What car would you get?

[mitt]

I have seen 3 very good contenders mentioned:

Mini
Acura
Mazda3

There just isn't a lot of other used or new fun cars out there for the price.

mitt

[Bladecutter]

i want something fun, and a warranty would be great! i figure I'm thinking in the $15,000 range

No warrantee, but for $15k, I would buy a Porsche Boxster.

BC.

[COWBOY]

Results of a "fun car" search

sports car, 10-15K price, less than 50k miles, 2000-2010, within 100 mi of Charlotte NC

2001         Honda S2000
2003-2005 Mazda Miata
2004         Mazda RX8
2002         Mercedes CLK 430
2002-2005 Mini Cooper and Cooper S
2003-2005 Nissan 350Z
2002         Porsche Boxter (cheated it has 67K miles)
2005         VW GTI VR6

The 3 I'd look at from this list

[nateqwik]

The RX8 is a WAY cool car. The rotary engine rocks!!

[NAKID]

The RX8 is a WAY cool car. The rotary engine rocks!!

Does that meet his mileage requirements? I thought the Rennesis engine was kinda thirsty...

[Oldfisti]

Does that meet his mileage requirements? I thought the Rennesis engine was kinda thirsty...

My 88 turbo drank it like a big block.

[COWBOY]

Edmunds shows the RX8 as 16/22 mpg

[NAKID]

Not exactly great for a 2L engine...

[bluemoco]

If you're looking for a 'fun' car, I still think that the 200hp Acura TSX Type-S or the Mazdaspeed3 are your best choices.

I watched a well-driven Mazdaspeed3 embarrass some pricey competition at a Road America track day last summer.  They're rockets - that 2.3L engine makes 263hp, and it's wrapped in a very subtle ("radar-invisible") package.      

A gently used Mazdaspeed3 sells for ~$15,500...

[lethe]

If you're looking for a 'fun' car, I still think that the 200hp Acura TSX Type-S or the Mazdaspeed3 are your best choices.

I watched a well-driven Mazdaspeed3 embarrass some pricey competition at a Road America track day last summer.  They're rockets - that 2.3L engine makes 263hp, and it's wrapped in a very subtle ("radar-invisible") package.      

A gently used Mazdaspeed3 sells for ~$15,500...

Based on how my regular 3 begs to be beaten, I can't see how one could gently use a Speed3.

[Autostrada Pilot]

07 Honda Civic SI

200 hp and like 35 mpg on the freeway.  If I was willing to spend $17k on a car right now, I'd totally get one (I'm waiting a few years until I'm done with school).
They are very zippy around town but still get great gas mileage.  They certainly aren't quite as fast as a G35, but they are very nimble and get much better gas mileage. 

I've got an 01 Maxima and my wife has a G35, the civic SI was probably as fast as my maxima (which gets 23 mpg like clockwork), but more nimble.  Almost as quick as the G35 and much less thirsty.

[bluemoco]

Based on how my regular 3 begs to be beaten, I can't see how one could gently use a Speed3.

I see your point.  Maybe I should use the phrase "low mileage" instead of "gently used".

The Speed3 would still be a great car.  Find a copy with ~20k miles on it, and budget a few extra $$ for track-day tires+brakes.   

[nateqwik]

Ummm, no thanks.  Keep that ride to yourself.

I meant her CAR!!!!

[COWBOY]

 

[Le Pirate]

I know you said no VWs, but for under 15k?


I walked out with a brand new golf (rabbit) for right at 15k. Has a 50k warranty, and if you get one now i think it has free services for the first 36k.

I've got 49k miles on mine so far and have had 0 problems.




if not a VW, I'd have to say the mazada 3 is probably your best bet if you want a warranty on it.

the WRX is a tasty option, but I've seen how alot of people who own those drive them, and I'm not sure if I'd want a used one