GLI is garbage... trading it in about 3 weeks...

[socomplayer2]

So the 2008 VW GLI I purchased in march is utter crap. It been in the shop 7 times and even had the bottom end replaced. It burns a qt of oil ever 500 miles and shutters and smokes going up hills and on hot days (im moving to florida in a month).

Soooo I am trading it in for a post 2006~ reliable/fun vehicle with under 40k miles for around $20k in 3 weeks when I get back home from working my summer job which is 350 miles away.

My 2 options thus far are the honda s2000 and 05-09 mutang gt. Both of which are sweet fun cars and have almost perfect reliability ratings. Suprisingly for me (being a diehard vw guy) I am leaning towards the s2000 but whatever ones I get a better deal and warranty on I will get.

Comments on either car?

 

[Zenith]

I wouldn't get a pre-2010 Mustang. The 05-09's don't make enough power, don't look nearly as good, and still suffer from the crappy plastic interior plague. If you want a modern Mustang, fork over the extra cash for a 2010 or newer GT or even a V6. The 6 shooters make 300hp! That's nearly the same as the 2009 GT.

The 2010 V6's can be found for anywhere between $14K-21K on craigslist in my area. The 2010 V8's (the 4.6, not the 5.0) can be found at about $20K and up.

The S2000 would be a better car, and that engine revving to 9000 would be a blast. Only problem is the lack of seats only having two will be a bigger issue than you'd think.

S2000's tend to go for around 15K-22K.

 

[mustangGT90210]

Can't go wrong with either really.

And to the guy calling the early S197s underpowered, how is that? They still get up to 60 in 6 seconds. Mid to high 5's if you're good.

 

[JCE]

Can't go wrong with either really.

And to the guy calling the early S197s underpowered, how is that? They still get up to 60 in 6 seconds. Mid to high 5's if you're good.

Yea, that guy's comments were idiotic and wrong in regards to the S197 GT. Manual trans coupes get 0-60 in 5.3~5.5 and autos do about 0.2 slower. For the weight the power is more than enough to haul it around quickly.

Socom, either the S2000 or Mustang GT will be great fun and be reliable as long as proper maintenance was performed.

 

[socomplayer2]

I know I know, I was an ass and bought that car. I made a mistake it happens. Thankfully I am making good money and am going to trade it in (Ive gotten trade in offers between 16.5 and 17.5 and I got the car for 17.9) and finance the difference on either the mustang or the s2000.

Mustang and jce thank you for the good feedback!

 

[ozyran]

*DISCLAIMER: The below post contains my opinion and it is opinion only. Feel free to consider or disregard my suggestion. The 05 - 09 Mustang GT and S2000 are both fine options, I'm only suggesting an alternative to the two.*

Personally? I'd suggest a 2003-2004 Mustang Cobra.

Okay, it's older than what you're looking for, granted. It's not the updated body style, granted. And yes, I'm a little biased toward the SN95 Mustangs, as you can tell by my sig.

Here's the kicker though. The 2003 - 2004 Mustang Cobras dyno at 380-ish hp at the rear wheels. They were seriously underrated by FoMoCo. Minor tuning will push them to over 400 hp no sweat.

Out of the box they are 12-second capable cars. They pull .90 g on the skidpad.

Stock they come with a Tremec 6-speed manual and an independent rear suspension.

And, if you look, you can find them for right around your budget mark.

It's just a suggestion, it's your money, and I say go for whatever makes you happy.

 

[Keef]

Don't say we didn't warn you.

Edit: And it's not like you're going to listen to our recommendations anyway. You'll just do something similar to how you wound up with the GLI.

Agreed.

If you can find one, Mazdaspeed 3. A stock one. You'll love it, and it will work.

I also support Mustang GT and Pontiac GTO. But not an S2000. I'd get a Miata before I got an S2000.

 

[Zenith]

Yea, that guy's comments were idiotic and wrong in regards to the S197 GT. Manual trans coupes get 0-60 in 5.3~5.5 and autos do about 0.2 slower. For the weight the power is more than enough to haul it around quickly.

Socom, either the S2000 or Mustang GT will be great fun and be reliable as long as proper maintenance was performed.

I beat 05-09's on a regular basis and my car is nearly 45 years old with a few light engine mods on a 289 (4.7L). The 4.6's were complete jokes for those years.

The GT was the biggest engine the Mustang had and it only made 300hp. That's just not enough for a V8 Mustang, especially compared to the offerings from Europe and Japan. Maybe for people used to driving around in Civic's and Focus' the Mustang sounds fast, but once you got into 3rd and up the engine becomes anemic. That's where I keep beating the guys in the S197's, they think that just because their 0-60 time is good, the 40-70+ acceleration will be just as impressive.

Judging by their red-faced expressions in my rear view mirror... it's not. (This is not street racing, by the way)

Driven a 2008 V6 and a 2007 GT.

 

[socomplayer2]

Agreed.

If you can find one, Mazdaspeed 3. A stock one. You'll love it, and it will work.

I also support Mustang GT and Pontiac GTO. But not an S2000. I'd get a Miata before I got an S2000.

I thought about a gto but with pontiac under I doubt I could get a warranty .

Personally? I'd suggest a 2003-2004 Mustang Cobra.

I would love one but I feel with a supercharger more can go wrong, and I doubt I will be able to get a warranty on it

 

[eSZee]

*DISCLAIMER: The below post contains my opinion and it is opinion only. Feel free to consider or disregard my suggestion. The 05 - 09 Mustang GT and S2000 are both fine options, I'm only suggesting an alternative to the two.*

Personally? I'd suggest a 2003-2004 Mustang Cobra.

I couldn't go from VW to the catastrophically awful interior in the cobra. EVER.
I see a terrible future if socom gets an s2k or cobra or anything relatively quick.
Sorry, that's just the vibe I'm getting from this whole situation.

 

[CodeRedR51]

I would love one but I feel with a supercharger more can go wrong, and I doubt I will be able to get a warranty on it

Sounds like you need.....a Civic or something similar.

 

[Crispy]

Sell the VW, do not trade it in. You wont get anything with trading it in, especially at a mainstream dealer.

Use that money to buy a used S2k or Mustang, which ever floats your boat. I'd go for the Honda because I'm a bit biased towards American cars. Plus the Honda has a cool digital speedo!

 

[JCE]

I'll also second the 2004-2006 Pontiac GTO suggestion. 2004 models while less powerful are easy to find and cheap to buy. I've seen low mileage models go for $11-13k around here.

Socom, do you like the 350Z? I'd throw that in the mix as well for you to test drive.

*DISCLAIMER: The below post contains my opinion and it is opinion only. Feel free to consider or disregard my suggestion. The 05 - 09 Mustang GT and S2000 are both fine options, I'm only suggesting an alternative to the two.*

Personally? I'd suggest a 2003-2004 Mustang Cobra.

Okay, it's older than what you're looking for, granted. It's not the updated body style, granted. And yes, I'm a little biased toward the SN95 Mustangs, as you can tell by my sig.

Here's the kicker though. The 2003 - 2004 Mustang Cobras dyno at 380-ish hp at the rear wheels. They were seriously underrated by FoMoCo. Minor tuning will push them to over 400 hp no sweat.

Out of the box they are 12-second capable cars. They pull .90 g on the skidpad.

Stock they come with a Tremec 6-speed manual and an independent rear suspension.

And, if you look, you can find them for right around your budget mark.

It's just a suggestion, it's your money, and I say go for whatever makes you happy.

Low mileage unmolested Cobras are impossible to find below $25k. But if you can locate one go for it. One of my top 5 cars indeed, but, way too hard to find stock and low mileage for a reasonable amount of money.

I'd recommend a Mach 1 or Bullitt actually. While not as fast as the Cobra they still scoot along quite good and can be had for almost nothing. Especially the Mach 1's. Locally there are a few, including a certain 2004 model with 77k miles for $14k. I'm seeing an average of ~85,000 miles and a $12,000 sticker price on Mach 1's.

I beat 05-09's on a regular basis and my car is nearly 45 years old with a few light engine mods on a 289 (4.7L). The 4.6's were complete jokes for those years.

The GT was the biggest engine the Mustang had and it only made 300hp. That's just not enough for a V8 Mustang, especially compared to the offerings from Europe and Japan. Maybe for people used to driving around in Civic's and Focus' the Mustang sounds fast, but once you got into 3rd and up the engine becomes anemic. That's where I keep beating the guys in the S197's, they think that just because their 0-60 time is good, the 40-70+ acceleration will be just as impressive.

Judging by their red-faced expressions in my rear view mirror... it's not. (This is not street racing, by the way)

Driven a 2008 V6 and a 2007 GT.

Dude, you are so full of it on this topic that I don't even want to waste my time. I just hope Socom can see through your comment for the haterade that it is. 👍

 

[fitftw]

VW is just a bad judgement call to begin with unless you have at least double in the bank than what you paid for it. German cars are way too expensive and not at all reliable. I never see old VW's on the road.

 

[Danoff]

VW is just a bad judgement call to begin with unless you have at least double in the bank than what you paid for it. German cars are way too expensive and not at all reliable. I never see old VW's on the road.

 

[12thgear]

If you can find one, Mazdaspeed 3. A stock one. You'll love it, and it will work.

I also support Mustang GT and Pontiac GTO. But not an S2000. I'd get a Miata before I got an S2000.

Speed 3. Great recommendation for a hot hatch.

Also agree regarding the GTO. An underrated car, and a different driving experience too. And really? That's a Pontiac interior? It's pretty nice!

Curious about your words regarding the S2000 though. I'm a Miata fanboy, but I really like the S2K.

I never see old VW's on the road.

I know some people who are really into old VWs. In fact one of them is restoring a Ur Quattro now. It looks like a fun hobby, but he basically had to turn his garage into his own personal parts department.

 

[Pupik]

As to the two comments I deleted: Don't be a tool...if you're not offering any advice, don't bother posting.

 

[Azuremen]

I'm pretty serious about this. Less than the S2000, comparable power, more room, lots of after market support, fairly straight forward to work on, etc.

Plus, torque is nice.

 

[F1 fan]

So the 2008 VW GLI I purchased in march is utter crap. It been in the shop 7 times and even had the bottom end replaced. It burns a qt of oil ever 500 miles and shutters and smokes going up hills and on hot days (im moving to florida in a month).

Soooo I am trading it in for a post 2006~ reliable/fun vehicle with under 40k miles for around $20k in 3 weeks when I get back home from working my summer job which is 350 miles away.

My 2 options thus far are the honda s2000 and 05-09 mutang gt. Both of which are sweet fun cars and have almost perfect reliability ratings. Suprisingly for me (being a diehard vw guy) I am leaning towards the s2000 but whatever ones I get a better deal and warranty on I will get.

Comments on either car?

There's always one, and I hate to be that one, but how exactly can a 20 year old afford $20K for a car?

 

[SpartanG]

pic snip

I'm pretty serious about this. Less than the S2000, comparable power, more room, lots of after market support, fairly straight forward on, etc.

Plus, torque is nice.

great photo... the bike rack really adds to that one. And I kinda agree. It's much more liveable than the GT or 2k, since it's a true sedan. Only problem would be finding one that's been treated nice.

 

[McLaren]

I'm pretty serious about this. Less than the S2000, comparable power, more room, lots of after market support, fairly straight forward to work on, etc.

Plus, torque is nice.

This post is missing the "LOL @ VW reliability" factor.

VW is just a bad judgement call to begin with unless you have at least double in the bank than what you paid for it. German cars are way too expensive and not at all reliable. I never see old VW's on the road.

*Checks records dating back to old 330ci*
Looks like my 3, 5, & new 3 were/are pretty reliable to me.

It is true the M3 won't kill you and your friends in a terrible electrical fire. Making sure a car won't burst into flames and kill you, at least in my opinion, is very important.

You make me miss my old M3 at times. If I wasn't so determined to own an E46, I'd find an E36 again in a heartbeat.

 

[Azuremen]

This post is missing the "LOL @ VW reliability" factor.

It is true the M3 won't kill you and your friends in a terrible electrical fire. Making sure a car won't burst into flames and kill you, at least in my opinion, is very important.

 

[Kylehnat]

Only problem would be finding one that's been treated nice.

And since those cars are on their 3rd or 4th owner (50, 35, 27, and 21 years-old, respectively), I'm guessing the chances of that are pretty slim at this point.

 

[motortrend]

I agree with the E36 M3, you can get one (here at least) for half what an s2k will cost you. What do you think about the Mitsu EVO and the G35? you can get a cheap G35 these days

 

[ozyran]

I'll also second the 2004-2006 Pontiac GTO suggestion. 2004 models while less powerful are easy to find and cheap to buy. I've seen low mileage models go for $11-13k around here.

Socom, do you like the 350Z? I'd throw that in the mix as well for you to test drive.



Low mileage unmolested Cobras are impossible to find below $25k. But if you can locate one go for it. One of my top 5 cars indeed, but, way too hard to find stock and low mileage for a reasonable amount of money.

I'd recommend a Mach 1 or Bullitt actually. While not as fast as the Cobra they still scoot along quite good and can be had for almost nothing. Especially the Mach 1's. I'm seeing an average of ~85,000 miles and a $12,000 sticker price on Mach 1's.

👍 Good suggestions all around.

I'll second the Mach 1 suggestion. I've got one and I absolutely love it. That 4v 4.6 really gets up and goes. It's running a good set of brakes front and rear as well. The only thing that really needs improvement is the handling, but that's a simple matter of a strut tower brace from Steeda and maybe a set of Eibachs under the car. Going with the Mach 1 idea, that wouldn't cost more than a grand total, a bit more to have a professional install them, and you've come in under the $20 grand target mark. Mach 1 = mid 13-second 1/4 mile; I'd say $2 grand worth of mods would have you in the low 13s and tighten up the handling to close to .90 g.

The 350Z and GTO are both great cars to consider as well, I agree. On that note, I'll throw in the '98 - '02 Firebird or Trans Am. LS1, 6-speed, even the lower-end Formula Pontiac F-bodies handled well.

 

[Leonidae@MFT]

I second the E36, and since you could afford it, I'd say go for the M3.. or Z3 M coupe.

 

[Zenith]

Dude, you are so full of it on this topic that I don't even want to waste my time. I just hope Socom can see through your comment for the haterade that it is. 👍

Hey JCE, out of curiousity... Have you ever driven a 05-09 GT? On the road? On a track? I just want to know if you actually have a differing opinion and have resorted to petty name calling to try to get ahead... or if you just read some specs and performance numbers from your computer and like to pretend to know what you're talking about 💡

OT:

2005 Audi S4? Those things have nearly 350hp and 4WD, they'll also have great build quality.

You could even get a sweet Avant...

Also...

C5 Corvette...

Seen a Pontaic G8 for about 21K...

2004 Z4...

as said before, M3

Etc... Those are just a few. You can find hundreds of really great 80's and 90's Japanese and German cars.

 

[JCE]

Hey JCE, out of curiousity... Have you ever driven a 05-09 GT? On the road? On a track? I just want to know if you actually have a differing opinion and have resorted to petty name calling to try to get ahead... or if you just read some specs and performance numbers from your computer and like to pretend to know what you're talking about :

I worked for Ford from 2004 through 2008 as a driver so I've literally driven the entire model range of every Ford model in those years. This includes the GT among other Mustang trim levels. And as a guilty pleasure I've driven the hell out of them to get a real sense if what these vehicles are capable of.

They are anything but slow, I'm just sorry you cannot see it. Conversation over. Nothing personal but I feel this isn't the place for this issue discussion.

 

[Eric.]

"I'm right you're wrong discussion over."


Those Mustangs aren't fast. Similar to an LS1 auto GTO. Which isn't that fast.

 

[Crispy]

Ah Azurmen. Making me jealous in your FREAKIN M3!

I agree though, get one of those instead of the S2k or Mustang. They cost about half as much as the 2, and the E36's are EXTREMELY reliable. We had a 1999 328i convertable, the only thing that went wrong in about the four or five years we owned it was that the motor for the electric top bust. Went on a back and forth trip from Texas to Florida carying 3 people, and about 500 lbs. of luggage. The model we had was a two door, and it still had wonderful legroom in the back. Plus with the M3's, you can't go wrong with 240hp!

In all the BMW's we have owned, the only things that have gone wrong were:

-A red light runner caused our 530 to T-bone the redlight runner. We had the green BTW.
-The electric top broke on the 328
-Electrical blip in the current 330
-Rats chewed a wire in the current M-Roadster
-We couldn't afford to pay for the old M-Roadster anymore.

So only two reliability problems, and the 330's electronics are perfectly normal right now. If you ask me, an E36 M3 is the best bet for you.