Which Sports Compact Car?

[Jun aka Pekto]

My wife and I have been discussing a replacement for our Ford Contour SE which is now approaching its 12th year. We decided to replace it with a sports compact car (for myself). Our price limit is more or less near $20k, preferably less. I was hoping to see that Kia or Hyundai turbo concept car materialize. But, nothing definite yet. So, if we were to buy a new sports compact car right now, these are what I came up with:

Chevy Cobalt SS Supercharged 2-dr coupe
hp: 205 torque: 200lb/ft*4400rpm, 5-spd M/T, Curb wt: 2991lbs
0-60mph: 6.0 sec, 1/4 mile sec: 14.5*98.2mph

Mazda3 4-dr sedan
hp: 160 torque: 153lb-ft*6500rpm, 5-spd M/T, Curb wt: 2762lbs
0-60mph: 8.1 sec, 1/4 mile sec: 16.1*86.6mph

Hyundai Tiburon V6 2-dr coupe
hp: 172 torque: 181lb-ft*3800rpm, 5-spd M/T, Curb wt: 2969lbs
0-60mph: 7.0sec, 1/4 mile sec: 15.3*90.8mph

Scion tC 2-dr coupe
hp: 160 torque: 163lb-ft*4000rpm, 5-spd M/T, Curb wt: 2907lbs
0-60mph: 8.0 sec, 1/4 mile sec: 15.9*87.1mph

Honda Civic Si 2-dr coupe
hp: 197 torque: 139 lb-ft*6100rpm, 6-spd M/T, Curb wt: 2877lbs
0-60mph: 6.4 sec (est) 1/4 mile sec: 15.0*93mph (est)



I also tend to be a "bang for the buck" kind of guy. So, I 've always stayed away from the more upscale names like Acura.

[wren]

how about a baby viper...the Dodge Neon SRT4.

SRT4's turbocharged and intercooled 2.4-liter double overhead camshaft (DOHC) 16-valve 4-cylinder engine produces an impressive 230 horsepower and 250 lb-ft of torque. Producing that kind of power from a 2.4-liter engine is one thing, but few could make it work day-in and day-out like SRT4.
New Quaife automatic torque biasing (ATB) differential to help put the power to the ground
Dual-outlet exhaust system
Zero to 60 in 5.8 seconds with an electronically limited 148 mph top speed
High-capacity clutch and pressure plate
Fully independent MacPherson strut front suspension

all these for $21K.

[Jun aka Pekto]

how about a baby viper...the Dodge Neon SRT4.

all these for $21K.

I wanted to include the SRT-4. But, I thought Dodge quit production this year. Same goes for the Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec V. But yep, love the SRT-4.

If I'm going to buy a used car, count in the SRT-4. There's also a 2004 M/T fully-loaded V6 Mazda6 ($18.3k) I also considered. For now though, we're leaning toward brand new cars.

[wren]

I wanted to include the SRT-4. But, I thought Dodge quit production this year. Same goes for the Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec V. But yep, love the SRT-4.

really?! i didn't know that...too bad.

[Jun aka Pekto]

really?! i didn't know that...too bad.

I think Dodge is replacing the SRT-4 with the Dodge Caliber SRT-4 which will have 300hp. I'm undecided on the styling, though.

[mazdamazda]

I'll go with the facelifted Hyundai Tiburon



the other cars in consideration looks oh-so-boring next to the Tiburon Coupe.

[flakez]

im a honday guy, so i'll go for the SI. hehehe

[wrcastro_ph]

Parang mas lamang talaga ang Civic Si sa lahat. Closer sana yung Cobalt... kaya lang parang di maganda ang itsura ng Cobalt.

[gwapito69]

from what I heard is tranmission ng dodge e di tumatagal bosing. ayaw nyo ba ng celica or rsx?

[Jun aka Pekto]

from what I heard is tranmission ng dodge e di tumatagal bosing. ayaw nyo ba ng celica or rsx?

Totoo yun kung yung lumang Dodge like our old 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan which our Sonata replaced. The minivan had a $3k transmission repair which was covered by our extended warranty, thank goodness.

But, the new Dodge cars internals should benefit from Mercedez Benz which Dodge is teamed up with.

The Celica is defunct too. The 200hp RSX starts near $23k which is also where the Mazdaspeed 3 will probably start. A bit beyond the limit set by the Misis.

[niky]

The transmission troubles of the SRT4 are for guys driving them hard, in competition... but in terms of build quality, I've heard both the Neon and even the new Cobalt don't feel as well "screwed together" as others.

Although I'm a Sentra fanatic, I really can't recommend the SE-R... old body, poor crash structure, beam axle makes for some unstable emergency handling (although the Spec V handles terrific with the LSD)... but some people attribute some of the at-the-limit squirrelishness to the stock Continentals.

I'd go for the Tiburon (since you don't need another family-sized car, right... ) or the Si. I'd have said go for the 3, but you didn't seem to be impressed by the speed... and with the new 3, you'll probably see yourself coming and going (lots of kids with them... ).

The Tiburon isn't actually that fast, though, without some mods, and you'll probably feel "bitin" in either that or the Si coming from the Sonata... in the Si because you'll have to wring its neck really hard to get those acceleration times.

But the new Si looks like a winner... LSD, good multi-link out back, impressive body kit and that sweet engine. Don't know how the futuristic cabin will wear on you though (I still like the Hyundai or Mazda cabin better... less fussy, more classically sporty), but if you like it, it'll probably grow on you.

[Jun aka Pekto]

The transmission troubles of the SRT4 are for guys driving them hard, in competition... but in terms of build quality, I've heard both the Neon and even the new Cobalt don't feel as well "screwed together" as others.

The Cobalt fit and finish are quite decent compared to past Chevy cars I've seen. It's about on par with our Sonata (which is quite good) and much better than a Mustang convertible we looked at. Of course, fit and finish may vary with models. A Ford Fusion we looked at also had a better fit and finish than that Mustang.

I'd go for the Tiburon (since you don't need another family-sized car, right... ) or the Si. I'd have said go for the 3, but you didn't seem to be impressed by the speed... and with the new 3, you'll probably see yourself coming and going (lots of kids with them... ).

Well, you're reading my mind. The less room for THEM, the more likely they'll stick with the Sonata.

The Tiburon isn't actually that fast, though, without some mods, and you'll probably feel "bitin" in either that or the Si coming from the Sonata... in the Si because you'll have to wring its neck really hard to get those acceleration times.

Actually, everything else felt slower after driving the Cobalt SS Supercharged. It's got neck-snapping torque (along with the V6's: Altima SE, Mazda6, Accord, Sonata) which kinda gives you an idea how hard I pounded the cars. The dealers didn't mind, though. So long as I didn't smoke the tires.

But the new Si looks like a winner... LSD, good multi-link out back, impressive body kit and that sweet engine. Don't know how the futuristic cabin will wear on you though (I still like the Hyundai or Mazda cabin better... less fussy, more classically sporty), but if you like it, it'll probably grow on you.

The Si has the numbers and sporty look. But, one puzzling aspect of it is that it reminded me of driving a minivan probably because of the sharply-raked slope of the glass area.

Of the 5 cars, none have interiors that stood out (the Mazda3 has top spot). No big deal there.

For daily driving, it's a tie between the Si and Mazda3 although the rest aren't far behind. They were all a pleasure to drive although I still prefer a bigger car for long distance.

Choosing among the 5 is tough. Even the Mazda 3 is in the thick of it. It's not the quickest. But, everything else about is excellent plus, the price is 4th lowest after the Scion tC.

The top 3 performers are all just above $20k and could easily see more added expenses. So now, there's going to be more arguments here at home about perfomance vs cost.....

OT:

I wish there were still days when I could get a decent sports coupe for $14k (out the door) like I did with my 1991 Plymouth Laser RS Turbo:
2-dr coupe
hp: 190 torque: 205 lb-ft*3000rpm, 5-spd M/T, Curb wt: 2800lbs
0-60mph: 7.0 sec, 1/4 mile sec: 15.0*93.5mph

[empy]

OT:

I wish there were still days when I could get a decent sports coupe for $14k (out the door) like I did with my 1991 Plymouth Laser RS Turbo:
2-dr coupe
hp: 190 torque: 205 lb-ft*3000rpm, 5-spd M/T, Curb wt: 2800lbs
0-60mph: 7.0 sec, 1/4 mile sec: 15.0*93.5mph

OT din:

well, if you factor in 15 years' worth of inflation that $14k out the door could probably cover the sticker prices of the SRT4, Cobalt and Mustang. iba lang ngayon ang styling - during that time the 2 door coupes were all the rage (Eclipse, 3000gt, RX7, MR2), and now it's mini-sedans - but the concept of dirt-cheap performance still holds true...

[Jun aka Pekto]

(Eclipse, 3000gt, RX7, MR2), and now it's mini-sedans - but the concept of dirt-cheap performance still holds true...

More OT:

Don't remind me. If I had a brain back then, I would've bought a (2g) turbo MR2. Nowadays, it's a highly-sought collector car.

Our neighbor at the sidestreet here has a 3000GT (non-VR4) and another neighbor 3 houses down has a tuner Supra twin turbo, Honda NSX and S2000. He used to own our house (he only used the garage). When we first looked at our house, the Supra and the NSX were in the garage. We jokingly asked him if those cars came with the house. Seems like he's owns another house nearby where he keeps the Supra and NSX locked up. The S2000 is his daily driver.

Add: Maybe he's saving those cars for his kids. He's got two gorgeous daughters who are a perfect match for those 2 cars.

[empy]

More OT:

Don't remind me. If I had a brain back then, I would've bought a (2g) turbo MR2. Nowadays, it's a highly-sought collector car.

duuuude...i had one. '93 turbo with Greddy mods. was lucky enough to get it in silver blue metallic, which was a comparatively rare color.

loved that car. sold it to partially finance my MBA and have regretted it ever since. i've half a mind to go track down the loser that took it off my hands and offer to buy it back.

BTTT - if you like those kinds of cars the new-gen Eclipse might be for you. it's a tad out of your price range, and i personally hate the styling, but it's a sports coupe. anyway, what you should really do is bite the bullet and pick up a 350z or rx8

[nicolodeon]

tiburon for me.

[wren]

of the cars posted, i'd go with civic si as well....

how about a hot hatch? the VW GTI has been winning many comparos lately, including against the si, and they're comparatively priced.

[Jun aka Pekto]

how about a hot hatch? the VW GTI has been winning many comparos lately, including against the si, and they're comparatively priced.

I like the performance aspect. But, looks count as well and the 2006 GTI looked a little too boxy to me. It's a perfect "sleeper" car, though.

[AG4]

I like the performance aspect. But, looks count as well and the 2006 GTI looked a little too boxy to me. It's a perfect "sleeper" car, though.

It isn't really that boxy....
VW Golf GTi 2.0T


Some Vee-Dub ads(its been posted in another thread):VW GTi

[Jun aka Pekto]

It isn't really that boxy....
VW Golf GTi 2.0T

Uy! Nice. I guess I was looking at the previous GTI. My bad.