Topic: Searching for a sport/luxury compact - need recommendations please

[Petzy]

Currently I am driving a 2003 Infiniti G35 sedan. It's rear wheel drive and has been quite fun to drive for the last few years.


Thank you.

 

[xraycat]

Yes I would like a Camaro... if it had 4 doors.

[Erik]

Yes I would like a Camaro... if it had 4 doors.

Well, that would be a G8.

[EV Dan]

Yes I would like a Camaro... if it had 4 doors.

How's having -2 doors a limiting factor to anything? I had a 2 door grand am and I could fit bigger items in it than I can now in the larger Sonata. If you're looking for a RWD of similar size to G35 with close to that performance and want to buy new, consider (again) a Camaro  or a new 2011 Mustang. Both with V6 will be well under 40k.

[Bullet Blue]

I'm going to second the 328i suggestion, excellent engine in that thing and great handling.

What about a used RX8? 4 door requirement met, performance requirement met, RWD requirement met, some luxury goodies will be included as well.

[xraycat]

After reconsidering what was more important in a car to me I think I have narrowed my decision down to the 2010 Golf GTI and the 2010 Lancer Ralliart.

Both offer very good automatic manual transmissions and both have decent performance. The GTI has quite a bit nicer interior and more amenities while the Ralliart has a nicer exterior and better performance.

In both cases I would be putting in an aftermarket stereo as neither impressed me enough to justify the cost for the premium upgrade.

I may modify either car for performance increases as well.

I am wondering if anyone has directly compared these two vehicles in their purchasing decision. If so, I'm curious to see why or why you didn't choose either of them.

[wing]

I compared those vehicles back to back at testfest and I'd say GTI hands down.

[xraycat]

I've also read that a simple ECU flash will gain about 50hp for under $1000 on the GTI. The biggest reason I would take a Lancer Ralliart over the GTI is performance but if I can match the Ralliart with the ECU programming I'll take the GTI for sure.

[tpl]

The GTI can indeed gain 50 bhp and there is a place in Calgary that can do it in moments.  look at www.goapr.com.  I had an APR flashed ECU on a 1.8T Audi...   150 bhp stock to 200 bhp  what a difference.  Haven't yet done it to the GTI but I might well do so next year ( nearer to warranty end).

[xraycat]

Ya the salesman I had when I was test driving said that when they flash the ECU it is possible to disable it when you take it in for warranty work so they don't notice and void your warranty. If I get a GTI I will be having this done as soon as possible.