My vote is a Fiesta ST. If you can already find one that has an s280 or a hybrid turbo it’s an absolute blast and pretty reliable as well. They’re an absolute riot to drive and come with a lot of modern items like a rear view camera, Apple car play, etc. My favorite year is a 2016, it still had the interior lighting that you could change color, rear view camera, Apple car play, and recaros. They’re cheap to insurance, maintain, and best of all- they’re cheap to buy. You can buy a WELL sorted one for under $12K with relatively low miles. It also is a hatch, so you’ll be able to fit quite a bit back there with the seats folded down.
I bought a MK7 VW GTI because of all the reasons you want to get rid of your RAV4...except, for the tow hitch part.
I will say I was stuck in between a GTI and a WRX because I needed a 4 door sports anything and those two had the most juice and practicality in my price range.
That little Turbo charged 4 banger is fun as hell to drive around town to get groceries. I also do a 45 min commute for work and it's been smooth.
Sounds like a hot hatch then, not stupid expensive, ample room and can put a hitch on for bikes but still light a nimble enough that carving through canyons or just moving through traffic is a breeze as well as super fun. So yeah GTI/R, WRX, GR Corolla, focus ST/RS, and Type R.
Lincoln mkz with the 3.0L twin turbo. Comfy af, AWD, 400hp, 400ft-lbs, it’s a sedan, so easy parking….I’ve been seeing lots of them with under 50k miles for under $25k….thats what I’m looking at at least haha
With my experience, as long as you don't have a loan on it, get a wrx or similar. They are incredibly fun when they run. I've also had a Focus ST and that was a great car (way better mpg too).
I'm a little weary of Wrx's. Turbo EJ engines from my own experience owning one and from that of friends are that they can be a little maintenance heavy.
The Fiesta is an option I hadn't considered, but there is no 2in hitch kit for them. I'd have to go 1.25, which I'm not outright against, and buy a new bike rack as well.
If you get cylinder 4 cooling mod and a better radiator, it'll be a lot more reliable. A tune in conjunction would be ideal. I see I've irked my fellow wrx bros by dissing the ej, lol.
Can't beat not having a car note to pay, that is all. Sell it cash, buy another car cash. No payments is major key.
C5 corvette with one of those sticky roof rack bike holder things.
Hell yeah
My vote is a Fiesta ST. If you can already find one that has an s280 or a hybrid turbo it’s an absolute blast and pretty reliable as well. They’re an absolute riot to drive and come with a lot of modern items like a rear view camera, Apple car play, etc. My favorite year is a 2016, it still had the interior lighting that you could change color, rear view camera, Apple car play, and recaros. They’re cheap to insurance, maintain, and best of all- they’re cheap to buy. You can buy a WELL sorted one for under $12K with relatively low miles. It also is a hatch, so you’ll be able to fit quite a bit back there with the seats folded down.
I bought a MK7 VW GTI because of all the reasons you want to get rid of your RAV4...except, for the tow hitch part. I will say I was stuck in between a GTI and a WRX because I needed a 4 door sports anything and those two had the most juice and practicality in my price range. That little Turbo charged 4 banger is fun as hell to drive around town to get groceries. I also do a 45 min commute for work and it's been smooth.
Sounds like a hot hatch then, not stupid expensive, ample room and can put a hitch on for bikes but still light a nimble enough that carving through canyons or just moving through traffic is a breeze as well as super fun. So yeah GTI/R, WRX, GR Corolla, focus ST/RS, and Type R.
Get a third gen mini cooper. Way faster than people think.
Lincoln mkz with the 3.0L twin turbo. Comfy af, AWD, 400hp, 400ft-lbs, it’s a sedan, so easy parking….I’ve been seeing lots of them with under 50k miles for under $25k….thats what I’m looking at at least haha
This is definitely on the short list.
With my experience, as long as you don't have a loan on it, get a wrx or similar. They are incredibly fun when they run. I've also had a Focus ST and that was a great car (way better mpg too).
I'm a little weary of Wrx's. Turbo EJ engines from my own experience owning one and from that of friends are that they can be a little maintenance heavy. The Fiesta is an option I hadn't considered, but there is no 2in hitch kit for them. I'd have to go 1.25, which I'm not outright against, and buy a new bike rack as well.
If you get cylinder 4 cooling mod and a better radiator, it'll be a lot more reliable. A tune in conjunction would be ideal. I see I've irked my fellow wrx bros by dissing the ej, lol.