Most fun per $$ out of a new car?

[slow&rusty]

E46 M3 or E36 M3?

[asphaltgambler]

No, no,no...…………………….The most fun per dollar is any rental car.

[Noah930]

^^^^ FTW

But I think a lot of it has to do with the attitude of the driver. If you love driving, you love driving. I even enjoyed the challenge the time we rented the POS U-Haul box truck for a move, complete with slipping clutch and no 1st and 3rd gears (kept popping out). In rush hour traffic going over up and over a bridge. That was fun. Though maybe partially because of asphalt's observation above.

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by DanielDudley

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/hyundai-veloster-n-wins-prestigious-2020-road--track-performance-car-of-the-year-300950279.html

The guy that owns the local Toyota dealership owns the Hyundai place right next door.

I dropped my LC off today and picked up my Tundra at the Toyota place and, based on this thread, walked over to look at a Veloster.

In all fairness, I really don't notice new cars that much - they all, especially the new smaller SUV's, look identical...sedan just barely less so.

I have to say that the entire Hyundai line up looks just dandy and competent...if I was looking at what the OP desires, I would absolutely take one out for a test drive, then research reliability and build quality.

Of course on the way home all I notice are the myriad of small sedans, from BMW's to Hyundai's, the Hyundai's look just as good, frankly.

[GH85Carrera]

Hyundai's are made in Alabama, and designed in California. They have some good looking cars.

I heard one reason for the 10 years 100,000 mile warranty was a long term issue with the engines, and a lot of cars that did not run for long.

I would do a lot of research before I bought one. Not on my radar at all.

[Geronimo '74]

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by Chocaholic

No experience but the Kia Stinger looks interesting also. Surprisingly, I’ve yet to see it referred to as the Stinker. A very good sign...

Test drove one, very impressed but it’s definitely on the GT end of the spectrum. The Genesis G70 is the sports sedan of the two, VERY impressive car that I would buy over any of the comparable German options.

[Captain Ahab Jr]

Originally Posted by Embraer

I put 145k trouble free miles on my Fiat 500 before I sold it to my buddy. With the 5 speed, that thing was actually fun to drive. I bought one of the first ones in the country in 2011....I wanted an abarth, but they didn't have them in the US yet. I think I paid 16.5k out the door, and it had more options then a Civic costing 10k more.

My wife has a 2012 Fiat 500 Twinair 875cc, 2 cylinders and 85 bhp of fun

Not very fast but lovingly chuckable

[Tobra]

Originally Posted by Geronimo '74

not an option here

[aschen]

Miata not the most performance or utility per dollar but the most fun

If new can include ever so slightly used, I see tons of current generation miata's under 20k

Honorable mention for the recently discontinued Fiesta ST

[regency]

I commute in a 2017 Civic Coupe with the 1.5 turbo / 174hp. It's fun to drive & i'm getting about 42 mpg.

Steve

[vmax]

Ford Fiesta ST.......

Originally Posted by vmax

Ford Fiesta ST.......

+1. My son just got one. It's orange in and out, It's fun.

[Pazuzu]

Anything with a manual. Almost...

My wife's Subaru Crosstrek with a manual? A freaking dog, like a boat anchor. Still, lot's faster than the other 4 million Crosstrek's with that crappy CVT...


My Mazda3 (was hers before the Subaru) with a 5 speed is stupid fun, even more now that I tossed a Ford 2.5L engine in it Wheel spin and torque steer for days, burbly Mazdaspeed exhaust, and room for a beer keg in the hatch, what's not to like!

[VincentVega]

Originally Posted by regency

I commute in a 2017 Civic Coupe with the 1.5 turbo / 174hp. It's fun to drive & i'm getting about 42 mpg.

Steve

I drove a new SI recently, really liked it. Sunroof takes up too much headroom for me, thats my only issue. Lots of car for the $$.