New year's resolution - Buy a new car!

"themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles" (themanwithsauce) 12/12/2013 at 21:21 • Filed to: None

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Well my fellow jalops, the little !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! is getting to be a bit much. I''ve decided that it's finally time to buy something made well after I was born and get something that's at most a year or so old. It is my resolution for 2014. I have a couple grand saved up and will have about 600$ a month for payments and insurance and still have money to put in the bank every month (usually about 2-400$ at the end of most normal months depending on how many things broke on my jetta/audi).

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Here are my front runners so far

1) Ford Fiesta ST - I need not say any more about this car. Simply put, it is an absolute joy of a hatchback for under 25k and can consistently get into the 30s for mileage like my current used jetta but with double the power and more cargo space and MUCH better handling

2) Buick Regal GS - Not a new one but a 1 or 2 year old model with a manual. Truth be told, I think it has one of the best shifters out there for a daily driver. Just enough weight and throw that you won't miss but short and precise enough for good spirited driving. Plus it is a "luxury" sedan that can be had in the mid to high 20s with tons of features and a killer set of stock wheels so you can definitely be the envy of your parking lot for not a lot of money.

3) Mazda RX8-R3 - I will need a winter beater with this one, but seriously it is a beast of a RWD coupe/sedan. Plenty of high RPM power for track/autoX use combined with useable rear seats and a generous trunk mean I can stop by the store on my way back from beign competitive in my class at an autoX and have plenty of room for well over a week of groceries.

4) Mk6/7 GTI - The ultimate in "safe bet", there is nothing I will ask of a car that a GTI can't do. I don't own anything that needs to be towed and I am a bachelor. I can;t think of a single thing that I would ask of a car that the GTI can;t deliver on besides doing a drift competition.

5) Mercedes C300 - A 2011 manual transmission equipped model is my preference here. With the manual, you get a stripped out luxury sedan with very few things to go wrong but a stout 210+ hp V6 and a 6-speed manual powering the rear tires. Well built and handsome, certainly it must be considered for someone shopping for a car in the 25k price range.

6) BMW 320i - The jalop special will be on my list. Certainly the most expensive, but at the same time it might be worth it. There will be an aftermarket for more power and the warranty and service provided by BMW might not be a bad investment. If I avoid excessive electronics I should have a nice, solid, reliable sedan for many thousands of happy miles.

7) Infiniti G35/37 - A dark horse, but occasionally I find a low mileage example for cheap. I'm not a fan of the Z car, but I love the look of the infiniti. From what I;ve heard, with snow tires, they do just fine in the winter. Doubly so if you get the manual and can force the gear you want instead of wait for the transmission and traction control to come to an agreement. Definitely a fun choice, and one I would regret leaving out in case a good one came along. A nice balanced sedan/coupe.

So fellow jalops, out of this list which one would you pick? And before you can mention it - the FR-S is a car I hate and I need a car with a decent trunk and four seats so the miata is out. That is non-negotiable. You can NOT convince me that either of those cars is the car I need as I have driven both and can confirm - for a car I have to wake up to and drive no matter what, 24/7? I would not like it. Suggesting either of those will get your comment dismissed.

BlazinAce - Doctor of Internal Combustion > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 12/12/2013 at 21:27

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Are these beer logos? If they are, that license plate is pure genius!

N/A POWAAAHH > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 12/12/2013 at 21:28

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The buick regal actually sounds pretty good. Or go with the "safe bet"

dogisbadob > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 12/12/2013 at 21:31

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There is only one answer that's not the Miata

Fuck car payments

80CobraKid > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 12/12/2013 at 21:32

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I recommend any of those besides the Merc, the GTi, and the G-cars.

Merc: too complicated, expensive to maintian and not reliable (long-term)

GTi: Basically the same problems as the Merc.

G-Cars: I've only seen poser douches driving these, but I love the sound of their V6.

On the RX-8 in the winter: Winter tires+sandbag=fine

Choices 1-3 are the best.

beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 12/12/2013 at 21:32

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personally, my choice would be between the Focus ST and the GTI, both are great at what they do. The Focus is a little faster but the GTI is a nicer place to be in.

In the end I would pick the GTI because resale value on the ST's in Australia hasn't historically been fantastic. and I'd probably ditch the GTI before the warranty ran out, though that may be because I just booked the work VW Transporter in for repairs and it's costing a mint, one of the injectors kicked the bucket a few months outside of warranty.. now all 4 need to be replaced at an average price of one testicle per injector.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > BlazinAce - Doctor of Internal Combustion 12/12/2013 at 21:37

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Yep! Beer labels on both the driver and passenger side front fenders along with a rusted trunk and blacked out trim and some 17" alloys with coilovers. Stock camber and toe setting though so it is lower, but still rides pretty well. RSK coilovers and aggressively treaded all seasons make for a decent ride even in the rain and snow.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > dogisbadob 12/12/2013 at 21:38

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Lies. I'd much rather have any of the cars on this list besides a miata. Even my jetta, I'd keep that over a miata since it's different and a giant middle finger to everyone else while being dirt cheap and stupidly easy to use.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard 12/12/2013 at 21:41

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It's the fiesta ST, not the focus. I don;t care for the focus and I'd go with the GTI instead. But the fiesta is cheaper to buy and cheaper to own with better fuel economy and cheaper insurance than the GTI.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > 80CobraKid 12/12/2013 at 21:44

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My idiot friend who has a mark 5 GTI has had his for over 100k with only the timing belt service keeping him out of commission for more than a day and even then, his services are pretty cheap and unobtrusive. He beats on that car and takes very poor care of it yet it continues to work just fine. I'd say the Mk6/7 GTIs will be just as robust.

As for the others, I can see the merc possibly being an issue, but it lacks the stereotypical merc problem sources. The 3.0L V6 is basically a reduced stroke 3.5L V6 with less aggressive timing so it is overbuilt for the power it gives. It lacks the high end touchscreens and nav and everything else that tend to break, and it has a stout 6-speed manual which will certainly be less finnicky than the typical merc autobox. I don;t care who else drives the car I want if it is the car I want. I can do my part to change public persona if I get a G37.

drunkenup2 > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 12/12/2013 at 21:49

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If you're considering a C300 you should also strongly consider the 2011+ E9x 328i. More power than the F30 320i, sweet N/A I-6, and a more communicative chassis and steering setup than both the 320 and the Pre-2012 C300. You also have the coupe option.

If you're considering the G37, you might also want to look at the 2011 335i sedan and 2011-2013 335i coupe. With the option of CPO its worth considering, you might like the torque advantage to be had. The N55 motor seems fairly reliable so far, especially in comparison to the previous N54.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > drunkenup2 12/12/2013 at 21:52

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Eh, I'm not much of a BMW fan. I'll give them a shot if I run into a good deal, but I won;t go out of my way to search for them. I actually learned how to drive stick on a BMW 3-series fro the mid 2000s and it wasn;t a bad car by any means, just not what I cared for. It has a certain stiffness to the driving style I don't like. Not in the suspension, but in the chassis itself.

Then again, I'm weird and like a bit of throw to my shifts so liking a bit of flex and give in my chassis and suspension seems right to me. I might get a BMW later on, but for now being very loud with your communications is higher on my list than being capable of more. Does that make sense?

MtrRider Just Wants Doritos > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 12/12/2013 at 21:53

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Dodge Charger R/T or SRT8 if you can find a deal on one. It has to be a new/newer one though, preferably with the 8 (9?) speed. It's auto only, but it's still a V8 'Murican muscle car.

On that list, I'd take the ST. It just looks like fun. As for the RX8, well the reason most people buy newer cars if for the reliability and fuel economy.

BlazinAce - Doctor of Internal Combustion > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 12/12/2013 at 21:53

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That's awesome, i probably couldnt't pull off the stickerbomb look because my Fiat is still stock, even in the paint, despite my accident earlier this year, but I've been meaning to get some ride upgrades forever now, I just have no monies to import the bits to Brazil... Someday, though, I'll make that car handle even better!

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > MtrRider Just Wants Doritos 12/12/2013 at 21:54

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Won;t do a charger, no manual. I would consider a slightly used Challenger R/T though. Just not many good deals in my area.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > MtrRider Just Wants Doritos 12/12/2013 at 21:55

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And compared to my audi, the RX-8 would get better fuel economy. I see 9-10 in the city.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > N/A POWAAAHH 12/12/2013 at 21:57

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I'd do the regal before the GTI just to be a bit different. I'd love either one, though.

drunkenup2 > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 12/12/2013 at 21:58

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+1 You can't make generalizations about reliability with an entire brand or country of origin. It varies from model to model, engine to engine, etc.

Recent entry level German cars that lack air/pneumatic suspension, high performance engines and transmissions and all are usually fairly reliable. There is a premium on parts and labor when they do break though. My boss has a 2011 C300 with 50k mi, no issues whatsoever.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > BlazinAce - Doctor of Internal Combustion 12/12/2013 at 21:59

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I tell people the point of "boming" used to be to be different. Now that everyone "sticker"-bombs, doesn;t mean you can;t still be different. You should get a bunch of wine labels from the year your fiat was made and "bomb" a fender or part of the body. Or just bomb it with wine labels in general. Be Italian!

dogisbadob > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 12/12/2013 at 21:59

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SACRILEGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(sorry, I had to)

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > dogisbadob 12/12/2013 at 22:02

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Yeah, I know, but I stand by my words. I don't want a miata for my DD. I actually have things to do and limited space for cars. My audi rally project takes precedent over owning a miata.

BlazinAce - Doctor of Internal Combustion > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 12/12/2013 at 22:08

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Hehe, I like that idea, I really do, wine labels would look pretty boss on my gas tank lid.

MtrRider Just Wants Doritos > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 12/12/2013 at 22:10

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I assumed you needed a big back seat; I'd have recommended a challenger or Mustang were that the case.

beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 12/12/2013 at 22:11

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oh right, sorry, I misread that. I haven't driven the Fiesta ST so I can't say much about it other than what you'd already know from other reviews.

GTI's are real nice though, I've had my heart set on getting a mkV R32 or R36 Passat if I ever grow out of my MR2

G37's look really nice and sound amazeballs with some subtle exhaust modifications.

PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 12/12/2013 at 22:21

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I say regal GS, since I got a ride in one (automatic equipped, though) when a friend's dad picked me and him up at school. It's a rocketship, and it's stealthy AF

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > MtrRider Just Wants Doritos 12/12/2013 at 22:39

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It doesn;t have to be huge, but enough to lug around 4 adults for half an hour or more without them feeling like they're going to die. At least the fiesta manages to have some foot room and the challenger too can seat people in the back. I;ve sat in the back in the FR-S......wait let me rephrase that - I've curled up in a ball to fit in the back of an FR-S "seat" and sprawled out in the back to fit properly. It does not seat adults. They are not seats. Scion spreads lies.

MtrRider Just Wants Doritos > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 12/12/2013 at 22:41

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Hey, you can fit two helmets and 4 track tires in a FRS. I guess that's practical. You can actually fit humanoids in the back of the Challenger, the only good thing about it being so big. I bet it also makes you want to do burnouts and clutch drops at every opportunity.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > MtrRider Just Wants Doritos 12/12/2013 at 23:01

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The FR-S is also absolutely worthless in snow unless you want to drift all the time. The problem is I live in a downtown area and wagging my ass out in every turn is just asking for an accident. Therefore, the FR-S is an automatic no go.

...Plus I don't care for how they are to drive. COME AT ME BRO!

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 12/12/2013 at 23:25

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Volvo C30? Manual, luxury, and simply different. It stands out in parking lots. First, used ones go pretty cheap. Otherwise, Volvo just axed them so dealers are looking to clear them for pretty cheap.. Look at that hatch..

MtrRider Just Wants Doritos > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 12/12/2013 at 23:26

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The FR-S is also absolutely worthless in snow unless you want to drift all the time.

I believe you, Mr. Scion Salesman. I;m sure that 200 hp rwd car would be way worse in the snow than a 300-500hp rwd car!

But seriously, I wouldn't buy one either. For the snow you should get a Raptor! Or a Jeep. But now I just wanna go wheeling in the snow. And I live where it doesn't snow :(

Actually the Charger RT I mentioned earlier has awd available...

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > MtrRider Just Wants Doritos 12/12/2013 at 23:29

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well all the cars I listed are under 300hp and the C300 and G35/37 have some weight over the drive wheels the FR-S doesn't. Yes snow tires help a ton for all three, but the FR-S is still a very tiny coupe with limited storage and poor winter driveability. I live in Grand Rapids so lake effect snow is something I deal with. A jetta with aggressive tread does just fine despite only having 100hp and 3k lbs. The 5-speed manual is an immeasurable asset in the snow to control power and torque.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! 12/12/2013 at 23:29

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Eh, perhaps.....I liked the earliest ones but after that I stopped liking them. If I see an early one with <30k miles I might.

MtrRider Just Wants Doritos > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 12/12/2013 at 23:40

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I'd like to assume snow tires are a given on any car you pick.

I like the C300. It's a nice car, but pretty ordinary. Now, a C63...

The G37 I can get behind, even if I think Infinity's new naming structure is idiotic and the person responsible for it should burn in Hell. It's a nice car with a decent engine, and is often overlook by the middle aged women in middle management positions- uh, I mean people in the market for cars like that.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > MtrRider Just Wants Doritos 12/12/2013 at 23:50

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nah, aggressive all seasons are fine for daily use. I don't drive that far into the country. You just need to make sure you spend more than 50$ a tire for decent all seasons. My Jetta is on Altimax G-max tires and its fine in snow.

I don't think it will be my end choice, but I'm leaving a door open for a G35 or G37 to come in. I wouldn't turn one down with a manual and a decent maintenance record.

MtrRider Just Wants Doritos > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 12/13/2013 at 00:23

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Well mix it up a bit then. Buy a WRX STi and put studded Blizzaks on it.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > MtrRider Just Wants Doritos 12/13/2013 at 00:35

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nah, not a fan of the WRX. Ditto the Evo. I am a quattro man so I would buy an A4 quattro before I bought an STI or Evo.

MtrRider Just Wants Doritos > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 12/13/2013 at 01:22

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That's too bad, Mitsubishi gives away Evos as a thank-you just for visiting the dealer and remembering they exist.

Buy a Honda Accord.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > MtrRider Just Wants Doritos 12/13/2013 at 01:26

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I would rather be broken down at the side of the road in my jetta or audi than be on the road in a honda accord

MtrRider Just Wants Doritos > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 12/13/2013 at 01:35

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What about a used VW Phaeton W12?

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > MtrRider Just Wants Doritos 12/13/2013 at 01:36

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horrible idea but still better than an accord

MtrRider Just Wants Doritos > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 12/13/2013 at 01:39

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VW Toureag V10 TDI?

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > MtrRider Just Wants Doritos 12/13/2013 at 01:49

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See the phaeton. I would love one TBH but the maintenance is a frightening amount for a VW

MtrRider Just Wants Doritos > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 12/13/2013 at 01:53

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You suggested the RX8!

Ok then... Raptor. Built like a tank, that truck.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > MtrRider Just Wants Doritos 12/13/2013 at 01:59

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No, you're comparing apples to oranges. The RX-8 does need maintenance, but it is not nearly on the same level as the W12 or TDI V10 of the VW models. And the rpator is ridiculously expensive so no.

MtrRider Just Wants Doritos > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 12/13/2013 at 02:04

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Ok ok... Taurus SHO? Meets all criteria, isn't too expensive, is practical, AWD and quick. Cons it's big and automatic.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > MtrRider Just Wants Doritos 12/13/2013 at 02:06

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so it's not a manual which means automatic no

MtrRider Just Wants Doritos > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 12/13/2013 at 02:16

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Dodge Ram SRT10. Available in 2 or 4 door with a manual and a big V10 up front.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > MtrRider Just Wants Doritos 12/13/2013 at 08:33

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I've already said I wanted that in another article. That is a vehicle reserved for if I go overseas.

suss6052 > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 12/16/2013 at 22:29

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The Fiesta stickers for a bit less, but there are almost no incentives on it, and the Focus ST handles better, and is faster. The Fiesta ST is much more about momentum, but the only objective performance measurements where it was better was in braking and lower weight.

It's a good car, but the Focus is more fun to drive, as well as feeling much more refined/ civilized when not beating on it.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > suss6052 12/16/2013 at 22:40

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I disagree based on my experiences in a focus ST. The car is a pretty typical focus for daily use but I do NOT like it as a performance car. That faux-lsd thing the car does will wreck the brake pads very quickly and in less than 20k miles, my friend's focus exhibits really bad drivetrain clatter and it bucks and clunks under hard acceleration. It seems to handle okay, but I think I'd prefer the nimbleness and smaller body of the fiesta as it always felt a bit vague even by FWD standards. Plus, it will drop in price in the next few months once the initial orders die down a bit. Definitely a fun car, but really it's a mazdaspeed 3 successor with a ford badge on it - lacking in refinement but a wild ride. I can see why people like it, but it isn't for me.

suss6052 > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 12/17/2013 at 01:35

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Enjoy your torsion beam rear suspension.

I have had the opportunity to drive both the Fiesta ST and the Focus ST although I have driven the Focus more. It sounds like you enjoy the Fiesta more, but I found it to lack urgency when trying to drive quickly around the auto-x course, the clutch is marshmallow soft like it is on the standard Fiesta, and the interior layout was a lot more cramped from behind the wheel. I still had fun, but it wasn't the car I wanted to walk out to every single day. Technically I have had both the regular 2012 + Focus and now the ST though, so I guess I have voted with my wallet as to which ST I like best. It's unfortunate that the three door fiesta is not available here, nor the station wagon Focus ST.

Both cars have their strengths, and the Fiesta felt light on it's feet, but it didn't speak to me the same way the Focus does. The Fiesta rode rougher and felt less refined by comparison to the Focus to me. The Focus has a huge thrust advantage stock for stock that overcomes it's additional inertia, but I'll concede that the lower weight helps the Fiesta stop faster despite tiny little rotors by comparison.

The Fiesta though eager and willing seemed to be too tame in comparison to the Focus, like it was trying to emulate the MK1 Focus SVT/ST170 rather than follow in the footsteps of the Focus ST.

With an unlimited budget I'd probably still have one as a toy, but for my money the Focus is my choice.

Tom McParland > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 12/17/2013 at 07:53

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The ST is awesome can't go wrong there, plenty of Opponauts have them so can get an idea on how fun they are. The RX-8 are amazing cars but hard to find that haven't been hooned to death and the MPGs are terrible. Again the GTI is a classic but I'd wait until the MK7 it will be a lighter car with a bit more go. The Benz is a nice pick for something different, you might want to read my review on a W204 C3004. I love the F30 BMWs however you might want to wait and pick up a CPO 328 or even a CPO E90 335 for the same price as at that 320. My dad was a G 35/37 addict for a while he leased 4 of them, they are nice but the steering is a bit over boosted and I can't stand the shifter, it is way too heavy and clunky. Oh I forgot about the Regal, cool car on paper but if you look at the actual specs 0-60 times etc...it just doesn't add up for me and it's wrong-wheel-drive for a lux sedan.

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Just my two cents. Happy shopping :)

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > Tom McParland 12/17/2013 at 09:16

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The Regal GS can easily be boosted up to 300hp or more thanks to a tune from one of the Detroit area shops. 0-60 times plummet real fast with the added power and response. Mid 5 second 0-60 runs appear to be the norm. I'm actually leaning the most towards the GS to be honest.

Tom McParland > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 12/17/2013 at 09:41

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They are a good value and it's something different. At the end of the day it is all about what feels right. I look forward to updates. :)

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > Tom McParland 12/17/2013 at 09:48

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It will be a little while. I need to get out of this job and into a better paying one since I found out I'm damn near criminally underpaid.....

Tom McParland > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 12/17/2013 at 09:50

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Ah yes...the lack of monies. That too is is preventing me from upgrading the ride.

#jaloproblems :D