At that price, you could lease a GTI for a daily driver and buy a last generation Maserati Spyder and still have money left over.   

And the Mazdaspeed3.  It's a cool car and all, but I don't get the worship. Good looking, quick, and they handle well, sure, but it seems like you could do better for the money.  I didn't even bother shopping one in 2008.  I'd much rather have a Civic Si sedan. 

[Rupert]

I thought those were called "Frog Eyes".

In the UK, they are. In the States, it's Bugeye.

[Rupert]

Red X

Fixed with a new picture.

[Raza]

Fixed with a new picture.

[FlatBlackCaddy]

I'm really tired.  I'm off my game.  I'm leasing to buy my Jetta as well; good way to keep your initial costs down, though many here are against leases.  I think the GTI is a great car, but you already know how I feel about Volkswagen, so I didn't feel the need to say it again. 

As far as the 355...great car, gorgeous, and insane.  They're still running in the 90K range, aren't they?  At that price, you could lease a GTI for a daily driver and buy a last generation Maserati Spyder and still have money left over.   

And the Mazdaspeed3.  It's a cool car and all, but I don't get the worship. Good looking, quick, and they handle well, sure, but it seems like you could do better for the money.  I didn't even bother shopping one in 2008.  I'd much rather have a Civic Si sedan. 

F355's from the mid 40's, clean, private party.

Blasting through the countryside at 7500rpm's in a ferrari, priceless.

The MS3 is attractive because of the performance(raw, compared to a GTI) and the price of entry plus alittle of that 5 door utility.

I have no doubt the GTI is a more refined package, though early gens are either half assed(1.8's, IMO) or ugly(previous GTI's front bumper).

[Rupert]

It's a stretch, I know.

[FlatBlackCaddy]

It's a stretch, I know.

Strudel anyone?

[Eye of the Tiger]

Get a shooting brake.

[The Pirate]

I want the first gen.  Not just for price reasons but i prefer the front end design.

sadly everyone in my area is red, Black is all i would go for.

Oh yeah, first gen for me too, for the same reasons.  I just wish it had a sunroof.