First car... The battle for perfection

So I still haven't bought a car (mainly, because I was saving) but also because its nearing the point of being impossible to choose which one. I fit well in each, have a good position, car drives superb (some feel a bit slugish), but regardless, none comes out on top.

By budget is $8k and at that price point my cousin found a bunch of cars at auctions.

Heres the list:
Acura RSX Type S (02-04) and base models
VW GTI (04-06) (The 06 were a bit over 8k nearing 9)
VW Jetta (06+)
Scion TC (07+)
Lexus IS300 (01-03)

I'm sure most cars on the list are generally reliable with the japanese coming out on top. If anyone owns one, recommends one, has problems with any of them please give this thread a shout.

Been driving 5 months now, no problems with automatic (duh) but its more fun to play around with gears (whether its a selectable auto or manual) I never tried stick but my parents insist to play it safe first time around.

Thanks to everyone beforehand :thumb:

 

The RSX or the IS300. 'nuff said.

 

Toyota and Honda both have pretty solid reputations.

 

my thoughts exactly. I personally would take the is300 over the RSX though. I'm a 4 door man and is300's just look so sick.

 

IS300s are amazing.
I think in japan its the toyota altezza,
which is an amazing car, I love the IS, my neighbor
has one. And I love my lexus quality, I have the sc400

Elite JDM (Elite Imports International) has amazing altezza parts.

 

I would buy an IS300 because of their reliability.

I really like the newer GTI's and wouldn't mind having a 4-door GTI though.

 

I had a GTI for 5 years wich I loved, a blast to drive and you can cram a entire dorm room into it. The quality of construction, fit and finish are top notch. It was the car that started a love affair with turbo charged engines and after almost half a million miles is still going strong. I can't recommend the GTI enough, the car has soul.

 

I can't really say much about mileage, but I LOVE my GTI as well. It's an '09 so a bit newer but they're pretty much the same. It's a fun car with a great engine, but you don't sacrifice practicality. I can put 4 friends in mine comfortably, no problem. Or carry a TON of stuff, it's actually bigger than you would think on the inside. I have been driving for over a year now, this is my second car but my daily driver. ('72 Super Beetle is my first, love that car too)

 

My vote goes to GTI, and Lexus...I'd narrow it down between the two, and go from here...GTI has to be with a manual transmission ONLY...

 

Definitely Lexus, its a plus if its manual. You really can't go wrong with Lexus or Acura, the K20 in the RSX is pretty wicked with bolt ons.

 

Why do you say with a manual only? The DSG was one hell of a fun ride!
The only downside to the Lex is that it would be older, possibly 01-02. The 01 saves me a lot of money and when I do timing I would do cams stg 2 and pulley. I heard that it makes the car more lively. And my dad thinks an almost 10 year old car is not a smart move as it would start to rust in University.

 

i personally would rather have a 10 year old Lexus IS300 then my 09 Accord V6 Coupe. I would love to have a car that is paid off in full and could just focus on the maintenance and mod part of the car.

Here is a photo of my friends IS300 that he built but sold a couple years back:



so much cash was put into that car. Supra transmission and everything under the sun.

573whp and 510tq @ 19psi 93 pump gas
805whp and 695tq @ 32psi meth mix

from what i heard was the kid he sold it to wrecked the car. Just wanted to show you why i personally like the IS 300's

 

cause with a manual tranny it's even MORE FUN!!!

 

Yup! Mine is a 6 speed, I really don't think that DSG could make it any better. But then I'm not a huge fan of automatics, I get so bored...

 

For 8-9k I'd pick up an LS1 car.

Oh wait...we dont like American car on this forum..I forgot

 

Yeah, I agree with you here. The thing is these cars are way expensive to get over 300whp (built tranny or replace) + turbo kit (around 8k for a full set), wider tires, etc. So I won't go down that route.

Well, I'll have to think this through, and I think the one that I can get for the least amount of money at good millage will be the winner.

 

I would go with the acura there so fun to drive especially if its a type s.

 

Funny noone mentions it, but have you thought for how long you plan to have the car and what its resale value will be at the time when you will be ready to get rid of it? From the list you posted, I'm not a fan of either car - personally I would have saved a bit more and then went for something newer and more expensive. Consider this, for 15-20k you can have a nice Porsche Boxter or a classic 911... These might be a bit more expensive for maintanace, but these cars are more appealing for collectors and at this point probably depreciated to the point where after a couple fo years they either will loose little or no value... Keep it clean and mantained, use for a couple of years and resell for the price you bought it - even if you need to do expensive maintanance, most likely it will be cheaper then spending 8k on a car that will only be good for junk yard after you are done with it (and if you do manage to ruin Porsche, you can still more or less easily sell its parts and recoupe some of the costs).

P.S. Consider leasing - you can easily lease something like Nissan Altima and 8k should be enough to cover your whole lease time...

P.P.S. With 8k on hand, you can probably find a decent Porsche 944...

Cheers!

 

My GTI was a six speed, also my first manual transmission car. I say if you want to learn manual at some point you should just go for it. Got to start somewhere, and once you really drive a manual transmission IMHO it will be hard to go back to anything auto even DSG.

 

MX22 has a good point on the porsche from a resale value standpoint if you are willing to give up cargo space and deal with maintaining it.