Help me choose my next car!

"TDogg" (needamiata) 10/04/2014 at 01:19 • Filed to: car buying, advice, miata, subaru, audi, golf, gti

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Tossing around ideas for a 3rd car that I can love and my fiancee can tolerate. We currently have a 2007 Prius (hers) and a 2004 F-150 (mine), neither of which are particularly fun to drive... at all.

I'm looking for some feedback on what I'm considering and some suggestions if you've got em! Keep in mind, I'm trying to at least find something that my other half can tolerate being seen with me in. Our tastes are quite different too, which makes things pretty interesting. Here are some of the very different ideas I have bouncing around in very different price ranges.

Of course, the answer is always Miata; the NA is my favorite. they're everywhere and decent examples can be had easily under $2,000. The issue here is that she hates the look of it and sees it as a girl's car.

240z/280z. I just love the styling inside & out on the S30. She hates everything about it. More than the Miata.

I'm a big fan of the B6/B7 Avant (and to a lesser extent, the B5). Wagons just make sense to me & we have 2 big dogs and will have kids in a couple short years. She's not a much of a wagon fan in general, though.

MK6 Golf/GTI. The interior on the Golf is what really sells it for me - just so nice. My question to you is: Is it a requirement to have a GTI? The GTI is a bit more expensive than I'm interested. Basically, will the standard Golf be a fun time for someone who isn't expecting too much and has minimal fun car experience?

4th Gen Subaru Outback (2005?-2009). A little different, but looks like it could provide some fun times - especially if I can get my hands on a manual. Thoughts?

What am I missing out on?

I prefer (sort of in order):

1) Fun to drive

2) Manual

3) RWD (AWD/FWD are ok)

4) 4 doors (but less is ok)

Have at it!

Edit: After reading this over, I didn't like that it made my fiancee come across as shallow. She's just not a fan of the whole automotive crapfest that was the majority of the 1970's-90's lol.

Kanaric > TDogg 10/04/2014 at 01:21

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3rd car you should buy something ridiculous, complicated, and awesome that can break because you don't rely on it. B5 S4 maybe?

As a 1st car I wouldn't recommend it. As a 2nd car I might not recommend it. As a 3rd car? Fuck it, get that car. B5 S4 is the craziest version of that car. Buy it over the others.

wabbalosthiskey > TDogg 10/04/2014 at 01:25

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the GT?

if that's out of the budget, the B7. I know what you mean about how she feels about wagons, you just need to work on the right look to get her onboard. And manual!

bob and john > TDogg 10/04/2014 at 01:25

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hmm, seeing as a miata is there, why not an S2000?

TDogg > Kanaric 10/04/2014 at 01:27

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I say 3rd car, but this is honestly something I'll probably DD 90% of the time. If I had my way, I'd be selling the truck, but she's wholly against that because she loves that dumb truck lol. B5 S4 sounds pretty sick though. As long as it isn't gonna break my bank monthly, then I'm fine with it.

TDogg > bob and john 10/04/2014 at 01:30

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I just can't justify spending 10k+ for a 2-seater roadster at this point I guess. The Miata wins mainly cause I'm a cheapo. :X

DrScientist > TDogg 10/04/2014 at 01:32

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bob and john > TDogg 10/04/2014 at 01:33

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well, if she is more intrested in looks, and you driving feel.....then what I recommend...is not a car at all...

Not a big, 200MPH biie, but something like a little CBR 250 (pictured)

Most people dont know its as slow as it is (get out run from 0-60 by a v6 accord)
cheap on gas
you look cool
the most fun to drive/ride ever. seriously, the difference between your F150 and a miata? thats about 1/2 the distance from a miata to a bike.
and cheap! even brand new with ABS, you can find a CBR300RA for ~5700 MRSP

TDogg > wabbalosthiskey 10/04/2014 at 01:37

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She's slowly coming around, I think. It's so hard to find a wagon that's a manual though. :/

TDogg > bob and john 10/04/2014 at 01:44

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Interesting idea. She does love motorcycles, so I might have to look into that. I've never been on one (or even around them really), but have always been interested. Although if I get one, she's gonna want one too - not that that's bad, but it'd be entertaining for both of us.

bob and john > TDogg 10/04/2014 at 01:45

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definitely looks into used bikes. when you start, you can do without the ABS and what not, just get a couple of ninja 250s for puttering around, and then go from there.

TDogg > DrScientist 10/04/2014 at 01:48

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I have a confession... I'm ignorant when it comes to Porsches.

911, 959, 944, 964? Gibberish. Although I do like.

TDogg > bob and john 10/04/2014 at 01:51

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Sounds like a good plan. There are plenty to choose from in my area for $2-3,000.

Where can I get some good info about what to look for when buying and how to get started and all that? I'm sure she'd jump on board in a heartbeat lol.

I'll definitely have to consider this. I didn't realize that the cost of entry for a couple of small bikes would be so little.

bob and john > TDogg 10/04/2014 at 01:53

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umm...me.....

I'm writing up a bunch of articles on said subject right now :P I think the next one I'll start is gear, then what to look for when buying a bike

TDogg > bob and john 10/04/2014 at 01:58

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Cool cool. I'll be watching closely and continue saving pennies. Even if I go for a car next, we're gonna be looking into bikes shortly after lol. We're gonna need a bigger garage...

Too many M's > TDogg 10/04/2014 at 01:59

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Instead of selling the truck you could sell the fiance... jk. But really, she's concerned about looks and has a Prius? That's a bit odd to me.

Anyways.....the standard Golf as a third car won't be nearly as fun as a GTI IMO. More power, similar fuel consumption unless you go TDI. Plus you'll see a GTI and always wonder, I did that with my MK6 TDI. It was fun to drive but I new the GTI would always be more fun. Mostly because of the plaid seats :)

I'm a Bimmer nut so I'll suggest maybe an E36 325/328 or if you can find a deal an E46 330. RWD, found in sedan form, and plenty are around with a manual trans. The M52 motor in the E36s are easy to work on and can be replaced in a weekend if it goes wrong and you can mod them pretty easily too. E46 330s with the M54 have drive by wire and are slightly more complicated but still just easy to work on.

Fox body Mustang or the gen directly after (always forget the code). Harder to find a clean Fox but still fun and easy to own. And CHEAP to modify.

Or any manual wagon you can find.

bob and john > TDogg 10/04/2014 at 02:01

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isnt THAT the perenial problem?
buys bigger garage: oh look at all the space, we can get more cars/bikes!
buys more cars/bike: dam we need a bigger garage!

rinse and repeat.

I actually made a list of all the bikes id be able to use. (cruiser + dualsport+tracker? on the list) and some bikes I'd want. I ended up with a 10 bikes list. GF made me hack it down to 6... (or so she thinks...MUAHAHAHAHA)

D > TDogg 10/04/2014 at 04:21

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My two cents? If you're buying a third car just for fun then don't compromise with a hot hatch or something; just buy a sports car

TDogg > D 10/04/2014 at 04:32

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What sports car(s) would you choose?

Smultron > TDogg 10/04/2014 at 04:40

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If you look for the Audi be sure to get a quattro one. We had one FWD and while it ain't awful in any way, it isn't a fun car I'd buy as third.

Have you thought of a BMW?

There should be well maintained e46es out there, they are fun to drive, RWD, available as manual and do have 4 doors.

Here's a 2003 325i

TDogg > Smultron 10/04/2014 at 04:44

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I've considered them and I do like some of them alright (not in love with any of them really) but my other half hates all BMWs prior to the newer generation (2005ish & up).

I think she secretly hates any car that I show interest in just to mess with me.

Smultron > TDogg 10/04/2014 at 04:47

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Oh, good luck mate!

D > TDogg 10/04/2014 at 04:49

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I would chose (and actually did choose) a Miata. As I always say, it's a cliche answer but it's a cliche for a reason. Seeing as your fiancee doesn't like how NA's look, have you guys considered NB's? Even NC's—high mileage, older ones are getting cheap and their prices should plummet further as soon as the 2016 goes on sale.

TDogg > D 10/04/2014 at 04:52

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She's come around a bit more with the NA because I keep pushing it lol. To the point where I think she'd probably even be seen with me in one! And there's something about the NA that just feels right. The NB/NC just don't do the same thing for me for some reason.

D > TDogg 10/04/2014 at 05:00

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Agreed with regards to the NA. You know, you can really beef up an NA's looks with a couple mods, like a single-diagonal roll bar and some basket-weave wheels

DrScientist > TDogg 10/04/2014 at 10:45

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this commercial is for a 944 turbo. i would probably recommend the naturally aspirated 944. it'll be more affordable to get into and less complicated and expensive to maintain and/or repair. i think it was introduced in 82 or so... updated interior around 85-86, then the S2 version released in 89, with updated chassis, engine, and exterior bits. i actually prefer the earlier style nose, with bumperettes, but to each his own.

anyway, havent driven one since early 2000's but from what i remember:

1) fun to drive, definite check, small, light, 50-50 weight distribution,

2) manual, check

3) rwd, check

4) 2dr, but rear seats that will handle your as yet to be delivered children and their car seats until they're at least 4-5 years old

5) lots of technical support over on rennlist, and a very active 944 community

6) not douchey like a new porsche

7) you can probably get THE best naturally aspirated pre-s2 944 in the country for <8k or so.

revrseat70 > TDogg 10/04/2014 at 11:04

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I'm a bit confused by your simultaneous desire for a wagon and a sports car. A third car should be something sporty that you don't rely on imo. Something that you could still use to take a weekend getaway. If you're in the sub $10k: Miata, or project Datsun Z/510, E36, MR2. if you're in the $teens: S2000, 350z, used WRX/STi maybe. If you're in the $20's: E46, BRZ, C5 Z06/C6 w/T-top, (STi, Forester XT, Evo, Fiesta ST, G8 GT if you want practicality), Mustang GT, 370Z, 135i. All just to name what came to the top of my head. I would say you could go for a motorcycle. But if you are getting married and wanting kids soon you or your wife will probably want you to stop riding, which is really hard to give up.

gergey - Wishes vette was Datsun > TDogg 10/04/2014 at 13:02

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If she's anti- Miata and anti-240Z (HOW?) why not a Triumph TR7? Or a Toyota MR2?

TDogg > revrseat70 10/04/2014 at 15:14

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Its my internal battle between fun/practical & most fun. I'd rather DD anything other than my F150, so I'm leaning more practical cars that could actually be a good time day to day and be able to hold people+dogs+stuff when I need it.

She's actually more interested in motorcycles than I am even, so it's something we're gonna be looking into regardless of if we decide to get a 3rd car. :)

revrseat70 > TDogg 10/05/2014 at 13:45

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What do you need the truck for if you're also looking at wagons? I'm just in the camp of: If you don't need a truck to be a truck at least once a week, there's no point in owning one. Even Wagons can do what you need a truck to do 90% of the time. A forester XT or mid 00's STi and a Honda S2k would be an awesome fleet that would answer both questions and be bulletproof.

TDogg > revrseat70 10/06/2014 at 00:47

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She really likes that truck lol. And I don't blame her - it's a nice truck, just a little uninspiring to drive. As much as I try, I just can't come to love the early/mid-00's Subies.

We're not really in need of the truck right now, but we're looking at a semi-fixer upper house, so the truck will be of immense help in that situation and it's worth keeping around for a little while since we got a killer deal when we bought it.

TDogg > Too many M's 10/06/2014 at 00:56

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I think I'll keep her (somehow managed to get her to like me even!) as long as I can lol.

I actually like the Prius quite well, for what it is (blasphemy, I know). We like to travel, so it definitely makes sense for us. Really - we drove it 1000 miles to Florida & back and got 43mpg and averaged something like 75mph the whole way there. Cost barely $80. Can't beat it in that aspect.

BMW & Fox bodies are less my style. Now the 94(ish) 5.0, I could definitely rock that. Her brother had one & it was quick .

TDogg > gergey - Wishes vette was Datsun 10/06/2014 at 00:58

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I'm not a big fan of either, really. MR2 is better, but eh.

gergey - Wishes vette was Datsun > TDogg 10/06/2014 at 01:04

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I'd honestly love to own one of each, as long as someone else was willing to do the weekly repairs on the Triumph.

revrseat70 > TDogg 10/06/2014 at 12:36

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That makes sense then. Both the construction and her feelings about the truck. Something about riding in the middle I guess. I understand about the Subies too. I liked Evo's more until the 2015 came out. I actually made a rough pro/con list for the third cars I was considering a few years ago. I ended up waiting until the new STi came out so I could have one car to do it all. Unless you send me you email I can't really send it to you, but I can give you my top three for each price bracket... It is extremely objective, and therefore probably not helpful in helping someone else look for a third car because that is almost always an emotional purchase.