My car is (probably) totaled so that means new car shopping!

[Xer0]

Okay,

So I was recently rear ended in stop and go traffic on the highway.  This caused me to be sandwiched between an Odyssey in the back and an Explorer in the front.  My poor Civic did not fare too well and I expect it to be totaled.  In fact, I'm hoping it'll be totaled because I've kind of had that new car itch for sometime now and could never justify how much I'd lose on trade in, so this is perfect.  There's a possibility that it won't be but I'm an optimistic person.

So this means that I will be in the market for a new car.  Looking online, if I were to buy my current car (08 Civic, 50,000 miles, LX) it would run from 10-12K so I'm expecting 11.  I'm going to try and get another 500 because the tires are brand new, but I've never done this before so who knows.  Assume I have 11,500 to work with and the car is totaled.  Yeah yeah, optimistic but whatever.

Cap at about 25,000.  Can afford more, but I'd prefer not to go over.
Don't mind used, but since I'd finance a good portion of the cost and interest rates for used cars are much higher (like 3%+ vs 0-.9%) it would have to be significantly cheaper.
Prefer manual.  I was talked out of getting my current car with a manual and I regret it every day.  Don't want to make the same mistake.
Needs to be reasonable practical.

Currently, I'm looking at the 2013 Civic Si (my Honda Fanboy is strong) and 2014 GTI.  Both are in my budget, both are practical, and both companies offer recent graduate deals.  I graduated 2 years ago but it still applies so that's sweet.

If I were to go used it would open up the possibilities a lot, but I want to get something that's reasonably reliable.  For as boring as it was, the Civic has never failed me at anything and I want to continue that trend.

What else is out there?  How is this generation GLI? 

[CJ]

Just get the GTI and call it a day. You'll thank yourself later.

[MrH]

Brz!

[Laconian]

Wow... are you OK?

[Eye of the Tiger]

Eh, GTI. You don't have time to wait for the new Mazdaspeed3.

[68_427]

Fiesta ST and pocket some cash.

[Xer0]

Brz!

Its soooo tiny

Wow... are you OK?

I'm completely and totally fine.  I didn't hit anything, nothing is sore, airbag didn't go off.  Best case scenario.

[Secret Chimp]

If a BR-Z is "tiny" then you definitely need a hatch.

[MrH]

If the brz is too small, how about the frs? 

But I guess I'd go with a Fiesta St or gti then.

[Xer0]

If the brz is too small, how about the frs? 

But I guess I'd go with a Fiesta St or gti then.

BRZ over the FRS for sure.  I don't like the Fiesta ST that much; looks too immature.  Although they're only like 20 grand aren't they?

I do want to drive a BRZ though at least.  Who knows, maybe it'll be love at first drive.

[Eye of the Tiger]

Fiesta ST and pocket some cash.

Fiesta SE manual Ecoboost and pocket more cash.

[68_427]

Why the hell not

[2o6]

Focus ST

Verano Turbo

Base ILX

Juke SL



Plenty to choose from

[Raza]

GTI, but get a CPO one instead of going new.  It's basically the reigning champ in fun and practicality.  Or, go used for a 2007 WRX with low miles; you'll save a lot up front, but you lose out in trunk space and gas mileage, but AWD is good to have if you get snow where you live (I can't remember where you live).

The 2013 Civic Si offers nothing over the preceding model, so you'd be better off buying one of those instead of a new one.  Not like a Civic Si is going to feel old after 30,000 miles.

500 Abarth would be cool, unless it's too small for you. 

[Madman]

Just get the GTI and call it a day. You'll thank yourself later.

Eh, GTI. You don't have time to wait for the new Mazdaspeed3.

I concur.  GTI is your best choice here.

Focus ST is good but the styling makes it look as if it's just trying too hard.  The GTI is the hot hatch for grown-ups.

[cawimmer430]

Why the hell not? 

[CALL_911]

2015 WRX anyone?

[MrH]

BRZ over the FRS for sure.  I don't like the Fiesta ST that much; looks too immature.  Although they're only like 20 grand aren't they?

I do want to drive a BRZ though at least.  Who knows, maybe it'll be love at first drive.

Just take a lengthy test drive first.  It's what swayed me.

2015 WRX anyone?

That's a bit more than $25k, but that'd be my pick if you need more room.

[Madman]

Why the hell not? 

Well, there's a dealer in Atlanta who will soon be selling a remarkably clean looking 1980 example......

http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2014/03/hammer-time-rediscovering-my-inner-jersey/

[Xer0]

GTI, but get a CPO one instead of going new.  It's basically the reigning champ in fun and practicality.  Or, go used for a 2007 WRX with low miles; you'll save a lot up front, but you lose out in trunk space and gas mileage, but AWD is good to have if you get snow where you live (I can't remember where you live).

The 2013 Civic Si offers nothing over the preceding model, so you'd be better off buying one of those instead of a new one.  Not like a Civic Si is going to feel old after 30,000 miles.

500 Abarth would be cool, unless it's too small for you.

I was just looking at CPO GTI's and a 2013 with ~10,000 miles on it goes for about 22.5/23k vs a brand new 2014 at 25k.  The difference is so negligible that I'd rather get the new one.  But I'll inquire about both.  You had a GLI right?  Was it cheaper or the same price as the GTI when you were shopping?

Don't like the old gen WRX too much.

I concur.  GTI is your best choice here.

Focus ST is good but the styling makes it look as if it's just trying too hard.  The GTI is the hot hatch for grown-ups.

I currently have a Focus rental and I can't stand the interior.  Its trying too hard to be different and cool that it just looks annoying.  The rest of the car is fine, but the interior bothers me.

Just take a lengthy test drive first.  It's what swayed me.

That's a bit more than $25k, but that'd be my pick if you need more room.

New WRX would be awesome but, besides being closer to 27k, its also not out yet and I'm sure there would be no room to negotiate with it.

[MexicoCityM3]

New MINI Cooper with the 3 pot turbo.

[cawimmer430]

Well, there's a dealer in Atlanta who will soon be selling a remarkably clean looking 1980 example......

http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2014/03/hammer-time-rediscovering-my-inner-jersey/

That is gorgeous. I really love the styling of the first two Seville's. Classy, elegant, beautiful with a hue of sportiness - just a hue!

[Raza]

I was just looking at CPO GTI's and a 2013 with ~10,000 miles on it goes for about 22.5/23k vs a brand new 2014 at 25k.  The difference is so negligible that I'd rather get the new one.  But I'll inquire about both.  You had a GLI right?  Was it cheaper or the same price as the GTI when you were shopping?

I had a Wolfsburg, which was essentially a GLI, but with a different interior and front styling.  It was significantly cheaper then.  The Wolfsburg was 23K, the GTI was 26-27K, and the GLI was 29K, optioned similarly, if I recall correctly.  I was about to get a stripper GTI for 25K when my guy told me he had this and it was basically the same car and a lot cheaper.  It had leatherette, sunroof, AUX input, and the new engine (though the 2008 Wolfsburg was supposed to be a run out for the old timing belt engine, they put a few timing chain engines in; I think they made more cars than they had leftover engines) paired with a 6 speed stick, so I jumped on it.  I wouldn't hesitate to get another (and am currently considering a MkV GLI or GTI if I decide to go FWD).

If CPO and new are that tight, I agree, go new. 

[Xer0]

I had a Wolfsburg, which was essentially a GLI, but with a different interior and front styling.  It was significantly cheaper then.  The Wolfsburg was 23K, the GTI was 26-27K, and the GLI was 29K, optioned similarly, if I recall correctly.  I was about to get a stripper GTI for 25K when my guy told me he had this and it was basically the same car and a lot cheaper.  It had leatherette, sunroof, AUX input, and the new engine (though the 2008 Wolfsburg was supposed to be a run out for the old timing belt engine, they put a few timing chain engines in; I think they made more cars than they had leftover engines) paired with a 6 speed stick, so I jumped on it.  I wouldn't hesitate to get another (and am currently considering a MkV GLI or GTI if I decide to go FWD).

If CPO and new are that tight, I agree, go new.

I just requested quotes for an SI, GTI, and a BRZ.  So far the Honda dealer has gotten back to me and offered an SI for 19,800.  That's like 3k under MSRP.  Do people not like the new SI's that much?

Waiting on the VW and Subaru guys to get back to me.

[veeman]

its lost its mojo

[Raza]

I just requested quotes for an SI, GTI, and a BRZ.  So far the Honda dealer has gotten back to me and offered an SI for 19,800.  That's like 3k under MSRP.  Do people not like the new SI's that much?

Waiting on the VW and Subaru guys to get back to me.

Yeah, the new Civic has not been a hit with the enthusiast community and it got a lot of flak when the new Civic came out.  Mild restyle, similar specs as the old car.  Did not move the needle forward at all.

[Rich]

Why would you buy a new civic when you can buy a 2006 and have the same car

[2o6]

Mazda 3 Touring

[MX793]

Yeah, the new Civic has not been a hit with the enthusiast community and it got a lot of flak when the new Civic came out.  Mild restyle, similar specs as the old car.  Did not move the needle forward at all.

That's the problem with the regular Civic.  The Si has its own problems (in addition to those with the standard model).  A big one is that they replaced the 2.0L with the lower revving 2.4L motor (which has the same peak power, but a bit more low-mid punch) but never adjusted the gearing, so it's geared way too short.  The guy who's won the overall AutoX title for my region the past couple of years in a row in a ~06 Si just replaced his and he wouldn't even consider the new Si.  He ended up with an FR-S.

[Xer0]

Okay, just got the call from insurance and its totaled.  They are offering me 10,630 for it.  I didn't except it just yet and instead will be combing over their report to see where I can get more.