A DD idea thread with a different twist
 

I had another thread a while back where I was looking for a functional, luxury, sporty DD. I never did pull the trigger on anything and am still driving a Honda Odyssey. So I am still looking for something similar except a bit of a different twist. I enjoy tracking/autoxing my S2000 and would like to try to get my wife/daughter more involved in this world. My wife cannot and will not drive a stick, plus I wouldn't put her in the S2000 as a new driver. So now I am looking for something that would make a decent stock class autox car and be fun on track if my wife eventually gets to that point, but also meets my requirements for a DD. Since it will be an autox/track car I am no longer looking to spend nearly as much, I am thinking $15k-25k budget, something that if it doesn't workout I can sell and not loose a ton on.

So:
1.) automatic with decent manual shift
2.) nice DD in a place with average winters
3.) competitive stock class autox
4.) decently quick and fun for her to drive (if it is too slow and boring she may get bored)
5.) decent on maintenance
6.)must be able to fit a bike on the roof easily

My list so far

1) 335xi (this is a leading choice right now, checks a lot of boxes and can be made faster really easily. Plus used ones are cheap).
2) 320xi (afraid this may not be quick enough)
3) Mini Cooper Country S (not sure about maintenance and if the country makes a decent autox choice)
4) Audi S4 (may be a bit more $ to buy/maintain)
5) New Civic Sport (not bad $ for a new car with lots of potential)
6) 2015-2017 Mustang GT (2 doors, but I bet she would dig the V-8! Downside is winter driving for me)
7) 2015-2017 Mustang Eco-boost (again 2 doors, not sure it offers enough to justify 2 doors i.e. the roar of a v-8)
8.)2015+ WRX
9.) Legacy (not sure what models/years came with paddle shift or what is the best autox trim)
10.)???

How many ppl and what kind of stuff will your wife be hauling around? These things are usually as important as drivability for most sig others I know. ;)

M2 with DCT/

It will be my DD, so mostly just me, my wife will just track/autox it (I haven't even presented the idea so she may hate it, lol). I haul my daughter to daycare every day (she is 5). I would like to take the family in it if we wanted to spend an evening out though. I ride bikes, so it will need to accommodate a roof rack.

That would be perfect, except the price. If it wasn't going to be used on the track then yeah, but I would have a hard time watching her smash cones with that. I want something that she can break and it will be "ok"

Jaguar XF

Used 2014 228i.

You don't list your location but I see a few 228i's RWD with auto in Cali, Florida, and Texas below $25k with low miles. Fun car, good balance. You said nothing about four doors so I suggested.......

$15-25K is a set budget range? Can you wrench and do most semi-serious maintenance and mods yourself?

BMW M3 (E46)? You mod to a near CSL clone package?

4 doors is preferred, but I tossed the mustang in there for the fun factor :)

yes I can wrench and yes the budget is pretty set. If I wasn't going to have it on the track it would be way more, but like I said, I am not a fan of tracking something I am not ok with breaking. The more I think about it maybe I am best to teach her how to drive the S2000 :)