Official Car Thread :: Vol 2 :: Now with More Bikes!

[StriderKyo]

A guy I work with tuned his Impreza to 750 hp. $80k in modifications. It's insane.

We found out that the place across the street, they do car transportation. Rich people are weird.

Not weird at all. Low mileage is a big thing on classic cars.

[MarkRyan]

Light, compact, sporty, good gas mileage

Fair warning, most of this is conjecture based more on reading and perception than actual experience.

Used suggestions:

• Honda Civic Si
  Pros: Solid mileage, solid driver, great shifter, dependable
  Cons: Bit pricey for what you get
  
  
• Mini Cooper
  Pros: Tiny, fun, frugal enough
  Cons: Short wheelbase may be less than ideal on long freeway jaunts, it's Euro so probably more costly to maintain
  
  
• Mazda3
  Pros: Light handling, plenty of carrying space
  Cons: New ones are ugly (previous model looks fine), gas mileage is so-so
  
  
• Mazda MX-5
  Pros: Light, compact, sporty, good gas mileage, fantastic to drive
  Cons: No back seat, small trunk, doubt it'd carry a snowboard elegantly
  
  
• Mazda RX-8
  Pros: Light, compact, sporty, great to drive, useful back seats
  Cons: Weak gas mileage, potentially more engine maintenance (stormy could say), not a lot of cargo space
  
  
• Subaru Impreza WRX
  Pros: Great power / speed, AWD usability, wagon has tons of cargo room
  Cons: Gas mileage is so-so, guess you don't want another Subaru
  
  
• Acura RSX
  Pros: Simple, honest, sporty-ish
  Cons: Bit long-in-the-tooth, not a lot of cargo room
  
  
• Ford Mustang GT
  Pros: Great power / speed, great looks, plenty to choose from
  Cons: Common, gas mileage is so-so, not a lot of cargo room
  
  
• Pontiac GTO
  Pros: Fast as balls, great interior for the price, generally exceptional value, comfortable back seat
  Cons: Weak gas mileage, small trunk, not a lot of cargo room, not light
  
  
• Scion tC
  Pros: Simple, honest car
  Cons: Bit vanilla
  
  
• Scion xB
  Pros: Usable space, character in design, honest car
  Cons: Not real sporty, some people can't stand a box
  
  
• Honda Fit
  Pros: Light, sporty, frugal, good carrying capacity for size
  Cons: Not fast but whatev
  
  
• Volkswagen Golf
  Pros: Sporty, nice interior, solid carrying capacity
  Cons: It's Euro so expect more maintenance--VWs still scare me away

New Suggestions:

• Ford Fiesta
  Pros: Light, sporty, great gas mileage, solid carrying capacity
  Cons: New car, would be tough to get for $15k--honestly expect $18-19k after tax/title
  
  
• Mazda2
  Pros: Light, sporty, good gas mileage, solid carrying capacity, cheaper than Fiesta and less in demand
  Cons: Less power than Fiesta, weaker mileage, bare options
  
  
• Kia Forte Koupe
  Pros: Decent driver, good looker, solid carrying capacity
  Cons: High end of your price range but model-year-end sales could make cheap
  
  
• Hyundai Genesis Coupe
  Pros: Good driver, good looker, good performance for the money
  Cons: Outside your price range but model-year-end sales and some aggressive haggling could probably get it close

My favorite used options for you, based on your taste for the Fiesta, are the Honda Fit and Mazda3. Check 'em out.

[Rumpy]

Acura RSX rules. My mom has a 2003 Type-S. That shit can hustle and it runs like it's brand new.

[Fe 26]

If I gave one of you cali guys the money,would you buy this for me?

http://slo.craigslist.org/cto/1905701378.html

EDIT: it is a ww2 bomb truck.

[Ryan]

Hey MarkRyan, thanks for all of your suggestions. I went through them all, and test drove several this past weekend. Even though it was a bit higher than my intended price (which I can easily afford), I settled on a new Ford Fiesta SES. It's been special ordered and I should have it within the month. I'll post some pictures as soon as it gets here.

[Tones]

I have been going on quite a few lately, just exploring the small towns around the perimeter of Gainesville. I went for about an hour and a half yesterday between seven and eight thirty, and it was simply beautiful out. The rain cooled down the ambient temperature significantly, and there was no traffic out.

[Thief Silver]

I saw an Aeriel Atom today in person. Holy shit.

[stormy]

My Cobb AP came in, time to reflash the RX8 to make the fuel trims leaner and meaner! Next stop hi flow cat and a custom tune.

[MarkRyan]

Hey MarkRyan, thanks for all of your suggestions. I went through them all, and test drove several this past weekend. Even though it was a bit higher than my intended price (which I can easily afford), I settled on a new Ford Fiesta SES. It's been special ordered and I should have it within the month. I'll post some pictures as soon as it gets here.

Congrats! Hatch or sedan? I really like the hatches.

Speaking of pictures, I gotta take my car out for some shots while it's newly Zaino'd. I'll try to get out this week.

I have been going on quite a few lately, just exploring the small towns around the perimeter of Gainesville. I went for about an hour and a half yesterday between seven and eight thirty, and it was simply beautiful out. The rain cooled down the ambient temperature significantly, and there was no traffic out.

How are the back roads around you? We've got so many good back roads out here, can virtually turn down any road in the mountains and find something great. Helps if you have a bike with some suspension travel 'cause you never know what you're gonna find. I really want a DR-Z400SM...

[Ryan]

Congrats! Hatch or sedan? I really like the hatches.
Speaking of pictures, I gotta take my car out for some shots while it's newly Zaino'd. I'll try to get out this week.

Hatch, first one for me too.