Proud new owner of a 2008 GLI Autobahn package

[Philly]

I just did a 200 mile search in your area for under $15,000 and with a manual.

Found all kinds of good things. Porsches, the E46 is in that range, a 350Z, Mazdaspeed3/6, Cooper S, Mustang GT, Civic SI, Cobalt SS, a 2000 M5, WRX, R32, RX8, Mazdaspeed Miata and even a Corvette.

Just look through what they have there, pick a couple cars you're interested in and drive examples that are closer to you. Then find the one you liked most and see if you can find the perfect car that's a little farther than 20 miles from your house.

 

[astrosdude91]

I'd go with a WRX, or even an STi if you can find a good one for the price you want.

 

[Keef]

Dude, all you have to do is what Philly suggested. Do a search. Jot down some cars. Contact the sellers. Go look at them. Look at a few, compare notes, pick which one you like, buy it.

Since a purchase is obviously imminent, you might as well go to the bank now and take out a loan so you've got the cash in hand. Whatever you don't spend, pay it back immediately.

 

[socomplayer2]

Okay update, I have bought myself about another month before the gti goes back and I have to get another vehicle. After alot of looking around I really am digging the ls2 gto's. Big and fast and an interior to die for. Even an 04 ls1 would fit the bill quite well. I've found a decent amount of examples which were stock and under 70k for my price range of 15k. Also The previous example I put up before of the mint srt4 are my top options.

Also My parents are helping buy the car and paying for it till im out of college but I have to pay for insurance and gas myself. Which is no problem for me but I do have to worry especially with the gto and the costs.

So updated criteria: $15k~, must last 5-10 years, stick, sporty/fun/quick, under 60k miles, newish, reliable, decent insurance payments

I know both the gto and srt4 contradict one or more of those but those are 2 cars I've always wanted, especially the gto.

What is it that you're looking for in a car, specifically in the performance sense? Do you plan on modding whatever you get, racing it at all (drag, autocross, something else?).

Something fun and definately at least up to par or better than the gti in a sence. I would keep it relatively stock though because its needs to last me quite a while. I also don't really plan on giving it much abuse besides the occasional on ramp "blast off" or some fun in twistys (which is rare).

I just did a 200 mile search in your area for under $15,000 and with a manual.

Found all kinds of good things. Porsches, the E46 is in that range, a 350Z, Mazdaspeed3/6, Cooper S, Mustang GT, Civic SI, Cobalt SS, a 2000 M5, WRX, R32, RX8, Mazdaspeed Miata and even a Corvette.

Just look through what they have there, pick a couple cars you're interested in and drive examples that are closer to you. Then find the one you liked most and see if you can find the perfect car that's a little farther than 20 miles from your house.

Ive done that on many different search sites including ebay motors. It did give me a few good ideas.

I'd go with a WRX, or even an STi if you can find a good one for the price you want.

I can't afford either example with no mods and under 60k miles.

 

[McLaren]

Why the 50 mile limit? That's ridiculous. I drove 230 miles to pick up an 87 MR2 for under $1500. You should be willing to do the same for a good car.

This; was ready to have a car shipped from Washington sometime back.

Never be afraid to have to travel to pick up the car you want.

I just did a 200 mile search in your area for under $15,000 and with a manual.

Found all kinds of good things. Porsches, the E46 is in that range, a 350Z, Mazdaspeed3/6, Cooper S, Mustang GT, Civic SI, Cobalt SS, a 2000 M5, WRX, R32, RX8, Mazdaspeed Miata and even a Corvette.

Just look through what they have there, pick a couple cars you're interested in and drive examples that are closer to you. Then find the one you liked most and see if you can find the perfect car that's a little farther than 20 miles from your house.

Nothing but a ragged out car. E39's in that range are pushing 85,000+ on the odo. At under $15K, I'm betting on 100,000 miles.

A nice, pristine M5 will run $22-25K easily. Any higher are modded or still new cars.

 

[Eric.]

Sounds like the SRT or GTO would fit the bill, with reliability going to the GTO.


I've found the LS1 GTO with an auto to be a bit of a turd when a 200hp Civic can keep up...Six speed should be considerably quicker.

 

[McLaren]

Sounds like the SRT or GTO would fit the bill, with reliability going to the GTO.


I've found the LS1 GTO with an auto to be a bit of a turd when a 200hp Civic can keep up...Six speed should be considerably quicker.

The weight of the GTO is appalling & doesn't help with that LS1; 3,700lbs, 100 more than the TL.

 

[Keef]

1. Buy '04/'05 SRT4
2. Race Mazdaspeed 3
3. ?????
4. Profit!

The SRT4 is so much more powerful and so much more raw than the GTI. You'll be hooked. I would love to own one.

 

[Cale]

GTO. Fantastic cars. They are fast and fun but also comfy as all hell, and adults can sit in the back too.

 

[Eric.]

Yeah, between those two cars its more of an image thing. It is a Neon, after all. The GTO will get you laid quicker. Particularly with headers and exhaust.

 

[SuperShouden]

SRT4 is still one of the fastest FF cars ever made and IS the fastest American Front wheel drive car in the world. It was also a little easier to tune. A tuned version of it hold the World's Fastest FWD car. Achieved with only a few modifications. Dodge did an awesome job on it. And it's a little sad they don't make it anymore. And it's a crime that they replaced the Neon with the Caliber.

 

[Keef]

Only get a GTO if it's the 6.0. The 5.7s are worthless trash.

And then try not to kill yourself.

 

[jergto]

The weight of the GTO is appalling & doesn't help with that LS1; 3,700lbs, 100 more than the TL.

Those LS1 GTO's can still take a TL even a TL typeS.

I used to own an LS2 gto, and for 15k budget I'd go with a GTO as well. Check out the GTO boards, there are plenty for sale at/around 15k.
16k:
http://www.ls2.com/forums/showthread.php?t=856212

Only thing I didn't like about my car was the trunk space and the looks of the front. The front can be saved with some grills and a SAP front extension. Either way they are some nice and fast rides. Heads/Cam/Intake + Tune will get you passed 500RWHP. After you get a RWD car, you won't go back unless its for a daily driver.

My old GTO, the replacement is coming in 3 years... LS7 powered baby!!!

 

[McLaren]

Those LS1 GTO's can still take a TL even a TL typeS.

The LS1 needs a few mods to beat the TL-S, otherwise the TL can start a pull on it, especially if its a 6Spd model. I've had zero issues pulling the LS1 models in the top end. Their weight just doesn't do them any favors at higher speeds.

 

[Keef]

It's not the weight, it's the tall gear ratios. By the time he's shifting into 4th you're probably shifting into 5th. The GTO is nearly 300 pounds heavier but it has the torque to deal with it - acceleration times, both standing and rolling, are almost identical through the quarter mile - and it also has some pretty slick aerodynamics. While your TL has a close-ratio six speed, the GTO is geared like typical big-engined American cars, and by that I mean the ratio goes down as a cube of the gear's number. By the time you shift that big bastard into 4th you might as well set the GPS for "take me to the moon". The GTO's 6th gear is good for over 200 mph, while your TL would literally redline in 6th at probably 160 or less.

In fact, I'm finding that a GTO's 0-130 time is 23.4 seconds and the same deed for the TL is 25.8 seconds, both verified by C&D.

The 2004 5.7 GTO is also EPA rated with better fuel economy than the TL Type-S, 28 vs. 27. Thus why the car has a tremendously low 6th gear - the engine makes all the torque in the world and so the rpms on the highway can be retarded low.

Now, if you did a 6th gear highway pull, the TL would no doubt stomp on the GTO. I love races like that, especially in slow cars. In my Civic I'd race people from 25 mph to 50 in 5th gear. It would take forever, but I'd beat Mustangs and Evos all day long, until we actually got to 50 and they'd pass me going 10 mph faster.

 

[BrutherSuperior]

Here's some things to consider with the SRT-4/Neon;

If you get a chance to ride/test drive one...roll the windows all the way up and all the way down whilst watching the door panel. The door panel will look like it's flexing a couple inches, because it is. That's the kind of build quality you're going to be buying.

If you can catch a ride in one, sit in the back. It's pretty rough back there...not sure why that car ever had 4 doors.

Many SRT-4s do not have an LSD. With a car with that kinda power, an LSD is mandatory. These cars also understeer something terrible. A Chrysler PT Cruiser front sta-bar is a popular swap and actually makes a huge difference for the better. Be wary of any car that has been 'modded' or even has been lowered. Anyone ever starts taking about selling their "Stage X" SRT-4...let someone else buy it. People do some catastrophically stupid things to turbo cars; don't buy someone else's problem child.

It's an OK driver. Really fun when the turbo finally spools up as the sudden rush of power is downright intoxicating. Makes you not really care you're driving an out-dated and ugly car. It's no canyon carver and it probably never will be. It's a fun car in a 'put a big turbo on a POS' kinda-way.

I have a little experience with modern GTOs. The trunk is, well, interesting. The back seats are useless (as they should be), its remarkably well put together for a GM product, and I think the interior is a nicer place to be than any other GM car. I don't know what kind of LSD the GTOs have...probably a clutch system (yuk).

As far as outright pace, I'll let you in on a little secret; most modern cars are fast - most drivers are not.

 

[super cirrus]

The LS1 needs a few mods to beat the TL-S, otherwise the TL can start a pull on it, especially if its a 6Spd model. I've had zero issues pulling the LS1 models in the top end. Their weight just doesn't do them any favors at higher speeds.

An Acura TL? No way. The current, most powerful TL has 45 less hp, 100 less lb/ft of torque and weighs nearly the same as the LS1 GTO. And the awd version is heavier than the GTO. The only excuses for an LS1 GTO to lose on the top end is either driver error, or the vehicle being in a poor state of repair.

BrutherSuperior, the 2003 SRT's didn't come with an LSD, 042, and 05s did. So there are more with them than without. And the real issue with GTO rear seats is getting in and out. They are surprisingly roomy once you're back there, enough for my 60 year old, 6'2'' father to sit comfortably in the back of mine.

 

[Rotary Junkie]

Only get a GTO if it's the 6.0. The 5.7s are worthless trash.

And then try not to kill yourself.

That mentality is precisely why a 5.7 car makes sense.

The money you save can buy a cam, headers, and exhaust. And then you get a 5.7 car that sounds angrier than most 6.0s and outruns them..

 

[McLaren]

An Acura TL? No way. The current, most powerful TL has 45 less hp, 100 less lb/ft of torque and weighs nearly the same as the LS1 GTO. And the awd version is heavier than the GTO. The only excuses for an LS1 GTO to lose on the top end is either driver error, or the vehicle being in a poor state of repair.
.

Lol at being another bench racer by using stats. The GTO doesn't have the top end like the Acura does.

Edit* Try to also take note that I'm not talking about the current TL. That model can barely hang with the 3rd Gens.

 

[super cirrus]

Bench racer using stats? Should I make stuff up then? And if you're talking about the even slower previous gen then there is definitely no chance. Call me a bench racer if you want, I just have a hard time believing that 280 hp will beat 350 hp without a major weight advantage. Keef even informed you that C&D tested both and the LS1 GTO was 2 seconds fasted to 130 mph than the TL, but you insist that it " doesn't have the top end like the Acura does."

 

[Keef]

Lol at being another bench racer by using stats. The GTO doesn't have the top end like the Acura does.

Edit* Try to also take note that I'm not talking about the current TL. That model can barely hang with the 3rd Gens.

Ignore my post much?

 

[Eric.]

Keef, how are you finding the 0-130 times? I'm just curious to look at it for other cars.

 

[McLaren]

Ignore my post much?

Your post originally just said the GTO had a taller gear ratio. That was it and wasn't worth a reply any further. You also have 1 other problem; comparing the wrong transmission. Hint: check the RL.

Whats funny is Eric himself said he can keep up with a LS1 Auto with a 200hp Si. Yet, you find it hard to believe a 286hp car can't.

Use magazine stats all you wish, but a GTO with a LS1 is not that quick for what it should be. The LS2 is what the GTO should have been from the start.

 

[Keef]

I don't think it's odd that a 200 horse, 2800 pound car can keep up with a 350 horse, 3700 pound car (with a 4-speed auto no less). I never said it was weird that a 280 horse, 3500 pound car could keep up with a 350 horse, 3700 pound car.

My whole point was to explain that the cars' acceleration is nearly identical, despite your saying you beat them handily, and then I explained why the TL is so comparable, which isn't the weight issue you said it was (a mere 200 pound disadvantage doesn't compute with 60 more horses), but is a factor of gear ratios instead.

Keef, how are you finding the 0-130 times? I'm just curious to look at it for other cars.

I actually struggled quite a bit to find the TL's time until I realized that it was not only published in C&D's GTO test results, but also in a TL Type-S feature. Apparently that's one of their standard speeds to publish.

For the record, both tested cars were 6-speed manuals. Who would buy either car with any other transmission?

 

[McLaren]

I don't think it's odd that a 200 horse, 2800 pound car can keep up with a 350 horse, 3700 pound car (with a 4-speed auto no less). I never said it was weird that a 280 horse, 3500 pound car could keep up with a 350 horse, 3700 pound car.

My whole point was to explain that the cars' acceleration is nearly identical, despite your saying you beat them handily, and then I explained why the TL is so comparable, which isn't the weight issue you said it was (a mere 200 pound disadvantage doesn't compute with 60 more horses), but is a factor of gear ratios instead.

Which was fine the first time you said it. However, I never said anything about weight or ratios in my previous post.

Of the 2 LS1 models I've ran, I started to pull past once we were up over 100. It's where the car always starts to pull because 3rd gear is the car's strongest. Maybe both driver's sucked ass, maybe it's the minor mods I've done. Either way, the only GTO I've run & lost to is the LS2 & that outcome was obvious.

For the record, both tested cars were 6-speed manuals. Who would buy either car with any other transmission?

The TL doesn't matter considering that it's FWD & the manual needs a short shifter kit on them, else they feel a bit long & un-involving unlike the Si. The manuals also have a 3rd gear issue that pops up.

 

[super cirrus]

What mods do you have? Driver error does play a huge part as well, I've probably given a few people big heads due to mistakes I made when I first got my car. FYI, as far as 1/4 mile is concerned, generally the auto GTOs are quicker (lower ET) while the M6 is faster (higher mph). Having the auto, even with only 4 speeds, isn't too big of a disadvantage unless you're in a dead spot.

 

[Blackbird.]

A Neon SRT-4? If you can find one that hasn't been thrashed to death I'll be impressed. That car was built for one purpose in life and that was to be flogged unmercifully and just ran into the ground. You might want to pass on that.

Although I really like the SRT-4 you're probably right. If my dad ever sells his it'll probably be the most well maintained one in California.

 

[Eric.]

I wouldn't expect to have a close race with a six speed LS1 GTO with my car. I couldn't believe I kept up with the auto.

 

[socomplayer2]

Just checking in, I am pretty set on either a 04,05 srt-4 (nothing more than stock) or a gto, preferably the ls2 model. Some time this week hopefully I am going to go out with my friend and find good examples to test drive.

To everyone debating on which ones quicker and what not don't worry about it because I know both cars are quite quick but in very different ways, just like the cars themselves are very different. I also don't plan on drastically modifying them, beating them up or tracking them, I can't afford to fix them a lot lol.

But seriously thanks for all the input its really helping me decide!

 

[socomplayer2]

Any info on the Trailblazer SS? I feel its a good mix between the comfort of the yukon and the sportiness of the gto and I think they are really attractive and with the ls2 its no slouch. Only concern is missing driving stick. Also does anyone know about their reliability?