Help Me Pick A New Daily Driver

[Polygon]

It's a long story, but the short of it is that I currently drive a 2010 Ford Escape which I drive for work. I'm looking for a new job and when I get one I will have to find another car. So, I'm currently shopping to get a good idea of what to look for when the time comes.

My budget is around $10,000 but I'd be willing to jump up to $13,000 for certain cars. I don't care if the car is FWD, RWD, or AWD. Although I would like to hear from some members that drive a RWD car in the snow. I prefer a coupe or a hatchback but would take a sedan. I'm not interested in trucks, vans, SUVs etc. I also MUCH prefer a manual over an automatic.

Here's what I've looked at so far:

Honda S2000
Pontiac GTO
Nissan 350Z
Dodge SRT-4 (Neon)
Acura RSX
BMW M3 (E36)
Ford Fusion (2.5)
Mazda 3 (2.3) or Mazdaspeed 3
VW Golf GTI or TDI

I know these cars are quite different, I'm not trying to compare them. There's something I like about each one. Namely, I want to hear some more suggestions as well as any thoughts about the cars I've already listed. I also want to find out the feasibility of driving a RWD car in the winter with the right tires. I can't imagine it being worse than my old Sebring with high performance summer tires.

[wesnah]

Those are all really nice cars your looking at. If you get a set of Winter tires. Your chances of having a good winter with a RWD car goes up by 50%. I ran a set on my Neon R/T and it was one of the best investments I made. If you have to deal with snow unless you have AWD a winter set of tires is almost a must. Once you use them you'll wonder how you got through a winter without them. So if you take this into consideration, get whatever car you want.

[sfmarine]

My S2000 doesn't see snow. She is a garage queen for the most part. I wouldn't suggest driving that type of car in the winter, but that's just me. If you get some really good winter tires then you might be ok.

I was in your boat last week...needed a daily driver for the upcoming winter. I was looking into the RSX. They are relatively cheap and the type S comes loaded with a 6 speed.

[MaCruz]

I owned a 2002 RSX Type-S before buying my 05 TL.

The 6 speed is nice! Car is quick and fun to drive as a daily driver and I had it for 4 years and only changed the front brakes, and battery one time. Got to love Acura!

Out of your list. I see that you can't go wrong with any of them.

[Polygon]

Originally Posted by wesnah

Those are all really nice cars your looking at. If you get a set of Winter tires. Your chances of having a good winter with a RWD car goes up by 50%. I ran a set on my Neon R/T and it was one of the best investments I made. If you have to deal with snow unless you have AWD a winter set of tires is almost a must. Once you use them you'll wonder how you got through a winter without them. So if you take this into consideration, get whatever car you want.

Good point. I could get a set of wheels with summer tires and keep the stockers with some winter tires on them.

Originally Posted by sfmarine

My S2000 doesn't see snow. She is a garage queen for the most part. I wouldn't suggest driving that type of car in the winter, but that's just me. If you get some really good winter tires then you might be ok.

I was in your boat last week...needed a daily driver for the upcoming winter. I was looking into the RSX. They are relatively cheap and the type S comes loaded with a 6 speed.

Originally Posted by MaCruz

I owned a 2002 RSX Type-S before buying my 05 TL.

The 6 speed is nice! Car is quick and fun to drive as a daily driver and I had it for 4 years and only changed the front brakes, and battery one time. Got to love Acura!

Out of your list. I see that you can't go wrong with any of them.

Yeah. The only problem I'm finding with the RSX is that all the ones for sale around here have obnoxiously high mileage or have been molested by ricers.

[sfmarine]

Originally Posted by Polygon

Good point. I could get a set of wheels with summer tires and keep the stockers with some winter tires on them.





Yeah. The only problem I'm finding with the RSX is that all the ones for sale around here have obnoxiously high mileage or have been molested by ricers.

That's the problem I had as well.

[supersix4]

My dads about to go 550i xDrive god the thing is awesome looking I can't wait to drive it

[BStecke]

I don't know how much they're going for, but I'd add the Subaru WRX to that list, '06 and up preferably. My wife has had hers for almost five years with zero problems, no interior rattles or any of that garbage. It's the longest she's owned a car since she always gets the upgrade bug, but she's yet to find something she likes better, and believe me, she's always looking. The power and AWD is great to have. She got the Limited model that comes with leather interior, so it's a great blend of power and a little luxury.

[supersix4]

Originally Posted by BStecke

I don't know how much they're going for, but I'd add the Subaru WRX to that list, '06 and up preferably. My wife has had hers for almost five years with zero problems, no interior rattles or any of that garbage. It's the longest she's owned a car since she always gets the upgrade bug, but she's yet to find something she likes better, and believe me, she's always looking. The power and AWD is great to have. She got the Limited model that comes with leather interior, so it's a great blend of power and a little luxury.

I've heard that about Subaru's that they're like the Honda's/Toyota's that you can just push them like crazy and they just don't break lol, you would think companies like Maserati/Land Rover could do that for what they charge, but its insane how much they break

[Polygon]

Originally Posted by sfmarine

That's the problem I had as well.

Yeah, I'm beginning to the think the RSX isn't an option at this point.

Originally Posted by supersix4

My dads about to go 550i xDrive god the thing is awesome looking I can't wait to drive it

I wouldn't want a car that big, or that expensive.

Originally Posted by BStecke

I don't know how much they're going for, but I'd add the Subaru WRX to that list, '06 and up preferably. My wife has had hers for almost five years with zero problems, no interior rattles or any of that garbage. It's the longest she's owned a car since she always gets the upgrade bug, but she's yet to find something she likes better, and believe me, she's always looking. The power and AWD is great to have. She got the Limited model that comes with leather interior, so it's a great blend of power and a little luxury.

It's one I've been looking at tentatively. My biggest problem is the spark plugs are one of the worst to change.

[supersix4]

Originally Posted by Polygon

I wouldn't want a car that big, or that expensive.

yeah I didn't read the whole thing now I feel like a dummy

I'd get a 2004/05 TL
http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail...5&aff=national

navi, under 60k, right around 13 and 04/05 was before they dropped the HP so you'd get 270.

Me personally tho I'd go find an IS 300/350 from a quick search I see TONS of choices under 13k


Or go get a boxster S like this one here

http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail...5&aff=national

Make a few mods to that 250hp engine and get it up over 300


Oh from what I've seen in our area (and we had like 20-30 inches of snow last year) RWD/FWD both suck lol which is why our family isn't getting something even sweeter like a cts-v or c63 amg or m3/m5

[sfmarine]

Good call on the TL. With the new gen's out the 04-08's are really cheap now. I saw an '08 for about 23k with only 30k on the odom. They are great cars. I've always liked them and almost went with one myself, but sided with the Accord. ** The TSX is also a very nice car to drive. The 6sp is like butter.

I'm really starting to dig the new TL's. A lot of people hate the body styling but it's growing on me...and the interior is gorgeous! Did I mention AWD and push button igntion!!

A lot of debate has been thrown into the mix about the Boxster. It usually ends with..Well, it's a Porsche. This is true, but I think the S2000 beats it out. They are both priced around the same now and relatively affordable. The S2000 interior completely blows away the Porsche's. Again, it will be argued that it is a Porsche so it wins hands down, but don't rule out Honda. NSXPrime is loaded with former Ferrari owners that decided to go with an NSX.

[Dreemworx]

Originally Posted by Polygon

It's a long story, but the short of it is that I currently drive a 2010 Ford Escape which I drive for work. I'm looking for a new job and when I get one I will have to find another car. So, I'm currently shopping to get a good idea of what to look for when the time comes.

My budget is around $10,000 but I'd be willing to jump up to $13,000 for certain cars. I don't care if the car is FWD, RWD, or AWD. Although I would like to hear from some members that drive a RWD car in the snow. I prefer a coupe or a hatchback but would take a sedan. I'm not interested in trucks, vans, SUVs etc. I also MUCH prefer a manual over an automatic.

Here's what I've looked at so far:

Honda S2000
Pontiac GTO
Nissan 350Z
Dodge SRT-4 (Neon)
Acura RSX
BMW M3 (E36)
Ford Fusion (2.5)
Mazda 3 (2.3) or Mazdaspeed 3
VW Golf GTI or TDI

I know these cars are quite different, I'm not trying to compare them. There's something I like about each one. Namely, I want to hear some more suggestions as well as any thoughts about the cars I've already listed. I also want to find out the feasibility of driving a RWD car in the winter with the right tires. I can't imagine it being worse than my old Sebring with high performance summer tires.

Listen, I just bought my kid a car in $14,000 range.
Get a Subura Impressa!

AWD.

I got a 2009 with 15k on it.

For less look at 2006 and 2007 which have an awsome body style.

If I was to get another sporty car, it'd be a WRX or just a Impressa.
Subura kicks arse, in the snow/ ice/ rain.

[Polygon]

Originally Posted by supersix4

yeah I didn't read the whole thing now I feel like a dummy

I'd get a 2004/05 TL
http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail...5&aff=national

navi, under 60k, right around 13 and 04/05 was before they dropped the HP so you'd get 270.

Me personally tho I'd go find an IS 300/350 from a quick search I see TONS of choices under 13k


Or go get a boxster S like this one here

http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail...5&aff=national

Make a few mods to that 250hp engine and get it up over 300


Oh from what I've seen in our area (and we had like 20-30 inches of snow last year) RWD/FWD both suck lol which is why our family isn't getting something even sweeter like a cts-v or c63 amg or m3/m5

Hmm, the TL looks like a good car to look into. I'll have to check them out. I'm not sure how I feel about a Boxster. As said below, I think that they S2000 is a better car for the money. Then again, I haven't driven either.

Originally Posted by sfmarine

Good call on the TL. With the new gen's out the 04-08's are really cheap now. I saw an '08 for about 23k with only 30k on the odom. They are great cars. I've always liked them and almost went with one myself, but sided with the Accord. ** The TSX is also a very nice car to drive. The 6sp is like butter.

I'm really starting to dig the new TL's. A lot of people hate the body styling but it's growing on me...and the interior is gorgeous! Did I mention AWD and push button igntion!!

A lot of debate has been thrown into the mix about the Boxster. It usually ends with..Well, it's a Porsche. This is true, but I think the S2000 beats it out. They are both priced around the same now and relatively affordable. The S2000 interior completely blows away the Porsche's. Again, it will be argued that it is a Porsche so it wins hands down, but don't rule out Honda. NSXPrime is loaded with former Ferrari owners that decided to go with an NSX.

Wow!

That's a world of difference. The Boxster looks cheap by comparison. I'm going to have to drive the S2000 and see that I think. I've heard it's a great chassis, but I hear it has an extremely narrow powerband. I'm not one to care about a name plate so much as if I like the car. It would be nice to have a Porsche, but I think I would rather have a slightly older 911 over a newer Boxster.

Originally Posted by Dreemworx

Listen, I just bought my kid a car in $14,000 range.
Get a Subura Impressa!

AWD.

I got a 2009 with 15k on it.

For less look at 2006 and 2007 which have an awsome body style.

If I was to get another sporty car, it'd be a WRX or just a Impressa.
Subura kicks arse, in the snow/ ice/ rain.

An Impreza is an option, but I'm still hung up about changing the spark plugs. Plus it's hard to find them around here with decent mileage or finding one that hasn't been molested by people that don't know what they are doing. Which is the same reason I'm not holding out for an Evo either.

[sfmarine]

Originally Posted by Polygon

Wow!

That's a world of difference. The Boxster looks cheap by comparison. I'm going to have to drive the S2000 and see that I think. I've heard it's a great chassis, but I hear it has an extremely narrow powerband. I'm not one to care about a name plate so much as if I like the car. It would be nice to have a Porsche, but I think I would rather have a slightly older 911 over a newer Boxster.

Do you know of any for sale in your area? They stopped making them in '09 and I haven't seen any at my local Honda pre-owned section or anywhere for that matter. Check on Craigslist. Definitely try and take one for a test drive. You will be impressed.

[supersix4]

Originally Posted by Polygon

but I think I would rather have a slightly older 911 over a newer Boxster.

you can get a better body style in the 99' 911 and still keep it under 18 (I think you said 14, but me personally the only body style past brand new I'd get is the 99)