Pick a car from this list of 22.

GO!

Acura RSX
Audi A4
Celica GTS
Cobalt SS
Corolla XRS
Dodge SRT-4
E46 BMW
EP3 Civic
Focus SVT
Integra GSR
IS300
LS1 Camaro
Mazda 3
Mazdaspeed Protege
Miata
Mini Cooper S
P71
Saturn Ion Redline
Toyota MR2
Mustang
VW GTI
WRX

LS1 Camaro.

We already own a Mazda 3, so I am waffling between the P71 and the MR2. Gah! So difficult... OK, MR2.

Miata

Mustang

Cobalt SS!

That's quite a broad list though. More specific parameters? It depends on what you need it to do.

It needs to carry two people and two backpacks on a 60-mile roundtrip commute a few times a week, and be fun.

Pretty crappy list.... but if that's the only choices I'd say Cobalt SS.

But you can get a nice C5 for $12-15k now that would do everything you required and be more fun than the entire list combined.

Assuming that this will eventually end up in the magazine, I'd chop the list down to the following as stuff I would like to read about:

Tom Suddard wrote: GO! Audi A4 Celica GTS Cobalt SS Corolla XRS LS1 Camaro

From that list, I'd get it down to the LS1 Camaro as the only one I would be seriously interested in buying.

In terms of want to own:

Celica GTS
Corolla XRS
GTO
SRT4
MR-S

Would like to read about:
Corolla XRS

LS Camaro or Cobalt SS, if you are only ferrying two people you don't need the extra doors..

the answer

That blue Conquest.

Cobalt SS IFFFFF turbo. If S/C then either MR2 (loved mine) or WRX (big budget required)

As much as I hated insuring it, I really did love the IS300. That specific Lexus is just like the E46 BMW 330. I'd suggest driving both--I have and I don't know that I could choose between the two. I went with the Lexus because the one I bought was owned by a relative and I trusted it. Plus, I had lots of experience in BMWs so I wanted something slightly different.

There was something about the suade/leather seats, Japanese leather small-diameter wheel, and interior look of the IS300 that was totally unique to that specific model of Lexus. Alternatively, the BMW has the super-clean interior lines, a nice interior glow at night, and has just a tick up on some of the items you get with both cars (better heated seats in the BMW, for example). Both have howling I6 engines, but the BMW has slightly more power. The BMW has a far-superior automatic transmission and will be easier to find with a manual if that's your thing.

The only other items on that list I'd consider depend on the generation. If it's a 2005 or newer Mustang GT, then go find one of those and drive it. Any older and I'd pass. The WRX is the other neat-o contender.

Can you even find an Integra that hasn't been thrashed and "upgraded" by some teenager who A.) didn't know what the hell he was doing and B.) promptly crashed it into a pickup truck at a red light? If so, that might be fun.

OK, now go call your insurance company! Tell us what they say.

Cobalt SS turbo

Mustang (admitted, rwd, V8 bias here)

To me the answer is always C4 but that's not an option here :)

I reject this list.

60 miles, 2 people, and only backpacks - in Florida?? WTF.

How many ragtops on the list?
- Miata

Better list:
- Boxster
- S2000
- MR-S
- Z3
- Miata
- Jeep CJ
- Motorcycle with bitch seat

Bobzilla wrote: But you can get a nice C5 for $12-15k now that would do everything you required and be more fun than the entire list combined.

This ^

From the list I'd pick the IS300 in the rare 3 pedal version.

IS300 with the 5-speed manual.

LSx Camaro.

P71 road and track. 5.4, cams, intake, headers etc. I want 400hp out of it

06HHR wrote: LS Camaro or Cobalt SS, if you are only ferrying two people you don't need the extra doors..

Cobalt SS's came in 4 doors though.

e46 m3 convertible