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Trackmouse
Trackmouse Dork
6/28/16 10:38 a.m.

What is the quickest vehicle one can buy (brand new, showroom stock) for 20k or less. I know this is an odd one. After all, they don't make brand new sports cars for under 20k in this economy.

But what if we had to... Keep in mind "brand new". Nothing used, nothing built in your back yard.

Also, "quickest" is subjective. Could be quarter mile, acceleration, or handling prowess. But with handling we can't go off C&D stats due to those awful Eco tires.

Huckleberry
Huckleberry MegaDork
6/28/16 10:43 a.m.

The cheapest one so you can afford 5k for the aftermarket engine and puffer bits.

Harvey
Harvey GRM+ Memberand Dork
6/28/16 10:47 a.m.

Base Honda Civic? 158hp?

EvanR
EvanR SuperDork
6/28/16 10:48 a.m.

Not sure if it's fastest, and not sure if you're talking MSRP, or with rebates, or out-the-door.

Consider the Chevrolet Sonic LT hatch with 1.4T and 6-speed manual.

MSRP is $18,330. There's a $1500 rebate now, so even out-the-door, it should be well under $20k.

Andy Neuman
Andy Neuman HalfDork
6/28/16 10:50 a.m.

Fiesta ST without thinking too much about non sporting cars that could be used for sporting intentions.

mtn
mtn MegaDork
6/28/16 10:55 a.m.

I place my bet on a work truck--1/2 ton, V8, short cab, short bed, no options whatsoever, bought a year or two old that is still sitting on the lot.

RealMiniParker
RealMiniParker UberDork
6/28/16 10:55 a.m.
Trackmouse wrote: What is the quickest vehicle one can buy (brand new, showroom stock) for 20k or less.

Kawasaki ZX-10R, $14,999-16,299.

But without researching, I would've guessed Chevy Sonic or Ford Fiesta variants.

chili_head
chili_head Reader
6/28/16 10:55 a.m.

Base F56 Cooper?

GameboyRMH
GameboyRMH GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
6/28/16 10:59 a.m.
Andy Neuman wrote: Fiesta ST without thinking too much about non sporting cars that could be used for sporting intentions.

This would be a great answer if not for the fact that its base MSRP is over $21k.

I assume we're using MSRPs right?

mndsm
mndsm MegaDork
6/28/16 11:01 a.m.
EvanR wrote: Not sure if it's fastest, and not sure if you're talking MSRP, or with rebates, or out-the-door. Consider the Chevrolet Sonic LT hatch with 1.4T and 6-speed manual. MSRP is $18,330. There's a $1500 rebate now, so even out-the-door, it should be well under $20k.

I was thinking just this.

Brett_Murphy
Brett_Murphy GRM+ Memberand PowerDork
6/28/16 11:21 a.m.

U.S. Domestic market only?

Andy Neuman
Andy Neuman HalfDork
6/28/16 11:24 a.m.
GameboyRMH wrote:
Andy Neuman wrote: Fiesta ST without thinking too much about non sporting cars that could be used for sporting intentions.
This would be a great answer if not for the fact that its base MSRP is over $21k. I assume we're using MSRPs right?

MSRP was not specified so I checked autotrader for pricing since 7 were listed under $18k I thought it should qualifying

red_stapler
red_stapler Dork
6/28/16 11:27 a.m.

If we go by MSRP, the Mazda 3 is all I can think of off the top of my head. The base 2L's 16.0 sec @ 89 mph is quicker than the Sonic.

codrus
codrus GRM+ Memberand SuperDork
6/28/16 11:48 a.m.

Jetta 1.4T with an APR chip?

Furious_E
Furious_E GRM+ Memberand HalfDork
6/28/16 11:58 a.m.
mtn wrote: I place my bet on a work truck--1/2 ton, V8, short cab, short bed, no options whatsoever, bought a year or two old that is still sitting on the lot.

My first thought as well. Can you get the smaller Ecoboost V6 for under $20k? I remember hearing some wild stats on that a while back.

Trackmouse
Trackmouse Dork
6/28/16 12:02 p.m.

Guess I need to specify more. Msrp. No mods. Nothing that's "been on the lot awhile" and let's keep incentives out of the equation, although mentioning them is cool. Also, usdm. No "unobtanium".

Is the sonic really under 20k?

Robbie
Robbie GRM+ Memberand UltraDork
6/28/16 12:04 p.m.

Trucks are not even close. Quick perusal of ford chevy and 'ram' shows that 1/2 tons start at $26k/$27k MSRP. The colorado even starts above $20k (though only by a little).

Now if you are talking about one a year or two old, maybe, but you are bending the definition of 'new'.

Robbie
Robbie GRM+ Memberand UltraDork
6/28/16 12:11 p.m.

Dodge Dart SXT comes in less than 20k, 185HP engine. Fiat 500 turbo does too - 135 hp.

tjbell
tjbell Reader
6/28/16 12:12 p.m.

brand new golf 1.8t can be had brand new under 20, and has plenty of go power

alfadriver
alfadriver MegaDork
6/28/16 12:12 p.m.
GameboyRMH wrote:
Andy Neuman wrote: Fiesta ST without thinking too much about non sporting cars that could be used for sporting intentions.
This would be a great answer if not for the fact that its base MSRP is over $21k. I assume we're using MSRPs right?

If you know the right people, only $29 over $20k. And with current incentives, they are closer to $18.5k.

WingZombie
WingZombie New Reader
6/28/16 12:17 p.m.

Fiat 500 and Chevy Cruze both get you 0-60 around 7 sec. or just under.

pinchvalve
pinchvalve GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
6/28/16 12:23 p.m.

Fiat 500c - 0-60 in 6.9 sec
Mazda 3 - 0-60 in 7.5 sec
Chevy Cruze - 0-60 in 7.6
Honda Civic 0-60 in 7.6 sec
Honda Fit - 0-60 in 8.0 sec
Kia Rio - 0-60 in 8.2 sec
Chevy Sonic - 8.1 sec
Fiesta - 0-60 in 8.9 sec
Scion iA - 0-60 in 9.0 sec

A VW Golf 1.8 Manual will do the run in 6.8, but MSRP is a few hundred dollars above $20K.
Kia Forte coupe will do 6.9, but the turbo motor puts you $300 north of 20K.

Without digging any deeper, looks like a Fiat 500c is your best bet.

Trackmouse
Trackmouse Dork
6/28/16 12:32 p.m.

Ok, let's concede a bit. It'll be a max price (out the door) of 20,999$

mtn
mtn MegaDork
6/28/16 12:35 p.m.
Robbie wrote: Trucks are not even close. Quick perusal of ford chevy and 'ram' shows that 1/2 tons start at $26k/$27k MSRP. The colorado even starts above $20k (though only by a little). Now if you are talking about one a year or two old, maybe, but you are bending the definition of 'new'.

No I'm not--it can be bought new on the lot, full warranty, never titled. How is that not a new car?

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?endYear=2017&zip=18914&listingType=new&listingTypes=new&engineCode=8CLDR&maxPrice=20000&vehicleStyleCodes=TRUCKS&startYear=2014&showcaseOwnerId=64214697&engineCodes=8CLDR&firstRecord=0&searchRadius=0&minPrice=2000&listingId=418062555&Log=0

KyAllroad
KyAllroad UltraDork
6/28/16 12:37 p.m.

Can we ask why we're using such an odd set of parameters for a car?

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