[NemesisX]

Originally Posted by stefan

Surprised an E36 M3 isn't on here. $10,000 for a clean E36 plus $5K in maintenance = reliable DD that is also really fun to drive. Just don't slam it and it'll be perfectly usable as a daily.

E36 M3 and "reliable" don't belong in the same sentence.

I have no problem with the E36 but I don't delude myself into thinking that it's reliable relative to other used $15k car options. I'd get one myself but I would also have no problem spending an additional $10k+ over the following 5-10 years of ownership.

[to_riffic]

1st gen MINI GP. FWD, but hard to argue with one of the best FWD vehicles around.

[3point0]

i know it's a little underpowered but what a about a nearly new Nissan Juke, I test drove one with AWD and it's almost 190 HP making it almost as good power to weight ratio as a gti and it's got torque-vectoring AWD, I think they're even available in stick

[Dafttt]

RWD?
BMW.
Daily driver?
e39 530i.
Nice interior?
e39 530i.
Good options?
e39 540i
Fun?
e39 540i.
All-season driver?
e39 540i with all-season tires.
Don't like Civics?
Neither do e39's.
Prefer manual trans?
e39 540i M-Sport.
Good sound system?
e39 540i M-Sport with Magnaflow cat-back.

What I'm trying to get at is..

[mbintx]

Originally Posted by NemesisX

Wrong wheel drive = no thanks

If you want to go japanese that's fine but go with something like a G35 coupe.

OP is open to FWD; he's looking at a couple of Mazdas. Put a $200 sway bar on the rear of the TSX and it's dead neutral and a blast to drive. Plus the reliability and fit-and-finish beats pretty much anything on this list.

[CAPSGOD]

Nissans can be fun but from my experience they aren't as well-made or refined as Honda/Toyota. The TSX has double-wishbones plus it is made in Japan. I would get either that or an early 2000's I6 BMW with cash left over for maintenance.

[NemesisX]

Originally Posted by mbintx

OP is open to FWD; he's looking at a couple of Mazdas. Put a $200 sway bar on the rear of the TSX and it's dead neutral and a blast to drive. Plus the reliability and fit-and-finish beats pretty much anything on this list.

"It will be an all-season driver. I really don't want FWD, but you never know."

[manutdas11]

Originally Posted by HavidDasselhoff

RWD?
BMW.
Daily driver?
e39 530i.
Nice interior?
e39 530i.
Good options?
e39 540i
Fun?
e39 540i.
All-season driver?
e39 540i with all-season tires.
Don't like Civics?
Neither do e39's.
Prefer manual trans?
e39 540i M-Sport.
Good sound system?
e39 540i M-Sport with Magnaflow cat-back.

What I'm trying to get at is..

[donoman]

Originally Posted by HavidDasselhoff

RWD?
BMW.
Daily driver?
e39 530i.
Nice interior?
e39 530i.
Good options?
e39 540i
Fun?
e39 540i.
All-season driver?
e39 540i with all-season tires.
Don't like Civics?
Neither do e39's.
Prefer manual trans?
e39 540i M-Sport.
Good sound system?
e39 540i M-Sport with Magnaflow cat-back.

What I'm trying to get at is..

I would second an E39... My friend has a 528i, it's fun to drive and comfy. The 530s are even better and I think you can find some with a 6sp. 540i might suck too much gas but I would love a 540 wagon. Just can't beat that mix of motor and convenience.

[LSPowered]

Originally Posted by mbintx

'04 Acura TSX.
Dont dismiss it until you drive one. It's a jewel. Dead reliable, too.

Driven many. Pass. I'd go TL if I went that route.

[Efthreeoh]

In all seriousness, why not a 2006 325i? Mine is a daily driver and I now have 199,500 miles on it. Auto trader has tons of them for $15K at the 80,000 mile mark. Mine was just breaking in at 80,000 miles. The '06s are quite reliable in my opinion and I've the least amount of problems with my car than any of the other Bimmers I've owned.

[LSPowered]

Updated my original post.

[LSPowered]

Anyone here ever own a newer GTI or anything else they want to recommend?

[CDM3DCT]

I have an 04 accord coupe as a daily, thinking of switching to a used scion frs. A used frs will run at about 17-18k and they are perfect cars for daily and track use on the weekends. In your case (being that you want possibly a 4 door) I'd go with a TL, mini or go with a jeep.

[LSPowered]

Originally Posted by CDM3DCT

I have an 04 accord coupe as a daily, thinking of switching to a used scion frs. A used frs will run at about 17-18k and they are perfect cars for daily and track use on the weekends. In your case (being that you want possibly a 4 door) I'd go with a TL, mini or go with a jeep.

The # of doors doesn't matter to me. No interest in dropping $17k or $18k on anything especially an FR-S.

[sensi09]

A little more, but '08 G37 or 08 R32 for around 19K

[LSPowered]

Originally Posted by sensi09

A little more, but '08 G37 or 08 R32 for around 19K

$15k or less....

[elwesso]

You can get 1st gen CTS-V's for around 15k.. About 4 months ago I sold my 05 black/black with 94k miles for 15k..

If you're looking for an 04 or 05, be sure to find one that's had the newer style diff installed, other than that they're great cars! The interior isn't the greatest, but you will VERY EASILY forget about that when you mash the gas or the brakes.. The handling is fantastic, and the drivetrain is pretty bulletproof, assuming you have the updated diff.

Did I mention you can get 25MPG highway EASY?

[M3 Esq]

Here's mine. 2010 Mazda3 Sport. CPO, 25K miles, balance of factory powertrain warranty plus 12 month bumper to bumper. $14,900. It's peppy, sporty and reliable, and has 4 doors.

I know you said "never know" on FWD but for the money you can't beat it. Plus it gets 29 mpg on the highway. Perfect for winter driving.