Starting to look at new car options (1:1)

[BrianG]

Wow, leave for a few hours and come back to this! OK, I don't want to get into a Chevy vs Ford debate (or any brand for that matter), so I will say this:

1: I definitely don't want a truck or a conventional wagon. I don't consider a hatchback a "wagon" even though it is basically the same when you get down to it.

2: I would like a decent amount of power. Something along the lines of 200+ HP and equal torque in a mid-size sedan or sport compact. Turbo is nice because I can get decent mileage as long as I am gentle on the pedal, yet have the power when I want it. However, I am a little leary about the added complexity and increased material stresses that forced induction produces. I'd like longevity. This is probably the main reason why I would not choose the Speed3.

3: Out of the pile of vehicles I looked up, the two choices in the original post most closely match my requirements based on specs, personal experience, price, and various reviews.

4: Another requirement would be to have a rear suspension that can handle around 60lbs of static load in the trunk (modest stereo) without the car bottoming out on bumps, or requiring upgraded suspension components. I had to take the system out of my current car because the suspension arms would hit the rubber bump-stops on bumps that would not faze a normal car. But at the same time, I don't want the car to exhibit a ton of body roll.

5: Price is in the mid 20k range.

[jayjay283]

Time to go german then, GTI it is

[lincpimp]

Originally Posted by PBO

You've been smoking again haven't you

I have an STi & have driven a Lightning also & there is no chance - not even a glimmer of hope that your truck will corner better than an STi. You MAY get to 60 faster if I stuff the launch but once we're at a corner it's bye bye truckie

The STi has a lower COG, better brakes, better gearing in a manual box, awd, better tyres...your dreaming

Last few I ran did not keep up, not dragging, on the interstate, down 2 lane twisty road (no hills in LA, pretty flat). Ran a few regular wrx and a few sti models, the sti were much closer. I do know how to drive overpowered rear wheel drive stuff, so maybe I had the edge over the spoiled college boys in the subies? Who knows, but they are familiar with the ford's tailights.

On a track, or with comparable drivers, the difference would really show. A 4wd low cg car should easily best a 2wd truck, but so far I am still in front. Seemed like I was pulling harder on the straights, and not wussing out as hard on the corners. My truck does have 285 nitto rubber all the way around, if that makes any difference.

Originally Posted by BP-Revo

A lightning, while fast, has NO chance against an STI stock for stock.

Sorry linc, that's reality...

Next time you run a sti in your lightning get back to me on the "reality"... I only know what I have experienced... Maybe they were all bad drivers? Or I am very good? Or I got the "A" everything lightning? I ran one guy in a stock wrx with my 2000 zx12r stapped in the back of the truck. Another 700lbs in the bed does actually help the launch, and it was cold out. My truck loves cold weather, seems like it picks up 50hp in 40f compared to 95f...

I know the numbers say what they say, but on the street those numbers do not really tell the whole story. SVT got the suspension tuning right on this truck, not the best ride, but it sticks hard in the corners.

Originally Posted by jayjay283

Time to go german then, GTI it is

Auuug, VW were designed by meth addicts and assembled by double jointed monkeys!!!

If there was one mfg that I would never buy it would be VW, nothing lasts on those cars, worse than saturn from what I have worked on. Parts are expensive, and in limited supply as well. The new beetle is possibly the worst car I have ever ridden in, and that is saying something...

[PBO]

Originally Posted by lincpimp

Last few I ran did not keep up, not dragging, on the interstate, down 2 lane twisty road (no hills in LA, pretty flat). Ran a few regular wrx and a few sti models, the sti were much closer. I do know how to drive overpowered rear wheel drive stuff, so maybe I had the edge over the spoiled college boys in the subies? Who knows, but they are familiar with the ford's tailights.

On a track, or with comparable drivers, the difference would really show. A 4wd low cg car should easily best a 2wd truck, but so far I am still in front. Seemed like I was pulling harder on the straights, and not wussing out as hard on the corners. My truck does have 285 nitto rubber all the way around, if that makes any difference.

There's some funny stuff in there...I'm picturing you running moonshine

If you're only using 'college boys' as your measure...well there's your problem. It takes a while before you learn to drive a turbo Awd fast. Go find an experienced driver who isn't still learning to change gears, then tell me who's faster

[jayjay283]

Originally Posted by lincpimp

Auuug, VW were designed by meth addicts and assembled by double jointed monkeys!!!

If there was one mfg that I would never buy it would be VW, nothing lasts on those cars, worse than saturn from what I have worked on. Parts are expensive, and in limited supply as well. The new beetle is possibly the worst car I have ever ridden in, and that is saying something...

LOL DICK




my car wonder if theres any meth lost in there

[rootar]

Originally Posted by jayjay283

LOL DICK




my car wonder if theres any meth lost in there

I love it! Now that i got my insurance check back from my nissan i am in the market for a type4 Jetta 01-04 diesel at there going price around here i should have a good 2-3g left to dump under the hood turn the little 90hp 212ft/lb of tq into and 250hp 400+ ft/lbs of tq (at 1900 rpm btw) MONSTER.... if youve never rode in a really hopped up older diesel jetta you have no idea how much fun they are and you can still get 40-50mpg

as for the new car i would look into the new mini-s or w/e they are FUN to drive, kinda like an over sized gokart on crack....

[JThiessen]

Originally Posted by rootar

good 2-3g left to dump under the hood turn the little 90hp 212ft/lb of tq into and 250hp 400+ ft/lbs of tq (at 1900 rpm btw) MONSTER....

hmmm....I do that with 3 cylinders....good thing I got's three more!

We just traded in the wifes LR3 for one of those little Jeep Patriots. Kind of a step down, but the 25mpg in a little SUV aint too bad.

[rootar]

Originally Posted by JThiessen

hmmm....I do that with 3 cylinders....good thing I got's three more!

We just traded in the wifes LR3 for one of those little Jeep Patriots. Kind of a step down, but the 25mpg in a little SUV aint too bad.

Dont worry JT i got my powerstroke still as compared to our trucks... a third of the weight and 1/2 the power should be FUN....

[shaunjohnson]

Originally Posted by rootar

as for the new car i would look into the new mini-s or w/e they are FUN to drive, kinda like an over sized gokart on crack....

the new ones suck balls...they are hardly a mini anymore!!
the old ones kick nuts because they are even smaller and even more go-kart like!!
they did lack the power a little but it wasnt hard to pump that up a bit!

[shaunjohnson]

Originally Posted by lincpimp

Auuug, VW were designed by meth addicts and assembled by double jointed monkeys!!!

If there was one mfg that I would never buy it would be VW, nothing lasts on those cars, worse than saturn from what I have worked on. Parts are expensive, and in limited supply as well. The new beetle is possibly the worst car I have ever ridden in, and that is saying something...

wait on...my dream car happens to be a 1972 VW beetle.
the thing was so well put together it floats!! piece of pie to work on and very simple!!
need i mention it was also the first car made with the aid of a wind tunnel.
sure, the man who demanded them to be made was a little whacked, but the car itself is pure genius! IMO

the newer VW's are the same as the rest of modern cars IMO. not much unique about them.
at least you can fix a beetle, rather than being forced for fork out um-deen-dozen $$$ for a new black box!!

[gixxer]

Originally Posted by BrianG

1: I definitely don't want a truck or a conventional wagon. I don't consider a hatchback a "wagon" even though it is basically the same when you get down to it.

2: I would like a decent amount of power. Something along the lines of 200+ HP and equal torque in a mid-size sedan or sport compact. Turbo is nice because I can get decent mileage as long as I am gentle on the pedal, yet have the power when I want it. However, I am a little leary about the added complexity and increased material stresses that forced induction produces. I'd like longevity. This is probably the main reason why I would not choose the Speed3.

I like the speed 3 but if you need something a little bigger you might want to check out a dodge caliber.