[pgviper]

Originally Posted by BayMoWe335

Thanks guys. I'm not interested in the GTI because I would like a more traditional sedan in this case. I'm not going to the the primary driver, so sporty or more similar to what I'm used to in the 335i isn't really important.

I'd rather get new because we tend to be low mileage drivers and keep our cars for a long time. We also aren't really concerned about saving a few thousand. I looked at some Accords and a year old with 10-15k miles (about as used as I'd want) are nearly the same price as a brand new one (within a couple thousand). I'd rather just buy new.

I'm down to:

Accord - Maybe the safest bet of my picks?
Mazda 3 - Never thought about actually buying a Mazda. Reliability? Quality?
Passat - I'm concerned about reliability/quality
Camry - Boring, but good car?

I checked out the new mazda 3's and everything about them is a huge step up from in the past. The interior is done very nicely, seems like a solid car. How it will hold up to the test of time, who knows but i'm def telling you that its worth a look.

[SAM135iAM]

Civic Si. It is seriously the most fun in a car I have had in a long time. It drives phenomenal and the gear box is golden. Great gas mileage. Extremely reliable. Loaded with awesome standard features. Fit and finish rivals that of our beloved BMW's.

[Rotorocious]

+1 for the zoom zoom 3

[upstatedoc]

Originally Posted by SAM135iAM

Civic Si. It is seriously the most fun in a car I have had in a long time. It drives phenomenal and the gear box is golden. Great gas mileage. Extremely reliable. Loaded with awesome standard features. Fit and finish rivals that of our beloved BMW's.

best suggestion of the day. $24,500 fully loaded and can get it in 4 door.

[ddk632]

OP you asked what fellow enthusiasts would buy/suggest... well generally we wouldn't want boring cars, we'd want something fun to drive and reasonably sporty within the price range.

If that isn't important, then cars like the Camry surely come into the equation. I hate Camrys though, so I'd go Accord in that case.

If it was a car for myself and I was constrained by this budget, and had to buy new, the most interesting/fun car without driving any of them appears to be the Mazda 3 (sedan as a few people suggested or hatch per my personal taste in the looks of it vs. the sedan).

If it was a car for myself, and I didn't have to buy new, I'd be looking at an S52 M Coupe MY1999 or MY2000 in good (but not great) condition (around $15-$20k). That'd be my enthusiast pick.

You'll get more space and probably more practicality with a Camry or an Accord but I'm not one to GAF about practicality....

[Red Bread]

Haha, I sold my S52 M Coupe and am driving a Mazda 3 right now. I needed something more practical and my sister was leaving the country and had this Mazda. It's a good car that's more fun than most fwd cars and absolutely trouble free.

I've been tempted by the newer wagon, especially as the bigger motor now comes with a manual. I've also considered the GTI and the new 5 door Mini Cooper. But ultimately, I want a rwd wagon or sedan. One day someone will build one that's sub 3k pounds and has a full set of pedals. I can be patient.

[P1]

Originally Posted by BayMoWe335

Thanks guys. I'm not interested in the GTI because I would like a more traditional sedan in this case. I'm not going to the the primary driver, so sporty or more similar to what I'm used to in the 335i isn't really important.

I'd rather get new because we tend to be low mileage drivers and keep our cars for a long time. We also aren't really concerned about saving a few thousand. I looked at some Accords and a year old with 10-15k miles (about as used as I'd want) are nearly the same price as a brand new one (within a couple thousand). I'd rather just buy new.

I'm down to:

Accord - Maybe the safest bet of my picks?
Mazda 3 - Never thought about actually buying a Mazda. Reliability? Quality?
Passat - I'm concerned about reliability/quality
Camry - Boring, but good car?

I drive a lot of rentals and must say the Passat is my all-time favorite. The Camry is not a bad car, but you're right, it's boring. Perfect for a daily beater, but expect zero excitement.

[BMW F22]

Traditional sedan- accord (camry is soooo boring).
Otherwise, go with the Mazda. Their current line up is pretty awesome. If i weren't driving a BMW I would be in a Mazda, no joke. They handle pretty well and they look pretty good.

[yakuza70]

The Honda Accord Sedan Sport is a pretty sharp looking car IMHO. You can get a 6MT too!

[Taskmaster]

GTI is also an unreliable pile of shit like most VWs.

FRS/BRZ Mazada 3, Honda Accord Sport (yes)

[KingOfJericho]

Originally Posted by TheAxiom

GTI is also an unreliable pile of shit like most VWs.

FRS/BRZ Mazada 3, Honda Accord Sport (yes)

Like BMWs are trouble free? I didn't have a single issue with my GTI but I had about a dozen in 3yrs of BMW ownership.

[Taskmaster]

Originally Posted by KingOfJericho

Like BMWs are trouble free? I didn't have a single issue with my GTI but I had about a dozen in 3yrs of BMW ownership.

Good thing I'm not a BMW fanboy, or I would be caught in a logical trap.
I hate VW and I won't make any excuses about it.

[John 070]

Interesting how no GTI right off the bat. If you're going to put up with German unreliability, might as well have a fun car. If not a fun car, imho rule out all European cars.

My sis in-law's Passat lost all its coolant when it had only 700 miles. So forget the Passat. My friend who has a 2006 4 motion has spent more repairing that car than probably a 5 owner with an 8 cyl, it's crazy.

Accord is BORING AND UGLY. But ask your checkbook how it feels about an Accord? It will absolutely love it.

[Billup]

Civic Si or Accord. End thread.

Both will last an eternity, maintenance is inexpensive and definitely not a revolving door, great MPG's, both look pretty damn good for the price, great options and you'll still be in the price range.

[Nati0n]

I love the GTI idea for everything mentioned above but reliability, no GTI owner I know of personally has had a problem-free GTI. It's still a German car, it's more expensive, more maintenance, less reliable (especially being a turbocharged engine), and overall probably not your best bet.

If you want something that's an appliance car, that will get you from point A to point B reliably no matter how much or how little maintenance you want to put into it, go Japanese. They're meant for that kind of thing.

Now which one you get will dictate how much of a weenie you will look like pulling up places, Civic Si isn't a bad choice, Accord is a nice option, FRS/BRZ is as well though less practical but tons of fun. Camry isn't a bad choice either.

[P1]

Originally Posted by Nati0n

I love the GTI idea for everything mentioned above but reliability, no GTI owner I know of personally has had a problem-free GTI. It's still a German car, it's more expensive, more maintenance, less reliable (especially being a turbocharged engine), and overall probably not your best bet.

If you want something that's an appliance car, that will get you from point A to point B reliably no matter how much or how little maintenance you want to put into it, go Japanese. They're meant for that kind of thing.

Now which one you get will dictate how much of a weenie you will look like pulling up places, Civic Si isn't a bad choice, Accord is a nice option, FRS/BRZ is as well though less practical but tons of fun. Camry isn't a bad choice either.

Civic Si along with the Accord and the Camry will all get you zero street cred, not even with the high school crowd. But then again, I don't think that's the OP's point.

[Nati0n]

Looking like a weenie (in a Honda Fit) is different than blending in with literally every other car out on the road (like an Accord), which both are completely irrelevant to street cred anyway lol

[i dunno]

mazda3. accord is a good suggestion too. Honda MTs are the best in the business.

[ddk632]

Street cred is subjective ...

Riced out Civic = street cred to, well, riced out Civic crowd

Camry = street cred to reasonable, normal, law-abiding citizens who pay their taxes, have 2.5 children, and obey all traffic laws, mostly.

BMW = street cred with BMW guys; anyone else = you're a dbag who doesn't use turn signals and drives like a not-so-nice-person

etc.

[Billup]

I thought only Indian people bought Camry's......


Or is it Corollas? Either way. You get Indian cred.

[Red Bread]

That's only if it's gold with a beige interior and clearly old enough to be out of warranty.

[dreamingat30fps]

Within constraints:

GTI
Passat

Personally:

Used G37