Posted: 2/5/2013 3:29:09 PM EDT
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Where is it?
The definitions probably differ a bit with individual needs, but at a bare minimum, let's limit this discussion to vehicles with 4+ doors. ETA: I think I should tack on a couple extra guidelines... 1) Let's assume the budget is ~$30k. 2) Reliability and ease of maintenance are a must. A European car with twin turbos and 100k miles is a no-go. 3) Let's break this down into two classes- commuters and non-commuters. A commuter should manage at least 30mpg on the highway. Many of us who drive 400+ miles a week would have to give up guns to feed a thirsty beast. |
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I have an HHR SS.
300 horses and 300 ft lbs torque from a 2 liter 4 banger with a factory tune and warranty. That's almost 2.5 horses per cubic inch. 155 mph top end. It handles like its on rails at 140 mph. It's small, but big enough to carry my 50 BMG AR. I can carry enough guns to fill several tables at a gun show. As much as Obama Motors sucks now, the SS division built some cool shit. |
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I have an HHR SS. 300 horses and 300 ft lbs torque from a 2 liter 4 banger with a factory tune and warranty. That's almost 2.5 horses per cubic inch. 155 mph top end. It handles like its on rails at 140 mph. It's small, but big enough to carry my 50 BMG AR. I can carry enough guns to fill several tables at a gun show. As much as Obama Motors sucks now, the SS division built some cool shit. The little HHR SS is definitely a contender. It's basically a Cobalt SS/TC with a cargo area. They are FWD and have a face only a mother could love, but if you're looking for an amazing little combination of performance and utility for cheap this is one to consider. Confirm that it has the Brembos, limited slip differential, and manual trans if you care about performance. Then add in a GM Stage 1 tune and a couple little suspension bits and enjoy. 
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Quoted: Quoted: Jeep JK Rubicon. Mall rated, capable of withstanding even the most harsh speed bump.  LOL. Someone should create a "Mall Rated" Badge that mimics the Jeep Trail Rated badge, and slap it on a Hummer H2 or H3...  Ask and ye shall.....  FTR - I'm a Jeep owner, with sense of humor. |
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I went with a WRX. The other vehicle I was thinking about at the time was a Toyota Tacoma with a TRD supercharger. Later on down the line, I'll probably end up switching to a 2 door sports car. If Subaru could get the BR-Z up to about 250 HP, it would be a contender. Then again, part of me really wants a vette, and since I just crossed 40, that may be what I set my eyes on next. |
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For me, fun+practical means a nice handling two-door car with an occasional use backseat (2+2 configuration) and usable trunk space. Bonus points if the rear seats can be dropped flat to increase cargo capacity.
Things that fall into this category - FR-S/BRZ, Genesis Coupe, Mustang, Camaro, etc. I'm in the demographic of people to whom a four door car can never be fun or cool, regardless of its performance specs. |
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OP should narrow it down a little by specifying what "fun" means to him, and also give a budget...
Personally, I drive a GTI as the answer to your question, but with a "well under $30k" budget caveat. It is not a great track car, but makes a very excellent car for a spirited drive in the mountains. It is also extremely practical, well appointed, and I can't think of anything I'd rather commute in at my price point. The feel and handling of the car at less than racer pace are really impeccable. Only drawback it's the combination of fwd and lack of a LSD. My next car may be a BRZ, FWIW... |
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OP should narrow it down a little by specifying what "fun" means to him, and also give a budget... Personally, I drive a GTI as the answer to your question, but with a "well under $30k" budget caveat. It is not a great track car, but makes a very excellent car for a spirited drive in the mountains. It is also extremely practical, well appointed, and I can't think of anything I'd rather commute in at my price point. The feel and handling of the car at less than racer pace are really impeccable. Only drawback it's the combination of fwd and lack of a LSD. My next car may be a BRZ, FWIW... I was intentionally vague because I wanted to see what came to mind for the average Arfcommer. The only thing I specified was 4+ doors, and that is being ignored. I knew to expect Jeep and Toyota 4x4s, and I knew to expect Subarus. The Rav4 and the Ford Super Duty surprised me a bit. I think I'll update it a bit with a couple more requirements. |
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For me, fun+practical means a nice handling two-door car with an occasional use backseat (2+2 configuration) and usable trunk space. Bonus points if the rear seats can be dropped flat to increase cargo capacity. Things that fall into this category - FR-S/BRZ, Genesis Coupe, Mustang, Camaro, etc. I'm in the demographic of people to whom a four door car can never be fun or cool, regardless of its performance specs. Is that back seat really usable? A scenario: You're going to a range 30 miles away. You've got 2-3 friends with you, and you want to take ~5 of your C&R rifles and some ammo with you. You're doing the driving. Is the Subiyota really a good choice for that job? |
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A lot of cars are blurring the line A4 practical S4 funner Rs4 hehe. But still useful 328i practical 335is funner M3 hehe but still practical Those are what I'd look at. The M/RS cars are out of the "easy maintenance and $30K" range, but the others are feasible. Also look at the Audi Q5. I hate SUVs but my wife has a Q5 and I actually love driving it. |
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3) Let's break this down into two classes- commuters and non-commuters. A commuter should manage at least 30mpg on the highway. Many of us who drive 400+ miles a week would have to give up guns to feed a thirsty beast. For the "commuter" I would look at a diesel. VW or Audi TDI. |
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For me, fun+practical means a nice handling two-door car with an occasional use backseat (2+2 configuration) and usable trunk space. Bonus points if the rear seats can be dropped flat to increase cargo capacity. Things that fall into this category - FR-S/BRZ, Genesis Coupe, Mustang, Camaro, etc. I'm in the demographic of people to whom a four door car can never be fun or cool, regardless of its performance specs. Is that back seat really usable? A scenario: You're going to a range 30 miles away. You've got 2-3 friends with you, and you want to take ~5 of your C&R rifles and some ammo with you. You're doing the driving. Is the Subiyota really a good choice for that job? Not if they are average sized males. |
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For me, fun+practical means a nice handling two-door car with an occasional use backseat (2+2 configuration) and usable trunk space. Bonus points if the rear seats can be dropped flat to increase cargo capacity. Things that fall into this category - FR-S/BRZ, Genesis Coupe, Mustang, Camaro, etc. I'm in the demographic of people to whom a four door car can never be fun or cool, regardless of its performance specs. Is that back seat really usable? A scenario: You're going to a range 30 miles away. You've got 2-3 friends with you, and you want to take ~5 of your C&R rifles and some ammo with you. You're doing the driving. Is the Subiyota really a good choice for that job? With one other person? Easy. Drop the seats and toss the stuff back there. I've done this recently with a vintage sniper match at Quantico with my Dad. We had a couple of Mosin PU snipers back there and his range bag/mat/spotting scope. Gets trickier if you actually want to put people in the backseat, but would still work as the trunk is decent-sized. They aren't going to be comfortable back there but it's doable occasionally for short distances. Here's an SMLE in the trunk. As you can see there's plenty of room for other stuff, and the back seats are up (and usable). 
How often do you haul other people around? I rarely carry anyone other than my son, I expect other adults to have their own transportation. |
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With one other person? Easy. Drop the seats and toss the stuff back there. I've done this recently with a vintage sniper match at Quantico with my Dad. We had a couple of Mosin PU snipers back there and his range bag/mat/spotting scope. Gets trickier if you actually want to put people in the backseat, but would still work as the trunk is decent-sized. They aren't going to be comfortable back there but it's doable occasionally for short distances. Here's an SMLE in the trunk. As you can see there's plenty of room for other stuff, and the back seats are up (and usable). http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/xx116/MVolkJ1975/FR-S/SMLEtrunk.jpg How often do you haul other people around? I rarely carry anyone other than my son, I expect other adults to have their own transportation. I don't think that would work for me.
Also, when I go somewhere with my friends, we generally take one vehicle, and I tend to do the driving. Most of my friends don't maintain their cars very well, and I'm a shitty passenger, so it's worth it to me. |
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WRX sTi EVO M3/M5 CTS-V Dragon Wagon!
http://image.motortrend.com/f/roadtests/oneyear/wagons/1203_2011_cadillac_cts_v_wagon_update_3/33404399+h499/2011-cadillac-CTS-V-sport-wagon-front-three-quarters-in-motion-2.jpg My pants are tight!!! |
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With one other person? Easy. Drop the seats and toss the stuff back there. I've done this recently with a vintage sniper match at Quantico with my Dad. We had a couple of Mosin PU snipers back there and his range bag/mat/spotting scope. Gets trickier if you actually want to put people in the backseat, but would still work as the trunk is decent-sized. They aren't going to be comfortable back there but it's doable occasionally for short distances. Here's an SMLE in the trunk. As you can see there's plenty of room for other stuff, and the back seats are up (and usable). http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/xx116/MVolkJ1975/FR-S/SMLEtrunk.jpg How often do you haul other people around? I rarely carry anyone other than my son, I expect other adults to have their own transportation. I don't think that would work for me.
http://i1118.photobucket.com/albums/k620/Bassgasm1/Gun%20Stuff/CivicTrunkGunCases.jpg Also, when I go somewhere with my friends, we generally take one vehicle, and I tend to do the driving. Most of my friends don't maintain their cars very well, and I'm a shitty passenger, so it's worth it to me. Focus ST or Speed 3, maybe, but even those don't have a massive amount of trunk room while keeping the rear seats usable. I understand the shitty passenger thing; I am too. Gen Coupe also has usable rear seats, but not much cargo space. You can make a large car fairly enjoyable to drive and handle pretty well, but you can't do so cheaply. The more the thing weighs the more expensive it's going to be to extract decent performance out of it - bigger engines, bigger tires, and bigger brakes all cost money. You can only defy physics for so long before you have to pay the piper, and you will pay him in tires and brake pads. There's a reason things like the CTS-V and M3 cost what they do (and cost what they do to keep running). |
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If these suggestions are at the intersection of fun and practical I must be 10 blocks down crazy street.
I drove an SCCA Open Street Modified class track car as my daily driver for 8 years until my business partners pressured me into driving something less juvenile. |
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Focus ST or Speed 3, maybe, but even those don't have a massive amount of trunk room while keeping the rear seats usable. I understand the shitty passenger thing; I am too. Gen Coupe also has usable rear seats, but not much cargo space. You can make a large car fairly enjoyable to drive and handle pretty well, but you can't do so cheaply. The more the thing weighs the more expensive it's going to be to extract decent performance out of it - bigger engines, bigger tires, and bigger brakes all cost money. You can only defy physics for so long before you have to pay the piper, and you will pay him in tires and brake pads. There's a reason things like the CTS-V and M3 cost what they do (and cost what they do to keep running). Those are wrong wheel drive. If you couldn't quite tell from the pic I posted of my trunk, I drive a Civic. It was my first WWD car, and I hope it'll be my last. I think I'll be looking at AWD for commuters, 4WD for trucks, and RWD for fun cars as I shop in the future. |
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If these suggestions are at the intersection of fun and practical I must be 10 blocks down crazy street. I drove an SCCA Open Street Modified class track car as my daily driver for 8 years until my business partners pressured me into driving something less juvenile. Go on... |