What city car for Toronto

So far, so good up north. I'm enjoying the city, found a place to live today, and start work on Monday. Oh, and I have two dates this weekend. Things are looking up

I need a small car that will seat 4 and gets good gas kilometerage. Gas is a bit more 'spensive up here, the MPV ran about $38-40 to fill up in Detroit, cost about $54-58 here. Would be great if it were a bit sporty, I need something for auto X, rally X, and track days (suggestions on where to do that would be great). Also, want to keep it under $5k.

I've seen a bunch of the Suzuki Aero's and Swifts in that price range. Anything else to consider? The Fit/Yaris/Versa are to new and more than I want to spend.

Thanks for the help.

Jeff

berkeley it, maybe I should just buy this;

http://www.rightdrive.ca/inventory_cars/view/185

I was just about to say, have you considered a Lancia Delta Integrale?

I've got to go look at that, it's about 15 minutes from were I'm staying.

What part of TO are you in?

http://toronto.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-cars-trucks-2004-HONDA-CIVIC-Si-COUPE-LOADED-AUTO-MINT-CONDITION-W0QQAdIdZ239090231

Probably not the answer to your problem, but this seems cheap...Saab 9000 Aero, manual, $900.

http://toronto.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-cars-trucks-1997-Saab-9000-Aero-Hatchback-W0QQAdIdZ240141817#

Jeff wrote: berkeley it, maybe I should just buy this; http://www.rightdrive.ca/inventory_cars/view/185

Sounds like you've got it all figured out.

For no particular reason, I'll have to go with an E36 318i on this one.

Buy my sister's Festiva. A better city runabout cannot be had unless you spring for a Kei Car from Japan. $400 and it's yours, and it's less than two hours down the 401 from you.

Welcome to Canada

I'd look for an inexpensive E30 or E36 4-cylinder -- they shouldn't be too hard to find. Be sure to join the SPDA (Subaru Performance Driver's Association). even if you don't have a Subaru they will welcome you. And their members get an incredible discount package.

Jeff wrote: berkeley it, maybe I should just buy this; http://www.rightdrive.ca/inventory_cars/view/185

I was going to suggest a Red Barchetta, but this is close enough.

Used MINI?

Toronto, snow, E30? Does not compute. I think I would look for an Impreza 2.5 RS if I were you.

Edit: Perfect - 2004 2.5 RS

Edit Again: It seems I'll be up visiting your area (Etobicoke, ON) some time in the next month. Believe it or not, this will be my first time out of Florida since 2001.

Jeff wrote: Versa are to new and more than I want to spend.

There is nothing sporty about a Versa. My wife has had one for 4 years. It is not too bad of a commuter and has a gigantic back seat, but at least in her case, the cvt sucks all the fun out of it.
.

jstein77 wrote: Toronto, snow, E30? Does not compute. I think I would look for an Impreza 2.5 RS if I were you. Edit: Perfect - 2004 2.5 RS Edit Again: It seems I'll be up visiting your area (Etobicoke, ON) some time in the next month. Believe it or not, this will be my first time out of Florida since 2001.

Snow, in TO? Pretty rare. Mostly just wet rain and slush. Anyway, never underestimate the power of snow tires.

I worked downtown toronto for years. Best car I had was a 2 door Golf TDI . My SiR civic was a PITA. No downlow TQ - eats gas...etc.

I just got a place near Avenue and St Clair. I'll be working in Concord, kind of counter commute, but it's going to be interesting.

That Honda is nice, but it's an autotragic. Don't want. I guess I'll just have to buy the Lancia

I like the clean 318 idea, I was looking for those on CL last night.

Jeff wrote: berkeley it, maybe I should just buy this; http://www.rightdrive.ca/inventory_cars/view/185

And you are still looking?

Jeff wrote: I just got a place near Avenue and St Clair. I'll be working in Concord, kind of counter commute, but it's going to be interesting. That Honda is nice, but it's an autotragic. Don't want. I guess I'll just have to buy the Lancia I like the clean 318 idea, I was looking for those on CL last night.

Oooh -- great neighbourhood. Make sure you explore all of TO -- lots of great food and entertainment.

Do they have 318i's with limited slippy diffs? That, plus sno tyres, and who needs a Soobaru?

Mazda 323.

Of course Mazda 323... and you'll still have $4,000 left over.

Lots of nice little 323's up there and they don't have the mouse driven seatbelts.

Swift GT.

You'll have lots of local support

AutoXR wrote: I worked downtown toronto for years. Best car I had was a 2 door Golf TDI . My SiR civic was a PITA. No downlow TQ - eats gas...etc.

I'll second that: I LOVE my 2dr Golf TDI. Resale price is relatively unaffected by how many miles are on the car: you can use that to your advantage. It feels a lot quicker than it's HP# would suggest, and I like 7-800 miles to a tank. It's also quite pleasant on the highway, though it's pretty boring on anything resembling a curvy road. A great appliance.