[MRaburn]

CarDomain Blog


By Mike Musto
AKA Mr. Angry



With the average price of gas now over four bucks a gallon, is it really possible to purchase a car that is affordable and fun? I've recently been asking myself this question, as I am starting to get the new car bug. Lets start at $25K and roll with coupes only. Now ten years ago $25K would actually buy you a pretty fun car, but in today's car market what can one really get? I'm rolling with domestics here kids, so don't start throwing Civics and WRXs at me, ok?
Ford's V6 Mustang starts off at $21k. For this money you get a full plastic interior, a 210hp weezo-matic V6 (drive one and you'll understand), about 25 mpg hwy and great styling. Not much in the performance department, though.
Chevy's got the HHR SS turbo with 260 hp, 28 mpg hwy, 0-60 in 6.1 seconds. This little box not only hauls ass, but some pretty big boxes as well. I like this thing. And for 2010 the V6 Camaro with 306 hp is coming out AS A BASE MODEL! Don't know about the price, though, but I'm VERY CURIOUS about this one.
Dodge is about to release the Challenger SE, which will be priced well below 25k. Now for this money you'll get 250 hp, around 25 mpg hwy, a VERY nice interior and some really nice styling. As for performance, that is something we'll have to wait and see about, but I'm excited about this car as well.
Pontiac has the G6 Coupe with 219 hp, around 29 mpg hwy, a nicely appointed interior and styling that makes it look like a door stop wedge... ugh. While all reviews state it handles well and is fun to drive, I just don't know if I can get over the styling.
I am sure I have left some stuff out, but what do ya'll think? Out of this group I think I'd be leaning towards either the Challenger (if the performance is there) or the Camaro... Hmm... decisions, decisions, decisions....







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