My next ride...

[VersaMG08]

I know my car isn't paid off until 2013, a bit far ahead but which one should I get once my V is paid off? I want something fun to drive, sporty and energetic. Everytime I drive, I never get the feeling of fun driving like I once had in my '98 Civic. The V feels boring. I have good credit, and it should be above 750 when it's paid off. The choices are in poll.

Your vote, your opinion!

[Red Devil]

I know my car isn't paid off until 2013, a bit far ahead but which one should I get once my V is paid off? I want something fun to drive, sporty and energetic. Everytime I drive, I never get the feeling of fun driving like I once had in my '98 Civic. The V feels boring. I have good credit, and it should be above 750 when it's paid off. The choices are in poll.

Your vote, your opinion!

No Genesis Coupe love?

[VersaMG08]

No, I don't like Hyundai.

[iluvmyVersa08]

Lol. I am not really a fan of any of those so I chose the Sentra. So many people have Mazda 3's, they are everywhere around here. I prefer to buy items that not alot of others have. I like to be different.

My car will also be paid off in 2013, but I have no plans of trading it in. That is why I did not do a lease. I don't want to make car payments for the rest of my life, lol. I would rather drive my V down to the ground before I buy another new vehicle.

[VersaMG08]

Yeah I hear you. I don't know, but I never have fun driving my car. It's nice and has the features I want but it's not clicking for me. Not enough oomph and sporty feel. Too much like a family car...

[Reed19x]

I voted Sentra SE-R

If you're going with a Lancer, gotta go all out and get the Evo haha.

The Eclipse, as many reviews say "...is for people who want the sports car look, but not have to actually act the part..."...or some variant of that. (I personally think they're cool)

The Mazda 3 is an awesome little hatchback, but hey you've had the Hatch experience with the Versa, why repeat?

The SE-R seems like a fun little car for sure. A buddy of mine can stuff his entire drum kit in his and STILL has room for at least 1 passenger. Plus, they're pretty quick.

As for the Hyundai Genesis, it's definitely an affordable RWD car to consider...but having owned a G37 (what I feel is just the prettier, read "more expensive" cousin of the Genesis)...it doesn't seem like a very practical car. I've grown accustomed to the practicality of my girlfriend's little Versa and could probably never go back to a coupe for a daily driver.

Good luck with your decision Who knows what will shake out by 2013. Hell we might even see a new Supra or 240 by then!

[frankoV]

I wonder what's going to be available by then [strike Sentra . . . ]

[Red Devil]

No, I don't like Hyundai.

Well you should reformulate your opinion. The new Genesis Coupe and Sedan are healthy competitors to their rival vehicles.

[VersaMG08]

Nah, I'm fine.

[blindsnyper]

im going to leave this here

[VersaMG08]

I like the Imprezzas. Should of added that in.

[dfc222]

Imprezzzzzzzza for sure

or mazda 3, which is a great car

[VersaMG08]

Hey Biggie or any mod, can you change the Cube SL to Subaru Imprezza on the poll?

[ADOversa]

WRX! I am wishing I had bought one instead of a Versa. Although I shudder to think of what my insurance might be...

[Red Devil]

Hey Biggie or any mod, can you change the Cube SL to Subaru Imprezza on the poll?

Impreza, 1 Z, not like ricey Altezza's.

[silverarrow27]

I wonder what's going to be available by then [strike Sentra . . . ]

Same here

[Rockhound]

I voted Mazda3, but then again, I'm biased.

[AG]

Used BMW

[ADOversa]

Used BMW

Depends which gen. I know maintenence costs on E46's and newer are ridiculous. E30's are awesome though, a few friends have put turbo kits on theirs. They are pretty fun.

[Skim302]

If the Sentra SER is on there then why don't you just upgrade the mazda 3 to a mazdaspeed3? It would smoke any of the cars on your list and it is most definatly a fun car to drive.

[Rockhound]

Used BMW

Yeah, like ADO said, that comes with a huge "with CPO warranty" caveat. I personally wouldn't touch any German car without a factory warranty.

And despite the roundel's allure, I'm not convinced that BMW makes the 'ultimate driving machines' these days - they've milked that slogan for all it's worth despite the fact that the Japanese caught up (and surpassed, in some areas) some time ago.

It's a catch-22, however, seeing as going that route (used, German) allows depreciation to take care of the inflated price of those rigs, with all the same air of superiority.

[AG]

ADOversaIt's not actually. Maintenance is free (at least in Canada) until 80000km, so buying one with low miles is an option. Then for example an oil change is around 150 CAD (don't know exactly), but you have to change it only every 24000 km. Brakes are more expensive, I agree.

RockhoundWell maintenance is more expensive than some other cars, but again its not THAT expensive. And for warranty issues... CPO cars have 6years/160000 km extended warranty.Well can't say they are the best on the road, but I would say they are in their price range. And I believe that they are improving a lot, E90 is much better than E46 for example, but again it's everyone's personal choice.

[feloniousmonk]

Used BMW

Ditto. Keep the Versa as the daily commuter. Build a E30 as your killer.

A well sorted E30 with a S50 or S52 (E36 M3) engine transplant will give you almost 250hp in a sub 3,000lb platform with near 50/50 weight balance and RWD (like a proper sports car). That's enough HP to weight ratio to get you into plenty of trouble with the law. Tons of torque, nice flat curve = fat power band. It will pull hard all the way to redline. Strap on one of many readily available turbo kits and you'll be faster than any car out there costing twice as much new. Straight and clean examples can be had for $3k. Another $5k tops for a thorough, top-notch engine swap. Add another $5k for BBS wheels and suspension. Then $800 or so for a great exhaust. So under $14k you'd have one sweet ride. $6-8k for turbo.

Not to mention insurance will be low.

The B14 Sentra, the one that really made the SE-R name was inspired by the BMW E30.

This is actually the more expensive, and legendary E30 M3, but you get the idea. Standard flavor E30 doesn't have the rear wing or the fender blisters. A modified standard E30 like I described above will actually be much faster than the M3 (195 hp stock).


Modified by feloniousmonk at 9:55 PM 4/15/2009

[robj80]

I chose SE-R but of course if your only talking about b13's. Actually anything with the SR20 engine is a blast. The later models G20's were a bit heavy for the engine but still fun. Might I suggest an early model G20. They are a little heavier then the SE-R but have better suspension and brakes. Check out g20.net and see some of the cars on there. There are so many upgrades. Guys even NA now are pushing 170whp. Not to mention you have the option to turbo the stock motor, swap in a turbo motor, or go VVL.

I'm a little biased because I own a 99G20 that I put a turbo on. Has 217k miles and runs strong and got 31mpg last fillup. It does have a cold start problem though. But at that mileage I can't complain.

[Red Devil]

Actually anything with the SR20 engine is a blast.

SR swapped 240 owner right here.

[Atx_Versa]

im going to leave this here

No Genesis Coupe love?

The new crooked H's are hottness

[daggonit]

It's the 2010 VW Golf GTI for me. I'm already saving my pennies.

[justmerging]

My selection would be impreza wrx, 265 horses from a turbo 4 cyl that always sounds like it's broken when you put an exhaust on it. However, I voted for the mazda 3 because they are very fun to drive and reasonbly cheap, don't require premium fuel and are an all around good fun daily driver that you can't get into to much trouble with. But the new ones are fugly with that stupid smiley face front end.

[iluvmyVersa08]

However, I voted for the mazda 3 because they are very fun to drive and reasonbly cheap, don't require premium fuel and are an all around good fun daily driver that you can't get into to much trouble with. But the new ones are fugly with that stupid smiley face front end.

Yes they are, what is up with the new look. AWFUL! The previous generation look nice, but the new ones, man. I saw one on the highway the other day and it looks retarded from the back. Round but square at the same time, so weird. But everyone has different tastes and styles that they like so it will still most likely be a big seller. Everyone I know seems to have or want a Mazda 3.

[ADOversa]

Yes they are, what is up with the new look. AWFUL!

X2. And as for the E46's... I did consider them, but a few people on my street have them that they have had since new, and they shared with me some of the repairs and maintence that BMW nicely avoided covering and that turned me off.