Need opinions on a new(used) car.
 

Im looking at buying a car for less than 10k early next year. I need to get at least the same mileage as currently, which is about 28mpg. It MUST be manual, must be rwd/awd, must have a lot of power.

Specifically Im really looking at an '04 Pontiac gto 6speed. Supposed to get the same mileage as I am now but I figure with a 6speed I can hypermile the hell out of it and get good mileage.

I love driving and really want something fun. Suggestions?

with gas going up, getting the power will be easy.
How much time are you at cruise speed?
The problem w/ 'power' is that it sucks around town.

My Q45 Sport is a classic example. Since I am on the freeway 60+% of the time, I increased the tire size to the max that would fit the stock rims and not rub the bottom of the strut towwer. Plus the 02 had a 2.73 rear ratio.
So I got 27+ mpg on the road and just ignored in town. (I still drove conservatively)
If it were me, I'd look at the rear ratio, # of speeds, Tire size and clearance at the strut towers.

As another approach, I had a 1979 Mustang Pace Car w/ the 2.2 liter turbo. There was plenty of power....and I got decent mpg on the road

here is a pic of the current clearance w/ the tallest tire available:
http://i678.photobucket.com/albums/v...q/tiregap1.jpg

That is pretty vague...i have always liked the GTOs, but I hear a lot of bad things about them. For the prize, the Zs are a pretty good option. My next car will either be an Insight, does not fit your needs at all, or a CR Z, which is not a FR, BUT might work for you. The nice thing about the CRZ is that there is a huge tuning crowd that thinks it is a race car, so aero/body kits, used parts, rims/tires/wheels, so on, are widely available.

The SRT 4s are all FF, but fitnyour price range. Normally I do not auggest chryslers, the only thin worse is an expensive one, but you have had good experiences, so I would not want to count it out.

The 2000-2005 3 Series BMW, 4 series Audi. But even though they should be fairly reliable, repairs will be expensive. Maybe a Miata, but not sure on pricing or if har will work for you.

The Golf and Speed3 are other FF ideas.

It is a tall order you have, but if I were you, I would get a 350Z by your listed standards, if you can give some wiggle room, CRZ seems like the way to go.

I have driven a dodge intrepid, had 2, since i got my license. Wonderful cars assuming you have the 3.2/3.5, fun, good power... but unmistakably fwd. so it'll be almost 8 years in the same car and i want a new experience. rwd manual.

I drive about 75 hwy/25 cty. nothing really matches the power of the ls1/tremec t56 combo or gets significantly better mileage than it. I guess im just looking for opinions before i make my decision permanent.

checked the mileage of the 350z, bmw's, miata, etc. everything is about the same, sub-20 city and around 26/27 highway. bummer

with the gto, cruising at 60 the engine will be turning 1600rpm. so at 35-40mph it'll be running about 1000rpm in 6th. i have high hopes. oh, and i want the '04 specifically because i has the 5.7 ls1 and not the 6.0 ls2, and the '04 didn't have the hood scoop. Cd of .31

thanks for the input guys.

CRZ is too much, nevermind. I am a huge fan of the GTO, the look of them doesn't bother me any. People make fun that it looks like a slipper, lol, but I do not think it looks bad. I didn't think the Zs were great with fuel, but for power and handling it is the best bang for the buck. I know the GTO beats the Z in power, but the Z takes handling, and reliability.

Whatever you get, before mods, you should be seeing highway mpgs for the tank if it is standard and you drive conservatively. I am not saying no GTO, for the price range it seems good, just to not forget about the Z. The handling in tuns, quality, and should put it in the ball park of the GTO.

EDIT:

For 10k, I found a 2004 GTO and 28 Zs from 2003-2007 within 500 miles of me.
Cd is .30 for the Z.
http://www.cars.com/go/compare/model...8962,6268,2819

Your choice is your choice, but the more I look into it, the more it seems the Z is the way to go. Cheaper, newer, everything mentioned before. Either way you go, I look forward to see the results :)

http://ecomodder.com/forum/member-la...ross35-001.jpg
A 4th gen. Camaro, or equivalent Firebird would seem like a good solution
according to your highway/urban ratios.

You would also save a lot of money!

http://www.usautolinks.com/cgi-bin/w...uto_id%3D88076

I think this one would be a blast to own. Few hail dings but low miles. They've had it several months, might get it for a few $1000 less.

I would look mostly into 4 cylinder turbos.
Subaru WRX STI
Pontiac Solstace
Saturn Sky redline
Mazda Miata
Honda S2000
Eagle Talon
Buick Grand National

Keep your options open. 10,000 is alot of $$ you can easily fix up an older vehicle to run more effieient and faster than todays vehicles. If my wife would let me, I would get a CRX and drop a B16 into it with with a big fat turbo.

Get a blown out honda insight and do a motor swap, it will have more power than you want and get 40mpg+ at the same.