YSSMAN's Secret Invasion

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Casio
You don't want a Mazda. Cool people don't drive Mazda's. Especially re the MX-5/Miata, what's the point of a soft top when you can only use it a few months of the year.
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Riiiiight. Cool people drive Saabs, I forgot. All hail!
 
Late to the party as usual,
And I'm gonna throw out my usual recommendation.
Consider an '06 or '07 Infiniti G35. At your age I'd say the Coupe, but the Sedan is a hudred pounds lighter, can be had with All wheel drive, has most of the creature comforts you'd find in a BMW at a fraction of the price, both to buy and to maintain.
As well the '06 and '07 (though I truly am in love with the '05) are new enough that they can be had with relatively low mileage, and some factory warranty left.

You have mentioned VW. I'm actually seriously considereing a Jetta TDI as my next ride.
Can be bought reasonable. Has buckets of torque so it feels like it has about twice the rated HP. And it's capable of near-hybrid fuel economy.

A gas Jetta or Golf/Rabbit would be my next choice followed by a used Golf R32.
The R32 is a little expensive, and may have been driven pretty hard. But if you can find a decent one, They are cars that started out ridiculously expensive for a VW, but have come down to near reasonable prices and they are just neat little cars--AWD, turbo, good tech inside...

I know Casio has his opinion, but MX-5's are the most-raced car in the US by a HUGE margin on any given weekend.
Mazdas tend to be pretty bullet proof. (I have 3)
But may I suggest instead of an MX-5 Take a look at a Mazdaspeed3 or Mazdaspeed6.
The 3 will be easier to come by as they still make them.
The 6 was only made in 2006 and 2007. You can find them all day for $15,000.
It has the same direct-injection turbo 2.3 that is in the Speed3. But it's feeding power to all 4 wheels.
It has 1 glaring fault, and 2 little faults.
It has so much torque that the clutch feel is a bit inconsistent. That can be fixed with a stiffer rear motor mount.
That is the most glaring fault for me. I like the clutch to catch in the same place every shift. I think the motor mount will make that happen.
The 6 also tends to get a little weak at the top of the rev-range. Since that is up around 7,000 rpm, I consider that a little thing. It is also easily fixed by adding a cold air intake.
The last thing is an adjunct to the motor-mount, and comes down to personal preference. I might consider adding the short throw shifter...just because.
I could be happy with just the motor mount replacement. The car I drove was an '06 and it was STUPID-QUICK. It was every bit as comfortable as my wife's standard 6, The AWD will make a viable all-season car. And the car is very much a "sleeper". Most people won't know the difference between the MS6 and the Standard 6 just to look at them. If you change from the stock MS6 wheels (which I think are ugly) to standard wheels, it would be very difficult to tell them apart.
 
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I haven't even looked at R32s. And I call myself a VW fan?

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MKIV models seem to be fairly reasonable in price these days. MKV's, not so much. Hmmm. I haven't driven either generation, I'd have to see how they differ from the more "standard" GTI options.
 
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For starters, they sound helluva lot better than the usual fourbanger farting. Personally I prefer MkIV to MkV..
 
YSSMAN
I haven't even looked at R32s. And I call myself a VW fan?

[EDIT:]

MKIV models seem to be fairly reasonable in price these days. MKV's, not so much. Hmmm. I haven't driven either generation, I'd have to see how they differ from the more "standard" GTI options.
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I have driven a mk4 R and I must say it is quite a solid car.👍

Handles very well and leaps and bounds more awesome the base mk4 gti. The 3.2 liter sounds like a raped ape in the best possible way. Its a nice brisk car that, IMO, is quite comfy. The R recaro seats are really awesome and hug you in tight for tight cornering without squishing you.

I say it is at least something you should consider. I wish I could give you info on the mk5 but I have never driven one yet. I think the mk5 seems like a more mature hot hatch. It has an almost classy interior and yet still sporty, but not as sporty as the mk4 model. A major downside IMO is that it is only available with a 6speed dsg gearbox. Not saying its a bad gear box but not as fun as a proper manual.
 
Yeah a MKIV R32 is hot sex. MKV is sex but just cause you can get it.
 
YSSMAN
I haven't even looked at R32s. And I call myself a VW fan?
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The only thing with the R32s (especially the MKIVs) is that a lot of them have probably been kid owned. It seems like they had enough of a sporting bias to be driven pretty hard. Or maybe it was just the one that I drove for work that was completely destroyed giving me that impression.

However, they are pretty fast, sound great and I would for sure love to have one.
 
Philly
The only thing with the R32s (especially the MKIVs) is that a lot of them have probably been kid owned. It seems like they had enough of a sporting bias to be driven pretty hard. Or maybe it was just the one that I drove for work that was completely destroyed giving me that impression.

However, they are pretty fast, sound great and I would for sure love to have one.
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The telltale sign that an R32 is 'kid owned' is the exhaust. R32's have an electronic flap-thing that opens up when you hammer the throttle. There's a wiring trick to over ride this and keep the exhaust flap open at all times making the car louder.

Look for small switches under the dashboard & radio housing, or holes, and you'll have a better idea on who owned the car.

Another thing to think about; the R32 MkIV's are really small cars. Shorter, heavier, and less space than a new GTI. While this may not be a big deal for a single guy, it's something to think about. They handle OK I suppose. You can really feel the weight when you drive it and unsurprisingly, they under steer...but no worse than any other FWD car.

They're pretty quick cars and make some wonderful German noises. It would make a great everyday car, just don't expect it to be a sports car. I'd also recommend buying some cheapie 18" wheels (17" if they fit) for winter time. The potholes in the midwest are roughly the same size as the car - 18" wheels will get damaged pretty easily.
 
BrutherSuperior
... You can really feel the weight when you drive it and unsurprisingly, they under steer...but no worse than any other FWD car...
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You do know that R32's have 4motion, VW's part time AWD system, right..? And with that big V6 on top of the front axle it would be a small wonder if it wouldn't understeer if one drives it like a teenager.
 
Eric.
Gil, the R32 is powered by the VR6 V6 isn't it?
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It is. It is also turbo'd...which is prolly a good thing as the VR6 head is not a "high-flow" piece stock.
I priced them out last night, and they are still pretty expensive.
I found 2 '08's for sale right around $25K.
But I'd still go GTI particularly the MKIV (for looks) in a heartbeat.

I'd have to disagree, on them being often "kid owned".
If it's a third or fourth owner car, maybe. But you're talking about a car that costs about $35K new.
And as they only make 5000 of the things per year there is likely a pretty hefty mark-up (at least there was when I was looking at them new a couple years ago).
 
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Leonidae@MFT
Any car does that when the limits are exceeded. But, enough OT.
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Not really.

Some of the cars mentioned in this thread do not drive anything like an R32. Despite the quasi-AWD system, an R32 drives much like a FWD car w/a stiff suspension. Many people equate any/all AWD systems to be the end-all-be-all when it comes to handling and vehicle performance...this is not the case.

While the R32 is a quick & fun car, a corner-carver it is not. Too heavy and all the weight is on the nose...and you feel it. Some people prefer the 'push' of a FWD car, it feels more comfortable to them. Some people do not.

While a spirited test drive is the best way to figure this out, OP is looking for as much info as possible prior to purchase. Stuff like the R32 needs to be shifted into 3rd to hit 60 isn't something a salesman is going to tell you nor would most people know where/what to look for when it comes to the exhaust mod. In case you haven't figured it out, I know a bit about this car and it's driving dynamics.

Oh, last thing; the navigation systems in these cars look pretty...but they're terrible by today's standards. Look for a non-GPS car and save a few bucks.
 
Gil
It is. It is also turbo'd...which is prolly a good thing as the VR6 head is not a "high-flow" piece stock.
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This is untrue. The R32 is a naturally aspirated engine like the regular VR6, but it is larger than the normal one.

Gil
I'd have to disagree, on them being often "kid owned".
If it's a third or fourth owner car, maybe. But you're talking about a car that costs about $35K new.
And as they only make 5000 of the things per year there is likely a pretty hefty mark-up (at least there was when I was looking at them new a couple years ago).
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I agree with this. The R32 was rare, it was expensive, it wasn't an Evo/WRX, and they held there value very well. You might find kids who have gotten their hands on them now, but if you went into the car as the 2nd or third owner that is unlikely.


Come on, Brad. Go for the R32. Resistance if futile. Just find one that hasn't bee screwed with.
 
I talked to my Dad about it and he gave it the thumbs up. I'll have to get the Celica paid off next month, and go from there. I still want to keep the GTO on the list of cars to make sure I check out. And hell, why not, the Nissan Juke.

Assuming I keep to my budget, I should be able to have enough cash to wade-in somewhere around the spring time. Assuming I can find any of the above for a reasonable price, of course.
 
Wouldn't you rather skip the nice new car and have fancy dinners with your friends every night like a boss? Kick back and smoke a Cuban ya dig. Drive a Corolla and save for a sailboat. Priorities, bro. Hot chicks can't lay out and tan on the hood of a GTO. They can on a sailboat.
 
Ha ha, very true. That's why I'm not too worried about getting anything new right away. Who knows, I could get fired from work. And, I've gotta move out first. Primary goal, numero uno right now is getting the Celica paid off, catching up on small maintenance issues (snow tires, timing belt replacement, etc), and getting my apartment together.

After that, it's all profit. And Comic-Con.
 
Toronado
This is untrue. The R32 is a naturally aspirated engine like the regular VR6, but it is larger than the normal one.
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I stand corrected on the aspiration issue.
I maintain that the design of the VR6 head, does make for poor airflow.
It's still a pretty awesome car, and I'd buy one provided it was low mileage, and semi-coddled.
Not kid gloved, mind you, just not horribly abused.

I'm still also advocating a Mazda Mazdaspeed6 as well.
They made enough of them that the prices aren't too ridiculous.
I truly appreciate "Sleepers" and the Speed6 is definitely a sleeper.
 
Gil
I'm still also advocating a Mazda Mazdaspeed6 as well.
They made enough of them that the prices aren't too ridiculous.
I truly appreciate "Sleepers" and the Speed6 is definitely a sleeper.
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Sleeper? With those howitzer-sized dual exhausts and obvious powerbulge in the bonnet?
 
To those in the know, it's obvious what it is.
But most people have no idea about the Speed6.
Simple Wheel Change, and it looks enough like its milquetoast sister that few will see the difference.
And the standard '6 has big ol' duals also.
 
I've looked into Subarus a little bit, and after I saw a fixed up Forrester XT yesterday, that has tickled my fancy once again. Even if it is just a WRX on stilts, it carries all of my junk, and apparently they run forever.

Otherwise, at the moment, I'm content with keeping my Celica. Much of this depends on how much my apartment will end up being. I still reeeeeallly want a Nissan Juke. Whoooboy.
 

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