Hey all! Hope you are having a fantastic day.
I'm looking at getting a new car and there are 4 models that peaked my fancy. I basically want a car that is somewhat lightweight (sub 3400 lbs), carries 4 people, is reliable enough, and is safe (post-1996). Here's what I've looked at so far:
- Infiniti G35 (5.8s 0-60, 14.7s 1/4)
- Mazdaspeed3 (5.3s 0-60, 13.8s 1/4)
- Lexus IS300 (7.5s 0-60, 15.1s 1/4)
- Acura RSX Type S (6.0s 0.60, 14.6s 1/4)
The Infiniti is nice as I can get one for cheap, but the reliability and weight are a little concerning. The Mazdaspeed is my top choice, but I have heard they are noisy and unreliable. The Lexus is the slowest stock, but the 2JZ is looking attractive and I've heard with some minor mods, it's a blast in autocross. The RSX is the most boring of the pack, but I like that it's 2800 lbs and makes 200 hp.
What are your thoughts? Is there anything else I should consider?
GentlemanShark said:
The Lexus is the slowest stock, but the 2JZ is looking attractive and I've heard with some minor mods, it's a demo in autocross.
Nobody serious about autocross has ever said this.
I had a 2010 MS3. Put 68k miles on it.
I would recommend G35/G37
A 2011 and newer Ford Mustang V6 produces 300 hp and weighs 3400-3500 lbs.
0 to 60 in 5.1 seconds and the quarter mile in 13.7 at 102.0 mph.
John Welsh said:
A 2011 and newer Ford Mustang V6 produces 300 hp and weighs 3400-3500 lbs.
0 to 60 in 5.1 seconds and the quarter mile in 13.7 at 102.0 mph.
Good one! Seat 4 adults in a mustang...Ha Ha! 
Should this go in the Joke of the Day thread?
In reply to secretariata :
I’d rather ride in the back seat of the Mustang than an RSX.
It’s funny that 3400 lbs is now considered “light”.
In reply to red_stapler :
Sorry, made a typo, meant to say it's a blast.
In reply to Nate90LX :
3400 lbs is definitely not lightweight, but I'm trying widen my horizons.
In reply to mr2s2000elise :
G35 over your Mazdaspeed? Why is that?
In reply to captdownshift :
I was looking at an E46 (my friend has one and its a blast), but the reliability has turned me off.
Forte5 SX, Elantra Sport.
A Fiesta ST at 75,000+ miles is $10k and will dominate HS.
In reply to pinchvalve :
I didn't need to know that they've dipped that low...
pinchvalve said:
A Fiesta ST at 75,000+ miles is $10k and will dominate HS.
Just make sure to put painters tape on the roof.
captdownshift said:
In reply to pinchvalve :
I didn't need to know that they've dipped that low...
Alternatively there's a 13 Focus ST in the classifieds here for sale for $11.5k
Of the 4 you posted, go with the IS300, it will be the most reliable and it will be fun regionally if you add some mods and run it in STX. Buddy runs one here in north texas, and while it is not going to be a twin straight up, it will hold it's own, and it makes better power and sounds a lot better
DO NOT, go for a MS3, you will be bled to death in tire costs. they're AWFUL on tires. I had one tire lose 30% of tread depth in 1 event and the other 3 didn't do hot either. One of my good friends ran on in D Stock back in the day and they went through a set of hoosiers in 13 runs.... they immediately retired the car after that.
one FYI about fiesta's is what ProDarwin is eluding to. They're on the hairy edge of width and height for autox and they have rolled. I was worried enough about it that it was a major line item in thinking during my purchase process between the Fiesta ST and the Focus ST. The extra power of the focus and the larger rear seat and cargo area are what pushed me over the edge to buy a Focus ST.
Go look at the focus FS here in the classifieds, it's got a couple mods that bump it out of GS, but they'd be easy to put back to stock.
Also, apparently the RSX Type S got put into H Street in 2018, so that could be fun!
i still recommend the IS300 over it because i've had enough friends with K20 issues in autox.
^what K20 autox issues? (asking because I am currently shopping 06+ 4 Door Sis)
The IS300 isn't competitive anywhere, is it?
G35 isn't an autocrosser except on a BIG course but they fly. I've got an '08 manual G35s for sale, $7500.
ProDarwin said:
^what K20 autox issues? (asking because I am currently shopping 06+ 4 Door Sis)
The IS300 isn't competitive anywhere, is it?
Hedderick went through 2 motors in his STF RSX Type S in 2017, Laura Harbor in HSL had her motor pickup a pinhole in the block outside a coolant jacket. They're not bad cars, but the age is starting to catch up to them it looks like.
None of the cars on his list are at the absolute pointy end as of right now. The RSX will probably be right up there with the 8th gen Si which are just a hair behind the FiST in HS.
The IS300 is a nice car in general and of the 4 is the one I'd want to own because it has 4 actual doors and they're solid cars. I've learned on here that my own view of "buy something on the pointy end or nothing" is not a view many share hre on GRM. I autox to be competitive, and as such I make choices that put me in the best position to start with. I'm giving advice form a, could be close to the pointy end but could also be a decent car to own everyday view.
The 8th Gen Si as you suggested could also be a fun option but the coupe is definitely the way most people in HS go. And there seem to be plenty of other people with no issues with K20's.
