mtn wrote: Not that the Honda isn't very cool, but it is not a Corvette.
I dunno. I think my S2000 is way cooler than a base C5. I made that choice and am quite pleased with it.
More unique. Lower operating costs. Will hold its value better. Top goes down.
If you are used to a Miata, it is like that only with all the other things you are hoping for too (better freeway MPG, more comfortable, more stylish, more luggage space). I hopped into it from a '94 Miata and am very happy with the decision.
Beer Baron wrote:mtn wrote: Not that the Honda isn't very cool, but it is not a Corvette.I dunno. I think my S2000 is way cooler than a base C5. I made that choice and am quite pleased with it. More unique. Lower operating costs. Will hold its value better. Top goes down.
CRZ, not S2000. S2000 is definitely a cool car, but the CRZ doesn't have the same wow factor.
S2000 is not in the conversation, because I've already done a Miata. And I disagree that an S2000 is cooler than a Corvette, after having driven both Corvettes and S2000's. Both cool in their own way, but the Corvette just has something the S2000 doesn't. I think they call it torque.
Besides, you're from California. You have fun roads. I have long straight ones.
Marauder...Impala SS
mtn wrote: Besides, you're from California. You have fun roads. I have long straight ones.
Ugh. Well, you are stuck with a bunch of good choices then.
Long straight roads? Mostly Flat?
Get an appliance, everything else will be a waste.
mtn wrote: What is that? That is awesome. I currently drive a Miata, but my thinking is that for an 85 mile round trip commute, I want something that is either better on gas ($$$), cooler, or more comfortable. That thing is certainly much cooler than a Miata, so it would get a pass, assuming available for under 15k, reliable enough to DD 85 miles, and gets reasonable gas mileage. Also must be able to fit a hockey bag.
I have to admit... I spotted a slightly rusty Spitfire with a hardtop on CL for $2000 and for half a second I was considering it as my winter beater... While the trunk is surprisingly roomy, I'm not sure a hockey bag would fit and the stick would have to go in the passenger area.
A good running (Ha!) US-spec 1500 can get 30+ mpg. Definitely cooler than a Miata... but much slower... and won't handle as well... and you'll be working on it more often.
What about a G8? The V6 gets 25 MPG highway and the V8 gets 24. I have a coworker with a 2008 G8 GT. Its big, comfortable, makes nice noises and is pretty dang quick. The only issue is the price. I found one for $16.5k on CL but they seem to be closer to $20K. I'm definitely not GM's biggest fan but the G8 and maybe the GTO (the 6.0L) are two that I'd like to own.
An example I found:
2009 Pontiac G8 GT
Infiniti G3*. They were available stick, get reasonable MPG, reasonably fun and comfy
My 525i manual wagon is the ultimate commuter, and it fun to drive. And I have an NA Miata, an e36 M3, and an Austin-Healey Sprite. And I guess I have an '06 4Runner Sport, too. So no shortage of things to shine my ass in twice a day.
And it just so happens - I have a line on another of these unicorns, and it's CHEAP!
my '01 Integra LS 5sp (90k mi) will be available next spring ….. 
mid 30's mpg
it's lived outdoors it's entire life (which means the paint isn't car show quality) but it's NEVER been driven on a salt road
New Edge Mustangs are a good value right now. MPGs in the mid 20s are easy with a highway commute, although MPG will decrease with increased speed...
mtn wrote:Adrian_Thompson wrote: 23! hell what are you worrying about. At 23 my DD, make that only car looked like this:What is that? That is awesome. I currently drive a Miata, but my thinking is that for an 85 mile round trip commute, I want something that is either better on gas ($$$), cooler, or more comfortable. That thing is certainly much cooler than a Miata, so it would get a pass, assuming available for under 15k, reliable enough to DD 85 miles, and gets reasonable gas mileage. Also must be able to fit a hockey bag.
It's a Davrian Mk VI. A British race/kit car based off Hillman Imp running gear. It's a fiberglass monocoque with the inner shell forming the seat shape so you sat on the floor. It was low, as in your eye line was level with the door handles on a Triumph Spitfire. Seriously low. No heater or demister. Manualy sliding windows and slightly lighter than a nats fart. It never bothered me driving even in heavy traffic in the UK, but I think i'd E36 M3 myself driving one here in the U.S. I'm sure I could have driven right under a modern full size truck or SUV without scratching the pain on the roof. Hockey bag! get a roof rack.
I think you could get an R56 MINI Cooper S in that price range.
Big win on fun factor and fuel economy (40 ish). Minor compromise on comfort. Upright seating position is much more comfortable than the Miata. Plenty of storage capacity.
It won't haul a boat.
SVreX wrote: I think you could get an R56 MINI Cooper S in that price range. Big win on fun factor and fuel economy (40 ish). Minor compromise on comfort. Upright seating position is much more comfortable than the Miata. Plenty of storage capacity. It won't haul a boat.
Not exactly reliable either.
I wouldn't own a MINI outside of warranty.
A- Reliable wasn't on the list.
B- I would (and DO) own a MINI outside of warranty. Daily driver, no maintenance issues.
As much as I want to love the Mini, everyone I know with a used one has nothing but problems and they are almost always $$$$$$$$Texas.
stanger_missle wrote: What about a G8? The V6 gets 25 MPG highway and the V8 gets 24. I have a coworker with a 2008 G8 GT. Its big, comfortable, makes nice noises and is pretty dang quick. The only issue is the price. I found one for $16.5k on CL but they seem to be closer to $20K. I'm definitely not GM's biggest fan but the G8 and maybe the GTO (the 6.0L) are two that I'd like to own. An example I found: 2009 Pontiac G8 GT
Heck, I'd just skip the G8 and get a GTO. Cheaper, and the later versions have more horsepower than the G8. Nicer interior, too. Great seats for distance driving, good mileage if you stay out of it, invisible to cops. If you don't mind the plain-jane styling, it's pretty hard to beat, IMO.
45mins to 1 hr each way? Move berkeleying closer to work.
You cant? Get an appliance. Prius, Volt, Insight, CT200h, are all great answers.
SVreX wrote: A- Reliable wasn't on the list. B- I would (and DO) own a MINI outside of warranty. Daily driver, no maintenance issues.
You forgot to knock on wood, you're going to get the typical turbo feed line leak and cracked theromostat housing the next time you drive it. 
SVreX wrote: I think you could get an R56 MINI Cooper S in that price range. It won't haul a boat.
Depends on the size of the boat. One of my friends has towed his small (15'?) fishing boat with his '04 MCS with the MiniFini (factory/dealer installed option) rear bar and a tow bar he sourced from Europe.
As far as reliability goes, MINI's are like any other German car. Hit or miss. I'd buy a BMW with the same reservations, but I know MINIs better and prefer working on them. Pretty close to a TDI when it comes to DIY resources.
A C5 Corvette will chew up that distance comfortably and enjoyably with the big V8 rumbling away up front, the wind whistling through the "seals" on the frameless glass, and the tires rumbling away out back. GM's "meat locker" AC and a CD player help the experience. You'll get 31-33 MPG at 75.
It'll also hit 150 in under a mile from a standing start.
Get some nice seats - the stock ones are awful.
I love my Accord, especially now that it has a few mods done to the suspension. Needs more power though. I get 30mpg pretty consistently in mixed driving. If I were a more sane person, a drivetrain swap from a Prelude would really wake things up while maintaining everything I like about the car.
In reply to chaparral:
A C5 can also tow reasonably well. Driving to work, I pass a lightly modified Z06 regularly going the other way. Once day, I happened to notice he was hauling a small trailer with a KTM dirt bike on it. I would imagine it could pull a small boat too.
Being honest, the main thing that keeps me from buying one is they are wide cars and I have a narrow garage. It would technically fit, but I wouldn't be able to open the doors. 
Neon R/T
downside is not much of a towing capacity ( I think) and the 1st gens are 15 yrs old. Pluses are 30+ mpg and can be modded for autocross easily. The automatic versions are boring, but you can do 70mph in second gear with them.
I've owned 2 or 3 Neons and it's fun to draft Priuses.. Prius' Pri-i.. on the interstate.It makes a 30-40 min commute enjoyable sometimes.
Has anyone said 350z? I had an 03 with the Track Package and it was a decent little car. I got 33mpg on the highway, I was somehow able to fit lager canvas paintings in the back, and the NISMO exhaust sounded pretty good for a 6cyl.
Other than that, I am currently enjoying my 2010 Fusion Sport. Mid 20's mpg, 4 doors, about 5% more aesthetically pleasing than a regular Fusion, plush leather, modern goodies inside, and there are some AWD variants out there. Steeda has a surprisingly large performance parts list for these too.
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