Recommend a car under $35K

[Baked]

I've had my current car for close to 6 years now. Never had a major issue, always on time with the scheduled maintenance and oil change at the dealership. Got a couple of minor scrapes and dings, but no major dents, never got into an accident.

I want something that's a little faster, even though my daily commute is only 3 miles, or 10 minutes. Should I just go all out and get something that's right at $35K, then trade it in after the initial warranty expires?

I prefer to keep it a coupe. I've been on Edmunds and the options are pretty much BMW 1 series and Nissan 370Z. Suggestions?

 

[ballmode]

Well if you get the 1 series to compare it to the Z, you'd need the 135i.

Mustang GT is probably a better bang for the buck...

WRX/Mazdaspeed 3/GTI for the most practical sporty car here, but they aren't coupes.

 

[Drekce]

I love my G37. Its more than 35k new, but get one slightly used.

 

[satyajitmenon]

Pretty sure a 135i starts at 40k+ out the door. A 128i is closer to 35k OTD.

I second the Mustang GT suggestion. 400hp coupe FTW.

 

[Doppel]

late model M3, obviously

 

[KentState]

I would probably suggest the Mustang GT as well. It has the most power, decent gas mileage and a ton of options for $35k. If you don't want Sync, the upgraded suspension and brakes, then you are closer to $30k.

 

[MotF Bane]

Well if you get the 1 series to compare it to the Z, you'd need the 135i.

Mustang GT is probably a better bang for the buck...

WRX/Mazdaspeed 3/GTI for the most practical sporty car here, but they aren't coupes.

All good suggestions.

 

[DaTT]

I would probably suggest the Mustang GT as well. It has the most power, decent gas mileage and a ton of options for $35k. If you don't want Sync, the upgraded suspension and brakes, then you are closer to $30k.

412 HP, that would be my choice if you are looking new. Otherwise a nice used GT500 would be an option too.

 

[alkemyst]

late model M3, obviously

He said $35k.

 

[alkemyst]

OP what is your current ride and what is good/bad about it?

 

[Jumpem]

WRX is about all I would consider in that price range if you want something quick. Not really any coupes that are AWD in that price range. And I don't think about 2WD vehicles. A G37x, A5, or TT would fit the bill, but are just above your budget.

 

[mmntech]

WRX is about all I would consider in that price range if you want something quick. Not really any coupes that are AWD in that price range. And I don't think about 2WD vehicles. A G37x, A5, or TT would fit the bill, but are just above your budget.

He's in Southern California. No need for AWD. Going to go way out of left field here but what about the Hyundai Genesis Coup GT V6?

I'm a big fan of the Mustang myself. Would love to own one some day. What about the Chevrolet Camero 2SS. 426hp V8.

 

[HAL9000]

Lotus Elise.

 

[Baked]

I'm currently driving a 06 Scion tC. I like it for its reliability, exceptional utility (fold down back seats turns it into a pick-up pretty much), and roominess in the front and back. I doubt there are any other coupe out there with the kind of leg room for the back seats compared to the tC.

With that said, the fuel economy is pretty bad. And since I drive almost exclusively city, I had to fuel up almost every week, $40 at a time. That's $160 for fuel alone a month! With my driving style, the pick-up from a complete stop is simply too slow. I want something that revs smoother from the stop. Sometimes I feel like I'm driving a corolla in this car.

I was actually looking at the Hyundai Genesis Coupe 3.8 Track. It's in the 30K range, base warranty's really good, and everything is standard just like the tC. However, if I'm going with this car, I will most likely hold off until they introduce the 2013 version, which will upgrade the current 306hp engine to a new 333hp engine.

 

[Johnnie Walker]

If you want something with great MPG, some low-end TQ.. How about a Golf TDI? JSW, even a Passat TDI? Or I guess a GTI/R32 Low-end TQ is more important from a stop, not HP

 

[DaTT]

If you want something with great MPG, some low-end TQ.. How about a Golf TDI? JSW, even a Passat TDI? Or I guess a GTI/R32 Low-end TQ is more important from a stop, not HP

Indeed, Horsepower sells cars, Torque wins races.

 

[alkemyst]

Indeed, Horsepower sells cars, Torque wins races.

This phrase although ULTIMATELY true is a bit dated.

 

[Arkaign]

I'm currently driving a 06 Scion tC. I like it for its reliability, exceptional utility (fold down back seats turns it into a pick-up pretty much), and roominess in the front and back. I doubt there are any other coupe out there with the kind of leg room for the back seats compared to the tC.

With that said, the fuel economy is pretty bad. And since I drive almost exclusively city, I had to fuel up almost every week, $40 at a time. That's $160 for fuel alone a month! With my driving style, the pick-up from a complete stop is simply too slow. I want something that revs smoother from the stop. Sometimes I feel like I'm driving a corolla in this car.

I was actually looking at the Hyundai Genesis Coupe 3.8 Track. It's in the 30K range, base warranty's really good, and everything is standard just like the tC. However, if I'm going with this car, I will most likely hold off until they introduce the 2013 version, which will upgrade the current 306hp engine to a new 333hp engine.

That car drives more like a V6 Mustang w/track pack. It doesn't have the grunt down low from a V8. You owe it to yourself to check one out, you won't understand what I mean until you've felt it. By just 3k rpm, there is already 300tq at the wheels. Dnyos show the 412hp rating to be a bit underrated as well, Inside Line got 395hp at the wheels, which works out to something north of 430hp crank.

 

[DaTT]

This phrase although ULTIMATELY true is a bit dated.

Is there a newer version I am unaware of? Like version 2.0?

 

[Johnnie Walker]

He's in Southern California. No need for AWD. Going to go way out of left field here but what about the Hyundai Genesis Coup GT V6?

I'm a big fan of the Mustang myself. Would love to own one some day. What about the Chevrolet Camero 2SS. 426hp V8.

These things have the largest blind spots/ least visibility of pretty much any vehicle. PITA to work on. Oil pan replacement is approx 8.1 hours, due to the frame and having to pull the motor out just to replace the pan.

 

[Arkaign]

Is there a newer version I am unaware of? Like version 2.0?

Ehh, well I don't know, but with the advent of high-strung i4s, a lot of times interesting things happen, like say :

Golf TDI TurboDiesel 2.0L i4, 138hp/236tq, 0-60 in 9.3 seconds
Honda S2000 NA 2.0L i4, 237hp/153tq, 0-60 in 4.9 (Road and Track)

Obviously that's a bit extreme, the TDI is tuned for fuel economy and the S2K tuned for performance, but it's an insane difference. If the only thing you swapped was the motors in those two cars, the rev-friendly Honda motor would still take the race, with all the fuel economy of a V8 while doing it too, hah.

Equal HP vs. Equal HP + misc (approx equal weight, grip, layout, etc), the vehicle with higher TQ will win. But too little HP is no good either.

 

[DaTT]

Ehh, well I don't know, but with the advent of high-strung i4s, a lot of times interesting things happen, like say :

Golf TDI TurboDiesel 2.0L i4, 138hp/236tq, 0-60 in 9.3 seconds
Honda S2000 NA 2.0L i4, 237hp/153tq, 0-60 in 4.9 (Road and Track)

Obviously that's a bit extreme, the TDI is tuned for fuel economy and the S2K tuned for performance, but it's an insane difference. If the only thing you swapped was the motors in those two cars, the rev-friendly Honda motor would still take the race, with all the fuel economy of a V8 while doing it too, hah.

Equal HP vs. Equal HP + misc (approx equal weight, grip, layout, etc), the vehicle with higher TQ will win. But too little HP is no good either.

True....gearing is probably quite different too to get that type of difference.