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01-27-2009, 07:24 AM
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#1
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MIR
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 9,692
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Tell me about....
Well it's time for me to sell my F-body and get something else. I was hoping to wait until graduation but one recent development has forced my hand. So my car is for sale (link in my sig) and I'm trying to research a fun to drive replacement.
I'm interested in them in this particular order (all new, no used):
Mini Cooper S
Dodge Caliber SRT-4
VW GTI
Subaru WRX
Mazda Speed 3
They are all in the same ball park, money wise, but I was wondering if you had any experience with any of them, or heard something bad/good, whatever. I want to know it all. If you have a car suggestion you can add it to the list, maybe I'll look at it.
Ok lets get to the talking part,
go go go
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01-27-2009, 07:39 AM
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#2
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Hippy Mod, Bergermeister Meisterberger, Moderator
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Ewing
Posts: 6,216
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I look at VW cars as 50/50. Half of them have run great and never have problems and half of them break down and leave the driver stranded. I know relatives, friends and co-workers that have owned VW's and it truly was split on the results. The worst of them ended up with lemon law cases. So I would drop that down on the list. My mom has had quite a few Dodge cars and she always has some form of major problem with them so I would drop that down as well. The only problem with the WRX is a couple people I know managed to wrap them around trees thinking they could do anything they wanted with them and you can't in bad weather. So that's not a problem with the car, but driver error.  I would lean towards the WRX.
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69 Z28 JL8 4 wheel disc brakes - being restored
09 Silverado Z71
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01-27-2009, 08:15 AM
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#3
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Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Mays Landing, NJ
Posts: 7,108
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I'd personally go with the Maz-duh 3 or the WRX. MiniCooper? I didn't know you were a yuppie. GTI? See Mini comment and add that the car is junk.  Dodge Caliber? Seriously? You finally came out of the closet?
On a serious note, I think the Mazda and WRX will give you a nice blend of performance and comfort. The Subaru will be reliable, I don't know much about the MazdaSpeed 3 but people I know with the run of the mill 3 have had no issues with theirs.
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2018 Camaro 2SS Redline package, ESC Novi 1500 tuned by EFX, Might Mouse wild catch can, GM STB, smoked ZL1 3rd brake light, Xpel XR Black 35% tint all around, Street Scene front splitter, C7 Carbon ZL1 side skirts, Drake Muscle Car Wickerbill spoiler
2010 Infiniti G37x-Moonlight White w/Graphite interior. Stock...for now. Xpel XR Black tint(hey it's a mod lol)
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01-27-2009, 08:31 AM
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#4
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MIR
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 9,692
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Frosty
I'd personally go with the Maz-duh 3 or the WRX. MiniCooper? I didn't know you were a yuppie. GTI? See Mini comment and add that the car is junk.  Dodge Caliber? Seriously? You finally came out of the closet?
On a serious note, I think the Mazda and WRX will give you a nice blend of performance and comfort. The Subaru will be reliable, I don't know much about the MazdaSpeed 3 but people I know with the run of the mill 3 have had no issues with theirs.
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 I heard coopers are fun to drive plus its FI so I will mod it, eventually and it should be a track beast. CSRT4 has 285 horses, just as much as my lt1 used to have - torque steer should be fun if I throw some extra parts on there.
Yea... VW are kinda junkie, at least that's their rep anyways, but its in the price range
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01-27-2009, 09:04 AM
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#5
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Ayatollah of Rock N Rolla / Admin
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Parts Unknown
Posts: 12,573
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WRX or Mazda. I wouldn't bother with a Dodge anything at this point.
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01-27-2009, 09:05 AM
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#6
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Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: West Long Branch
Posts: 13,598
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I would stay away from the vw. The new rex looks like dog ****. I'd look at the lancer ralliart over the wrx. No way on the caliber either. You think your interior sucks now...
I like the new turbo mini and its a solid car. Mazda is also a good car but id go mini.
Uf you are going to consider the caliber the go for the better cobalt ss which has been getting outstanding reviews about its performance.
__________________
2/20/2013: They Day the ****s Stopped
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01-27-2009, 09:13 AM
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#7
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MIR
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 9,692
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This is good, keep it coming.
I agree with Al that new subaru's are but fugly. 
As far as as the Cobalt goes, I don't think I can haul stuff in it, well comfortably at least. Cars I listed have a decent amount of space in the back so I can throw my snowboard in there and go riding, not sure if i can do that in a Cobalt. But I will look at it, can't hurt. Thanks for the suggestion.
So vw really sucks, huh
At least I got another vote for the Mini Copper (and nothing bad was said about it), I'm starting to like that car.
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01-27-2009, 09:37 AM
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#8
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Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: North Jersey
Posts: 3,047
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My neighbor's friend had a Cooper S for a while. I don't know how it compares to the new generation Cooper S, but the old one rode great. It was like driving a street-legal go-kart! My only complaint was waiting for the boost to come on and the lack of low-end torque made it feel boring off the line. Torque is more important than HP on the street, cause that's what gets you moving out into highway traffic.
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Seeya,
Steve R. in North Jersey
'16 Go-Mango Dodge Charger R/T. It's so good to be back in a V8-powered, RWD car!
Former Toy - '88 Monte SS - had lots of mods...
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01-27-2009, 09:37 AM
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#9
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Ayatollah of Rock N Rolla / Admin
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Parts Unknown
Posts: 12,573
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tsar
This is good, keep it coming.
I agree with Al that new subaru's are but fugly. 
As far as as the Cobalt goes, I don't think I can haul stuff in it, well comfortably at least. Cars I listed have a decent amount of space in the back so I can throw my snowboard in there and go riding, not sure if i can do that in a Cobalt. But I will look at it, can't hurt. Thanks for the suggestion.
So vw really sucks, huh
At least I got another vote for the Mini Copper (and nothing bad was said about it), I'm starting to like that car.
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I know two people with Mini Cooper S's (a really good friend, and my cousin) and both of them love the car. I've driven it and it's nice. The only reason I didn't include it is because it seems like a car you own for a short while until you have to get something more practical. It doesn't strike me as something you own for 5+ years or so. If you don't need that type of life out of a car, then go for that.
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01-27-2009, 09:57 AM
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#10
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13 Second Club
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Ewing/Galloway, NJ
Posts: 3,904
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The original LT1 crew just keeps gettin smaller 
But my take:
Mini - Meh, if its your style, one of my friends had one, said driving it in the snow he had to buy new packs of underwear every week or so... but you had a TA so youd be used to it
Caliber - Have no clue what it is, but chrysler will be going bye bye if this keeps up
Vw - I love Gti's awesome cars that respond amazing to mods, and bitches love em
WRX - these things are getting uglier every year
Mazda - My mom has a regular 3 series and i think its an awesome car, handles great, rides nice, and i cant find anything to say bad about it
__________________
EB
99 Riviera, Bone stock, 14.34 @ 96 "Walking 5.0's in luxury" RIP
95 Cherokee, Bone stock 16.2 @ 83 "Treeing your 3rd gen and beating it to the line despite trapping less....and looking better"
93 TA, Bone stock, 13.8 @ 100 "Beating ****** drivers in ****** LS1's"
https://www.facebook.com/groups/285090241699967/
R.I.P. Tia
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01-27-2009, 10:02 AM
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#11
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Avatar Abuser
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: 08721-1716
Posts: 5,056
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__________________
JSFBOA
Save a life.
N = R* fp ne fl fi fc L
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01-27-2009, 10:10 AM
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#12
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Queen of Destruction / NJFBOA Supporting Sponsor / Moderator / 12 Second Club / 2006 Member of the Year / PITA
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: I dunno..
Posts: 8,327
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"one recent development had forced my hand"
There's no mini-vitals coming is there?
__________________
We're a drinking team with a racing problem.
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01-27-2009, 10:48 AM
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#13
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The Mayor / 2009 Member of the Year / Moderator
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Northwest
Posts: 8,869
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Don't really know much about the cars, but I would point out the mileage...I'm fairly sure the WRX gets worse than the LT1 you're used to. Everything else will get much better mileage.
Question: Why no cobalt ss/ion redline? It's the same category as those cars.
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1995 Z28 Convertible A4 13.78 @ 100 (CAI, high flow cat, catback, 160 thermo, hypertech, Strano springs, Koni yellows, sway bars, 3 pt. UMI SFC)
2018 Sea Doo GTX - 3 cylinders and das boooooost
Quote:
Originally Posted by BonzoHansen
Is English your 2nd language? Did you graduate high school? Your posts make my head hurt.
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Team FARM
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01-27-2009, 10:54 AM
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#14
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Meet Coordinator
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: brick/pt. pleasant beach
Posts: 19,368
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well i have seen many cases where people drove mini's through big puddles and seized the engine. i would stay away. the intake is designed to perfectly suck up a bucket full no problem. like jeff was saying, vw's seem to be hit or miss. when they miss, they cost most money. can't say anything against the mazda or dodge and of course the subaru is butt looking but the drive train holds up great and the stock bottom end can handle good boost. all wheel is always a plus!
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01-27-2009, 11:14 AM
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#15
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NJFBOA Co-Founder
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: All up in your kool aid!
Posts: 12,235
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Caliber is a pile of crap, avoid avoid avoid!!!
Mini S is a nice little car, handles well and has a surprisingly smooth ride.
Mazda 3, nice car, not as peppy as the WRX or the Mini would be off the line, once they get rolling a little they do ok
WRX, great car. My bro has one. Rides great, handles very well, just gets questionable mileage for the size and power. Dunno why, scubbies just never put down any MPG
VW GTI, you are basically buying an image car. They seem great but VW quality can be suspect. They spent several years at the bottom of initial customer satisfaction and never seem to get too far off the bottom of the list.
For me the debate would have to be between the 3 Speed and the Mini S. The 3 offers a little bit more space, the Mini is a more fun car to drive. Prices aren't far enough apart for that to be a big deal. The Mini will retain value better than any other car you listed.
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01-27-2009, 11:25 AM
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#16
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Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 493
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My friend and his brother have WRXs. The former still has his and it has run absolutely great, and with blizzaks on his winter wheels it gets through basically anything from November till whenever (also gets mid 20s regularly with his MPG and ). His brother just sold his with 160k miles bone stock and got $6k for it. So the resale is there, and he just did gas/tires/oil with it, in fact it may have still been on the stock clutch. They are nice cars. Don't have any opinions on the others, besides I have been told by any mechanic I've spoken with to stay the F away from VW... The Mazdas are nice, a coworker has one and it's a nice car, but kinda $$ in my opinion... good luck. Wish I had more "first hand" opinion but I don't.
-J
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2012 Caprice
Last edited by lastcall190; 01-27-2009 at 11:26 AM.
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01-27-2009, 11:31 AM
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#17
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Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: West Long Branch
Posts: 13,598
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Cobalt SS comes in a Sedan with all the equipment that the coupe has. While its not a hatch, its a decent sized compact.
Only thing I can think of would be the Volvo C30. VERY stylish...very cool.
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2/20/2013: They Day the ****s Stopped
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01-27-2009, 11:32 AM
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#18
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NJFBOA Co-Founder
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: All up in your kool aid!
Posts: 12,235
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Yeah, I dunno what Subaru uses for their clutches, my bro is at about 75K on his stocker and all, and I mean all, of his driving is through town. Living in Ewing and working in Hamilton, the only time that thing sees the highway is if he drives to his friends house in Yardley. lol
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01-27-2009, 11:36 AM
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#19
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Admin.
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Hamilton, NJ
Posts: 20,165
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tsar
This is good, keep it coming.
I agree with Al that new subaru's are but fugly. 
As far as as the Cobalt goes, I don't think I can haul stuff in it, well comfortably at least. Cars I listed have a decent amount of space in the back so I can throw my snowboard in there and go riding, not sure if i can do that in a Cobalt. But I will look at it, can't hurt. Thanks for the suggestion.
So vw really sucks, huh
At least I got another vote for the Mini Copper (and nothing bad was said about it), I'm starting to like that car.
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I believe Ms Diva loves her HHR. If hauling is your thing.
Of that list the Mini or the Suby is where I'd look first.
__________________
Vent Windows Forever!
The looser the waistband, the deeper the quicksand. Or so I have read.
Feather-light suspension, Konis just couldn't hold. I'm so glad I took a look inside your showroom doors.
Hey everybody, it's good to have you on the Baba-too-da-ba-too-ba-ba-buh-doo-ga-ga-bop-a-dop
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01-27-2009, 11:38 AM
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#20
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Meet Coordinator
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: brick/pt. pleasant beach
Posts: 19,368
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stock subaru clutches can get over 100k pretty easily.
i'll say it again, stay away from the minis. they are a blast to drive but they suck in weather and are notorious for hydrolocking the motor because the intake is poorly designed.
Last edited by sweetbmxrider; 01-27-2009 at 11:39 AM.
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01-27-2009, 11:39 AM
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#21
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Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: West Long Branch
Posts: 13,598
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OHHHH YEAH!! **** how did I forget it!!
HHR SS!! 220hp with the auto, 260 with the manual. You can get all the same things from the Cobalt on the HHR including the big Brems and suspension. You can also get the optional digital display to show a bunch of info. I got to play with it at Indy, very cool!!!
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2/20/2013: They Day the ****s Stopped
Last edited by BigAls87Z28; 01-27-2009 at 11:41 AM.
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01-27-2009, 12:10 PM
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#22
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MIR
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 9,692
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Some great responces here while I was in class!
Quote:
Originally Posted by NJSPEEDER
For me the debate would have to be between the 3 Speed and the Mini S. The 3 offers a little bit more space, the Mini is a more fun car to drive. Prices aren't far enough apart for that to be a big deal. The Mini will retain value better than any other car you listed.
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I thought about that, and really liked that fact because somewhere down the line I will get rid of it
Quote:
Originally Posted by BigAls87Z28
Only thing I can think of would be the Volvo C30. VERY stylish...very cool.
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I like the design of the C-30 but there are only handful of Volvo dealers in NNJ and they only have a couple in stock and their prices are pushing 30k. I know they can bring me one from god knows where but I might be buying a car on my next trip home. So they need to have one in stock. But I do kinda like the car, well at least from the pictures.
Quote:
Originally Posted by BonzoHansen
Of that list the Mini or the Suby is where I'd look first.
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Well Mini if the first one on my list so far. I used to love Subaru's but they have made their cars exceptional fugly in 08 and 09, almost like they did it on purpose  That's the only thing that prevent the WRX to be higher on my list, I know the car will be good, but every time I see it I hurl a little.
Quote:
Originally Posted by sweetbmxrider
i'll say it again, stay away from the minis. they are a blast to drive but they suck in weather and are notorious for hydrolocking the motor because the intake is poorly designed.
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Quick google shows that the intake is on top of the engine, how big of a puddle are we talking about? 
I had a dsm before and my intake was a few inches of the ground so I'm not too worried. THanks for the concern though.
Quote:
Originally Posted by BigAls87Z28
OHHHH YEAH!! **** how did I forget it!!
HHR SS!! 220hp with the auto, 260 with the manual. You can get all the same things from the Cobalt on the HHR including the big Brems and suspension. You can also get the optional digital display to show a bunch of info. I got to play with it at Indy, very cool!!!

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I'll take a look at it when I'm looking at the cobalt, but its not really the type of a car I'm looking for. It has more serious over tone to it instead of fun to drive
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01-27-2009, 12:14 PM
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#23
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MIR
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 9,692
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 79CamaroDiva
"one recent development had forced my hand"
There's no mini-vitals coming is there?
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God no, the recent development would be my car is not working properly or at least not to my liking (reason why its for sale). In an awesome condition it would cost about 4k (kbb), I need like a grand to fix it. That's 25% of the value of this beast. I would rather spend that extra grand on something new and reliable, something that I can drive around and not think about repairs
Plus I was gonna buy a car when I graduate anyways, I was just hoping to get an Evo X, but now I can't. So yea, new car - one of the next times I go to jersey.
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01-27-2009, 12:24 PM
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#24
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Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Columbia
Posts: 928
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BigAls87Z28
Cobalt SS comes in a Sedan with all the equipment that the coupe has. While its not a hatch, its a decent sized compact.
Only thing I can think of would be the Volvo C30. VERY stylish...very cool.
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I have the Cobalt sport, comes with the 2.4L not the 2.2 and with the SS suspension. Lots of fun to drive and gets 32 MPG. Really to small for long drives for more that 2 people though.
__________________
Praise the Lowered
67' Camaro - Worked 327, Hotchkis TVS suspension, 4 wheel cross drilled discs, AM radio FTL
05' Silverado - Stock, stock, and stock.
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01-27-2009, 12:32 PM
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#25
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Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Browns Mills NJ/ Rotondo West FL
Posts: 3,054
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Out of those cars I think the GTI is pretty sharp.
__________________
AI HCR 241's , Lunati 223/236 .615/.626 114+2 , Full Exhaust , Ported Fast 92 , Ported LS2 TB , Veraram , 85mm MAF , Circle D 4000 , 3.42's , GTP 36# , CSP Dyno tune. More on the way
420 HP/367 TQ on a Unlocked Converter & still climbing.
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