New car ~$30k need reccomendations

[mdl]

Plain and simple, the best bang for the buck, fastest quarter for the price, best skidpad rating. I love this car with a passion, Seats 4 nice and 5 if needed. Keeps up with Corvettes and Porsche. The Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX. http://www.rsportscars.com/eng/cars/lancer_evo_ix.asp

Set the center dif for Snow, Tarmac, or Gravel and go. Awesome car test drove it and fell in love.

Not a fan of the looks... It looks like a compact car thats been riced out only stock. I'm sure its great but I just couldn't get over its looks.

 

[Smittty9785]

Not a fan of the looks... It looks like a compact car thats been riced out only stock. I'm sure its great but I just couldn't get over its looks.

how about the elise? or better yet excige. get one. they might only come stock with a 4 banger but wow they weight less than a ton. they haul some balls and looks are bad ass

 

[johnlv6]

I've driven a couple 05 GTO's. I think they'd be a great daily driver.

 

[chelms27]

I dont like new stuff, personally. I would rather buy a 60's muscle car for 10K, dump another 10-20K in it, and have one kick ass car. Prices appreciate on older classics, as for new cars, they depreciate in value.

Ive driven the GTO. Fast, handles somewhat well, good ride, and nice interior, but lack looks.

Agreed, anyone can just go buy a new plastic car, old muscle cars have the looks and character IMO. But if you have to go with new and sporty I am also a WRX or Lancer fan.

 

[bb_xjer]

if i could chose any car id go for dodge magnum or chrysler 300c

 

[bjoehandley]

if i could chose any car id go for dodge magnum or chrysler 300c

I was thinking GTO if you want a two door, Magnum if you want or don't have too much ego for a wagon, and Charger for the sedan, the 300 is just too fugly!

 

[Kittrell]

legacy GT sedan. 0-60 in about 5.5 seconds. lots of aftermarket (uses same engine as STI)

What he said.

 

[mdl]

secksi


thanks for replies everyone

 

[Glenn B]

Do not be afraid to look at (and drive!) the Volvo S60.

Ours is great to drive, good gas consumption. It is in inline 5cyl with a turbo. Ours is AWD and loaded, but maybe you can do without that?

 

[TJ-Shocker]

I agree about the s60, keep in mind they put specialty Summer tires on the high end one.

Take a look at the Cooper S also. I'm 6'3 and had a blast when I test drove it. 6 speed, built to handle like a go kart. I hit 130 before I needed 6th.

If you want something a little more muscle looking I liked the Charge R/t I test drove. Or you could go up to the 40 range and get an srt8 with the 6.1 HEMI.

 

[JoesXJ]

I also have an S60, and I LOVE IT! Great MPG and lots of go with the help of the turbo. With the pirelli 235/45/Z17's it sticks like glue around the corners and oh what a smoth ride.

 

[Glenn B]

I agree about the s60, keep in mind they put specialty Summer tires on the high end one.

Take a look at the Cooper S also. I'm 6'3 and had a blast when I test drove it. 6 speed, built to handle like a go kart. I hit 130 before I needed 6th.

If you want something a little more muscle looking I liked the Charge R/t I test drove. Or you could go up to the 40 range and get an srt8 with the 6.1 HEMI.

The tires do depend on the model. Ours is loaded, but has Continetal's due to being AWD.

 

[98XJSport]

Theres also the Nissan 350Z or Honda S2000 to consider. Also the new Eclipses are looking good, bit weak in performance considering, but I don't know what you are really looking for in performance. New Monte Carlo SS have some decent numbers, but still heavy.

Not comparing them just throwing out some names that would be in that range...

 

[bjoehandley]

I'm kinda digging the upcoming Dodge Avenger, looks like an improved Charger but it's still on the smaller side and it sounds like it should have the 300M/Intrepid R/T 3.5l V-6 as the top motor too.

 

[XgeekstarX]

if i had that much money to spend on a car the only thing i'd get would be an STI. if you ever drive one you'll know what i mean.

 

[olivedrabcj7]

30k will buy a nice used 3 or 5 series BMW. You havent driven a sports sedan until youve driven a BMW. Go test drive one, you will see what I mean.

 

[steelmen]

GTO all the way. My brother has one and whenever i drive it i feel like a pimp (coming from a guy who drives a beat to hell xj all day)

 

[Kittrell]

if i had that much money to spend on a car the only thing i'd get would be an STI. if you ever drive one you'll know what i mean.

Meh, it's a kid's car IMO

 

[XJ_ranger]

ill have to 2nd the looking at the Mini...

the mini S is a freeken blast to drive - and im 6'-4" and quite comfortable in the front and back seats (well, as comfortable in the back seat as I ever am...)

if nothing else, they are an 'outside the box' new car...

 

[POSJ]

I bought my wife an S60 2.4 Turbo AWD awhile ago, it's a 2002. It's a good car for top end and handles pretty well, but the turbo lag is pretty noticable sometimes. They may have addressed this in the newer models. I love this car and it is very comfortable but it isn't a sports car by any means. The after market is pretty minimal compared to japanese cars but it is very luxurious for $30,000.