So what do you guys think is the ideal daily driver? I am starting to think about what I would like to get for a daily when when I turn the Mustang into a weekend car. I am just toying with ideas for now but I am planning to buy within a year.

Here are the criteria that I was thinking I'd like to have.
*Sporty
*Four door
*Decent/good gas mileage
*Reliable (no mods other than appearance)
*Reasonable purchase price $15k to $18k

I really like the Mazdaspeed 3 at the moment. Lets see what you guys can come up with.

 

Before I even opened the thread I thought of the MS3 right off the bat. Something like that or a Subie, newer Ford Focus, Escape Hybrid, Civic, or Toyota something if sporty wasn't needed.

 

MS3 is in its own class. Espeically if you can find a GT with fairly low miles for right around 17k. They are one of the few cars I would absolutely LOVE to have as a DD, and it still be very practical.

And like FR500 its the first car that came to mind when I saw the title. The new focuses are sweet too, but you're going to pay that "new car" premium and they still don't even touch the MS3 IMO.

 

How about the Mazdaspeed 6?

 

That's a good one too. My wife likes the 6 WAY more than the 3. I really like them both but I haven't checked to see what the MS6 are selling for.

 

The 6s are AWD turbo.

 

No ****. I didn't know they were AWD. I just searched autotrader but they didn't have any under $18k within 300 miles of me So I guess they are fairly rare or they are selling for more than that.

 

Hmm. I like that Mazda.

Could someone enlighten me on the car? Specifically the one in the picture. Year, Model, etc.

 

It's a Mazdaspeed 3 GT (2007-2009). They are a turbo'd I4 that make 260hp and 280 ft. lbs. They go 0-60 in 5.9 secs and go 13.7-14.00 in the quarter at a little over 100mph. The MS3 is FWD with a manual 6 speed.

Is that what you were looking for?

ETA: Car & Driver actually recorded a best 0-60 of 5.3

 

I found a few, their going price is about right at $18000
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/search...=1304293014560

 

OK, I see now. I had the search limited to under 45k miles.

 

Thats pretty sweet. I like the wheels on it. I can't find any decent ones near me.

No automatics? boo.

I've been looking around for a neat little car. I've been pretty bored. I test drove a TBSS and didn't like it. I test drove a couple H3's and didn't like them. I can't seem to find anything, so i've been looking into little sporty cars. But I need some room too. A hatchback would be sweet. I like the STI's, but I don't want a manual. I can't find **** that i like.

 

Have you checked out the Dodge Charger?

 

Chargers aren't exactly little or sporty, lol.

 

Lol

 

Well he said he needed some room. But yea I kind of forgot he mentioned little and sporty lol

 

If you do decide on a Speed 3 get the GT. Those are the ones with real HID's, alcantara seat inserts, leather, red stitching, stereo is okay bose with 6" sub thats weak as ***** but its something. I typically get 25 mpg or 320-330 a tank full with 18x8.5 235/40 on it. Stock rims are 18x7.5 215/40. The sport models are pretty plain looking in the interior and are basically just a quick toy box car with a hatch.

I have a 2009 GT and I'm sure its still NADA valued around 19-20k. Back in November its high value was 21k I am actually looking forward to driving this over my mustang

My other pic would be a Subaru WRX or Legacy GT.

 

STi?

 

I like the STIs, I just don't want a manual

 

Zoom Zoom!!!

 

So much better looking than the 3.

 

no offense..but I think mazdas are kind of feminine. the headlights imitate a woman's eyes..plus every mazda I see is being driven by an 18-25 year old girl lol.

am I alone on this?

 

I didn't think Mazdas were too gay until they all started smiling.

 

I agree. The speed 6's are nice and have way more luxury compared to the speed 3. They stopped building them in 08 though and none were on sale when I was shopping. They are a little bigger though and for a sedan I would go Pontiac G8 GT or a 2005-2006 Cadillac CTS-V...but those are in the 20-25k range.


Edit: Mazda's are cheap and are safe. Key ingredients for a parent to buy their kid a reliable safe car for a low price. I see tons of Mazda's on the road driven by all types. But the station wagon Mazda 3 is a moms choice to drive their snot dribbling 2 year old around in. I dont see a lot of speeds on the road and when I do it's usually some dude in their low 20's. I ignore the rest. Mazda's did get a lame face lift in 2010 and I'm glad to have found one of the last 2009 MS3's in Arizona.

 

 

Puusssssssyyyyyyyyy.

 

Puusssssssyyyyyyyyy.

 

While I occasionally enjoy driving stick shift, it is very difficult to do so while getting blown by 08mustang_gt's sister.

 

Wait what? .........Did you just say you like to get blown by your sister?

 

oh snap.....lol