What car would you get?

[COWBOY]

Here's my ride. 2007 Mazda 3 sport. Has a 2.3 liter 4 banger. You can get a turbo model but I didn't want to pay for high-test every fill up. All in all, one of the best cars I've ever owned.


(Oh yeah, there's a Monster In My Garage!)
Seriously, bought it used early last year.(Had less than 10,000 miles). Got it for $13,500 and the remainder of the warranty was transferred as well!

Looks like you've got a tux in the garage.   

nice rides.

[il d00d]

Assuming you need more than two seats

Emphasis on fun and economy:
Mazdaspeed 3 - I think the resale on these will put it above 15k, but what I read they are fun
Dodge SRT-4 - Probably deserves to be reviled for being related to the Neon, but they are fast, sip gas, are highly mod-able, and reliableish.  I took a ride in one, and I was impressed.
+1 RSX type S - from what I can tell this is the "new" Civic Si.
Cooper S or new Civic Si - beware of the clutch problem on the Si, though.

More Luxo: these probably bend the 15k barrier
Mentioned before, but any MT G35 - this has the 300hp engine, is RWD
Altima SE-R - FWD, but pretty fast.  Has the ubiquitous Nissan V6
BMW E36 M3 - Still love this car.  Low-mileage examples are getting harder to find, though.

Good luck, let us know what you pick out...

[DoubleEagle]

A car that is easy to get in and out of.

A car with proven credentials . Scored high in auto Magazine reader poles.

A horsepower figure over 300. Torque to match.

Highest Safety rating by the Insurance Institute.

Roomy but sporty.

Kickass sound system.

Leather interior, all whell drive , Sunroof , Nav.,  Burlwood, heated A/C seats, push button starter,  12 way power seat.   Dolph         

[Popeye the Sailor]

A car that is easy to get in and out of.

A car with proven credentials . Scored high in auto Magazine reader poles.

A horsepower figure over 300. Torque to match.

Highest Safety rating by the Insurance Institute.

Roomy but sporty.

Kickass sound system.

Leather interior, all whell drive , Sunroof , Nav.,  Burlwood, heated A/C seats, push button starter,  12 way power seat.   Dolph         

Which car would you get if you were in his position would be a more accurate question. 

[sno_duc]

A car that is easy to get in and out of.

A car with proven credentials . Scored high in auto Magazine reader poles.

A horsepower figure over 300. Torque to match.

Highest Safety rating by the Insurance Institute.

Roomy but sporty.

Kickass sound system.

Leather interior, all whell drive , Sunroof , Nav.,  Burlwood, heated A/C seats, push button starter,  12 way power seat.   Dolph         

That would the wife's 335xi, you forgot adaptive hid headlights ( they turn with steering wheel, way cool  ) and comfort access

[bluemoco]

That would the wife's 335xi, you forgot adaptive hid headlights ( they turn with steering wheel, way cool  ) and comfort access

If he could get a 335xi for $15k, that'd be an easy choice.  Hell, I'd buy a 335xi for ~$15k.

Most of the pre-owned ones are priced in the $35-40k range.

[Howie]

I'm admittedly biased I've been driving German cars for over twenty years ( Speed limit in Japan 100 kph - 62 mph , speed limit in Germany - there is none. Who do think builds better cars )

Go to this site http://www.tdiclub.com/ sign up and find a member in your area who will let you drive a modded VW tdi.
VW builds good cars, in NA they have a miserable dealership network, you just don't let the dealership touch your car ever.
You can have good performance and get over 40 mpg.

I live 12 miles outside of Soldotna Alaska down Funny River Road ( great fun on a Duc in the summer ), in the past month we've had 2 weeks of -25 to -40 then it warmed up to 35 to 40 and rained , the we got some light snow. So my daily drive is 12 miles of twisty snow covered black ice. On the way back from town this afternoon I had 2 pickups and a SUV pull over and let me by ( I was going a little slower than my summer clip  ) not bad for a diesel bug.

Amen to the bad dealer network.  The other problem is a lack independent shops that work on VWs.  We have had nothing but VWs since '95 and been quite happy.  Before that was  '92 Civic SI, one of the few cars that earned a name, "That Stupid Little Red Car".  No more reliable than the VWs, but without the comfort, handling and features.  Before that, mostly  BMWs.  Love the older BMWs.

[metallimonster]

A car that is easy to get in and out of.

A car with proven credentials . Scored high in auto Magazine reader poles.

A horsepower figure over 300. Torque to match.

Highest Safety rating by the Insurance Institute.

Roomy but sporty.

Kickass sound system.

Leather interior, all whell drive , Sunroof , Nav.,  Burlwood, heated A/C seats, push button starter,  12 way power seat.   Dolph         

I'm telling you the G35x that my friend bought has all of this and gets 26mpg on the highway with big V6.  I've worked at a dealership that BMW's, Audi's, VW's, Jags, and Subaru's and the G35 for the price is the best out of all of them.  Very comparable interior to an Audi which I think has the best in the business, Bose sound system with bass speaker, all leather ( the reclinable back seats are awesome), wood trime, zenon headlights, Probably the coolest all wheel drive system I've seen, and is cheeper to work on.  Subarus are good cars and fairly cheep to maintain but most of the WRX drivers are 18-24 douche bags IMO.  I had never been a fan of Infiniti's until my buddy showed me his and let me drive it.  It has plenty of power (probably to much for my lead foot) and handles great.  My next ride for sure.  

[Autostrada Pilot]

Gas mileage on the G35's leaves something to be desired-about 21 around town (but I know my wife has a slightly heavy foot).  Great cars though.  Handle great, very comfortable (heated leather seats), headlights kick ass, classy looking car.

[MrFryMoto]

Gas mileage on the G35's leaves something to be desired-about 21 around town (but I know my wife has a slightly heavy foot).  Great cars though.  Handle great, very comfortable (heated leather seats), headlights kick ass, classy looking car.

21 is better than 13 


who's driven a mini?
how are they?

also
G35 coupe vs G35 Sedan.
besides 4-doors and a different body, what are the differences?
is it just looks that seems to be jacking the price of the coupe up?

[skyisthelimit]

So I'm getting pretty bored with my current car (1995 Volvo 850r Wagon) and am looking for something a little... different.

I'm commuting 35 miles each way to work now, and the Volvo sucks gas (literally), it has 116000 on the clock and is starting to fall apart so i figure it's time to upgrade.
i want something fun, and a warranty would be great! i figure I'm thinking in the $15,000 range

i really haven't found many cars that would be appealing that have been made in the past few years - help me DMF, you're my only hope.

Where do you live? If you live where there is terrain with snow rain etc. get a jeep... Jeep engines are almost in destructable not horrible on gas. If you live in the city get a chevy or a ford sedan i believe the focus gets something like 33 mpg highway... thats just my 2 cents

[JEFF_H]

21 is better than 13 


who's driven a mini?
how are they?

Raises hand.
04 Cooper S
It's fun. likes to be revved, bigger inside than you would think, easy to park, good in the snow.
(you may not need that last one)

[TiAvenger]

Raises hand.
04 Cooper S
It's fun. likes to be revved, bigger inside than you would think, easy to park, good in the snow.
(you may not need that last one)

Having ridden with this guy ^ I can say indeed it  is fun......

Until you hear this... "hold on, let me try sumpthin..."

[nateqwik]

Looks like you've got a tux in the garage.   

nice rides.

You should see my WIFES ride!!

[COWBOY]

You should see my WIFES ride!!

Ummm, no thanks.  Keep that ride to yourself.