I'm a newbie to the field, and am interested in getting a "classic" to use as a daily driver. I live in the southeastern U.S., so there's humidity, but no snow/salt. I live in a city where I have off-street parking, but no garage. My daily commute is about 17 miles, round trip. As far as budget goes, it's $15k, but to keep a good repair allowance, maybe keep it closer to $10k.
I put "classic" in quotation marks because I'm willing to consider something as modern as the 90s, but I don't want a vehicle that could be totalled if something electronic/computerized went wrong (which I think starts happening a lot in the 90s, or even late 80s).
My likes:
-The styling on American cars until about 1957 (though some of the cars (i.e. Cadillacs) are just too long for me)
-Cute European coupes (like the Karmann Ghia), and some sedans (like the BMW 2002). I really like the roadsters, but they're not practical for my life.
-Japanese sporty vehicles of the 80s/early 90s (Eclipse, 300Z, Celica, Supra, etc)...but finding one untouched by young males seems nigh onto impossible
Requirements:
-I need a backseat that can at least fit small children
-A trunk that can handle at least 2 carry-on size roller suitcases
-Preferably at least 15mpg (though the higher the better)
I think this is everything people would want to know, but if I'm missing any vital info, please let me know. So, hit me with your recommendations!