Talk sporty but economic used daily driver to me

Here's my situation as I was out of the loop for many years. When my kids came along I stopped driving cool cars and starting driving practical cars like mini vans but usually had a summer time classic.

Now we're empty nesters and I don't want to drive minivan and other family type vehicles any more as my daily ride. My current daily driver is a 4 dr GrandAm which I'm dying to get rid off. On nice days in the warm weather season (I'm in Canukland) I drive my Triumph TR8, but I need something fun to drive on rainy days and throughout the winter.

I'm thinking of a GTI or Japanese equivalent. I don't want to buy new, 2-4 yrs old for a daily driver is fine. I commute a half hour to work so also don't want a gas guzzler. I need something that is sporty, fun to drive, decent performance but economical/affordable and reliable.

So help out an older guy getting back into the swing. Any suggestions are welcome.

What is your budget? Off the top of my head, Mazda 6, Mazda(speed) 3, WRX, Civic Si (CSX type s?), GTI

I traveled the same route...then a few cars for the fun of it until I bought a 91 Escort for economy. Good car but needed work and I did upgrades rather than just repair. 225,000 miles later It is a tossable, personal FUN car still.

But I do have my eye on an 04 Focus Roush Rally.

Budget is very relevant here, as is your definition of "gas guzzler" (I think 20mpg is damn good, I have a friend that thinks 30mpg is unacceptably low).

Don't know why, but my gut says Cobalt SS turbo is what you want to look at. Odd, because I don't think I've ever recommended that car to anyone, ever (I usually suggest a Mazdaspeed3).

It's hard to beat a Subaru. WRX's are getting really cheap, are a load of fun, and do well on gas if you keep your foot out of it - I'd go for the (IMO) better looking Legacy GT though, which doesn't carry much of a premium. Both will be excellent in inclement weather too, of course. Modern VW's feel cheap and it seems like 1 in every 3 examples will be a maintenance nightmare. Pretty good to drive, though. If you would go a couple years older, Lexus IS300's can be had for a steal these days too. Maybe an E46 3-series?

I think the Legacy is often overlooked, though:

I actually like that gen Legacy, but didn't the turbos have oiling problems that caused issues? I feel as if the WRX cars are more reliable, but much more likely to be ragged by a previous owner.

Q: Fun, economical, winter driver in Canukland?

A's: Subaru seems like a good choice.
BMW with X-drive
Suzuki SX4 which is a small awd, car based thing.

Genesis Coupe?

Used MINI Cooper S? Prices are getting fairly palatable... But what do I know, I'm waiting on a new one.

I looked at a lot of options for my next car, and it's going to be a Cobalt SS supercharged. You can buy them for $10k with low k's. They're reliable, fast, handle great, and get exceptional gas mileage. Even the 2.4 SS is a pretty cool car, and even cheaper.

The WRX's are a lot of things, but economical isn't one of them. Note that premium fuel is going for $6 a gallon here. Fun and economical? I'd be looking hard at early MR2's, Miatae, 318is'. Newer cars would be: Mazda 3, (or take advantage of 0% financing on a 2), RSX, Celica GT, Integra. An IS300 is surprisingly thirsty....

I thought WRX right away.

How about a turbo Audi?

Mazda3 or MazdaSpeed3, new Mazda2, Hyundai Genesis Coupe

Miata

Porsche

From CARS

Mines an automatic, get the six speed if you can.

WRX's hold quiet a premium here in canuckland. At least in my region... to the point where you are better off going for the STi.

I would suggest test driving cars in that segment. Both the 8th gen Civic Si as well as the s2000 come to mind. Both are honda reliable, quiet and comfortable when you want it and a screamer when you want to work her. The Si can be had in sedan form as well if you need some practicality.

I have driven the GTI in anger and it honestly leaves me feeling cold (relative to the civic), its too heavy and is not a willing dance partner. The interior is top notch though. A Cobalt SS (particularly the limited run turbo) will provide more thrills but as an overall vehicle is inferior. However the boosted GMs get great mileage. We are talking 30mpg great.

I have also seen quiet a few Soltice GXPs fall quiet low, definitely in this price segment that you are looking at. Open top motoring with power to spare, and they get great mileage.

For a small sum I could be convinced to sell you my Cavalier. It's a two door with a small spoiler on the trunk so everyone will know it's a sporty model, it is so fast that the paint has had trouble keeping up. It has appeared in a national magazine, and thanks to some ass hat at Shoprite, it has a new radiator, headlight, and a cold air inlet in the front bumper. I'm pretty sure it's only 5 or 6 GRM stickers away from 100 hp. Act today and it will have a full tank of gas, more than doubling it;s value.

Want a car that is sporty, good gas mileage, with a useable back seat and good trunk space?

See my Avatar. Focus SVT

For instance, When I got mine it was 60K, $6,000 I overpayed, because I bought it in NY.

And that is with a 6 speed, heated seats, heated mirrors, trac control and a 6 disc changer. My last mileage check turned up 28 MPG. Needs premium though. Get a 03 or 04 and you can get hids and nicer wheels and recaros, called the EAP Euro apearance package.

As for snow, We here in NY just got to worst storm Ive seen in a long time in late December. I made the 25 mile trip to work at night on all seasons.

Its not a WRX, but 2,600 lbs with 170HP/150TQ at the engine is plenty of fun. Just another idea to mix in

I think a MkV GTI would fit your bill nicely. Reliability is supposed to be quite good for that generation, it's very nice on the highway and should net you 30 mpg on the highway.

ReverendDexter wrote: Budget is very relevant here, as is your definition of "gas guzzler" (I think 20mpg is damn good, I have a friend that thinks 30mpg is unacceptably low).

Yep. For me, anything less than 40 mpg (gas) would be a step backwards...

You'll pretty much get XX replies and XX different answers to this question... but when in doubt: Miata.

Ian F wrote: but when in doubt: Miata.

Actually that is a very good suggestion in this case. Weird.

This would be my choice.

bequietanddrive wrote: I think a MkV GTI would fit your bill nicely. Reliability is supposed to be quite good for that generation, it's very nice on the highway and should net you 30 mpg on the highway.

If I stick to 70mph I get 30.4mpg (28.9mpg on winter blend) in the 5spd automatic GLI 1.8T.

Mazdaspeed 3, Mazdaspeed 6, MINI Cooper S, Fiat 500, Mazda 2.

I am surprised no one has mentioned the Evo.

Wally wrote: For a small sum I could be convinced to sell you my Cavalier. It's a two door with a small spoiler on the trunk so everyone will know it's a sporty model, it is so fast that the paint has had trouble keeping up. It has appeared in a national magazine, and thanks to some ass hat at Shoprite, it has a new radiator, headlight, and a cold air inlet in the front bumper. I'm pretty sure it's only 5 or 6 GRM stickers away from 100 hp. Act today and it will have a full tank of gas, more than doubling it;s value.

Any speed holes?

Rusted_Busted_Spit wrote: This would be my choice.

Was my choice, still is my choice. When compared to the Mazdaspeed 3 it's a little slower, lacks an LSD, but is approx. 1,034,296.42% more refined as a DD. To me it's a perfect balance of Ride Vs Handling. Now just the wait to get it back from the body shop, it's in the process of receving $10.5k of repairs after a kid on a suspended licence, no insurance, in mom's car rad a red light.