Help me pick my (possible) next car

[focaljet-1]

When I bought my Fiat 500 last year, I knew I would only have it for a year. That's because I realized something better would be out in 2012. However, I just "had to have it" because I'd been waiting so long for a true small Euro car to hit the states*. It was easily the most irrational car buying decision of my life. But hey, you only live once. Right?

*Yes, I know MINIs have been around, and fit that bill. But, I digress.

So, odds are (unless I run into a financial bind) that I will be selling the 500 in the next 3-5 months and replacing it with something else. The question is, with what?

Having poured over what will be available by early summer, I've developed my Vehicles of Interest list. I'm curious as to what the FJ community thinks is my best choice. So, please vote in the poll at the top of this page. And, feel free to comment and ask questions in this thread.

And, for those that will ask "Where's the Focus ST on the list?

1. It doesn't look as if it will be out by early summer. So, I may end up even being a Year Two buyer, or not get one at all (see 2. and 3. below).
2. I'm waiting to see the final production weight of the car. I've imposed a 3000 lbs. limit on cars I buy. It may sound crazy. But, I hate the trend of bloating vehicle weights, and you have to draw a line in the sand somewhere.
3. I'm also considering the Fiesta ST. So, I'll have to decide between those at a later date.

[BigRed03]

I vote Subaru BRZ because itll be much nicer than the Scion interior wise. I've been in scions and theyre ok interior wise. It'd also be bigger than the Veloster and Abarth, and most importantly RWD!

I live in the land of no snow (FL) so I have no knowledge of RWD and snow (or in general about driving in snow )

[focaljet-1]

The FR-S/BRZ is probably not as big as you think it is. It's only a half-step up from a Miata.

[6spd_RS]

Yeah, but Jalopnik had one of their editors who is 6'3" have a sit in the car and fit. Not much extra room, but enough for a short drive. His impression was that it would be a little too small for long trips.

The immediate question on the site was what about a driver that tall wearing a race helmet.


I know a video game isn't a true substitute for the real world, but I've "driven" the Veloster in Forza 4. It's not quite as lithe, and exciting and the Abarth and probably not nearly as exciting as the Toyobaru. It just feels too heavy.

[bustonit]

Focus ST Wagon ....yeah, I know...

If you are happy with your 500, then an Abarth looks like a nice little scoot.

I think the Fords, either one, will have better steering/suspensions, i.e. better ride than the Abarth.

The Hyundai, from what I read, keeps the same suspension and adds the turbo power...odd. Looks good. Not sure interior material quality will be up to the Fords.

If it were me, I'd wait for the Focus ST. I say this b/c it is a practical car that I fit in and would keep for years. If I would flip cars every year or two, that might change things.

As to the Scion/Subaru, I think in the end they would be the most satisfying sports cars to drive (if you fit in one), and I would expect a huge welcoming of aftermarket goodies for them to follow as well. If the new "JDM" scene is what you want to be apart of...this it is.

[Nickgt40]

Having driven a 500 sport for 4 days in 104* heat in Texas last summer I can only imagine what an extra 60 HP and a good intake/exhaust/tune will do.

That thing was a hoot!

[focaljet-1]

Well, I'm hedging my bets. I just put my name in on Scion's "First 86" site: http://www.ScionFirst86.com/

It's basically a lottery (gimmick) to "allow" the first 86 people to get their cars ahead of the actual launch. The site is open for 8 hours and 6 minutes (get it?). You register your interest and they are going to draw 86 names at random by tomorrow.

If you are one of the 86, you have 4 days to get to your local Scion dealer and put down a $500 deposit. That solidifies that you will get one of the first 86 cars. If you decline, they go to the next person drawn, etc.
You have up until the car is ready for delivery to get your deposit refunded. The only caveat is that you have to pick your color, transmission and dealer now. And, it cannot be changed.

Here's what I picked:

[OmniFocus]

That'd be a great choice.

[jonny.burns.g1]

I've driven a stock veloster, was going to buy one for my fiance but decided to wait for the frs... IDK how tall you are but if your over 6'2 I'm 6'2 your not going to fit in that car... Im too tall for it in the passenger seat I fit fine with the seat all the way down on the drivers seat but no adjustable passenger seat. The rear seats are completely useless even to a 5'11 person so forget someone sitting in them *not that I cared about that* and the automatic with paddle shifters actually ran better then the manual... the gearing on the manual just seemed to long in the tooth for a 6 speed. *may have just been me liking playing with paddle shifters* But overall I was dissappointed with the standard Veloster, and I cannot wait until the FRS comes out.

[focaljet-1]

We have a clear leader! Please vote!

Just to lay out the method to my madness, I like to try to secure a car I'm interested in, in advance (for MSRP), before the hype starts getting dealers thinking about crazy markups. Usually you can do this for $500 or less. And, you can always get the deposit back.

Most of you will remember I did it on the CR-Z. But, when the production model turned out to be lackluster in contrast to the concept, I pulled the plug. I also did this with my 500, which secured me a "Prima Edizione" model. I found it's a fun and effective way to let them know your serious, if you can afford to have the money sitting there interest-free.

I've had my eye on two of these cars since they were announced. And, it was pretty much a done deal that the Veloster would get a Turbo. So, that car has been in the back of my mind. And, I LOVE the Matte Gray paint!

So, here was/is my plan:

1. I've been assured that I'm "first in line" at my Fiat dealer for an Abarth. And this is with no deposit required (yet). As a matter of fact, if you read my other thread you will know that I turned down the first car into the dealer because it HAD to be ordered in Black. So, I'm supposedly still "first" when they care allowed to take "regular" orders next month.

2. Not knowing if I would prefer the Subaru BRZ or Scion FR-S I did the following:

A. Continued my membership in the International Mountain Bicycling Association, which gives you access to Subaru's VIP program. It lets you buy any Subaru at invoice with no hassles.
B. Threw my name in the lottery for the FR-S

3. I've yet to visit my local Hyundai dealer to see about "getting on the list" for the Velo-T.

So, as I said, it's all harmless fun at this point. But, hopefully one of these vehicles will be gracing my driveway before the temperature reaches 80 degrees.

[bigdaddyG8]

I vote Veloster, for the simple reason that it won't be done-up a whole lot, and I'd like to see YOU in particular, mod one into a beautiful little hotrod.

[RogersZX5]

I vote the Scion mainly because Im not a huge fan of the 500 and I dislike Hyundai in general. But I would definitely second the notion of the Focus ST Wagon if Ford NA would smarten up and bring it here. Good luck with which ever car you choose!!

[ClintB#1]

i say FRS/BRZ, change it up from the last few FWDs you've had.

on another not, the dimensions of the FRS are VERY similar to my 370, which i found surprising

Wheelbase/ FR-S= 101.2, 370z=100.4

Length/ FR-S= 166.7, 370z= 167.2

Width/ FR-S= 69.9, 370z= 72.6

Height/ FR-S= 51.2, 370z= 51.8

[jwill2489]

ive driven the abarths. i test drove them. they are a TON of fun for the car they are. if you want to keep your "small euro" car. then thats what you should get. but if you want more room, i would go with what the others mentioned.

the abarth was quicker than i expected when i drove it. so a tune, intake, and maybe exhaust would make it an awesome fun little car.

when you test drive make sure its in Sport mode. supposedly its some more boost than when its off. i couldn't really tell tho lol, was having too much fun.

[jwill2489]

also we have turbo 1.4L darts that i tested. idk if you like the way they look now they they are released to public.

ahem ahem srt4 dart rumors, dunno if true or not?

[jwill2489]

also i saw you liked the white. we had a red one with white wheels (EAP svt focus style). a grey one with black wheels (EAP svt focus style). those two looked great. we only got white ones with the lame cheapo abarth wheels with the center cap.

and please dont get the red mirror caps haha. are they making blue ones here?

[Croc_Tease!]

I just can't like the Scion looks. I do like the BRZ however.

I would easily choose the BRZ out of those 4.

[davlafont]

In any other thread started by any other member, I would ask questions like, "what are your automotive needs? In what context is this purchase being made?" (My questions might actually be a little more snarky, depending on how that thread is going...) But given sub-3000 lbs., Small Car Czar, and a list of three choices (two of which are East Asian), I say...

Plan A: Go Veloster. I like the Toyobaru, but I don't feel like that's the direction you were heading when you went Fiat 500. And how are we ever gonna get you in a Fiesta ST if you're planted in a low-slung racy looking coupe/GT.

Plan B: Go Abarth. It's what you want; buy it. [/Jedi mind trick]

[focaljet-1]

Well, I just got the email that I wasn't one of the 86 "winners". So, the quest continues.

[SRT Junky]

Ron, you know what I voted. I'm a little dissapointed that our deal didn't pan out. I would, however, LOVE to live vicariously through you!



The Abarth seems the best fit for you, IMO. You KNOW you love the Sport. The Abarth is a Sport with the volume turned to 11, so to speak. And that's nevery category. Power, suspension/chassis, interior... it's the whole package. And you know they will be developing a factory backed "SS" package for it down the road.

Remeber, with the purchase of the Abarth, included is that Richard Petty track experience! So, that adds a ton of value.

The Veloster isn't really my cup of tea in the looks dept. To "organic". That's not to say it doesn't look good at some angles. Just not for me. And the 86 won't offer much in the way of utility the way a hatch can.

PLEASE get the Abarth