Ballardguy
Member
OK, I'm going to express some controversial opinions here, and don't hate because I mean no offense to anyone interested in the MS3. If I ddn't find it an intriquing car, and one I may very well buy, I wouldn't be here.
A little history re my car tastes and purchases. In 2003 I was making piles of dough and bought a 2003 Corvette off the show room floor. Loved it. Never had a problem, thrilling performance, and actually managed 30mpg on the freeway. The only disappointing aspect of the car was its "made by Rubbermaid" interior and I read that the new ones are not much better. Plus, I considered buying a used one from '04 on, when the new model was released (or was it '05)? but they are still selling in the mid to low 40s.
I lost my job several months later and needed cash, but still wanted a fast car, so I sold it and bought a Dodge SRT4. Upside: fast, particularly after I added Mopar's Stage II kit. Downside: looked like a Neon with a wing, practically no ammenities (rear window had a crank!) and not the most inspiring build quality I've ever experienced.
I traded that in for a TSX which was a dream car--IVTEC engine, tons of luxury features, a motor that sounded like silk and moved the car with authority, if not blinding speed. Fully loaded with nav for around 28K. Unfortunately within 6 months of having this car, I was in two not a fault accident which collectively produced TWENTY TWO THOUSAND DOLLARS in damage. The rose was off the bloom.
So I traded it in a few years ago for a 2004 Pontiac GTO. This is the most satisying car I have ever owned, and I must be nuts to even think about trading it. It's built like a goddamned tank, has a beautiful interior, and its motor and tranny are straight from the 'Vette. Unfortunately it's rather plain looking and is FAT. It's the difference, as one of the car mags noted about the new Shelby Mustang, that it's a "muscle car" (like the GTO) and not a "sports car." Its handling is rather portly and it eats gas like my 65 Mustang. Even though mine is screaming yellow with blacked out windows and chromed wheels, it barely gets a second glance until people notice the GTO badge; then it gets considerably more atention.
I'm not too proud to confess that I like my car to turn heads and being a car that not everyone has.
So now...having new car fever, and thinking about an entirely different dirving experience--a turbo 4 as opposed to a thirsty 8 that will weight about SIX HUNDRED POUNDS LESS and still match, closely, the acceleration of the GTO--not to mention the gas savings and and not wanting a car that approaches or exceedss 30K, here's what I'm considering:
1) Solstice GXP and Saturn Sky Redline, even though, nicely equiped, they will reach near 30K. Plus I have had a BMW Z3 and I've found that a small to no trunk and lack of two more seats gets old, particularly for me who has two dogs to haul around.
2) Civic Si. Problems: not a particularly striking looking car, not as fast as the MS3, and I would have to order chrome wheels and a leather interior with some lumbar padding (two necessities for me in ANY car I buy) which would effectively bring the price to 25K+ for a car that takes almost 7 seconds to get to 60. Compared to the MS3 which is supposed to reach 60 in the mid-fives, the Honda's simply not fast enough or unique looking enough. Plus, while it's a blast to drive (and I have) and comes with Honda's typical quality and reliability, there's a very noticable lack of torque which takes some of the fun away, particularly after owning a GTO. This is a car that requires constant shifting to keep it on the boil, ala the S2000, and I could see that getting old, even though the shifting is like butta.
3) Obviously, the MS3. After the heat dies down, I could probably get one for MSRP or less in about a year, and leather seats with lumbar support are standard on the Grand Touring Model. Downside...and here's where I'll ask you to not hate me...it looks like a SECRETARY's car. It's "cute" and, to my mind, is barely distinguishable from the Pontiac Vibe and its Toyota cousin. I know the the MS3 model beefs up the look, but not enough for me. I want my car to STAND OUT and be frankly "a man's car" and I don't see this one doing it. I wish the MS3 would have been introduced in the 4-door 3, which I think is more masculine, better looking and less "cute." Despite its performance, it doesn't exactly scream "get out of my way." This may not matter to you guys, but it does to me.
4) Recently I've been looking into the Dodge Caliber SRT. I don't know the release price or release date (I think in November) but it's far more muscular/butch looking than the Mazda, has the same hatchback utility, not to mention having more power. At first I thought it was butt-ass ugly, but it's kinda growing on me. What puzzles me about its published 0-60 times of "under 6 seconds" is that it's SLOWER than my SRT4, which carried about 230 horses vs. the Caliber's 300. Is it a weight difference? Also, I'm sure that he MS3 will be a higher quality car. It also appears slightly slower than the MS3, despite having a considerly more powerful engine (hp wise, not necessarily torque).
5) Also of interest is the upcoming Volvo C3. 4 door hatch, 5 cylinder turbo, and very, very unique looking. Unfortunately I think it'll be priced, loaded, at or above the magic 30K mark.
6) I have also thought about buying a good condition, used WRX Sti or the Mitsu Evo, but again, I find the styling of these cars hideous. They're four door boxes with a hood scoop and an outrageous wing (yeah, I know it's allegedly "functional"). Despite their impressive performance, they still look like s*** to me and they are becoming far too common. The upcoming Evo X looks like a typical 4-door sedan with little to suggest the power underneath and will likely be in the 35K range.
Anything else I'm missing in this cheap but powerful auto offerings?
Feel free to comment on anything I've written, but I'm particularly interested in the comparisons between the MS3 and the Caliper SRT.
A little history re my car tastes and purchases. In 2003 I was making piles of dough and bought a 2003 Corvette off the show room floor. Loved it. Never had a problem, thrilling performance, and actually managed 30mpg on the freeway. The only disappointing aspect of the car was its "made by Rubbermaid" interior and I read that the new ones are not much better. Plus, I considered buying a used one from '04 on, when the new model was released (or was it '05)? but they are still selling in the mid to low 40s.
I lost my job several months later and needed cash, but still wanted a fast car, so I sold it and bought a Dodge SRT4. Upside: fast, particularly after I added Mopar's Stage II kit. Downside: looked like a Neon with a wing, practically no ammenities (rear window had a crank!) and not the most inspiring build quality I've ever experienced.
I traded that in for a TSX which was a dream car--IVTEC engine, tons of luxury features, a motor that sounded like silk and moved the car with authority, if not blinding speed. Fully loaded with nav for around 28K. Unfortunately within 6 months of having this car, I was in two not a fault accident which collectively produced TWENTY TWO THOUSAND DOLLARS in damage. The rose was off the bloom.
So I traded it in a few years ago for a 2004 Pontiac GTO. This is the most satisying car I have ever owned, and I must be nuts to even think about trading it. It's built like a goddamned tank, has a beautiful interior, and its motor and tranny are straight from the 'Vette. Unfortunately it's rather plain looking and is FAT. It's the difference, as one of the car mags noted about the new Shelby Mustang, that it's a "muscle car" (like the GTO) and not a "sports car." Its handling is rather portly and it eats gas like my 65 Mustang. Even though mine is screaming yellow with blacked out windows and chromed wheels, it barely gets a second glance until people notice the GTO badge; then it gets considerably more atention.
I'm not too proud to confess that I like my car to turn heads and being a car that not everyone has.
So now...having new car fever, and thinking about an entirely different dirving experience--a turbo 4 as opposed to a thirsty 8 that will weight about SIX HUNDRED POUNDS LESS and still match, closely, the acceleration of the GTO--not to mention the gas savings and and not wanting a car that approaches or exceedss 30K, here's what I'm considering:
1) Solstice GXP and Saturn Sky Redline, even though, nicely equiped, they will reach near 30K. Plus I have had a BMW Z3 and I've found that a small to no trunk and lack of two more seats gets old, particularly for me who has two dogs to haul around.
2) Civic Si. Problems: not a particularly striking looking car, not as fast as the MS3, and I would have to order chrome wheels and a leather interior with some lumbar padding (two necessities for me in ANY car I buy) which would effectively bring the price to 25K+ for a car that takes almost 7 seconds to get to 60. Compared to the MS3 which is supposed to reach 60 in the mid-fives, the Honda's simply not fast enough or unique looking enough. Plus, while it's a blast to drive (and I have) and comes with Honda's typical quality and reliability, there's a very noticable lack of torque which takes some of the fun away, particularly after owning a GTO. This is a car that requires constant shifting to keep it on the boil, ala the S2000, and I could see that getting old, even though the shifting is like butta.
3) Obviously, the MS3. After the heat dies down, I could probably get one for MSRP or less in about a year, and leather seats with lumbar support are standard on the Grand Touring Model. Downside...and here's where I'll ask you to not hate me...it looks like a SECRETARY's car. It's "cute" and, to my mind, is barely distinguishable from the Pontiac Vibe and its Toyota cousin. I know the the MS3 model beefs up the look, but not enough for me. I want my car to STAND OUT and be frankly "a man's car" and I don't see this one doing it. I wish the MS3 would have been introduced in the 4-door 3, which I think is more masculine, better looking and less "cute." Despite its performance, it doesn't exactly scream "get out of my way." This may not matter to you guys, but it does to me.
4) Recently I've been looking into the Dodge Caliber SRT. I don't know the release price or release date (I think in November) but it's far more muscular/butch looking than the Mazda, has the same hatchback utility, not to mention having more power. At first I thought it was butt-ass ugly, but it's kinda growing on me. What puzzles me about its published 0-60 times of "under 6 seconds" is that it's SLOWER than my SRT4, which carried about 230 horses vs. the Caliber's 300. Is it a weight difference? Also, I'm sure that he MS3 will be a higher quality car. It also appears slightly slower than the MS3, despite having a considerly more powerful engine (hp wise, not necessarily torque).
5) Also of interest is the upcoming Volvo C3. 4 door hatch, 5 cylinder turbo, and very, very unique looking. Unfortunately I think it'll be priced, loaded, at or above the magic 30K mark.
6) I have also thought about buying a good condition, used WRX Sti or the Mitsu Evo, but again, I find the styling of these cars hideous. They're four door boxes with a hood scoop and an outrageous wing (yeah, I know it's allegedly "functional"). Despite their impressive performance, they still look like s*** to me and they are becoming far too common. The upcoming Evo X looks like a typical 4-door sedan with little to suggest the power underneath and will likely be in the 35K range.
Anything else I'm missing in this cheap but powerful auto offerings?
Feel free to comment on anything I've written, but I'm particularly interested in the comparisons between the MS3 and the Caliper SRT.
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