I actually have a couple:
Fiat Abarth 500 (its coming next year or the year after) Ford Fiesta Honda Fit MINI Cooper Colbalt SS/T WRX
Now, rather then buying any of these, I'd probably (and will next year) take $5k and find the mint-est Swift GTi I can, then drive that in the summer. For the winter, I'll drive one of the 5 beater ones I have, an all the time I'll get the same or better gas mileage in a car I know and love ;)
I wanted the Yaris hatch and already came home with one :). Probably i'd say a Mini or a Fit if one was available with manual everything!
370 Z
mazda speed 3
fiesta RS (hopefully some day
)
mustang GT with as few options as possible
volvo c30
saab 9-3 sport combi w/ manual gear box
I'd give the genisis coupe a chance
BMW 1 series or z4 coupe
mini cooper s with as few options as possible
mitsubishi lancer ralliart (seems like a smokin' deal bang for buck wise)
subi WRX
infinity g or m series sedans (probably not grass roots priced unless late model cpo counts)
suzuki sx4 sport (but I liked the arieo more)
suzuki grand vitara (don't knock it until you try it)
Hmmm... Well, none of the Subaru redesigns are any good, so pass on those. I like the Suzuki SX4, but enough to ever buy one.
2009/2010 I like the Genesis Coupe (3.8GT or 2.0T Track), the 09 MS3 (the restyle is FUGLY!), and the ummmm... Can't really think of anything else BRAND NEW for under 30K.
Seriously looking at from the last few years though, I am still smitten by both the 04-06 GTO and the 03-04 Mach 1 as well as a 97-02 WS6 and/or SS. SRT4 Neons are what I almost bought before the P71 as well. (Dealers wouldn't stop being jerks)
Well, I do also like the FIAT 500 (if they bring the Abarth over here I will be really, really happy but the 695 Tributo Ferrari would actually have by checkbook open NOW!!!).
HappyAndy, I've driven your whole list 
I'd love a retractable roof MX-5, but not the one with the silly grin. A couple of years old would be great.
I wouldn't really call an NSX affordable (not for me, anyway) but damn, I'd love one of those.
For a great daily, I could absolutely live with the Fit. And it's cuuuuuuute.
Another vote for the Fiesta - it's cute, tight and easy to throw around a slalom, or a metropolis.
I think the 2009 MS3 is a clear improvement in the looks department.
The Genesis Track Edition is one I'd settle for...but if it aint light it just aint right
The possibilities of a fiesta ST or a fiat 500 abarth both sound promissing. I wanted a mini cooper S......
When i drove the C30 i loved its looks and i thought the seat was more comfy than the mini but it didnt feel as sporting.
Mazdaspeed 3 VW R32 used : M3,911,09 Subie STI
Gee, this is harder than I imagined.
MINI Cooper
Subarus got ugly, so they are out. So is the restyled Mustang (just ugly enough for me to say, WTF did they do to my car?). Challenger is too expensive. Elise is too expensive. I'd probably add the Hyundai Genesis coupe. Can I get a BMW for the price? I guess I could get a stripper 1 series. Haven't seen a Fiesta, so can't commit.
So, the only one I'm truly passionate about is the MINI. One car. Gawd.
I'd buy the "track version" of the Renault Megane, or a Focus RS (seen here on Top Gear - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sfGBRAb6vRc). I'm pretty sure either of those would end up costing more than 30K, though.
I'd also consider a new Fiat 500. Abarth, of course. If not, the turbo diesel.
In reply to captainzib:
sega rules!!!
Being a "Dad" of three small kids, I want a Dodge Magnum (with the 300c nose).
would need to be outfitted with a hitch.
otherwise a chevy/ford 3/4 ton 4dr 4x4 (hell, it snows significantly here)
JCW MINI Cooper, MazdaSpeed3, 5door WRX, Cobalt SS with the factory ECU upgrade.
I'd say a 1 series, but I can't stand behind BMW making the car a little piglet.
Slightly used? C5 Z06, STi, etc.
But I really want a MINI since driving one a few years ago. I mght pick up one this time next year as a DD.
New Swift GT Genesis 2.0T R-spec Forte 2.4L 6-spd Last of the Cobalt SS Sedans
On the definitely list:
Mini Cooper S Convertible
Mazda Rx8
Mazda MX-5 PRHT
pre 2010 Mazdaspeed3 (already own the non turbo)
Fiat Abarth 500 convertible
Solstice GXP Coupe (with targa roof)
Maybe list:
Genesis coupe 2.0t
VW GTI
Jetta Sportwagen TDI
Honda Ridgeline (would be on definitely list with a diesel)
BUT... if used cars were allowed, I wouldn't want one from this list because there are far more awesome things available.
If we're talking only new stuff, about the only thing out there with acceptable performance would be a Mazdaspeed3. A local stealership almost had me a couple of months ago. I got a letter from them saying they wanted to buy back my 03 GT. I looked down the list of cars they were discounting and didn't really see anything that caught my fancy, then there was an 08 Roush 427R for 12k off sticker plus my trade in. Fortunately when I opened that letter I was getting ready to go to work and it was the last day of that promotion. Would have had no life and had to eat Ramen for the next 60 mos, but was doable. Got to agree with ddavidv, the new Mustang is definitely challenged in the looks department.
MMM! They made a Mustang track package! And they weren't talking about the drag strip! Brakes, sway bars, strut tower bracing, crazy axle ratio... Yummy!
I'll take mine in Grabber Blue, please.
Genesis 2.0t track package...other than that...new-ish WRX or 335i, friend of mine picked up a 335i for a screaming deal, and it's insane how deceptively fast that car is.
New Mustang GT, manual, stripe and spoiler delete, 3.73 gear pack.
One of those Indian Diesel pick ups.
If I went a little over budget, a 135i with the sport or M pack
Taurus X or Freestyle, I just like the lines on those.
How much jeep can I get for $30K?
Grtechguy wrote: Being a "Dad" of three small kids, I want a Dodge Magnum (with the 300c nose). would need to be outfitted with a hitch. otherwise a chevy/ford 3/4 ton 4dr 4x4 (hell, it snows significantly here)
I was shocked how well my mazdaspeed3 ate up big piles of snow with a cheapo set of snow tires on it.
I definitely have to second (or third, or forth, or whatever we're up to now) the Mazdaspeed3, the Subaru Impreza WRX, the VW GTI 2 door (the 4 door looks too stretched out imho), the VW Jetta TDi sedan, definitely a Miata (I actually kinda like the new grinning one. looks happy), the Genesis Coupe (regardless of engine or trim level, they look like very good cars, although being tall I'd LOVE to be able to get a 2.0T or a 3.8T without the sunroof), definitely, undoubtedly the Mini S, possibly a Mini JCW (might be going a tad out of budget, though), the Cobalt SS 2 door, and I'm not entirely opposed to the Volvo C30, Honda Fit Sport, or a BMW 1 series (although that's starting to get into some more serious money). oh, and the Camaro LS doesn't really look that bad either, and I've got no reservations with having "just" a V6, since it is a 300+ HP V6 that almost certainly has some room for improvement in the power department
mostly just repeating, but
Abarth, Genesis 2.0T, Taurus SHO, and 370Z...
Mitsu Lancer Sportback Ralliart
Fiat Abarth 500 Totally. Or Fiesta RS.
Not much of the bigger stuff under 30K. I would love a Lamborghini Gallardo used in the next couple of years though.
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