My plan, maybe May(if I don't want to fix it for inspection), otherwise October(current snows won't last another winter), I will be replacing my neon. My dilemma is do I go full opposite of my neon and get something very comfortable, yet less rewarding to drive... Or, stick with a rewarding, fun to drive compact car with a stick.
If I go for comfort, I have my top 2 picked out. 4th gen Taurus, or a panther platform, preferably a Grand Marquis. A mini van could also be considered.
For the Taurus, my Mother had an '07(until it was totaled when hit by a Jeep). I drove it a good bit, including a 700 mile day trip. It was comfortable(more so than the '07 Accord that replaced it), it just worked, and never asked for anything more than gas, oil, and tires. Gas was decent for it's size, 26 winter, 28 summer, 30 straight highway. Tires lasted 3-4 seasons, and brakes about 3 years for pads. Also I have a spare set of steel wheels for snows. In short, I know what I'm getting into and it is a livable, if uninspiring, car. On reflection, if it where to earn a name, it would be Hodor.
The Grand Marquis, it's like a P71, but only ever driven gently by old people. Issues that concern me is rwd on snowy, twisty hills, and mileage(26 highway, if your lucky). Anything else anyone wants to add, feel free.
Now if I was to stick with a fun car to drive, what would be a good following act after a DOHC neon? What modern compact(or mid size) cars are truly fun to drive, can passably fit 4 adults(5'8"-6'2", unless it's a 3 door, then to hell with the rear seat), and are available at $10k for an '08 or newer?
I'm interested in the Forte, vibe/matrix, fusion, and want to avoid the '08-up Foci(rear seat is a joke)
