What car to buy???? opinions plz...
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What car to buy???? opinions plz...
OK, I've been looking at cars in the $20K and under price range, and after a week of going to every dealer imaginable (even Ford), I've narrowed my choices down to 3 cars. I can't decide which of these would be my best bet, and would like some opinions.
1. Acura RSX(base)
2. VW GTI 1.8T
3. Honda Civic Si(not available yet)
No, i'm not going to buy used, and what the car looks like is not as important to me as power, reliability, and moddability(is that even a word?)
Thanks to everyone in advance for your input.
1. Acura RSX(base)
2. VW GTI 1.8T
3. Honda Civic Si(not available yet)
No, i'm not going to buy used, and what the car looks like is not as important to me as power, reliability, and moddability(is that even a word?)
Thanks to everyone in advance for your input.
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Rep Power: 0 Well those are good choices. I think the GTI 1.8 is the fastest of the bunch. The GTI right now has a pretty big market. Of course it's nowhere near as big as the RSX's and the Si's. I wouldn't get the RSX simply for the reason that it's not a Type S. The whole time you'll have the RSX you'll want the Type S. The Civic Si is good and will have good aftermarket support. Reliability will be good.
I think the GTI 1.8T is a fine choice, but the Si is also good.
I think the GTI 1.8T is a fine choice, but the Si is also good.
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Rep Power: 0 I would suggest the Si. From my experiense the VWs are hella expensive to repair and maintain. but considering its gonna have a 4 year warranty then that won't matter. If your gonna keep the car for a billion years than I would suggest the Si. otherwise get the GTI
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Rep Power: 0 The rsx would be a fine choice. But like someone else said, you may always want the type s model.
The si, good all around performer.
VW...only if you plan to keep as long as the warrantly runs. They are fast and the interior is awesome to say the least. However, look into reliability and repair records for these things. They are known for squeaks and rattles, having all kinds of electrical problems, and problems the dealers don't even know how to fix. Repairs are bmw expensive. To top it off, service at the dealers is supposed to be a nightmare. Trust me, you don't want a vw. I considered buying one before I bought the civic. After checking reliability, talking to tons of owners, and visiting and posting in several message boards, I decided I would rather drive my car and not be visiting the dealership every week. However, if you only plan to keep it for 2 years, get the vw. Long term, I wouldn't touch one with a 10ft pole. Do some research and you will find out exactly what I am talking about.
The si, good all around performer.
VW...only if you plan to keep as long as the warrantly runs. They are fast and the interior is awesome to say the least. However, look into reliability and repair records for these things. They are known for squeaks and rattles, having all kinds of electrical problems, and problems the dealers don't even know how to fix. Repairs are bmw expensive. To top it off, service at the dealers is supposed to be a nightmare. Trust me, you don't want a vw. I considered buying one before I bought the civic. After checking reliability, talking to tons of owners, and visiting and posting in several message boards, I decided I would rather drive my car and not be visiting the dealership every week. However, if you only plan to keep it for 2 years, get the vw. Long term, I wouldn't touch one with a 10ft pole. Do some research and you will find out exactly what I am talking about.
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Rep Power: 0 Stick with a Honda. If you want aftermarket support, go RSX. I believe the Si will have the support since it looks like a Civic Type R with different emblems, no spoiler, etc.. It'll become popular over time. If you just want something that starts out fast then perhaps the GTI, but I don't like VWs that much. Down the road, they will be expensive... I think you need to calculate what you want out of a car and find out which one will best suit you. It could be that Si and for that, you're gonna have to wait of course.
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Rep Power: 0 a modded GTI will still make any civic its b!tch, for $20k, you'd get leather, a better suspension, more power stock and plenty of room to improve with a factory turbo, better interior quality, i don't see why you'd go with a castrated RSX or a focus-wannabe over the GTI
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Rep Power: 0 why pick the si over the base rsx?? its the same hp, and the rsx looks MUCH better!!
if you are gonna pick out of these then go with the rsx....
or if you want to be really cool.....save for another 10-12 months and get the RSX type R!!!! they should be here the end of this year (according to numerous articles)
if you are gonna pick out of these then go with the rsx....
or if you want to be really cool.....save for another 10-12 months and get the RSX type R!!!! they should be here the end of this year (according to numerous articles)
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Rep Power: 0 well, all 3 of them are good choices, but if you want fast, then gti is your best choice, since rsx and si are pretty much the same engine. But the look of the gti is not as good as rsx or si, so if i am you, i will definitely get the rsx
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Rep Power: 0 << a modded GTI will still make any civic its b!tch, for $20k, you'd get leather, a better suspension, more power stock and plenty of room to improve with a factory turbo, better interior quality, i don't see why you'd go with a castrated RSX or a focus-wannabe over the GTI >>
Don't forget to tack on several grand to pay for repairs. Also, several grand for your time spent at the dealership. It may be able to smoke the civic in acceleration, but can't touch it on reliability or quality. Heck, VWs are almost as bad as domestics. LOL
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Rep Power: 0 MBow that may be true now. But VW hasn't always been like that. My parents had a 92' Passat wagon. That thing gave us virtually no problems. However when they arose they were quite expensive. It's sad to see the Germans go the way of the Domestics. VW and Mercedes used to mean something.
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Rep Power: 0 vw made in mexico, what else you need to know?. sure it's fast as hell and easy to make faster by upping the boost, but its like an eclipse gst, great power, horrible reliability.....if you're in it for the long haul (more than 2 years) don't buy it....i say buy a civic ex, with the 5 or so grand you have left over, slap on a custom turbo kit....at 8 lbs of intercooled boost (which the engine will handle w/o mods) you'll smoke the 1.8t....it's all power to weight........you can add about 70-80 hp at 8lbs intercooled, and you weigh only around 2700lbs...it's the way i would go.......
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Rep Power: 0 I would definitely go with the RSX, it's a sweet looking ride, even though it isn't going to be a Type S 
Besides, you see VW GTI'S everywhere all the time, it's like EVERYONE has one. I would get a car that you don't see quite often, like the RSX......it should turn a few heads [IMG]i/expressions/face-icon-small-cool.gif[/IMG]
Besides, you see VW GTI'S everywhere all the time, it's like EVERYONE has one. I would get a car that you don't see quite often, like the RSX......it should turn a few heads [IMG]i/expressions/face-icon-small-cool.gif[/IMG] Thread Starter
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Rep Power: 0 Ok, today I test drove the RSX and GTI.
I know that Acura has a better quality rep. than VW, but I've got a friend with a '95 Golf that's had less problems than my civic. Plus the amount of pull that GTI has is absolutely disgusting.
I've got another 3 weeks to decide tho, and I have a Civic Si reserved in my name(for now), so I'll just do a little more research on it. Thanks to everyone for responding.
I know that Acura has a better quality rep. than VW, but I've got a friend with a '95 Golf that's had less problems than my civic. Plus the amount of pull that GTI has is absolutely disgusting.
I've got another 3 weeks to decide tho, and I have a Civic Si reserved in my name(for now), so I'll just do a little more research on it. Thanks to everyone for responding. 
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Rep Power: 0 Hey FocusKiller, get the GTI!!! seriously!
I can hook you up with VW Vortex guys (VW's forum) and get your GTI 200 whp for $1500 -> $500 for GIAC chip and $1000 for 3" downpipe and full catback exhaust with hi-flow cat(no BS, I have the dyno sheets)
I can hook you up with VW Vortex guys (VW's forum) and get your GTI 200 whp for $1500 -> $500 for GIAC chip and $1000 for 3" downpipe and full catback exhaust with hi-flow cat(no BS, I have the dyno sheets)
vw's quality isn't even at the industry average and vw is usually near last in initial quality surveys (check jd power list attached before you flame me)...sorry...known too many people with vw engines that don't last past 60k miles...however vw's usually have great interiors...they just focus there and not on the engine and drivetrain...too bad b/c the old gti's of the early and mid 80s were great sport compact cars...now they are all bloated and slow
reliability...i'd look at the rsx...b/c the civic si is brand spanking new...and may have teething problems like most 1st model year autos
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reliability...i'd look at the rsx...b/c the civic si is brand spanking new...and may have teething problems like most 1st model year autos
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Rep Power: 0 oy, the si shouldnt even be a damned consideration here, its crap. the base rsx is at least somewhat more athletic, though you'll be kickin yourself as to not getting the S
intake, exhaust, chip, bigger downpipe, a gti will easily push more than 220whp for less than $2k
intake, exhaust, chip, bigger downpipe, a gti will easily push more than 220whp for less than $2k
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Rep Power: 0 I would get the RSX for sure, but would go the extra step for a Type-S. Second for the Si, and the VW wouldn't even be in my top ten. I don't care how fast it is or how much HP is has, I don't like VW period. They are boring, dull, family cars. Every 5th car on the road is a Golf here in Europe. I'm sick of them.
VW has a sister-brand called Seat. Same reliability but lower price and looks much better. Take a look at this Leon Cupra-R.
VW has a sister-brand called Seat. Same reliability but lower price and looks much better. Take a look at this Leon Cupra-R.
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