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In no particular order

1. BMW Z3 Coupe (used)
2. Acura RSX-S
3. VW GTI 1.8T
4. Honda Civic Si

Here is my pros and cons list to each. Maybe you can help add or refine the list.

Z3 Coupe
Pro - I have always loved this cars looks (the best out of all 4 IMO), it is a BMW (quality and performance and what-not)
Con - it would have to be a 2000 (used) to fit in the 22K price range (you never know how some has treated a car), more expensive to fix.

RSX-S
Pro - Great performance
Con - I like the looks, but I like the Z3 and the Si better

GTI
Pro – Low end torque, It’s a nice all around package, probable the best daily driver out of all of them
Con - I hear VW are not all that reliable

SI
Pro - Uniqueness/styling (I know most of you hate it and I know it looks like a mini Odesy, but I like it.) It hard to think of something specific, but its still a great all a round
Con - not a fast as it should be, lots of work to mod it.

Fun to drive is the most important factor. (I practically live in my car - I drive about 500+ miles a week.)
0–60 time is important. (I don’t speed, but I love to get to the speed limit as fast as I can.)
Reliability is important. (I drove a car that was falling apart for 2 years. It was not fun.)


Other comments:
I had it down to the Si and the Z3, but thought I would throw in the RSX and GTI for balance.

I would modify the GTI and Si:
+ It is fun, and really makes the car personal
- Modifying usually creates problems.

I know it’s weird to have a 16K Si in with the other cars, but I will probable have the dealer lower it, intake, exhaust, wheels, and by that time it should be up there with the rest.

I have driven a Z3 convertible and the Si and loved both.

I probably for got to tell you something, but this post is long enough already.



(No WRX replys please)

 
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All around, the RSX-S is the best. It DOES have cheap quality interior but its areal nice car. Those other 3 are not too reliable, i have a friend's whose Z3 has under 40K milesand the trany has been replaced 3 times already.. not to mention all the misc engine parts that went out. BMWs are basically good for 3 things...status, handling,and anti-corosion haha

 
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I say go with the RSX. The Z3 is used and I don't like used cars for the same reason u've listed. RSX beats Si. VW, wait for new styling but eats gas. And VW's are way overpriced as well. Best outta the four, i think is the RSX-S. Also looks the best among the 4!!!

 
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i'd say go with the rsx, VW is nice but theres something about them i dont like... not too sure what it is
rsx-s is faster than the si and you can probably do more exterior to it and probably the same amount of mods.
used cars... just dont have the same feel =) with the rsx-s you can be pretty quick and still make it unique.

 
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I have an idea. get a CTR. Then you'd

a) get the exclusiveness with the hatch
b) get more performance
c) be a god

lol. no really, it is a great idea.

 
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out of those 4, I'd hafta say the RSX-S as well.. probably has the best resale out of the bunch. plus its sexy! Good luck anyhow

 
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In fact, be the first person on here to have a Civic Type R. It's pretty much the RSX Type S engine/tranny in an Si chassis with better suspension, better interior/exterior. The engine would be fairly okay to mod but you'd still have to shell out $$$$$$$$$$$ to do it.

 
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RSX

 
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It seems like you only want either SI/Z3. I say go for the SI(only 16k) and use the rest of the money for turob/supercharger and supsension etc and you will have yourself a kick *** car.

 
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as far as the Z3 goes, it would depend for me what is the displacement of the motor.....the vw gti is a nice little speedy car that with basic upgrades can show good improvement

 
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get the si and deck it out with extra money you save. at least that is waht i would do.

 
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instead of the ctr....why not just get the si and drop the rsx-s engine in it? wouldnt it be cheaper?[IMG]i/expressions/face-icon-small-confused.gif[/IMG]

 
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3000GT VR-4

 
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I'd get the RSX type-S ot the GTI 1.8...the 1.8 chipped with minor mods can produce alot of power..

The RSX-S is just a sweet car..and now that Hondata makes a chip for it, it gains a fair bit more low end torque and more power..

Hondata Check it out..very good increase in power and torque..!!!

 
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I'm not sure which one the GTI is, is it a Jetta or Golf? I would personally go with either the RSX-S or the 1.8T (whichever body you like more for the 1.8T) and then do the mods. Always consider that when you mod your car past i/h/e or a chip in the VW case, you risk reliability because there is always human error that could be on your part. But they will all be reliable cars. The 1.8T has a very touchy clutch, but nothing insane. To get the hp out of the Si that you would start off with having the other cars, I would rule this one out. The Z3 would be a nice car, but you have to get past the fact of it being used. I could've gotten something like that when I got my car, but I didn't for the same reason as you. I don't know how this other person treated their car. So it comes down to personal taste. Go for the body style you like more. Also, the 1.8T will be easier to get to higher hp levels. APR Linky makes chips, turbo upgrades, cat-backs, headers, et cetera for Audis and VWs. I would go with the VW because of my love for German cars and the ease to supe up.

 
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If you compare all operating costs your choices are not comparabe. Z3 is expensive to maintain and insure, not practical if its your only car. Civic Si is cheap can't compare it to RSX-S or GTI. The RSX and GTI are much more luxurious than Si.

The RSX-S and GTI drive very differently. Drive both and decide which one you like better. Performance wise they are both are similar with good potential for mods.
If your not planning on chipping the GTI than get the RSX.

 
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The GTi is a Hatch... Actually called the Golf GTI, but it's been shortened in recient years. To add to the confusion, the Jetta and Golf are on the same platform... so you could say the Jetta is a Golf Sedan.
Anyways... The GTi would be my pick. Save the $4000 from buying the RSX, and that $4000 you saved initially could easily give you a GTI that hauls ***, looks good, or some of both. Being that they did the turbo work for you, it's all upgrades... which should be a bit easier than turbocharging a NA engine. If you want a daily driver... The GTI does get around 30 MPG as well (until you start adding power).
I know you said not to say it, but if you've got $24K for a car... you owe it to yourself to at least look at the WRX.
As far as VW reliability... I'm not sure. All the problems my mom has had with her Jetta were stupid dumb things, or dealer caused. A friend of mine had a Turbo Beetle with a bad computer... it was switched out and ran fine after that.

 
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The Z3 would probably be very fun to drive but I don't about it being good in all types of weather. GTI would be the fastest of the bunch and very easily modded. RSX Type S is fast, but not too many mods there to increase the power. The new Si, well, it would give you things to work on the exterior.

I would say go for the Z3 if you aren't afraid of the dealer and having more expensive problems. It might not be as fast but I'll be it can handle.

 
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GTi or RSX-S

 
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Hey,
I'd go with either the z3 or the RSX. What engine does the z3 ur looking at have? My mom has a 2001 z3 3.0 and the thing is amazing. I'd go with that, no problems and its a great car. Might be hard for your only car though...not to practical.

ELi

 
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I really would get the CTR, but I just don't have that kind of money.


I would chip the GTI if I got it. There was a nice article at vwvortex.com that was really cool.
white2K2EX - said it: APR


It is the 2000 2.8 Coupe. I want to reiterate that it is the Coupe and not the convertible. The Z3 coupe would still be practical enough for my life style. I have had some one in the back seat of my civic once since I had. As far as hauling stuff, my mom and dad both have vans.




I wouldn't mod the Z3 coupe or the RSX very much, if at all.
It would be nice to have a new RSX over a used Z3 coupe, but I overwhelming prefer the Z3 coups looks to the RSX's.

If you ask me, they all have the same 'power'. I know there is a big difference in how they all drive, but to me it so close its not really a factor. I know I said 0-60 time is important, but 6.0 sec over 7.0 really doesn’t matter that much to me. I would rather know that the car and myself will survive going quick in a hurry: hence reliability. That’s why I am so unsure of VW, especially once I chip it.

This is tuff...

 
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If you think the RSX has "Cheap" quality plastic interior then the Civic's must be horrendous. Lets not even get into the WRX's plastic interior

 
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Oh, for someone reason i was thinking you meant convertible ....a BIG NO on that I'd say. I love BMWS and both my parents and have them, but the Z3 coupe isnt my style.
Get the RSX

 
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Z3....

.

 
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for 22,000 u can get a used s2000.

 
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Now there's a bright idea... you'd have to pay more for insurance, but I'm sure you can afford it providing you do minimal or no mods on the S2000. I'd slam it with rims and be done with it. Does mid 13s, rwd, loudest production engine, HIDs, and handles better than any other car you listed (not sure about the Z3).

 
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What? where?

Edmunds.com says 26 for a 2000 S2000.
Your lucky if you can find one for that on AutoTrader.com; most are like 30K.

Base price is 35K for a new one, and you want it to drop 13K in 2 years?




I am thinking that the Z3 is at the top of my list, and in the next week I am going to go on a test drive day. Test drive a Z3 and see how the others compair.

 
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The reason i suggested the CTR is because the auction stated that it was priced similarly to an Si. or something to that effect. I'd at least look into it further. It could be possible.

 
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i think the Z3 would be a good idea if you're looking for a daily driver. it's definitely more refined than any of the others, though the RSX and GTI may come close.

 
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it is actually a very good idea, I would still bid on it even it it got up to like 21K - 22K.

But

I belong to a credit Union, and they have this 'deal' going on Nov 22 - Dec 2. There is a list of dealers that I can perchase a car from and if I do I get a 5.25 interest rate.

I don't think one of thoes dealers would "special order" a car off of eBay for me.

But I am going to ask anyway.


(Damn, just realized the actuion will be over by Nov 22. shoot)