Hey Guys,
I have about another 1.5 years left until I get my BA and leave UCSB. I have an 87 Dodge Ram 50 4cyl truck that I wopuld like to replace. I planned on getting a car when I graduate but cannot decide on what I like. I dont know much about these types of cars. I am used to wrenching on a '69 Mach1 with a big block. Due to gas prices and un-fixable breaks the stang sits with a rebuilt motor, new 17's and tires and only 700miles on the rebuild.
I had my heart set on the Mini when I heard about it 6 years ago. Thats my number 1 choice, a fully loaded Cooper S. I just found out about the VW R32 and like the idea of a fast 2-door that seats 4 people. I forgot about the SRT-4 and looked it up and don't really like the looks, although a great deal it seems. Whatever car I get will probably have for at least 6 years, probably longer. Any Ideas? The Cooper I heard handles like nothing else. It is front wheel drive which doesnt thrill me.

Likes:
Cooper S
Evo
WRX Sti
New GTO
Pontiac Solstice
VW R32
S2000 ----(Mom has one but I never was allowed to drive it)
RSX-

I would be willing to save money by purchasing any of these used.

Thanks
RC

 

Cheapest on the list is a used RSX Type-S. If you want something and want it NOW, that's what to get. Also consider a used WRX (non-STi).

Best trade-in value on that list is a used S2000. Get say, an '01, and most of the depreciation is eaten for you. A few years from now, and trading that in would bring you a few bucks more than likely. Cooper S comes in a close 2nd.

Best performance bang for the buck? A new Evo RS. I'd be wary of any used Evo. If you can't stand a lack of comfort, you could sweetheart a deal on regular trim Evo for $28K or less.

 

UCSBguy, where are from (and I don't mean school)? if you are from a snowy environment, then definately get an all wheel drive car otherwise you could opt for a rear wheel drive car.

 

his mom has an s2k, so he's probably going to be all right

but if you're buying used, the rsx and s2k are your best bets for reliability and maintenance down the road, if only for the honda name and nothing else.

 

Let me put those cars in order for you in terms of performance:
Evo, WRX STi, SRT-4, S2000, RSX, R32, Cooper S.

The GTO and Solstice aren't really performance cars (GTO is quick in a straight line but not a car you can really race with due to suspention and weight etc)

 

What do you do with the car. Do you autocross, track days or mt. runs. It depends if you just want something to get you from point A t point B and look good, or if you want something that is perfromance based for a reason.

 

Well, Honestly, I probably wont do much with the car. It will be my comuter. I like the mini because there are a lot of after market kits and things to make it stand out and different. I never have realy drove that much because the cars I have had were never reliable. Thats why I am not considering my mustang as a daily driver.
Someone above listed the R32 below the RSX in performance? Wow. I think I am going to make a list of test drives and see what I come up with.

I plan on driving more when I do get one of these cars. I live about 4.5 hours from home and would like to get a car that is comfortable for the long haul.

Racing wise? Id like to but I have a lot to learn about racing with a manual. I have one in my truck but thats night and day compared to any of these.

Thanks
RC

 

i'd say:

evo, sti, s2k, r32, srt-4, cooper s, rsx-s

but,

i think the evo and sti are too close, and the s2k i think is soundly better than the r32... the srt4 is definitely faster than the r32 and potentially faster than the s2k, but it doesn't have the handling, though its power still edges it out over the cooper s and all the cars perform better than the rsx-s. (IMO)

 

I'm a senior at PSU, and I drive an Evo. So get the Evo! If I was on a budget I would get a LS1 Camaro 6-speed.

 

Go Evo if you can afford it. I would stay away from the R32 . The mini is an awesome car, fun , cheap and handles really well. The WRX and the RSX are really nice cars, but there are better cars in the ones you listed. The s2000 is the way I would go , if a used car is what you are looking at also.

 

omfg dude u got that list ALLL wrong its obvious you havent driven the r32.

the list is Evo, WRX STi, R32, SRT-4, S2000, RSX, Cooper S

the r32 will eat up srt4 s2000 and RSX and cooper. damn man

 

dude go with the r32, that vr6 engine is awesome and the sport clutch is mad crazy i test drove it and really pushed it. anyway greddy is coming out with a TT kit for the r32 and they claim it will push 420 to the wheels, and there is already a supercharger kit for it and the paper results are 318hp so defineatly go for the r32.

 

oh as for the power of the r32 it can peel out of 2nd gear and its awd so you do the math

 

Yea, the R32 is a beautiful/performance car with a very good daily driving factor. It seems like you are into looks more than performance, then go for the R32 or s2k. I dont think you can find a used r32.

 

The MINIs are not very reliable. I would look at WRX (wagon?), SRT-4, used s2000. If you want performance: Evo.