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

[Bass Addict]

I was told this weekend that 350z's started at $22,000. Surely you'd be able to get a base model, an 04, for quite a bit less than that considering they need them off of the lots for the 05's.

 

[Rickman]

I think the red one here is under $21k now. I've helped my brother with a lot of mods to his WRX, and he's getting up there in the HP now. We've done Intake, Uppipe, lightweight pully, exhaust, etc. and man is that car fast.

 

[Jspec]

FYI: They make the Ralliart and the Altima SE-R in auto.

 

[Cloudland]

Mini Cooper S

base MSRP US$20499

6 speed steptronic option $1350

 

[bonesmp5]

(yippy) -- thats what i said to ---

get a Mini with an auto ---

i like the Mini S

Mini Cooper S

base MSRP US$20499

6 speed steptronic option $1350

 

[digitalpro5]

I'll take a look at them Mini S's...Lancer Ralliart, seems pretty cheap to get...I like

Thanks guys, seems there are a lot more options then I tought.

 

[Cloudland]

just don't tick everything on the option list. U can easily double the base msrp of the mini cooper s.

 

[digitalpro5]

just don't tick everything on the option list. U can easily double the base msrp of the mini cooper s.

Pretty much I'm going base model on any new car since I can use the money saved on mods.

 

[digitalpro5]

Hey just looked at the Subaru 2.5RS MSRP is like $19,000+ @ 165HP, seems to me after a while you can mod it to a WRX, well aesthetics anyways :-D

 

[bonesmp5]

my boss just ordered his -- Mini S -- 6speed - leather - LSD -- for 22,000

just don't tick everything on the option list. U can easily double the base msrp of the mini cooper s.

 

[Cloudland]

my boss just ordered his -- Mini S -- 6speed - leather - LSD -- for 22,000

U guys a lucky, for US$22000, we can hardly find a (1 year old?) 2nd hand Mini here in NZ - and the base model Cooper S costs the equivalent of US$30K+

 

[Rickman]

Our Mini Dealership just opened here in charlotte. So now they'll be everywhere.

 

[bonesmp5]

Ya -- i still dont believe him just yet -- when i went to there site -- i built the sam car and it was around 30k --- but he swears up and down that he got it for 22k --- so i dont know ??

U guys a lucky, for US$22000, we can hardly find a (1 year old?) 2nd hand Mini here in NZ - and the base model Cooper S costs the equivalent of US$30K+

 

[digitalpro5]

I haven't been in a mini, hows the space inside? Looks small from the outside, but thats what I thought about the P5 at first, and the P5 had plenty of room. Recently I was able to fit 4 average sized people in the back, I'm sure I won't be able to do that in a mini ahahah.

 

[Badger Biker]

Go drive a 3 with the 2.3L in it too, if anything just because I order you to.

What have ya got to lose?

I couldn't be happier with my 3, and with the options that I got it still came in under $21k (Leather, 6CD/Speakers, Moonroof, TPMS, Xenon HID Headlamps, Airbags all around, and some other stuff that escapes me right now)

4 speed Sportshift is nice as well. And the aftermarket is looking VERY good for it. MAM and HiBoost are developing turbo kits for the 2.3L right now as we type.

 

[digitalpro5]

Go drive a 3 with the 2.3L in it too, if anything just because I order you to.

What have ya got to lose?

I couldn't be happier with my 3, and with the options that I got it still came in under $21k (Leather, 6CD/Speakers, Moonroof, TPMS, Xenon HID Headlamps, Airbags all around, and some other stuff that escapes me right now)

4 speed Sportshift is nice as well. And the aftermarket is looking VERY good for it. MAM and HiBoost are developing turbo kits for the 2.3L right now as we type.

Mazda3 sounds really good. I've researched quite a bit, and I'm narrowing it all down to Mazda3s or hatch, Lancer Base/Ralliart (mod it to hell), or the Subaru 2.5RS.

 

[misbehave]

I suggest Mazda3 ,RSX (if you can find a decent one within that price range), Scion tC, or a VW Golf.
Forget about the Cobalt.
And for Mazda6, I will only suggest the 3.0 V6 version but that is out of the price range.

 

[misbehave]

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.

Don't consider the Lancer unless 1) you actually don't care about reliablity, 2) you don't care about warranty issue and dealer services, and 3) don't mind driving around in a car with a "vintage" engine.

 

[theice]

I like the 2.5RS. It seems to be a decent step up from a p5. Close to same price as a 3s (about a $1000 more for SUbie) but has 5 more hp and AWD!!
But then again, I don't live with beautiful so CAL weather. Its snowing/sleeting as I type.

As far as Car&Driver is concerned, that Cobalt seems to be the 2nd coming.