Fun Daily Driver, opinions please.

July 29, 2017, 11:55 PM

grumpy1

quote:
Originally posted by Scuba Steve Sig:
V6 Honda Accord.

I will second that. Our 2014 EX-L V6 is fun to drive. Road tests show 0-60 well under 6 seconds, is roomy if you have a family, and we get 38 MPG on the inter state at 75 MPH.

If you don't need something that roomy check out late model Infiniti G37.

July 30, 2017, 03:26 AM

wolfe 21

quote:
Originally posted by 64dodge:
Focus RS. 350 HP, 6-speed and AWD. A rally car off the showroom floor with a warranty. What's not to like?

MSRP IS $36K before options. Otherwise, FORD. Never owned anything without a bowtie. Aside from that, they are definitely cool little cars.
Sorry, just checked. Its actually over $41k for 2018 models. So... uh, no.

July 30, 2017, 03:28 AM

wolfe 21

quote:
Originally posted by Tommydogg:
Camary

Prius ;(
They do look better though.

July 30, 2017, 03:33 AM

wolfe 21

quote:
Originally posted by Johnny 3eagles:
I'm having fun driving my2016 Hyundai Veloster Turbo . Handles curvy back roads very well. Only 201HP, but connected to the 6 speed, gets along quickly. 80mph round trip of 200 miles @27.8 mpg. Very comfortable front seats., excellent stereo system.

They are interestingly styled little cars. Very much a love it or hate it body. That is also double the power I have currently. May have to at least drive one.

July 30, 2017, 04:24 AM

wolfe 21

Been kicking around either a SCSB 1/2 ton with the V8 (considering a Ford here actually because of the Coyote, boxed frame and the Sport package for color match instead of chrome for like $700) or a pretty Palin base model WRX ($26ish, before rims & tires, like the 15-18 body, no wing!!!!).
The 1/2 ton would be 2wd, lowered, modded with end goal of the roots style supercharger. Unfortunately, this is 20mpg if I'm lucky and still pretty much crap in the snow. And auto.
Subaru has the 6 speed and AWD for snow. Also, not many around here. 1 I know of in the new body.

July 30, 2017, 06:17 AM

sourdough44

I like the idea of a base model, somewhat gutless Mustang. They still 'look' kinda cool.

July 30, 2017, 06:41 AM

cmr076

I have a Mini Cooper John Cooper works edition. Everyone that's driven it has said it was one of the most fun cars they've been behind the wheel of. 300hp, brembo brakes, stiff suspension, great interior, and when I'm daily driving it I get 29mpg in traffic.

July 30, 2017, 06:51 AM

rduckwor

quote:
Originally posted by cmr076:
I have a Mini Cooper John Cooper works edition. Everyone that's driven it has said it was one of the most fun cars they've been behind the wheel of. 300hp, brembo brakes, stiff suspension, great interior, and when I'm daily driving it I get 29mpg in traffic.

This, but you don't have to go whole hog. A Cooper S from the used market would fit the bill and the FWD or AWD would handle the weather fine.

RMD

July 30, 2017, 07:20 AM

cmr076

quote:
Originally posted by rduckwor:
quote:
Originally posted by cmr076:
I have a Mini Cooper John Cooper works edition. Everyone that's driven it has said it was one of the most fun cars they've been behind the wheel of. 300hp, brembo brakes, stiff suspension, great interior, and when I'm daily driving it I get 29mpg in traffic.

This, but you don't have to go whole hog. A Cooper S from the used market would fit the bill and the FWD or AWD would handle the weather fine.

RMD

Although I did get a pretty retarded deal, the JCW variant can be had with 30k-ish miles for 15-20

July 30, 2017, 07:27 AM

signewt

JKWrangler still brings smile to my face everyday.

July 30, 2017, 07:50 AM

greekfed

My Accord Sport with a 6 speed manual transmission is a good choice for a daily driver.. It's got 189 bhp and is fun to drive!

July 30, 2017, 07:50 AM

MRBTX

quote:
Originally posted by FenderBender:
Subaru BRZ or the Toyota 86

My co worker says it's the most fun car he's ever had. He's had 2 vettes in the past.

July 30, 2017, 08:27 AM

DonDraper

VW GTI. 0-60 in a hair under six seconds, yet I can still get 34 mpg on the way to work (and sometimes 38-39mpg)

http://www.caranddriver.com/re...lf-gti-tested-review

July 30, 2017, 09:33 AM

g8rforester

quote:
Originally posted by WaterburyBob:
quote:
Originally posted by timetogo:
If you want something that handles well for a base car, my vote would be for a Mazda 3. I have had two Mazda products for over ten years each and they are fun to run and cheap to keep. If you need a truck....not my thing.
I agree.
I currently have two Mazdas; both drive and handle beautifully.
I'll buy another Mazda product when I need another car.

The answer is always Mazda.

There is a reason they are always in the top 1 or 2 in every Car and Driver comparo. They are exactly what you are describing: GREAT fun to drive, without being stupid fast, or hard on gas.

All my new cars since 2002 have been Mazda. Of course I test-drive other brands, but mainly to benchmark the choice of sticking with Mazda. I have yet to be disappointed.

In fact, this last time, I didn't even bother cross-shopping, just bought a 2016 CX-9 Signature because we needed something bigger.

There is no other non-premium car manufacturer that has put together a line-up (top to bottom) as solid and consistently award-winning as Mazda.

Buy a Mazda3 Grand Touring, with a 6-speed manual. You'll be all set.

August 05, 2017, 12:14 AM

craglawnmanor

quote:
Originally posted by cmr076:
I have a Mini Cooper John Cooper works edition. Everyone that's driven it has said it was one of the most fun cars they've been behind the wheel of. 300hp, brembo brakes, stiff suspension, great interior, and when I'm daily driving it I get 29mpg in traffic.

Of course, the Mini Cooper is obviously a nice change from the vehicles you are "forced" to drive for work....

August 05, 2017, 12:29 AM

chongosuerte

quote:
Originally posted by g8rforester:
quote:
Originally posted by WaterburyBob:
quote:
Originally posted by timetogo:
If you want something that handles well for a base car, my vote would be for a Mazda 3. I have had two Mazda products for over ten years each and they are fun to run and cheap to keep. If you need a truck....not my thing.
I agree.
I currently have two Mazdas; both drive and handle beautifully.
I'll buy another Mazda product when I need another car.

The answer is always Mazda.

There is a reason they are always in the top 1 or 2 in every Car and Driver comparo. They are exactly what you are describing: GREAT fun to drive, without being stupid fast, or hard on gas.

All my new cars since 2002 have been Mazda. Of course I test-drive other brands, but mainly to benchmark the choice of sticking with Mazda. I have yet to be disappointed.

In fact, this last time, I didn't even bother cross-shopping, just bought a 2016 CX-9 Signature because we needed something bigger.

There is no other non-premium car manufacturer that has put together a line-up (top to bottom) as solid and consistently award-winning as Mazda.

Buy a Mazda3 Grand Touring, with a 6-speed manual. You'll be all set.

I bought a 2017 Mazda 3 Touring hatchback in January. 2.5l engine. 6 speed.

I've put 11,000 miles on it.

It's a good looking car. It's also a fun car. Does commute and kid schlepping like a champ. I've averaged 31 mpg.

I paid $24,000 out the door. I'll have it paid off before the 3 year warranty expires and may upgrade then. I kept my last car 13 years.