R&T 12 Best Car Under $30k
Nov 2, 2006, 07:33 AM
#16
If you gave me a choice of both vehicles and said that I could not mod I would pick the Z hands down. EVO's are bland, interior is corolla boring, there is lag. Go drive a Z most people say they look better, sportier, interior is years ahead, and stock they are just as fast and faster from a 5mph start believe it or not.
You throw mods in the game it's a totally different story.
You throw mods in the game it's a totally different story.
Nov 2, 2006, 08:32 AM
#19
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Originally Posted by Kurt
That is a nice list. I wouldn't mind driving anyone of those cars except for the Chevy(I just don't like it) and the MX-5(I don't fit in them, I am to tall).
Its funny you mention being to tall, i used to sell them and they for 2006 really changed the overall structure of it. My general sales manager was like 6 Ft 5 and 240+ and he made it a mission to prove to the customers that he could fit with pleanty of head room and they finally came with tilt wheel.
I like almost all of the cars on the list, not being moddest but if anything i still think the EVO is a better car than the 350Z, but then again you have to get the RS for under 30K and some might complain about not having power windows ect ect.
Over all im pleased!
Nov 2, 2006, 08:38 AM
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Originally Posted by Kurt
That is a nice list. I wouldn't mind driving anyone of those cars except for the Chevy(I just don't like it) and the MX-5(I don't fit in them, I am to tall).
Nov 2, 2006, 08:46 AM
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Originally Posted by yoda
no SRT4 on the list? Have they stopped making those or something? Not that I mind it wasn't on the list...
Nov 4, 2006, 09:17 AM
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Originally Posted by Robert_K
Just receive my copy of this months Road & Track. On the cover is; "12 Best Cars Under $30k. We Pick THE BEST Enthusiast Car for the Money." First the 12 cars:
- Chevrolet Cobalt SS Supercharged: $22,385 S/C DOHC 2.0l
- Ford Mustang GT: $29,180 SOHC 4.6l V-8
- Honda Civic Si: $22,290 DOHC 2.0l
- Mazda MX-5 Miata PRHT: $24,350 DOHC 2.0l
- Mazda Speed3: $22,240 Turbo DOHC 2.3l
- Mini Cooper S JCW: $28,850 S/C SOHC 1.6l
- Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution RS: $29,744 Turbo DOHC 2.0l
- Nissan 350Z: $29,845 DOHC 3.5l V-6
- Pontiac Solstice GXP: $29,820 Turbo DOHC 2.0l
- Scion tC TRD: $23,403 S/C DOHC 2.4l
- Subaru Impreza WRX Limited: $28,418 Turbo DOHC 2.5l
- Volkswagen GTI: $27,625 Turbo DOHC 2.0l
What do you all think of this list? I think its a fair list. All of the cars perform well, if not great. They all have some sense of style.
"And the winner was...
It was a close decision, but the Nissan 350Z won by a whisker over the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution RS, with the Ford Mustang GT Landing on the remaining step of our podium in a very respectable thrid. Nissan's sporty coupe, despite getting on in years, still impresses with its fine handling, rigid structure, free-revving engine and impressive brakes." R&T
- Chevrolet Cobalt SS Supercharged: $22,385 S/C DOHC 2.0l
- Ford Mustang GT: $29,180 SOHC 4.6l V-8
- Honda Civic Si: $22,290 DOHC 2.0l
- Mazda MX-5 Miata PRHT: $24,350 DOHC 2.0l
- Mazda Speed3: $22,240 Turbo DOHC 2.3l
- Mini Cooper S JCW: $28,850 S/C SOHC 1.6l
- Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution RS: $29,744 Turbo DOHC 2.0l
- Nissan 350Z: $29,845 DOHC 3.5l V-6
- Pontiac Solstice GXP: $29,820 Turbo DOHC 2.0l
- Scion tC TRD: $23,403 S/C DOHC 2.4l
- Subaru Impreza WRX Limited: $28,418 Turbo DOHC 2.5l
- Volkswagen GTI: $27,625 Turbo DOHC 2.0l
What do you all think of this list? I think its a fair list. All of the cars perform well, if not great. They all have some sense of style.
"And the winner was...
It was a close decision, but the Nissan 350Z won by a whisker over the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution RS, with the Ford Mustang GT Landing on the remaining step of our podium in a very respectable thrid. Nissan's sporty coupe, despite getting on in years, still impresses with its fine handling, rigid structure, free-revving engine and impressive brakes." R&T
- Audi A3 2.0T DSG: $26,820 Turbo DOHC 2.0l
- Chevrolet Cobalt SS Supercharged: $22,385 S/C DOHC 2.0l
- Ford Mustang GT: $29,180 SOHC 4.6l
- Honda Civic Si: $22,290 DOHC 2.0l
- Mazda Speed6 GT: $29,925 Turbo DOHC 2.3l
- Mazda RX-8 Touring: $29,535 Rotary 1.3l
- Mazda Speed3 GT: $22,240 Turbo DOHC 2.3l
- Mini Cooper S JCW: $28,850 S/C SOHC 1.6l
- Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution RS: $29,744 Turbo DOHC 2.0l
- Mitsubishi Eclipse GT: $23,399 DOHC 3.8l
- Nissan 350Z: $29,845 DOHC 3.5l
- Pontiac Solstice GXP: $29,820 Turbo DOHC 2.0l
Close but didn't make the cut-
- Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS: $27,555 SOHC 5.3l
- Nissan Altima SE-R: $29,650 DOHC 3.5l
- Pontiac Grand Prix GXP: $28,630 SOHC 5.3l
- Subaru Impreza WRX Limited: $28,418 Turbo DOHC 2.5l
- Volkswagen GTI: $27,625 Turbo DOHC 2.0l
Nov 4, 2006, 09:26 AM
#23
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Originally Posted by Robert_K
The 350Z did outperform the MR in that last article. 
So it comes down to what you are looking for out of a car. The EVO just fits my tastes very well, which are-- Power
- Room for 4 people
- AWD
- Aggressive styling
Don't get me wrong, the 350Z is a very nice car, I just think you get more out of your purchase when you buy an EVO. AWD, room for 5 adults, unlimited aftermarket performance options at a cheap prices, awesome handling, and awesome breaking.
Just comparing an EVO IX RS to a 350Z, well then I can understand their selection of the 350Z, the RS has no power options, no radio, no ABS (still stops great), and no spoiler. So yes the RS while great, I can still see why they would pick the 350Z. But overall, in my opinion, I just see the EVO (all models included) as a better buy.
Nov 8, 2006, 03:51 AM
#24
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just read the article....the RS lost due to its 'spartan interior' and difficulty to live with as a DD...i thought the Z outperformed the Evo again.
true about z33 being quicker from 5mph start; but that is true for pretty much any turbo car, perhaps except for the 335i with its tiny twin's.
true about z33 being quicker from 5mph start; but that is true for pretty much any turbo car, perhaps except for the 335i with its tiny twin's.
Nov 8, 2006, 04:40 AM
#25
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I'd give the 350z the nod: better looks, better interior, better overall fit and finish, better daily driver, no lag, just as fast or faster around the track, 53/47 weight distributon etc....
Last edited by E. Haskell; Nov 8, 2006 at 04:46 AM.
Nov 8, 2006, 07:20 PM
#27
Originally Posted by Jasil
If you gave me a choice of both vehicles and said that I could not mod I would pick the Z hands down. EVO's are bland, interior is corolla boring, there is lag. Go drive a Z most people say they look better, sportier, interior is years ahead, and stock they are just as fast and faster from a 5mph start believe it or not.
You throw mods in the game it's a totally different story.
You throw mods in the game it's a totally different story.
and the lack of a back is is a very true statment. but if youre considering a Z you more than likely have more than 1 car. so when people ***** about it not having a back seat, i find it odd because im sure they have another car anyways.
Nov 8, 2006, 07:34 PM
#28
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i test drove a Z before i bought the evo and honestly i felt like it fell on its face at about 6k. I had a 92 talon stock and felt it was much faster. sure it has some low end grunt but once that turbo kicks in- yum. sure the evo doesn't have the luxurious interior, but i would take performance over a pretty dash any day.
