best compact from the factory for the money? - Other Cars Forum

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best compact from the factory for the money?
Friday, September 02, 2005 10:53 AM
im in the process of purchasing a new vehicle......but have decided that 25,000 is the limit that i wanna go on a new car. what are my choices out there. im really leaning toward a FULLY LOADED cobalt ss/sc. im 80% sure thats what i want,but wanna leave all my options open. heres my list options
1. dodge neon srt4
2.chevy cobalt ss/sc ( im really liking this one+ its gm thats all ive ever owned other than my bug)
3.acura rsx-type s
4.mini cooper type s ( liking this one too)
5.scion tc


gm is really all ive ever owned...not counting my bug, since its just a show car.but for the money as far as just a vehicle thats ready from the factory....which is the best , because ive told myself the next vehicle i own i dont want to do anything to it but take care of it and just drive it. ( or do minor mods nothing major)


ClassGlass / RkSport / Eibach / Motegi / Ractive / Borla / K&N









Re: best compact from the factory for the money?
Friday, September 02, 2005 10:59 AM
If you can afford the Mini go for it.


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Re: best compact from the factory for the money?
Friday, September 02, 2005 11:11 AM
RSX or TC, or you can pick the Mazda 3 and have a lot left.



Re: best compact from the factory for the money?
Friday, September 02, 2005 11:30 AM
who knows, i saw a Black tinted out Cooper S go by me the other day with an exhaust note and what sounded like a BOV.......it was hauling ass......... Looked alot quicker than the one i drove..... i'd go with one of those.




96 2.2 5speed
**SOLD**
Re: best compact from the factory for the money?
Friday, September 02, 2005 12:26 PM
This is like the millionth one of these posts, and it always ends up being a comparo of the same cars lol.

Cheap Speed, Round 23

Rob




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Sold 2/2/05
Re: best compact from the factory for the money?
Friday, September 02, 2005 1:22 PM
redgote: cool, thanks man. thats really good stuff to know


ClassGlass / RkSport / Eibach / Motegi / Ractive / Borla / K&N








Re: best compact from the factory for the money?
Friday, September 02, 2005 1:29 PM
If you're just looking for a total package i think the Acura RSX Type-S would be the best.
If you're planning on modding the others are better IMO. However, the rsx is to me looks the best by far in person and is the nicest ride.
Re: best compact from the factory for the money?
Friday, September 02, 2005 5:45 PM
If all you've ever owned are GMs then I'm pretty sure you'd be happy with a Cobalt SS as there are certain quirks to GMs that I find most GM people don't even notice... but at least test drive the RSX-S. It's got a few things that most who love their GMs might not like (low end torque) but drive it, take it through some twisties and hit 8000 rpm at least once and then decide if it's right for you. It might not be but you really should experience it before you go dismissing it. I also happen to think it's the best looking in your list but then I'm biased.

If you're looking for some thing fast or that can be made fast\even faster cheaply the SRT4 or WRX are better choices.

I don't agree about there being a better choice if you're going to mod though. The RSX-S has a huge aftermarket and has just about anything you could want whether it's appearance mods (I can't even keep track of the body kits available) or go fast mods you've got tons of choices.

If speed isn't your thing OR you're willing to wait for the supercharger to make it out.. the TC is a very nice car, in fact I'm jealous that we don't get them here in Canada. I have driven one though and while it is very nice it just doesn't really stand up well to the other cars in your list performance wise stock.


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Re: best compact from the factory for the money?
Friday, September 02, 2005 6:22 PM
^^^But what about the Mini Cooper? Everyone keeps talking about the Cobalt, WRX, SRT4, and RSX-S and you're the first one who included a Mini in your list of choices. Does anyone know anything about Minis?


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Re: best compact from the factory for the money?
Friday, September 02, 2005 7:24 PM
rsx= amazing car, but its very pricey, and for the money maybe you want something a little cheaper....i think the srt-4 is the best bang for the buck out of the ones you listed

and the mini cooper is one of the most trouble prone new cars you can buy, id stay away


the others you listed are all pretty nice (although im not a fan of the Tc myself),



Re: best compact from the factory for the money?
Friday, September 02, 2005 10:27 PM
RSX will have a better resale down the road. Wait a couple years, you'll be able to buy the SRT or the SS fo cheap. Well really right now you can find srt's with under 30k miles for 15k. As for the mini As 97cavy22 said the are really troble prone and not cheap to fix at
all.




Re: best compact from the factory for the money?
Saturday, September 03, 2005 2:36 PM
who cares what the import loving homos at car and driver think.


-Borsty
Re: best compact from the factory for the money?
Saturday, September 03, 2005 3:49 PM
used gto

you know i had to say it



Re: best compact from the factory for the money?
Saturday, September 03, 2005 9:50 PM
wat bout the evo8...isnt that about 25K? i think it is im not sure...might wanna check that one...but i personally dont like the rsx...its prolly the nicest looking car on your list....but the new cobalt ss is rather impressive and the 06 rsx's are less powerful then the 05 by like 9 hp or sumthin...according to the window stickers...and of course you have the srt4 which is cheaper...comes turboed...and i was told just barely looses to the 350Z.....but me personally am a GM guy and from your list i would go with the 06 cobalt ss cuz it is quite fast...dunno if it would beat the srt-4...but it looks hella better....but i would check out the evo8...my opinion
Re: best compact from the factory for the money?
Saturday, September 03, 2005 10:24 PM
ceelobluZ24 (holy z) wrote:im in the process of purchasing a new vehicle......but have decided that 25,000 is the limit that i wanna go on a new car. what are my choices out there. im really leaning toward a FULLY LOADED cobalt ss/sc. im 80% sure thats what i want,but wanna leave all my options open. heres my list options


Excellent consideration I'll hopefully be getting one next summer if all goes well with school.

Heres a synopsis of each vehicle you listed, strengths and weaknesses:

1. Dodge Neon SRT-4

Fastest out of all the cars you listed. Also the noiseiest, least refined, and the only 4-door, which can be a good or bad thing depending. Easy to mod, not very attractive though (IMO). Good brakes, 2nd worst handler of the group. Also has a cheap (but functional) interior.

2.Chevy Cobalt SS S/C

My pick out of the group. Easily the most well rounded car in the class, especially considering price. Second only to the SRT-4 in acceleration and speed. Excellent brakes, handling is 3rd best of group. Interior is very nice, and very refined overall. Also looks very nice, especially with the black headlight housing mod

3.Acura RSX-S

Probably most expensive of the group besides Mini. Perfectly balanced handling and road feedback. Nice smooth power delivery, but low on torque and low-end grunt. Interior fit and finish is best in class, right next to Mini. Overall refinement is excellent. Second slowest vehicle of the group, but fun to drive nonetheless.

4.Mini Cooper S

Light, small vehicle with excellent handling. Handles like a road worthy go cart. Excellent interior and exterior quality. Quicker than RSX-S and tC, slower than Cobalt SS and SRT-4. Cute styling, which may or may not be a good thing.

5. Scion tC

Not even in the same class as the other when it comes to handling, speed, or general performance. Of course that explains why it starts at $3.5K cheaper than the next cheapest vehicle (SS S/C or SRT-4). Quality is Toyota good, and styling is different but nice overall. Once you start adding options though, the price creeps up quickly, with options comparable to the $21K Cobalt SS S/C, you would be spending almost 23K for the Scion.

Hope that helps, good luck with your decision





My CarDomain Page
Re: best compact from the factory for the money?
Saturday, September 03, 2005 10:58 PM
wait a month since gas prices blow, then buy a new gto for cheap. or buy a low milage c5 vette as they are in your price range. or if its has to be new, 1 wrx, 2 srt 4, 3 rsx-s, 4 cobalt ss sc



Don't steal, the government doesn't like competition
Re: best compact from the factory for the money?
Sunday, September 04, 2005 8:31 AM
RSX-Type S hands down.







Re: best compact from the factory for the money?
Sunday, September 04, 2005 6:39 PM
well i was just on the mitsubishi site...and the v6 eclipse...is starting at just over 23K....263hp and 6 speed...didnt say the torque...

and i apologize...the Evo VIII is just under 31K....but still...not bad for friggin 400hp and ability to outmanuver a lamborghini murchialago(i no its spelled wrong)***


***profesonal drivers
Re: best compact from the factory for the money?
Sunday, September 04, 2005 6:53 PM
^^^ you're thinking of the dealership souped up "stock" evos they have in the US and UK.

They don't come 400hp stock from factory
Re: best compact from the factory for the money?
Monday, September 05, 2005 8:08 PM
o thats screwy...i got that number off that british show...and off a website...ill look for it again and post it....but there is still a eclipse...
Re: best compact from the factory for the money?
Monday, September 05, 2005 8:59 PM
any VW with a 1.8t... maybe pricier than a jap car to start, but it only took me $1500 in mods (some of which weren't even necessary) to get to 13's.




Arrival Blue 04 LS Sport
Eco
Turbo
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'Nuff said

Re: best compact from the factory for the money?
Monday, September 05, 2005 9:18 PM
My vote for a NEW car would be an SRT-4 ACR. I certainly wouldn't say that the SRT-4 has poor handling either.



Re: best compact from the factory for the money?
Tuesday, September 06, 2005 9:24 AM
Quote:

^^But what about the Mini Cooper? Everyone keeps talking about the Cobalt, WRX, SRT4, and RSX-S and you're the first one who included a Mini in your list of choices. Does anyone know anything about Minis


id like to try a mini. even just test drive one.. i know the type s has the 1.6 supercharger. its like 165 or 170 hp. and the john works edition has 200. i believe they weigh in at like 2200 or 2300 lbs. with that weight. it shouldnt be too hard to hit 13s. i dont really know of any aftermarket companies that make parts for them. besides how many of those do u see around? great handeling.. its not always about the speed.

besides with gas prices, im sure that 2300lb supercharged 1.6 doesnt to to shappy.



Re: best compact from the factory for the money?
Tuesday, September 06, 2005 9:34 AM
mini type s 168hp

mini type s with john cooper works upgrade 207bhp. almost same power as cobalt SS but 2300lbs instead 3000lbs.

mini



Re: best compact from the factory for the money?
Tuesday, September 06, 2005 10:12 AM
I also from some people that even though the Mini looks small on the outside, they are surpisingly roomy on the inside. I am just going by hear say. Maybe someone on here can confirm that.

As far as the list above and personal experience, I like the RSX. A couple of my friends have them and I enjoy riding / driving them.

Have a good one,
Justin


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