NEED A NEW DD? Is a Solstice GXP as bad as I imagine?

"Joyrider" (joegoulet) 01/26/2014 at 17:43 • Filed to: WHAT SHOULD I DRIVE

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So I am about to get a new daily driver. Been perusing Autotrader for the last week or two daily like a heroin addict needs a fix to get through the day. I live in Michigan and its been a snowy winter. I currently drive a 2012 escape. Alright its not a lifted truck. But it still only gets like 17-20 for most driving. I need a new car in the next month. So I was thinking of buying this time around.

Budget : 13000

Miles : less than 70k

No older than 2007

Considered cars so far are...

VW GTI, Ford Fiesta, Pontiac Solstice GXP, Chevrolet HHR SS, RX-8 (Scared of them being starved of oil though),

What do you guys suggest I look for that would be fun to autocross and daily drive???

(Substory of why I drive this thing.

I wanted to experience a new car for cheap so I basically rented leased one for dirt cheap($267 absolutely nothing down and 12k miles a year, MSRP about 30k). Got it with a bunch of useless ass options with the 4 banger and AWD. Didn't use the damn AWD for 22 months until last month really. I love the AWD in the snow, it bosses up on the snow and just goes. But I don't really want a truck again, especially because a new one with AWD will be like 50-100 more a month depending on options it looks like)

BTW I am leaning away from the Solstice. It has zero place to put stuff in the doors, no console storage and the trunk only holds what looks like would be a few bottles of water with the top down. I love the Idea of it but I need some storage if there isn't any trunk space. Oh and I saw a !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! on how to change the battery on youtube. I thought hmmm why would someone film that its easy right? Could it really be a pain in the neck, so I click'd. Are you kidding me I need to remove all that for a simple battery. Wow what about other simple stuff?

If your still with me after all that rambling, I also am just considering leasing again but with a little more excitement. Fiesta ST's have great lease deals so my payment with the Recaro option would be similar to now but I would have more miles like 16500.

Help give me some direction guys!

Nick, Drives a Cobalt LT > Joyrider 01/26/2014 at 17:46

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Stay away from the GXP and HHR SS, unless you know it has been taken care of, and has REALLY REALLY LOW MILES!

Do not buy one with high miles and is beat up or has not had oil changed regularly, those cars/engines hate that.

Brian Silvestro > Joyrider 01/26/2014 at 17:47

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Fiesta. It covers all the bases.

Takuro Spirit > Joyrider 01/26/2014 at 17:48

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Replace RX-8 with Miata and it makes more sense to me.

RX-8 will get just as bad or WORSE mileage than the Escape, and the Miata has some storage in the doors and behind the seats.

PatBateman > Joyrider 01/26/2014 at 17:48

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"But I don't really want a truck again..."

"Truck"

"TRUCK"

I keep looking at that word, and then back at the Ford Subaru you featured. Something doesn't make sense.

Dsscats > Joyrider 01/26/2014 at 17:48

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Get a GTI or Solstice/Sky. Seriously.

Joyrider > Nick, Drives a Cobalt LT 01/26/2014 at 17:48

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So I should treat them as leper's? Look but don't touch.

Singhjr96 > Joyrider 01/26/2014 at 17:49

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You can get a mazda speed 3 possibly. But you could definitely get the mazda 3 wagon for 13k. A 370z or 350 if practicality isn't and issue, or a g35 and g37 coupe, or sedan if it is. I've heard it is common for some mazdas to burn oil after two or three years after being made, and the infintis have problem with engine or tranny in some cases after 150,ooo miles. (i haven't heard many of these cases, but just some scare stories)

Joyrider > Takuro Spirit 01/26/2014 at 17:50

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I am having a hard time finding Miata's new enough and cheap enough. I would have to go up a few $K and I am not trying to increase my payment too much.

Crocket Bernet > Nick, Drives a Cobalt LT 01/26/2014 at 17:51

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+1 Couldn't pay me to drive a Solstice.

Joyrider > Brian Silvestro 01/26/2014 at 17:51

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Base or ST you think?

dogisbadob > Joyrider 01/26/2014 at 17:51

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The Fiesta is good, and the HHR SS is another good option. How about a Saturn Astra? A fun lil Belgian sport compact thing, plenty of aftermarket support.

I wouldn't buy any VW

Of course, why no Miata on the list? How about the S2000? There is also the 07+ Civic Si sedan to consider.

The RX-8 won't get any better mpg than your current AWD truck; its fuel consumption is almost as bad as its oil consumption!

Nick, Drives a Cobalt LT > Joyrider 01/26/2014 at 17:51

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I have a Cobalt SS Turbo.....it HAD the LNF Turbo engine, same as the GXP and the HHR SS, but who ever owned it prior had beat it up, never done proper maintenance, and failed to get multiple recalls done.

The car had no records when I got it so I knew what I could potentially get into.

So far I have replaced the engine, gotten it tuned numerous times to sort out issues that the car has stock.

I would buy another one in a heartbeat, but look for signs of abuse....

The HHR SS is rare, and a beautiful beast.

The Solstice GXP is sometihng I long for....

Singhjr96 > Singhjr96 01/26/2014 at 17:52

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If you want more of a family car get a Toyota Camry. (2012 and before, because the 2013 model didn't have good crash test ratings.) Also Honda accords. The newer ones look good, and the coupes are pretty sporty. Idk about getting these two cars in your price range, or with your milage requirement, but these are two REALLY REALLY reliable cars. simple to work on too if something does break.

Joyrider > PatBateman 01/26/2014 at 17:53

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Your right its not a truck really! I just drive refer to it that way as its different than say a car. It feels weird calling it a CUV. But your totally right.

N/A POWAAAHH > Joyrider 01/26/2014 at 17:53

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RX-8 will become your new wife because of maintenance..

Brian Silvestro > Joyrider 01/26/2014 at 17:53

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I hear the 1.0L is fucking amazing, but I also heard the ST is fucking amazing. It all depends on budget. I'd never get the N/A 4 cyl when those 2 options exist though, unless of course you're buying used.

Joyrider > Singhjr96 01/26/2014 at 17:54

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Practicality isn't and issue. I can borrow an new explorer if I need it from my parents occasionally. Thanks for the suggestions I hadn't really considered those and they are good options.

Joyrider > dogisbadob 01/26/2014 at 17:55

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Miata and S2000 arent cheap enough or new enough around here. :(

Joyrider > dogisbadob 01/26/2014 at 17:56

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I like the SI sedan good call!

Joyrider > Brian Silvestro 01/26/2014 at 17:58

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Touche! If I was leasing I am def going turbo! Buying the turbo wasnt really around in the budget range. I have been in them with the auto and its quite gutless below 5k. but I hear they handle ok without the ST option.

Brian Silvestro > Joyrider 01/26/2014 at 18:00

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You can lease an ST for like $150 a month because the residual is so high

Joyrider > N/A POWAAAHH 01/26/2014 at 18:03

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I thought it was just the engines being hungry for oil like all rotaries. Any idea what else I should watch out for aside from that?

Joyrider > Dsscats 01/26/2014 at 18:04

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I really like the gti. I am worried a little about replacement parts cost. I am not sure how reliable the 2.0t is over 100k. If i buy it with about 60-65k I will hit that in a few years. Do the turbos last well past that?

Luke Jerrell > Joyrider 01/26/2014 at 18:07

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Here is the answer to all your problems -
As Doug Demuro showed us, get a CarMax warranty.
Get an RX8 w/ 40k with a 7yr/100k bumper2bumper warranty.
I would guesstimate around 12-14k in costs. Keep in mind the warranty will cost between 1-2k depending on the car's inner desire to explode. Also, the RX8 gets 18 city, 23 highway, while the solstice gets 18 city 23 combined. So, the decision is between an ergonomic unpleasantry made by a defunct company. Or a MAZDA YEAH EVERYONE LOVES MAZDA ROTARIES ASDFGHJKJKLQQEYRIDKSJWNSSHDUSIZIDJ.
That concludes my evaluation.

Joyrider > Brian Silvestro 01/26/2014 at 18:08

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Thats what the Smoking Tire Guys did for a camera car that can run with most anything in the canyons. They traded in Thad's Mini for like 5k against it and the payment is like 200 or something. I have A plan from Ford so its kind of like 10% usually without any out of pocket aside from first payment and taxes etc. Plus my sales guy gets about 5-8 cars a year as referrals or from my family personally. So I don't have to battle for a deal usually.

Milky > Joyrider 01/26/2014 at 18:10

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Well I'm just going to say it because I live in Detroit and have one. A Crossfire. It might be hard to get one with the model year you want, but with your budget you could get a super low mileage one, something like 30k.

These are just screen shots of cars I found on a quick search within 200 miles of the D.

But if I had your budget I'd try to get a srt6. This one has 80k on it but it also has 350hp.

I've had mine for a year and its been super reliable and pretty good in the snow.

Joyrider > Milky 01/26/2014 at 18:11

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I live in detroit as well. Nice suggestion, I am on the look out for one now!

Dsscats > Joyrider 01/26/2014 at 18:14

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I really don't know, but there is a 2007 around here with 190,000 miles, and I figured the owner probably would have dumped it if it was really unreliable.

If you're willing to go a little higher miles, go for a TDI. They will run forever without problems. I have a friend who has one and drives everywhere like a maniac, drives 30,000 miles a year and gets 42 MPG and has only had 1 or 2 issues, both which were replaced under warranty.

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv/cto/430592…

http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/cto/4292431200…

Joyrider > Luke Jerrell 01/26/2014 at 18:14

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I would totally go Carmax all day but they aren't in Michigan. Maybe because the competition is fierce with the local market being pretty saturated with dealers that just lease to employees, and employee family and friends of the big 2 and Fiat(Hehe).

AthomSfere > Joyrider 01/26/2014 at 18:14

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The only issue I would see with the GXP is parts to replace. Since it was made for such a short time here, I am not sure replacement parts will be cheap enough for very long.

Otherwise, those things seem like a great toy of a car, and in a few years they will probably have a huge following.

Dsscats > Joyrider 01/26/2014 at 18:15

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ST

Brian Silvestro > Joyrider 01/26/2014 at 18:17

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Yeah I follow the Smoking Tire pretty closely, and they think the ST is one of the best cars ever made. I'm planning on getting an ST around May, so they've convinced me.

Joyrider > Dsscats 01/26/2014 at 18:17

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I just wonder about the motor. I have heard or problems for people with the same engine in A4's have problems. But maybe the owners didn't take care of them with simple things like oil changes. Luxury buyers are lazy buyers sometimes. (Plus I would think oil changes would be important with a turbo car since most turbos have oil lines for cooling I believe.

hethoughtofcars > Joyrider 01/26/2014 at 18:18

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Have you considered the coupe instead of the roadster? I always liked the way they looked:

If you can find one, it might help with your lack of storage reservations. I'm not a fan of the base Fiesta (weirdly cramped in the front seat (I'm 5'8" and I felt like my head was going to graze the headliner), not a great transmission), but the ST might make up for that. You really can't go wrong with a GTI in my opinion or a Mazda3 would be great. Just make sure it's "SkyActive" and not the 2.5L 170hp (which is a great engine, but you'll be disappointed by the gas mileage). Hope that helps!

Joyrider > Brian Silvestro 01/26/2014 at 18:20

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I do as well. I get upset when the podcast doesn't drop 1st thing on wed. I am convinced the ST is the right play I need to price out insurance.

Edmunds Dyno pull was awesome and makes it sound like its under rated which should help with insurance rates a little.

Joyrider > Brian Silvestro 01/26/2014 at 18:22

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My only gripe with the ST is I have to lease to afford it probably. I was kind of really liking the idea of paying it off in 3 years. Only reason I didn't pull trigger yet on the ST.

Joyrider > AthomSfere 01/26/2014 at 18:25

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I was considering that. They are dropping in value so quickly they will start junking them for parts pretty quick. Only 2 years ago they were selling for 17 k and now are 12k. But maybe they are approaching that magic 10k plateau unless mileage is excessive for few years maybe. That would make it strong buy from a depreciation cost/fun.

Joyrider > hethoughtofcars 01/26/2014 at 18:29

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OMG I love the Coupe. It would allow at least a backpack with a passenger! Probably more but seriously the prices are high. They only made 1600 or so coupes and 400-500 GXP's. Honestly its gorgeous and I wouldn't hesitate to buy one if I could afford it. They are over 20k still from what i could find. But I might have to do a nationwide search to see if there are any close enough to bend the rules a little.

Jay Lauer > Joyrider 01/26/2014 at 18:32

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Buy an 07-up GTI, unless you can get a Focus ST. Replacement parts aren't that expensive for the VW, and the 2.0t is a very reliable motor. The solstice has zero trunk space. Zero. You may get RWD, but you really need at least some practicality.

Singhjr96 > Joyrider 01/26/2014 at 18:33

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Yeah they are. I considered those a lot for my DD, but I ended up getting a honda accord coupe 2014. good gas milage, really good backseat, and still practical, while having an underlay of sportiness.

dropthatclutch > Joyrider 01/26/2014 at 18:33

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I had nothing but a sport bike and a Saturn Sky Red Line for about 6 months. Greatest time of my life. I'm a single guy and had no problem living with the small storage space. With the top up there is room for groceries. Plenty of room for a long weekend bag. Once winter hit I sold the bike and bought an MK4 GTI for the snow we get in upstate NY. If I lived in a better area I'd still have the bike.

I get about 27-30mpg in the Sky depending on my how heavy my foot feets. It's tuned to 270whp 320wtq. The GTI gets a little less actually with an APR stage 1 tune.

Brian Silvestro > Joyrider 01/26/2014 at 18:36

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I calculated it, It's about 220 hp and 258 lb ft of torque

Joyrider > dropthatclutch 01/26/2014 at 18:37

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Wow did you just chip the red line? Also I like the lines of the Saturn better but the prices are higher as well.

Brian Silvestro > Joyrider 01/26/2014 at 18:40

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Maybe you could make it work somehow. Or, you can lease it then buy it at the end of the lease?

Joyrider > Brian Silvestro 01/26/2014 at 18:41

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Whoa thats a lot more than the claimed 197hp and the 202tq. About a 10% increase in HP and almost 30% more torque. Man I love turbo's. I really want to see what a tune can do for it now!

Joyrider > Brian Silvestro 01/26/2014 at 18:42

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A tune might get it to WRC levels of 300 out of a similar sized motor. Its only about a 12% increase I think.

Brian Silvestro > Joyrider 01/26/2014 at 18:43

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I'm very excited. Mountune (UK tuning for Fords that recently established an HQ in America) already has a tune that Chris Harris says is amazing on the Fiesta.

Brian Silvestro > Joyrider 01/26/2014 at 18:44

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That's more than exciting.

Joyrider > Brian Silvestro 01/26/2014 at 18:44

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I want to hear what they think once they put each stage of the 4 stages they intend to put on the car. Hopefully they do a piece for Tuned on it.

Joyrider > Singhjr96 01/26/2014 at 18:46

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V6 Stick? Hooniverse's Jeff Glucker would love you if you did.

Brian Silvestro > Joyrider 01/26/2014 at 18:46

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Ohhhh yeah I forgot they were doing that. It's gonna be insane.

Joyrider > Nick, Drives a Cobalt LT 01/26/2014 at 18:48

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Yea I have one of each of those for under 12k locally. Sounds like you really like yours, makes me think I need to at least take a look/drive.

Joyrider > Jay Lauer 01/26/2014 at 18:54

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I agree about the solstice it may just be a weekend kind of car. I dont require uch practicality but even with the top up you have to push down both sides of the top if you use the trunk. Looks like a huge pain.

I really like the GTI and they drive great having driven one previously. Focus St is a little too expensive for me and I would prefer the more useable flatter power band of the Fiesta ST. The peak at the beginning looks like it would be a pain at launch.

Joyrider > Brian Silvestro 01/26/2014 at 18:59

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It makes me want to lease one so much more! I think I am going to have to test drive one this week.

Brian Silvestro > Joyrider 01/26/2014 at 19:04

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If you do, then you'll convince yourself you have to buy one because it'll be that good.

Joyrider > Brian Silvestro 01/26/2014 at 19:13

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Thats what they say. I kind of feel like I am going to check out a cult lol.

Brian Silvestro > Joyrider 01/26/2014 at 19:14

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ONE OF US. ONE OF US. ONE OF US.

Scrape > Joyrider 01/26/2014 at 19:15

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The SRT only has 330hp. I have an 05 Crossfire Limited. Be aware that any maintenance on these is not cheap. Oil changes can be painful, as the car takes 8.5 quarts of Mobil 1 0-40. I put in Rotella 5W-40, which Mercedes (who made these through a contract with now-defunct Karmann) now recommends. Air and oil filters can also be difficult to locate in stores. Tires are a pain in the ass, as they are kind of odd sizes that NO ONE stocks. The rear is a 255-35 zr 19. Go ahead, try to find one in stock. If you get a flat, your car may be out of commission for a few days. Fronts are more a more common 225-45-zr18 HD, but you still have a limited choice, especially with matching sets. I have had all seasons on it since new, and manage to do just okay in the winter. It has been my daily driver and have not had to sink a dime in mechanical issues, but will have to soon. As well, I have to fix my fallen headliner as mine lives outside where the sun has done a number on the headliner adhesive and the headlights. As well, these cars can be a PITA to keep in alignment. And with the roads in Detroit, you will be rattling fillings loose with a very firm suspension.

Singhjr96 > Joyrider 01/26/2014 at 19:16

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unfortunately no. I didn't fully pay for it so the choice wasn't mine. Still a great car though.

Textured Soy Protein > Luke Jerrell 01/26/2014 at 19:36

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I've always been an RX-8 fan, but it is one car that uses a lot more than its EPA rated fuel economy. Most people with them average 18 mpg at best.

dropthatclutch > Joyrider 01/26/2014 at 19:43

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My redline came with GMPP exhaust and intake from the factory. Both of which, as far as I know, are no longer available. I bought the 3 bar MAP sensors that come with the GMPP turbo upgrade and had it dyno tuned independently of the turbo upgrade GM tune.

If you haven't already researched it the GMPP turbo upgrade was a $600 kit offered by GM that replaced the stock 1 bar MAP sensors with 3 bar MAP sensors and reflashed the computer to make 290hp and 320tq at the crank. It is not actually an upgrade to the turbo. My tuner was able to eke out quite a bit more power on his own.

My parents have a Solstice GXP. Everything is the same except from the exterior and some very minor interior details. All the tuning I mentioned carries directly over to the Solstice.

Jay Lauer > Joyrider 01/26/2014 at 19:45

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Cars all have their things, you'll get used to it if you own it. I don't see you affording a Fiesta ST for $13k.

The Solstice is also a pre-bailout GM piece, so qualities not that good. I'd say get a Mazdaspeed 3. More power and more lunacy than the GTi, but cheap parts.

Even more than all of those. Buy a Subaru. WRX, Legacy GT, Spec B, doesn't matter as long as there's a turbo. Honestly, if you move the year back to 04 or so, you could get a really nice WRX. They're unbelievably fun DD's.

N/A POWAAAHH > Joyrider 01/26/2014 at 20:12

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Apparently there is a specific procedure for starting and turning off your engine here

Other things:

-no synthetic oil

-3000 mile(2,000 for turbo'd) oil changes; check oil level every 2 weeks

-redline atleast once daily(once per trip, couple times a week, everyone has different routines) to burn off carbon buildup (rotaries are more prone to buildup)

More indepth info

Joyrider > N/A POWAAAHH 01/26/2014 at 20:17

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Wow I like the idea of redlining daily but the procedure for shut down and start up is kind of a pain. But maybe not if you have a really nice exhaust system you want everyone around to listen to all the time.

N/A POWAAAHH > Joyrider 01/26/2014 at 20:22

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I found that video when I was looking at Rx8s myself, and that's what turned me away until I have a bigger budget.

Joyrider > Jay Lauer 01/26/2014 at 20:25

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I have heard Fiesta ST's are super cheap to lease. So I looked into it.

I have access to A plan pricing, which is basically employee pricing in a sense. Which is good for a few K off a car. It varies but I am think it could be about the $2225 figure issh. I need to investigate

I would love a WRX but they are too pricey for my budget. I work for a bank and our auto loans products don't go older than 7 years on the age of a car.

Conan > Scrape 01/26/2014 at 20:27

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The tires do always suck, though I've had a relatively decent time because my mechanic both recommended that I go with the Rotella 5W-40 and that I not go to the dealership to get my headliner done. I enjoy the manual quite a bit, though I do wish I had the 330HP.

Scrape > Conan 01/26/2014 at 20:32

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Mine's a manual, too. But no manual is available with the 330hp motor, only automagics. I'd love to do a swap with the SRT (AMG) motor and the manual, or even down to the turbo 4. I plan on going to an upholstery shop for the headline...about $100-$130 bucks is what I've seen.

Joyrider > N/A POWAAAHH 01/26/2014 at 20:40

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Yea I completely agree thanks man I would have never known.

Hooneriphic > Singhjr96 01/26/2014 at 20:41

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As a speed3 (gen 2) owner I will caution you. These cars are solid used cars so long as they've been maintained and mods are properly balanced. There's a reason why people within the MazdaSpeed community jokingly say Zoom zoom boom.

TheD0k_2many toys 2little time > Joyrider 01/26/2014 at 20:59

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Miata. I live in Kalamazoo and DD my 03.

Not in the winter though. That is just dumb. Get a beater, i have two of them. A $400 escort zx2 and couple days ago i bought a $600 '91 Cherokee

Nick, Drives a Cobalt LT > Joyrider 01/26/2014 at 21:04

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If it is a 5 speed you will love it...the power delivery is insane....

And this is what it sounds like straight piped

Luke Jerrell > Joyrider 01/26/2014 at 21:12

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Forget about the solstice, rx8, or fiesta. Think Allante! :-)

Joyrider > Luke Jerrell 01/26/2014 at 21:51

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How did I not think of that.... drop top Caddy's are always the best!

Singhjr96 > Hooneriphic 01/26/2014 at 23:16

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HA, I love that. ZOOM ZOOM BOOM!

Singhjr96 > Singhjr96 01/26/2014 at 23:25

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don't recommend buying one used (especially off of craigslists) unless it has like EVERYTHING documented. By that I mean gas, spark plugs, air fresheners, everything. Great cars though if you buy them new.

Singhjr96 > Singhjr96 01/26/2014 at 23:28

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Honestly i would say wait to buy a car and save up a little more. A brand new 2014 mazda. not bad. But if you can finance the other 4 grand you might be able to get it right now. Or you can also consider the 2013 version too. They are trying to get rid of those so you might be able to get one even less than that.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > Joyrider 01/27/2014 at 00:39

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As a fellow michigan resident, avoid the RX-8 for a year round DD. There is a reason no one uses a rotary for a daily drive when the snow falls.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > Joyrider 01/27/2014 at 00:44

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As a fellow michigan resident, may I point out a few things about the fiesta ST, which is currently 99.9% going to be my first ever new car purchase

1) I test drove mine in the snow and in traffic and found it to be enjoyable despite being on a typical bumpy main road and I was behind a smart bus

2) The car was on summer tires and still had no issues finding grip on the still snowy side roads I drove it on

3) Milky didn't say this, but the crossfire rides very firmly. Like "spine shatteringly" firm. When two teenage boys driving one complain of back pain after driving one down an admittedly bumpy road, you really need to keep that in mind - how tough is your back?

4) Stay away from anything really light over the drive wheels if you live in a place with hills. I've watched a pickup come down at me on a hill in Grand Rapids. This is a problem because I live at the top of a hill, so it isn't enjoyable to see people who were going the same direction as me come back down at me.

5) Subaru is the safe bet for a daily driver. Anything subaru, though I am partial to the outback myself. If you lease, more power to subaru since those boxers make maintenance of things like spark plugs and belts very expensive.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > Milky 01/27/2014 at 00:46

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Why do you wish the curse of backache on him? Do you want everyone to hate this car? If you like the look, a crossfire would be a perfectly serviceable cruising car but on michigan roads he is going to need spine surgery if he's in his 40s.

Milky > Scrape 01/27/2014 at 01:11

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Clearly you've never seen this video (skip to 6:50 if kinja doesn't cooperate).

I'd bet they claimed less so it wasn't more powerful than 5.7 hemi.

Milky > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 01/27/2014 at 01:17

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lol would you quit being such a drama queen about the ride? Its not that bad.

Also talk all that shit you want, still get compliments on it from random people. Polarizing over boring every day.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > Milky 01/27/2014 at 01:24

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People compliment you if you drive a prius. Just saying, not the best measure for a "good" car. If he wants a spacious, RWD coupe then the G35 would be better and give a better ride AND many have proven themselves in the snow with snow tires on.

And just because I can, let's remind ourselves of the misery that is the crossfire's theme song.

Milky > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 01/27/2014 at 01:27

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Sauce man always be hatin'. I think I found a gif of your friend consoling you after your spine was shattered.

Milky > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 01/27/2014 at 01:32

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First off why do you keep plaguing me with Celine Dion!?

Second off, proven.

But really it is in the same class of cars that he is considering, just because its not your first pick means I shouldn't even suggest it?

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > Milky 01/27/2014 at 01:39

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No, but I'd hate for him to get all amped up over the car without knowing more about it. This rage is also some spill over at my rage of Oppo for basically answering every "what car should I buy" post, including my own posts, with "used miata HURDURDURDURDUR". I say I'm leaning towards a hot hatch and had a few people tell me all about how a 5k$ 100k+mile 2-seater roadster is better than a brand new warrantied hatchback for daily driver duties in EVERY possible way. I don't think I would lease a car but it's his money and if that's what he decides to do, a leased brand-new car is 99% more likely to be a better workhorse than anything used.

tl;dr - you suggested a limited production used car that failed when the guy is looking into new(er) cars. Therefore my brain automatically threw you into the "used miata for everything!" camp. Prove me wrong.

Milky > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 01/27/2014 at 01:51

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Well this is a personal thing, but I don't understand leasing …. pay all that money and you don't actually own anything.

Anyways he put stipulations in for age and price & Crossfires fit that. That silver limited I screencaped above only has 33k miles on it, I don't care if you hate the car or not, that is a damn good deal.

And this is really beside the point but one of my good friends has a NB Miata the he got for like $3500 that he DD's …. and its pretty fantastic sooooo …..

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > Milky 01/27/2014 at 02:12

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Yeah, I don't get leasing either unless your tastes/needs change often. I said before leasing makes sense if you lease something like a minivan or a large sedan or a crossover when your youngest kids are in high school. You can have a brand new vehicle to haul them around, move older ones to college, do the family trips with a trailer and whatnot and be a very large family hauler and then you turn it in once the kids are out of the house or self-transporting and wash your hands of the thing. There are other situations where it can make sense but that's what a lot of my friends' families did if they had a vehicle break down severely. My best friend's dad leased a minivan when we were in highschool and the old family van they had for 20 years blew an engine. Once we were in college, he bought a CTS. So leasing can make sense, but I agree that it's usually a waste if you end up buying it.

On the topic of other cars - Use and abuse miatas (and everything else that runs) for fun all day long, but once I throw my toolbox in the back of one, I'm almost out of space for anything else. Automatically, it can't be my sole car. Ever. In fact, for most people it isn;t the best DD. If you can make it work, good for you. But shut up about it to everyone else unless they want a weekend/second car. Having removed the rear seats to my old monte carlo to get everything to fit (thank you GM for not putting a wall between the rear seat and trunk!) when I was moving every three months between school and home, I automatically ignore anything you say if you tell me with a straight face a miata is a good daily hauler.

As for the crossfire you listed, I can also find good deals on bad cars. Again, getting a deal =/= good car. I don't know how old he is but for the love of all that is holy, we don;t have the roads for a rock hard suspension. That's why my jetta is one of the few "stanced" VWs you see being driven daily on the west side of the state. There's a couple thousand of them if meets and car shows are to be believed, but none of them are actually driven to places because they were all done with parking in mind. I actually have more than half an inch of suspension travel and tires that aren't just painted on. Plus I purposely put on "softer" coilovers which were aligned properly so I don't shatter my spine going over rough patches in the road. You might be able to stand it, but depending on where he lives/works and how old he is that crossfire will be a literal pain in the ass. I'm going to check to see if Auburn road is still as torn up as it was 5 years ago. If it is, drive ten loops up and down it and see how long it takes for you to pop a tire and/or bend a wheel. I averaged two every three month semester. That's why the early photos of lolcar had it with the black 5-spokes and the later ones I had a set of impala wheels.

joyrideratwork > Milky 01/27/2014 at 09:46

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Leasing is simply cheap as hell. I drive a brand new car (this one is 30k msrp for only $267) for less than the payment on a 14k used car, on a 4-5 year depending on interest rate. I get a brand new car where everything works or its covered by warranty.

Casper > Joyrider 01/27/2014 at 13:14

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The only sports car anywhere around that year range I would DD would be an S2000, but you could check out an RX-8 or 370Zs if you could get them cheap enough. I would never bother with the Solstices. They don't drive that well and were quite a let down just like the Crossfire.

It seems like you don't really have any specific idea what you want. Your list is all over the place. Your best bet might just be to finance a Fiesta with a good chunk down and drive it until you really get a feel for cars you like.

Milky > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 01/27/2014 at 17:51

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Thats why you get an apartment and move the big stuff only once.

But I feel like you only experience the negative of cars and base your opinions off that.

IE: the Crossfire's ride and the Miata's trunk. Yes they are compromised. If everything was as practical as a hot hatch that would take away why hot hatches are good. Sure a Miata has no space, but its only 2500lbs or so. And yes a Crossfire's ride is stiff, but they can pull high G's in corners. Its give and take. Just because YOU can't DD a Miata because apparently you haul a lot of stuff, doesn't mean a lot of people can't. Hell even that regular car review video talked about how its DD-able.

So yes the ride is stiff, but I also get out A LOT and see the car's good side. Hence why I post about Belle Isle and drifting so much, its because I'm out there using the damn thing as it was intended to be used. Hell even when I'm back home I go up and down Lakeshore Drive probably too much.

Also I don't know how you've been talking SOOO much crap about the Crossfire's ride when this whole time you have a stanced Jetta. Sure yours might be soft for a stanced car. But thats like saying you only stepped in a little bit of shit, when really you still have shit on your shoe.

In the end I actually like the hate. I don't like driving anything normal and the more reactions the better. So keep hating and giving me a reason to find better gifs like this.

Joyrider > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 01/27/2014 at 18:21

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I am going to test drive one this week I think. I want to drive it with a little snow on the roads as well. Its great to hear its not terrible with the summer rubber in the cold. I would probably buy some steelies with winter rubber myself. This michigan winter has been no joke, and I have driven an AWD car with summer rubber before in a snow storm and it was ok but it would slide so much while braking it was an unsafe mess.

Buccaneer9 > Joyrider 02/01/2014 at 13:28

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Acura TSX

Joyrider > Buccaneer9 02/01/2014 at 13:36

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Such a great car but they are all over 100k in miles within my budget.