Best value for fun to drive and 4 doors

[Lebowski]

Part of it is to have a 4 door to use when family is visiting/picking up friends/coworkers from the airport or whatever.  I think you rocked the C6 as an only car for a while, so you have some idea how handy extra seats can come in sometimes.

It's like the SUV/truck deal.  Most days out of the year it's just one person in the vehicle, but they have it for the occasional boat towing/cargo/whatever.

C6 was my only car for about 3 years, I bought the 4Runner when I bought a house plus had a large dog (and later on a second one).  That said, I also comfortably paid cash for both and the 4Runner in particular was a pretty small % of both my income and my liquid savings at the time.  I'd say unless you're in a position to comfortably pay cash for this second car, don't even consider it (I don't think you said you're financing it I'm just sssuming that's a possibility given that's what most people do).

For things like friends getting a ride from the airport ... dude, Uber. Things like uber have made those occasional needs much much easier.  Have your family rent a car when in town, even offer to pay for it. Don't pay interest, insurance, maintenance, and eat depreciation all year round for something you need for 2 months and then only occasionally thereafter.

Another advantage of the monthly rental is it would give you an idea of just how often you use those additional seats.  If you find it's something you're unable to give up after the 2 months, then you could reconsider (or replace the Miata). 

Not trying to rain on your parade, or turn another "what car should I buy?" thread into a carspin money advice thread. Just have to objectively consider, is the utility you'd get out of it really worth the costs?

[12,000 RPM]

The transaction costs of buying/selling a car alone make a full on purchase not worth it

Turo might have some thangs... rates seem reasonable

[MrH]

Clearly the solution here is to buy a 4Runner.

[Rich]

I checked out Turo to see what they had near Columbia, SC with a manual... a 2015 Corvette at $174/day. $10k for 2 months.  2014 Genesis Coupe at $64 a day- $4k f/ 2 months.

Hertz... 4Runner is $1044 for 2 months.  Chrysler 300 is $6,000 for 2 months.  who comes up with this shit?  Chevy Impala is $998

$772 for a Jetta or similar.  $690 for a Corolla

[MrH]

Rent a 4Runner for 2 months.  Fall in love.  Buy one.

[Lebowski]

Corolla is a no brainer given those choices.

$690 isn't even sales tax on buying a new car.

[Rich]

Corolla is a no brainer given those choices.

  But, then I'm driving a Corolla for 2 months

Rent a 4Runner for 2 months.  Fall in love.  Buy one.

No SUVs for this guy. 

[Lebowski]

  But, then I'm driving a Corolla for 2 months

It's 2 months. I'd drive just about anything for 2 months if it was clean and reliable.

[Rich]

Not trying to rain on your parade, or turn another "what car should I buy?" thread into a carspin money advice thread. Just have to objectively consider, is the utility you'd get out of it really worth the costs?

It's 2 months. I'd drive just about anything for 2 months if it was clean and reliable.

I'm picking up what you're putting down.  I didn't know about monthly rentals, I was figuring it'd be about $3,500 for a 2 month rental.  And buying a new car, my insurance would go from just about nothing to I'd guess $400 for 6 months.

And I'm thinking about buying a house, which would change the situation around buying a new/er car very much.    The rental houses are all about $1k per month there... but I could buy a 120k house, and have a 15yr payment of $500/mo.  Apartments are $700/800 (and I've been living in houses since 2012).  In this case I could only put about half down on a 20k car. 

OTOH, my only car since 2012 was made in 1999.  As much as I dislike EPS, electronic throttles, thick A pillars, no spare tires, and e-brake buttons...I do miss having something newish.  Solid structure, no leaks, no creaks, no list of fixes/upgrades, room for work stuff/work people.  Having a less frenetic car when needing to make good time to NY would ease highway fatigue.   

[SJ_GTI]

Corolla is a no brainer given those choices.

$690 isn't even sales tax on buying a new car.

What he said.

[CaminoRacer]

4runner.

[Xer0]

Try and find a left over '15 Si.  I am a bit biased here, but they are cheap, reliable, have great resale vaule, practical, and reasonably fun.  I think its worth a shot.

[12,000 RPM]

Or an STI. They literally don't depreciate. Transaction fees and trying to scramble to sell will be a PITA though. You might get hosed

[Raza]

S2000.

[Rich]

Or an STI. They literally don't depreciate. Transaction fees and trying to scramble to sell will be a PITA though. You might get hosed

Why would I scramble to sell?  If I get orders after 3-5 years I'll have at least 4 months to take care of loose ends before I leave

[12,000 RPM]

I thought you were only gonna have this car for like 2 months

[Rich]

If I bought a car I'd hang onto it so I'd have a 4 door to use. It's why I wanted 4 doors and newish since I have old and 2 seater

[2o6]

Fiesta ST

[FoMoJo]

In your circumstance, I would get the nastiest, most raucous vehicle allowed on the street.  For me, that would be a Focus RS.  There's time enough for dash stroking and sniffing the interior after you no longer are allowed to make all your personal decisions.

[Eye of the Tiger]

In your circumstance, I would get the nastiest, most raucous vehicle allowed on the street.  For me, that would be a Focus RS.  There's time enough for dash stroking and sniffing the interior after you no longer are allowed to make all your personal decisions.

Of course that is a good idea, but I have only seen zero of them on the street.
The MSRP is about $36K (almost exactly three Versas) but I wonder how much they are actually selling for. Are they in stock at dealerships, or must they be ordered?

[MX793]

In your circumstance, I would get the nastiest, most raucous vehicle allowed on the street.  For me, that would be a Focus RS.  There's time enough for dash stroking and sniffing the interior after you no longer are allowed to make all your personal decisions.

Maybe things have changed in the past couple of months, but I've heard there's a long waiting list for the RS (months).  I've seen articles from a couple of months ago that Ford was cancelling orders from people who had ordered 2016s and told them they'd get a 2017 when MY17 production started up.

[12,000 RPM]

Focus RS seems raucous in a bad way. For example the suspension has been derided in every review I've read about it. A Focus ST with a chip, bro! and an exhaust is way more easily available and probably not down on fun factor if you never go to the track

[Rich]

A fiesta would still be a blast on the track

And today the Miata didn't start. I'm guessing the battery but who knows, maybe the alternator went bad.  I'll find out when I get back tonight (had to take the train).

[2o6]

IDK why everyone is poo-pooing the Fiesta ST.



It's a blast to drive, and you could even find a used one for like 16K

[ifcar]

IDK why everyone is poo-pooing the Fiesta ST.



It's a blast to drive, and you could even find a used one for like 16K

Everyone? Nearly half the people in the poll picked it!

[Vinsanity]

Everyone? Nearly half the people in the poll picked it!

Haha, holy crap I could've sworn it said Focus ST when I voted. Vote still stands though. I just hope this doesn't happen next Tuesday 

[Raza]

Fiesta ST is too similar to the MX-5. I suggest Honda Odyssey.

[FoMoJo]

Of course that is a good idea, but I have only seen zero of them on the street.
The MSRP is about $36K (almost exactly three Versas) but I wonder how much they are actually selling for. Are they in stock at dealerships, or must they be ordered?

Maybe things have changed in the past couple of months, but I've heard there's a long waiting list for the RS (months).  I've seen articles from a couple of months ago that Ford was cancelling orders from people who had ordered 2016s and told them they'd get a 2017 when MY17 production started up.

Focus RS seems raucous in a bad way. For example the suspension has been derided in every review I've read about it. A Focus ST with a chip, bro! and an exhaust is way more easily available and probably not down on fun factor if you never go to the track

That's all beside the point.  The idea is to get something that's fun to drive; whatever his choice even if it's a Fiesta ST.  When you buy a car like that, who gives a shit about the interior, you get it because it's a blast to drive.  The only upgrade to an ST should be the Recaro seats. 

[Eye of the Tiger]

Fiesta ST is too similar to the MX-5. I suggest Honda Odyssey.

Good point, but the Odyssey is still too similar to the MX-5. I suggest a Jeep Compass.

[12,000 RPM]

That's all beside the point.  The idea is to get something that's fun to drive; whatever his choice even if it's a Fiesta ST.  When you buy a car like that, who gives a shit about the interior, you get it because it's a blast to drive.  The only upgrade to an ST should be the Recaro seats.

He has Miata. Interior on second car matters