# What vehicle would \*you\* buy if you were given $28K? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 3, 2003, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-vehicle-would-you-buy-if-you-were-given-28k/179370 "2003-06-03T14:52:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Blown\_Injected](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a87d85/32.png) [@Blown\_Injected](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blown_Injected)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2003, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-vehicle-would-you-buy-if-you-were-given-28k/179370/81 "2003-06-06T22:32:37Z")
OK ---
**Author:** ![bernse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a9a28c/32.png) [@bernse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bernse)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2003, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-vehicle-would-you-buy-if-you-were-given-28k/179370/82 "2003-06-06T23:29:05Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by ParentalAdvisory \* > \*\*šŸ˜• > Nothing in my post mentioned ā€œriceā€, _where_ did you get that? \ \*\* Rice? I suggest you read a little closer 'cause I didnā€™t mention it either. I had a Chevelle and a Firebird 6.6 for a while when I was a _kid_. I grew out of it, thankfully. So, you can take you ā€œAmerican Iron Rulesā€ condescending tone and do something more useful with it. I have no idea what it is with the people (and I was one of them at one time) that makes a them spend $3K on an old car, sink triple what its worth into it in parts, and even more of your time or labor, just to make it ā€œphatā€, ā€œgo fastā€ and best of all, get the right ā€œsoundā€. When all is said an done, its still an old car worth 1/4 - 1/3 of what you put into it. But hey, its a free country. It doesnā€™t mean you have to be smart. ---
**Author:** ![ParentalAdvisory](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/53a042/32.png) [@ParentalAdvisory](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParentalAdvisory)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2003, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-vehicle-would-you-buy-if-you-were-given-28k/179370/83 "2003-06-07T01:06:40Z")
WTF? Itā€™s not about being smart. For me, and millions of people around the world, itā€™s a hobby. Itā€™s not about the money, time or labor. And check this out, I _enjoy_ working on my car! Who the f\*ck would have thought? I like going fast, and I too, like the right sound. I like hitting up the local dragstrip every once and while too. I also like the added performance on the road. Itā€™s something Iā€™m into, is that so wrong? As for the import bashing - picture it like baseball, I have my favorite team and you have yours. In sports, this is just friendly competition over a hobby. I like American cars, some of my buddys like imports. I donā€™t really _hate_ imports, itā€™s just part of ā€œbeing into carsā€. As for the rice statement. I know you didnā€™t specifically say rice in any of your posts, but you did imply it. Being ā€œriceā€ is the following: 10 ft wing (apparently, this aids performance in fwd hondas) neon lights (another go fast feature) You mentioned both of them. Youā€™re the one who implied that I should this for performance. Real car performance is something I already partially listed. Boys get out grow out of cars. Men donā€™t. GF! :eek: ---
**Author:** ![ParentalAdvisory](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/53a042/32.png) [@ParentalAdvisory](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParentalAdvisory)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2003, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-vehicle-would-you-buy-if-you-were-given-28k/179370/84 "2003-06-07T01:10:24Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by ParentalAdvisory \* > \*\* > > Boys get out grow out of cars. Men donā€™t. GF! :eek: \*\* Dammit! Boys grow out of cars. Ment Donā€™t. ---
**Author:** ![bernse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a9a28c/32.png) [@bernse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bernse)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2003, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-vehicle-would-you-buy-if-you-were-given-28k/179370/85 "2003-06-07T01:39:34Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by ParentalAdvisory \* > \*\*As for the rice statement. I know you didnā€™t specifically say rice in any of your posts, but you did imply it. Being ā€œriceā€ is the following: > > 10 ft wing (apparently, this aids performance in fwd hondas) > neon lights (another go fast feature) > > You mentioned both of them. Youā€™re the one who implied that I should this for performance. Real car performance is something I already partially listed.\*\* Soā€¦ are the Cavaliers, Camaros and Mustangs with Neon lights and big honkinā€™ wings driving around _ricers_? Iā€™ll have to take your word on the answer as you probably know more about that than I do. > [@](#): > > Boys grow out of cars. Ment Donā€™t I didnā€™t say \*men grew out of cars[i/]. _Most_ men grow out of buying pieces of junk and sinking a fortune into it so it can do a 1/4 in 13 seconds. Never mind the fenders flapping in the wind and the stereo costs more than the car is worth. Men grow out of crappy cars that _boys_ drive in high school when they are young and foolish. Thats all, and honestly, no offense is meant. We were all there at one time. ---
**Author:** ![bernse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a9a28c/32.png) [@bernse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bernse)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2003, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-vehicle-would-you-buy-if-you-were-given-28k/179370/86 "2003-06-07T01:42:02Z")
BTW - **ParentalAdvisory** , donā€™t try to read minds by what a poster _implies_. That can have a nasty habbit of biting you on the ass with some posters on the SDMB! šŸ™‚ ---
**Author:** ![BadBaby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/71c47a/32.png) [@BadBaby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BadBaby)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2003, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-vehicle-would-you-buy-if-you-were-given-28k/179370/87 "2003-06-07T02:05:35Z")
I bought mine already! I have a nifty little Mazda Miata, which I adore. So with my primary vehicle taken care of I will go crazy and get me a nice '40ā€™s Ford Woodie wagon. In hunter green, 'cause theyā€™re gorgeous. ---
**Author:** ![SanibelMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e4f/32.png) [@SanibelMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanibelMan)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2003, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-vehicle-would-you-buy-if-you-were-given-28k/179370/88 "2003-06-07T02:33:34Z")
Iā€™d get one of those Honda Accord Wagons theyā€™re not selling over here yetā€¦ but itā€™s in that awesome commercial with all of the parts working in sync. If I couldnā€™t get that, Iā€™d get a new Toyota Celica, or buy back my old '92 Celica and restore it - new upholstery and interior, new paint, etcā€¦ ---
**Author:** ![fizgig](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/f04885/32.png) [@fizgig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fizgig)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2003, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-vehicle-would-you-buy-if-you-were-given-28k/179370/89 "2003-06-07T03:40:13Z")
A fully-loaded MiniCooper_S_ of course. Minus that dorky-looking sunroof. Hmm, maybe Iā€™d have enough left for a nifty jet ski to tow behind it. šŸ˜ƒ ---
**Author:** ![fizgig](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/f04885/32.png) [@fizgig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fizgig)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2003, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-vehicle-would-you-buy-if-you-were-given-28k/179370/90 "2003-06-07T03:42:41Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Grelby \* > \*\*You guys are simply not going to believe this, butā€¦ > > First choice would probably be '93 or maybe a '97 Honda Civic hatchback, stick shift. Not to make stupid mods and street race, just to have as my everyday car and drive around in. _sigh_ I miss our Civicā€¦ plus, I could keep a good $20,000, easily :D. > > \*\* Donā€™t suppose youā€™d want to come out to CA to pick that up, would you? ---
**Author:** ![Uzi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/91b2a8/32.png) [@Uzi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uzi)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2003, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-vehicle-would-you-buy-if-you-were-given-28k/179370/91 "2003-06-07T03:58:44Z")
Buy the Subaru WRX. But youā€™ll have to budget for windshield replacements if youā€™re like me. Flying down snow and ice covered mountain roads at twice the speed limit makes gravel picked up by the trucks you pass hit you like bullets. I had 7 cracks/chips from one time through the mountains between Calgary and Vancouver two years ago. Piss me off. I even knocked off part of the plastic Subaru emblem on the front of the car. ---
**Author:** ![The\_MacDairmuid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a87d85/32.png) [@The\_MacDairmuid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_MacDairmuid)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2003, 7:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-vehicle-would-you-buy-if-you-were-given-28k/179370/92 "2003-06-07T07:59:03Z")
Iā€™d buy a used Ferrari. 308, Magnum PI style. Yes, itā€™s old, yes, itā€™s used, but itā€™s a Ferrari (and cousin to the car I already ownā€¦ family affair kinda thing) ---
**Author:** ![ParentalAdvisory](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/53a042/32.png) [@ParentalAdvisory](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParentalAdvisory)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2003, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-vehicle-would-you-buy-if-you-were-given-28k/179370/93 "2003-06-07T14:06:43Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by bernse \* > **Soā€¦ are the Cavaliers, Camaros and Mustangs with Neon lights and big honkinā€™ wings driving around _ricers_? Iā€™ll have to take your word on the answer as you probably know more about that than I do.** > > Okā€¦ so you implied being ā€œ_riceish_ā€. People putting sprint car wings and neon lights on their CRXā€™s started with imports.\*\* > > I didnā€™t say \*men grew out of cars[i/]. _Most_ men grow out of buying pieces of junk and sinking a fortune into it so it can do a 1/4 in 13 seconds. Never mind the fenders flapping in the wind and the stereo costs more than the car is worth. \*\* > > I got a buddy who bought a piece of shit regal for a g-note. Put a 327 and th350 in it, gears, etcā€¦ the works. Did some body work, painted it. It runs low 13ā€™s, looks good and is loud as f\*ck. I would no longer call this car junk. This car shifts at 7000 rpm with no flapping fenders, and no stereo. Not everybody does what you mention. Sure some do put a fortune into it, but like I said, itā€™s a hobby. What else would we be doing for fun? Better than selling crack and pimpinā€™ your mom (she said she would if asked though.) > > \*\* > Thats all, and honestly, no offense is meant. We were all there at one time. \*\* > > OK. ---
**Author:** ![Blown\_Injected](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a87d85/32.png) [@Blown\_Injected](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blown_Injected)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2003, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-vehicle-would-you-buy-if-you-were-given-28k/179370/94 "2003-06-08T01:19:20Z")
ParentalAdvisory should have told your frieng to put a Grand National engine and trans in the Regal - quite engine automatic overdrive trans, 20 mpgā€™s and they started life in the 13ā€™s. 1 G of mods and it will be doin 11ā€™s easy - in street trim! Lots of Fun šŸ™‚ ---
**Author:** ![Sam\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2003, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-vehicle-would-you-buy-if-you-were-given-28k/179370/95 "2003-06-08T18:30:48Z")
Oh, goody. Car wars! > [@](#): > > I have no idea what it is with the people (and I was one of them at one time) that makes a them spend $3K on an old car, sink triple what its worth into it in parts, and even more of your time or labor, just to make it ā€œphatā€, ā€œgo fastā€ and best of all, get the right ā€œsoundā€. > > When all is said an done, its still an old car worth 1/4 - 1/3 of what you put into it. Letā€™s seeā€¦ $3,000 car. Guy sinks another $5,000 into it. Loves the car to death. Drives it for five years, and sells it for $3000. Takes a $5,000 loss. Is that stupid? Orā€¦ Guy buys a new $28,000 ā€˜sensibleā€™ vehicle. Drives it for five years, and sells it for $12,000. Loss: $16,000. But heā€™s much smarter than the guy who sunk $5000 into his beater? Does not compute. Frankly, if you want to drive a ā€˜niceā€™ car, the absolute cheapest way to do it is to buy a used classic car that will hold its value or even appreciate. So, take your $28,000 and find yourself a '63 Corvette, in the best condition you can find for that money. Youā€™ll have incredible pride of ownership, itā€™ll be fun to drive, look like a million bucks, and in five years youā€™ll be able to sell it for much more than you bought it for. Cost of ownership: ZERO. Of course, youā€™d still be driving a 40 year old vehicle, with the amenities of that era. So if you donā€™t like that, fine. Just donā€™t bitch about other peopleā€™s choices. Cars are expensive. No one needs a $28,000 car. Anyone who buys a vehicle in that price range has NO RIGHT to slam someone else for being ā€˜stupidā€™ about sinking money into their old vehicle. If you want to be responsible, go buy yourself a five year old Civic for $5,000, and drive it until it falls apart. Back to the OP: If we can push the $28,000 just a tad, Iā€™d have to say a Mitsubishi Evo. 4.7s 0-60, low 13-second quarter mile, pulls almost 1g on the skidpad, stops shorter than any other car on the planet, will stay with or even beat Ferraris, Porsches, high-end BMWs, etc. That new GTO wonā€™t even be in its ballpark, let alone the same league. And, itā€™s AWD, and will be just as much fun to drive in the winter as in the summer. Itā€™s got four doors, and can carry four adults comfortably. Keep your foot off the gas, and itā€™ll get 24mpg. In short, itā€™s the perfect car. Well, that and the Subari WRX STi, but the STi is a little more money. ---
**Author:** ![E-Sabbath](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e19adc/32.png) [@E-Sabbath](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-Sabbath)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2003, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-vehicle-would-you-buy-if-you-were-given-28k/179370/96 "2003-06-08T23:12:45Z")
Evoā€™s got better balance, Iā€™m hearing. STi has more power, but the Evo gets better lap times. Thing is, itā€™s last yearā€™s Evo, compared to Japan. Plus, I kinda want to buy American. Crossfire is a bit underpowered, darn it, or Iā€™d be all over it. Two years and theyā€™ll have fixed it, though. ---
**Author:** ![Blown\_Injected](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a87d85/32.png) [@Blown\_Injected](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blown_Injected)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2003, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-vehicle-would-you-buy-if-you-were-given-28k/179370/97 "2003-06-09T04:04:28Z")
Sam, wanna lay your money down? Go GTO!!! MITSUBISHI LANCER EVOLUTION Vehicle type: front-engine, 4-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door sedan Estimated base price: $29,500 Engine type: turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 16-valve 4-in-line, iron block and aluminum head, Mitsubishi engine-control system with port fuel injection Displacement: 122 cu in, 1997cc Power (SAE net): 271 bhp @ 6500 rpm Torque (SAE net): 273 lb-ft @ 3500 rpm Transmission: 5-speed manual Wheelbase: 103.3 in Length: 178.5 in Width: 69.7 in Height: 57.1 in Curb weight 3250 lb C/D-estimated performance: **Zero to 60 mph: 5.4 sec Zero to 100 mph: 14.4 sec Standing 1/4-mile: 14.2 sec @ 98 mph** Top speed (redline limited): 155 mph Projected fuel economy: EPA city driving 18 mpg EPA highway driving 26 mpg ---
**Author:** ![Ringo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/779978/32.png) [@Ringo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ringo)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2003, 6:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-vehicle-would-you-buy-if-you-were-given-28k/179370/98 "2003-06-09T06:26:42Z")
It depends what you need, want and expect in a car **Sam**. I spent $28K on a car a few months ago. That wasnā€™t the price, that was TT&L and warranty and out the door. Sale price was $24,500. And itā€™ll bring me $18-20K when I roll it at around three years. I agree with you about buying new. My MO has been to look for 3-4 year olds that I know to be good cars. The last three have been BMWs, and Iā€™ll likely stay the course. 0-60 in 6.9 seconds, with the warranty intact, gets me to work on time. In nice, comfy heavy iron. Right now, somebody who spent $80K on it is breaking in my next car for me, the one Iā€™ll buy for pretty close to what this yearā€™s car cost me, in 2006. That one does 0-60 in 5.4 seconds. Guess Iā€™d better save up for gasoline. So, yeah, it works for me to see around $3K in depreciation per year for the ride I want (and donā€™t have to monkey with). ---
**Author:** ![Sam\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2003, 6:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-vehicle-would-you-buy-if-you-were-given-28k/179370/99 "2003-06-09T06:49:54Z")
**Blown and Injected:** That was their estimated performance. The actual performance has been proven to be a bit better than that. Quite a bit better, in fact. I know for sure the STi has run 0-60 times well under 5 seconds, and the Evo is just about as fast. And both cars are running quarter miles well under 14 seconds. **Ringo:** Donā€™t misunderstand me - Iā€™m not arguing against buying new cars, used cars, expensive cars, or cheap ones. My sole complaint is with the hypocrisy of people who complain about otherā€™s taste in cars. My point was that unless you are driving the cheapest, most economical vehicle that serves your needs, you are spending a lot of money just because you like to. To then turn around and criticise someone else is just idiotic. You want to buy an $80,000 Beamer? Great. Knock yourself out. Just donā€™t go around calling someone else stupid because they chose to spend their money on colored lights and a big wing on the back of their car. To each his own. A car is a personal statement, and people spend whatever they can afford, and buy the vehicle that makes them happiest. ā€˜Car warsā€™ are just stupid. ---
**Author:** ![CanvasShoes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/74df32/32.png) [@CanvasShoes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CanvasShoes)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2003, 7:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-vehicle-would-you-buy-if-you-were-given-28k/179370/100 "2003-06-09T07:05:28Z")
Iā€™d finish restoring my 1969 Buick Riviera, and then Iā€™d take the rest of the money and cruise whatā€™s left of Route 66. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-vehicle-would-you-buy-if-you-were-given-28k/179370.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-vehicle-would-you-buy-if-you-were-given-28k/179370.md?page=6)