Okay, so here's the deal. One of my friends has a 2004 Dodge Neon SRT4 with ~95k miles. He's in the market for a new vehicle and can't decide what to do. He changes his mind every 20 minutes and he thinks everything I say is stupid.

Here's the options:

1. 2008 Nismo 350z.

$17,500

He would keep the Neon as a DD if he buys this.

PROS:
-Great handling
-Decent power
-Under value (due to rebuilt title)

CONS:
-Rebuilt title
-Not really sure on the damages and how well it was repaired.
-Costs a lot to make decent power (~400whp+)

http://dallas.craigslist.org/ftw/cto/3000508713.html




2. 2011 Subaru WRX STi

$30,000+

He would keep the Neon as a DD if he buys an STi.


PROS:
-AWD
-mods aren't crazy expensive for decent whp (~400whp)
-looks
-resale value is amazing

CONS:
-$30k+




3. 2008 Dodge Caliber SRT4

$13,500

He would sell the Neon for this.

PROS:
-mpg
-back seat
-turbo'd

CONS:
-some parts discontinued
-weird shifter position



http://dallas.craigslist.org/ndf/cto/3003933249.html




It's a wide range of options, and wide range of price but we have narrowed it down to these three. ANY and ALL comments welcome.

 

If it were me, I'd go with the Nismo but only if it was soundly rebuilt. Nissan makes a high revving motor that can take HEAT. This is why the 3.7L comes factory stock with twin turbos on the 370z? I'd build the bottom end up on the 3.5L V6 and twin it! Those cars can be crazy fun with enough power to the ground. My lady just wrecked her SRT4 a couple of months ago. Dynoed and built to 313whp. That thing was crazy underpowered but so light that she could romp on Subbies, Mustangs, and various other things.

 

If its not a mustang it's hard for me to care. Sorry

 

The 370z's come N/A from the factory. The Nismo puts down about 500whp at 8psi when twin turbo'd on stock block but it costs a lot to get it to that point. What did you do to the SRT4? They should be putting down more power than 313whp if they're built.

Thanks for your input.

 

I voted sti but I think for the money the caliber is the best by far. I had a 2007 r/t and it was a good car.

 

Boost controller and suspension parts as well as an aftermarket intercooler and forged internals. Like I said, it was the gf's car and her daily whp was 318 but her boost controller could go up to 18psi. Until the wall met the car and the SRT's demise was immediate. I was bummed I didn't get to drive it.

How much is a lot of money exactly?

 

$15k. My friend has a tt nismo 350z and he dyno'd 508whp @ 8psi.

 

STI hands down. All you need is a downpipe and Cobb Access Port and it will run 12.8's-13 flat. And not to mention it will rape on a road course with springs and sways.

 

Can't do a neon or caliber, and the new STI is getting uglier every year so 350z it is really

 

First I wanna say if he thinks everything you say is stupid, then why are you helping him?

But I say STi. AWD and turbocharged says it all

 

There should be a option for non of the above.

Tell him to save his money and still drive his DD.

 

I'd have some fun in the AWD Subaru Lol

 

The Caliber would be the most practical. Never buy a wrecked car, and $30,000+ is too much for an ugly car.

 

Caliber makes the most sense

 

Well said!!

 

Have to go with the 'not a Mustang in that list, so your argument is invalid' crowd here.

Put a V6 S197 Mustang in the list, and then he can put mods on it. That would work well, I think.

 

Agreed, nothing on the list seems all that stand-out, especially in Texas where the sube's AWD advantage isn't that great (unless he is a manly man and runs around with the traction control off).

I looked through the Mustang listings from 13-30k, they seem a bit pricey for what they are asking in the S-197 cars.

http://dallas.craigslist.org/search/...0&maxAsk=30000

 

wouldnt buy the wrecked 350, espeically if you aren't sure of it's repairs

the subie is too much, and too ugly

and the caliber should never be bought by anyone, ever.

 

Your friend needs a new list of choices. Or you need a new friend.

 

Heck for $28k or so he could buy my 15,000 mile 2007 GT that puts out 479rwhp and can be a daily driver no problem. Plus pull in some tail while doing it.