In line with the EcoBoost thread, we have started cross-shopping other vehicles in our search for a Wife car. We have a Suburban that handles beater, hauler, grandkids duty. She wants something she can autocross, TNA, TTN, and drive on a daily basis.
Figure used, $15k-$25k. Reasonably sporty, good fuel economy, 2 doors, she would prefer RWD, and a decent automatic would be acceptable. Doesn't need to be at the top of its class, but not an embarrassment either. Not European(my rule). Not a Miata (her rule). She doesn't particularly like my Infinity so they are out as well. She's fairly short so I think the Camaro is out as well due to visibility.
The wife likes her current 03 Mustang GT and the Mustang was her dream car when she was growing up, so the EcoBoost is at the top of the current list. She is open to looking at other vehicles though.
What else is out there?
How about the Genisis Coupe 3.8 or 2.0T? Decent? The numbers look pretty good on paper but I have never seen one in the wild.
The Twins? How is the reliability on the flat 4. I've heard of some issues with them blowing up after a recall repair.
The Vette is probably out due to the cost of consumables.
Anything else we should be looking at?
You only need to worry about the 2013 Twins and the recall. They do need an oil cooler for track work.
Rodan
SuperDork
6/18/21 10:49 a.m.
Twins or Mustang/Camaro.
Having had both a 2017 Mustang and 2018 Camaro, both have very high beltlines, but the visibility thing out of the Camaro is kind of overblown. You adjust quickly, and though the rear visibility is marginally worse than the Mustang, the Camaro has a much better rear camera. One real issue with the Camaro for track work is that a large/xl helmet won't fit through the window opening, at least ours wouldn't. That's a problem if you need to exit and the doors won't open. Also, consumables for these cars are near 'Vette expensive, especially tires. They're big and heavy and hard on tires and brakes.
On the other end, the Twins have a great chassis, let down by the engine. Much cheaper consumables than Camaro/Mustang, and probably more 'fun' to drive.
What is your definition of good fuel economy? Newer Mustang GTs can get 26-28mpg on the highway and that Coyote engine is a monster. You can still get a good used one at the lower end of your listed budget. With some wide wheels/shocks/springs they're good at autocrossing and track days as well. The cost of consumables can get you though - 305s are not cheap tires.
The twins are excellent cars - at a recent autocross I went to, the fastest guy out there was in one. I don't know anything about their automatic transmissions, but everything else I've heard about the cars has been pretty much stellar.
2016 Cadillac ATS 2.0L Turbo Standard Manual Coupe - Sporty, 272 hp, 20/29 mpg, 6 speed, 225/255 tire width, a little heavy at 3400 lbs. They are a nice place to be traveling to events and can perform well enough when at the event. Not too many out there...include the sedan and a few more appear.
Disclaimer - test drove 3, never pulled the trigger as we couldn't agree on price (back in 2019) so my experience is limited...but I like them :)
