non P car fun daily driver

[spooldup]

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

[DaddyGlenn]

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.

[DaveE]

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

[Rot 911]

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.

[jackb911]

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

[mikeferg75]

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...

[Josh D]

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

[spooldup]

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.

[Todd Simpson]

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

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

[GaryR]

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.

[tharbert]

Nissan 300Z or ZX

[msterling]

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.

[bh912e]

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

[canamfan]

Stay German

[axl911]

Originally Posted by jackb911

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

+911

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

[Carrera3.2LG50]

Originally Posted by bh912e

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

+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.

[gregwils]

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.

[bdisco]

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

+1

I miss mine.

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by jackb911

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

This gets my vote.

BMW M3 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[deathpunk dan]

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.