Originally posted by Huntervf:
It's new.
It's reliable.
It's affordable.
It's fun as hell to drive.
It's new.
Did I mention it's new?
I'm a big fan of Nissan these days. I'd like to have an Altima or a Maxima but they're both out of my price range. I can lease a Spec V for under $200 a month, it's a mid 15 sec. car with a factory LSD and handling grip to spare. 
Sorry to hijack the thread, but have you driven a Mazdaspeed Protoge? Fun, reliable, TURBO, razor sharp handling, for 18K. I drove one at Mazda Rev-It-Up as was very impressed.
Open up the breathing, turn up the boost, and you've got a 250hp rocket with incredible handling and an LSD to put the power down (think high 13s with a reliable car under warranty). 
1999 Ford Contour SVT #900/2760 (SOLD)
2005 Mazda 6s
2003.5 Mazdaspeed Protege
1998 Ford Ranger 4x4
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