Looking for a fun car

Hi, I'm new here and I want to get some opinions from you guys. I am looking for a reliable coupe or 3 door hatchbacks but there are so many I dont know where to start. Maybe something reliable that isn't going to get stolen if i travel.

So far I know of:

Mustang 5.0.

Acura rsx or integra (stolen alot, rsx transmission problems, expensive)

Hyundai tiburon

Scion tc (bad syncros)

Toyota Celica

Mazda Miata (a little small, cant afford two cars)

Looking for ideas and opinions. Rwd or Front. Up to 7,000 usd maybe 10,000usd if its worth it.

Let me get these out of the way so no one can suggest them later. Miata, P71, or Cherokee. I know they may not fit the bill, but now the suggestion is out of the way.

Price? Define fun? FWD/RWD/AWD/NWD? new? used?

Up to 7,000 usd, RWD or front wheel drive, Preferably used.

Focus SVT? Get a nice used one with the euro package and recaros for less than your 7k and can go 3 or 5 door?

Jaynen wrote: Focus SVT? Get a nice used one with the euro package and recaros for less than your 7k and can go 3 or 5 door?

I'll second that. The SVT Focus is fun to drive, can carry plenty of stuff, and should be in your budget. It also came as both a three- and five-door hatchback.

They seem cool. Are parts expensive for those?

E36?

In reply to kurk9:

Not that I recall ( I had a 3 door for a couple of years). There are a few common things that go from what I remember but they are pretty easy to fix and won't leave you stranded. It is mostly a focus so that is cheap.

I owned one the first year in 02 and the only issue was a couple reflashes for software, they changed the dual stage intake clip from plastic to metal and the premium CD player occasionally ate CDs

Car came with great brakes, and I thought at least it was quite a nice interior for the price. It was the first ford I had seen in a long time that felt quality to me and the SVT felt much better than the normal focus. Strange how some nice seats, steering wheel, and door trim can do that.

They are pretty good at autocross even stock if you are into trying that. I actually did 5+ track days on mine and it was a blast.

I still remember fitting a pre LCD everything 55" TV in the hatch with the seats down

Honestly as much fun as my miata is, and how practical my Jetta TDI is for commuting I wish I had kept that car

hah! cant believe I remembered my myspace login and found this

Golf.

up to 7000usd, RWD.. hatchback... you just described the BMW E36 318ti

i think an e36 M3 can be had for that kind of money

maybe sumpin' like this, $4600

http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/cto/3482846715.html

not mine

the Integra's aren't nearly the theft target that they used to be (other than a Type R) .... ( when the B18 was THE motor that all the fanboyz wanted ... the K and J motors are more the desirable swap now .. so don't let that stop you from the fun that is an Integra

If you insist on a coupe:

Subaru Impreza 2.5 RS

if not:

02-04 Subaru Impreza WRX

They should be in your price range.

An LS1 F-Body meets your price point. But I'll second the Focus SVT. Those are really fun cars.

Can you find an SRT4 for that money?

R32 GTI?

Eclipse GSX?

Saturn Astra?

In reply to Will:

Can you get an R32 GTI for the OP's budget? I mean, one worth having, not the usual kind that people around here drag home .

And before the nay-sayers come out - my Milano (effectively the same but in 4 door sedan) was one of the most reliable cars I've ever owned.

Yeah yeah, I tend to own cars with a checkered reliability rating - but I've owned Toyotas, Nissans, Volvos, Fords, BMWs, GMs, in addition to my more interesting stuff.

Thanks alot for the suggestions guys. When I sell my motorcycle I want a new toy and daily driver.

E36 sounds so tempting.