What is the best "dad car" for $10k?

"Stupidru" (Schm1an)
08/25/2014 at 11:11 • Filed to: None

Some time in the near future I'm going to be a dad and my wife and I are thinking of selling our Forester that we're paying $450/mo for for something that's about $150-$200/mo just to save a little bit of money. We have an agreement that we alternate new cars: I got my LGT, we sold that for her Forester, and the next car is mine. I'm currently driving our 03 Impreza Outback which is painful to drive from a car enthusiast's perspective. I need something with power, cargo space, decent MPGs (20+), fairly easy to work on, and has decent reliability, all for $10k or less.

I'm thinking a first-gen MazdaSpeed3 would fit the bill nicely, but I'd like to hear what Oppo has to say

DISCUSSION (67)

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Stupidru
08/25/2014 at 11:14

How tall are you and your wife? The Mazda is a great car, but rear-facing car seats are a bitch...

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Stupidru
08/25/2014 at 11:15

That sounds like a decent option for you honestly.

I sold my 04 Blazer and got an 07 Milan V6 when we were starting our family. Surprisingly good trunk, comfortable, reliable as hell so far (I've put over 45k miles on it in about 2 years), 29 highway, surprisingly fun to launch up and down the on ramps.

AM3R > Stupidru
08/25/2014 at 11:15

E46 wagon? Can be found with a 6MT, very spacious when rear seats are folded down.

Does it have to be a wagon/hatch?

Cherry_man1 > Stupidru
08/25/2014 at 11:15

1974 911 Targa.

boom done. It is the only answer.

mcseanerson > Stupidru
08/25/2014 at 11:15

MazdaSpeed5 = Best Dad Car.

Jedidiah > Stupidru
08/25/2014 at 11:18

All dad's should have Oldsmobiles.

mcseanerson > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
08/25/2014 at 11:19

I'm 6' and I had a base 04 Mazda 3 sedan and with a rear facing behind my seat I was still comfortable.

Nerd-Vol > Stupidru
08/25/2014 at 11:20

Go for the first generation Mazdaspeed 3.

Stupidru > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
08/25/2014 at 11:20

I'm about 6'1" - 6'2" depending on the day, and my wife is about 5'5"

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > mcseanerson
08/25/2014 at 11:21

I'm 6'1" (34" inseam) and a rear-facing in my '05 3s hatch wasn't happening...

Thankfully my wife is 5'2"...

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Stupidru
08/25/2014 at 11:23

You'd probably be good to go with it behind the passenger's seat. I loved my '05 3s hatch - bought it new and drove it for 7 years and 90k miles. Still running great - sold it to a friend. Would still have it if my wife would have been okay with me getting a little fun two-seater to go with it.

Stupidru > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
08/25/2014 at 11:24

I would consider something like that for the wife, but I like to go autox'ing and I'm not sure that would be the fastest way around

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > mcseanerson
08/25/2014 at 11:24

Talk about a sleeper...

http://www.caranddriver.com/features/retur…

Stupidru > AM3R
08/25/2014 at 11:25

I would consider the right sedan like my old LGT, but a wagon/hatch is preferable.

Stupidru > Cherry_man1
08/25/2014 at 11:25

Oh God... I do love me some Stuttgart Targa goodness. And it technically IS a 2+2, so insurance can't be that bad on it

Cherry_man1 > Stupidru
08/25/2014 at 11:26

Nope and its got power and its easy to work on. and its can be reliable. Sooooo~

Stupidru > mcseanerson
08/25/2014 at 11:27

I had an 06 LGT which was actually surprisingly large inside. I would consider going back to a LGT or getting a MS6

Grindintosecond > Stupidru
08/25/2014 at 11:27

I have an 08 Mazdaslow3. What do you need the power for? I mean, I should ask, How much power do you have to have? How much cargo do you have to have? I looked at MS3's and for the same price range, I got my regular3 with 40k less miles and a year newer for the same price. A $10k turbo used car I have problems trusting unless you got it from a businessman one-owner type of thing. Expect a higher mileage turbo to be driven well and possibly maintained right....possibly. The WRX forums are all over used WRX's as questionable near 90k miles because of how abused they generally are by all of the college kids who it was given to. Honestly, My regular 3 might not have kidney punching power but hitting 60 in second gear and short spacing all the rest of the way up make it a glorious car to drive. (especially with an intake kit so you can actually hear the engine...otherwise it was literally too quiet to enjoy) It handles like no other in it's class and gets 29-30 mpg. I looked. I could not find a hatchback that could fit kids in the back that had better handling for the same price. My priorities in order were: price, kid seat space, handling, manual, MPG. Out of all the cars that came up, this was the best handler but also the most reliable. 08 they finally got all their problems solved and then changed design after that so i got the good one and I think, the best looking generation especially in the hatch design.

I have two kids. They fit fine in my back Mzda3 seat. The hatch area has enough room for multiple regular size roll-aboard suitcases without folding their seat down. You could probably stack 4 roll-aboard suitcases in there with a fifth on its side and still see out the window. IF you are concerned with a bit of space in the end, I recommend a 6 wagon with a V6. (The speed6 has issues.) But the good thing is the Mazda product carves corners, is built on shared Focus platforms and uses 50% Ford parts. the 4 cylinder in the 3 has huge space around it because it doesn't have a pumpkin turbo in back. It's a Ford block with Mazda head. You can reach anything in there and fix it. the only issue I have is the Oil change at home requires that special giant hex socket tool. It uses a cartridge oil filter like a motorcycle.

Oh, and it's wonderfully balanced. Evidence? The battery is moved back by the firewall opposite side of the engine. balance.

Stupidru > Jedidiah
08/25/2014 at 11:29

False. All fathers should have Oldsmobiles. Dads should have something sportier.

mcseanerson > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
08/25/2014 at 11:29

Ha, mine's 5'3"

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > Stupidru
08/25/2014 at 11:29

V70R.

Kinja'd!!!

mcseanerson > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
08/25/2014 at 11:31

Yeah the s and even the base 2.0 models were plenty fun. I took mine autocrossing with no ABS and trailbraked everywhere. I think I slid my rear end more than most of the rwd guys.

TheRallyStache > Stupidru
08/25/2014 at 11:32

I have a Gen-Won MS3. Definitely would recommend. Let me know if you get one, I know solutions to most of the typical issues they have.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > mcseanerson
08/25/2014 at 11:33

Amazing how that little car would rotate. I even took mine to the track - was probably the slowest car out there that day, but I had a blast!

TheRallyStache > Grindintosecond
08/25/2014 at 11:36

You can convert it to use spin on type oil filters very easily. My wife's MS3 is getting the treatment soon.

TheRallyStache > Nerd-Vol
08/25/2014 at 11:36

It's almost unanimous.

mcseanerson > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
08/25/2014 at 11:36

Same. When people ask about the Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec V I automatically say no because this base model is better than the sportiest Sentra. I say that as the 3 was the car I got rid of the Spec V for. The Spec V was my first stick and I almost gave up on manual transmissions from the get go because the shifter was so vague. Mazda showed me the light and with how perfect that 5 speed was I was convinced I needed it in my life.

gawdzillla > Stupidru
08/25/2014 at 11:38

what's wrong with a 05+ LGT / Outback turbo wagon ?

AM3R > Stupidru
08/25/2014 at 11:38

Any other requirements like age?

I think the mazda 3 would be a great idea. If you extend the budget a few thousand you can even get a 2nd gen.

deekster_caddy > Stupidru
08/25/2014 at 11:42

I love our '08 Passat Wagon. 2.0 Turbo, 6 speed manual. Hard to find in a stick but they exist and are around $10-$11K now. It's very fun to drive and has lots of cargo space, etc. City MPG 24, Highway 28-32 depending how fast you drive... rated at 29 Hwy 24 city and it's easy to beat. Ours is near 100K miles and overall has been very reliable.

VW something reliability something something they did have to replace the intake manifold at 80K which they did under a service bulletin free of charge even though we were years out of warranty... really it's been a great car!

It is FWD though - they didn't offer the 2.0 T in the AWD cars, you had to get the V6 for that. I can't understand why, the 2.0 T has more than enough power.

As far as working on it, I bought the service manual and a computer interface (VAG-COM) because you need to tell the computer to open the rear calipers so you can replace the brake pads. Unfortunately a computer is becoming part of the mechanics toolbox... but any mechanical things I've done to it have been very simple and it doesn't show any signs of rust after 6 New England salty winters.

Technically it's my wife's DD, I have the Volt and two other toys, but I would DD it without fear.

jariten1781 > Stupidru
08/25/2014 at 11:45

The first gen Mazda 6 had a wagon and a liftback with the 5MT that you might want to look into if the rear space is tight in the Speed 3. I had the wagon for a decade with 0 major problems. Literally the only things that went wrong were the drivers window motor stripped its cheap plastic gearing and the induction hose cracked due to dry rot. ~100 bucks in parts for 10 years of driving is pretty choice.

Stupidru > Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow
08/25/2014 at 11:47

I saw one of these yesterday and forgot just how sexy they are... and those brake rotors- oh my! My problem with these is that they tend to be abused under the $10k mark and if the 4C suspension or the angle gears fail, you're looking at a 4-digit repair bill. Even if the engine will run for a million miles it's still a European car no matter which way you look at it

Stupidru > TheRallyStache
08/25/2014 at 11:47

What typical issues arise with the 1st-gens?

Stupidru > gawdzillla
08/25/2014 at 11:50

I had an 06 LGT which was pretty outstanding, but I lost compression in Cylinder 3 at 95k miles, which would've turned out to be a hefty bill. That's not to say I wouldn't mind getting an LGT (sedan or wagon, if I could find a manual one), or even an OBXT, again

TheRallyStache > Stupidru
08/25/2014 at 11:52

The VVT Actuator wears prematurely and the motor mounts were built to favor the NVT sensitive crowd a bit too much. Most of the VVT's were replaced under warranty from Mazda with a revised and fixed part. A full motor mount kit will be under $500. Once those are done, a large portion of the wheel hop goes away and the car handles better. Overall, no significant issues.

Stupidru > AM3R
08/25/2014 at 11:56

I could extend the budget but once I start doing that, then it spirals into "well if I spend another $Xk over THAT, then I can get THIS! And look at all the shiny things on this one that I couldn't get with that one!"

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > mcseanerson
08/25/2014 at 11:56

Two years ago, when looking for the car that would replace my 3, I drove a new (2012) WRX, fully expecting to love it and that it might be my next car. The transmission and the interior were such a let down, compared with my 7-years-older Mazda, it was very quickly marked off my list.

Stupidru > AM3R
08/25/2014 at 11:57

But no, no age requirements since it'll be my car. I would prefer to keep it somewhat new as I don't want to be underneath my car every weekend replacing dried out hoses and bushings. If it were my wife's car, I'm sure there would be a laundry list of requirements.

mcseanerson > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
08/25/2014 at 11:58

See, I've come away unimpressed with WRX's as well. Not that I hated them but not everything I hoped they would be. The 04 Forester XT I test drove was another story. If an emergency hadn't cropped up taking my down payment I would have bought it. If your a sports car guy and you have to buy an SUV it doesn't get much better.

Stupidru > deekster_caddy
08/25/2014 at 12:00

I'm sorry, but you lost me at VW. I've driven a few 2.0Ts and they're fast enough for me, but I just can't bring myself to own something that seems to be more of a roulette game than anything else.

I would consider a Volt since I drive about 55 miles/day on average, and I would save roughly $175 - $200/mo on gas alone if I went that route

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > Stupidru
08/25/2014 at 12:01

Agreed. I'm a Japanese import guy anyways.

So how about an FA1/2 Civic SI? I'm sure it could be difficult to find one not riced out or abused, but the deals are out there for around $10k

Stupidru > jariten1781
08/25/2014 at 12:02

Absolutely! I actually really like the Mazda6, and I have a friend who is still driving his V6 6MT which has got to be approaching over a decade of use/abuse

Stupidru > TheRallyStache
08/25/2014 at 12:03

Excellent! I have a feeling I'll be taking one of these into serious consideration in the coming months. Thank you!

Stupidru > Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow
08/25/2014 at 12:05

I'm just not a Honda guy, but if it came down to it, I would consider one

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > mcseanerson
08/25/2014 at 12:11

I need to drive the new one. And the STi. And a BRZ.

We've got a CX-9 for shuttling the kids/dogs and for trips. Been great for us so far - getting close to 150k.

mcseanerson > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
08/25/2014 at 12:14

I really need to cave and let the wife get something closer to a full size three row vehicle. I keep trying to shove her in a Mazda 5 or Kia Rondo and those cars just go against her character.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > mcseanerson
08/25/2014 at 12:16

We've got three kids and two dogs, and I will say, it sure is nice to have the space. We pack it full on Christmas trips, etc.

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > Stupidru
08/25/2014 at 12:16

Forester XT? Bug Eye or Blob Eye WRX? IS300?

Stupidru > Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow
08/25/2014 at 12:21

The car we would trade is an SH FXT, so I would consider an SF or an SG FXT. Definitely considering the bugeye or the blob-eye WRX wagon as we've generally had good experiences with Subarus. I would consider the IS300 wagon, but the sedan is too small

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > Stupidru
08/25/2014 at 12:28

My brother had a blob-eye wagon in JBP, that car was awesome. It was sitting on some bronze RGII knock offs and looked really good. #MakeWagonsNotWar

deekster_caddy > Stupidru
08/25/2014 at 13:18

I can understand the 'roulette' sentiment on VW, they did earn it. But the last generation has been really solid. I absolutely LOVE my Volt, but you would have trouble with a reverse-facing carseat. If you can get beyond that problem I've got lots and lots to say on how amazing the Volt is... I have two kids now 5 and 10, no more big carseats just boosters for us.

Stupidru > deekster_caddy
08/25/2014 at 13:27

What has your experience with the Volt been like? I'm interested to hear more about that

PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power > Stupidru
08/25/2014 at 13:35

Not really a "Dad car" but a Bugeye wagon is a good family hauler, if a little ASBO, and can be had with low miles for about $6-7K. The MS6 is also a good choice in this price range, since it's fast AWD and cool.

The MS3 is a great choice in this category, but if you can find one that hasn't been molested to an inch of it's life, take a look at the SRT4 neons as well

deekster_caddy > Stupidru
08/25/2014 at 13:48

I've had the Volt since December '12. Cost me about $28 out of pocket, $35,5K at dealer minus the $7500 fed tax credit. It's amazing to drive, smooth and quick. It's not quite as fast when you punch it from 65, but it can still move well enough to make a swift pass (no "gears" to downshift... it's a completely flat torque curve). It handles well, holds relatively flat in the curves especially considering how heavy it is. The battery is low and back, so the car is actually quite well balanced and rides like a much bigger car than it is.

I have 26,000 miles on the odo as of today (had 26003 at a gas station at lunchtime for all the irony). About 16,000 EV miles. I had a better ratio (about 75%) until I had to take an emergency trip from Boston to FL to help with a family medical issue (dad had a stroke) and put about 4,000 mostly-gas miles on the odometer in two weeks.

It's one of the smaller cars I've driven and I'm a big guy (6'4" 240 lb), and I do have to duck my head when getting in and out but it becomes natural after a while.

It's probably the first car I've had that really puts a smile on my face, and still does it almost two years later, every time I drive it. The silent rush of power is something you get used to quickly. In contrast, my '73 Buick with a big big V8 has a loud rush of power that is a whole different animal.

To put things into context, I'm a bit of a speed freak. I've driven plenty of fast cars, my brother's old Special would turn a mid-11 quarter mile on the dragstrip. I know what "fast" is. The Volt isn't "fast", but it is still somehow satisfying when you punch it. Maybe it's the complete lack of noise that does it.

I've never had a lick of "range anxiety" except for a few weekends ago driving home from New York late at night and trying to find a gas station in Connecticut, but that wasn't me worrying about the battery, that was just poor planning on my part (and I didn't run out of gas). I've done that before in a non-EV.

The Volt drives like a "pure EV" at all speeds until you run the battery out. The engine is not required to go full throttle or up to 100 MPH (computer limited). It is technically a little bit faster when the engine is on and you can force it to come on anytime. The engine will also cycle on and off for heat in extreme cold temps (below 15F or 35F - there is a setting for that).

My electric bill initially went up about $25/month, it costs less than $1 per day to charge the Volt from empty. However, my electric bill went back down $25/month after I learned what "TOU" billing was and had my meter changed so I was billed based on time of use - cheaper rates at night and more expensive during peak hours (when nobody is home), so charging the Volt is "relatively free" for me!

There's lots more to cover but I don't have enough room to write it all without boring everybody to tears, but I'm happy to go on if you want more. I should really put together a full "oppo review".

Tl; dr - Simply put, the Volt is the most amazing, and most misunderstood car on the road today.

Tohru > Stupidru
08/25/2014 at 14:03

B-body is the answer. Most have 5.0L and 5.7L V8's, they have a huge trunk (and in wagon form can fit 7 people and luggage), I personally have gotten up to 26mpg's with one without any hypermiling techniques, they're extremely easy to work on, reliable, and parts are cheap as hell.

This wagon is a fantastic buy at $2950.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Chevrolet-…

Kinja'd!!!

Grindintosecond > TheRallyStache
08/25/2014 at 14:04

Have a link to that? Interested

AM3R > Stupidru
08/25/2014 at 14:12

Saaburu!

Manual:check

Wagon: check

Safe for the kids: check

Well under $10k: check

http://atcm.co/S2PVDP/1693BC9…

Stupidru > deekster_caddy
08/25/2014 at 15:09

100% honest, I would like to hear more, or at least an Oppo review. I think I would initially feel bad deserting the IC engine, but I am starting to lean toward the electric movement; all of my lawn and garden tools are cordless electric (including my snowblower). What really caught my eye about one of these was the other day coming home from work when I had my car pegged (the only way it moves, really) and a Volt that I was passing was all of the sudden pulling ahead of me. I must have had the strangest look on my face. Ever since then I've started thinking about it; I drive 26 miles of mostly straight country roads to work, and then 26 miles back and my fuel budget could use a little trimming, something that handles would be nice but I bet the Volt is better than my current car, I need something with 4 doors - check, we already have a wagon for our road trips when we take the dog up north, and I'm kind of a nerd so the Volt would be another toy for me

Stupidru > AM3R
08/25/2014 at 15:20

Saabaru is on my short list because I drive something that's >95% mechanically identical to it already, but just want something faster and nicer inside. If I can find the "unicorn" manual '06 Aero with the cold-weather package, I'd gladly pick it up!

deekster_caddy > Stupidru
08/25/2014 at 15:50

Will your work let you plug in? You will just exceed the battery range most of the time.

Go take one for a test drive. Ignore for the moment how confusing the center console is - you do actually get used to it.

I'll try to write up more about it. I wonder if there's a "jalop/oppo review template".

n54 & s38 > Stupidru
08/25/2014 at 15:56

Last-gen WRX wagon although I'm not sure if that's within your price range.

Stupidru > deekster_caddy
08/25/2014 at 15:58

I drive roughly 26.2 miles each way for a grand total of 52-ish. At work we make portable and home standby generators, so power is rarely an issue. We're also a small company of about 15 people, so "rules" here always have an exception. I'm currently not aware of any such rules, but even consuming 0.5 gallon of fuel would be a substantial decrease of the roughly 2 gallons I use everyday as it stands (23.5mpg in winter, 26.5mpg in summer)

Stupidru > deekster_caddy
08/25/2014 at 16:01

Even if my wife ended up driving it, she drives 12 miles to work so she would rarely have to use any gas

Stupidru > n54 & s38
08/25/2014 at 16:03

Anything would be less than the $450 we're paying every month right now, but I'm even thinking there are cheaper solutions that would fit the bill equally as well

TheRallyStache > Grindintosecond
08/25/2014 at 17:44

There are a few links. Here you go: 1. 2. 3. The best part is that it uses a factory Mazda part.

AM3R > Stupidru
08/25/2014 at 17:59

That's the beauty of a turbo engine, it's basically a WRX. Put a little bit of money into it and you'll be at well over 400hp and tq. So for under $10k you'll have a 400+ hp manual wagon.

Grindintosecond > TheRallyStache
08/25/2014 at 18:23

Thank you for that. It's just plain easier to change oil yourself and can be done in the middle of lawn mowing. 1: drain oil, 2: mow lawn, 3: change filter, add oil, 4: edge/trim lawn.