non P car fun daily driver
 

I am not one to daily drive my P cars and was thinking of a best bang for the buck ride here in the the north east. Looks like a used high mile Mazda RX-8 is my direction, any input? Also considered a 944 but with the age difference the RX-8 seems a better choice in the $7k ish range. I found a $3,500 non turbo 944 but the belts etc.. have not been done and the age of the car is in the back of my head. Thanks

I've always liked the Honda S2000 but those are a good bit more than $7K. I've had a couple Jettas and they were always great practical fun.

I bought a used high mile Boxster several years ago and drive it daily year round.

Had the RX-8. Kinda like the Honda S2000, you always have to keep your foot in it to make it move. And the gas mileage sucks. I mean less than 20 mpg most of the time even when you don't have your foot in it.

Used Boxster would be my choice.

BMW E36 M3. Drive one and you'll fall in love.

Rx8's have a pretty high engine failure rate, so do some checking into that, I was really thinking one would be my next driver, but it scared me a bit.

For 7k, you are shy $ wise to get a decent CooperS, Boxster, M3 ect ect.

I'm currently in a Miata, but looking for something that has small back seats for the kids, so I'm in the same boat.

Even though I got burned on a bad 944 before, I'm tempted to spend 5k plus on a nice one, or even a 924s...

I would say any 3 or 5 series BMW with a 6 cyl and manual transmission. Sport packages are a plus.

I was not aware of the RX-8 engine failures, being a daily driver reliability is obviously important. I did have a Jetta years ago that was a fun piece but sold it due to numerous electrical problems. As for a 318 or 325 BMW I had not thought of one & will look into them. Thanks for all the replies.

Bingo....fun to drive, comfortable, easy to work on and parts availability and pricing is good.

Northeast every day, as in driving in the snow?

In the $7K range not really sure what would be any good.. and fun. Cheap RX-8 sounds like a potential bomb, and doubt it's any good in slippery conditions.

Nissan 300Z or ZX

The BMW will be pretty bad in the snow unless you have four snow tires. All-season tires won't cut it when it gets really slippery. My last two 5-series cars have provided a lot of white-knuckle winter driving. Great and durable cars though. For $7k you won't find an xi all-wheel drive one which would be killer in the snow. I previously had a 2001 A4 2.8 Quattro 5-speed that was fun to drive AND a supreme being in the snow. I sold it at 160k miles but I miss it.

Subaru WRX, 2002-2003. Great all year round car

Stay German :D

+911

Used to own one, and it is a sweet driving machine. The engine, while having only 240hp, is simply delicious.

+1 on the WRX.
I have a 2002 that I bought new and have not had any problems with it at all and I'm just under 130,000 miles on mine. This is my DD and it's a lot of fun to drive. With the turbo, it's totally different than my 3.2 911 and I need to recalibrate when I switch between them.

RX-8's handle great, but don't make power until the stratosphere, and drink gas and oil. +1 on the WRX or if you liked the Jetta and old Protege or MX5 might be fun with far fewer hassles.

+1

I miss mine.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1315503712.jpg

This gets my vote.

BMW M3 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Another vote for a WRX.

If practicality and utility trump outright performance, also consider an SVT Focus with the euro appearance package.

I can't get excited about a beat to death rattletrap E36 at this point, BTDT.