Need advice on a new car
 

Hello Friends,

I am looking for comments from folks who actually drove one of the following cars, as I am looking for pick one up shortly

all cars are brand new as I should be picking up the 2005 model

Hyundai Elantra GT1
Hyundai Tiburon V6/ or inline 4
Acura RSX premium

I am also opened to any smaller cars with a decent performance package,

my budget is around 30g all inclusive

thank you

I think the no-brainer response is the Acura. Hyundai is an economy car company. Acura is like Mercedes compared to Hyundai.

With that said, Hyundai has a great quality rating, so they shouldn't be dismissed so quickly. I think their designs are dreadfully uninspired, though.

The other option to consider is a Toyota Celica, which gives a common ground between the Tiburon and RSX. It's style is a little funky though. Not sure if they sell it in Canada though.

RSX type S is amazing

if you're into the whole american car thing you could check out the Dodge Neon SRT

Toyota Celica...as stated above

you could get a Subaru WRX for like $25k

Misubishi EVO starts at like $29k i believe

im not big on economy cars...so I wouldnt get a Hyundai


If you have to stay under $30k...go for the RSX type S.

Hyundai a great bang for the dollar,

Celica has been discontinued as of this year,

I am leaning towards the acura with the manual transmission, tested it the other day and felt good about it, except the rear seats are nonexistent, and the Tiburon is also pretty damn good with the manual mission, but it's a bit heavy on acceleration and gas

I think you are misinformed with the Subaru,

I had a Subaru Legacy earlier, it was $43G, and the new WRX is 36G basic or 43G for the STI,

I don't think he was talking about Canadian dollars.


edit: almost forgot, get the RSX

If you want more room and a fun ride for that money, I suggest the VW GTI. It's a little 'trendy' but anything's better than a Hyundai when it comes to styling.

"To each their own" Halx. Hyundai knocked it out of the park with the new Tiberon's styling. IMO, it's much better looking that the VW.

Unfortunately, I don't think the Tiberon's drivetrain matches it's looks. If they'd just add a turbo or supercharger to that V6 then they'd have a winner.

Of the cars originally listed though, I think I'd go with the Acura.

Ya gotta go with the RSX-Type S, I like the Tiburon, but come on they're in the FIA WRC and they can't even AWD and Turbo their car.

what are you looking for in a car? each car is in a different class so i dont know how you can decide.

Golf GTI is also a candidate in the race, though the following points need to be noted

my family had several audi and jetta, and the quality of the make up to 2002 (the last year we had one) was pretty bad, even for new cars,

and the insurance on GTI is a considerable factor...

there is a $6000 diff between the RSX and the Tiburon, so as long as the Tiburon comes close (also with better rear seats) to the RSX then I think I may go with the Tiburon, but you never know...

another question is what's the price range that I can affort, I see people at my income level buying up bmw and TSX without a lot of thought, and I just think paying more than $500 a month for a car is out of control

some personal notes:

the RSX

Pro
-great on gas (supposely)
-styling catches my eye
-a very sporty feel for the car, great response with the manual trans
-hatch back, very important to me
-good looking white gauge

Con
-standard equipment are garbage, no trip computer (which I have now), no Traction control (which I have now), no fog lamps (what the fuck?)
spoiler expensive
- rear seats extreme cramped
-no arm rest (can you believe this shit?)
-most expensive in teh bunch, insurance too

The Tiburon

Pro
-cool looking styling,
-damn cheap for a sports car
-pretty good quality in recent years except body work
-standard equipment loaded, trip computer, heated seats, leather, roof, and a whole bunch of toys

con
-heavy car and heavy on gas (2.7 V6)
-180 hp on a 2.7, not very efficient
-rear seats also a problem

good question, I don't know, just feel that I want a new car, it's a classic between "what one needs" and "what one wants", I don't need a very flashy car since it's a tool for Point A to Point B anyway

but perhaps it's a mid-life crisis, i feel that I need a car that impress myself...

I'm surprised at you all.

In my opinion, the best sporty car under $30K would be the Nissan 350Z. Base starts at about $26,500; you could get something pretty decent for around $28 (Infiniti G45 coupe starts around $29). All come with a very nice 287hp V6.

The new Mazda 3 and 6 are two of my favorite new cars. The 6 sport is pretty quick, but also offers the family-carness that you might need.

Finally, if you really search, you could probably squeeze into a BMW 325i for less than $30, especially if they're offereing some sort of year end deal.

There are a crap load of other cars out there too, as mentioned in the previous post. But to keep focus, I will just comment on the listed cars. Stay away from VW, terrible quality, down there with american brands. Of the original list, get the Acura, hands down, no contest.
I have driven and modified one extensively. Get the Type-S, the base model is not even close. The Acura has pinpoint handling, the K20 is an awesome engine that screams into VTEC and beyond, and the 6-speed is is a pleasure. It has the classic Acura build quality that american companies are still trying to replicate. It is a very reliable, good performing car.
But If you are looking for an appliance to get you from point A to B, then get the hyundai or some other "syled" box on wheels. If you are looking for something that you actually look forward to driving every day, get the RSX-S.

On a side note, there is no reason to buy a new car, as soon as you drive it off the lot, it bocomes a "used" car and it depreciates several thousands of dollars. Why not pick one up that is a year or two old? better value that way.
And the RSX will hold its value better than the other listed vehicles.

okay this is very wrong, I am in Toronto, and even though the CAD has a exchange diff with USD but it's the second time I hear people quoting unheard of car prices

a Subaru WRX is about $50G with taxes, and the 350Z is $65G base, very much out of most people's price range

I fear the quality issue hence I've never had a used car,

in Toronto the 2005 RSX-s is not yet available, we now have the RSX-Premium,

I currently have a Elantra GT1, by using premium gas all the way it feels very good performance wise, and the autotrans RSX feel no different than that, but the manual trans feel very good

http://www.subaru.com/servlet/showro...mmand=overview

thats where i got my info from, and yes it is american $$$