Help me find a new car

[Lance Uppercut]

So I'm like banking it now, and I wanna upgrade from my Civic to something a little more zippier. I don't know much about cars, but I do know what I want:

• Under $30k, but I'm open to anything above $30k if I like it
• Automatic preferred, I don't know how to drive a stick
• Good handling and acceleration, and just fun to drive

I am Asian, so I will inherently prefer ricer-type cars, but I'm open to anything. Have at you!

[pomeroy]

Originally Posted by Lance Uppercut

I am Asian, so I will inherently prefer ricer-type cars, but I'm open to anything. Have at you!

For some reason, this really cracked me up.

Anyway, I think it might help if you specified a little bit more. 2 door? 4? Car vs. SUV. That sorta thing...unless you really only want a "ricer-type", which makes me wonder why you don't just keep your Civic.

[Lance Uppercut]

My brother needs a car to get to school, so I'm handing down the Civic to him. And with my current income, I should be able to afford something much nicer than a Civic.

Oh, and no SUVs or vans (I said I wanted something fun to drive :3). 2 doors or 4 doesn't matter.

[Ghostbear]

I just got a 2010 Corolla, its nothing fancy, but I like it.

[pomeroy]

Originally Posted by Ghostbear

I just got a 2010 Corolla, its nothing fancy, but I like it.

Good luck! Don't die!

[Cpl_Punnishment]

Jeep Wrangler.
Chicks dig it.
Very fun to drive provided you can take advantage of the top down/off option at least part of the year.
Will last forever and could become a future toy for you to just play with many years down the road.
Also a ride that easily trancends the Asian ricer type stigma. All people love jeep.

[johnperkins21]

I was going to recommend the Honda Fit, as it's a damn good car. Fun to drive, very economical, and extremely roomy. However, it's not what you'd call "zippy."

For zip, I'd seriously look into a Mazda RX-8. They're a load of fun to drive. Not so good on the storage front though, and they don't have a ton of power, but it's a lot more than a Civic. If you need something a little more practical, I've heard plenty of good things about the VW GTI.

[Disgustipated]

Originally Posted by Cpl_Punnishment

Jeep Wrangler.
Chicks dig it.
Very fun to drive provided you can take advantage of the top down/off option at least part of the year.
Will last forever and could become a future toy for you to just play with many years down the road.
Also a ride that easily trancends the Asian ricer type stigma. All people love jeep.

Wow, no. Terrible mileage, ride quality, and reliablility. Jeeps are shit unless you need reliable snow transportation.

Originally Posted by johnperkins21

I was going to recommend the Honda Fit, as it's a damn good car. Fun to drive, very economical, and extremely roomy. However, it's not what you'd call "zippy."

For zip, I'd seriously look into a Mazda RX-8. They're a load of fun to drive. Not so good on the storage front though, and they don't have a ton of power, but it's a lot more than a Civic. If you need something a little more practical, I've heard plenty of good things about the VW GTI.

Wow, no, just no. The RX-8 is dogshit if you want a fast, reliable car. SUV-level gas mileage (seriously, over 22 MPG highway is rare), TERRIBLE reliability, and so-so performance. Handling is good, but otherwise... stay far, far away.

Here's what I'd recommend for sub-30k

Subaru WRX 2005-2010: The new ones are shit-hot. The hatches are sexy, the sedans looks like Kia Spectras. Gas mileage is decent, reliability is great. Handling is great, performance is wonderful. Insanely cheap to mod and make ungodly power with.

Hyundai Genesis Coupe (the 2.0 Turbo engine, not the V6): great handling, reliability, insane warranty, great styling, really fun RWD cars. The turbo version rules because you can mod the ECU and get it up to 300 horsepower REALLY easily. Awesome cars.

BMW 335i coupe: sexy as fuck, good handling, rear wheel drive, good interiors, roomy, good while under warranty, and you can also piggyback onto the ECU and boost it up by about 80-100 horsepower... to the wheels. 400 whp is EASY to achieve. You can turn it into an M3 killer for under a grand.

1st gen Acura TSX (2004-2008ish) or Acura TL (last gen, 2004-2008ish): great cars, good mileage, decent power, really nice interiors and reliability is sky-high. The new ones are ugly, get a nice used one.

2002-2006 BMW M3 E46: It'd be used, but they're sexy as hell and amazing. One of the best engines ever made, incredibly awesome handling. One of my favorite cars of all time. Just a really bad-ass car all around. Around $20-26k used for a really nice one.

2006-2009 Mazdaspeed 3: Kinda like the WRX, but front wheel drive. Totally bad-ass sleeper, and cheap too! You can get a really low miles one for $13-15k.

Lexus IS350: good handling, decent speed, and it only comes in automatic for Asians that can't drive stick. Reliable as fuck and great styling. Good gas mileage too.

And learn how to drive stick, dude! The best cars come in stick. Except the R8 and GT-R, that is...

[Inspector Fowler]

All right, I'll throw it out there:

2011 Mustang GT. I actually don't know if you can get the V8 with an auto but I expect you can.

Seriously, under $30K for 412 horsepower, a great exhaust sound, and according to the early press reports, it actually drives like a dream.

It would be hard for me to resist this if I had the cash. Depending on where you live, too. In Colorado it wouldn't be a great choice for your only car - even with snow tires keeping 412 hp on the road with ice would be tough. But if you live someplace with nice weather, I can't think of something under $30K that would still be fun with an automatic.

Normally I'd go right for a Subaru, but their turbo engines suck if you want an automatic.

Alternatively, there is the Camaro and the Challenger, but getting the big horsepower without the big pricetag from them can be hard.

Seriously, wait a bit and drive one of the 2011 Mustangs when they hit showrooms, I bet you would leave with a huge grin on your face.

[txshurricane]

I'm a Mustang guy myself.

2009 Mustang Bullitt. I would sell a testicle for one.

[Vandabo]

I seriously would consider the Hyundai Genesis Coupe. That car is hot. I would totally take the time (afternoon) to learn stick though.

[Talanvor]

Learning stick really isn't that hard. To be honest I think everyone should first learn to drive on a stick.

[Disgustipated]

I'd say if you're somewhat non-retarded, you can get stick down within 3 days of driving it daily. And since you're Asian, and just like Asians can learn kung-fu 'reel gud', you should be able to learn it in 1-2 days.

But seriously, learn to drive stick. It opens up so many possibilities for bad-ass cars.

But I'd rather have an early model C6 Corvette than the new 2011 Mustang, in reply to Fowler. The Corvette will rape the Mustang's bootie.

[Drayven]

Lance where are you located at? If you're in northern Michigan or something that might change the suggestions.

[axion]

May not be as fast as some of the others but I'm partial to the VW GTI. My grilfriend has a couple-year old Rabbit that is a joy to drive, and the GTI is basically a souped up version of that.

[roguebaboon]

Camaro. The V6 has 300 hp and starts around 23k i believe. These cars already have a ton of aftermarket support.

[wyeast]

Screw with people's minds. Get a Forester XT.

Otherwise, yeah, another vote for the WRX.

[Dukefrukem]

Honda Accord Coupe EX-L V-6.

[/thread]

[bstiff]

Originally Posted by Dukefrukem

Honda Accord Coupe EX-L V-6.

[/thread]

Which year though? I have a 2009 and it seems like it kind of bogs down a little more than I'd like when acclerate. It may be the variable cylinder thing though and I think it's standard not an option. It may be that I compare it to a friends g37 coupe. Once I get back to work im looking at trading mine in for a g37 or possibly an slk haven't decided yet.

[Dukefrukem]

Originally Posted by bstiff

Which year though? I have a 2009 and it seems like it kind of bogs down a little more than I'd like when acclerate. It may be the variable cylinder thing though and I think it's standard not an option. It may be that I compare it to a friends g37 coupe. Once I get back to work im looking at trading mine in for a g37 or possibly an slk haven't decided yet.

2010 of course