How would you spend your $35k?

[TinmanMS6]

There are a number of exciting new cars coming out over the next few months, and it's a great time to be an enthusiast.

In the $30-35k range in particular, there are quite a few options hitting the market:

Subaru STi
-2.5L turbo boxer-4 304hp/311lb-ft
-0-60 in 4.8 seconds
-AWD, 6-speed manual trans.
-$34,995

Mitsubishi Evo X GSR
-2.0L turbo I-4 295hp/300lb-ft
-0-60 in 4.9 seconds
-AWD, 5-speed manual
-est. $34,000

Pontiac G8 GT
-6.0L V8 362hp/391lb-ft
-0-60 in 5.3 seconds/14.3 sec. 1/4 mile
-RWD, 6-speed auto
-3995 lbs
-$29,995

BMW 135i
-3.0L twin-turbo I6 306hp/295lb-ft
-0-60 in 5.3 seconds
-RWD, 6-speed manual
-3440 lbs
-$35,675

...and just for good measure:

MX-5 Miata and a 3
-$14,530 + $21,220

 

[TinmanMS6]

I'm taking the G8, but I'm waiting for the 6-speed manual.

 

[StealthWyvern]

Purchase a 3 and take the rest and pay off bills.

 

[TinmanMS6]

People would actually rather have the 135i than the G8? You'd rather pay $5000 extra to give up any semblance of interior space and only lose 500 lbs? I'm giving up on you people.

 

[CantCMe]

Gimme the G8...

 

[genericuser]

Gimme the G8...

I'm with Ike!

 

[coolmazda5]

G8, MT. Would need to sleep in the doghouse for few years by buying that though (evil)

 

[mikeyb]

As much as I love the 135i but I would go with the G8 GT. I'll be waiting for the 6-speed manual.

 

[SuperStretch18]

G8 in a heartbeat. I saw it at the Miami International Auto Show and it was amazing...

 

[ZoomVT]

2 cars better than one in my book...

 

[CHICO2003]

surprised to see how popular of a choice the G8 is... a car that hasn't even been tested, let alone come out. To me, it just looks like another gigantic v-8 powered sedan... no different than the charger, cts or any other that fit the bill. Definitely not my taste and surprising to see it's that of so many 'sport compact' enthusiasts.

Regardless, the new Sti would be my choice. Definitely doesn't win any awards from a looks standpoint but, unlike the new Evo, it's at least stayed relatively close to its roots and seems to put the driver in touch with the road the most. (driving a car shouldn't be like playing a video game!) plus... the added versatility and sleeper look can be pretty damn cool. combine that with the best interior of the group (haven't seen the pontiac's but how good can it be?) and that's definitely the best choice imo.

 

[mikeyb]

Or I would buy a leftover 06 GTO for big discount and send it to SLP to have their 490hp Bobcat Performance Package installed for $4,950.00.

 

[Knox Joe]

I want to like the G8, but it doesn't appeal to me stylistically. It looks like a boxy Grand Am. It is also a heavier vehicle than I like for the type of driving I do.

The STI and EVO have gone astray from their roots and are becoming too technologically advanced and less driver connected IMO.

I don't like how the BMW looks at all, and that saddens me because I have liked almost all of BMW's new designs. The bottom half of the car looks off to me.

So my logical choice is the MX-5 and the 3. I'd probably get a sedan for the 3, and both of them in Galaxy Gray Mica

 

[CantCMe]

Or I would buy a leftover 06 GTO for big discount and send it to SLP to have their 490hp Bobcat Performance Package installed for $4,950.00.

Just wait for when they have those performance packages for the G8...wow!

 

[SuperStretch18]

Or I would buy a leftover 06 GTO for big discount and send it to SLP to have their 490hp Bobcat Performance Package installed for $4,950.00.

I like the way Mikey thinks...

 

[jred321]

i want to say 135 but for that price you're getting a base model, a realistic price is more like $40k which means it's a no go for me. evo? meh, 4B11T needs to be out for a few years before i consider it. so then it's between the STI and the G8. both (on paper) are great cars. it'd probably be price that swayed me and made me go with the G8 (though of course test drives would be required)

 

[BOOSTR]

EVO for me. Not into wagons, don't care for Pontiac gimmickery and the BMW is just too plain.

 

[S.A.MSP]

i've had my eyes set on the Beemer since i first got wind of it, i love the G8 though, so sexy, but i wan't the 135 really bad, the potential is there for very big power, twin turbo FTW!!!

 

[happy and angry]

I'd take the G8 is Pontiac doesn't do anything to the Commodore it's being developed from other than cosmetic tweaks. If they dick around with the handling and vehicle dynamics, I'd take something else. Probably the BMW. Handling is always well sorted in the BMW's, the manual gearboxes are often referred to as the best in the industry, and it's a proper rear wheel drive coupe. I'm sure I could even wait on an M version of the car.

 

[TinmanMS6]

EVO for me. Not into wagons, don't care for Pontiac gimmickery and the BMW is just too plain.

I don't get how a big honkin' V8 is a gimmick.
(dunno)