looking for a fun daily driver -- ideas? (looking at a 2001-05 IS300 manual)
04-04-2019, 09:51 AM
#12
How about looking at an AWD, I just got my first Subaru WRX and I absolutely love it as a daily driver. More than enough power, and still very fuel efficient when you drive reasonably. I love the AWD setup , and would take it over a RWD any day of the week.
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S2x10³ (04-04-2019)
04-04-2019, 01:15 PM
#13
Good choices in here, thanks for all the advice! I'm looking to spend around $10k, but am flexible.
I'm in engifineer's camp -- older cars appeal more to me more than newer. Reliability is essential, it's the most endearing quality of a car to me. It might be fun to drive but if I'm concerned it'll leave me stranded or broke (or both) then it's not a great overall experience. I'm looking for a car that's overall "fun to own," though granted that means different things to different people.
I'm probably going to stay away from most BMW's, though the E46 M3 and ZHP variants should be manageable. There's an E39 M5 somewhere in the future, but not until I have my own garage space. I had a NIssan 350z and it wasn't particularly fun to drive, and I'm staying away from the VQ family, though they are great cars. (credit to Nissan for keeping the manual alive a little longer). American cars have limited appeal to me, unfortunately.
The WRX family has great choices, but they hold their value too well and I've not found many examples at $10k that I trust because of the prior owners.
I checked out an IS300 manual today -- still a great car but it was tired at 200k. If I go the IS route, I'll probably buy the best automatic I can find and then swap a manual into it for another $2-3k. I'm also looking at an SC300 -- similar issue, I'd probably buy an automatic for now and have a manual swapped in.
This has been really helpful advice, thanks all for contributing.
I'm in engifineer's camp -- older cars appeal more to me more than newer. Reliability is essential, it's the most endearing quality of a car to me. It might be fun to drive but if I'm concerned it'll leave me stranded or broke (or both) then it's not a great overall experience. I'm looking for a car that's overall "fun to own," though granted that means different things to different people.
I'm probably going to stay away from most BMW's, though the E46 M3 and ZHP variants should be manageable. There's an E39 M5 somewhere in the future, but not until I have my own garage space. I had a NIssan 350z and it wasn't particularly fun to drive, and I'm staying away from the VQ family, though they are great cars. (credit to Nissan for keeping the manual alive a little longer). American cars have limited appeal to me, unfortunately.
The WRX family has great choices, but they hold their value too well and I've not found many examples at $10k that I trust because of the prior owners.
I checked out an IS300 manual today -- still a great car but it was tired at 200k. If I go the IS route, I'll probably buy the best automatic I can find and then swap a manual into it for another $2-3k. I'm also looking at an SC300 -- similar issue, I'd probably buy an automatic for now and have a manual swapped in.
This has been really helpful advice, thanks all for contributing.
04-04-2019, 02:26 PM
#14
Registered User
Point of note: The Pontiac G8 and GTO mentioned by others above above aren't American cars, they're Australian. 
04-08-2019, 03:28 PM
#16
Genesis Coupe?
04-14-2019, 11:13 AM
#18
This is where I ended up for a new daily. But, I ended up buying one of the new Mazda 3 AWDs. Same idea. I live in a cold hilly area with a very long winter. AWD gives a certain stickiness on winding winter roads that I like. I'm having some trouble getting used to all the safety tech on this car. I just got the car yesterday, so I have to give it a chance. But, I may end up turning most of it off. I do like the infotainment system with apple carplay. Works great.
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