Since you all like discussing cars... Riddle me this.

[IDAFC21]

Lets just HYPOTHETICALLY say I'm considering a new car. I don't make [MENTION=340]Eagle[/MENTION] money, so my budget is around 20-25k out the door. I'd like something newer, 13-14. It's not replacing the gto, so it doesn't need to have ludicrous speed mode, but I don't want a turd either. What I would like, is options. If I'm going to daily drive it, I wanna like being inside it. Navigation, bluetooth, media inputs, etc, I want toys. The more the better.

Some other things. Fuel economy....ANYTHING will be better than the gto, so I'm not concerned about that I don't have a far commute to work. Not looking for a huge sedan, but something w/ some useable cargo space would be nice, which again compared to the gto, is ANYTHING.

To give you an idea, this is currently whats topping my list. '14 Fiesta ST

2014 Ford Fiesta ST, $26,155 - Cars.com

That's definitely on the higher end of my budget (hypothetically of course), but thats just an example. I know there are much cheaper ST's on the market. Hell, that Recaro seat package is $2k by itself. But the ST pretty much checks all the boxes for me. It'll be fun enough to make my daily commute pleasant, I won't be tempted to mod it (much), fuel economy will be good enough for me, and has plenty of nice driver amenities with the myford touch system.

So thats what I'm looking at right now....but my question to you all, given those guidelines, what else could I (HYPOTHETICALLY) be looking at??

Aaaaaand 12 pages of discussion....GO.

Click to read more...

 

[Gav'sPurpleZ]

 

[Mook]

Id love to rock a Fiesta ST if money allowed. Pretty much the exact one you posted

 

[boostedguy05]

kia optima....

 

[IDAFC21]

kia optima....

I have thought about that. I'd have to actually go sit in one tho. It seems like it would be on the larger end of my size scale, but I'd have to actually have some seat time in one to make a judgement on that

 

[GOON]

I love then for their performance but the interior is all hard plastic.

 

[RICH17]

Id love to rock a Fiesta ST if money allowed. Pretty much the exact one you posted

Same here. I havent like a Ford in years till the Fiesta ST came along. I'd but it way before I'd buy a Cruze

 

[RICH17]

Gosh that ST you posted is perfect. Just go buy that. Buy it now!

 

[BoostedK20]

CPO BMW 3 series

 

[Wolfman]

Fiat 500 Abarth.

 

[Mr Baytchos]

I would say pretty much any hot hatch should fit the bill. Fun to drive, decent cargo space, solid gas mileage.

Having owned a GTI I would make that the top of my list again. My veloster had an amazing amount of tech but it was slow and I've never driven the turbo model to know if it made a big enough difference. You could also hop back into a wrx.

 

[Bru]

I'd splurge or by a used Focus ST. Much better daily compared to the Fiesta.

Kia Forte5 SX is worth a look too.

 

[nytebyte]

I'd splurge or by a used Focus ST.

Me too. It might be worth splurging or looking into finding a slightly used one.

 

[bmoore04]

Focus ST /thread

 

[nytebyte]

The $25,000 Challenge: BMW E46 M3 vs. Ford Fiesta ST

The $25,000 Challenge: BMW E46 M3 vs. Ford Fiesta ST - YouTube

 

[TCG Member 5219]

got a little more you can get a nissan ultima.

 

[Yaj Yak]

cvt transmissions make me want to punch infants.

 

[TCG Member 5219]

cvt transmissions make me want to punch infants.

Na they are fine. We had that in our 2009 limited maxima and it was cool. Also had a fake manual shift mode that made all the right noises and feelings like you actually were banging gears. Would buy again. The wife LOVED that car.

 

[Yaj Yak]

Na they are fine. We had that in our 2009 limited maxima and it was cool. Also had a fake manual shift mode that made all the right noises and feelings like you actually were banging gears. Would buy again. The wife LOVED that car.

I can literally say I hate driving cvt altimas and would take a st focus or fiesta months or years or decades before an altima.

I don't even think this is a comparison to be honest...

 

[TCG Member 5219]

I can literally say I hate driving cvt altimas and would take a st focus or fiesta months or years or decades before an altima.

I don't even think this is a comparison to be honest...

Sorry to say but in my opinion the altima is a much higher quality vehicle than any ford product. Those cars are rock solid like hondas and their resale is good too. Im going to skip american if I can when I get the wife her next vehicle. Probably a pathfinder or the bigger one.

 

[Yaj Yak]

Sorry to say but in my opinion the altima is a much higher quality vehicle than any ford product. Those cars are rock solid like hondas and their resale is good too. Im going to skip american if I can when I get the wife her next vehicle. Probably a pathfinder or the bigger one.

that's fine and dandy, but that isn't even relatively near what a st product is... the OP wants a car to drive and have fun driving... not fall asleep while driving and hope for good resale

and also... google "altima/maxima" floor rot or rust and lets talk about rock solid- granted this affected older models- who knows if they "fixed it" for the newer ones.

 

[FrenchLicker]

If you are considering the fiat as mentioned or a dart.... give me the 20k and I'll kick you in the balls. It would be much more satisfying....

what about a Busa Smart?

 

[TCG Member 5219]

that's fine and dandy, but that isn't even relatively near what a st product is... the OP wants a car to drive and have fun driving... not fall asleep while driving and hope for good resale

and also... google "altima/maxima" floor rot or rust and lets talk about rock solid- granted this affected older models- who knows if they "fixed it" for the newer ones.

Understood. Focus ST then.

 

[Yaj Yak]

Understood. Focus ST then.

don't get me wrong, altima is an awesome car for the cheap price... but more for someone who doesn't care about cars

 

[TCG Member 5219]

don't get me wrong, altima is an awesome car for the cheap price... but more for someone who doesn't care about cars

Yeah I can see the allure of the ST. Good performance in a brandnew car for $25. "Hot hatches" are not my thing though. I would literally look for anything else. Maybe a BRZ??