Ford Mustang or Acura RSX?

[HappyWax]

I think with 13,000 to play with you have a lot more options-

I would say that a 2004 - 2005 RX-8 is within reach. I'm not a fan, but it's usually grouped with the nissan 350z (yet usually less expensive in the used market)

Here is one for less than 12k:
2004 RX-8

Personal opinion:
I've never spent 13k on a car in my life - I would rather go with slightly older and well taken care of cars-

Usually the BMW guys are fanatical -I bought a 1999 E46 3 series with 50K for $10,000-
and a 2000 3 series coupe with 70K for $7000 (+ 500 for some paint work)- They were both well loved cars so even though they were older I completely trusted them- and the shape is classic so most people don't notice the age.

[OTG Signs]

RX8's get horrible gas mileage, burn oil like its gas, and are hell to work on for 95% of shops. I used to like them until I read about them. You should always get both sides of every story.

[XRL]

RX8s are designed that way though, it's a Wankel and spins 9000rpm lol. Plus Mazda warranties the engine to 100k as long as its maintained properly (read: alot).

Being 19 you've got to remember that int he next few years of your life, things will change a lot. You'll probably move, several times. You might get a dog, buy furniture, but a big tv, etc. I was 20 when I got my Vue Redline, and it's actually been very good to me. It's moved me... like 4 times? I've bought furniture with it, taken it for road trips and had room to sleep in the back, even brought a dog home from an adoption place.

Point is, I'd lean on something that can be useful too, and neither of those cars are fast. They may look sporty, but my Vue Redline will demolish them both in a straight line, and the RSX-S would be the only one of the two to have a hope of taking me out on a track. And I can get 28 mpg on the highway, and don't *need* premium.

That said, there are a lot of better options out there. You can get an SVT Focus for well under that, or a 2003ish Civic Si Hatchback. Both are manuals though, so if it's your DD, that can get annoying. You could easily find a Vue Redline AWD like mine for that price, or you could get a Mazda CX-7, both of which are quicker than the two cars you started with, and immeasureably more useful. Hell, you might even be able to find a Mazdaspeed3 or Caliber SRT4 for that price.

Are you financing? You might be able to find something in a Durango R/T for way less than that have it paid for a lot faster.

So yeah, personally I'd throw my vote to something else, like a performance SUV or a decent sized performance hatch/wagon. Magnum R/Ts are pretty cheap...

[tibbsonaphone]

Unless you're in a hurry to get a car, I'd look around a bit more. There are definitely a lot of good vehicles for sale at that price and less. If you are only considering these two and not going to shop around anymore. I would recommend the Acura. I like the Mustang style better, and in this "Buy American" time, it hurts me to recommend an import; but the Acura will give you the benefits argued in the above posts. I don't know where you are, but a Mustang, being overpowered-is TERRIBLE in snow, and not great on wet roads either. All in all, buy whichever one you will be happy with. I personally would look around more. I got my '94 Mustang GT Conv. for under $10,000-Great condition, low miles, and I could get back what I paid. Your selections will likely depreciate greatly in the coming years.

[David Fermani]

Ouch, $10,000 for a 94 GT? I think that's really high unless it's an extremely low milage car. For $7000, there's tons of super clean, low mileage 94-95's. I haven't seen too many people willing to pay ^^$10K for those unless it's a Cobra or a bubble car. IMHO

[tibbsonaphone]

Originally Posted by David Fermani

Ouch, $10,000 for a 94 GT? I think that's really high unless it's an extremely low milage car. For $7000, there's tons of super clean, low mileage 94-95's. I haven't seen too many people willing to pay ^^$10K for those unless it's a Cobra or a bubble car. IMHO

It was under $10,000. Closer to 8-and that was after taxes and a year of insurance. It was under 100,000 Kilometers which puts it at less than 60,000 miles, which is nothing on a V8. It was also a one owner car-looked after and never driven hard. The vinyl convertible top was only a couple years old, unfortunately it got cut by some kids in a mall parking lot about 4 months after I bought it. It also had an installed air induction, a rollbar, and 19in. chrome wheels with year old Michelins (those tires alone are over a thousand-the OEM alloy wheels were included and were in good shape-no curb damage-they even had good summer tires on them). I agree it seems like a lot, but the leather seats, rollbar, and wheels really seperate it from the rest. I probably could have saved a few thousand in the states, where they're more common, but I would have been hit with taxes anyway. I'm very happy with it, no problems, reliable car. I just wanted to state for the original poster, that there are great cars/mustangs available for under the $13,000 he was looking to spend. Also to mention my wheel spinning experiences with mustang winter driving, definitely need to get a 4X4 for this winter.

[HappyWax]

whoa, not to argue- but I am in upstate new york so I think my perspective is relevant. ---> I too used to think I needed awd (Upstate NY is like a Subaru heaven -they are everywhere ) Anyway, don't get me wrong awd is great in the winter but this year and last year I was in a BMW 3 series. I was VERY nervous going into winter but to my surprise....
I didn't get stuck or fly off the side of the road. EVER. Really? Yes, Really.


Was I doing 100mph on the Thurway in the middle of a blizzard? no, but then again, I drive conservatively even in an AWD car. -in fact in some ways I think the AWD makes you overconfident. but I digress....


-The key is a good set of tires (Blizzaks rock) and traction control.

[David Fermani]

Originally Posted by tibbsonaphone

It was under $10,000. Closer to 8-and that was after taxes and a year of insurance.

Sounds like it was $6000-$7000 car which makes perfect sense for a 94 with that mileage. I read your original post as it being $10K, excuse the misunderstanding.

[Citius]

I have heard both ways on the mustangs and winter driving. A lot of people say that the RWD sucks, but then there is the argument that in the '70s everybody had rwd and they got around just fine. Just get good snow tires and some weight in the back. Personally though, I don't think it would be all that great. I live in northern Wisconsin and winters here are pretty bad. That's one of the reasons I sold my Pontiac Grand Am and got a Toyota T100. The T100 was awesome in the winter.

Anyway, I'm kind of considering just a regular Acura RSX and not the Type-S. I've heard that you can fit quite a bit in them with the rear seats down, so it would still be somewhat practical. Plus, I wouldn't need premium fuel.

But I'm still shopping around and looking. I'm not in a huge hurry. My boss is letting me borrow a vehicle from work in the mean time.

I definitely appreciate the suggestions and input.

Oh by the way I don't really like SUVs or wagons. They have their uses, but right now I want a car.

[HLxDrummer]

What about a Impreza wagon. Those in the WRX variety are badass. XRL does have a good point. Moving my basically stuff from my moms to dads sucks sometimes and it's a real pain going back and forth to school.

Also, premium gas isn't as big of a deal as people make it out to be. I always hear people using that as a con and while it is more expensive, it's not bad. Filling my 20 gallon tank completely from empty to full with 93 instead of 87 costs an extra $4.00. I fill my tank every 400-500 miles so it's really not a big deal. I just won't biggie size my meal next time

[bcwang]

Originally Posted by David Fermani

Ahhh, I wish I could find a nice Terminator for $13K.

Haha, I wouldn't sell mine for below $30k, which means I probably won't be able to sell it even if I wanted to.

[Deibidosan]

I would choose the RSX out of the 2 you mentioned. However I have an
Integra Type R, and it handles really well, is great on gas, and is going to hold its value. You might check into one. I love mine!