Which Sports Compact Car?

[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...

[Flagg]

What happened to your Laser sir jun?

[Jun aka Pekto]

What happened to your Laser sir jun?

It's still in Nevada. When we moved from Nevada, I drove the Dodge minivan, my wife drove the Contour, and..... that's it. Couldn't find a 3rd driver who could make the ~800-900 mile drive.

It's still very much alive although it's on it's 2nd engine (got a 3rd engine in storage). I want to bring it over here. But my wife refuses because of the several instances I almost killed or injured myself by pushing it too hard. Besides, it's under my uncle's insurance and my wife wants to leave it that way.

[Flagg]

Sayang... dba dami na mods nun?

[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.

[Jun aka Pekto]

i was going to suggest the VW GTI also....tapos bigay mo na lang sa akin si "my fast"

The last VW I drove was a Corrado VR6 back in the Fahvernugen days. The last VW I rode on was last year in an R32-something and we were racing a WRX (in the middle of nowhere). I know what you mean about Euro handling and robust engines.

I'm not keen on the current GTI's styling though. If it looked as nice as a Mazda3, sure.

VW (and most Euro cars) also tends to be more expensive here for some reason. Plus, I have a general preference for Asian brands followed by US, then Euro brands.

But we'll see. I'm taking a month's vacation soon. We'll take a look to see what VW has to match those in my list.

I'd still like to wait and see if Hyundai and Kia follow up on their concept turbo hatchbacks because it's those two that got me interested in compacts again..

[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

[wren]

you want something similar to the MR2? how about this ***y car?



sir jun, it's waiting for you. nice twisty road...all it needs is a driver.

[Jun aka Pekto]

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

Well Geeez Louise, if I was single, no problemo (takes out and looks at empty pockets). But I have a wife to deal with. So, ~$20k limit, up or down a few percent. I don't think she's going to budge.

[basti08]

i like the Scion TC. it has a Camry 2.4L engine in a small coupe proportions.

i believe that from all your considerations, only the Mazda3 and Si handles better.

the Cobalt leapfrogs the Cavalier but still not there yet based on reviews of automotive press.

the Tiburon is sporty looking, drives decently but would leave you feeling short of what you're looking for in a sportscar. V6 engine is a good consolation though.
can give you a relax acceleration when you're not in a racy mood.

[kyle618]

2nd hand rx8 would be nice.

[kimpOy]

sure that Scion is pretty...
scion and si gets my vote...

Toyota Celica GT-S meron pa ba?

[basti08]

nako mga 2004 pa ata discontinued ang Celica.

yung Scion TC looks like a Volvo upfront.

[kimpOy]

i thought so...

sayang its fast, fun and frugal...

[silverbx986]

Well Geeez Louise, if I was single, no problemo (takes out and looks at empty pockets). But I have a wife to deal with. So, ~$20k limit, up or down a few percent. I don't think she's going to budge.

dump the wife. get the sports car. :bwahaha: j/k

[Jun aka Pekto]

Another thing I found today out is that there's exactly ONE! SRT-4 for sale within 100 miles from my house. It's privately owned and a 2004 model. The owner wants $18k for it. I found that on the internet. Earlier, I went around every dealer in town. Not one has an SRT-4....

Ooooh, later....

G-string Divas on tv....

[niky]

Well if you're going to have a battle royale at home on costs vs. performance, then it's definitely the Si or the 3. A Cobalt SS or a Golf GTi might mean big bills down the road, though I expect the big ecotec to be relatively robust.
Or you could go totally left field and pick up a secondhand Altima SE. Some of my previous boardmates have been cutting sub-6 0-60 times in those...

[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.

[MXFX]

i was just browsing for someone. kung may flexibility ka (slightly used, around 20k):
acura rsx 200hp 6spd manual 14K+
g35 sedan 260+hp mostly 5spd auto 17k+ (coupe a little more)
rx8 18K+

sounds like fun testdrives ahead. paki post feedback pag tapos