Second car considerations

[Delray Sandusk]

I've been having a bit of a quandary this past week. I've finally paid off my Miata in full (only took 2 1/2 years, too!), but it's starting to get up in the milage and I'm not really sure I want to use it for year-round driving anymore. Granted I've rarely had problems with it and it's managed to live through two years of crappy Michigan weather including that wicked road salt and dodging the occasional deer, but I really want to hang on to this car for a long time now that it's actually mine and not in danger of being repo'd.

Anyway, the Miata will probably only see use on weekends now so this new car is going to have to be a daily driver. It's going to be driven through bad weather, along backroads that are only maintained on a voluntary basis, and will have to be responsive enough to avoid the antlered roadblocks that are conspiring to raise my insurance rates. I've considered getting a Protege' 6 as I've heard a lot of good things about it, but if I really want to push my financial limit I might be able to get an Impreza WRX. That would probably be better suited for the local conditions, given the AWD (Subaru's WRC history doesn't hurt either).

But anyway, I'm open to suggestions right now if you folks should happen to have any. I'm not in any real rush to get another car, but I want to have as many options as possible for when I do. Be reasonable though... I've got about a $30,000 limit, so no NSX's or Vipers (much as I'd love to have either one )

 

[ShobThaBob]

Go for a slightly used lexus if you can. My dad had a 98 es 300 for 4 years. Got 99342 miles on it. Never had any mechanical problems at all. All he ever had to do was change oil. It also drove like a dream. He sold it because he wasnt sure how long it was going to go mechanical free, and he also wnated to trade it in before it lost ALL of its value. He likes his G35 a lot. I do too.

 

[1X83Z]

Nah, for the weather stuff I'd take a new or nearly new Impreza Outback. Fairly fun to drive, can come well-equipped (or, if you want, sparsely equipped), extremely practical, and small.

 

[Hooligan]

Audi A4 would be nice, I think. Not quite as roomy as most, but certainly up to the driving task. BMW 325xi would be similar. Or a Jaguar X-Type 2.5. Or even a Volvo S60 AWD. (I think there's an underlying theme here....)

 

[1X83Z]

Originally posted by Hooligan
Audi A4 would be nice, I think. Not quite as roomy as most, but certainly up to the driving task. BMW 325xi would be similar. Or a Jaguar X-Type 2.5. Or even a Volvo S60 AWD. (I think there's an underlying theme here....)

You can't get a 325xi for $30,000, and there aren't enough X-Types or S60s with AWD on the road yet (for nearly new) for this factor to be worth pursuing. A4 nice bet, maybe a 2001.

 

[MazKid]

Miatas last forever, but how do you go anywhere in the snow?

I'd say(ohh boy here I go again) get a 6 S, it's fast, and it has traction control. Looks good too.

Subarus are exellent too, but can be a tad pricey.

Hope that helps.

 

[Joey D]

Come on I live in Michigan to and I have a beat up Stang. It handles fine in the snow. You can drive anything you want in the snow as long as you drive sensable.

Also Michigan winters aren't terriable it hardly ever snows its just really cold.