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July 23, 2008
Have Fun and Save Money? Can You Really Do Both?
By Mike Musto
AKA Mr. Angry
With the average price of gas now over four bucks a gallon, is it really possible to purchase a car that is affordable and fun? I’ve recently been asking myself this question, as I am starting to get the new car bug. Lets start at $25K and roll with coupes only. Now ten years ago $25K would actually buy you a pretty fun car, but in today’s car market what can one really get? I’m rolling with domestics here kids, so don’t start throwing Civics and WRXs at me, ok?
Ford’s V6 Mustang starts off at $21k. For this money you get a full plastic interior, a 210hp weezo-matic V6 (drive one and you’ll understand), about 25 mpg hwy and great styling. Not much in the performance department, though.
Chevy’s got the HHR SS turbo with 260 hp, 28 mpg hwy, 0-60 in 6.1 seconds. This little box not only hauls ass, but some pretty big boxes as well. I like this thing. And for 2010 the V6 Camaro with 306 hp is coming out AS A BASE MODEL! Don’t know about the price, though, but I’m VERY CURIOUS about this one.
Dodge is about to release the Challenger SE, which will be priced well below 25k. Now for this money you’ll get 250 hp, around 25 mpg hwy, a VERY nice interior and some really nice styling. As for performance, that is something we’ll have to wait and see about, but I’m excited about this car as well.
Pontiac has the G6 Coupe with 219 hp, around 29 mpg hwy, a nicely appointed interior and styling that makes it look like a door stop wedge… ugh. While all reviews state it handles well and is fun to drive, I just don’t know if I can get over the styling.
I am sure I have left some stuff out, but what do ya’ll think? Out of this group I think I’d be leaning towards either the Challenger (if the performance is there) or the Camaro… Hmm… decisions, decisions, decisions….
Comments
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TG Williams
Aug 18, 2008 at 5:33 am
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId=130810
Sorry dude, the Challenger SE is slower than any V6 Mustang built since 2001.
Too heavy, dude!
chevyssboy9
Aug 10, 2008 at 9:52 pm
i would never buy a mustang or a honda or subaru im a GM man 4 life thru da good and bad timez i love v8 muscle cars and s.u.v’s with ugly cars like da honda fit da toyota prius and so on u have 2 compromise style 4 gas milage none of these cars look good or have enough room 4 friendz and family wherez da fun n dat? u cant get your shine on in a honda or toyota period hot chickz dont digg these lamemobiles trust me if u’re a fan of muscle carz or s.u.v’s who carez about gas milage anyway? give me a Tahoe on 26′s or a Charger SRT8 and im a hot chick magnet str8 up and what can we do if gas continues 2 go up? nothin but pay da price or use ya feet and i dont riding a scooter from new orleans 2 atlanta is goin 2 be comfortable either im never opting 2 a honda,toyota or subaru cuz i alwayz love da feeling of lovin what i drive
7urtle
Jul 24, 2008 at 7:34 am
i like my 8s for speed but i do want to see th v6 challengrr
Stewart
Jul 24, 2008 at 12:42 am
Best bang for the buck?
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Buy a clean used C4 Corvette with the LT1.
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Add a Supercharger.
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Result: amazing handling, braking, and power. For less than 25K.
GTwildfire
Jul 23, 2008 at 11:25 pm
Maybe I’mliving in the past or something, but 4th gen Camaros and Firebirds/Trans Ams are very affordable and perform pertty damn well on both straight tracks and courses, and they’re a blast to drive. Their V8′s have a myriad of upgrade possibilities and you would never even approach the $25,000 price range.
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Also, if FWD isn’t taboo, the Grand Prix GTP is a kickass car, again with many things available for the GM 3800 Series II V6. I’ve seen a GTP run 9.0 on Youtube, swore it was gonna sprout wings.
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Honestly, I think there are a lot… a LOT of opportunity for fun in the sub-$10,000 price range, everything from 3000GT’s and Nissan Z’s to the aforementioned GM models and more.
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Dollar for Dollar, I don’t think there’s a previous time in history when so much horsepower was available on a budget.
TG Williams
Jul 23, 2008 at 10:36 pm
use the rebate from Ford & drop on a Procharger.
After the rebate (And some slight cosmetic damage on the transport) mine cost $13K -NEW.
Chad
Jul 23, 2008 at 9:33 pm
You mentioned the HHR turbo, but what about the cobalt SS turbo? it looks a hell of a lot better, and it’s the fastest production front wheel drive vehicle, ever.
Highspeedhijinks
Jul 23, 2008 at 8:14 pm
I say you can!
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Think about when you go gokart racing with your friends. Your going slow in the grand scheme of things but your still having ear to ear grinning fun.
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Basically what I mean is that if you have a little econo box that is “peppy” but not exactly fast, you can still make do. The absolute proof of this would be a Mini or even a Hyundia Accent (stick). Rowing your own oar gives a car way more capability to be fun. Tighten up the suspension a little and you’ll be cross cutting lanes in rush hour traffic like its the last lap at Le Mans.