$20K for a more powerful DD.... WWCSD?

[12,000 RPM]

I still prefer the used 6 cylinder sports sedan idea. I want to wait for Honda to do a made model facelift before committing to the Civic. I don't want to be a guinea pig for the new turbo engine. Plus we can see if they fix the horrible horrible back end. And in any case 6 is always greater than 4. If I can live with an automatic, there won't be any reason to get a turbo Civic.

[2o6]

The Civic is a really sharp drive, I liked it more than the Mazda 3. Also Honda has some deals.

[MrH]

You don't want to "be a guinea pig" for a new turbo engine from Honda, but you're considering a 200?  That's like being a guinea pig, but it applies to all aspects of the car.

[ifcar]

I still prefer the used 6 cylinder sports sedan idea. I want to wait for Honda to do a made model facelift before committing to the Civic. I don't want to be a guinea pig for the new turbo engine. Plus we can see if they fix the horrible horrible back end. And in any case 6 is always greater than 4. If I can live with an automatic, there won't be any reason to get a turbo Civic.

Em pee gees.

[CaminoRacer]

You don't want to "be a guinea pig" for a new turbo engine from Honda, but you're considering a 200?  That's like being a guinea pig, but it applies to all aspects of the car.

[12,000 RPM]

You don't want to "be a guinea pig" for a new turbo engine from Honda, but you're considering a 200?  That's like being a guinea pig, but it applies to all aspects of the car.

I think most of the major stuff (engine, transmission, electronics) was vetted in other cars. Plus factory warranty (though it's a crapshoot that FCA will be around to honor it)

I really just wanted to post a pic of a slammed 200

[MrH]

Vetted means something totally different to FCA than it does to Honda

[2o6]

I think most of the major stuff (engine, transmission, electronics) was vetted in other cars. Plus factory warranty (though it's a crapshoot that FCA will be around to honor it)

I really just wanted to post a pic of a slammed 200

The 3.6L is ok


but the 9AT is garbage

and the 2.4 is flaming garbage. And it's on a stretched compact car platform and it has no room.



Don't do it

[Soup DeVille]

Vetted means something totally different to FCA than it does to Honda

It means the lead designer gets to buy a Vette?

[CaminoRacer]

It means the lead designer gets to buy a Vette?

Is that the adult version of being slimed on Nickelodeon?

[Raza]

Volvo C30 T5.

[12,000 RPM]

Volvo C30 T5.

*looks in mirror*

*does not see Scandinavian architect*

[MrH]

[Raza]

*looks in mirror*

*does not see Scandinavian architect*

Hey, you can buy something boring or you can go for it, for possibly the last time before you have kids. Don't give in to the boring before you have to.

[MX793]

With a few relatively minor tweaks, the C30 T5 can be transformed into the closest thing to a Gen 2 Focus RS you can get in North America, but in a more attractive, Swedish suit.  Same basic platform and same engine (in a different state of tune).  And I5 has decent character.

[12,000 RPM]

Hey, you can buy something boring or you can go for it, for possibly the last time before you have kids. Don't give in to the boring before you have to.

There are dads with interesting cars. Also, motorcycle. Might be time to change the sig pic

[Cookie Monster]

There's a T5 Polestar for sale here in the low $20k's that looks beautiful. I'd give it a look for sure.

It's such a cleanly styled car and fairly unique, too.

[FoMoJo]

With a few relatively minor tweaks, the C30 T5 can be transformed into the closest thing to a Gen 2 Focus RS you can get in North America, but in a more attractive, Swedish suit.  Same basic platform and same engine (in a different state of tune).  And I5 has decent character.

Good suggestion.

[CaminoRacer]

The Focus had an I5? Interesting.

[FoMoJo]

The Focus had an I5? Interesting.

The Euro version, I believe.

[MX793]

The Focus had an I5? Interesting.

The second generation ST and RS used the Volvo I5 turbo.  North America never got the 2nd gen Focus at all (ours was the ugly, facelifted 1st generation), but we did get its platform-mates: 1st generation Mazda3 and Volvo S40/C30/V50.

[Madman]

A guy down the street from me has a black C30 and it still catches my eye every time I drive past it.  It's a very under-the-radar hot hatch!  The car has lots of details which hark back to the 1800 ES and the 480, most of which will be known only to the hardcore Volvo cognoscenti.

Pity it didn't sell because nobody goes to a Volvo dealer looking for a hot hatch, and the few who did were scared away by the price tag.  But, for those in the know, the C30 is a fantastic used buy.

[Raza]

Forum says C30.

[Cookie Monster]

Forum says C30.

So, he'll end up with a Mazda3.

[Raza]

So, he'll end up with a Mazda3.

Close enough. 

[CALL_911]

A guy down the street from me has a black C30 and it still catches my eye every time I drive past it.  It's a very under-the-radar hot hatch!  The car has lots of details which hark back to the 1800 ES and the 480, most of which will be known only to the hardcore Volvo cognoscenti.

Pity it didn't sell because nobody goes to a Volvo dealer looking for a hot hatch, and the few who did were scared away by the price tag.  But, for those in the know, the C30 is a fantastic used buy.

Someone who lives on my block has a blue Polestar. It is sexy. I actually drove a C30 when I got the GTI, and while I liked the interior and the T5, the GTI was a better drive imo

[MX793]

Someone who lives on my block has a blue Polestar. It is sexy. I actually drove a C30 when I got the GTI, and while I liked the interior and the T5, the GTI was a better drive imo

Did you drive the version with the sport suspension or the base/soft suspension?

[Raza]

Someone who lives on my block has a blue Polestar. It is sexy. I actually drove a C30 when I got the GTI, and while I liked the interior and the T5, the GTI was a better drive imo

GTI did basically win all the reviews against it. But his wife already has a Rabbit, so I guessed they wouldn't want two in the family.

[CALL_911]

Did you drive the version with the sport suspension or the base/soft suspension?

Don't remember, this was in like 2011

[MX793]

Don't remember, this was in like 2011

Didn't follow them that closely to know how options evolved, but when they first came out there were 2 trims:  1.0 and 2.0.  1.0 had A/S tires and softer suspension.  Sport suspension and wider summer performance tires came on the 2.0.  Sport suspension may have been an option on the 1.0.  C&D's testing back in '08 was of a 1.0 with the regular suspension and A/S tires.  They noted it was comfortable and well composed, but definitely more relaxed than the hot hatch segment.