$34k and Below New Performance

[Rich]

No particular criteria, I just wanted to see where everyone would go with their choices.

I'm writing this before I vote, but it'd be between the Fiesta ST and 4dr GTI since I could use the practicality and have a Miata already.

I just built the 2 out and I'd go with the GTI, only 5k more the way I'd spec them out.

[2o6]

I chose Fiesta.

Audi A3 1.8 6DCT
You mean VW Jetta? Hahahahah fuck this car.

BMW 228i 6MT
Not as engaging or jovial in the day to day traffic. Also finding one that gets at the under 30K is nigh impossible

BMW 320i 6MT
Shit steering.

ATS 2.5 8AT
no.

Camaro 2.0t 6MT
I can't see out of it.

Camaro 3.6 6MT
It's like driving blindfolded.

Sonic RS 6MT
I love my LTZ a lot, and I think the RS is a nice car....but it's about 60HP short of where it should be to be a sports model. It's too slow.

Charger R/T 8AT
Is this a base charger? The only saving grace is.....well there is no saving grace. It's too damn big to be sporty.

Challenger R/T 6MT
God no. It's so ponderous to drive.

Dart GT 2.4 6MT
The Dart is an Ok car to drive, i liked the handling and steering, and the transmission is nice to use. However, the 2.4L is garbage in wherever it's in. This thing in theory produces 180HP, but I don't know where the hell those ponies are at, cause the car is slow. And the 2.4L isn't a very nice motor to work out.

Fiesta ST 6MT
Yeah. I wish it had more room, but this is one of my favorite cars out right now.

Focus ST 6MT
I like the Fiesta more, but it's nice too.

Mustang V6 6MT
Too spartan

Mustang Ecoboost 6MT
I used to hate Mustangs, but I really am drawn to the 2.3T...

Mustang GT 6MT
Nah, 4cyl for me

Accord Sedan Sport 2.4 6MT
Accord Coupe 2.4 6MT0
Too big.

Accord Coupe 3.5 6MT
I have a secret crush on this car.


Civic Coupe 2.0 6MT
Then you have to look at it every day....

Miata 6MT
Too small for my needs.

CLA 2.0t 7DCT
Helllll to the no. These things are junk.

350Z 6MT
Fugly, old.


WRX 6MT
I prefer 2WD.


BRZ 6MT
I prefer the Toyota, but I'd give it a look.

FR-S 6MT
Attractive pricing, I'd look at it.

Beetle 2.0t 6MT
Basically, a GTi, but less sharp. I've driven one - it's cool looking but softer than the GTI.

GTI 6MT
Maybe.

[Cookie Monster]

Have a Miata so would probably go with the WRX for practicality.

[CaminoRacer]

Mustang GT goes above $34k if you want the performance pack, so I'd be limited to the EcoBoost. Because of this, I think I'd go with the Miata (EcoBoost Mustang coming in a close second).

Camaro is out since it's just the V6, and if I'm getting a Challenger it has to be a Hellcat. Not a big fan of the new WRX (would rather have a 2005), and the BRZ/FRS is nice, but might as well get a Miata instead.

[MrH]

Yeah for that kind of money, I'd go with two vehicles. How about the new Civic Type R that we're getting soon?

[Raza]

Having a Z4 right now, there's one car that jumps out at me. GTI.

[shp4man]

Voted Focus because I've actually driven one, unlike the others. It's a kick in the ass. 

[Payman]

Can't seem to find my Fiat Spider on the list. 

After seeing (and hearing) the V6 Camaro on youtube, I'd take a serious look at it.

[Rupert]

Fiat will be under $34k?

BRZ is the only answer for me.

[12,000 RPM]

Tough call. For me and my situation right now it would either be the Civic Si 4dr or the GTI 5dr. But they both have issues.

Civic Si
- Weird gearing
- A lot of engine and wind noise
- Cheap, cheesy interior

GTI
- Described as "aloof" by a lot of reviewers
- I don't trust VW anymore

$34K buys a LOT of used car. I am pretty sure that is E90 M3 money. I would take about half, get an E90 335i and say a prayer every night.

[MX793]

If you're keeping the Miata, I'd go for one of the more practical offerings to complement it.  GTI or one of the Ford STs.  Maybe the WRX if you anticipate being somewhere where AWD might be beneficial in the winter.  If the 4-banger Accord Sport sedan is in the running, you might also want to consider the Mazda6 6MT.  A little more compact and much better looking and, supposedly, a better driver's car.

If not brand new, a lightly used, late model CPO 328i or ATS 2.0T might be attractive options.

[Rich]

I'm not buying anything anytime soon and I doubt it'll be new. Just having fun with polls

[Payman]

Fiat will be under $34k?

BRZ is the only answer for me.

What makes you think it won't be? The current consensus has the Spider within $1000 of the base Miata, and the Abarth within $1000 of the Miata Club ($26,000, $30,000 respectively). So I'd have both versions on that list before some of the choices, like the Bimmers and the Caddy.

[Rupert]

Seems optimistic for an "Italian" sports car.

[Raza]

Seems optimistic for an "Italian" sports car.

Because the Fiat 500 is soooo expensive, right?

[Rupert]

500 isn't a sports car.

[Raza]

500 isn't a sports car.

Point being that Fiat can't support a high price for their Miata-based roadster because they haven't built themselves up enough yet. 

[MexicoCityM3]

Ok, so apart from Char who voted GTI?

[Payman]

Point being that Fiat can't support a high price for their Miata-based roadster because they haven't built themselves up enough yet. 

Yup. The Abarth is $42,000 US in Europe because they upped the power by 30% (138 to 170) and the market there can support it. It wouldn't fly at that price here, so it got the Monza exhaust, LSD, suspension bits and trim, but the same power at 160, to keep it on par with the Miata Club.

[Payman]

Ok, so apart from Char who voted GTI?

I'm not voting until Rich adds the Abarth Spider.

[Gotta-Qik-C7]

I'd never buy a NON V8 Camaro but since I can only spend 34K the V6 gets my vote!

[CALL_911]

Assuming I can keep my GTI, I'll have to go Miata

Actually assuming I can't, I'll still have to go Miata

[12,000 RPM]

Point being that Fiat can't support a high price for their Miata-based roadster because they haven't built themselves up enough yet.

It's not going to cost less, at least not until FCA blasts it with some hood cash and cancels it after 18 months.

[Rupert]

Yup. The Abarth is $42,000 US in Europe because they upped the power by 30% (138 to 170) and the market there can support it. It wouldn't fly at that price here, so it got the Monza exhaust, LSD, suspension bits and trim, but the same power at 160, to keep it on par with the Miata Club.

When have you known these guys to make sense?

Until things are confirmed by Fiat, I don't believe any of it.

[68_427]

The engine and exhaust sound of the Camaro make it temping, but so is trying to haggle a STi down to $34K. 

[12,000 RPM]

Why o why on Google Earfh would anyone buy a new STI when literally any of the ones before it we got here will have the same drivetrain, infotech and build quality

[ChrisV]

Why o why on Google Earfh would anyone buy a new STI when literally any of the ones before it we got here will have the same drivetrain, infotech and build quality

Warranty and no one else has beat on it yet? Lots of reasons not to trust a used performance car.

[ChrisV]

Out of that list, I'm liking the ST cars, though I think the Focus is the better of the two for most use. I'd look at the Mustang GT and 320i manual, but in both cases, the versions I'd want exceed the price cap.

[MX793]

Warranty and no one else has beat on it yet? Lots of reasons not to trust a used performance car.

Especially used turbo Subarus.

[CJ]

Focus ST. 90% certain that's what my next car will be.