Ok, I'll do yet another what car thread. I'll keep it short and to the point.
Budget: 5,000 dollars, usd (including anything to make it daily drivable)
Location: Within 1000 miles of 48430 (a fly and drive doesn't scare me one bit)
Number of doors: more than 1, less than 10
Transmission: Manual, but I would be willing to consider an autotragic if the car was right
Needs/wants/uses for car: Just want it to be mostly reliable, and fun to drive. If it's a stick, I'll teach my kids to drive a stick on it.
I gave you all that info because I know, no matter what, if I tell you I'm trying to decide between car X and car Y you good folks will throw out lots of different ideas. That's why I came here.
Here's what I'm primarily considering:
SAAB 9-3 with the turbo v6, but I'd be willing to consider other saabs because I've always wanted to own one, never have.
Volvo V70R, but I'd be willing to consider a T5. If it's the Volvo, I don't want the auto at all.
So, of those two, what would you go for and why. Secondly, what else is out there that I should consider?
EDIT: Not saying no to a Miata, but I've had one already (though I also had a V70 T5 too) so I want some strange.
Saab 9-3 Viggen in blue. Because the hottest woman I dated, had one. Its rare.
Mostly reliable, fun to drive, manual transmission. Inexpensive to buy and maintain.
There must be an answer to that question.
Duke
MegaDork
9/2/20 1:43 p.m.
My vote?
The nicest, southest E46 sedan you can find for $4000, plus $1000 for cooling system refresh and the other well-known maintenance needs.
E46s have really hit the bottom of their depreciation, they made a million of 'em, and you stand a decent chance of finding one with 3 pedals. Easy to find reasonable parts for and easy to work on. I never stopped enjoying my lowly 2003 325i. It wasn't the fastest, it wasn't the sportiest; it just enjoyed being driven. And even with under 200 hp that smooth, creamy straight-6 power delivery can't be beat.
In reply to Floating Doc (Forum Supporter) :
I forgot to mention, not sold on another miata just yet, but I could be swayed that way.
I think with Saab you really want something with the I4; the older V6s were somewhat troublesome, and I've heard the same about the later ones as well. The Viggen above is a good choice, or a 9-5 Aero - both are less "Saab-y" than the 900/9000 cars, but you may not want something that old. The hatchback models are cavernous.
I think E46 is a fine choice, but then I'm a BMW guy. Pretty easy to work on, better shifter feel than the Saabs, and the chassis is as enthusiastic as you will find. Find one with records if at all possible - even if it costs you more money up front, it will likely save you money in the long run.
You might also be able to find an E90 3-series at the top of your range - for your purposes, I'd probably prefer the E46.
Honda's bore me to tears, and our Odyssey has been kinda sucktacular, but I hear good things about the RSX
2006 Honda Accord EX sedan with a V6 manual. They exist. Unicorns. But they exist.
In reply to DrBoost :
Call directly to my Florida based shipper, detailed in this thread
Another vote for the Saab but with the turbo 4. Sufficient power, a billion times easier to deal with than a transverse V6 with turbos strapped to it.
Go 2005 or newer as the 03-04 models had some teething pains.
Or buy my boosted Miata. But the budget is a bit over the 5k....
And the turbo means you'd be living up to your screen name. 
KyAllroad (Jeremy) (Forum Supporter) said:
Or buy my boosted Miata. But the budget is a bit over the 5k....
And the turbo means you'd be living up to your screen name.
Hahaha. Yeah, I don't have a boosted car right now. Gotta remedy that. I think I've had 1/6 dozen or so though
