I can vouch for the Mazda 3 and the GTI, but personally I'd go with the GTI. My friend loves his.

If it was me, i would go with the Altima for sure or the SiR civic.. depends if you need 4 or 2 doors

Ok, some other things to post, the first one was kinda rushed to the board before work... This will be my main car/DD, and probably driven in the winter. THe bonne will probably stay because it'* not worth much (nothing for trade really) and it can be a beater/project car. I also graduated in december, and have gotten the new job rolling now, so I'm back in the city, annual income before taxes mid-upper 30'*, i'll be living on my own, no one else to support, and I make money go a long way compared to damn near everyone my age. Hot hatch/sporty small-midsize sedan...

I'm looking for the power/economy of a modern Turbo4, V6, or somewhere near there (like the Civic SiR. I don't want another torque only motor, I want something that'll rev, and only get stronger the more I push it.

WIth the VW, a DSG would be good, it'* not an auto box + shifting. The Fusion is just on there for the price really.. No TDI VW either, the powerband, and my ability to work with and diagnose gas are better.

Cobalt SS, not what i'm after, the interior is 'ok' in my book, for the money, i can do better from imports IMO. Same thing with the Neon SRT-4, but worse. I wont touch a Caliber SRT-4 either..

The Volvo C30, has got the right stuff, i'd have to see the backend in real life though for a final judgement, definetly more affordable then the S40, and Just as nice IMO. My mom was impressed when I said I was looking at volvo. I wasn't sure exactly when they were brining it over, and 22k for a turbo 5 cyl volvo is damn good.

EVO / STI too costly, I don't want a used one either. WRX is on my list, but the refinement isn't the same as even the Mazda 3 IMO, and the looks keep getting worse and worse every model year.

MazdaSpeed 3 is the performance/price king right now. It doesn't say Ford at me in any way.

350z/G35, the 350z is kinda a girly car, I'm NOT a fan of the interior. The G35 is nice, i'd have to look at the market at them in my area I guess. The G37 should help out prices nicely..

Jim - Some good cars on there, but I'd rather be getting a CPO/New car then a nicer car that'* 5 years old through a private party. I'd love most Bimmers, I could probably do some, but I do have other financial items to start as well such as retirement, investing, housing, etc. A Car is never above those in my book.

If I was thinking risky/RWD for this climate (i'm tempted) It'd probably be an '05 GTO, not a WS6 (would love it, but not practical) Would it be do-able in the MN climate? yes, is it as light and nimble as the other cars i'm looking at? No. Mileage and insurance will also be somewhat of a sting on the wallet.

How about something like this? I know they make them in coupes too. My buddy has a 1998 Hardtop (with the most powerful engine ever put in these from the factory) and an auto trans and I am thoroughly impressed. A 5-spd is a very rare option in them, but they are out there.

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...1&cardist=1002

There is no "SiR" Civic. There is an Si....

I'd look into a G6 GTP

i'm not sure of their price range but what about the Nissan Sentre SER spec V...?

if i got an import it would be that or a GTI vdub
James

VW GTI


One of these perhaps?
http://cwimg.sv.publicus.com/apps/pb...tem=6&Maxw=600

I say Fusion just because out of the list it'* the only one I like and it'* a high rated car by consumers and media and of course the price

Good man.

Well, sounds to me like it'* time to go play. Find a few dealers that are close to each other that have a few of the cars you want, and take an afternoon and test drive them back to back. Don't talk serious finances with them, just tell them you're in the "research stage" (which you are) and drive the hell out of 'em.