Updated : Best handling 4 seater car. Second time is the Charm

[NAKID]

No, the Passat isn't very sporty, but it is a peppy car with a good amount of go.  My mom has an '06 or '07 and it's very nice driving.  Very nice appointments, even on the lower lines.  Fit and finish is very nice too.  Handles well, but isn't an STi or similar.

JM

We had a 2007 Passat with the 2.0T. It was nice, reasonably quick and you should be able to find an 07 for less than 20. Not sure about the 3.6 as far as price, but the engine is beefier...

[acalles]

We had a 2007 Passat with the 2.0T. It was nice, reasonably quick and you should be able to find an 07 for less than 20. Not sure about the 3.6 as far as price, but the engine is beefier...

You could also look at the Audi A3, espeically the S line.



I've seen a few used ones around for 16-18k..

may not be as fast as the japanse cars, but significantly more refined and a hell of a lot better looking.. Again, same engine as the GTI (2.0 fsi) so any simple mods will give it much better power. If you want all wheel drive, a 05-06 A4 with the 2.0fsi will fall into your price range.

[Popeye the Sailor]

I'll say it again. The whole deal is an exercise in futility. Nothing will compare to the acceleration. braking, and handling of the monster. You'll only get a car that feels inadequate by comparison. You want it for comfy driving-just go get a dang lincoln towncar with heated everything.

[corey]

you want handling?
mini cooper S.
most fun i've ever had on four wheels.
you could go balls out and get the new S-GP:

[NAKID]

You could also look at the Audi A3, espeically the S line.



I've seen a few used ones around for 16-18k..

may not be as fast as the japanse cars, but significantly more refined and a hell of a lot better looking.. Again, same engine as the GTI (2.0 fsi) so any simple mods will give it much better power. If you want all wheel drive, a 05-06 A4 with the 2.0fsi will fall into your price range.

Not to mention with the 2.0T you can chip it for 500 bucks and get about another 45-50hp reliably on pump gas, also adds about 60ft-lbs of tq...

[ROBsS4R]

I'll say it again. The whole deal is an exercise in futility. Nothing will compare to the acceleration. braking, and handling of the monster. You'll only get a car that feels inadequate by comparison. You want it for comfy driving-just go get a dang lincoln towncar with heated everything.

That's why I am looking for a 4 seater now 

I am not looking for a car to replace my Monster but something that can take few work folks to lunch and or carry a Baby seat some day but still be sporty enough to take it for a Tomales Bay run.

[superjohn]

Maybe check out the last generation BMW 3 series. Great handling cars with good steering feel and RWD, plus plenty comfy.

Downside is, just like Ducati, maintenance runs a bit more expensive.

you want handling?
mini cooper S.

I just saw a JCW Cooper S and I really liked the way it looked. I'm still holding out for a Fiat 500 SS, but if they never import it, a JCW may have to get some consideration.

[Le Pirate]

I have a 07 VW rabbit. $15k, brand new, out the door.


It will be replaced with the next GTI coming out....I can't believe I ended up one of them, but I'm a VW fanboy 

[NAKID]

I have owned 3 Jetta's, 1 Passat and now a Touareg. I love VW's...

[acalles]

+1 to the mini S. those things are pretty damn fun.

I have owned 3 Jetta's, 1 Passat and now a Touareg. I love VW's...

nice..

lets just say.. I know a thing or two about them 

http://s143.photobucket.com/albums/r141/acalles1/?action=view&current=0824081222.flv

sorry for the crappy vid quality..

we built this one for a customer, 355 HP/ 280 torque on the ground. this dyno didn't do it justice, rollers were too light for correct load so it took too long to spool.. who says you can't have fun in a car..  BTW this is on pump gas, way he drives it every day 17psi.

Its actually back in, getting some more work. were gonna up build it up a bit for more power (in this vid its only lower compression and big injectors), try and reach for 19-20 psi and 400 on the ground, hopefully with out blowing it up

I tried to talk him into bigger brakes.. but he wants more power, and the customer's allways right.. (I won't get in the damn thing, unless I'm driving  )

[OverCaffeinated]

<thread jack>

I just got a Golf 4 door 2.sl0w 5sdp. My credit wasn't good enough for the car I really wanted. But I think my VW suits me.

acalles,
Do you have any good places for tech data on these cars. I want to learn as much as possible about them.

<thread jack>

[NAKID]

+1 to the mini S. those things are pretty damn fun.

nice..

lets just say.. I know a thing or two about them 

sorry for the crappy vid quality..

we built this one for a customer, 355 HP/ 280 torque on the ground. this dyno didn't do it justice, rollers were too light for correct load so it took too long to spool.. who says you can't have fun in a car..  BTW this is on pump gas, way he drives it every day 17psi.

Its actually back in, getting some more work. were gonna up build it up a bit for more power (in this vid its only lower compression and big injectors), try and reach for 19-20 psi and 400 on the ground, hopefully with out blowing it up

I tried to talk him into bigger brakes.. but he wants more power, and the customer's allways right.. (I won't get in the damn thing, unless I'm driving  )

Any input on the Touareg for performance mods? Sure, the 350HP is nice, but we're still talking about moving a 5300lb truck with 4WD...

<thread jack>

I just got a Golf 4 door 2.sl0w 5sdp. My credit wasn't good enough for the car I really wanted. But I think my VW suits me.

acalles,
Do you have any good places for tech data on these cars. I want to learn as much as possible about them.

<thread jack>

http://forums.vwvortex.com/zeroforum?id=4

[acalles]

<thread jack>

I just got a Golf 4 door 2.sl0w 5sdp. My credit wasn't good enough for the car I really wanted. But I think my VW suits me.

acalles,
Do you have any good places for tech data on these cars. I want to learn as much as possible about them.

<thread jack>

yep.
http://bentlypublishers.com/

you can get the manuals from there.

theres always the whoretex. but don't belive everything you read on there.

www.vwvortex.com

Any input on the Touareg for performance mods? Sure, the 350HP is nice, but we're still talking about moving a 5300lb truck with 4WD.

all I know of right now is a chip and exhaust for a bit more performance. I sell Revo software, and swear by it.. its pretty smooth, and we've even seen increases in fuel mileage with them.

just be glad you got the v8.. the v6 was great in the R32, but not nearly enough for the reg'.
 
ok.. no more thread jacking from this point on.

[bluemoco]

IMO, it's hard to find a better-handling 4-seater car than a BMW 3-series.  Late model examples (2- and 4-door) can easily be found with low miles for under $20k.  You can even find 530i models for under $20k.

If you're eventually gonna have a baby seat in this car, you'll need a sedan and not a coupe.  Trust me. 

[TAftonomos]

The EVO is a far more moddable platform.

Handles better
Easier to work on/fix
Cheaper to mod
And the HP to mod/$ factor is SIGNIFICANLTY cheaper than a suby.

Mitsu>Subi