cman321

Love the GTO. Wanna keep if for several reasons. Its a nice comfy car for a daily driver with an auto (so my wife can drive in emergencies). Also, i tend to always want the next best thing in the car world, so having 2 fairly inexpensive sporty cars might make help quell my chronic car buying.

Want to spend about 20-25k (new or used). Want a car that feels more sporty, looks better, lighter. Something that is a complement to the fast, big muscle car thing.

Choices are RX8, 350Z, Golf GTI, Civic SI

Rx8 Great shifter, smoother high revving engine, nice sporty cocoon. Great handling/ride combo. Light. RX8 cons: Hate digital speedos, lack some power/torque. Reliability/gas concerns. Styling is good but not great.
350Z. Love the styling. Nice shifter, good power and exhaust note. Not as refined. Bad reward visibility. Heavy.
GTI. Very refined. great interior. Great engine. Roomy. Not that sporty looking inside and out. Already have a refined/posh car. Not as sharp edged for a 2nd car.
SI. Haven't driven but have driving RSX S. Great resale. Good sportiness for cheap. Hate the gimmicky interior. No torque. Looks like a mini gto in styling already

buho62

Well, comparing the RX8, 350Z, Golf GTI, Civic SI, I'd get the Civic SI since is a lil bit cheaper.

tmounk

iTrader: (2)

I test drove my co-workers RSX Type S yesterday, fun, fun, fun. Very light around 2800 lbs. Previous owner installed intake, and lowered. V-Tech kicks in at around 5500 to 5900, takes a couple seconds to get there. But pulls very strong for a 2.0. I though about getting an RSX, but I didn't want to put alot of work into it like my accord. Even though it's a good bargin used. Plus I'm married and the second income put me into a 03 Z, which is very satisfying. I'm not focus that much on drag racing, so the Z was a great platform for investment in body mods.
But very impressed with the RSX, fun fun car.

ZsAllright

RX8=too cute, no torque
Golf=looks like a VW(dull)
Civic=looks like a Civic(dull)
350Z=best all round looks/power for the $$

highside107

iTrader: (1)

Cman, what do you mean by "bad reward visibility" with the Z? I say test drive all those cars and see which one you like. Are you considering a Honda S2000 by any chance? It's a 'smaller, fun 2nd car' as well

danvain

used 2004.5 or 2005 350Z should fit the bill

cman321

love the s2000. Never been a convertible fan however. It is also a bit more pricey that i would like.

davidf

iTrader: (18)

Having recently owned an 03 GTI anniversary 1.8 turbo, I can tell you they are great cars which are easily modded and surprisingly quick. Chipped and exhaust really wake them up, I really miss that car.

350India

How can you put a Civic Si in the same category as a Z...You could never catch me driving a Civic.. i don't care if its an Si

MyV6IsFast3r

iTrader: (38)

You come to a Z board and ask this what answer do you want. GET A Z, you'll love it, speed is good, not like the GTO, but it's quick and it will handel 5X better. All those V8s ride like boats IMO....

Three Fitty

Hey Cman I saw your post over at VWVortex as well. It's interesting to see the contrast in replies from the different boards.

I'm in the same boat as you, however, the car I get will be my daily driver. I'be finally narrowed it down to the GTI and the 350Z however.

I love the 350Z for its looks, and the fact that it is rear wheel drive.

I love the GTI because it's a VW - good quality, good warranty, just a good all-around product. Plus, have you seen what the chips can do for the power of that 2.0T? It bumps the hp up to 260 and the tq to 303 - an increase of 60hp and 96tq! That's with just a $500 chip! This is just stage one of the tuning companies, now pair the chip with a turbo back exhaust and it would be a beast!

I have driven them both but don't know what to do. They both have their pros and cons.

Keep us posted!

Kyle

RJNavarrete

What car are these forums for?

Yea, get that car.




You won't regret it.

bloodwings19

VW good quality? Is it the sames VW Golf GTi 1.8T that I had? My 2002 GTi had a blown turbo, windows won't roll back up, in-dash light does not lit until 2 minutes after driving, driver's door handle is peeling and rattling noise. My friend still has his, and now is regretting it because of those rattling noise. The only good quality on my Golf is the stability driving at high speed, other than that I don't miss it. It doesn't end here, the radio on the GTi swallowed my CD, and Nissan's mechanic broke the glove compartment handle before we traded it in for the Z. I hope you find a better VW than we had.

cman321

Kyle you have a gto too and are looking at the same cars too....no way...what kind of gto do you have (or what is your other car if not a gto).

Have you driven the rx-8. what are your thoughts on that car. Yeah, I have seen that APR chip stats....not sure if I believe those insane ridiculous HP upgrades. I have heard mixed things about chipping.

Three Fitty

No, I don't have a GTO. I have a WRX that has pretty many modifications. I have driven the RX-8. Truthfully, I love the way that car looks, but it just felt way too slow. I was sitting their watching the tach climb to 9k rpms anxiously awaiting to upshift. It is a very nice car, with a very "unique" engine, but just not for me.

I want a car that has instant torque at pretty much any rpm's, and the 350Z and the GTI are the best for that.

The stats on the chips are real though. They have been dyno and track proven on the MK4's and have been dyno'd for the MKV's.

Do you plan on modding the car you get? If so, the GTI will be much more responsive to mods than any of the other cars you are looking at - considering you don't want to throw down $10k on FI for the Z.

On a side note, you wouldn't happen to work for Continental Express would you? My brother Tim lives out in Houston and works for them and has a friend with a GTO who was looking to get a car. Just wondering.

Kyle

taurran

iTrader: (18)

Out of the listed options, the Z will provide you with the best performance and most attention. It's a fun car.

cman321

hey kyle...no that is not me....work nearby at shell downtown though. I am not a modder, but If bought the GTI, you can't go wrong w/ that chip.

I agree that cars like the rx-8 or s2000 have zero torque. But since I have a torque monster (GTO), I don't think i would mind wringing out an engine w/ a great stick at near 9000 rpms. I could be wrong though.

andy

03track

iTrader: (2)

i came from an ls1gto and it did take me a while to get used to the lack of tourque in comparison.....i wish i could have kept both but i think you'd be pretty happy with the Z.

best of luck to you

lw3

You can buy a hardtop for it if you want it to be like a coupe

wvz

I traded my '04 GTO M6 on a new '05 350Z M6 last November... wish I could have kept both though!