Practical Car vs Fun Car as a second car! - Sub 20k or less!

Forum Sponsor
^^ I did and it wasn't that bad. Handled ok, was fun to drive and even decent on fuel. You just can't rice one up if you're older than 23.

Basically no crap like this. Camber is stupid I don't care who argues. Same with half an inch ride height without bags, fart cans and various other trendy teenage boy garbage.

gydadu5y.jpg


egevu9yn.jpg



Sent from my piss poor iPhone while sitting on my squidly gixxxxxxxxer sippin on kool aid
 
mimico_polak said:
Thanks for the suggestions guys! I really appreciate it! The V70R is a blast to drive (my fav when I worked at Volvo), once again I have the notion they're very expensive to maintain (I'll PM you silverbullet). As for the S2000/MIATA I've had a chance to drive them both and even though they're a blast they're just way too small for me. The Impreza WRX is def in the list but I didn't know it needs 94 to drive properly, which may prevent me from buying it simply on a cost basis. But it's only a few $/month anyway. That's one of the cars I've never driven, only the stock 2.5.
Click to expand...

Hey man,

I've been looking for cars in this price range (well, sub 25k, actually), and pretty much with all your requirements: manual, interesting to drive, somewhat economical and practical (but I'll make exceptions with practicality for a deal)... its a tough class of cars to buy, I've been looking at: S2000, BMW 328i, Audi A4 (Base model, pretty much), Miata, Lexus IS250, 09+ Civic, 08 Acura TSX, WRX (NOT the STi - they're pretty bad on gas unless you drive really conservatively).

The 2009+ WRX's have 265hp!! That's plenty for me - I've got a 2001 Prelude right now, and I'm holding onto it for dear life because it already meets all of these requirements (& no car payments!)...
 
Kri$han said:
The 2009+ WRX's have 265hp!! That's plenty for me - I've got a 2001 Prelude right now, and I'm holding onto it for dear life because it already meets all of these requirements (& no car payments!)...
Click to expand...

Some people claim that because the STI drive train has more loss the WRX puts almost the same power to the wheels. Could be bull, though. From comparing my economy numbers to those in a thread on TSC about the STIs crappy economy, they don't really look to use that much more. Maybe I just get crap economy, though. I do drive pretty hard.
 
unL33T said:
Some people claim that because the STI drive train has more loss the WRX puts almost the same power to the wheels. Could be bull, though. From comparing my economy numbers to those in a thread on TSC about the STIs crappy economy, they don't really look to use that much more. Maybe I just get crap economy, though. I do drive pretty hard.
Click to expand...

I remember on my Genesis (3.8 V6 c/w 6-spd) the fuel economy varied wildly in how I drove it. On a full tank of gas, mixed driving ~ 450km, highway ~ 550-600km, fun/spirited driving ~275km....but damn was that car a hoot to drive!
 
moarmoto said:
Before I bought mu 2013 focus I was looking at dodge dart rallye with turbo.
Click to expand...

How do you like the Focus? Any fun factor in that thing? I'd look at the ST but that's WAY out of my range at this stage.
 
I like it. So far I put in 20k km and no issues except for some occasional creaking sound from the dash plastic. It's fun enough when you push it (5spd manual) but my previous cas was hyundai sonata lol.

How about fiesta ST? I know its over 20k but if I recall I yhink msrp was under 25k. But then there's tax and ither fees. Its new in 2014 so
 
The Fiesta ST is interesting, but I've never really given it a second thought as when I see them on the road there's no need for a second look! LoL
 
N3WMAN said:
Weirdly I'll agree with the hopped up civic guys.

Friend had an SiR and it was a fun car to drive. Sounded and felt like you were really hauling *** when you were still barely over the speed limit.
Click to expand...

The new si is even better than when they had sir's. They no longer need an appointment to get to 120 km/h :D
 
Yep lol. 6-8k rpm sounded something like "hey ******* I'm going to explode right here if you don't shift me!"

In the car obviously would be louder than on a camera but this gives you an idea with a header. The odo is in mph too.

[video=youtube_share;obzUcYeVuzQ]http://youtu.be/obzUcYeVuzQ[/video]



2q856pu.jpg

Not the best picture but it really wasn't a bad car to look at or drive. However my vr spanked it in every way possible and that's why I still have it and not the honda.
 
Another thing on the topic of using 94 octane... It contains the most ethanol which a lot of people try to avoid (so they use Shell 91).
 
mimico_polak said:
I remember on my Genesis (3.8 V6 c/w 6-spd) the fuel economy varied wildly in how I drove it. On a full tank of gas, mixed driving ~ 450km, highway ~ 550-600km, fun/spirited driving ~275km....but damn was that car a hoot to drive!
Click to expand...

my speed6 has the same range ... but with 94 octane.

Btw according to the manual for these engines you can with 91, but with a slight power decrease.

I kinda want a honda fit too.
 
I test rode a speed3. That thing has so much torque steer, it's almost not fun as a DD. And they're known for engine mount failure.
 
I would agree with dude who recomends Toyota Matrix. Had one 4 years ago, THE BEST CAR for money. Survived 2 house moving, counless little accidents (my EX practically wrecked the exterior). Had all outside panels painted, not a single mechanical problem whatsoever and the room wize, it could fit small apartment studio (it's a joke of course but not too far from reality).
10 starts out of 10.
 
have we overlooked all the Mustang 5L convertibles? Fun, 6sp, american V8. Cheap to buy and maintain and almost iconic.
 
Lol at civics. Not fun, not that reliable, and handling wise they either suck or they are way too harsh. Gas mileage is good, but if you have "fun" with it it's not that impressive. I know mostly everyone will disagree... whatever I tried the civic kool-aid and it made me puke. IMHO Hyundai puts out way better cars. Personally I am going back to Audi. Those cars are worth maintaining. A civic will be a civic at the end of the day no matter what.

FUN=RWD
fun + PRACTICAL = AWD
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom