Speedyellow993

PS. GTI comes in 4 door for insurance purposes

Mark Lue

+1 for the Mazda 3, great car with good torque, you can even find the find a pre owned Maza Speed 3 for $25k. IMO Mazda tend to tune the handling of there cars more european than japanese, do a comparison and see for yourself.

EDIT: The new Focus is interesting as well.

gteehan

I rented a Fiat 500 last time I was away on business. Fun car for 2 people and a couple of bags. Pretty underpowered IMO, but it looks outstanding, and others seem to agree. I can't tell you how many people were turning their heads and giving signs of approval. Quick story: I was driving up posh street that was under construction. An older construction worker popped his head in and said "New Fiat? Looks amazing." Not 2 minutes later we were driving by a Paul Smith and an attractive young sales lady from inside, who was standing at the window, gave the full thumbs up. I've never driven anything that get's that much attention (unless you count cops).

Christien

Am I the only one who doesn't like the new fiat? I think it looks like the disfigured love child of a new beetle and a mini. Just fugly, IMO.

pongobaz

Part of it's charm! Agree with Geoff, I've had them as rentals a couple of times now; underpowered yes, but the trade off is that young women smile at that car a lot more than at the Porsche!

AM993

Although the Mini is a better car (build quality, handling, general feel,...), the Fiat 500 made me smile while I was driving. This is the one I would get.

Targatoo

My wife drive a Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback. It's a tad bigger than the Mazda or Toyota competition.
2 1/2 years in, nothing but oil changes. Not. One. Single. Problem.

Our 2005 Matrix was the same. 4 years. No shop time.

Brian 162

Wait until they fall apart like the Fiats of the 70's

peritus

Sounds a lot to me like you just described a 964 C4!

hopeforcash

Currently have thought about a 924S or 944. However, they are still over 20 years old and not sure how practical it will be. As my kids say, I likely cannot just drive it without fixing everything then it will end up costing like a modern car and be pissed if I get a door ding or if the car got dirt on it.

Cosmo Kramer

Audi A4 B7 (2006-2008). I have one and it is a great daily driver. Mine is the 2.0 turbo 200 hp with a 6 speed manual. A $600 re flash of the ecm brings them to 240 hp/280 tq.

canuck964

Like Cosmo this year I went with an Audi for my winter car.

Last month I bought a used 2008 S6 from the US for US$43K. She was loaded and had 20k miles.

Doesn't fit criteria #6.

The rumble from the V10 is unbelievable.

I have owed many different winter cars from a Nissan Pathfinder, Infiniti QX4, Infiniti FX45, Infiniti QX56 to my last winter car, a Touareg.

The S6 is by far my favourite.

Picture of her with her new winter tire setup.

hopeforcash

I really like the S6 as well. Unfortunately, as you say, it does not fit #6 or even possibly #1.

canuck964

Yeah, it definitely does not fit #1.

I only get about 10 mpg and even if I drive very conservatively I only get 14 mpg at best.

Everytime I go wide open throttle, I might as well take out $5 and burn it.

R6XTERRA

I have had a few friends with a Mini coop. Nothing but nightmares. They would not recommend to there worst enemy.