Recommendations

[doughboyea]

It's come now to a point where I need to get a new car. And by new, I mean virgin fresh.

I am getting sick and tired of BMW. No offense, but this fucker is costing me WAY too much.

Here's the purpose of this thread. I need recommendations with experiences on a good quality vehicle to purchase. My mind is open to all suggestions (nothing stupid like a Versa or some shit like that). Having driven a BMW for the past few years, something with close or similar performance figures preferable. I can afford a rather high monthly payment, but would like to keep them down quite a bit (trying to save money for a house). So figure around ~$400 up to $600 MAX! per a month payment (less than $400 is ok). The lower the better, of course. I was considering looking at the asian market, but eh... FWD turns me off, but with my constraints, I'll have to consider all.

So please, any respectable recommendation appreciated.

Thanks,
Dough

[craig]

how bout a new sti? fast, fun, 4-door, awd, good on gas, reliable and i wouldnt imagine the payments being THAT high.

[Dr1ve4fun]

^^damit you beat me..the first thing I thaught was sti..I need another one...umm the newer ones are fwd but what about a VW rabbit? that would still be kind of high maintanence prices though..at least compared to a honda or something...

[witeshark]

Any interest in an American model (Pontiac GTO)?

[craig]

Originally Posted by witeshark

Any interest in an American model (Pontiac GTO)?

oh.. i thought they stoped making thos because of the new camaro? gto would be nice...

[celsdogg]

i know u want a "virgin fresh" car, but if i were you, i would try my hand at a later model CPO E46. your e46 is one of the very first.

other than that, maybe an accord v6 coupe? i like the sti too, one burned me last night (i knew i had no chance)

[Linds]

I would also recommend an STi, another plus is that in the snowy weather it'll be better than RWD.

[xsperf]

youd best buy another BMW, a certified pre-owned with warranty, face it, american cars suck, especially in terms of value depreciation, and if you want anything nice(japanese) as you said its going to be FWD, so really its ur only choice, audi and mercedes cost the same about, oh and get a stickshift

[cainchapman]

A Pontiac GTO is as American as the Ford Shelby. Only the motor and running gear was designed by the USA. It is an Australian designed and built car, based on the Holden Monaro.

Revival
2006 HSV GTO Coupé, based on the MonaroSome 20 years passed before a Commodore Coupé show car was shown at the Sydney Motor Show in 1998. Journalists quickly christened it the Monaro, encouraging Holden to build it. The show car was designed for production and by 2001, the V2 series Monaro was launched after General Motors spent a mere A$60 million over a brief 22-month gestation (although 12 to 18 were targeted). It was available in CV6 (production ceased in mid 2004) and CV8 models with a supercharged 3.8 L V6 and a 5.7 L Gen III V8, choice of a 6 speed manual or 4 speed automatic, and soon to be known as one of the fastest stock cars in the world. A series 2 model debuted in early 2003 with a revised dashboard from the VY series Commodore, a new wheel design and some colours dropped and new ones added. The CV6 model was dropped after disappointing sales (reputedly 10 times as many were built as CV8s) when a Series 3 model appeared in 2004.

A HSV version (not called Monaro but Coupe) in 'GTO' (255-297 kW) and 'GTS' (300 kW tuned by Callaway) versions debuted soon after the "series 1" Monaro editions, with higher output 5.7 L engines and unique body kits. Later the 'GTS' version was dropped but a four-wheel drive version called 'Coupe4' appeared. Two special edition CV8-R Monaros were released, the first in a grey colour and the second in a more muted red. Each had special wheels and other distinguishing features.

The hottest Monaro was the HRT 427 (Holden Racing Team 427ci) this was a supercar version of the Monaro built by HSV, this car used the 427 in³ (7 L) C5R Chevrolet racing engine modified by HRT and HSV to suit the Aussie coupe. The HRT 427 had two seats, a semi–roll cage, race suspension, racing brakes and ram air induction as well as other things. This supercar was quicker than a Ferarri 360 Modena and Lamborghini Gallardo. It had 420 kW and could sprint to 100 km/h (62 mph) in under 4 seconds. Unfortunately, to the disappointment of Holden fans, plans for production were dropped due to a reportedly unworkable business case.

However, a GT racecar version of the HRT 427 went on to win the 2002 and 2003 Bathurst 24 hour against many world class race cars including Porsche GT3s, the British Mosler MT900R, the Ferarri GT Modena and the Lamborghini GT Racecar, proving it really could have been a world beating car. The second win was also Holden touring car legend Peter Brock's 10th endurance race win at Bathurst, an amazing achievement for a 60 year old. Had the HRT 427 road car been built it would probably have the same heroic status as the other famous aussie supercar (of its time) the Falcon GT HO Phase III.

Most recently, the current Monaro has been exported to overseas markets. It is sold, in left hand drive, in the Middle East as the Chevrolet Lumina Coupe, and in the United States as the Pontiac GTO, reviving another classic muscle car icon. It is also sold in the United Kingdom as the Vauxhall Monaro where it won Top Gear's best muscle car award.

Vauxhall Monaro VXR at the 2006 British International Motor ShowComplaints about the Pontiac GTO's sedate styling from American consumers saw the addition of two bonnet scoops in 2005, with the VZ series Monaro, to recall the later muscle-car variants of the late 1960s' models. The bonnet scoops serve no functional purpose. In the eyes of the Australian press, the scoops have spoiled the lines, while the American media seem to accept them. The 2005 and 2006 GTO also received a Gen IV 6.0 L engine putting out 400 hp (298 kW); the Australian HSV GTO coupe got a similar engine in its Z series; and Vauxhall launched this as the Monaro VXR in the UK.

Holden's PR says that the scoops recall the HT Monaro.

Third generation Monaro production finished on December 13, 2005. The last Pontiac GTO was produced with little fanfare on June 17, 2006. HSV GTO coupes may also continue longer than the Monaro itself. Like the earlier CV8-R models CV8-Zs had extra features including a metallic orange colour, special wheels and a sunroof as standard; the same price was charged for the CV8-Zs as the prior VZ CV8s.

The last ever Monaro was purchased by Emerald, Queensland businessman Darryl Mattingley for $AUD187,355.55—around three times the normal retail price. The car was bought through eBay, with the money going to the Leukemia Foundation, setting an Australian eBay record for highest price to date in the process. Mattingley, a huge Ford collector, has stated that his only Holden will not be registered, but will make appearances at auto shows. Auction details.


The Scooby STI is a 4WD, not FWD. The new ones are good, they have finally fixed the fragile gearbox. They go like a raped ape too.

Look at a Honda Integra Type R. FWD but a brilliant balance and excellent build quality.

[94bmw325i]

I think he wants new, so an integra r wouldnt fit the bill, they replaced those with the rsx..

I know there has been talk about sti's, I mean they sound great with the boxer engine, but what about evos? Possibly something like an audi also, not sure how they relate to BMW in terms of maintenance $, but also getting a car the first year the new model comes out tends to have more problems.

good luck with it

[celsdogg]

i *somewhat* like the rsx-s, but its really a girly car if you ask me.

if your looking for something low maintenance, i would say something japanese. not european or american.

[witeshark]

^^^ As cainchapman said, the Pontiac is kinda really a Holden (Australian/New Zealand GM) and RWD is a strong hope IMO

[BMWLotAttendant]

I can't believe that NOBODY has mentioned this, and it IS in the Asian market AND it is RWD.

Nissan 350Z or Infinity G35.
300hp for the 350Z, and 293hp for the G35.

We have a 2006 350Z 6MT Grand Touring with 1,200 miles for $30,000. AND it's RWD!
Black on Black leather, everything except Nav. It is sweet! I love them both!

[celsdogg]

i was thinking of a G35, but a 350 is a good option

[doughboyea]

Wow, thanks for all the responses!

So, let's start from the top.... STi:

Here's my opinion on it; Though it does have plenty of HP and that all needed AWD, the look of it constantly makes me think rice, with that large ass wing on the back of it. Another note, g/f's brother-in-law is a VW head mechanic, he's been telling me that from his experience over the years he has learned that Subaru's are "tin cans."

Next, Honda/Toyota. Yea, I looked at their model line up, and to be honest, there's nothing there that jumps out at me and screams. They are basic vehicles that take you from point A to B, and that's it. Having driven a Toyota over the summer for work, I can re-vouch for that statement. A lack of enthusiasm and what-not. Buying something like that would be as a last resort. I really don't want to go as high as $600/mo for a car loan payment, so I will keep that in mind.

I also looked at Mazdaspeed Mazda3. It's got decent HP and a rather low price, just I don't know a lot about it and it's also only available with FWD.

The Pontiac GTO has ALOT of HP, too much imho. I wouldn't feel too comfortable with anything over 350hp. Also, American cars tend to have plastic interiors. Big turn-off especially when this sucker is costing the same price as luxury vehicles.

Mitsu. Evo, well, again, it's got that big ass fin on the back. Seems like Jap cars cater to the ricer side of performance. Doesn't look all that attractive.

I know I"m sounding really picky, but, you have to understand that this will be something that I will be driving, spending time in. If I feel horrible while looking at it, doesn't make me feel better buying it.

I believe that someone also mentioned a CPO BMW. Not too sure on that one because a CPO BMW will be over $30k with mileage on the clock of course. Just seems like a lot of dough for a used car that is as basic as mine.

My favorite alternative was as mentioned, an Audi. I was checking out the 2.0T A4. Though they are expensive, I was impressed by the interior looks and the AWD. But, g/f's brother-in-law, working on those engines at his dealership said those require LOTS of work/maintenance.

G35 starts out at $32-34k. Factor in options, taxes and fees, your in the low 40k range. That would be just a bit too much, granted I haven't looked at the other prices in detail yet, but I just wanted to make that point.


So let me be more specific on monthly payments:

Based upon $400 monthly payment, that works out to be around $21k loan, add to that anything that I can get for my car and that's how much I'm looking at (my dealer offered $6k trade-in ). BTW, a $31k car loan will cost me $600. I am trying to save money, so I probably shouldn't of mentioned the price range in the first post. But anyway, that's my thinking.

I hope I didn't forget anyone, sorry if I did (girlfriend is eyeing me to get off the computer so we can Christmas shop......)

Again, thank you all for your responses thus far...

Dough