Define "fun"...

You want an American muscle car? You want a Euro trash car? You want practical or may even even somewhat functional?

Either a basic newish Mustang or camero... or a used Porches 911... or a slightly used Subarau WRX or one of the new Honda Civic type R....

Need a bit more information to narrow it down, those are just a few suggestions.

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?

Oh yea, 350hp with hatchback utility....perfect

Had my Mazda6 with a manual for a little less than 4 years now.

Wife has a GTI that we've had for a little more than 5 years.

Both tremendous daily drivers and "bang-for-buck" cars. We were both out the door well under 27k when new

quote:

Originally posted by 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....

This is going to sound absolutely insane, but I stopped driving them for the most part, unless it's something I haven't driven before, or the customer insists (you'd be surprised how often that happens!)

I really like the new Civic Si with the stick shift. Torquey turbo motor.

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.

I eye those things. Very sexy in my opinion. Unfortunately, I don't think it's practical for me.

I bought a 2017 Camaro SS. Auto, AC, 450 HP, yet VERY good mileage if You can keep Your foot out of it.

Look at the 6 cy model. Either a 6 speed or the 8 spd Auto. Should be easy to get one in the low $30K area. Still does a 13.5 sec 1/4 mile! Regular unleaded and good mileage too.

I'm loving the Camaro 1SS.

Brand new, base model Mustang V6 with stick shift. Under $22K. Bought one for my son about a year and a half ago, 21K. Sweet looking ride, 310 HP. Nice.

quote:

Originally posted by acidjazz:
I really like the new Civic Si with the stick shift. Torquey turbo motor.

Have you looked at the price? And how far over retail the dealers are asking? 65k dollar civic? No thank you.

Get a used 1991-1997 Mazda Miata 5-speed manual. They are fun to drive, easy to maintain, inexpensive to maintain, great gas mileage. Depending on where you live and how cold it gets, during the winter, you can purchase a used hard top for the Miata. God Bless

I would have said a new Civic SI, but having sat in a Civic they are very, very tight.
The new Accord out soon is supposed to be dynamically very good, and I would and in fact will look seriously at that.
Nothing beats a hatchback for grocery-getting capability combined with fun. If only VW GTI's were not VW's!
So I would say try the Mazda3, maybe look at the 2018 Accord if you're not in a hurry.

Your $$$?

A base model Subaru WRX. I believe they list about $25. I prefer AWD where I live, but the Ford Focus RS is tempting.

Don't know much about the VW's, not much of a local dealer network.

Don't discount the Hyundai Genesis Coupe. Hyundai has a great warranty.

Probably pick up a nice Mustang or Camaro around that price point. I'm more partial to the Mustang. But with kids, I'd want a 4 door.

quote:

Originally posted by 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.

That Coyote motor has serious potential.

Yeah, I'm thinking about 5" out of each corner, upgraded brakes & suspension pieces, CalTracs and as much boost as I can shove into a stock block without grenading it. It would be fun to have something like your Mustang engine in a sedate looking truck. Your supercharger displaces more than the engine in my current daily, hehehehe. But, there goes my practical daily driver and my tires....

I would probably look into one of the hot hatches that's in your price range. They are fun to drive, get decent mileage, and are pretty utilitarian despite their smaller exterior dimensions.

Everyone needs to stop suggesting RWD cars because he said that's a no go where he lives.

Although the Challenger now has an AWD model.

Fun would be something engaging, keeps me interested while driving. Good handling, makes my commute less sleep inducing.
Looked at the local Mazda dealer's stock and nothing really drew me in. Nice quality, but design wise not really for me. Miatas seem small, cramped. I'm 6-2, so I'm not sure how that would fit me. I am cramped for leg & head room now and would like to change that.
I heard they were discontinuing the V6 'stang. Don't know....
WRX, but I should probably buy STI, as I would be intent to mod it sometime soon after purchase and why not start the best platform I can. But there goes my budget.

If I lived in a nicer, salt free climate I would have vintage muscle all day. 70 Chevelle, Skylark or the such with a LS swap & T56. Here, road salt eats sheet metal & I don't want a car I only drive 5 months a year.

GTI GTI GTI

You can get a base model in stick for like $25k. Comes with IOS CarPlay and Android auto so nah is basically included. Great options for a bad model. Fast and handles great with awesome gas mileage.

Subaru WRX.

For your criteria either a AWD V8 Charger or the AWD 3.5L Twin Turbo Lincoln MKS. I would buy used to have money for performance modifications because I like to do that kind of thing.
I would like to try out one of those Hyundai Genesis R SPEC 5.0s. Not sure what aftermarket support is like for those.

Probably not in your price range and not easy on gas, but 4 doors, 400+ hp V8, rear wheel drive, 6 speed manual, completely under the radar styling, handles well, 0-60 under 5 seconds. The Cheverolet SS. Probably $35K used.