I checked out the Euro-spec Type R and it has the same K20Z3 engine as the NA-spec Civic Si (197 hp 2.0L I4) which is kind of neat. I like everything about the Civic Si except for the tire size, lack of HIDs, lack of factory optioned foglights, and the lack of a factory optioned Homelink mirror. The dealer installation fees are going to run high and it won't be the same as taking delivery of a brand new car right off the transporter, ready to rock and roll. Instead you will get the car and have it scheduled for parts installations while the mechanics steal new parts from the car.


The Subaru Impreza and Mazda3 both have factory optioned foglights, Homelink mirrors, good tires available in the 16" sizes, but have 4 doors or more and aren't as fast.

If they made the Mazdaspeed3 in a 2-door coupe model with reasonable tire sizes (for year-round use) I'd consider one, even more so if it was AWD.

 

Why don't you you just get a set of winter wheels and 4 of the best winter tires money can buy (Blizzaks, Graspics, etc) for your Mustang. That would be a heck of lot cheaper than buying another car.


Heck, you could even buy a couple sand bags for trunk ballast and spend less than buying another car.

 

I live in So Cal. so I have no idea what a "winter" is. But If I ever had to buy a "winter" car it would definitely be a 2006-2007 Subaru WRX. It looks sick, it has AWD, and it's just all-in-all a badass car. Not the STi, just the WRX trim.

 

The tires that come with the WRX aren't the best, even though I haven't heard anyone complain about snow traction. I agree that technologicially speaking, the WRX is rather superior. It needs HIDs, but the 4-door/5-door styling looks old fashioned or suitable for someone in their 40s/50s. I found a way to get the VIP Discount (Invoice pricing) by joining the National Gardening Association for 6 months, but all of the Imprezas have weak styling.

 

Just out of curiosity, rather than you asking us, I want to know what does someone so image concious think of the Si?

 

It's not so much as being image concious, but rather something that looks remotely sporty. I wanted S197 owners' opinion of the Si because I figured if we all bought a S197, we should be somewhat on the same page.

Here's what I think:
The Si Coupe (not the sedan) looks pretty small, compact, and sporty. I have no use for 4 doors, 5-doors, a trunk, or even the rear seats. Smaller cars are easier to park, and take much less time to wash and wax Having spent 8 hours trying to wax a E-series cargo van and 4 hours detailing my Crown Vic, the 1-2 hours required for the Stang is a huge break. I still think the Stang is a bit large and wouldn't mind an even smaller car as long as it is built well, fast, handles well, and fun to drive.

 

Just my .02 but the Impreza 2.5i is comparable in the acceleration department with the Si due to the lower end grunt. And in handling, especially adverse weather, the Impreza takes the cake.

I really like my 07 Subie as a daily driver. It's fun, spritely, sharp and well made.

And right now I know you can get a WRX for a discount price because of the fact of the 2008's coming this fall.

 

Because no-one in their right mind wants to take a chance driving a 300 HP/320 ft lbs torque muscle car with RWD in the snow...ballast or no ballast.

Been there, done that...and it ain't fun.

 

and how! I drove my 87 in the snow for one winter and called a stop to that.

 

in stock form the si is crap. overpriced and underpowered, and uh.... looks?


you can buy a saturn ion redline for around 18-19 fully loaded with a supercharged and intercooled 2.0, 205 underrated horsepower and 197 torque... plus its a coupe with suicide doors....

same car as the cobalt ss, only better equipped and with better looks.

 

http://www.sportcompactcarweb.com/ro...ine/index.html

 

this page has all the specs.

http://www.modernracer.com/saturnionredlinecoupe.html


i am partial to it, cause i had one. i loved the car and would never get rid of it, but i wanted the stang to match my 65.

 

"in their right mind?"
Then you don't know how to drive in the snow & ice.
hint:Modulate the gas pedal...

I drove mine all last winter with Michelin X-Ice tires on all four wheels and had no problems. Modern winter tires are 100% better than the old fashioned snow tires. Traction control helps a lot as well. Ballast wasn't needed.

 

The Saturn Ion was on my list until I saw the speedometer was in the center of the dashboard... that is a BIG turn-off but women seem to like it. I prefer having the tach and speedometer right in front of me, so the Ion is off the list.

My current winter car is a 00 Crown Vic with snow tires. I had to install a Traction-Lok LSD. I never use a ballast/extra weight in the trunk. It's manageable in the winter, but like I said before, out of the 6 months of winter here, we only get maybe 3-4 days of really bad snow that can be avoided. The bulk of the winter is spent driving on salt covered pavement or some ice/slush left-over from previous storms. The Vic doesn't have a manual trans and is boring to drive. After driving the Stang, the Vic just pales in comparison for comfort, handling, ride quality, audio system quality, braking, acceleration, etc...

A good set of all-seasons like TripleTreds ought to work fine but I'm not driving the Stang in the winter.

 

If that's all the winter driving that you're doing and CV does fine then why waste the money on a new car just for the sake of having something that is sportier just to drive in the adverse weather.

Sure the CV isn't as exciting as the Stang but that's not the point of the vehicle. It's for reliable transportation from point A to B when the Mustang can't be driven.

I think spending $22k + on a vehicle just for the reasons that you are pointing out seems to be waste in my humble opinion. I think that money could be better spent in other areas.

I really think you should sit back and contemplate this a bit more before jumping in. Best of luck in whichever path you take.

 

I'm selling the Crown Vic, which is why I won't be driving it in the winter anymore.

 

Yeah, definitely get rid of the CV. Having a Vic as a winter car makes about as much sense as choosing a Civic Si over a Mazdaspeed3.

 

The Mazdaspeed3 makes a "great" winter car considering it comes with 18" summer tires. I'd have to pay another $800 to get good winter tires, although the styling has started to grow on me.

 

Yeah, feel free to "modulate" yourself all the way into a ditch...or worse. What you call "skill" I call lucky...so far.

And tell me, just how do you plan to avoid the other idiots on the road, who aren't "skilled" winter drivers like yourself, when they come careening out of control towards you...? Have you given any thought to that?

I would never take that kind of a chance with my new Stang in the snow. But hey, it's your car, so knock yourself out.

 

im going to be driving my stang this winter daily. only when the snow gets too bad will i drive my wifes liberty. i drove the ion rl in the snow for 2 years on performance summer tires. i got around ok even with massive hp and no traction.

im not afraid of the snow!!! its fun!