I'm very likely going to sell my Mazda6s in the near future and am looking for something cheap to tide me over for about a year or so while I save up the payment money for something better for the future. So although I've spent a few days scouring the 'net, I'm appealing to you guys for some ideas/feedback.
All makes, models, and years are fair game, but anything from Honda or Toyota would have to be damn good for me to consider it. Manual Transmission is a requirement. RWD is vastly preferred. Something 'high performance' is required (so no '98 Cavalier suggestions). Something luxurious would be nice, but not required. $12,000 would probably the absolute max I would consider, lower is better.
Let me run through some of my observations so far, and a few questions that perhaps some of you could answer for me...
First off, of course the CSVT is on the short list. There are 2 in the DFW area for sale that look like nice buys. And, though I want high-performance, the Focus is on the list too just because they're so cheap and I think they're fun to drive.
Miatas would be on the list, but I'm just way too tall for anything prior to the '06 model.
Mustangs are out. Camaros (and their brethren) are pretty much out. Volkswagon, thogh I have seen a couple very nice Passats, is probably out, though I suppose I would consider one.
Mid-90's high-end BMWs look like good buys price-wise
This 540i for example looks nice as do late-90's lower-end BMWs, but I worry about the repair costs of such high-mileage German cars. Particularly M3s which I've heard have astronomical repair costs. I like Z3s, just not sure if I could fit.
Late-90s Audis are
dirt cheap. You can pick up loaded A4 Quattros for $7000. What's up with that? Are they
that bad?
I love Volvos, so they're definitely in the running, though finding them with sticks isn't the easiest. Later models when they were more 'rounded' are preferred.
Saabs I don't know enough about prior to the latest generations. I
think I'd like them.
Anyways, it's always interesting to see what people suggest. There could be some real gems of a car that I just wouldn't have though to consider if someone hadn't suggested it.
