Looking for Economical/fun car [Archive]

erickpl

08-29-2013, 1:51pm

I drive an Avalanche and a Jeep. I'm wanting to find a fun, yet economical car that doesn't break the bank. I'm not sure if I want to do new or used or what. The cars that have been on my list the last few years are:

2008-12 Corvette (used)
BMW 535i (used)
Mini Cooper S
Mazda MX-5
Mazda 6
Infiniti G37S coupe
VW GTI
VW Jetta GLI
VW CC
Audi A4

I really like the 2.0T in the VW/Audi line. And any of the ones above can be had in a manual transmission if I'm willing to wait or look. As you can see, there are a variety of car styles out there. I just don't want it to be boring (though some of the ones above may seem that way :) ).

Any other suggestions? I don't have a target price in mind yet, but let's just say $25,000 or so is the max.

What should I take a look at?

Sea Six

08-29-2013, 2:24pm

Prius.

Serious.

Nemesis

08-29-2013, 2:27pm

Subaru BRZ/Toyota FRS.

The toyota is a little bit cheaper.

Brett K

08-29-2013, 2:29pm

Subaru BRZ/Toyota FRS.

The toyota is a little bit cheaper.

:seasix: Beat me to it!

erickpl

08-29-2013, 2:31pm

I had seen them. Will have to go by the local place and take a look at them. ALso would like it to be fairly quiet for longer highway drives from Alabama to St. Louis or to the coast.

StaticCling

08-29-2013, 2:34pm

C6 or a used Mustang GT (Preferable the 5 liter)

Yerf Dog

08-29-2013, 2:37pm

Mazdaspeed3 :seasix:

Nemesis

08-29-2013, 3:14pm

I had seen them. Will have to go by the local place and take a look at them. ALso would like it to be fairly quiet for longer highway drives from Alabama to St. Louis or to the coast.

Certainly worth a test drive. It's just my opinion, but I think the C6 is too much car for the street. You can't push the car anywhere near its limits without running the risk of chopping a pedestrian in half or going to prison.

I will be honest, some of the cars you listed aren't exactly 'fun.'

lspencer534

08-29-2013, 4:03pm

2008-12 Corvette (used)
Going to be more than $25K.

BMW 535i (used)
Don't get one out of warranty.

Mini Cooper S
Most fun for the money.

Mazda MX-5
Great car...for a girl.

Mazda 6
I can't see the fun in this.

Infiniti G37S coupe
I just don't like the way they ride, but I'm in the minority.

VW GTI
Yuck!

VW Jetta GLI
Dull.

VW CC
Dull.

Audi A4
Not bad at all with the right engine.

CubSmurf

08-29-2013, 4:21pm

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/06/2013-hyundai-elantra-gt-review.jpg

This is my new DD. While it certainly won't set your performance pants on fire, fun little car with a lot going for it. Comes standard with Blue tooth and heated seats. Have put 3k on mine and don't have a complaint.
https://www.hyundaiusa.com/elantra-gt/

Bill

08-29-2013, 5:12pm

Looking for Economical/fun car

Found it!

1969 El Camino SS 396 4 speed/Chevelle (http://providence.craigslist.org/cto/3971210022.html)

Jeff '79

08-29-2013, 5:19pm

Bill

08-29-2013, 5:22pm

A Mini Cooper? DO NOT BUY ONE OUT OF WARRANTY. The trannys are bombs waiting for the warranty to expire. They're gay too.

Really? My friend just bought a '12 "S" model, used, with 2,500 miles on it. Should she have her transmission fluid and filter changed earlier than recommended?

Jeff '79

08-29-2013, 5:28pm

Really? My friend just bought a '12 "S" model, used, with 2,500 miles on it. Should she have her transmission fluid and filter changed earlier than recommended?

I know a girl who blew her tranny at 40k.
She was a speed demon though.
She dumped the car because it cost almost $5k for the tranny.

Datawiz

08-29-2013, 5:29pm

Toyota FRS/Subaru BRZ

/story

Frizzle

08-29-2013, 5:35pm

stay away... from VW/Audi 2.0T engines with direct injection.

I also agree with Jeff'79 i don;t like the way nissans handle. They never seem fully planted like other cars i've driven.

Acura TL AWD with a 6 spd. Honda reliability :seasix:

lspencer534

08-29-2013, 5:43pm

A Mini Cooper? DO NOT BUY ONE OUT OF WARRANTY. The trannys are bombs waiting for the warranty to expire. They're gay too.

Did not know that. When they advertise them as "As much fun to drive as a go-kart", it's true.

Nemesis

08-29-2013, 6:04pm

Did not know that. When they advertise them as "As much fun to drive as a go-kart", it's true.

Don't know about the MINI, but the classic Mini definitely feels like a go kart with a thin candy shell.

MidLifeinMI

08-29-2013, 6:11pm

Add the Focus ST to your short list. I bought one about a month ago (sold the Vette, traded the Equinox), and it's tons o'fun. 252HP, 276Tq, 6-spd. You can get a pretty loaded (HID, nav, Recaros, pushbutton start) leftover '13 for right around your budget. FWD, but doesn't steer like one.

carlton_fritz

08-29-2013, 6:12pm

Why have I never seen a Toyota FRS? I've seen the Scion FRS.

lspencer534

08-29-2013, 6:47pm

Don't know about the MINI, but the classic Mini definitely feels like a go kart with a thin candy shell.

The MINI feels like a safe go-kart.

Jeff '79

08-29-2013, 6:53pm

The MINI feels like a safe go-kart.

As a Ford F-350 Super Diesel blows by you..... Ya right!:shots:

Datawiz

08-29-2013, 6:54pm

Why have I never seen a Toyota FRS? I've seen the Scion FRS.

Please forgive my miss communication of the actual branch of Toyota responsible for the FRS. I am actively involved in the pursuit of replacing the entire Board of Directors of my community. Corruption is rampant and it's time for me to come to the community's rescue. Couple that with deadlines at work and I can understandably not communicate the correct subdivision of Toyota when it comes to their sporty car offering. :datawiz:

Chris Fowler

08-29-2013, 7:00pm

I went with a MINI Cooper S a few years ago and I have not regretted it. Good Gas mileage and fun to drive.

Putting the money I saved to the side to pick up a weekend C3 in the next year or two.

Jeff '79

08-29-2013, 7:07pm

Please forgive my miss communication of the actual branch of Toyota responsible for the FRS. I am actively involved in the pursuit of replacing the entire Board of Directors of my community. Corruption is rampant and it's time for me to come to the community's rescue. Couple that with deadlines at work and I can understandably not communicate the correct subdivision of Toyota when it comes to their sporty car offering. :datawiz:

That sucks. Keep your costs down Craig... What bullshit to have to put up with that...:sadangel:

carlton_fritz

08-29-2013, 7:33pm

Datawiz

08-29-2013, 7:42pm

That sucks. Keep your costs down Craig... What bullshit to have to put up with that...:sadangel:

It doesn't suck, and I don't lose. I already have the smoking gun in my possession. ;)

Jeff '79

08-29-2013, 7:43pm

It doesn't suck, and I don't lose. I already have the smoking gun in my possession. ;)

:Jeff '79: The man does his home work.....:seasix:

Frizzle

08-29-2013, 7:45pm

How could i forget

Subaru WRX.

Datawiz

08-29-2013, 8:36pm

:Jeff '79: The man does his home work.....:seasix:

While I'm an overly large and powerful presence (I know you personally understand this), I am the biggest teddy bear going as far as being a friendly and nice guy. That being said, I am also likely the most intelligent person these clowns have ever come across and once you get on my bad side, and I sink my teeth into an issue, be prepared to lose...in a big way.

I bring an A-bomb to a gun fight. ;) I'm not afraid to use it. Ohhh, and I'm really good a public speaking. :lol:

Datawiz

08-29-2013, 8:38pm

BTW OP, sorry for the hijack.

I did give my reply on what I thought was a fun and practical car. :seasix:

Chris Fowler

08-29-2013, 8:50pm

I've had a G37S as well...fun car, but not terribly economical.

Craig

08-29-2013, 9:09pm

...let's just say $25,000 or so is the max.

What should I take a look at?

That Infiniti is out, but an older one isn't. I've got an 04 g35 sedan and have had zero problems. It's a pretty fun drive, sedan wise.

I didn't see WRX on the list.

Fastguy

08-30-2013, 8:00am

Only cars listed that are fun and economical are the Miata and the VW's.
I would also be looking at a BMW M3 if you are considering a 5 series.

Fastguy

08-30-2013, 8:02am

Only cars listed that are fun and economical are the Miata and the VW's.
I would also be looking at a BMW M3 if you are considering a 5 series.

C5SilverBullet

08-30-2013, 10:50am

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v292/tonyhanley/IMG_20130819_161610_zps3e203082.jpg

...Whitepower...

08-30-2013, 12:08pm

We looked at a GTI/GLI. I'm a vw fan (first cars i modded were 8V watercooled vdubs.

Anyway, decided against it because for the money they seemed underpowered. We got my wife into her second hyundai. A 13 Sonata 2.0 Turbo. 275hp compared to the VW/Audi 4 banger turbo coming in at just 200hp. Paddle shift auto 6 speed too so its fun. Fuel economy is great too. Just got 29-30 mpg on a 600 mile road trip with the cruise at 80mp the whole way. I would also consider the genesis coupe too. Luke (tire rack) has one that just turned 25k.

Oh and hyundai's are 60k/5 years bumper to bumper.

In case you are curious..

Lukes Genesis thread - http://www.thevettebarn.com/forums/off-topic/36950-car-buying-done-right-let-fun-begin.html

Mine on the Sonata - http://www.thevettebarn.com/forums/off-topic/40844-so-we-narrowed-down-2013-sonata-2-0t-2012-vw-jetta-gli-new.html

C5SilverBullet

08-30-2013, 12:14pm

Oh and hyundai's are 60k/5 years bumper to bumper.

Dealer cost of extending that to 10/100k is only $250, also.

...Whitepower...

08-30-2013, 12:23pm

Dealer cost of extending that to 10/100k is only $250, also.

You mentioned that a while back.. You have a hookup at a reasonable cost?

We are at 12k on ours.

C5SilverBullet

08-30-2013, 12:42pm

You mentioned that a while back.. You have a hookup at a reasonable cost?

We are at 12k on ours.

I did a few months ago, but he has since moved to a Chevy dealer.

Bill

08-30-2013, 8:07pm

I did a few months ago, but he has since moved to a Chevy dealer.

What's the dealer cost on an extended warranty for my '10 Dodge Ram 2500 diesel? TIA, and sorry for the hijack.

...Whitepower...

08-30-2013, 8:10pm

What's the dealer cost on an extended warranty for my '10 Dodge Ram 2500 diesel? TIA, and sorry for the hijack.

It was a Hyundai dealership if i recall correctly. That's why he knew. They were also Ford. Don't think they were Dodge.

RED-85-Z51

08-30-2013, 8:14pm

03-04 Cobra....

Pulley, tune, Catless X pipe, flow 40's...winning!

RED-85-Z51

08-30-2013, 8:19pm

04 Mustang Cobra (http://okaloosa.craigslist.org/bar/4025629381.html)

04 Vert, Whipplecharged, 605rwhp, light bar, Stereo, etc...looks clean...he's asking 20K.

Thats nice...

C5SilverBullet

08-31-2013, 8:49am

What's the dealer cost on an extended warranty for my '10 Dodge Ram 2500 diesel? TIA, and sorry for the hijack.

That I'm not 100% sure about, but it is most likely around $1000.

Nemesis

08-31-2013, 6:24pm

Only cars listed that are fun and economical are the Miata and the VW's.
I would also be looking at a BMW M3 if you are considering a 5 series.

Holy crap, I own one and I didn't even think to suggest it. Ay yiyi.

erickpl

09-06-2013, 1:45pm

Aren't the M's more to maintain than a regular 3 (or 5)? I owned a 6 series at one point, but not the M6.

I'll add Acura's to the list as well. I've owned Hondas and they are 100% dead nuts reliable cars from my experiences.

Are Mini's still running BMW engine and suspensions?
The BRZ/FRS looks like a fun car, but holy moly their trunks are TINY. For a long weekend, it may hold luggage, but for a longer drive and/or longer time away, probably not. lol The BRZ I looked at the local Subie dealer looked really nice otherwise.

The Hyundai's have really been interesting me and I can't believe I didn't mention or think of them. DEFINITELY on the list! For the Genesis coupe, the 4 cyl turbo or V6?

How quiet are the Subaru's? I recall in the past model years that they, along with rides the Mitsu Evo tended to be noisier at highway speeds. I don't mind a bit of road noise or engine noise, but too much buzz on a long drive gets nerves on edge.