Fun cars at different price points.

[freeburn]

Curious to see what misc car experts think are the most fun weekenders or daily drivers at these price points:

$10k

$20k

$40k

$55k




Basically I'm still looking for either a cheap fun weekend car to add to my ownership, or trade my daily for a new daily at a higher price point.

I can sell or trade my car for around 20-25k. I'm willing to drop another 20k with a trade if it's for a nice newer car.

Or I can keep my daily (subaru impreza hatch) and get something for around 20k


So far the only car I've thought about going out of budget for is a new audi rs3. I was really looking into a 2021 subaru sti but idk. I also think about waiting for a new Nissan 400z but who knows what price they'll come out with and how long it will actually take to get one.

My background... I've mostly owned 4x4 suvs. I want something quick and fun to drive


Reps for thoughtful answers.

[Zackad]

Golf R, Focus RS, Nissan 370z or 400Z if it comes out in your budget range. Mazda Miata, and Alfa Romeo Giulia are also potentials

I would stay away from STIs. The benefits are not worth the headaches for the most part.

If you want something really fun, keep your current daily and pick up a motorcycle. I don't even have an interest in cars anymore past supercars now that I have a motorcycle. So much more fun and engaging. And significantly cheaper too unless you're picking the top models.

[freeburn]

Golf R, Focus RS, Nissan 370z or 400Z if it comes out in your budget range. Mazda Miata, and Alfa Romeo Giulia are also potentials

I would stay away from STIs. The benefits are not worth the headaches for the most part.

If you want something really fun, keep your current daily and pick up a motorcycle. I don't even have an interest in cars anymore past supercars now that I have a motorcycle. So much more fun and engaging. And significantly cheaper too unless you're picking the top models.

I used to dirt bike alot when I was younger so the thought a bike has crossed my mind.. But honestly living in NJ I'm just legit scared to be on a bike. Way too congested and way too many idiots on the road here.

[mgftp]

InB4 King and his Nissan Sentra

[lsiberian]

Pretty sure Covid jacked them up, but you ATS-V CPO used to be 40k. That was an insanely fun car to drive.

[MFarrar74]

dont get a STI as a second car, sure for a daily/fun car a sti, golf r, gti, rs3 is fine. but as a dedicated fun car? no.
in my opinion the newist/nicest/fastest mustang you can afford is the best bang for buck period. best aftermarket too.

other suggestions
10k 90s mustang cobras, lt1 fbodys, c4 vettes, 350z pontiac solstice, miata
20k c5 vette, ls1 fbodys, ls2 gto, 300zx, 370z m235i 135i
30k and up honestly id get a 5.0 mustang, challenger or SS, m240i
40-50k M2 M440I older hellcat

personally, for my third car, i just picked up an 03 terminator cobra convertible with about 500rwhp. its mint and i got in right before they started to spike so you may have trouble getting one at a reasonable cost now. its outrageously fun to drive. This was my dream car when i was young so nostalgia had a lot to do with it.

[bsmit107]

It really just depends on what you want and what you can find in your area.

I'm a v8 RWD kina guy so for those $$'s I'd pretty much be at newer levels of the same car as the budget increases....... But in real life, I chose to go the "project car" route......overall going to be around $18k....but at the end of, Ill have a 1972 muscle car, with a safe 600hp and modern suspension.

.....but about once a month I think.....Hmm, I can sell this thing for 12k, add another 15k and buy something way more modern/ready to go.....But I just love working on cars.

[ChaoticReignPbt]

I daily a 19' RS3. I've owned a lot of cars including multiple mustangs, a wrx, an sti, and a Golf R. RS3 is the best car I've ever owned. It's sounds amazing, it's very quick, surprisingly efficient (I average 24mpg mixed driving), fun to drive, and very comfortable to daily.

They're relatively uncommon and prices have been steadily climbing but I wouldn't hesitate to buy one. I found mine private sale and flew out to Orlando then drove it home to NH. For a fast daily it's one of the best cars out there in my opinion. It won't be quite as engaging as something RWD oriented but that wasn't what I was looking for in a daily. I had considered a GT350 but opted for the practicality of the RS3 instead.

[Hypernation]

Golf R looks like a chick/college dork car. F_uck they are ugly. Hatchbacks are gaaayyyyy.

If you go for a WRX don’t bother with STI. Corny AF, cuz. Looks like a micro machine or some F&F nonsense.

There are a bunch of good ideas in this thread though.

[Vikes723]

Take it from me who is around a lot of people who own STI's they love them when theyre running but the headaches they bring to them are not worth the hassle, you're also looking for a car during the worse time. The used car market is just as bad as the new car market, if you can wait I would suggest you wait.

[jlsnyderTypeR]

The best car I've owned for the money is my '17 Civic Type R. I actually enjoy driving it better than my NSX or my wife's X5M.

This is Honda's masterpiece!

[rectifryer]

The best car I've owned for the money is my '17 Civic Type R. I actually enjoy driving it better than my NSX or my wife's X5M.

This is Honda's masterpiece!

pls

[MikeLowrrrey]

Op I'd go for the RS3. Sounds like a damn Lamborghini and the tune ability is off the charts. Don't know where everybody else here lives, but I've never seen one in person. Sleeper if you ask me

The 400z is a bargain bin of parts. Interior will be cheap. For the price it's good, but I'd rather go premium with Audi

[HtotheOV]

I drive a WRX as a daily and would definitely not say to get one or STI for just a weekend car.

I would just sell your Impreza and get a good all around daily car.

What do you need? manual transmission? AWD/RWD or doesn’t matter?

[SouthDakotaBrah]

2018 Mustang GT w/ 5.0L V8 and 10-speed auto for $30k

Another $10k for a whipple installed, not too shabby

[_zman]

Kinda depends what you find fun.

Definitely a lot of good cars mentioned in this thread that are either relatively quick or handle well. If I were still impressed with speed an handling, I'd consider a Z06 or the new C8. Also really like a LC 500 or NSX, maybe in the future. I use to be all about the coupes, but my next car will be a luxury crossover for sure. Somehow camping and hauling chit is what I call a fun daily and weekender now days.

[5x10]

Thinking about picking up a C6 vette with the ls3 engine
Trying to get in the 20s with these crazy prices

Drive it for a year , then I’ll let my daughter drive it for her car when she turns 16
Very stupid sounding up front, but she’s been driving for the past 2 year and is a very good driver
To put it into perspective, when she was young, and was playing GTA 5, she would use it as a driving simulator and would cry if she got into an accident
I couldn’t even get her to drive on red in the game

[DrFeeIGood]

The best car I've owned for the money is my '17 Civic Type R. I actually enjoy driving it better than my NSX or my wife's X5M.

This is Honda's masterpiece!

No way! FWD yuck! Not even that fast

[jlsnyderTypeR]

No way! FWD yuck! Not even that fast

Have you even driven one? It's faster than all of it's competitors, (especially on a track) and there is not another car that I would own IN ITS PRICE POINT. (SRS)

[nosirrahx]

Miata probably wins fun:$ ratio, but only if you are a smaller person.

Staying stock VS reasonable mods is also a massive factor. There are cars I would only consider fun if you plan to mod since you wont ever find an enthusiast that is stock. Some cars are close to maxed out stock while others leave so much on the table that leaving them stock is selling the car short. German cars are almost all like this.

You mentioned the RS3, this is one of those cars that gains so much from basic mods that its just not worth buying one to stay stock.

Its too bad Lotus is expensive because they are insanely fun cars and you will rarely ever see another.

I drove a modified WRX and it was a lot of fun, never been in a stock one so I can't compare. I took it for a rip around the back roads and if I was at a point in my life where I didn't have a lot of $, I would have been satisfied with the experience. That said, if you do a lot of highway cruising, probably not that much fun and holy hell are there a lot of them.

A modified manual C7 is also insane fun for the $. Its a bit more $ but you get a sharp looking car with insane performance. Again, there are a hell of a lot of them on the road, mostly due to just how amazing they are. If I had unlimited garage space a C7 would be on my list towards the top.

[nosirrahx]

Have you even driven one? It's faster than all of it's competitors, (especially on a track) and there is not another car that I would own IN ITS PRICE POINT. (SRS)

Everyone I know that owns a Civic Type R absolutely loves it. I don't know many guys that bought one and then sold it, most kept theirs.

[jlsnyderTypeR]

Everyone I know that owns a Civic Type R absolutely loves it. I don't know many guys that bought one and then sold it, most kept theirs.

I'm definitely keeping mine and I wouldn't mind having a second one.

I'm not even sure I'll get the NSX out of storage this year, as it was just in my way the past few years. I would rather drive the 'R'.

[pakmansc300]

Just depends what you consider fun

If you're interesed in cars around 250-300hp or so the '22 Hyundai Elantra N and Kona N look like solid options for $32-$35K. These are dynoing around 276whp and 295wtq stock.

Used the Alfa Romeo Guilia Ti sport or Stelvio Ti sport are fun and classy cars. With a JB4 on map 1 you'll have a low 13 sec car that also handles great and a ZF auto transmission.

[_zman]

Just depends what you consider fun

If you're interesed in cars around 250-300hp or so the '22 Hyundai Elantra N and Kona N look like solid options for $32-$35K. These are dynoing around 276whp and 295wtq stock.

Used the Alfa Romeo Guilia Ti sport or Stelvio Ti sport are fun and classy cars. With a JB4 on map 1 you'll have a low 13 sec car that also handles great and a ZF auto transmission.

I imagined the Alfa's would be hard to find parts for. I've heard they're a lot of fun to drive, but I'm too worried about repairs when they're needed.

[pakmansc300]

I imagined the Alfa's would be hard to find parts for. I've heard they're a lot of fun to drive, but I'm too worried about repairs when they're needed.

If I were buying a used Euro car I would always get a warranty for piece of mind. You can get a Mopar Max care warranty that extends the warranty up to 8years/100K miles from the in-service date for around $1,500-$2,500.

[SouthDakotaBrah]

Thinking about picking up a C6 vette with the ls3 engine
Trying to get in the 20s with these crazy prices

Drive it for a year , then I’ll let my daughter drive it for her car when she turns 16
Very stupid sounding up front, but she’s been driving for the past 2 year and is a very good driver
To put it into perspective, when she was young, and was playing GTA 5, she would use it as a driving simulator and would cry if she got into an accident
I couldn’t even get her to drive on red in the game

not too shabby honestly. I had a 2008 C6 and really liked it. Installed catless LT headers on it and it had B&B bullet mufflers (basically straight pipes) and would DD it with the targa top off. Such a great car, and insurance is dirt cheap.

[MikeLowrrrey]

RS3
AMG
GSF

The RS3 platform, monster potential because of all the after market. Rare Sleeper.

AMG. Another monster that's fast from factory, a simple $2k tune brings in 700hp/800tq EASY.

GSF. Not very fast, but RR Racing has mods to get you up to speed. Nice sounding, high revving 5 liter V8. Not to mention the reliability.

[mikeasu]

I'm enjoying my 2021 Mazda 3 - hatch, turbo, AWD - bought it new last summer. Around $30k out the door, probably up a couple grand now for the same. I was downsizing from a Dodge Journey, but still wanted to be somewhat family friendly (4 doors, 5 seats). Fun to drive, good features. Just one driver's side rattle I haven't isolated yet.

[menseks]

I daily a 19' RS3. I've owned a lot of cars including multiple mustangs, a wrx, an sti, and a Golf R. RS3 is the best car I've ever owned. It's sounds amazing, it's very quick, surprisingly efficient (I average 24mpg mixed driving), fun to drive, and very comfortable to daily.

They're relatively uncommon and prices have been steadily climbing but I wouldn't hesitate to buy one. I found mine private sale and flew out to Orlando then drove it home to NH. For a fast daily it's one of the best cars out there in my opinion. It won't be quite as engaging as something RWD oriented but that wasn't what I was looking for in a daily. I had considered a GT350 but opted for the practicality of the RS3 instead.

i threw a basic APR tune on mine and this chit is ridiculously fast now. 0-60 feels like i upgraded to an RS6 or some chit. love this car.

[_zman]

If I were buying a used Euro car I would always get a warranty for piece of mind. You can get a Mopar Max care warranty that extends the warranty up to 8years/100K miles from the in-service date for around $1,500-$2,500.

All I'm hearing currently on forums is how hard it is to find parts for popular cars of Lexus and Honda, so even with the warranty, getting the parts can take a month or more for those brands.

Which is a real bummer because I hear great things about the Alfa's, but I stopped my research after considering parts and maintenance.