Sub $15k new cars

I'll bite.

I would think highly of the base Mazda 3 w/ 2.0L

The Mazda website says that it starts at $15,360 and AC is an extra $800 for a total of 16,160 but the website also says $1,000 cash back so that will have you at either $14,360 w/o AC or $15,160 w/ AC.

148 hp
not sure about weight.

At this price you get crank windows but all versions get the same standard radio/cd player with steering wheel controls.

I would give the Mazda 3 high marks for capable chasis with solid aftermarket

rbankracing wrote: I actually think the highest horsepower to weight ratio with a MSRP under $15,000 available in the U.S. is the Mitsubishi Lancer coming it with a base MSRP of $14,340 packing 152 horsepower into its 2922 curb weight. That is only 19.22 pounds per horsepower which is more than all previously mentioned rides...

SX4 Sport still beats it at 18.5lbs per horse.

And yes Pauly, they were supposed to bring us the REAL swift for 2010. IIRC, 140hp and 2500lbs was the target they were working on. That would put it down to 17.8 lbs per horse and I'm sure there will be RRM turbo kits and things available too...

Pauly, you must be a friend to the north, mentioning the "swifeo". We didn't get that one down here in the states (thankfully!) I'm not sure what the plans are for you guys up in the great white north are.

jrw1621 wrote: I'll bite. I would think highly of the base Mazda 3 w/ 2.0L The Mazda website says that it starts at $15,360 and AC is an extra $800 for a total of 16,160 but the website also says $1,000 cash back so that will have you at either $14,360 w/o AC or $15,160 w/ AC. 148 hp not sure about weight. At this price you get crank windows but all versions get the same standard radio/cd player with steering wheel controls.

2800 sedan, 2950 hatch. Sedan would be 18.9, hatch 19.9.

I know it wouldn't win this competion, but I'm considering the kia soul that's coming out. With the base 1.6L 120hp engine, it weighs ~2600lbs which is pretty good considering the interior space.

The SX4 Sport's MSRP is over $15,000 at 15,739...

If we're going that route... the new Forte with the 2.0L 156hp and 2800lbs, 17.9. Spend a few grand more and get the 173hp 2.4L and 6-spd manual. Not sure what the final $$ is.

Looked further into it and the SX4 base sedan and the LE has the same engine and weight so I concede!

rbankracing wrote: Looked further into it and the SXR base has the same engine and weight so I concede!

You know you want to join us...... give in to the dark side! Suzuki is the new Mazda.

Bobzilla wrote: And yes Pauly, they were supposed to bring us the REAL swift for 2010. IIRC, 140hp and 2500lbs was the target they were working on. That would put it down to 17.8 lbs per horse and I'm sure there will be RRM turbo kits and things available too... Pauly, you must be a friend to the north, mentioning the "swifeo". We didn't get that one down here in the states (thankfully!) I'm not sure what the plans are for you guys up in the great white north are.

Ha, yea i'm in Victoria, BC and it pains me to see the swifteo since I used to have a mk. 1 turbo fire fly which was waay more fun to drive than my mom's wave.

Yes, my Mk3 GT is an amazing car to drive compared to it's contemporaries IMO. a little suspension attention and power added and it just gets better.

mw wrote: I know it wouldn't win this competion, but I'm considering the kia soul that's coming out. With the base 1.6L 120hp engine, it weighs ~2600lbs which is pretty good considering the interior space.

Saw one of those as I passed the local dealership last month, and didnt' recognize it (which is unusual for me). Looked surprisingly good for a small 2 box miniwagon/SUV/whatever. Kind of like a Korean version of the Fiat Panda, with some style that the Xb lacks. Hadn't seen any advertising for them yet, but it's been sitting out front for the last month.

I don't get this thread. The second you drive it off the lot its worth 10k and all you have is a slow used E36M3BOX to show for your trouble.

with a new car warranty and less problems to deal with for the next 5 years. There's something to be said for a new vehicle.

Mrs. Mini bought a new Mazda3i in November. It's pretty well equipped for a base 4 door model and, IMHO, a whole world better looking and riding than a Yaris. With the 5 speed, the 2.0 provides more than ample power, and it handles well. It stickered @$14,690, not including the $1000 rebate, and the little bit of wiggle room on the dealers part for a clean deal. She also looked at a Versa, but the Mazda had it beat in all areas. With 2k miles on it, she is getting 34 mpg highway, and with more miles(and a later switch to synthetics)should improve on that.

Bobzilla wrote: with a new car warranty and less problems to deal with for the next 5 years. There's something to be said for a new vehicle.

Agreed, however, if the warranty transfers, hold out a year and get it used. 9 years or 90,000 there about left on the warranty at a fraction of the new MSRP.

PaulY wrote:

Bobzilla wrote: We should be gettign the Swift this fall. C&D tested teh RRM SX4 with the turbo kit and suspension kit and pulled .97g IITC and it blew the doors off the HKS Fit. EDIT: Found the article, pulled .88g on 'kook RS-2's

Really? Like this one? I heard that car is supposed to be wicked, Top Gear really liked it and they even played hockey with a bunch of them. I even think they compared it to the old mini in terms of fun. Also before suzuki dropped out of the wrc i think it was doing fairly well in the jr. class.

I think I just found my next new car.

For the record... the Scion tC weighs 2932lbs, has 161hp for a ratio of 18.2lbs/hp.

There's a reason they can run low 15s.

They offer damn near Civic Si performance for a HUGE savings. Yeah... it's not light. But it's still faster. They really don't feel THAT heavy when you're driving them either.

alfadriver wrote: Too lazy to get data, but I'm seeing Foci for just under $10k. But all the "cool" features, no way you'll get Sync for <$15k, I bet. Still, very good car, good fuel economy, just a little bland in the looks department... E-

I test drove an 09 Foci 4 door yesterday and it was a very nice car for the money. The Duratec was very willing to rev and it was pretty quick. As far as I was told, you can get one with manual windows and locks too.

I want one of those european swifts.. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bY3kpKCIyjI

tiff is alright

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ckYGh6dTICg&feature=related