Fun Compacts, which to get? *'07 WRX TR on the way!*
 

The '91 Celica is showing its age and I'm getting a bit tired of it, so it's new(to me) car time! :)

I've been toying with my options and have run all the numbers so I know what I can afford. At this point I can't afford a car more than $20,000 USD, so used cars are my best options. I also need something relatively cheap to run and fix with dealers near me (no BMW's or MINI's then).

Here's my current choices:

2003-2004 Ford Focus SVT
http://sio.midco.net/mmonhoia/cars/tn_2003SVT_front.jpghttp://sio.midco.net/mmonhoia/cars/tn_2003SVT_rear.jpghttp://sio.midco.net/mmonhoia/cars/t...T_interior.jpghttp://sio.midco.net/mmonhoia/cars/t..._interior2.jpg
Typical price: $10,000 - $13,000 for cars between 30,000 and 55,000 miles
Body styles available: 3-door hatch and 5-door hatch
Engine: 2.0L DOHC 4 cylinder
Drivetrain: 6 speed manual, FWD
Engine Output: 170 hp, 145 lb-ft

2004 Subaru Impreza WRX Sedan
http://sio.midco.net/mmonhoia/cars/tn_2004WRX_front.jpghttp://sio.midco.net/mmonhoia/cars/tn_2004WRX_rear.jpghttp://sio.midco.net/mmonhoia/cars/t...X_interior.jpg
Typical price: $15,000 - $19,900 for cars with 40,000 - 75,000 miles.
Engine: 2.0L SOHC Turbo 4 cylinder
Drivetrain: 5 speed manual, AWD
Engine Output: 227 hp, 217 lb-ft

2005 Subaru Impreza WRX Wagon
http://sio.midco.net/mmonhoia/cars/tn_2005WRXwagon.jpghttp://sio.midco.net/mmonhoia/cars/t...wagon_side.jpghttp://sio.midco.net/mmonhoia/cars/t...n_interior.jpghttp://sio.midco.net/mmonhoia/cars/t..._interior2.jpg
Typical price: $19,500 - $19,900 for cars with less than 30,000 miles.
Engine: 2.0L SOHC Turbo 4 cylinder
Drivetrain: 5 speed manual, AWD
Engine Output: 227 hp, 217 lb-ft

2006 VW GTI
http://sio.midco.net/mmonhoia/cars/tn_2006GTI_side.jpghttp://sio.midco.net/mmonhoia/cars/tn_2006GTI_rear.jpghttp://sio.midco.net/mmonhoia/cars/t...I_interior.jpg
Typical price: $19,900 for car with 18,000 miles
Body style: 3-door hatch
Engine: 2.0L DOHC Turbo 4 cylinder
Drivetrain: 6 speed manual, FWD
Engine Output: 200 hp, 207 lb-ft

Speed: WRX wins easily, GTI second
Handling: All great, Focus has most grip but no LSD.
Styling: I'm partial to the Focus and GTI here, but only because the WRX wagons don't get the flared fenders from the sedans. The WRX wagon is a more quirky appeal, kinda like the old BWM M Coupe it's just not for everyone.
Interior: GTI has a great one, love the Focus's design, WRX is also nice
Fuel Economy: GTI has the best, Focus is close behind. all 3 are acceptable.
Fixing: Ford probably cheapest and has closest dealer.
Practicality: WRX the most carrying capacity and seating room.
Value for money: Focus seems like a great bargain, but it's so much slower, and probably can't handle more power without an LSD.

What would you guys pick? Is it really worth the extra $9,000 to get a GTI WRX? If I did that I wouldn't have nearly as much money left every month. I would probably keep the GTI and WRX a lot longer than the SVT Focus.

Re: Fun Compacts, which to get?
 

Because i am ford man i would go for the focus.
Pretty good aftermarket support.
:D

Yea I've seen some sites selling supercharger and turbo kits for the Focus SVT, as well as differentials. Do you know much about the reliability of the car after you install the forced induction kits?

the transmissions are the real weak point of the SVT focus, and honestly... a used WRX may be more expensive, but it is a much higher quailty car, better winter grip, and faster out of the box.

the golfs are good cars, but not my style... but this is for you ;)

Yea, I am still leaning towards a used WRX. If I have a couple days off next week I'm going to go and compare the interior quality of the 2004 WRX to the 2005 WRX. I can get an '04 WRX Sedan for about $15,000 (over 70,000 miles from 1 owner). I know they upgraded the interior on the '05 models and it's really nice, but hopefully the '04 is still a nice place to sit because I'd prefer the sedan and the insurance will be about $20 cheaper.

Guess I hadn't heard anything about the SVT's transmission, only about the clutch problems they had before Ford released redesigned parts to fix it.

I'de pick either the GTI of the WRX. Both can easily be helped with a little tuning when you get bored with the power and at much less cost than the SVT. But when i had my Golf which was not stock at all (stock turbo though) i got passed up by a Focus on the highway with my foot to the floor. They can be very fast and they have a good chassis, and last time i checked the GTI didn't come with an LSD either, they just used ASR, make sure that it does come with one because i don't think they do.

Yea, the GTI is definitely a great car. I really liked the interior on the test drive I did, and the suspension seemed up for serious cornering. The problem I would have getting one of the newer GTI's is availability. There's only one for sale in the whole state right now.

On the other hand, there are a few different 2004 WRX Sedans on the market with various mileage and prices. I've added pics of one to the first post. I'll probably go have a look at it next week if it doesn't sell. The AWD is quite appealing since it rains about every week and snows a bit in the winter here, though I'm sure the GTI does well with it's FWD due to traction control.

For those in support of the GTI, would you get the DSG or manual?
I'm seeing a few of them for sale with the DSG, but haven't driven one myself yet. I really love clutches and stick shifting, but I'm open to the DSG since reviews make it sound incredible.

http://tinyurl.com/2z384n <-- many more WRX's within 200 miles of my location... the local dealer may not have the selection, but there are plenty to be had.

about the SVT focus; there were issues with the dual layshaft design more so then the clutch... a bit of an oddity with Fords, as transmissions are generally not a weak point.

Those '06 WRX's are sooooo tempting, I just loved the 2.5L engine on a test drive, and they're in World Rally Blue :drool: Sadly those are between 4 and 5 hours from my place (I'd been looking for places within 150 miles before). Would certainly be worth it, though!

A bit of an update on my car hunt.

Today I test drove a 2003 Subaru WRX to see if I would like the 2.0L engine. I must say I was greatly disappointed with how gutless that engine is before the turbo spools up. There's definitely lots of turbo lag. Also wasn't terribly impressed with the interior. It's much better than my Celica's, but several steps below the 2006-2007 WRX.

So....I just said "fuck it" and went to my local Subaru dealer and will be getting a new 2007 WRX :D They have to find one somewhere and drive/ship it here, but I've gotten a great deal and am really excited to see what colors/options they can find for me. 8)

Congratulations man :)

you wont be disappointed AT ALL!

i would probably pick the Subaru. my aunt has like a 91 legacy and its still running. the only problem it had was it needed a new transmission a few weeks ago which is pretty good considering it is like a 16 year old car or something. but are those the only 3 you are thinking of?

Congrats man!!

WRX is always a good choice, don't need to do much to get them to go well. With the 2.5L (US gets that too?) in the 07 WRX you'll have some more low down torque which won't hurt!

However now owning an Evo I shouldn't say too much good stuff about Subarus. :D

My brother's been driving the GTI for more than 2 years know and its a wonderful car - great handling and steering, extreme nice power delivery and surprisingly comfortable on long distances (mainly due to its excellent seats). Even fuel consumption is very positive.
Interior quality seemed way better to us when we compared with Focus and Subi, too.
Can't make a big mistake with any of these cars, either...

congrats man, i would have made the same descision.