maybe not an ep3....
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 5,152
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From: Golden, CO
If you wanted an Ep3 but couldn't find one, would you consider the base RSX? With the manual they're basically the same car, but it should be easier to find an unmodified one and they sold more base RSXs than ep3s.
Also maybe a Scion tC? Good price range and definitely the main competitor to the Civic Si/RSX. Carollas are nice cars too, but the regular ones are slow, and the XRS has a retuned 1.8L out of the Celica with 170hp, but that engine is a little peaky for use around town. Below 5000 rpm it doesn't feel any faster than a regular Corolla.
Edit-- ooh, I forgot the Mazda 3 5-door. Those are great, and would probably fill the bill for everything you're looking for. Might be a little slow, though.
Also maybe a Scion tC? Good price range and definitely the main competitor to the Civic Si/RSX. Carollas are nice cars too, but the regular ones are slow, and the XRS has a retuned 1.8L out of the Celica with 170hp, but that engine is a little peaky for use around town. Below 5000 rpm it doesn't feel any faster than a regular Corolla.
Edit-- ooh, I forgot the Mazda 3 5-door. Those are great, and would probably fill the bill for everything you're looking for. Might be a little slow, though.
Last edited by JGordon; May 8, 2006 at 08:06 AM.
Thread Starter
DAMIMRED
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 13,495
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From: Syracuse, NY
Originally Posted by JGordon
If you wanted an Ep3 but couldn't find one, would you consider the base RSX? With the manual they're basically the same car, but it should be easier to find an unmodified one and they sold more base RSXs than ep3s.
Also maybe a Scion tC? Good price range and definitely the main competitor to the Civic Si/RSX. Carollas are nice cars too, but the regular ones are slow, and the XRS has a retuned 1.8L out of the Celica with 170hp, but that engine is a little peaky for use around town. Below 5000 rpm it doesn't feel any faster than a regular Corolla.
Edit-- ooh, I forgot the Mazda 3 5-door. Those are great, and would probably fill the bill for everything you're looking for. Might be a little slow, though.
Also maybe a Scion tC? Good price range and definitely the main competitor to the Civic Si/RSX. Carollas are nice cars too, but the regular ones are slow, and the XRS has a retuned 1.8L out of the Celica with 170hp, but that engine is a little peaky for use around town. Below 5000 rpm it doesn't feel any faster than a regular Corolla.
Edit-- ooh, I forgot the Mazda 3 5-door. Those are great, and would probably fill the bill for everything you're looking for. Might be a little slow, though.
I like the RSX but if it were down to that or finding an EP3, id wait it out and find the EP3 :happysad:
the mazda 3 5 door seems to be a popular choice but it seems to me that they are a little "too new" and its hard to find one slightly used (at least around here)
TF Plasti-crack Crew
Joined: May 2002
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From: nj
Originally Posted by Hambone
I
How about a Corolla S or XRS?
How about a Corolla S or XRS?
Last time I suggested an XRS to someone (as an alternative to the Sentra SER Spec V), I got laughed at. I know this is a Honda board, but Civics and Corollas are not exactly that far apart in quality or class (style maybe for personal preference). An XRS gives you what is comparable to a Civic sedan with a B18C1. It might be heavier, but it comes stock with the engine and has six gears. It won't take a new Civic SI or any Civic with a K swap (maybe not even certain B swaps), but it should be reliable, and has a large amount of sleeper value.
Yeah, I admit that if I was looking to buy a new car under $20k, this is one at the top of my list. But my next car probably won't be for a few years, and it'll probably be bigger than a compact.
If you want something classier, the TSX that Tark mentioned would be nice, but probably won't fit in your price range. If you like the WRX wagon, maybe you can find a good price on a Saab 9-2x; I believe moonroofs are options on those. Someone who can't afford the car anymore and bought it when they had the employee pricing thing would be ideal.
