Some "What To Buy" Help

[bk4uyeah]

To begin, I would like to apologize for not being the frequent poster I used to be, however, I have found I have much less time than I used to. I come to you now looking for help. It is time for me to get my first car. I am fairly open, however I have a few requiremnts/restriction:

$20,000 price cap (extra money = extra parts)
Effective Airbags (dicouraging, however not eliminated older cars)
The ability to outhandle others (rather than simply blow the doors off them [not ass essential])

Right now I am looking at a 2001 VW Jetta 24v VR6, which would leave me with approximately $8,000 for aftermarket parts.

Thanks again, all suggestions welcome

[taz_rocks_miami]

To begin, I would like to apologize for not being the frequent poster I used to be, however, I have found I have much less time than I used to. I come to you now looking for help. It is time for me to get my first car. I am fairly open, however I have a few requiremnts/restriction:

$20,000 price cap (extra money = extra parts)
Effective Airbags (dicouraging, however not eliminated older cars)
The ability to outhandle others (rather than simply blow the doors off them [not ass essential])

Right now I am looking at a 2001 VW Jetta 24v VR6, which would leave me with approximately $8,000 for aftermarket parts.

Thanks again, all suggestions welcome

As long as you're considering VWs, look into a Golf VR6. Same engine as the Jetta but lighter and better handling do to it's lighter weight. Good luck!!

[Quiggs]

How deep into mods are you looking to get? If you're going to leave it stock, or close to stock, the 24v VR is great. Lots of torque off idle, decent enough gas mileage. And there's that distinct sound. But if you're looking for more power, get a 1.8T. They're cheaper to insure, better on gas, lighter, and easier to upgrade. A chipped 1.8T will mop the floor with a chipped/exhaust/intake VR6.

There's the GLI models to consider, too. They came with both the 1.8T and VR6, with 6 speed manuals, Recaro seats, and special front and rear lips and sideskirts. They're a little more expensive, but they're nicer overall.


The above is assuming you're set on a Jetta. If you are, sign up on www.forums.vwvortex.com; it's the biggest VW forum in the world. There's a lot of great information, and they can answer any real specific questions about the MK4 platform that I don't know.

Edit: The Golfs only came with the 2.0L 4cyl. Economy motor to the extreme. DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME MODIFYING ONE. The only exception to this is a few thousand 1.8T 2001 models they made. The GTI is a lighter platform than the Jetta. The Jetta GLI essentially has the same suspension and drivetrain as the GTI, except regular GTI 1.8T's have 5 speeds.

[TheOne]

a 91-98 nissan 240sx.....can be as low as $2000 for a shell and $10k for an rb25/26DETT with everything to get it installed by a pro and enough hp to outrun most stock cars, and it doesn't throw off the weight balance that much so handling would be the same.(or you can stay with the stock engine and turbo it, which can still outrun some stock cars that run 12s), upgrade some suspension parts and brakes(300zx slotted brakes are a good upgrade) and you can outhandle most stock cars, and still be under the 20k budget(with some leftover to go to legal race tracks). other options would be a used mustang GT(most years cept 05 and special models), SRT-4, a na supra, rx-7.....list goes on and on for 20k.

a Golf GTI sounds good too, like they're sayin on above posts.

[Spastik_Roach]

I'd say a nice VR6 is your best choice, err, what Quiggs said. I dunno much about the used American car market so yeah.

[clutch-monkey]

other options would be a used mustang GT(most years cept 05 and special models), SRT-4, a na supra, rx-7.....list goes on and on for 20k.

i probably wouldn't go with an RX-7 given the rising fuel prices

[Mustang]

scooby / evo

obviously not the brand new one lol

[Vindesh17]

stick with a golf or jetta. I bought my '01 BMW 330Ci for about 33,000 canadian, thats a bit more than 20,000 US but if you try to find the extra cash its worth it.

[my porsche]

definately 1985 carrera