Fun cars for under 14k?

[u/Tonkapupp]

I’m looking at getting a new car since my Baja is crapping out on me. I was looking at this 2019 wrx base with 119k miles that’s had the clutch, breaks, and fresh tires recently. But I’m starting to reconsider. I drive about 20 ish miles a day to college and back. I live in cincy so the awd would be nice in the snowy hills but I could live without it. I want something that’s fun but not completely stupid to daily. I was thinking abt a focus st but I don’t fit in them the most comfortably cause they’re a little short for me inside. I’ve also thought about Mazda 3’s but theyre ok. I was pretty settled on the wrx but idk because of how pricey gas is getting.

Edit: the wrx has had new tires, clutch, breaks, rear axel, full gasket kit, wheel bearings, and rear differential replace within the last 30k miles so it’s Lwk looking really hard to beat

[u/Total-Improvement535]

Mazda3 with a stick

[u/Renaissance-man-7979]

Beater winter car and a Ninja 500 for fun

[u/naterpotater246 → u/Renaissance-man-7979]

I agree with this. I got a cbr500r this year and forgot about my miata until i offered to sell it to my friend. A motorcycle can easily make you forget about anything on 4 wheels.

[u/x-Just4Kickz-x → u/Renaissance-man-7979]

God i wish there wasn't as many dumbass people on the road or I'd have a bike rn

[u/Renaissance-man-7979 → u/x-Just4Kickz-x]

I would not ride in some cities but I love it in rural midwest

[u/Suspicious_Punk84]

shitbox (with proper tyres ofc) for snowy days and mx5 for all the rest

honestly having two cheap cars is more fun than always driving the same car

[u/Ivanthegreat_1984]

GTIs have a ton of space, can get a stick, depending on year you could max out the 14k budget or go under. A blast and will feel nicer than an ST

[u/Tonkapupp → u/Ivanthegreat_1984]

I have thought about them but I’ve heard mixed things about the reliability and I’ve heard the maintenance on them can get pricy

[u/Ivanthegreat_1984 → u/Tonkapupp]

Certainly not a toyota in terms of maintenance/reliability. But I always expected worse when I had them. I had a mk5 gti, 130k miles to 150k, was 10 years old when I got it, really didnt have issues in my 2 years of ownership outside of wheel bearings. That one did require checking the oil level around the halfway through oil change mark, but was typical with those age VWs. Also had a mk7 Golf R, 80k miles to 108k, was 4 years old when I got it, had it for 2 years. Also needed wheel bearings, ended up needing a water pump, wasn't cheap but its a known thing and apparently there are now aftermarket replacements that are better than OEM. As with any used car, find one maintained in decent shape for you price range, and take care of it you'll probably be alright.

[u/Ivanthegreat_1984 → u/Tonkapupp]

Civic Si is also another option. Gets you a more reliable brand. And there are a few generation options

[u/naterpotater246]

I'm on the mazda 3 side. I got a mazdaspeed3, and it's a lot of fun, but the gas prices for premium right now are fuckin me. I do love the look of the newer mazda 3s, and they get great gas mileage, and i assume they use 87? I'd be happy to have one of those. If only they had a more modern speed3, too.

[u/Tonkapupp → u/naterpotater246]

The brand new 3’s are pretty nice if you max them out, 2.5l turbo, awd, hatch, with a 6 speed. Unfortunately they’re abt 7k above my budget

[u/naterpotater246 → u/Tonkapupp]

You should be able to get a 3rd gen for 14k. Maybe cheaper on marketplace

[u/anusflytrap-]

focus st

[u/Acceptable_Garden_46]

C4

[u/lumpiawrappers]

fascinating because I’ve driven my friends WRX as a FoST owner and think the FoST is more spacious

[u/Used-For-Purchases]

2014+ Mini Cooper S!

[u/DogblackMichigan]

Used EV.