New Car Time

[jagstang]

Been awhile since I logged onto here, spent some time to focus on my bicycle racing, moved to a new town for a new job, etc.  It's been a busy spring.  Finally have the time for some quality motorcycling, which of course reminded me to get back on here again.

With the new job comes new cash flow, and my busted-ass college car needs to be replaced with something cool, and I'm looking for opinions.  I have a list of options, but I'd like to hear some other suggestions in case there's something I haven't though of (likely).

My priorities are:

Budget of around 18k.  Reliability and relatively inexpensive maintenance costs are important too.

It must be fun to drive, handling is a BIG priority.  Prefer RWD, cool with AWD, dislike FWD.  My new city owns plenty of snow plows.

Not too old, no more than six model years I suppose.

A little versatile, I have to drive a lot for bike racing, so a little storage would be nice.  I'll mount the bikes on a rack, so no worries there.

Decent commuter, and by that I mean easy-ish to drive in stop-and-go traffic.  Torquey motor, nothing too peaky like an RX8; I don't need a V8, though I wouldn't say no to one at all.

I really don't care too much about ride quality.  I'd rather have something that'll go where I want it to when pushed hard, maybe occasional autocross too.

Alright, any ideas?  Thanks!

-Nick

[Kopfjäger]

Subaru WRX.

[jagstang]

Very high on my list, found a used 06 in black here in town.  Anything to be wary of?

[Kopfjäger]

Very high on my list, found a used 06 in black here in town.  Anything to be wary of?

I haven't owend one, but I would look at mileage, previous owner (thrashing it etc.). They are bullet proof.

[swampduc]

Very high on my list, found a used 06 in black here in town.  Anything to be wary of?

Main thing is to look at any mods the previous owner made - that's where most drivetrain problems come from. Other than that, those things seem to run a long time.

[Kopfjäger]

Subaru WRX 530whp Drift

[ROBsS4R]

You should really go through the thread I created a while back

http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=20904.0

Oh and here is the original original thread when i was looking a high performance car. Don't let the title of the thread scare you away. We had tons of suggestions in it.

http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=3717.0

I am leaning towards a 2004 -05 WRX STI , Also maybe a Evo 8 or 9

[Randimus Maximus]

I would so love to get my hands on that version of an STI!

[ROBsS4R]

I would so love to get my hands on that version of an STI!

Hopefully that will be my next car.

I just found the Brochure online

[DesmoDiva]

The new Hyundai Genesis Coupe.

RWD
Comes with either 2.0L turbo I-4 or a 3.6L V-6
6 spd manual
Brembos (on track models)
Many trim levels, to get exactly what you want

Spec sheet

[jagstang]

Looked at those new Hyundais, but just a bit too far out of my price range, unfortunately.  I'm also looking at a 350Z, maybe an Audi A4, a Mustang, or a BMW 3, all used of course.  For front drivers, I also though about GTIs and a Mazda 3.

[Le Pirate]

Looked at those new Hyundais, but just a bit too far out of my price range, unfortunately.  I'm also looking at a 350Z, maybe an Audi A4, a Mustang, or a BMW 3, all used of course.  For front drivers, I also though about GTIs and a Mazda 3.

don't let the FWD scare you away from the GTI....or the Mazda(speed) 3....but mostly the GTI. It's a great handling car!

I'm also a big fan of the A4 quattro

[TAftonomos]

330i, 330i ZHP, 2001-2002 M3

When your done with it, you'll still get 50-75% of your money back out of it.  Unlike the jap econoboxes with drivetrain enhancements.   

just my .02

[cyrus buelton]

I'd look for a used Lexus..........

[metallimonster]

I  really like the Infinit G35x. 

Has everything you want and you can get a 06 or 07 in your price range.