New car.

[viprez586]

So I'm getting a bit tired of having a weekend project on my DSM almost every weekend. I work on cars everyday so it gets old quick. Yes it's fast and fun, especially gratifying when you do some work to it and it improves the overall driveability of the car, but I'd like more free time so I've decided to get a new car.

Just though I'd hear some opinions on my options.
Realistic figures are that I can only afford a $300/Month over 3/4 year payment. I'd love an Evo, but G'luck finding one for that price.

Some things I've been looking at:

'05 Jetta GLI 1.8t : 43k, 6spd, blue - ~13-15 grand

'04 RX-8 6spd, 28k, grey, loaded ~12-14 grand

I'd like something sporty, decent gas mileage, decent on insurance since i'm 21. If I didn't have student loans, or my shep trans to pay off I could probably get an evo.

Pondering about keeping my talon for winter/around town (rough shell/body) or parting it out.

Thoughts opinions?

 

[link16]

Putting yourself into more debt is definately not the answer to any of your problems. We aren't here to dictate your life. Personally I would invest in the talon get it running right and then leave it alone, Mitsu engines are built to last in stock form and with scheduled maintenence. Good luck with whatever you choose.

-Alex

 

[ryguy86eklipse]

I second that. I owned a new 05 lancer ralli-art and kicked myself in the ass due to the car payment. After it was all said and done, car insurance where I live costed me more than the car payment and I had a clean record.. Just make sure you're willing to spend $600+ a month if you get a sporty car on a loan. You'll have to carry full coverage most likely due to the loan. If you decide to sell/part the talon, let me know what you'd want for the tranny. Best of luck either way man!

 

[costas14]

VW TURBOS ARE BAD, keep the talon i was pondering this yesterday too, i have to put 2,200 in the auto trany some point next week and also lots of suspension parts and sensors and shit, i was thinking of selling it as is and saving up for a downpayment on a new evo. but im gonna fix the eclipse and save till the summer and get me the new evo. i also work on cars everyday and i get tired quit fast of fixing it so it so i drive it for a couple weeks then it sits for a couple weeks and i drive my cousins cars he buys from the auction until i fix thigns on the gsx

 

[airmail96]

Hmm I like the looks of the RX-8, but the power is lacking. I like the thought of a vw 1.8t, but heard to many bad stories about the motors being bad news. Now a 350z, if you can find one in your price range I would say snag one of them.

 

[airmail96]

Hmm I like the looks of the RX-8, but the power is lacking. I like the thought of a vw 1.8t, but heard to many bad stories about the motors being bad news. Now a 350z, if you can find one in your price range I would say snag one of them. Founda few on ebay that are righti n the 15k ball park with 50k on em.

 

[housegsx]

Get a beater for a few thousand and keep the Talon for your fun car that you can work on just when you feel like it. That way you won't be in debt for a car that you don't really want, you'll have reliable transportation, and a decent weekend driver/project car.

 

[Twistaye]

^ I agree with the above post.. Just buy a *gulp* Civic and use it as a DD. The SOHC EG civics are so awesome on gas, especially with the non-vtec d15. 38 mpg on the highway is awesome. Plus I still like the way the EG hatchbacks look. I personally drive my wife's RSX-S when my GST is down, the k20 is pretty fun.

 

[EriClipse]

my mom has an 03 kia rio she got for like 3 grand and its like 18 dollars to fill the tank. It gets like 40 miles to the gallon, that thing goes forever. I would keep the talon and just get a beater if i was you.

 

[ndsti]

Some of the early 350z's have dropped in price, might want to look into it!

 

[JEFFREYCASTGSX]

"Some of the early 350z's have dropped in price, might want to look into it!"

So have most s2000's.

 

[half-cocked]

+1 on not getting a Turbo VW. I had a '01 Jetta GLS 1.8T and currently have a '02 Jetta GLS 1.8T and its not so much that I have had major problems (theres a few like MAF sensors) with them, but its all the little things that go wrong with them. The plastic interior starts to chip, my '01 went through 3 coolant temprature sensors and my '02 is on its 3rd thermostat in 20K miles. Everything was replaced with VW parts. My '02 also needs an oil pan for reasons I will not go into right now, but its nothing that I did.

Resale plummets over 90K miles it seems, more than usual on a similiar car and they are a pain to work on, if that turbo goes south and you want to do the work, it doesn't look like much fun.

 

[lowandsleekDSM]

I too wouuld look into a nice S2000. I would love to have a S2000 because yes its a honda, but hondas are so damn reliable and plus the S2000 is very nice and is sporty. Plus all you would really need to do is do just a couple of bolt ons and you have a even more fun DD. Just my .02 though but the older S2000s are getting REALLY cheap.

 

[viprez586]

Ever ponder full insurance coverage on a S2k, Z or G35. Yeah...not cool.
Would love one but there's a slim chance there.

 

[Eclipse2GTurbo]

Man get the GLI, gorgeous cars, excellent gas mileage, a veryy fun to drive and appealing vehicle. I totally here your pain, I'm 20 and got into my 04 STi when I was 19, I have paid for it by myself as I assume you will be doing. This was the single handedly best decision I have made in a long time car related. First car was a 94 jetta always starting electrical fires, then a civic burning oil, then a 04 WRX which was amazing... then a 94 civic b16 turbo (awesome car), then a 99 DSM muhaha that feeds on rod bearings like other cars fuel.

Anyways I still own the Jetta DSM STi and my truck and I must say after being a mechanic and working on my DSM/jetta/civics all the time its so nice to go outside and turn the key and drive home with a .1% worry of not getting home.

PLUS, ignore the first comment, our economy needs more buyers, confidence gets us out of this mess so do yourself and the country a favor and get yourself into a nice reliable ride....

Hope that helps, probably the better of responses you'll get....

Oh and heyy if I may make a suggestion....

03 WRX (weak trannys in 02) (under 10k)

Acura RSX (EXCELLENT resale value)

BTW: Im 20 and my STi is 300$/mo insurance 60$/mo
NOT a clean record.

 

[ClevelandDSM]

Millage with an rx8.... ehhhhhh

 

[viprez586]

Not sure what your gripe is about 28,000 on an RX-8. That is low.

Eclipse 2g - I'd love to get a WRX! My realistic goal is a good looking, decently quick four door that i can DD. Thanks for the insight on insurance, I have one speeding ticket on my license right now.

If i can't find a good deal on something I might just wait to pickup a 5spd IS300, since I work on them - and the only time you see them in is for basic maintenance.

 

[Eclipse2GTurbo]

yeh I used to work in Lexus service(yukkk) IS300's are awesome cars... very stable motors...

I think cleveland DSM meant MPG since RX8's have horrible gas mileage. barely over 20 on the highway.

ClevelandDSM - Im from the east side, kinda curious if i know you....

Viper - Get the WRX its cheaper than all your options, alll season vehicle, off road vehicle ( =] ) "4 doors more whores"

and dont be afraid about the boxer design, SOO easy to work on... average motor pull time is 1 hr 10 minutes.... youll love the platform and symmetry of the vehicle.

 

[viprez586]

I gave in and bought an RX-8, They handle awesome!! not as much power as my DSM but I'll live with it. I'm sad to say I'll probably be parting out my car to get some goodies for the RX-8 and help with some payments.

Picking the car up monday so pics will be up later next week. It's a black on black 2005 Mazda RX-8 : Leather, 43k, power moonroof, heated front seats, Ipod connection, power driver's seat(passenger seat gets the shaft ), one-owner, flawless exterior, HIDs.
Ahh I just can't wait to drive it and add my taste to it.

I know someone will chime it "blah why'd you get one of those they're f__king slow" yeah yeah yeah. I don't care, it's what i like, its what i drive, it's different!

Don't count me out of the DSM community yet!

 

[Eclipse2GTurbo]

w3rd dude. Not what I would have picked but def a nice car, the gearing in them makes me happy =] Man I remember owning a black car super sex when clean, well enjoy your new found vehicle, I PROMISE that car payments are worth a reliable car ;]

 

[Eclipse2GTurbo]

Don't count me out of the DSM community yet!

http://denver.craigslist.org/cto/1054960860.html

Thats me attempting to get out of it!

So I can fix my gorgeous MkIII pictured there =]