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      12-08-2011, 11:17 AM   #1
jaf89f
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Have to sell the 1er and get something cheaper - Any suggestions?

Hey guys,

Like the title states, I'm going to have to sell my 1er and get into something cheaper. I don't mind the downgrade on interior quality and such, I just want something that is still fun to drive.

That being said, do you guys have some suggestions? I'm looking for something in the 10k-15k range. I know that isn't a lot, but times are tough. Do any of you guys have experience in lower end cars like Civic si's and cars of that nature? Are they fun to drive, etc.? Or maybe something older, idk.

Any suggestions are welcome, this economy is tough....
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      12-08-2011, 11:18 AM   #2
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CPO Mini Cooper. Civic has great fuel economy but oh what a bore to drive.
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      12-08-2011, 11:43 AM   #3
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In that price range, if you can handle 2 seats Miata's are a lot of fun to drive. If you need 4 seats, used GTI's can be found in decent condition if you're patient. Not a fwd fan, but the GTI does it better than most imo. And yes, the Cooper with a warranty can be fun too.
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      12-08-2011, 11:47 AM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mark16q View Post
In that price range, if you can handle 2 seats Miata's are a lot of fun to drive. If you need 4 seats, used GTI's can be found in decent condition if you're patient. Not a fwd fan, but the GTI does it better than most imo. And yes, the Cooper with a warranty can be fun too.
If fun to drive is you prime motivator, you can add a CPO S2000 as well. Most fun you can have with 2 seats IMO.
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      12-08-2011, 12:06 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jaf89f View Post
Hey guys,

...I'm looking for something in the 10k-15k range. ....
You didn't say whether you were going new or used but if new then in that price range the new Mazda 2 with the new "Skyactiv" engine technology (40 mpg) would be a good way to go. All Mazdas are fun to drive and the new engines are supposed to combine zoom zoom with great mileage, so if saving money is a priority that would be a good combo. If used, then what others have said already. If 2 doors and just 2 seats is ok I'd lean towards the Mazda MX5. 10k-15K is not a whole lot of money even in the used category so if you're looking at a VW GTI or Mini you may need to get one with higher mileage. They weren't near BWM in price but weren't exactly cheap when new either.
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      12-08-2011, 12:32 PM   #6
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R53 Mini Cooper S or a VW GTI MKV, I had the latter and it was a great car. Handled very well and a $500 software will give it 50hp off the bat on stock internals. Good interior and exterior, standard xenons and a multi-functional flat bottom steering wheel. The only issue i had with the car was it's weak a/c, it's a well documented issue but it doesn't seem to affect all cars. Here in Texas a car with a weak A/c is unbearable, I don't care how well it drives not sure how hot it gets in St. Louis. So keep this in mind when shopping.
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      12-08-2011, 12:39 PM   #7
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GTI

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      12-08-2011, 12:40 PM   #8
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      12-08-2011, 12:41 PM   #9
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Fun and 15k max price being the only factors.... Definitely the S2000.

EDIT - forgot to mention, awesome build quality, these were 1 of 2 hand built cars by honda.....other one is the NSX.

Later if you want to modify, these engines are internally much more stout than most factory motors out there, fully forged.

I would stay away from older wrx's and evo's as they tend to be beaten on pretty hard.

Last edited by TEAM SLO; 12-08-2011 at 01:29 PM..
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      12-08-2011, 12:43 PM   #10
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Fun?

http://http://www.cars.com/go/search...05&aff=gogsema

OH wait you said Fun to drive, not funny to drive
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      12-08-2011, 12:59 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 2012_135i View Post
You didn't say whether you were going new or used but if new then in that price range the new Mazda 2 with the new "Skyactiv" engine technology (40 mpg) would be a good way to go. All Mazdas are fun to drive and the new engines are supposed to combine zoom zoom with great mileage, so if saving money is a priority that would be a good combo. If used, then what others have said already. If 2 doors and just 2 seats is ok I'd lean towards the Mazda MX5. 10k-15K is not a whole lot of money even in the used category so if you're looking at a VW GTI or Mini you may need to get one with higher mileage. They weren't near BWM in price but weren't exactly cheap when new either.
New Golfs go for 18,9 before options and MINIs start at 20,200, so I'd say a fair bit cheaper then a 1er.
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      12-08-2011, 01:15 PM   #12
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Used S2000 for sure.
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      12-08-2011, 01:20 PM   #13
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      12-08-2011, 01:24 PM   #14
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      12-08-2011, 02:07 PM   #15
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Yeah I'd say used WRX or GTI. Have had both and loved em both.
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      12-08-2011, 02:34 PM   #16
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next year the 2008 128i's should probably be $15-17k

...probably the ones with a lot of miles though/been in an accident
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      12-08-2011, 02:36 PM   #17
jaf89f
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 2012_135i View Post
You didn't say whether you were going new or used but if new then in that price range the new Mazda 2 with the new "Skyactiv" engine technology (40 mpg) would be a good way to go. All Mazdas are fun to drive and the new engines are supposed to combine zoom zoom with great mileage, so if saving money is a priority that would be a good combo. If used, then what others have said already. If 2 doors and just 2 seats is ok I'd lean towards the Mazda MX5. 10k-15K is not a whole lot of money even in the used category so if you're looking at a VW GTI or Mini you may need to get one with higher mileage. They weren't near BWM in price but weren't exactly cheap when new either.
Sorry about that, it would be used for sure.
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      12-08-2011, 02:49 PM   #18
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I'd go with a Mini Cooper, or a Civic Si.

I had a MT Civic, years ago. More fun to drive than a Corrola. It wasn't *that* bad. I'll say this, no matter how hard I drove it, and I drove the hell out of it, it never broke down, and always got around 32mpg.

It was also made from recycled cans, and if you looked at it sideways, it would dent.
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      12-08-2011, 04:20 PM   #19
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S2000 all the way.
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      12-08-2011, 04:30 PM   #20
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S2k or 350z with the HR engine (07+ I believe)
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      12-08-2011, 05:59 PM   #21
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GTI or S2000
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      12-08-2011, 06:38 PM   #22
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Have any of you driven the MazdaSpeed3?
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