The $25,000 challenge

"mkbruin, Atlas VP" (mkbruin) 09/18/2014 at 09:56 • Filed to: None

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Lets face it, you can buy an absolutely insane amount of car for $25,000. So, what is "best"?

How you answer this question depends on your own definition; but between the fusion, optima, sonata, 200, mustang, Miata, mazda3, varios Hondas, caravans, charger, genesis, toyobaru's, ST's, Ram Express, and god knows what else, if you have $25k burning a hole in your pocket your options are not limited.

So, if you have to buy new, what do you choose and why?

Sweet Trav > mkbruin, Atlas VP 09/18/2014 at 09:58

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BRZ starts at 25,695 bro. might want to add a couple of grand.

Sir_Stig: and toxic masculinity ruins the party again. > mkbruin, Atlas VP 09/18/2014 at 10:01

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Not that I'm biased, but... Fiesta ST.

Milky > mkbruin, Atlas VP 09/18/2014 at 10:01

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Obligatory & actually what I would do if I had to buy new.

Just simply is the most fun for the money …. thats all I want.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > mkbruin, Atlas VP 09/18/2014 at 10:02

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new for 25k

This is the problem I had with a friend of mine the other day who's fiance needed a new car and the budget was a max of 28. I'm like ANYTHING is in that range.

For new I'd probably be between this list (which is a tad all over the place)

Jeep Cherokee

Focus ST

Fusion

Maybe even an Escape

For the record I never buy new, always used in the 30-45k mileage range. Used cars in this price range is pretty much the sky's the limit.

William Byrd > mkbruin, Atlas VP 09/18/2014 at 10:02

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My thoughts on two regularly proposed options:

Part 1 & 2
http://oppositelock.jalopnik.com/video-comparis…

http://oppositelock.jalopnik.com/video-bmw-e46-…

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > mkbruin, Atlas VP 09/18/2014 at 10:03

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Has to be GTI (best all-rounder) or Mustang V6 (best performance).

I think I'd go GTI (assuming I like it better than the Focus ST).

spanfucker retire bitch > mkbruin, Atlas VP 09/18/2014 at 10:04

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For 25K, I'd probably just get another Mazda3 Hatchback. For an extra 5K though, I'd get a WRX.

GhostZ > mkbruin, Atlas VP 09/18/2014 at 10:05

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Ew, New...

Probably a Mustang Ecoboost, or a V6 with a supercharger kit.

MrPseudonym > mkbruin, Atlas VP 09/18/2014 at 10:08

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Haggle for Gen 2 Viper.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > GhostZ 09/18/2014 at 10:09

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Exactly. http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/…

mcseanerson > mkbruin, Atlas VP 09/18/2014 at 10:10

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For me it is a matter of either the Mazda3 or Mazda2. Also possibly a Fiesta Ecoboost.

GhostZ > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 09/18/2014 at 10:11

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Can you imagine the beast of a 280Z you can build with $20,000 leftover?

Tim > mkbruin, Atlas VP 09/18/2014 at 10:15

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I looked at Cayman's and older 911's a lot. That's what I wanted, but I didn't want to deal with repair costs and sadly the car had to do commuter duty. (Landcruiser's get gallons per mile so that had to stop) So, I found a BRZ Limited with 2,300 miles on it. He was a 48 year old guy who put some nice BFG G-Force Rival tires, a clear 3m bra on the front and sides, the camber bolts, JDM exhaust tips, rear diffuser, tinted windows and that's about it. He had a GT3 and some other drool worthy cars and his wife hated riding in the BRZ. It was loud compared to his 135i apparently...

He had it detailed for me and I flew to Medford Oregon and drove it home to AZ.
Total price with flight and drive home, food, and fuel incldued.(I slept in the car to save on hotels)

$23,550. No Tax.
I love this thing. It's a fun NO EGO car that just works and puts a smile on my face. 5,500 miles and counting.

Drive home. Lassen Volcanic Park.

Stealth camped at some good spots on the way home. Lake Tahoe.

Mt. Whitney Base Camp.

Had to run through Death Valley of course.

5'11" and only about 2 or 3 inches to spare.
Home sweet home:

qbeezy > mkbruin, Atlas VP 09/18/2014 at 10:17

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Id haggle for another Genesis. This time a R-Spec or nothing.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > mkbruin, Atlas VP 09/18/2014 at 10:25

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A Volvo 740 wagon, powered by a built VW 1.9l TDI. dual square headlights are a must. Probably 10k all together, including an Air Ride suspension, and a decent system.

A 1970 Ford F250 highboy with a . Say 7k for a rough looking, but reliable and off-road ready one.

A fourth gen Honda Civic hatch. B18c1 swapped. 8k

And all that for the price of a FiST. The only problem is you can't get a 5 year laon at 1.9% interest for three piles or junk lol So in reality if I was shopping for a 25,000 dollar car what I'd buy would either be a FiST, unless the FoST happened to be a better deal at the time.

 V8 Rustler > mkbruin, Atlas VP 09/18/2014 at 10:26

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S197 Manual V6 Mustang. There should be some left.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > mcseanerson 09/18/2014 at 10:27

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you mean a 1.0l SE, or an ST?

mcseanerson > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles 09/18/2014 at 10:39

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ecoboost is 1.0. ST is ST

ColoradoTaco > mkbruin, Atlas VP 09/18/2014 at 10:40

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You could snag a B5 S4 for about $5k and with $15k pull the engine and put on a pair of GT28 turbos and other supporting mods and be around 500-600awhp and have money left over for when it breaks again.

edit: ah you said new, if I had $25k I'd have to save another 5-10 to get my truck

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > GhostZ 09/18/2014 at 10:40

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Hell yes.

I'm glad people buy new cars. I just hope they spec them the way I want them...

Sportwägen, Driver Of The Red Sportwagen > mkbruin, Atlas VP 09/18/2014 at 10:44

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Have you met my lord and savior, Sportwagen TDI?

Conan > mkbruin, Atlas VP 09/18/2014 at 10:48

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I'd so buy used.

With that said if the Local Motors Track/Street Car has a $25,000 Street Option I'd go for that.

Tom McParland > mkbruin, Atlas VP 09/18/2014 at 10:49

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See listing for Mustang GT -

http://carbuying.jalopnik.com/what-is-the-be…

Too many M's > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 09/18/2014 at 11:48

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I'd be hard pressed to not get something from the blue oval these days. Both of the STs are pretty darn good. The MK7 GTI is pretty great though.

Another Mustang V6 or GTI for this corner as well.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Too many M's 09/18/2014 at 12:31

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The Performance pack (with extra power and LSD) puts the MK7 past our limit, but it sounds like it's an impressive performer.

Uak42 > mkbruin, Atlas VP 09/18/2014 at 15:27

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If it has to be a NEW car and can't be even rolled over the curve just once, then a

Dodge Ram 1500, AWD, 4-door, 5.7 V8 Hemi

...for $26,000 and some haggling till I get it for $25k.

Sean > mkbruin, Atlas VP 09/18/2014 at 16:38

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Does it have to be new? What about the s2000?

theshinobi01 > mkbruin, Atlas VP 09/18/2014 at 17:45

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If it is limited to new cars, then the FRS/BRZ is honestly the best choice. It's rear wheel drive, with a very good transmission, the FA20 engine loves boost so later down the line you can soup it up. Not the most practical car, but a hell of a car for 25k new.

theo > mkbruin, Atlas VP 09/18/2014 at 20:50

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Used V10 M5

jeeper > mkbruin, Atlas VP 09/18/2014 at 21:55

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this may be kind of old but a car for 25000 for me would be the willys jeep.

Arrivederci > Tim 09/19/2014 at 08:45

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I think you're my twin and we were separated at birth - I'm picking up an identical 2014 BRZ tomorrow! I had been looking at older 911s and then Caymans before deciding on the BRZ but just couldn't stomach the maintenance and potential expensive pitfalls of the Porsche's right now. So, I bought a brand new BRZ for $3k off sticker and 0%. Enjoy yours!

Arrivederci > Sweet Trav 09/19/2014 at 08:46

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You can get a 2014 for about $3k off sticker right now bro.

Tim > Arrivederci 09/19/2014 at 09:17

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Nice! Enjoy it. Nothing like driving a car hard that you know has a warranty!