bored...

[br4dysays]

maybe because my versa is an auto, but I find myself bored with it. contemplating buying maybe an s2000 used for fun/non-business driving, i use the versa for hours a day with my work (mobile computer service). or maybe it's the fact that all my life i've had a different ride every 2 years or so

im considering trading it in for a mazdaspeed3 or something similiar, idk really im all over the place with considerations. keeping the versa would be the most $$$$-wise move, but I owe what its worth so I could start from scratch....

HELP!

/rant

[steed77]

GO get what you want.... Life is short and if you can afford it, GET a fun car.

The S2000 is a fantastic ride, the ap1 would be choice of SThe MS3 is a another fun car, however I would rather an MK5 GTi

[br4dysays]

GO get what you want.... Life is short and if you can afford it, GET a fun car.

The S2000 is a fantastic ride, the ap1 would be choice of SThe MS3 is a another fun car, however I would rather an MK5 GTi

yeah im looking for an S AP1, for around 8-11k, just not an abundance around. If i got something like an S, i would keep the versa for sure for work. An MS3 or like you said a GTi (i like these too, just skeptical on the reliability & they are costly IMO), i would probably trade-in the versa seeing how it be practical enough to use for both purposes & no use having 2 cars on insurance.

i'll figure it out, i hope lol.

[Skim302]

The MS3 is a another fun car, however I would rather an MK5 GTi

Why is that?

[steed77]

Why is that?

MK5 or MK6 GTi: Tons of room for improvement (performance, handling, lighting, etc). Fun can be had with the DSG or 6speed. HUGE aftermarket, not many issues (compared to MK3 and MK4). German fit and finish. Better paint, quality leather, solid chassis, on and on

MS3: Great out of the box. Performance limited;not much more you can extract out w/o encountering problems.

[br4dysays]

GTi: Tons of room for improvement (performance, handling, lighting, etc). Fun can be had with the DSG or 6speed. HUGE aftermarket, not many issues (compared to MK3 and MK4). German fit and finish. Better paint, quality leather, on and on

MS3: Great out of the box. Performance limited;not much more you can extract out w/o encountering problems.

yeah i wouldn't be into modding it all too much so out the box is pretty much what i'd be dealing with. I def like the GTi looks/interior etc much more than the speed3, its just the powerrrr that lures me back to the speed3 lol.

which would be better in the long-run? reliability etc wise? I tend to think the insurance would be cheaper on the GTi than the speed3 but who knows really. I'd def be going the manual route, this auto. has me boredddd and totally uninterested in driving 90% the time. I guess if i were to trade-in i'd probably take off my 17's & take out the dvd touchscreen I have in the versa, doubt theyd give me any extra $$ on the trade for that?

[graymalkin2]

MS3 = manual only.GTI = 6-spd or DSG - no auto available. Try a DSG before you buy. My GTI is DSG, my Versa is 6-spd. The DSG gives you the option of shifting yourself, and you can go 'auto' if you don't feel like shifting.

Choosing between an MS3 and GTI boils down to preference really, both are stupendous cars that mix practicality and sportiness better than anything else in their price range. I test drove both cars before deciding on the GTI, I *almost* picked up a MS3 instead of the Versa, but common financial sense won out in the end.

Likely you would get a better trade in value if you remove the touchscreen and wheels, on top of that you could sell the touchscreen and wheels for even more cash.

[graymalkin2]

Oh, and I forgot, I have ~23k on my 08 GTI and have not had a single problem with it. And I have modded suspension, Stage 1, OEM+ stuff, etc. VW's reliability issues are not as bad as they used to be.

They aren't cheap though - $70 an oil change

[Andries]

for some reason i was checking classifieds...Ford SVT Lightning.....oh lord how quick are they

[br4dysays]

good to knowww,

im pretty torn between having 2 cars and getting an S. or trade-in toward gti etc. hate to spend 20k~ and have to use it for work but i guess a car is meant to be driven! s2000's scare me cuz i hear all the talk about seats getting stolen, vandalized etc lol.

any other recommendations on a good 2nd car (if i went that route)?

[steed77]

for some reason i was checking classifieds...Ford SVT Lightning.....oh lord how quick are they

Why YES the are.. Fun indeed. low 12's high 11's in it's current street form

Mine...

[Andries]

point given +1

[Andries]

found some locally - 01 and 03 for around 12k

[steed77]

found some locally - 01 and 03 for around 12k

found some locally - 01 and 03 for around 12k

They ROCK.. Go, stop, turn and run on the hwy better then the V.... BUT 12-18MPG on 93 octane. The sound when the blower winds-up is insane.

The COOL thing is going to HomeDepot and loading up with lumber or whatever in your 400-500HP ride... lets see your vette(or whatever) do that.

ok one more

If you want to check them out more, gotohttp://www.nloc.net/vbforum/http://www.svtperf ... htning-50/

[Skim302]

Did you say that the GTI can out preform a MS3? I don't know what you think is out preforming but these stats kind of speak for themselves.

MS3- 263 HPGTI- 207 HP

MS3- 0-60 in 5.9 secGTI- 0-60 in 7.2 sec

Here are some more.

MS3- $23,945GTI- $24,530

And what is even more crazy is that the GTI cost more money yet it has less power then then MS3, is slower, and more convenience features come standard in the MS3.

Sounds to me like your paying more for your car to say VW on it.

And I think you said something about the performance being limited on the MS3 and the GTI has a better aftermarket, right? Well I would hope that they have a huge aftermarket because they need a lot to catch up to a stock MS3.

Sorry for the rant.

[steed77]

MK5 GTi with a GIAC tune ~450.00 This nets you dyno verified 40-47 crank horsepower and 90+ crank torque increase.

This is JUST the first step to increase HP. If you want more....you still have intake, exhaust, DV valve, inter-cooler, etc,etc

I have a co-worker with MK5 GTi and tune, that is it... it will roll a MS3. That said, I still like the MS3...it is a good car.

[Skim302]

Ok I never doubted the GTI's aftermarket but what I'm saying is someone who wants a fun car to drive stock and doesn't plan on modding it the MS3 is a better choice. It beats the GTI in every catigory when they are both stock.

And the MS3 aftermarket isn't that small. There are companys who make intakes and cat backs for the MS3 too. And the up grade you were talking about it pretty impressive, but now your spending more money on a car that already cost more money then the MS3 just to make it a competitor? If I had the choice I would choose the cheaper and faster car.

[br4dysays]

I called around for NEW 09 MS3's, but theres only ONE left locally & its the navi LOADED version and dont really wanna spend 26k++ on it. the 10's are UGLYYYYYYYY imo so for now it's out, im actually going to look @ a 01' s2000 with 70k on it possibly sunday, hopefully it works out

[graymalkin2]

Yeah, that's the problem with the ms3, they only make 5000 a year, making them hard to find, and they almost always go for near sticker or above. Have you considered Civic Si or Subaru WRX? both around the same amount of money, fun cars too(well, I'd rather have a used s2000 than the new civic, but its still an option).

I do envy your position, buying a new (or new to you) car is always fun when price is not so much of an issue. Let us know if you buy the S on Sunday, and as always, POST PICS!

[nova09versa]

Just picked up a 1.8 S versa last weekend for the CFC program. Cute fun lil car for the price. Its a dd for my wife. Me, i drive a 99 Civic Si during the week for work. Weekend nice car is the 06 E500 benz.

[br4dysays]

Yeah the only MS3 in my area that is used is an 08 with 18k~ miles and its going for 20,5 @ carmax, blah. I'd rather keep the V since i've had it since new and it's great for work just want something fun for my own use.

hopefully this S works out cuz they are one of my fav cars out there, who can resist 9k shifts

[Shad0wXCalibur]

The funny thing is that Nissan designed this econocar so well as far as it being quiet and smooth that it can make it seem boring to drive.