My girlfriend is looking to buy a car. Her current mode of transportation consists of a Honda 750 Shadow with saddlebags and whatever car I have to drive her around in. The bike is cool, but when she has to transport something like, say, an avocado tree, it becomes problematic. Her budget is limited (let's say in the $15,000 neighborhood) but she's got sporting intentions.
The current car that's got her attention is a used Mini Cooper S, with a manual transmission. I think it's a safe bet to assume any of her choices should be offered with a stick-shift. Looking at Edmunds TMV, even a Cooper S that's only three years old is in the target price range. Other concerns are insurance (no super sporty cars) and maintenance (it'll have to be reliable or at least something I can work on).
It's going to be tough to beat the Mini, but here are my top three.
Volkswagen GTI - According to Edmunds TMV, a 2007 or later GTI falls into the price range. It's sporty enough, looks decent and should be trouble free. It's a little lacking in the personality department compared to the Mini, though.
2011 Ford Fiesta - I just drove it, and I share the same opinion as nearly every other editor here -- the Fiesta is probably the best car in its class. Plus, she enjoyed Jeremy Clarkson's review of the Fiesta on Top Gear. Added Bonus: it's new, which means more favorable financing and a warranty.
Honda S2000 - A real sports car. Problem is, TMV says she can't afford anything younger than a 2005 vintage. Maybe if we find one with low miles, zero mods and no abuse it'll be a possibility. But I think that may be tough to find, plus insurance on this might be a little steep.
Just for fun, here are some rides that also strike her fancy: MV Agusta Brutale, Sunbeam Tiger, late 1950's Alfa Romeo Giulietta, 427 Shelby Cobra, Maserati GranTurismo.
By yellowbal
on April 30, 2010
07:41 AM
2 year old Miata or Mazdaspeed3? 5 year old 350z?
By ne1butu2
on April 30, 2010
08:02 AM
The S2k would be really tempting. It stands out to me as being the sexiest option. There are a lot of good one-owner, low-mileage ones around. You should be able to find an 05 or newer S2000 with around 25k miles for around $17k if you look hard enough.
By blueguydotcom
on April 30, 2010
08:09 AM
GTI trouble free? rofl Good use of space.
Fiesta is not even close to a Cooper or GTI in performance or fun. I know you guys like it but come on. A Cooper S has 170+ HP and overboost, the Fiesta has...um...like 120 or something anemic like that.
Gotta agree with others:
Miata - insane bang for the buck, better reliability than the Ford, Mini or VW (easily), RWD, cheap to maintain, hellaciously fun in So Cal. This is a car you can drive top down 200 days a year. It IS a so cal car.
350/370z - yep on this too. If space isn't an issue (S2000 proves that), then go this direction and get ludicrous power and handling with rock solid Nissan build quality.
Just not getting why the Fiesta would even be mentioned. That's insulting to the Cooper, GTI and S2000.
I had a 2007 Cooper S. The car was perfect. 30 MPGs driven hard, great build quality, not a problem. Slap some real tires on it (RFTs suck) and you've got a car that is just plain fun all the time. Even in bumper to bumper.
We have a 2006 A3 - essentially a GTI. It's a junk heap IMHO. Little parts are always breaking (lights, trim, door trim, window motors, CV joints, etc, etc). We've spent thousands keeping it running in the past year. VW build quality doesn't exist. And quite simply it's not nearly as fun as a Cooper S on normal tires.
By jstandefer
on April 30, 2010
09:06 AM
I second (or third) a Miata. If you really hunt around and stretch the budget just a bit, TMV says you can get a 2007 Power Retractable Hard Top model for under $16k. Good luck finding one, although I did see some Kia dealer has one with miles on the high side (49k) for $15k. If she enjoys the wind-in-your-face experience of a motorcycle, it sounds like a convertible would be perfect.
You can also find plenty of steals on RX-8s. If she doesn't mind the few extra nuances of a rotary engine (check oil often, add oil as appropriate, shut down the engine warm), the RX-8's excellent handling and super-rev-happy turbine-smooth nature is sure to please. The four usable seats is also a plus.
By boxermike
on April 30, 2010
09:31 AM
Fiesta. Better mileage. Sync. Not fast enough to get in trouble. Why always in such a rush, Mark? Fiesta's limits are low, but it's still kinda fun to toss around.
That or a Miata. A miata would be awesome.
By brn
on April 30, 2010
09:49 AM
blueguydotcom: "GTI trouble free? rofl"
It amazes me how so very many people, including automotive professionals, always seem to forget that VWs are not known for being trouble free.
VW has some kind of magic potion that makes people forget. Weird.
By blueguydotcom
on April 30, 2010
10:02 AM
Fiesta's mileage doesn't make up for the fact it's going to suffer 50% depreciation in the next 3 years, it's totally new (could be problem prone), it's not powerful compared to everything listed and it's not even close to sportu compared to everything listed - some of the cars are legit sports cars.
A Cooper S or Miata or 350Z at 15k is gonna drop maybe 4-5k in 3 years. The Fiesta will plummet in value so any savings from possible low interest loans are offset by being the first one with it off the lot.
By vvk
on April 30, 2010
11:58 AM
I would say Cooper would be a better choice than Cooper S. For the same money you can find a much younger one, with lower miles and warranty. And they are just as much fun to drive. Plus, they have a spare tire, which is a huge plus.
If I had to make a choice between a Fiesta and a Cooper, I would definitely go with a Cooper.
By estreka
on April 30, 2010
12:11 PM
I wouldn't want an AP2 (sorry Bryn!) S2000 anyway. Yeah, it has an ounce more torque than the AP1, but it lacks the character. Plus I think the interior quality is worse, particularly the seats.
That being said, if you have "sporting intentions" the S2K probably isn't a good choice. It's a no-holds-barred sports car.
And that being said, the S2K has lots of room thank you very much. The trunk can hold two adults (and I have the pictures to prove it).
The Miata would be an excellent choice. See if you can get a Mazdaspeed.
By aznraptor
on April 30, 2010
01:31 PM
350Z roadster?
S2000 are popular alternatives to miatas since miatas are a bit slow.
Personally I'd want a WRX for that price though, easy to modify, very practical in wagon form, no problems with traction (Fail Wheel Drive here in the RSX)although I think if you're coming from a bike, a convertible is more appropriate
By sabastian
on April 30, 2010
02:43 PM
If you want reliability, forget about the GTI. The Mk V was the only car in the hot-hatch category to NOT be recommended by CR on the basis of reliability. That was really the only thing that kept me and my graduate student budget away when I was looking for a new(ish) car.
I agree with the others that recommended the Mini or the MX-5. Between those two, it's really down to how hardcore she wants to go: the Mazda is a riot, but road trips would be almost unbearable. For me, the Mini actually strikes a nice balance between the Mx-5 and the GTI: It's much more usable day-to-day than the Mazda, but it's way more involving than the VW. Plus, Pennsylvania weather is not exactly RWD/summer tire friendly.
By the way, I wouldn't call the MX-5 slow. It will keep up with many hot hatches (GTI, Mini, Civic Si) in a straight line and leave most of them for dead on a twisty road. Plus, the great thing about the Mazda is that you are so much more involved in the drive than you are with any of the others. It really is one of those cars that you can't judge just by looking at the spec sheet. Please excuse the love-fest, but the MX-5 is one of my all-time favorite cars.
Anyway, keep us updated!
By blueguydotcom
on April 30, 2010
02:55 PM
@sabastian, agreed.
By zcalvert
on April 30, 2010
05:21 PM
I'll make you a deal: you use your magical journalistic influence to convince VW to sell the Scirocco R or Golf R in the US, and I'll sell your girlfriend my 2007 GTI.
By the way, mine has been 100% reliable and trouble free, as are many other owners'. But, I'm sure that doesn't matter to those who are convinced that all VW's are garbage.
By timez
on April 30, 2010
05:58 PM
@estreka
Couldn't disagree more, what you want is an AP2. More usable power in the low end, better handling (AP1 has a very twitch rear and doesn't come with VSA), better transmission. And I find the interior nicer, the gauge cluster nicer, and the seats are pretty much the same. You get roll bar mounted speakers with the AP2 as well.
2005 was the last year without DBW, if it matters to you
@sabastian
Sorry, disagree too. For the same money, I don't see how one would recommend an MX-5 over the S2K. The S2K is faster, more powerful, handles better, and involves the driver more. And don't get me started on the looks :)
By sabastian
on May 1, 2010
09:39 AM
"Sorry, disagree too. For the same money, I don't see how one would recommend an MX-5 over the S2K."
They're not really the same money. You could easily find a 2008ish MX-5 with ~15k miles for under 17 grand, but given the S2000's higher showroom price, a car that is still under the factory warranty is probably out of reach. The S2000 is a great car, though. I wouldn't deny that.
By joemt
on May 3, 2010
08:56 AM
@sabastian: Do you know which car is on the front cover of CR's annual car issue? The GTI. It is their 'Top Pick in the Sporty Car' category. Its reliability has improved, so it is now recommended.
The Miata is a fine choice and its reliability has been pristine over many years. The GTI cannot match that record, but the last 2 years - '08 & '09 - (per CR's data) have been favorable.
This article stipulates a 15K limitation. The author mentions a '07 or later GTI. Based on the CR data, the '07 GTI earned a full black mark (unreliable). A newer GTI with enough mileage might make that price point and be worthy of consideration.
By sabastian
on May 3, 2010
10:31 AM
@joemt
Glad to see that the Mk VI GTI has improved, but I was referring to the ~07 Mk V GTI, which as you said, is not as highly rated. It's great that CR picked the GTI, but the long-term reliability of the Mk VI won't be known for several years down the road. I really hope it holds up, because the GTI is a fantastic car in every other respect.
By stwok
on May 10, 2010
01:58 PM
I think the S2000 is the way to go. You can find plenty for less than 15k, you just have to be very diligent.