Its that time for me, What car

So, after 217,000 miles, I want to retire my Saab 9-5, I am looking for something newer!

 Must be under 15,000$ (10,000$-13,000$ would be best)

 Must be a standard

 Would prefer something European

 Must be somewhat sporty, have potential, and would enjoy a snail

 Top contenders are (in no order) GTI, Jetta 2.0T, Audi A3, Mini cooper S/Clubman S

What do Y'all think? I have thought is MS3 but rust is bad (rust belt) also thought Genesis Coupe

tjbell wrote: and would enjoy a snail

That part has me confused. I don't eat snail myself...so I can't help you there.

If you want European, how about a 1 series or 3 series?

2.0T 9-3 SportCombi 6-speed

In reply to Powar:

Great if you can find one. I enjoyed driving mine to work today .

I agree with Klay though, a 128i sounds like a really solid option. Edit: might still be out of your range. Sadly

$10,000-$13,000 will buy you the nicest, most well-maintained available E46, in the flavor of your choice, except M3.

I wouldnt mind a bmw, It has crossed my mind. But finding one with the options I want seems to prove hard, If I did go that route I would want AWD because Snow

Edit: e46 might be hard for me to finance because of the year, how are the E9x?

Duke wrote: $10,000-$13,000 will buy you the nicest, most well-maintained available E46, in the flavor of your choice, except M3.

I think the top end of that range will get you an M3 these days.

tjbell wrote: I wouldnt mind a bmw, It has crossed my mind. But finding one with the options I want seems to prove hard, If I did go that route I would want AWD because Snow

iXs are not hard to find. The difficult part will be the manual trans iX, since it seems like about 15% of 2001-newer BMWs were sold with 3 pedals, and most manual drivers prefer RWD (at least in BMW land).

That being said, I have a RWD 325i, and on snow tires, it's absolutely fine until snow gets to "State of Emergency" levels. 4"-6" unplowed snow isn't an issue. The other options I have and recommend are the Sport pack (ZSP) because the seats are waaaayyyyyy better. I also have bi-xenon HID lights, heated leather, and a sunroof. Pretty much exactly what I was shopping for.

Tyler H wrote: I think the top end of that range will get you an M3 these days.

It might. But would it be one you want to daily drive? Keep in mind that maintenance is significantly higher and more expensive on the M cars. My lowly 325i has been pretty cheap from that standpoint.

I feel as though I may get bored of a bmw, not from a handling standpoint but from a power standpoint, my 9-5 (stage 2, intake, exhaust) has plenty of pep for me. I need to drive a BMW long and good and see how I feel. I drive like a granny most of the time though...

I used to think that, too. I really wanted a 330i, preferably a ZHP. When I bought my 325, 330s commanded a big premium. Like, big enough that I bought the 325 for my daily and the Manic Miata as a toy with the leftover change. Maybe I am rationalizing, but the 325 has plenty of power for 85% of my driving.

Nowadays, 330s really don't cost that much extra. ZHPs still hold value really really well, but $13,000 will buy you a nice one that's up to date on all its shots.

I know you want an import, but the 2008+ Cobalt SS's performance simply CRUSH all the cars you listed. 300hp is a factory ecu chip, plus a REAL limited slip differential in front, not abs braking BS that VW and everyone else has oh and a suspension tuned at the Ring (it set the record for a FWD car there). Drive one, THEN say no, I dare you....I know they are ugly but hey...

In reply to DirtyDiesel:

They make those turbo with 4 doors too correct?

Edit: I just cant do the interior it kills me

What about this? The pocket-sized beast from the far east.

In reply to G_Body_Man:

I am afraid of rust on those, I see some speed 3's in my price range but....

In reply to tjbell:

Don't worry. In 07, they changed steel suppliers. The 07+ models were MUCH better than the 04-06 models.

Duke wrote: $10,000-$13,000 will buy you the nicest, most well-maintained available E46, in the flavor of your choice, except M3.

This. Or a 5 series BMW if you want more space, for 15k you can get a pretty nice E90 or E60

You can by a low mileage NB Miata.

You can also go with a S4 or an e36 m3

I know very little about the S4. I have heard that they are more difficult to maintain than the E36 M3. The E36 M3 has a limited slip diff, which is a plus over a regular E46.

If you're thinking about AWD, you can't overlook a WRX. They should be cheaper to maintain than a S4, and have a bigger aftermarket.

Saab 9-2x aka Saabaru

my work has a 2010 Genisis coupe 3.8...any input on them?

Edit:

What about a Cooper S? I love the look of them but heard that the 06-10 have timing chain issues and weak clutches?

Volunteer to do a water pump on a mini. Then come back and tell us how much you like it. .. .

Honda Fit Sport plenty of room, fun to drive, great fuel mileage, nice stick. I little buzzy at 80mph, but it doesn't hurt the engine. They're made to turn 4k+ 5K+ all day long for well over a hundred thousand miles.

In reply to dean1484:

hmmm I'd rather not LOL

In reply to Rupert:

I thought about it, but the Fit is just to small for me

Well my co worker is selling his 2007 300C hemi AWD with 95k miles on it, it has an intake, throttle body spacer, exhuast, tune, eibach springs, ect... has a warranty on it till 168k. now he says it is leaking transmission fluid from the vent and trans pan. I am not sure how it could leak from the vent unless it was over full. I drove it about 30 miles and it runs drive and shifts fine. The car is literally perfect condition. I know the owner, and he is anal about it, just had it painted two weeks ago because of rock chips type of anal. hes trading it in and the price will be around 10-11.5k. also just had brakes, front and rear, all 4 tires,front sway bar links, all new fluids last year, synthetic oil changes every 3000 miles