Daily driver sugestions around $10k

4u2nvinmtl

4u2nvinmtl

New member
I'm seriously thinking of getting a 2nd car as my daily driver this summer (if not by fall for sure). I know this isn't the best place to ask but google has me chasing my tail...

Requirements/Driving scenario:
· Around $10k (under $20k)
· Drivable year round I.E. winter with winter tires (required by law)
· 15,000 miles of city driving yearly
· Small and maneuverable
· Two seater preferred (I drive solo 95% of the time)
· Handling>Speed>Power
· AWD>RWD>FWD
· Turbo>SC>NA
· Needs to have under 100,000KM

My current list of daily drivers around $10k (scored 1 to 10 based on my interest):
· Acura RSX 2002-2006 – 7/10
· Honda Civic Si – 6/10
· Infiniti G35x 2003-2006 – 7/10
· Mazda Speed 6 –6/10
· Subaru WRX – 8/10
· VW GTI (MK5-R32 MK6-R) - 6/10
· Volvo s60r 06-07 - 7/10

Why you might ask, well my current daily driver (09 Jeep SRT8) is less than practical as a city driven car, and I'm driving solo 95% of the time. I'd also like to reduce the wear and tear on the Jeep from daily driving. Lastly, I plan to build up my Jeep up to a 700-900HP monster over the next couple years and will definitely need a daily driver no matter what.
 
Acura RSX 2002-2006 – 7/10
· BMW 740i/740iL – 4/10
· BMW M3 1999-2005 – 7/10
· Ford Mustang GT (4[SUP]th[/SUP] or 5[SUP]th[/SUP] gen) – 8/10
· Honda Civic Si – 4/10
· Infiniti G35x 2003-2006 – 6/10
· Mazda Miata – 2/10
· Mazda Speed 6 –5/10
· Mitsubishi GTO/3000GT VR4 1994-1997 – 6/10
· Nissan 350Z 2003-2005 – 7/10
· Subaru WRX – 8/10
· Toyota Supra – 6/10

I would go WRX or Mazda Speed 6 for all around driveability and fun to drive. Had a Speed 6 and loved driving it.
 
Heh heh, that BMW 740i is a bit far afield from the two-seater idea ;) Much as I always liked the (earlier, pre-Bangle) ones, I'm not sure that's what you're after. Not sure that any used BMW would fit the bill (any more than one of my beloved Audis)...bit of maintenance concern there.

I'd kinda lean towards the Miata (with a hard top), but you'd have to drive one and see if it's potent enough for your taste.

The Mustang might not be too great in the winter, and I'm @$$uming you'll be running winter tires no matter what you buy. It'd absolutely need a limited slip diff, and even then I think it could easily end up being another hobby car (ditto for some of the other cool stuff on your list).

Get something *DEAD NUTS RELIABLE* so you know it'll get you where you're going every single time. "Fun" stuff can be a headache when you just want transportation, and I don't think you want to end up having to drive the SRT all the time despite having two vehicles. Some of my most boooring vehicles were simply great for the mere-transportation role.
 
Having owned a 3000GT VR4 I wouldn't go for that for a daily driver. Complicated cars and high maintenance costs. Interference motors that HAVE to have a timing belt change every 60K or it's a ticking time bomb and transmission synchros that are problematic.

Mustang will suck in weather.

BMW only if it's still under warranty. They'll eat you alive outside of it.

Trying to find a WRX that's not beat may be a challenge.

I'd do the MazdaSpeed 6 or add MazdaSpeed 3 to the list personally.
 
Accumulator said:
Get something *DEAD NUTS RELIABLE* so you know it'll get you where you're going every single time. "Fun" stuff can be a headache when you just want transportation, and I don't think you want to end up having to drive the SRT all the time despite having two vehicles. Some of my most boooring vehicles were simply great for the mere-transportation role.
Click to expand...

So you're saying Toyota - Corolla... LOL

I don't mind another hobby car that's more affordable than my SRT8, maintenance I can do myself for most cars.
 
trashmanssd said:
What about used Mazda Speed 3, Hot hatch gives you versatility yet small for around the city.
Click to expand...

I really disliked the Mazda 3's I drove but I did like the Mazda 6 my mother had a few years back (she's owned 2x 626's before the Mazda 6 and my favorite one was the 89 626 with the turbo, AWD, and all wheel steering)

Regardless I definitely test drive one and give it a second shot.
 
New short list (with new rating's as I do research):
· Acura RSX Type S (7/10)
· BMW m3 (5/10)
· Ford Mustang GT (6/10)
· Subaru WRX (9/10)
· VW GTI MK5-R32 or MK6-R (8/10)

So at the top of the short list is the WRX and the only reason I don’t run out and buy one tomorrow is because it’s hard to find one with low mileage. They are also in high demand where I am (Montreal).

Next on the list is the GTI's and I wanted to put them on the list but I also had a hard time finding the used ones I wanted at the price and mileage I want ($10K to $15K with under 100,000km)

RSX Type-S will likely be the one I end up with because there's so many for sale online I could just trade for a different color weekly (that also concerns me)

Mustang GT's still interest me because I like how they look they are cheap to mod and it could easily become another hobby car for years to come with more potential that the ones above, although it does lack winter drivability...

The M3 has been a car that I've just always wanted to own, and at the price of a daily drive I had to put it on the list even of the maintenance and reliability isn't there I'd be more than happy owning an M3, really lacks winter drivability even more so than the mustang IMHO (also more costly to mod)

Mazda’s are off the list due to rust issues and there's also no Mazda-speeds for sale with under 200,000km's in my area.

Thanks everyone I think I know where to start!
 
For what it is worth I have a 2006 RSX Type-S that I have had since new, just at 100K now and it has been a fantastic vehicle. It has enough power to be fun, I can still get over 30mpg and I have even hit 34 on a 200+mile trip before. Maintenance is cheap and easy and there is a great community over on clubrsx. If you get a lot of snow, toss a set of snow tires on it and it becomes a tank, I have some winter conti's and been through some pretty rough stuff, hope this helps!
 
If we're talking almost exclusively city driving my response would be "who cares? buy something cheap, economical and reliable." IMO there is little joy in urban driving.
From your list I'm not sure why you find the Acura RSX so much more desirable than the Civic Si as they are basically the same car under the skin. I would not buy a 4-bolt 2002 - 2003 Si as they were severely under tired with their 15" wheels. The '04 & '05 mostly addressed this with the switch to 5 bolt 16". If you go with a non-Type S RSX I'd look for an '05 or '06. The RSX Type S Acura is a different animal entirely although good examples are no longer easy to find at least in the Northeast.
Finding a non-beat $10k WRX will also be a challenge.
The only Mazda Speed 3 I've driven was fun but had way too much torque steer for my tastes. I've never driven a Speed 6.
A $10k M3 sounds like the stuff of nightmares.
Mustang GT, not a snow car as others have noted.
 
LostHighway said:
If we're talking almost exclusively city driving my response would be "who cares? buy something cheap, economical and reliable." IMO there is little joy in urban driving.
From your list I'm not sure why you find the Acura RSX so much more desirable than the Civic Si as they are basically the same car under the skin. I would not buy a 4-bolt 2002 - 2003 Si as they were severely under tired with their 15" wheels. The '04 & '05 mostly addressed this with the switch to 5 bolt 16". If you go with a non-Type S RSX I'd look for an '05 or '06. The RSX Type S Acura is a different animal entirely although good examples are no longer easy to find at least in the Northeast.
Finding a non-beat $10k WRX will also be a challenge.
The only Mazda Speed 3 I've driven was fun but had way too much torque steer for my tastes. I've never driven a Speed 6.
A $10k M3 sounds like the stuff of nightmares.
Mustang GT, not a snow car as others have noted.
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All very good points! I care only because I spend a lot of time driving in the city (20hrs + per week) and I want to spend it in a nice car not in something I resent (e.g. last car, FWD two tone Mazda Tribute). I do enjoy city driving a lot as we have many shortcuts (alleyways) and narrow Euro styled streets (narrow & fast light timing at intersections). I also like to be able to zip around traffic and park in the smaller spots. I had debated getting a smart car but after driving one I'd rather just have a street-legal dirt bike (and we know that’s not happening –“Married”).

Your 100% right Mustangs and M3's should be off the list because no matter what I’m going to wish I was in my Jeep SRT8 when the snow falls...

I took the civic off the list because, well it's a civic (everyone has one) but I'll test drive and SI coupe and see for myself, I just like the look of the RSX more.

Let me clarify my goal is to spend $10k but under $20k is the realistic limit (depending on year and mileage of course) so a 13-16k WRX/GTI is very possible.

- I’d like the car to be under 100,000KM

P.S. winter tires are required by law here from December to April (thank goodness)

The list in my frist post has been updated
 
4u2nvinmtl said:
I do enjoy city driving a lot as we have many shortcuts (alleyways) and narrow Euro styled streets (narrow & fast light timing at intersections). I also like to be able to zip around traffic and park in the smaller spots. I had debated getting a smart car but after driving one I'd rather just have a street-legal dirt bike (and we know that’s not happening –“Married”).
Click to expand...


Smart Car! bite your tongue!
Why not a JCW Mini Cooper S? They are not paragons of reliability but for the above criteria they fit the bill.
 
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