New daily: MS6 vs R53 vs E46

My tax return is on its way and I am getting serious about picking up a new fun daily driver. Long story short I am giving up projects for a while, sold my Alfa and am selling my Saab, pulling out of my garage lease etc to focus on finishing school. I have about $8k budgeted to get ONE car that I can drive every day and enjoy while also being able to run 3-4 HPDEs a year. I will be semi-frequently commuting to Chicago from Milwaukee, so something with reasonable gas mileage is a must (no RX8). I have been looking at a lot of cars, and I have found a few local candidates that I would consider.

There is this $7700 Mazdaspeed6 not too far from me. I hadn't even considered an MS6 until I saw this ad. Seems really cheap! The insurance is somewhat expensive and the fuel mileage isn't that great, but they sound like a pretty easy car to live with.

Also found this R53 Cooper S with 65k miles for $8k. I love the way the R53 drives, and the insurance is cheap while the gas mileage is pretty good. The low mileage is really appealing, but it's also at the top end of my budget.

Finally this E46 325i for $6500. I like the color combo and the fact that it has the sport package. I know the 330 is better, but I'd be perfectly content with a 325. Leaves me plenty of room in the budget for mods & consumables, gas mileage and insurance are reasonable but not as good as the R53. I would prefer a coupe, but oh well.

Also still considering the odd Audi TT, Celica GT-S, Saab 9-2X etc but there aren't any great deals around right now.

If you were in my shoes, which one would you go for?

The E46, or Celica GT-S.

Celica GT-S or the E46.

Maybe the Mini.

I LOVE the MS6, and was totally on board with that until you mentioned HPDE. NOTHX.

Celica GTS will be cheapest on consumables and perhaps most reliable. DO spring for a Moroso oil pan.

The E46 is a nice car, but you're gonna need a good set of snow tires on it for the winter. You'll also want to stay indoors if you get a huge storm rolling through...

That ms6 is either clapped out or a scam listing.....

And normally I'd recommend the ms6 as well.....but I'll go with ben. GT-S or perhaps a 9-2x if you can find one

I don't know your financial situation, but since you're still in school I'd choose the Mini due to the low running costs. It's not like they're less fun to drive than the other choices.

That said, it seems like a Celica GT-S would be even cheaper than that. If there are none available at the moment, then that's that.

E46. Because RWD for HPDE.

I've owned the R53 and E46. If you can live with the Mini's size and repair costs (BMW $) it will probably be the car for you, and I'm sure that it will be plenty fun for HPDE.

We have a guy who autocrosses an MS6 with us. It's FAST off the line, but handling is... Lets just say it's not built for agility. I'd rank it next to WRXs in terms of understeer.

I'd rather live with the E46 - budget for a cooling system refurb (350-500) unless you see recent receipts for hoses/plastics/water pump.