So, I've been looking for a DD that I can drive year round comfortably that has a few luxuries and is fun to drive in the sub 25K range. So far I've come across a few vehicles and I'm sure some of you have some good ideas as well. If you have experience with any of these or have a suggestion let's hear it!

So far I'm looking at:

• Subaru STi-Best in class Fun
• Chevy TrailBlazer SS-Best in class SUV
• BMW 335i-Best in class Luxury/Fun and MPG

Michael

 

The ScoobyDo is a fun ride, quick and light. It lacks the substantial feel of the BMW.

Personally, I prefer the BMW.

And an SUV sucks all around.

 

I Love my MINI.

Same MPG as subaru, handles better IMO, and better build quality / interior
Got my 03 with 33k for $13k

If you want a BMW but more fun... get a MINI

EDIT: btw with a few mods you are up to 200 hp and it makes it quite a quick little toy.

 

The Subaru covers everything. AWD, turbo, 4 doors.

 

I agree that the STI would be a great DD, but I also nominate the Evo 9.

 

Evo over STI. My Evo 9 has been my daily driver since I got it and I love it. I have the SSL package so I have sound system sun roof and leather.

Oh, and it does 12second 1/4 miles

 

Trailblazer? Best in class SUV??? Come on!! **** I know it has a LS but ****, what luxuries are you talking about? And cornering? It's not going to happen.

 

25K is a big fat budget. You can get lots of fun cars for that money.

I recommend various subarus including the WRX, legacy gt, outback gt, forester xt. Note that there are also Legacy GT wagons.

You could always get a PHRT NC.

Or a BMW M3.



*****

 

BMW 1-series with the 3l bi-turbo and a manual box. This car is on the top of my DD list right now.

 

My sister has a trailblazer. It's a complete piece of ****.

Now the 1 series, that I could get behind.

Question: does the vehicle have to be new, or even new-ish? Can it, in fact, be quite old so long as it fulfills the fun / luxurious / practical criteria?

 

The STI is the only reliable car you listed...and I don't know about you but I really don't want to work on a Rube Goldberg of electronics.

 

Or save the moneys?

 

None of these are even close to 25k new or slightly used except maybe the shitty SS. You mean like 70-80k mile used ones right?

bimmer is absolutely top notch interior, has plenty of power, and I mean, its a BIMMER lol
sti is very fun to drive, cheaper to maintain, and fun as ****. not nearly as "luxury" and "plush" as the bimmer though.


NONE OF these would get good gas mileage. don't even kid yourself.

 

E46 M3 /thread

 

Sub 25k? A low mileage C5 Z06 fits right into that category! Guess it's not as comfortable or has as many seats as the other listings.

 

You can get a 2001ish porsche boxster for around 10k..... save the rest for insurance and up keep lol. Unless you get snow....... than scrap that idea
-Mike

 

Guys he mentioned a practical daily so lets all in typical mt.net fashion suggest corvettes, miata's, motorcycles, and top fuel dragsters.

 

See, I'm thinking in a bit of a different direction.

Corvettes, while certainly a handful, are common. So are WRXs and Evos and most everything made by BMW. I'm thinking that if I were going to go out and buy a non-Miata daily driver, something fun but luxurious, and had $25k to spend, I'd tend to go for something a bit more unique.

For instance, you can find a lot of Acura NSXs in the low 100,000 mile range in the low to mid $20s. A supercar? Maybe. But one that you can actually drive to work every day.

Or the V8 Maserati Coupe Cambiocorsa. One of their lesser-known works to be sure, but as amazing from the front as any Aston Martin, and not entirely awful from any other angle.

There's the Jaguar XJS, an absolutely stunning car to drive and be seen driving. Reliable? Well, to a point. But for $25k you can easily afford two of them. And the sound of that V12 engine, Barry White might just as well be having an orgasm under the hood.

You could try on a Mercedes 560SL convertible. Not since leather elbow patches were applied to the first tweed blazer has any man-made object proclaimed so quietly "I am a person of class and sophistication."

Feeling a bit boy-racer? How about a good ole' twin turbo 300ZX. Once a prize status symbol of trauma surgeons and personal injury attorneys everywhere, I'm really shocked at how well this car has taken on a fine patina of class with age.


There are just so many cars out there which not only fulfill the basic requirements of being fun to drive and a comfortable place to sit in, but possess that intangible air that makes them... interesting.

 

Don't forget that most people on here have Miatas as daily drivers. Therefore, we consider anything that rolls with 4 wheels a practical car.

I'm still pushing for the Vette, they can manage 30 mpg on the highway. Hell, Mike got 27mpg in his 1100whp one driving from here to Angleton.

 

you want something special? get a kit car of a lambo or something stupid. it'll look like a lambo with the motor of a fiat! class and economy!