Whats a good '04+ automatic car in the $16,000 - $21,000 range?

[digitalpro5]

Ok considering a new car. Basically may be giving my P5 to the sister (hehe I'll still be able to drive the P5) and she'll give me 3k and take over my payments. I'll take that 3k and get a new car. Unfortunately I'll have to get an automatic. Really would like a car with the sportshift automatic though. Here are some of my suggestions:

Mazda3 (sportauto)
Mazda6 (sportauto?) More then my range but still considering.
WRX (auto) More then my range but still considering.
RSX (sportauto) More then my range but still considering.
Scion tC (auto) probably wait if they come out with a supercharged auto?
Chevy Cobalt (auto)

Those are the only cars that I have reseached enough to consider, and they are all faster then the p5 of course, but which can be modded nicely in the future?

Oh the P5 will eventually be supercharged or turbo'd in the next 2 years, so no suggestions on that, and no suggestions if I'm saving money on just modding the p5 to go faster. I'll rather have a new car, thats just my mantality.

 

[bonesmp5]

if your totally set on a new car then dont read the rest -- But this is in all honesty -- shop around -- you can find an 03 or 04 with 6-7K miles which is just brake in time -- this will allow you have more variety in choosing a car in that price range ---- and save you money --


just my 2cents --- good luck shopping

 

[Captain KRM P5]

if you liked your p5 i pretty much guarantee you'll like the 3 - to me its like the next level of refinement, a nicer car stock for stock all around.

a cobalt to me is not worth it unless it is the SS. car and driver seemed to really gush about it in thier early drive article but noted that the SS had alot of upgrades the stock cobalt did not.

what about a mazdaspeed miata? there are some really great discounts/rebates on those right now.

 

[Dimitrios]

he want's an autotragic, the Mazdaspeed MX-5 (Miata) is manual only.

I'd go for the Mazda3 hatchback or the tC out of that list.

 

[bonesmp5]

get a Mini with an auto ---

 

[Jspec]

I'd go with the tC with the supercharger or the Mazda6. U can get a I4 Mazda6 for way under 20k with the rebates out there right now if u get a 2004.

 

[digitalpro5]

I like the tC and the mazda 6. I would assume that the V6 versions of the mazda6 arn't worth modding in the future (engine wise)? Haven't researched much on the mazda6 so I'm very newbie on that.

Remember the protege 5 is not being gettin rid of, I luv the car and will never let go even if it will be the sisters.

 

[Captain KRM P5]

I like the tC and the mazda 6. I would assume that the V6 versions of the mazda6 arn't worth modding in the future (engine wise)?

why would you assume that? Draxas (www.duratecperformance.com, http://www.draxas.com/mazda6.html) has a ton of stuff for the 6 (and it should be noted, support for the 3 as well)

 

[digitalpro5]

why would you assume that? Draxas (www.duratecperformance.com, http://www.draxas.com/mazda6.html) has a ton of stuff for the 6 (and it should be noted, support for the 3 as well)

The threads and posts that I've seen tend to go with the non v6 versions.

 

[Rickman]

There's a Red auto WRX here in charlotte, it's been sitting at the subie dealership for over a year. I believe it's an '03. It's brand new. No one in charlotte seems to want a auto wrx. They've dropped the price quite a bit. It may even be a wagon.

 

[Pesty]

Pardon my inquiry, but if you were wanting to get a good performance car (IE: WRX) why would you want to get an automatic?

 

[RyanJayG]

probably a wife or something.

and on a side note PIKACHU IS BACK! whoot

 

[Rickman]

Yeah, must be a wife thing. My wife has never been able to dive any of my cars.

 

[ChopstickHero]

scion tc ... then get the TRD supercharger in the future

 

[Rickman]

the tC is nice.

 

[torque222]

all the cobalts drive nice, dealership will not have a SS until a week or two so he claims, i'm waiting to test drive it again. we test drove one at a dealers show and its a smooth ride.

 

[digitalpro5]

Its not a wife, thing but I'm sure in a few years yeah :-D and I can make her buy me a new car just for me. But I just want something quicker and have a little bit of fun.

Just for giggles, what do people think about the Lancer? There's quite a bit of after market on it now, and they are cheap too boot? Whats faster a Lancer or P5?

Just been to the other protege forums and the supercharger project is getting close, I can't wait for it.

 

[Captain KRM P5]

and on a side note PIKACHU IS BACK! whoot

(mswerd)lol the wait is over

a stock Lancer makes a whopping 120hp. Saddle that with an automatic transmission and you just bought yourself a ticket out of funtown. The RalliArt Lancer makes about 160 hp but I don't think you can get it with an auto transmission. You can, however, get a Sentra SE-R with an auto trans. Maybe check that out or the new Altima SE-R?

 

[aceP5]

There's a Red auto WRX here in charlotte, it's been sitting at the subie dealership for over a year. I believe it's an '03. It's brand new. No one in charlotte seems to want a auto wrx. They've dropped the price quite a bit. It may even be a wagon.

Yup. Theres one here (red auto wagon) that hasnt sold for a long time. It was brand new at less than $22k. Try looking for a used one maybe? In terms of mods WRXs are very moddable and have a ton of potential above and beyond factory.

You can, however, get a Sentra SE-R with an auto trans. Maybe check that out or the new Altima SE-R?

Altima SE-R is nice. Dont know if they make it in auto though.

I'm not all that excited about those Scions. Not too great IMO. I say go mazda or subaru and you will not go wrong.

stay away from the cobalt. Chevy is no good, especially when compared to the other cars on that list

 

[Snacks McGee]

Scion tC would be my pick. Though I'm starting to like the 5 door mazda3s