as for the monte's engines... the 00-03 had the 3.8 v6 as the top motor, 04 they dropped the supercharged 3.8 in the top model ss's, for 06 they re styled the front end and added a 5.3 v8 for the top engine, also had a 3.9 v6 i believe

Don't forget that buying a daily means another car on your insurance policy. You can also get much better deals and interest rates on a new car.

The Mini Cooper S was suggested on another forum. Thought that might have been a good suggestion? Another proponent of the Grand Prix/Ams I see.

I'm not worried about insurance or anything like that. I'd only be using 1 car 80% of the year.

Stevoone, I no longer live in NJ, but thank you very much for the heads up on that G8.

2009/2010 Cobalt SS/TC

Well I'm leaning more and more towards a new car... 2008-11.

So if anyone has more New car suggestions, please send em through!

So far I like Jetta, Mini Cooper S, Lancer Sportback, A3 (not sure if in price range).

I'd love to have an american car on the list... but uhh... cruze/cobalt? i realy just dk

Maybe it's just my personal experience, but Mini drivers seem to be the "little pricks of the road"--always zigzagging around traffic, but never getting anywhere. Also, last I checked one out, there was little to no leg room for anyone in the back seats, so don't plan road trips with more than one other person.

The Cruze was one of the cars I test drove before I got my Lancer. Sorry if anyone on here owns one, but all I can say is, "what a piece of trash!" The tiny motor was screaming to move anywhere, and its 6-speed gearbox couldn't make up its mind even at steady speeds. There's also a LOT of road noise... it felt like a tinfoil box on wheels. The Cobalt was a MUCH better car, again, in my opinion.

A Jetta would be a good choice--between price, performance, and reliability, they're pretty spot-on.

Audi A3's start at around $27k, so keep that in mind. If you can afford it, it would probably be a great buy.


Make sure you physically go and test drive each one of these cars, but keep a very open mind about it. A lot of people get really attached to the thought of buying a new car, that they skip the details.

Subaru WRX?

Wow, the comments on the Cruze is totally different than the one I had. Quiet inside, and trans was fine. I hear some people are having transmission shifting issues, and it seems its a software issue.

If I go for an A3 @ Masonite, it's going to be an 08/09 for sure. Probably not Quattro either unless I can find one under 50k mi. with the right pricetag

If I were you and I was looking for an affordable daily driver I would not pick something that would have higher maintenance costs like a luxury brand.

JMO

This. What a great car.

^ its sooooooooooooo small.. soooooooooo fricken small. :cry:

well the A3 is just perfect. its obviously my fav of all of them. hatchback. nice and long. good motor. 200 hp.

the jetta has 170, but the sportback that has more space and the hatch costs more, plus i'd have to get 2011 and its slow as a damn log.

looks/size/style/speed - a3 is perfect. price is the only issue with that car IN MY OPINION

and if anyone says 4 door golf, take a hike. that car is gross!

A3? My mom has an Audi. In 2011 alone:

Front Brake pads at 24k - $300
Water pump at 25k - Covered under warranty, but car was down for a week.

Have fun with that. And if you say she has a dud, two cars before that was another Audi, timing belt tensioner at about 80k, top end of engine was 7k.

impala or malibu, 30 mpg and a nice ride

dont i recall u saying sumthin about the car having to look like sumthin a 22yo would own? i dont know many 22yo's ridin around in Audi's, and im 24 lol

When I was young, cool cars went fast and looked flashy. Nowadays, cool is luxury.

I'm 24 by the way.

lol in high school all the rich kids had audi's beemers and benz's that their parents bought them

Have your cake and eat it too. Get the A3 with TDI power......

save up and get this: http://clubroadster.net/vb_forum/showthread.php?t=42586

lol.... yep ^

Why not get a smaller suv like a crv or an equinox? Lots of room for your stuff on road trips, better road visibility which is good for highway driving, small motors that sip gas, and optional awd that you will love when you hit some snow or bad weather.

gmc terrain?

Agreed on a small CUV. Nox, Terrain, CRV, Escape.

Having been a college student with a small CUV, I will respectfully disagree on four reasons:

1. Fuel economy penalty. (smaller hatch will get similar utility while cheaper at the pump)
2. Price penalty. (usually, the CUV will be more expensive)
3. Poor handling (equivalent car will handle better, although most CUVs turn pretty well nowadays)
4. You will always be the one driving among your friends (probably the biggest factor. Don't think your friends will throw in for gas either. It rarely happens)

If I were in the market right now, I would be looking seriously at the B-segment. You can't go wrong with any of the heavy hitters in that segment; Cruze, Focus, Elantra, 3, or Golf TDI if you do lots of highway)

Gotta agree to disagree on the crossover. I think a crossover is a complete waste of money. Gas mileage is much worse, handling is much worse, and I don't need the height or care for the safety. Come on... i've driven a camaro for 4 years, haha.

It's like having all the cons of an SUV in the convenient size of a car.


2012 focus is definitely in the running for me. looks great, but optioned up its so damn pricey...