C&D The Quickest Cars of 2009: $20,000 to $25,000

[mikeyb]

Hatches and family sedans alike throw down the pink slips.

Stepping into the $20,000-to-$25,000 range opens up the world of performance variants. Interested in the Mazda 3 or Chevrolet Cobalt but want a little more oomph? Mazda and Chevy both have factory-boxed solutions that provide factory-tuned performance and a full warranty. Even if a more practical ride for hauling the family is in your future, it shouldn’t stop you from having some fun. A family sedan with a V-6 or a compact hatchback with a turbo four can harness quite a bit of horsepower these days, so be careful whom you line up next to at the stoplight.
The rules are the same as before. The quickest to 60 mph wins, eligible vehicles must boast a base price (including destination charges) between $20,000 and $25,000, and they must be available in showrooms throughout the bulk of calendar-year 2009. Only production cars are allowed—no aftermarket tuners or parts—although there are plenty of options out there should you desire even more power or speed later on. If two cars post identical 0-to-60 dashes, then the car with the quicker quarter-mile sprint gets the nod. If they're still tied, then the winner is the car that first reaches 100 mph, then 110 mph, and so forth.
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10. Ford Mustang V-6 (http://www.caranddriver.com/buying_guide/ford/mustang/2009_ford_mustang_coupe)

Base Price: $21,225
0-to-60-mph time: 6.5 sec
Quarter-mile time: 15.3 sec @ 93 mph
Highs: Torquey V-6, firm-feeling brakes.
Lows: Stiff shifter, noisy engine, cheap interior.

The Verdict: Today's machinery in a 1960’s wrapper.


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9. Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec V (http://www.caranddriver.com/buying_guide/nissan/sentra/2009_nissan_sentra_se_r)

Base Price: $21,855
0-to-60-mph time: 6.4 sec
Quarter-mile time: 15.0 sec @ 94 mph
Highs: Grown-up ride, agreeable back seat for three, lots of racy-looking eye candy.
Lows: The misshapen shape, the silly G-meter atop the dash, cheap-feeling seats.

The Verdict: Lacks the zing essential to a favorite toy.


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8. Volvo C30 (http://www.caranddriver.com/buying_guide/volvo/c30/2009_volvo_c30)

Base Price: $24,625
0-to-60-mph time: 6.3 sec
Quarter-mile time: 14.8 sec @ 97 mph
Highs: A prettier butt than any in Hollywood, quiet inside and composed on the road, pass-it-quick power.
Lows: Floats on softer springs, interior has the blahs, melt-away brakes.

The Verdict: The aging boomer's Mini Cooper.


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7. Mini Cooper S (http://www.caranddriver.com/buying_guide/mini/cooper/2009_mini_cooper_s_cooper_jcw_3_door_hatchback)

Base Price: $22,600
0-to-60-mph time: 6.2 sec
Quarter-mile time: 15.0 sec @ 95 mph
Highs: Exuberant interior design, instant turbo torque, easy-to-grab door pulls.
Lows: Twitchy in the twisties, hyperactive stability control, goofy knobs and switches.

The Verdict: Cute to the bone, cute till it hurts, cute rather than sweet.


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6. Mazda 6 s (http://www.caranddriver.com/buying_guide/mazda/mazda_6/2009_mazda_6_sports_sedan)

Base Price: $24,800
0-to-60-mph time: 6.1 sec
Quarter-mile time: 14.7 sec @ 98 mph
Highs: Great looks, good moves, lots of torque, bigger inside than before.
Lows: Some ergonomic niggles, so-so fuel economy.

The Verdict: The latest 6 sacrifices some agility for comfort, but it remains the family sedan for enthusiasts.


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5. Mitsubishi Eclipse GT (http://www.caranddriver.com/buying_guide/mitsubishi/eclipse/2009_mitsubishi_eclipse)

Base Price: $24,844
0-to-60-mph time: 6.1 sec
Quarter-mile time: 14.5 sec @ 100 mph
Highs: Hips you'll want to grab with both hands, meaty V-6 power, some Evo handling behavior.
Lows: Thirsty, needs a telescoping steering wheel, thumping stereo option lacks the latest add-ons.

The Verdict: Nearly two tons of compact fun.


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4. Volkswagen GTI (http://www.caranddriver.com/buying_guide/volkswagen/gti/2009_volkswagen_gti_3_door)

Base Price: $24,740
0-to-60-mph time: 6.0 sec
Quarter-mile time: 14.6 sec @ 95 mph
Highs: German sophistication and refinement at a budget price, a willing and able chassis.
Lows: Brakes give up too soon, a famous name is falling behind in the horsepower race.

The Verdict: The sensible choice, but sensible rarely wins.


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3. Toyota Camry V-6 (http://www.caranddriver.com/buying_guide/toyota/camry/2009_toyota_camry)

Base Price: $24,935
0-to-60-mph time: 5.8 sec
Quarter-mile time: 14.3 sec @ 99 mph
Highs: Dependable, well-designed switchgear, strong resale value.
Lows: Intrusive stability and traction control, dull styling.

The Verdict: Fast but not exactly fun.


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2. Chevrolet Cobalt SS Sedan (http://www.caranddriver.com/buying_guide/chevrolet/cobalt/2009_chevrolet_cobalt_ss_sedan)

Base Price: $24,095
0-to-60-mph time: 5.5 sec
Quarter-mile time: 14.2 sec @ 102 mph
Highs: Everything associated with moving—engine, brakes, chassis—is superb.
Lows: Everything else is still a Cobalt, which means styling blahs and plastics that are as paltry as they come.

The Verdict: A rocket disguised as a rental.


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1. Mazdaspeed 3 (http://www.caranddriver.com/buying_guide/mazda/mazda_3/2009_mazdaspeed_3)

Base Price: $23,410
0-to-60-mph time: 5.4 sec
Quarter-mile time: 14.0 sec @ 101 mph
Highs: Major turbo muscle, powerful brakes, buckets give great hugs, good ergonomics.
Lows: Boomy exhaust, over-amped red on the dial markings, calling-all-cops styling.

The Verdict: A crazy-fast box of fun, the definitive power toy.

[boostdog]

u know what's crazy is that the 09 wrx wasn't included in this since they decided to use the destination charge putting the car barely over 25k. who pays sticker anyway! oh well...nice to see the cobalt and the ms3 are still doing well though.

[Kurt07]

I am confused by the "calling-all-cops styling." If anything the car is somewhat of a sleeper.

[coolmazda5]

What? No Mazda5? :p

Me likes #1, #2 and actually #9 (yeah, bashing allowed for that one, (lol2))

[Flash5]

What? No Mazda5? :p

Me likes #1, #2 and actually #9 (yeah, bashing allowed for that one, (lol2))

i wont bash for 9, but for 2? ok yea its become an awesome car, but its still a freakin colbalt!

[mikeyb]

What? No Mazda5? :p

Me likes #1, #2 and actually #9 (yeah, bashing allowed for that one, (lol2))

you compact sport mini van groupie...(evil)

[coolmazda5]

i wont bash for 9, but for 2? ok yea its become an awesome car, but its still a freakin colbalt!


you compact sport mini van groupie...(evil)

(sad2)

But hey, I would use that phrase as my "Custom Title" under my Avatar but it does not fit (thought)

[jmv]

yeah i definitely don't think of the speed 3 as 'calling all cops' styling... when they first came out i had a hard time distinguishing them from the regular hatches. At least they don't come in bright orange....

[tsunami]

not to be a homer but since when are red dials a bad thing on a review??? i mean so you don't like red ok move on does that really need to go in the negative catagory?? so in my mind the "boomy exhaust" is the one downer on the 3... the styling has been addressed above.

[seanmcsean]

Hrm.. I think there is only one car on that list I'd want.. The mini cooper s.

[coolmazda5]

yeah i definitely don't think of the speed 3 as 'calling all cops' styling...

I think you are right. Most of the time the 'calling all cops' cars are the noisy, riced-up with dark tinted windows, tons of decals and fart cans or something regardless of how fast they are (i.e. a 1999 Neon), at least in my area (dunno)

[jred321]

so the toyota camry is almost as fast as the MS3? interesting...

[Rush]

Hrm.. I think there is only one car on that list I'd want.. The mini cooper s.
You're a step ahead of me -- I wouldn't want any of 'em.

[mikeyb]

Hrm.. I think there is only one car on that list I'd want.. The mini cooper s.

The Cooper S is the only car on this list I would or do want.


so the toyota camry is almost as fast as the MS3? interesting...

Please surprising. I've driven a Camry V6 SE and it is quick.


You're a step ahead of me -- I wouldn't want any of 'em.

Whats the matter you would not want a MS3?

[Mazda3]

Mazda 6 GT-V6 for me please.

That time on the Camry is a little optimistic, most of the tests I've seen are 14.7-14.8 not 14.3.

[sanblaster]

I saw this list a while back. And for the list under 20K it had the mazda 3s in second behind I think the lancer.

[Rush]

Whats the matter you would not want a MS3?
I dassn't like hatchbacks. No matter what anyone says, to me, they will always scream 'station wagon'.

[sanblaster]

I dassn't like hatchbacks. No matter what anyone says, to me, they will always scream 'station wagon'.

me too.

coupe or sedan for me.

[mikeyb]

I dassn't like hatchbacks. No matter what anyone says, to me, they will always scream 'station wagon'.


me too.

coupe or sedan for me.

poo on the two of you...

[happy and angry]

Man you guys have a point, I really hate having more rear headroom, being able to fit a 40" widescreen in my car, all while running a 14.0 1/4. Just terrible. It's all so "station wagon" you know?

[robin2660]

Man you guys have a point, I really hate having more rear headroom, being able to fit a 40" widescreen in my car, all while running a 14.0 1/4. Just terrible. It's all so "station wagon" you know?

Frankly, I think that most people on these boards are too hung up on car image (and probably their own too). Some of us more, ahem, mature types could give a rats ass about how the car looks because, in most circles, no-one else gives a damn.

I think marketing's got 'em all by the balls ....

[sanblaster]

Man you guys have a point, I really hate having more rear headroom, being able to fit a 40" widescreen in my car, all while running a 14.0 1/4. Just terrible. It's all so "station wagon" you know?

heaven forbid we dislike God's car.. the ms3.



Frankly, I think that most people on these boards are too hung up on car image (and probably their own too). Some of us more, ahem, mature types could give a rats ass about how the car looks because, in most circles, no-one else gives a damn.

I think marketing's got 'em all by the balls ....


I buy what i like. I don't like them. Too me they look like shit.

[sanblaster]

And if you guys have a problem with what Cindy and I like, tough shit.

[KZL_99ES]

i don't get how the MS3 is 'calling all cops styling'... it just looks like a normal 4 door wagon...

[robin2660]

I dassn't like hatchbacks. No matter what anyone says, to me, they will always scream 'station wagon'.
Last edited by mikeyb : Today at 12:11 PM.

Why's Mikeyb editing your posts?

[bgibb68]

not to be a homer but since when are red dials a bad thing on a review??? i mean so you don't like red ok move on does that really need to go in the negative catagory?? so in my mind the "boomy exhaust" is the one downer on the 3... the styling has been addressed above.

i guess they needed something as a low....it would look bad if it said "NOTHING!!!" for all the other cars

[mikeyb]

Why's Mikeyb editing your posts?


I edited my sentance that rush quoted.

[mikeyb]

And if you guys have a problem with what Cindy and I like, tough shit.

I don't have a problem with it. I just like to tease you about it.

[coolmazda5]

Please surprising. I've driven a Camry V6 SE and it is quick.


It is so quick some people don't really see how boring it looks, LOL

This is where I get into speed vs. handling. On some other thread I was reading how fast the v6 Honda Accord and even the Honda Odyssey were compared to the competitors, but the real question was: Who the hell cares? Especially with the Odyssey, the problem is not how fast it can accelerate, but if it can hold onto the curvy road (unless you use it to drag race)

[happy and angry]

heaven forbid we dislike God's car.. the ms3.Like and buy whatever you want. I'm not saying you can't or shouldn't dislike the Mazdaspeed3, and I don't think it's "God's car." Sensitive much?

I just think it's sort of... closed minded, shall we say... to see four doors and a hatch and think "TERRIBLE, IT'S A WAGON." You keep yourself out of a lot of good vehicles by thinking that way, and lose a lot of utility in the process. There's nothing wrong with the way the car looks. The days of floaty rides and faux wood panelling are gone for vehicles with four doors and a rear hatch.

[dkarthik]

Love hatchbacks... would have got a pro5 if not for my low low budget.. lol.... the 3 looks awesome to me... :)

[jred321]

Especially with the Odyssey, the problem is not how fast it can accelerate, but if it can hold onto the curvy road
i thought it was more about how many people or how much cargo it can hold?

[sanblaster]

Like and buy whatever you want. I'm not saying you can't or shouldn't dislike the Mazdaspeed3, and I don't think it's "God's car." Sensitive much?

I just think it's sort of... closed minded, shall we say... to see four doors and a hatch and think "TERRIBLE, IT'S A WAGON." You keep yourself out of a lot of good vehicles by thinking that way, and lose a lot of utility in the process. There's nothing wrong with the way the car looks. The days of floaty rides and faux wood panelling are gone for vehicles with four doors and a rear hatch.

It seems like anytime someone mentions something about these cars, ms3 members go ape shit, and it has been annoying for years now. Cindy and I mentioned that we didn't like them and there you had to go replying to it. We know what the cars are about. We have been hearing it from you guys, for years now....

And it is not "close minded," it is an opinion, something that you ms3 members have problems digesting from others.

[jred321]

It seems like anytime someone mentions something about these cars, ms3 members go ape shit, and it has been annoying for years now.
that happens with every car on every car forum on every internet. people like to justify themselves and their purchases. on this forum alone it happened i'm sure with the MP3, then with the MSP, then the MSM, then the MS6, then the MS3. people buy these cars because in some way they're "the best" to them and they like to point out why to justify why they did what they did and so others know that they drive "the best"

[sanblaster]

that happens with every car on every car forum on every internet. people like to justify themselves and their purchases. on this forum alone it happened i'm sure with the MP3, then with the MSP, then the MSM, then the MS6, then the MS3. people buy these cars because in some way they're "the best" to them and they like to point out why to justify why they did what they did and so others know that they drive "the best"


But I can care less that I can't fit a 40" tv in the back of my sedan...

[jred321]

but you do care that your car looks good. so if someone came on and said "2nd gen proteges are ugly" you'd probably say something about it. it's just different things for different people


personally i like how the MS3 looks but i don't like how its engines fall out, turbos fail, interiors sound like a 20 year old car, or that there will never be any real aftermarket support for it. but that's just my take on it

[happy and angry]

It seems like anytime someone mentions something about these cars, ms3 members go ape shit, and it has been annoying for years now. Cindy and I mentioned that we didn't like them and there you had to go replying to it. We know what the cars are about. We have been hearing it from you guys, for years now....

And it is not "close minded," it is an opinion, something that you ms3 members have problems digesting from others.Are you deaf? My opposition to a general "I hate wagons" automotive worldview has nothing to do with what I like or what I drive. It also has nothing to do with you, in particular. Stop being so bloody sensitive because someone disagrees with you, and stop projecting your issues with the stupider segments of this community onto me. You can stow your "you guys..." crap.

I'm also not justifying my purchase to you or anyone else, because like most adults with a shred of self-respect I don't particularly give a shit who thinks what about what I drive. What dumb assumptions you guys are making here.

I can appreciate a sedan, a coupe, a roadster, a convertible, a wagon, a hatch, or any other car on the road. There are good cars to buy in every segment. I find it annoying when people write any of them off for any reason as silly as "It's a wagon." I don't care if you're talking a Golf, a Mini, an S4 Avant, a C30, the new Fiesta, whatever. Doesn't matter. They are good cars. That's all I'm saying. You and someone else dismiss vehicles out of hand because "wagon." I am saying I think doing that is silly. Projecting more onto what I am saying than that is... uh... well. It's something anyway.

[sanblaster]

blah blah blah. this is why threads get dumped. guys just don't know when to shut-up.

and yes i am deaf because I can't hear over the internet.


done.

[ZoomZoomH]

only car on that list i'd even consider is the Mustang

all rest of them are wrong wheel drive.

[mikeyb]

Ok this thread is getting locked.