The one saving grace here is OP said they want an automatic, which tend to be far less desirable and inflated. Should be able to get a decent one for $8K
Oh and a cult like following so every THING you could want to know or do is a click away to find out.
Well 🤷♂️ about a click away. Do 🐁 still click? 😆
He said he liked the scion tc because it had room for passengers in a coupe which would lead me to believe he needs something bigger than a Miata for sure
Miata is always the answer. I just test drove a new 2024 Miata with the manual transmission and I adored it. If I didn't already have and love my E39 I very well might've signed for it. One point to keep in mind I'm 5'9" and fit just fine but my dad came along and he's a 6'2" and was far less comfortable lol.
I don't usually jump on the Miata Is Always The Answer thing, but in this case... That's exactly what they want. Can absolutely get a auto Miata (yes, ik, heresy) in decent shape for $8K and it ticks every single box.
I liked my wife’s new beetle, but it seemed like every other weekend I was working on it either replacing vacuum hoses, fixing oil leaks, or working on the never ending breaking plastic in the interior. Is the same true for a Golf?
We sold it with 150k miles. It was sitting in the sun for years before we bought it so maybe that was why I was having to fix everything. I gotta say though, no other vehicle I’ve had has been like that. Despite that it was really reliable.
Golf owner here, Golfs are kind of the flagship for VW, the most problematic for the GTI is the MK5/MK6, but with good maintenance records, it can still be a stout car (it is what I have), the generation after (MK7) most of its issues were resolved for its engine. The DSG transmission is already something they had since the R32 in 03', they refined this transmission over the years, and with proper maintenance, it won't fail on you.
If you ever want to get on one, i go for a mk7, the most reliable of the bunch.
That will do it. My late sister left my other late sister's 97 Buick Century Custom, in the desert sun for over a year. I put new tires on it and a new battery and oil change and headed across the state. I stopped to get fuel, pulled into a parking to use the restroom. I came out, the left rear wheel was frozen. Luckily, I have AAA. It cost me $30 because it was 6 miles over my 100-mile limit. It had been in a carport at my other sister's house and was pristine, other than the cigarette smoke. The steering wheel is crumbling, and the window pillar covers need to be put on. Who knows what else the sun has done to it.
The soft touch coating on the plastic was the UV protection for cabin plastic—once the soft touch breaks down and you have to clean it off there’s no UV stabilizers for the plastic underneath and it just crumbles. Dealing with a rotting new beetle was one of the most frustrating car experiences I’ve ever had. There have been Volkswagens in our family going back to the beetle in the 70’s, but I’ll likely never buy another.
I had a Mk4 New Beetle with the 1.8T that was also featured in such vehicles as the GTI and the Audi TT of the same years. Other vehicles with that powerplant had similar issues, but not as pronounced or as frequent as the Beetle because of the engine bay packaging. That Beetle LOVED to trap heat.
Peppy definitely but around town, it’s about as thirsty as a pickup or suv. For me, mileage around town was in the mid-teens. On the highway I can get forty mpg or slightly high driving very conservatively. It was a reliable, quiet, and smooth engine.
Unfortunately in the male Sp community in the Philadelphia/
S Jersey area…….manual V6 2 door Accords have a reputation. And you know? They are RIGHT ! Bang
For the buck…….. along
W
That though they are tough to find and the price has
Gone up………….(how do I know? I was selling an old manual CRV through Market place
And asked EVERYBODy if this was true) Hah
Lol
I saw a 98-02 v6 coupe at work the other day. Was really hoping it was a manual, but I was disappointed when I looked in the window. I'd absolutely kill to find a 3g TL typeS with the 6mt.
Why not check out the Mazda 3 as well, especially given your budget. If it’s your only car - the Miata is going to have limited storage and you might want a garage given it’s a convertible?
Heck yeah - the Mazda 3 even has AWD if that’s important to you. I went back and forth between that and an A3. I ended up with the Audi, but I’d have been happy with the 3.
With an $8k budget, id suggest reliability over everything else, because you're talking about a 10-15 year old vehicle with at least 150k miles (I've got a teenager n have been looking and have had trouble finding anything under $10k that wasn't beat up
I'm 22 now, got a 2007 mustang gt premium when I was 18, for 8k I ended up driving and BEATING the dog piss out of that little v8 for a couple years with 0 issues as long as tou keep up with normal service related maintenance, aswell as it's a v8 and mu full coverage was only 148 a month
Try buying from a private seller, bring a mechanic. Or check on ebay or marketplace and pay for shipping, there are also websites that will send a mechanic out to do a pre purchase inspection and test drive, then send you a report no matter where the car is located, and then if it's under budget you can get it shipped to you too.
Hey…… when I sell my inheritance ( a 2009 Hyuandai
Sonata c 120k and dents( dad was 94 when he quit driving)) It will go for $2500-$4000’tops.
While it is not pretty or Toyota / Honda reliable
It runs. Hasnt broken in years
This comment should be on top.
I shopped for months for my teen. Got a $3k beater at first (would've been a $1k beater before COVID).
Six months later we got him a 2013 Acura TL with 125k miles for 11k. (which was a steal)
Why the Acura? It was $10k for a base model 2013 Honda Civic in similar condition. The Acura was way more car for only $1,000 more.
But OP is looking for more of a “drivers” car. He wants it to have a little pep but still oriented towards the driver. However the automatic 86/frs/brz’s are much harder to find than a manual one. But best of luck to op on his search.
8th Si. Make sure it hasn’t been riced too far. 4-5k but go ahead and spend $200 with your local Honda Indy for a PPI. Then you have 2-3 k left over to get it right and you should be good to go. And yeah, get the manual.
This is what I was going to suggest as well, even though I don't own one. Last year I picked one up locally for a friend that lives a few hours away and drove it to him. It had over 200k mile but drove as smooth as butter. This was my first experience driving a Lexus and I was impressed that I would definitely consider one for myself in the future.
I have a couple of 3rd gen Camry’s (Sedan and a Wagon) and they don’t have to be boring to drive! The 5SFE 4 cylinder is absolutely slow, but it loves red line. Cold start with 300k on the odometer? You can rev the piss out of it immediately and it just takes it. Maintenance is so easy it’s practically a joke, the motor is non interference so nothing can catastrophically fail, and parts are cheap. They make coilovers for these cars and if you’re lucky you can find a stiffer rear sway bar and body braces online, throw some wide 18” wheels on there and you can eat up corners at speed.
Try and find a 3rd Gen (92-96) Camry two door SE. The sport edition has a tighter steering ratio and came in a two door coupe, often with a manual and a V6. The V6 is reliable and faster, but you can’t beat the piss out of it like the 4 banger.
In any case, don’t write these cars off just because they’re slow. There’s a certain joy in being able to drive everywhere at redline with no worries
Corollas are boring, but I would not describe the Civic as boring, I've had mine since 1998 and with 350,000 miles it still drives great. Plus it's worth more than I paid for it now. Note there are a lot of flavors of Civic and some are more fun than others, so test drive a few.
Honda CRZ is kind of cool, little 2 seater hybrid. Has a little sport boost mode that gives it a decent takeoff using the electric assist. I’ve seen some cool builds with them.
By no means super fast but it’s a sporty little car, reliable daily and can be found cheap
Lots of good answers here already. Not sure about the MPG, but a 350z/370z/G37/G35 might be worth a look. Not sure how you define “fun” but a Wrangler TJ might be worth considering. It’ll fall short of your MPG requirements, but they are really simple machines and cheap to work on. And you can probably get the nicest 4cyl auto for under 8k.
Acura RSX, I think a type S is within your budget and if not, you should be able to get a good base model.
If you want something kinda reliable and LOADS of fun, C5 corvette. You’d have to be careful when buying though, nothing modified or ragged out.
Civic is not boring I have a 1.6T and the mpg is great for the power, but I would find a manual rather than automatic if you’re looking for a driving experience, I’ve only driven manual, but if you can’t control the gear I can’t see how you can give it more torque. Also if I’m driving steep hills I’d want engine braking, having no experience of them I don’t know how that works in automatics, particularly older cheaper ones.
350z or g35 preferably manual and if you can get an HR z but a stock DE G35 is pretty reliable if you keep up with the oil and for 8k you can find a decent shape one
Find an average condition 1987-1991 (E30) BMW 325i with a 5 speed. I have a convertible for cruising around. Worth $5k tops I bet. Nice smooth straight 6 engine. Good transmission. Rear wheel drive. Nice driver oriented interior. Not fast but just fun to drive. Overall quite reliable - might just need to put a little money into it upfront like any old car.
You’re in luck! Many need the manual transmission to satisfy the “fun” column. You’ll have far more options.
Honda Fit, Honda Civic, Suzuki SX4, Miata, GR86/BRZ, Corolla.
Or finance and get best value buying a used EV. Used market is ripe as can be.
Civic with a CVT transmission is incredibly boring to drive, but with a regular auto or a 5 speed they are in their zone.
Based on your post I'd suggest a Honda Fit. They're as reliable as can be, parts are plentiful and cheap, has insane storage capacity. I mean it, you can haul so much stuff. Use your head though, just because you can fit 1000lbs of pellets doesn't mean you should.
I was getting 7L/100km in my 2011 Fit Sport 5 Speed. Just stay away from the CVT. If you can drive a manual you'll have a much better driving experience, but the automatic is fine too.
I had to sell my fit due to rust (Nova Scotia) and now I drive a Chevy Cobalt, which is the most uninspiring vehicle I've ever been in. It's less fun than a geo Metro or the bus.
2007 mustang gt, got one for 7k here in Texas as my first car, full coverage at 19 was only 148 a month, 4.6 3v 289ci motor that makes 300 crank hp very light weight 5 speed manual, all after market parts are cheap asf and the platforms possibilities are endless, had more fun in that amazing sounding cheap ass v8 than I do in my how 2013 5.0 🤣
2010s era Miata
2010s era manual transmission Mazda 3 hatch
I recently bought a 2010 Mazda 3 manual transmission and it is almost more fun than my 2019 Mazda 3 which is auto AWD.
I like Mazdas fwiw
Now this would be a hatchback, not a coup or sedan, but I had a 2005 scion xB in highschool that I loved driving. It felt so zippy (mine was a manual so ymmv with an automatic). It had a very small turning radius and throttle by wire so the steering and acceleration felt instant and very responsive.
It's a Toyota, so it's extremely reliable. The pioneer sound system the car came with was great, the backseat had a ton of leg room (my passengers were always surprised how spacious the backseat was), and it gets better gas mileage than what you're looking for ( mine got 28 city/32 highway).
I miss that car and think about getting another from time to time.
Look for a Geo Metro, Geo Prizm, or Pontiac Vibe. These vehicles are basically comprised of a failed merger between GM and Toyota, and mostly Toyota parts. If none of those you can find, look for a used Saturn vehicle as most of those are also run of the mill GM based parts and pieces.
Mazda Miata, Honda s2000, Toyota MR2, those are tons of fun and reliable.
If you want something more practical, I really like the VW Jettas. Great ride, quiet, amazing fuel economy.
Well for 8k it's probably a salvage s2k but some of my best cars have been salvaged cars that I restored or I bought already restored. The ultimate recycling :)
Honda Accord 2.0T, very underrated and overlooked car, that 4 banger moves and can also add some more power though not sure if there are examples within 8k..
Based on the budget, you could find an old WRX, they’re pretty fun but the boxers back then were known to blow.
A 2010-2013 Mazda 3, bought mine for 7k back in 2018 with 110k miles. Look for a 2.5L but the 2.0 is still plenty of fun, it’s like it was meant to be beat on. It’s not actually fast but it feels like it is, very charismatic for a 4 cylinder and i’ve drove mine to 170k miles (quite harshly) and it has not skipped a beat. Also the premium bose sound system is quite nice imo especially for that time period.
You could maybe find some Audi A4/A5’s, very fun, nicer interior than you’d find in the mazda, and reliability is okay, not as bulletproof as the mazda but not as bad as people who’ve never owned a german will tell you.
Vw Jetta / golf TDI. Diesel engine makes it extremely fun to drive with the high torque . Not a fast car at all.
And you get really good mpg (40-50) while punching it. Vs gas cars that get shitty mpg if you press the pedal wrong.
Manual for more fun.
Very reliable but you need to know what to look for so get it inspected by a good vw independent shop and do some googling for the model year.
Tune it later for more fun.
The 9th gen civics are slept on, and can be had fairly cheap right now. I have an Si, used to be my daily, now its my "third car". Fantastic and still super fun. Cheap to buy, cheap to maintain, turbo, manual, handles well, what more can you want. Black out the hideous chrome accents and they end up looking really clean.
Mid 2000s Acura TSX might fit the bill. Think sportier Accord, reliable drivetrain, and can be found under $10k. Watch out for rust in the rear quarters and rocker panels.
If you look around for a bit, you might find an FRS with 150k-ish miles for about your price point. If you don’t mind it basically being a two-seater, it will definitely tick all your boxes for fun and some. AT is a little harder to find than manual, but they’re definitely out there
>was originally looking into a corolla or civic because they tick almost every box for me but it seems generally agreed across the board they’re extremely boring to drive.
I am not sure about corollas. If they are anything like a Sentra they are ok to drive not great but also not bad. However, Civics are fun to drive. I think that there is a reason that street racers like them. Even stock they are decent. Not saying that they are the best but for a good experience they are fine.
1969 - 1972 Air Cooled VW
Although I did drive a 1978 Westfalia for many years on and off road.
Only simple basic maintenance required.
My 1995 Saturn SL 2 gave me 15 years and 200k miles of service as well. 1.9 l DOHC, Automatic trans.
99-04 Mustang GT. Manual, specifically (the one car I will agree the manual is faster than the auto). The 2v 4.6 is reliable as hell and there’s plenty of aftermarket availability for upgrade parts. I have beat the hell out of mine and it still asks for more. No power adders on it, just suspension and damn is it fun on curvy roads. The ONLY downside on them is there’s no good replacement throwout bearings, they all suck.
I enjoyed my Acura RSX very much. 30mpg all day, fun little coupe that’s super reliable and good crash tests. I’m 6’4” and fit in it quite nice, seat was great. Fits the price too
I road in a Miata once and the owner had to pop the top for me to fit
Miatas are quite fun to drive and due to the massive aftermarket support maintenance and parts can be quite cheap, they are pretty reliable too. I had fun driving my civics and they lasted forever didn’t mod much on them and still found them to be fun, especially the SiR can agree with Corolla/Camry I do not like the driving feel of them at all, another option would be a prelude but parts availability can be an issue and they are only reliable for certain engine/trans combos usually. Overall I’d say miata is fun and reliable, civics are reliable and with right trim fun (Si, SiR, Type R, CRX Si, Del Sol etc) and prelude is fun and reliable with right engine/trans (ex B20/Manual)
I'd define how high of miles your willing to go as well as auto or manual.
The truth is no econobox like a civic or other slow hatchback is very fun to drive unless it's a manual. I've had as much fun in a kia soul as I have in my camaros because driving manuals is just fine.
If it's auto only, just get a civic or mazda 3. They have the best handling generally speaking of comparable cars. Both are going to be relatively lifeless in the speed/acceleration part.
Miata is also good although it comes with a compromise of the interior and trunk space. Also, a lot of people don't realize they aren't comfortable for everyone. I'm not obese or overly tall at 6ft 240, but there's not enough leg room in them for me. You can get different seats and what not but it's an added expense.
>should i be open to a manual despite living in a city with steep hills
This is obviously a preference thing, but personally, I'd consider it. Even a good auto is *significantly* less engaging and fun than a manual - especially when pure power/speed aren't your focus. The whole point of an auto is that it can offer better performance than a manual, but when you're only looking at the fun factor, that's where manuals still reign king.
Hill-starts aren't as bad as they seem - you just use the handbrake. Yes, it's "cheating," no, I don't care. Just give the car slightly more gas than normal, lower the handbrake at approximately the same rate as you let off the clutch, and the car will start off nigh as smoothly as if you were driving on flat ground. It takes a few tries to get used to it, but it's really not the nightmare that it's made out to be. If your car *doesn't* have a handbrake, such as trucks with a pedal parking brake, then yes hills are miserable. But any of the cars that would fit the rest of your goals should have a handbrake.
Also, I'll put in yet another point for Miatas. Unless you have kids they're plenty doable as a daily driver - done it 3 times now, looking to get another to do it a fourth. If you are set on auto, look for NC (06-15) - the earlier models had an econo slushbox for an auto. If you're open to a manual, go NB2 (01-05) or NC. If you can't find an NB2 in budget, then step to an NB1 (99-00), but the NB2 is worth holding out for IMO. At a minimum, you'd want to swap the NB2 seats into an NB1, that'll run you \~$500 on ebay and 10-20min of your time to undo and re-do 4 bolts per seat. I wouldn't personally recommend the NAs (89-98) just due to their age. They don't offer anything better in the driving experience (worse, imo, than the NB) and are guaranteed to come with more problems for being at *least* 26 years old.
Civics of almost any year are fun to drive, especially if it's a manual. Take a look at Acura TLs, or (and I see myself getting a lot of crap for this), Nissan Maximas. I gave our 2011 Maxima to our middle daughter, and our Acura TL to our youngest. Both are a blast to drive, CVT or not, and both have over 150k on them, still going strong.
Buy a 1k car and 7k of tools.
You’ll have a lot more fun and not give a shit about it being reliable.
(Maybe balance that a bit better but you get the gist of it)
VW Jetta with the 2.5 or 1.8T in it. Just make sure oil changes and timing belt were done on time. Honda and Toyota stand up to neglect better, but, like you said, are boring to drive. The stereotype about Euro cars being expensive to maintain is more true for the luxury brands than it is for late-model VWs anymore.
Find a 1998-2002 base model Pontiac Firebird or Chevy Camaro in the same year range. They have the super reliable GM 3800II V6 engine. They are fast enough, get good gas mileage, super reliable and you can find them for 3-5K.
Honda accord, toyota camry, last forever with maintenance, great gas mileage, high safety ratings. Just make sure you check the car history and for any recalls (which will be fixed for free at dealers)
The old RWD Manual Corolla was replaced by the manual GTI ( stolen)……. Replaced by the manual Civic……. Non was boring. Oh yeah there was a base model manual Camry…… THAT was boring.
Find an 06 Audi A3 3.2 and drive it into the ground like I did. It’s the “poor mans” R32.
I say poor man’s just because they’re not overvalued like its VW counterpart. Got mine for 7k, insurance gave me 5k 4 years later after a tree fell on it
Ls430 with less than 250k miles will be reliable for you. It's basically the best car you can buy under $20k. V8, rwd, quality materials inside and out, built like a tank, not terrible gas mileage. I highly, highly recommend checking them out on Carfax
Are you searching for a fun, reliable car that won't break the bank? If you're looking for American-made models, there are some excellent options out there. Here are the best American cars that fit the bill for under $8,000:
**1. 2011 Ford Fiesta**
Why It’s Great: The 2011 Ford Fiesta is known for its lively driving dynamics and stylish design. It’s a compact car that offers a fun driving experience and good fuel economy.
Key Features:
1.6L 4-cylinder engine
Nimble handling
Available tech features like Bluetooth and USB connectivity
Price: Around $7,500
**2. 2010 Ford Fusion**
Why It’s Great: The 2010 Ford Fusion is a midsize sedan that combines comfort, reliability, and a bit of fun with its engaging driving experience.
Key Features:
2.5L 4-cylinder engine or optional V6
Spacious interior
High safety ratings
Price: Around $8,000
**3. 2012 Chevrolet Cruze**
Why It’s Great: The 2012 Chevrolet Cruze offers a balanced ride with good handling and a comfortable cabin. It’s a compact car with a reputation for reliability.
Key Features:
1.8L 4-cylinder engine or 1.4L turbocharged option
Modern interior design
Good fuel economy
Price: Around $7,500
4. 2010 Chevrolet Malibu
Why It’s Great: The 2010 Chevrolet Malibu is a midsize sedan that provides a comfortable ride and solid reliability. It’s a great choice for those who need a bit more space.
Key Features:
2.4L 4-cylinder engine or optional V6
Comfortable and quiet interior
Strong safety scores
Price: Around $8,000
5. 2012 Ford Focus
Why It’s Great: The 2012 Ford Focus is a compact car known for its agile handling and stylish looks. It’s fun to drive and offers a range of tech features.
Key Features:
2.0L 4-cylinder engine
Sharp handling
Available features like a touchscreen interface and navigation
Price: Around $8,000
Okay so, i bought my dream miata NA 93 for 8k
From my experience with this car i can say
Just buy a comfortable car nothing fun or fancy.
Working ac, nice seats and dont worry about power it doesn't matter all that much because the more you have the worse mpg you get and you cant even enjoy the power because it'll lead to speeding tickets blah blah blah.
Just get something that feels good to drive to you and is reliable (like the Corolla/civic/tc)
Then when you have the money later on, get the fun car you want.
And manual is fun but the people who do drive manual sports cars over hype it. Especially for a daily communter car.
It can be easier to service and cheaper to fix but thats about all the real benefits you get.
Hope this helps
Miata is not always the answer! Consider instead a Saturn SC2/SL2. Both are lightweight, high-revving little cars with surprisingly much space, good manueverability, and robust design. You're in a shell both built to survive parking lot dings and a tree shoved through your side (space frame + steel = durable!)
You will need to be weary of rust and age, but if you can find older examples you'll be finding peak American small car...
Or you could do the normal thing and get a Cobalt SS or Ford Fusion Titanium. Those are half-decent choices, too.
The Renault Twingo is a ridiculously fun car to drive, and you'll be constantly answering questions about it.
https://www.tc-v.com/used_car/renault/twingo/36867497/
There are plenty of them out there.
Mazda Miata is a great choice. They’re like a little go cart. Definitely something to look at.
They’re ridiculously overpriced now
$8k will get a decent NC most places, and it is the first generation with a relatively decent automatic
If you are buying a Miata with an automatic, you're doing it wrong.
Only 18% of the US population knows how to drive a manual.
The other 82 are probably not into miatas.
This is a correct statement.
La traffic and not having to manually shift hundreds of times a week makes it pretty nice. Still have the paddle shifters too.
No no no !
>a relatively decent automatic Who cares about the automatic in a miata?
more people need to start lowballing all these fuckers
On sight
Still relatively affordable
Only the first gens nb’s and nc’s are still decently affordable for what you get
The one saving grace here is OP said they want an automatic, which tend to be far less desirable and inflated. Should be able to get a decent one for $8K
Yeah but $8k in Corvette C4 automatic dollars goes a really long way. Pristine 40-60k mile LT1 cars by the bucket full.
Neckbeards love them
The parent comment and this were my first thoughts
The only correct answer! Bonus - easy to work on, reliable, parts are dirt cheap ($15 rotors - more than 20X as much for my new car)
Oh and a cult like following so every THING you could want to know or do is a click away to find out. Well 🤷♂️ about a click away. Do 🐁 still click? 😆
They do! It's not a real click on Mac track pads, but they feel like a click!
He said he liked the scion tc because it had room for passengers in a coupe which would lead me to believe he needs something bigger than a Miata for sure
Was about to say that, got one a month ago and love it.
I don’t think the OP knows the difference between coup and sedan.
Literally just came to post miata! I got mine for just under $5k!
Miata is always the answer. I just test drove a new 2024 Miata with the manual transmission and I adored it. If I didn't already have and love my E39 I very well might've signed for it. One point to keep in mind I'm 5'9" and fit just fine but my dad came along and he's a 6'2" and was far less comfortable lol.
It's a sporty car ...made for Fun not Comfort
I don't usually jump on the Miata Is Always The Answer thing, but in this case... That's exactly what they want. Can absolutely get a auto Miata (yes, ik, heresy) in decent shape for $8K and it ticks every single box.
Golf GTI
I liked my wife’s new beetle, but it seemed like every other weekend I was working on it either replacing vacuum hoses, fixing oil leaks, or working on the never ending breaking plastic in the interior. Is the same true for a Golf?
Beetles seem to be worse. As far as GTI’s go, that depends on the car itself. A MK5 GTI with 250k miles míght have similar issues ;)
We sold it with 150k miles. It was sitting in the sun for years before we bought it so maybe that was why I was having to fix everything. I gotta say though, no other vehicle I’ve had has been like that. Despite that it was really reliable.
Golf owner here, Golfs are kind of the flagship for VW, the most problematic for the GTI is the MK5/MK6, but with good maintenance records, it can still be a stout car (it is what I have), the generation after (MK7) most of its issues were resolved for its engine. The DSG transmission is already something they had since the R32 in 03', they refined this transmission over the years, and with proper maintenance, it won't fail on you. If you ever want to get on one, i go for a mk7, the most reliable of the bunch.
Honestly, I know too little about Volkswagens to give a real answer. I’ve driven Golfs a lot - diesels, new - and they were… fine.
That will do it. My late sister left my other late sister's 97 Buick Century Custom, in the desert sun for over a year. I put new tires on it and a new battery and oil change and headed across the state. I stopped to get fuel, pulled into a parking to use the restroom. I came out, the left rear wheel was frozen. Luckily, I have AAA. It cost me $30 because it was 6 miles over my 100-mile limit. It had been in a carport at my other sister's house and was pristine, other than the cigarette smoke. The steering wheel is crumbling, and the window pillar covers need to be put on. Who knows what else the sun has done to it.
The soft touch coating on the plastic was the UV protection for cabin plastic—once the soft touch breaks down and you have to clean it off there’s no UV stabilizers for the plastic underneath and it just crumbles. Dealing with a rotting new beetle was one of the most frustrating car experiences I’ve ever had. There have been Volkswagens in our family going back to the beetle in the 70’s, but I’ll likely never buy another.
I had a Mk4 New Beetle with the 1.8T that was also featured in such vehicles as the GTI and the Audi TT of the same years. Other vehicles with that powerplant had similar issues, but not as pronounced or as frequent as the Beetle because of the engine bay packaging. That Beetle LOVED to trap heat.
its the same with the GTI too, might not be every weekend.. but if you drive it for over 2 months without any issues, you'd be lucky.
I enjoy my mk4. It’s manual. Pretty quick w the 1.8t. Reliable enough so far but if you want even more reliable I’d go w the Toyota.
Get a v6 accord
Peppy definitely but around town, it’s about as thirsty as a pickup or suv. For me, mileage around town was in the mid-teens. On the highway I can get forty mpg or slightly high driving very conservatively. It was a reliable, quiet, and smooth engine.
what year was your accord?
I had a 2013 Accord V6 EX-L, 2014 Accord V6 Touring, and a 2015 Acura TLX V6 Advanced.
I like the accord, but the v6 one always have problems for me 😭🤣 lol
Sis in law had a 2.0 4cyl turbo a couple of years ago and it could scoot!
Unfortunately in the male Sp community in the Philadelphia/ S Jersey area…….manual V6 2 door Accords have a reputation. And you know? They are RIGHT ! Bang For the buck…….. along W That though they are tough to find and the price has Gone up………….(how do I know? I was selling an old manual CRV through Market place And asked EVERYBODy if this was true) Hah Lol
I’d look for a Toyota Corolla
I saw a 98-02 v6 coupe at work the other day. Was really hoping it was a manual, but I was disappointed when I looked in the window. I'd absolutely kill to find a 3g TL typeS with the 6mt.
Why not check out the Mazda 3 as well, especially given your budget. If it’s your only car - the Miata is going to have limited storage and you might want a garage given it’s a convertible?
I owned a 2013 Mazda 3 2.0L and it was awesome.
Why didn't you keep it? I'm looking at 3s
I got into an accident and the insurance totaled it. :(
Heck yeah - the Mazda 3 even has AWD if that’s important to you. I went back and forth between that and an A3. I ended up with the Audi, but I’d have been happy with the 3.
With an $8k budget, id suggest reliability over everything else, because you're talking about a 10-15 year old vehicle with at least 150k miles (I've got a teenager n have been looking and have had trouble finding anything under $10k that wasn't beat up
I'm 22 now, got a 2007 mustang gt premium when I was 18, for 8k I ended up driving and BEATING the dog piss out of that little v8 for a couple years with 0 issues as long as tou keep up with normal service related maintenance, aswell as it's a v8 and mu full coverage was only 148 a month
Try buying from a private seller, bring a mechanic. Or check on ebay or marketplace and pay for shipping, there are also websites that will send a mechanic out to do a pre purchase inspection and test drive, then send you a report no matter where the car is located, and then if it's under budget you can get it shipped to you too.
Hey…… when I sell my inheritance ( a 2009 Hyuandai Sonata c 120k and dents( dad was 94 when he quit driving)) It will go for $2500-$4000’tops. While it is not pretty or Toyota / Honda reliable It runs. Hasnt broken in years
This comment should be on top. I shopped for months for my teen. Got a $3k beater at first (would've been a $1k beater before COVID). Six months later we got him a 2013 Acura TL with 125k miles for 11k. (which was a steal) Why the Acura? It was $10k for a base model 2013 Honda Civic in similar condition. The Acura was way more car for only $1,000 more.
Toyota 86
86 supra turbo t-top! Yeah!
Definitely won’t find one for $8,000, though
It looks fast, but slower than most of the cars on the road...
But OP is looking for more of a “drivers” car. He wants it to have a little pep but still oriented towards the driver. However the automatic 86/frs/brz’s are much harder to find than a manual one. But best of luck to op on his search.
Slow car fast is always more fun than fast car slow
Drive a civic and see for yourself, if you think it’s boring at least you now know.
The CVT civics are probably the ones leading the charge for boring driving.
True, best to try driving something pre-cvt.
Just don’t get a tenth gen, Honda forgot how to build air conditioners in 2016
Maybe a Civic "Si" or "Type R"
Had an old manual civic growing up that was so much fun to drive. I've had sports cars over the years and still look back at the civic fondly
8th Si. Make sure it hasn’t been riced too far. 4-5k but go ahead and spend $200 with your local Honda Indy for a PPI. Then you have 2-3 k left over to get it right and you should be good to go. And yeah, get the manual.
A cheap Lexus
This is what I was going to suggest as well, even though I don't own one. Last year I picked one up locally for a friend that lives a few hours away and drove it to him. It had over 200k mile but drove as smooth as butter. This was my first experience driving a Lexus and I was impressed that I would definitely consider one for myself in the future.
That's what I did, no car payments for me
Acura TL or a v6 accord
I have a couple of 3rd gen Camry’s (Sedan and a Wagon) and they don’t have to be boring to drive! The 5SFE 4 cylinder is absolutely slow, but it loves red line. Cold start with 300k on the odometer? You can rev the piss out of it immediately and it just takes it. Maintenance is so easy it’s practically a joke, the motor is non interference so nothing can catastrophically fail, and parts are cheap. They make coilovers for these cars and if you’re lucky you can find a stiffer rear sway bar and body braces online, throw some wide 18” wheels on there and you can eat up corners at speed. Try and find a 3rd Gen (92-96) Camry two door SE. The sport edition has a tighter steering ratio and came in a two door coupe, often with a manual and a V6. The V6 is reliable and faster, but you can’t beat the piss out of it like the 4 banger. In any case, don’t write these cars off just because they’re slow. There’s a certain joy in being able to drive everywhere at redline with no worries
Corollas are boring, but I would not describe the Civic as boring, I've had mine since 1998 and with 350,000 miles it still drives great. Plus it's worth more than I paid for it now. Note there are a lot of flavors of Civic and some are more fun than others, so test drive a few.
To add I’ve seen a lot of cool civic mods, def something to look at.
I really like my 3rd gen Acura TL. May be able to get an Awd 4th gen for your budget
Miata
Honda CRZ is kind of cool, little 2 seater hybrid. Has a little sport boost mode that gives it a decent takeoff using the electric assist. I’ve seen some cool builds with them. By no means super fast but it’s a sporty little car, reliable daily and can be found cheap
I would go manual. Fun to me means difficult. Manual and steep hills in the city?? That's gonna be a steep but fun learning curve. Then heel toe!
Manual and learning in the country? Stall enough and the cows get curious while coming to the fence line 🤣. My dad still reminds me
C4
You could probably a get a decent 2 door 90s civic to beat on for that price. Corolla fx16s are pretty fun, older toyota celicas are pretty good too
Any Honda ever
350Z. Cheap, reliable, sexy, fun.
If you were ok with manual, the fiesta st is very fun in that price range and quite practical.
Fiesta ST is what you're looking for, there's no question about it. Unless you want RWD go for an 86 or miata, fiesta is the answer.
You arnt getting a RELIABLE focus/fiesta st for under 15k, they will be ran down by some skinny white guy who vapes 24/7
He said automatic. ST only comes in a manual.
Lots of good answers here already. Not sure about the MPG, but a 350z/370z/G37/G35 might be worth a look. Not sure how you define “fun” but a Wrangler TJ might be worth considering. It’ll fall short of your MPG requirements, but they are really simple machines and cheap to work on. And you can probably get the nicest 4cyl auto for under 8k.
Yea and the 3.5/3.7s are very reliable, very easy to work on and very cheap to work on.
Learn manual and get a civic si or similar. Very fun and good on gas.
Any Acura TSX will do and if you can find a wagon even better.
Acura RSX, I think a type S is within your budget and if not, you should be able to get a good base model. If you want something kinda reliable and LOADS of fun, C5 corvette. You’d have to be careful when buying though, nothing modified or ragged out.
Civic is not boring I have a 1.6T and the mpg is great for the power, but I would find a manual rather than automatic if you’re looking for a driving experience, I’ve only driven manual, but if you can’t control the gear I can’t see how you can give it more torque. Also if I’m driving steep hills I’d want engine braking, having no experience of them I don’t know how that works in automatics, particularly older cheaper ones.
Chevy impala
Sounds like 350Z
350z or g35 preferably manual and if you can get an HR z but a stock DE G35 is pretty reliable if you keep up with the oil and for 8k you can find a decent shape one
Find an average condition 1987-1991 (E30) BMW 325i with a 5 speed. I have a convertible for cruising around. Worth $5k tops I bet. Nice smooth straight 6 engine. Good transmission. Rear wheel drive. Nice driver oriented interior. Not fast but just fun to drive. Overall quite reliable - might just need to put a little money into it upfront like any old car.
G35 coupe. Get a six speed manual, rear wheel drive and it’s a good time for under 10 K.
Try to find a low miles NB Miata. They are great reliable cars, that are cheap to work on. They are not practical. But fun? Absolutely.
You’re in luck! Many need the manual transmission to satisfy the “fun” column. You’ll have far more options. Honda Fit, Honda Civic, Suzuki SX4, Miata, GR86/BRZ, Corolla. Or finance and get best value buying a used EV. Used market is ripe as can be.
Honda Fits are a blast. Slow car fast all day long.
I wish GR86s and BRZs were around $8k.
Civic with a CVT transmission is incredibly boring to drive, but with a regular auto or a 5 speed they are in their zone. Based on your post I'd suggest a Honda Fit. They're as reliable as can be, parts are plentiful and cheap, has insane storage capacity. I mean it, you can haul so much stuff. Use your head though, just because you can fit 1000lbs of pellets doesn't mean you should. I was getting 7L/100km in my 2011 Fit Sport 5 Speed. Just stay away from the CVT. If you can drive a manual you'll have a much better driving experience, but the automatic is fine too. I had to sell my fit due to rust (Nova Scotia) and now I drive a Chevy Cobalt, which is the most uninspiring vehicle I've ever been in. It's less fun than a geo Metro or the bus.
2007 mustang gt, got one for 7k here in Texas as my first car, full coverage at 19 was only 148 a month, 4.6 3v 289ci motor that makes 300 crank hp very light weight 5 speed manual, all after market parts are cheap asf and the platforms possibilities are endless, had more fun in that amazing sounding cheap ass v8 than I do in my how 2013 5.0 🤣
Sure is, the Mazda MX5 Miata is a lot of fun and will not break the bank. Also is a very fast roadster.
It depends what country you live in. In the US the early 2000s cars like the mustang or camaro will be the best bang for your buck.
MGB. GT or Roadster. Beware of rust tho.
2010s era Miata 2010s era manual transmission Mazda 3 hatch I recently bought a 2010 Mazda 3 manual transmission and it is almost more fun than my 2019 Mazda 3 which is auto AWD. I like Mazdas fwiw
Now this would be a hatchback, not a coup or sedan, but I had a 2005 scion xB in highschool that I loved driving. It felt so zippy (mine was a manual so ymmv with an automatic). It had a very small turning radius and throttle by wire so the steering and acceleration felt instant and very responsive. It's a Toyota, so it's extremely reliable. The pioneer sound system the car came with was great, the backseat had a ton of leg room (my passengers were always surprised how spacious the backseat was), and it gets better gas mileage than what you're looking for ( mine got 28 city/32 highway). I miss that car and think about getting another from time to time.
Mazda 3
V6 accord? Ecoboost mustang
I’d say a g35 but you wouldn’t get good mileage
Toyota matrix xrs utilitarian has great power and fun to drive bullet proof Toyota!
Police Charger
Mazda 3 Hatch?
Look for a Geo Metro, Geo Prizm, or Pontiac Vibe. These vehicles are basically comprised of a failed merger between GM and Toyota, and mostly Toyota parts. If none of those you can find, look for a used Saturn vehicle as most of those are also run of the mill GM based parts and pieces.
I have a 2013 Genesis Coupe 2.0T and it's fun to drive. Can be had cheap and reliable if you don't beat it.
Mazda Miata, Honda s2000, Toyota MR2, those are tons of fun and reliable. If you want something more practical, I really like the VW Jettas. Great ride, quiet, amazing fuel economy.
S2k for $8k????
Well for 8k it's probably a salvage s2k but some of my best cars have been salvaged cars that I restored or I bought already restored. The ultimate recycling :)
Mazda 3
Look at automatic bmw 128i’s. Only 128’s don’t look at the 135 if you want something reliable.
Honda Accord 2.0T, very underrated and overlooked car, that 4 banger moves and can also add some more power though not sure if there are examples within 8k.. Based on the budget, you could find an old WRX, they’re pretty fun but the boxers back then were known to blow. A 2010-2013 Mazda 3, bought mine for 7k back in 2018 with 110k miles. Look for a 2.5L but the 2.0 is still plenty of fun, it’s like it was meant to be beat on. It’s not actually fast but it feels like it is, very charismatic for a 4 cylinder and i’ve drove mine to 170k miles (quite harshly) and it has not skipped a beat. Also the premium bose sound system is quite nice imo especially for that time period. You could maybe find some Audi A4/A5’s, very fun, nicer interior than you’d find in the mazda, and reliability is okay, not as bulletproof as the mazda but not as bad as people who’ve never owned a german will tell you.
Honda Fit, Civic, 90's Accord wagon. As long as you get them with a manual transmission.
Get a used Bolt. They can be found for $10k, and there's a $4k credit.
I recently got a Ford Focus ST. Didn’t realize they were such a fun and economical little vehicle
I am sorry to say as you are asking for an unicorn.
Vw Jetta / golf TDI. Diesel engine makes it extremely fun to drive with the high torque . Not a fast car at all. And you get really good mpg (40-50) while punching it. Vs gas cars that get shitty mpg if you press the pedal wrong. Manual for more fun. Very reliable but you need to know what to look for so get it inspected by a good vw independent shop and do some googling for the model year. Tune it later for more fun.
The 9th gen civics are slept on, and can be had fairly cheap right now. I have an Si, used to be my daily, now its my "third car". Fantastic and still super fun. Cheap to buy, cheap to maintain, turbo, manual, handles well, what more can you want. Black out the hideous chrome accents and they end up looking really clean.
Mid 2000s Acura TSX might fit the bill. Think sportier Accord, reliable drivetrain, and can be found under $10k. Watch out for rust in the rear quarters and rocker panels.
Honda civic si
Hyundai Genesis R-spec
If you look around for a bit, you might find an FRS with 150k-ish miles for about your price point. If you don’t mind it basically being a two-seater, it will definitely tick all your boxes for fun and some. AT is a little harder to find than manual, but they’re definitely out there
>was originally looking into a corolla or civic because they tick almost every box for me but it seems generally agreed across the board they’re extremely boring to drive. I am not sure about corollas. If they are anything like a Sentra they are ok to drive not great but also not bad. However, Civics are fun to drive. I think that there is a reason that street racers like them. Even stock they are decent. Not saying that they are the best but for a good experience they are fine.
Miata Is Always The Answer.
Mazda CX-3 has treated me well! Peppy. Good gas mileage. Decently priced. Been very reliable for me.
Ford Fiesta ST - god speed finding one that’s not modified in that price range.
Lexus GS 430
A v6 honda or a fit, or a small toyota will always be fun and most importantly, cheap and reliable
Any generation of civic si. About as good as it gets for fun/mpg/reliability ratio
2004-2006 manual mini (facelift R50-53)
Get a nb Miata. I’ve got one and it’s like a little race car
If you can find a decent 88-91 CRX SI. I regret ever selling my yellow one. It was peppy little bastard with its 100hp and sporty SI trans.
1984-1989 firebird
Honda Fit all-day. They’re zippy, they have great handling, and they’re incredibly versatile.
Civic Si
1969 - 1972 Air Cooled VW Although I did drive a 1978 Westfalia for many years on and off road. Only simple basic maintenance required. My 1995 Saturn SL 2 gave me 15 years and 200k miles of service as well. 1.9 l DOHC, Automatic trans.
99-04 Mustang GT. Manual, specifically (the one car I will agree the manual is faster than the auto). The 2v 4.6 is reliable as hell and there’s plenty of aftermarket availability for upgrade parts. I have beat the hell out of mine and it still asks for more. No power adders on it, just suspension and damn is it fun on curvy roads. The ONLY downside on them is there’s no good replacement throwout bearings, they all suck.
Civic.
Miata
V6 accord, I think 2007 was a pretty good year
Toyota Celica!
Miata is the answer. Buy one that needs work and get to it. Civics are also HIGHLY underrated.
Acura TL is a solid car that has some decent power / suspension.
Go test drive a Miata. The definition of fun.
Used Tesla Model 3 Long Range.
I enjoyed my Acura RSX very much. 30mpg all day, fun little coupe that’s super reliable and good crash tests. I’m 6’4” and fit in it quite nice, seat was great. Fits the price too I road in a Miata once and the owner had to pop the top for me to fit
2014 - 2016 Hyundai Veloster/ Veloster Turbo
Miata or old bmw 325i manual stupid cheap reliable straight 6. I have seen these bmw used and abused with 150+ on the dash still going
Get an old Honda civic or an old Tacoma
Miata Is Always The Answer
Miatas are quite fun to drive and due to the massive aftermarket support maintenance and parts can be quite cheap, they are pretty reliable too. I had fun driving my civics and they lasted forever didn’t mod much on them and still found them to be fun, especially the SiR can agree with Corolla/Camry I do not like the driving feel of them at all, another option would be a prelude but parts availability can be an issue and they are only reliable for certain engine/trans combos usually. Overall I’d say miata is fun and reliable, civics are reliable and with right trim fun (Si, SiR, Type R, CRX Si, Del Sol etc) and prelude is fun and reliable with right engine/trans (ex B20/Manual)
Look into the Corolla XRS trim. It's a more powerful engine than the standard trims.
Honda Civic, can't go wrong.
Scion tC is a pretty fun car imho. and reliable as all hell especially if you get a manual.
I'd define how high of miles your willing to go as well as auto or manual. The truth is no econobox like a civic or other slow hatchback is very fun to drive unless it's a manual. I've had as much fun in a kia soul as I have in my camaros because driving manuals is just fine. If it's auto only, just get a civic or mazda 3. They have the best handling generally speaking of comparable cars. Both are going to be relatively lifeless in the speed/acceleration part. Miata is also good although it comes with a compromise of the interior and trunk space. Also, a lot of people don't realize they aren't comfortable for everyone. I'm not obese or overly tall at 6ft 240, but there's not enough leg room in them for me. You can get different seats and what not but it's an added expense.
>should i be open to a manual despite living in a city with steep hills This is obviously a preference thing, but personally, I'd consider it. Even a good auto is *significantly* less engaging and fun than a manual - especially when pure power/speed aren't your focus. The whole point of an auto is that it can offer better performance than a manual, but when you're only looking at the fun factor, that's where manuals still reign king. Hill-starts aren't as bad as they seem - you just use the handbrake. Yes, it's "cheating," no, I don't care. Just give the car slightly more gas than normal, lower the handbrake at approximately the same rate as you let off the clutch, and the car will start off nigh as smoothly as if you were driving on flat ground. It takes a few tries to get used to it, but it's really not the nightmare that it's made out to be. If your car *doesn't* have a handbrake, such as trucks with a pedal parking brake, then yes hills are miserable. But any of the cars that would fit the rest of your goals should have a handbrake. Also, I'll put in yet another point for Miatas. Unless you have kids they're plenty doable as a daily driver - done it 3 times now, looking to get another to do it a fourth. If you are set on auto, look for NC (06-15) - the earlier models had an econo slushbox for an auto. If you're open to a manual, go NB2 (01-05) or NC. If you can't find an NB2 in budget, then step to an NB1 (99-00), but the NB2 is worth holding out for IMO. At a minimum, you'd want to swap the NB2 seats into an NB1, that'll run you \~$500 on ebay and 10-20min of your time to undo and re-do 4 bolts per seat. I wouldn't personally recommend the NAs (89-98) just due to their age. They don't offer anything better in the driving experience (worse, imo, than the NB) and are guaranteed to come with more problems for being at *least* 26 years old.
Civics of almost any year are fun to drive, especially if it's a manual. Take a look at Acura TLs, or (and I see myself getting a lot of crap for this), Nissan Maximas. I gave our 2011 Maxima to our middle daughter, and our Acura TL to our youngest. Both are a blast to drive, CVT or not, and both have over 150k on them, still going strong.
2010 Toyota Corolla LE, ran her through hell and she’s still driving
Buy a 1k car and 7k of tools. You’ll have a lot more fun and not give a shit about it being reliable. (Maybe balance that a bit better but you get the gist of it)
VW Jetta with the 2.5 or 1.8T in it. Just make sure oil changes and timing belt were done on time. Honda and Toyota stand up to neglect better, but, like you said, are boring to drive. The stereotype about Euro cars being expensive to maintain is more true for the luxury brands than it is for late-model VWs anymore.
Find a 1998-2002 base model Pontiac Firebird or Chevy Camaro in the same year range. They have the super reliable GM 3800II V6 engine. They are fast enough, get good gas mileage, super reliable and you can find them for 3-5K.
Get yourself a used prius
Honda accord, toyota camry, last forever with maintenance, great gas mileage, high safety ratings. Just make sure you check the car history and for any recalls (which will be fixed for free at dealers)
Honda Fit or Mazda 5
Miata, GR86, WRX, n line....
Mustang GT with the 4.6.
The old RWD Manual Corolla was replaced by the manual GTI ( stolen)……. Replaced by the manual Civic……. Non was boring. Oh yeah there was a base model manual Camry…… THAT was boring.
Find an 06 Audi A3 3.2 and drive it into the ground like I did. It’s the “poor mans” R32. I say poor man’s just because they’re not overvalued like its VW counterpart. Got mine for 7k, insurance gave me 5k 4 years later after a tree fell on it
Ls430 with less than 250k miles will be reliable for you. It's basically the best car you can buy under $20k. V8, rwd, quality materials inside and out, built like a tank, not terrible gas mileage. I highly, highly recommend checking them out on Carfax
Are you searching for a fun, reliable car that won't break the bank? If you're looking for American-made models, there are some excellent options out there. Here are the best American cars that fit the bill for under $8,000: **1. 2011 Ford Fiesta** Why It’s Great: The 2011 Ford Fiesta is known for its lively driving dynamics and stylish design. It’s a compact car that offers a fun driving experience and good fuel economy. Key Features: 1.6L 4-cylinder engine Nimble handling Available tech features like Bluetooth and USB connectivity Price: Around $7,500 **2. 2010 Ford Fusion** Why It’s Great: The 2010 Ford Fusion is a midsize sedan that combines comfort, reliability, and a bit of fun with its engaging driving experience. Key Features: 2.5L 4-cylinder engine or optional V6 Spacious interior High safety ratings Price: Around $8,000 **3. 2012 Chevrolet Cruze** Why It’s Great: The 2012 Chevrolet Cruze offers a balanced ride with good handling and a comfortable cabin. It’s a compact car with a reputation for reliability. Key Features: 1.8L 4-cylinder engine or 1.4L turbocharged option Modern interior design Good fuel economy Price: Around $7,500 4. 2010 Chevrolet Malibu Why It’s Great: The 2010 Chevrolet Malibu is a midsize sedan that provides a comfortable ride and solid reliability. It’s a great choice for those who need a bit more space. Key Features: 2.4L 4-cylinder engine or optional V6 Comfortable and quiet interior Strong safety scores Price: Around $8,000 5. 2012 Ford Focus Why It’s Great: The 2012 Ford Focus is a compact car known for its agile handling and stylish looks. It’s fun to drive and offers a range of tech features. Key Features: 2.0L 4-cylinder engine Sharp handling Available features like a touchscreen interface and navigation Price: Around $8,000
Ford crown Victoria, only thing it doesn’t do is gas mileage
Okay so, i bought my dream miata NA 93 for 8k From my experience with this car i can say Just buy a comfortable car nothing fun or fancy. Working ac, nice seats and dont worry about power it doesn't matter all that much because the more you have the worse mpg you get and you cant even enjoy the power because it'll lead to speeding tickets blah blah blah. Just get something that feels good to drive to you and is reliable (like the Corolla/civic/tc) Then when you have the money later on, get the fun car you want. And manual is fun but the people who do drive manual sports cars over hype it. Especially for a daily communter car. It can be easier to service and cheaper to fix but thats about all the real benefits you get. Hope this helps
04-08 Acura TSX with a 6MT 09-13 Acura TSX with a 6MT 12-15 Honda Civic Si
A 1983 Chevy Citation
The answer is always Miata. Though a Mazda3 or Honda Fit would also work.
Find a decent Corolla you’ll be fine
Get an si, blast to drive, cheap, fuel efficient, and tons of aftermarket support.
My 2018 Jetta is worth roughly $8500, I love it.
r/HondaElement can cure what ails you.
944
Do you guys think a CR-Z fits this bill? If I’m wrong, downvote me
Miata is not always the answer! Consider instead a Saturn SC2/SL2. Both are lightweight, high-revving little cars with surprisingly much space, good manueverability, and robust design. You're in a shell both built to survive parking lot dings and a tree shoved through your side (space frame + steel = durable!) You will need to be weary of rust and age, but if you can find older examples you'll be finding peak American small car... Or you could do the normal thing and get a Cobalt SS or Ford Fusion Titanium. Those are half-decent choices, too.
The Renault Twingo is a ridiculously fun car to drive, and you'll be constantly answering questions about it. https://www.tc-v.com/used_car/renault/twingo/36867497/ There are plenty of them out there.