People often ask me why I put so much money/time/effort into a 10 year old car like the tib. I've really been thinking about this a lot lately, mostly because I've been having problem after problem with the car recently, and I'm kind of to the point where I'd almost just like to sell it and buy something newer, something that just works, doesn't require as much time.

Now, I can think of a lot of cars that I like better than the tib (audi's bmw's...), but obviously these are unrealistic choices. I honestly can't think of a car in a reasonable/realistic price range that I would like better than the tib.

So comes the question.. If you could have any car to replace the tib, sub $12k, what would it be? Also, keep in mind, if you are going to say something like "Supra, Eclipse, Integra" or something, that that isn't solving the problem, you still have a 10 year old car that is going to have just as many minor problems as a Tib would.

 

maybe an SRT4 wold be good for you, maybe an evo idk how much they are used. honestly id get a 300zx single or twin turbo, can be got with around 13k in great condition

or maybe a GTI or 1.8t golf can be got for well under 12k that leaves extra xash for modding

 

depends on what your wanting?

are you wanting to stay in the modding/tuning scene? or are you wanting to 'settle' down with something like and SUV, sedan, etc.?

one of the reason i bought the SRT was kinda along the lines of what your saying. i didn't really want an older car, that i had to get things to work well ( like the turbo kit ) and mod this and that to get things the way i wanted it. so i bought something that had more of what i wanted, and was newer right out of the box.

i don't have a tib anymore, obviously, but if i had the mind set i do now, i wouldn't have even bought the SRT, i woulda bought a small SUV, or a mid-size nice sedan.

 

I'd like to stay in the tuning scene, something sporty, quick, probably a 2 door but not necessarily and definitely something semi-unique.. I'm just sick of having little stupid problems and things that go wrong because it's getting old. I want something that I can lightly modify, maybe a few bolt on performance mods and some rims, but that stays reliable. If I have a problem with a car because of something I've done, that's fine, but I'm sick of fixing things that I didn't break.

Honestly I'm not really planning on getting rid of the tib, I'd just like to expand my horizons a little bit, and get some other opinions.

 

srt-4 is screamin your name with that 12k cap... of course EVOs/STIs/WRX would be nicer than an SRT-4, but they are worth alot more $$.

but with an srt-4... TONS of cheap bolt-ons, that add good power and wont sacrifice the reliability. then theres the mopar kits that also add gobs of power and you don't even have to tune a thing, just swap PCM, injectors, WGA, etc.

 

You can also consider a 350z, I saw a local ad for one in good condition going for $12.5k. That's almost surely what I'd get. RWD and 300hp stock ftw

 

Id take something like an older gti or older wrx.

Came across a nice wrx sedan on autotrader for under 8k.

 

Yeah the SRT-4 definitely seems like the fit for you under that cap.

If you price range was a little more I would suggest the Mazda Speed3, I'm probably gonna get one of these in a few months because I need a bigger car, but still want performance

 

^^^

when i bought my car, it was between a mazdaspeed 3 and the SRT-4, i figured the mazdaspeed was bigger in the back because of the hatch, but it was pretty small. real nice cars though.

 

It it was me I'd be looking at financing a new (or VERY low mileage pre-owned) Mazaspeed 3, or even just the Mazda3. Or keep'in it Hyundai and upgrading to an 07 or 08 Tiburon, (4cyl would be my preference). But the siz speed manual would be worth it to get the V6.