My wife and I have been discussing a replacement for our Ford Contour SE which is now approaching its 12th year. We decided to replace it with a sports compact car (for myself). Our price limit is more or less near $20k, preferably less. I was hoping to see that Kia or Hyundai turbo concept car materialize. But, nothing definite yet. So, if we were to buy a new sports compact car right now, these are what I came up with:
SRT4's turbocharged and intercooled 2.4-liter double overhead camshaft (DOHC) 16-valve 4-cylinder engine produces an impressive 230 horsepower and 250 lb-ft of torque. Producing that kind of power from a 2.4-liter engine is one thing, but few could make it work day-in and day-out like SRT4.
New Quaife automatic torque biasing (ATB) differential to help put the power to the ground
Dual-outlet exhaust system
Zero to 60 in 5.8 seconds with an electronically limited 148 mph top speed
High-capacity clutch and pressure plate
Fully independent MacPherson strut front suspension
I wanted to include the SRT-4. But, I thought Dodge quit production this year. Same goes for the Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec V. But yep, love the SRT-4.
If I'm going to buy a used car, count in the SRT-4. There's also a 2004 M/T fully-loaded V6 Mazda6 ($18.3k) I also considered. For now though, we're leaning toward brand new cars.
from what I heard is tranmission ng dodge e di tumatagal bosing. ayaw nyo ba ng celica or rsx?
Totoo yun kung yung lumang Dodge like our old 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan which our Sonata replaced. The minivan had a $3k transmission repair which was covered by our extended warranty, thank goodness.
But, the new Dodge cars internals should benefit from Mercedez Benz which Dodge is teamed up with.
The Celica is defunct too. The 200hp RSX starts near $23k which is also where the Mazdaspeed 3 will probably start. A bit beyond the limit set by the Misis.
The transmission troubles of the SRT4 are for guys driving them hard, in competition... but in terms of build quality, I've heard both the Neon and even the new Cobalt don't feel as well "screwed together" as others.
Although I'm a Sentra fanatic, I really can't recommend the SE-R... old body, poor crash structure, beam axle makes for some unstable emergency handling (although the Spec V handles terrific with the LSD)... but some people attribute some of the at-the-limit squirrelishness to the stock Continentals.
I'd go for the Tiburon (since you don't need another family-sized car, right... ) or the Si. I'd have said go for the 3, but you didn't seem to be impressed by the speed... and with the new 3, you'll probably see yourself coming and going (lots of kids with them... ).
The Tiburon isn't actually that fast, though, without some mods, and you'll probably feel "bitin" in either that or the Si coming from the Sonata... in the Si because you'll have to wring its neck really hard to get those acceleration times.
But the new Si looks like a winner... LSD, good multi-link out back, impressive body kit and that sweet engine. Don't know how the futuristic cabin will wear on you though (I still like the Hyundai or Mazda cabin better... less fussy, more classically sporty), but if you like it, it'll probably grow on you.
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Which Sports Compact Car?
) or the Si. I'd have said go for the 3, but you didn't seem to be impressed by the speed... and with the new 3, you'll probably see yourself coming and going (lots of kids with them... 
). 
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