There are several cars in our long-term fleet that I could see myself owning as a daily driver.
Of course, there are the dreams cars. If I had a million dollars I would own an Audi R8. If I could afford to change the oil, I would drive a Nissan GT-R every day, even to the store around the corner, just because it's fun.
But if you take winning the lottery out of the equation, there are still some real cars I would own with no regrets. This weekend, I drove our Mitsubishi Evo MR. This is definitely a car I could own. I like the way it looks, the way the Recaro seats feel, the boost when I put my foot down. It sucks gas like a college freshman goes through beer and it has a smallish trunk, but it suits my lifestyle. I can even deal with that bookshelf that lives on its back.
Which cars in our fleet would you want to own in the real world?
Donna DeRosa, Managing Editor @ 18,927 miles
dougtheeng says:
11:44 AM, 06/15/09
Realistically, I could see myself buying the G8, the Challenger, Flex or one of the Evos.
Its a tough decision though, because your fleet doesn't exactly well represent the standard vehicle choices for someone making an average salary. I don't normally comment on things like this, but there are a few too many $50k +, exotics, etc.
audisport says:
12:04 PM, 06/15/09
I think that the only everyday cars that you guys have that I would/could/want to buy are the 135i and the G8. Actually, no G8. I like it alot but it drinks gas. I would realistically only buy the 135i.
lysine says:
12:06 PM, 06/15/09
I already own this. It is not only my daily driver, it IS my dream car. I want nothing more, even if I did have a million dollars. The super exotics hold no attraction for me other than an admiration for it's engineering prowess and design.
I just took a road trip in it, and it took 1.5 tanks to do the LA -> SFO run. Not too bad. All my other cars did about the same too. 95 Civic, 05 Mazda 3 SP23.
huyracing says:
12:15 PM, 06/15/09
Realistically, I can't bring myself to spend $45k on an EVO. That money would better be spent on a 135i. Would I spend that much money? Maybe... but I like to keep it well under $40k.
So, that leaves EVO GSR, 370Z, G8 GT, and old M3 as the fun cars fitting my criteria. So, which do I pick? Boy racer, Fugly, Plain, or Oldie? Yeah, I'm not too excited about my selection...
For the money, I would get an RX8 R3 or a used NSX. I have a GTI, which is uber practical and fun, but a single male does not need all that practicality. I'm tempted to actually trade it in for one of the aforementioned cars to join my 300ZX TT in the garage...
petrolhead85 says:
12:28 PM, 06/15/09
In the real world (ie. under $35k), probably the Challenger, Mazda 6, or the Jetta TDI.
powell_jr says:
12:39 PM, 06/15/09
In the really real world of I'm super cheap. The only car I could see myself buying would be the Fit. But I could never buy that because my wife thinks it is hideous. I would probably go for a used M3. You guys need to put a small SUV in your long term fleet. Something like the Forester. That is something that cheap, ahem frugal, people like me are interested in. I do love reading your blog and imagining I own many of your cars though.
fuhteng says:
12:40 PM, 06/15/09
audisport that is a lousy reason for no G8. What, you think that 135 is a fuel miser? You push any car and it is going to have lousy mileage.
Dump the stupid spoiler and yes, I would consider the Lancer Evo too.
I do think it is interesting no one has mentioned the Genesis yet as something they would own.
I am a very happy owner of a G8 GT.
uncanny_man says:
12:57 PM, 06/15/09
I guess I'd have to go with the challenger, genesis, or mazda 6. You don't really have any of the cars that I'm actually considering though.
spen1818 says:
01:13 PM, 06/15/09
135i hands down. I am also a single, child free guy.
audisport says:
01:14 PM, 06/15/09
@fuhteng: It's not a lousy reason! I really like the G8 alot, but no matter how it's driven the gas mileage can't be that good. What are you averaging overall, and on the freeway? I'm honestly curious... A buddy of mine has a 335i and I know that with normal driving he gets mid-20s overall. Obviously when you puch any car you are going to get subpar gas mileage.
adavis2493 says:
01:15 PM, 06/15/09
I think the M3 Sedan will be the best for me. It mixes fun with functionality.
huyracing says:
01:50 PM, 06/15/09
audisport, if you actually "like the G8 alot" then you should know it has cylinder deactivation, so it is capable of decent gas mileage. i've heard people getting mid-20's highway... and 91 octane is only "recommended" not required.
e10rice says:
02:08 PM, 06/15/09
I could take anyone of the Evo's or the STI if you guys still had it, but im with adavis2493 on this one. Hand me that M3 Sedan. Its the perfect fit for me and my life. Plus if my wife gets this new job for the local dealer i just might have one sitting in my driveway sooner than i thought!
tcd223 says:
02:17 PM, 06/15/09
BMW 135i. The N54 is an awesome mill.
cocarguydj says:
03:01 PM, 06/15/09
audisport,
My wife drives her G8 mostly around town and typically gets 18-18.5 mpg for her fairly docile driving style. We have gotten 24+ mpg on each of the highway trips that we have taken it on, even with some fun/aggressive driving mixed in for overtaking and such. For the size, utility and performance abilities of the car I have been extremely pleased with the fuel mileage.
cah11705 says:
03:49 PM, 06/15/09
i would prefer something comfortable that i can enjoy driving and looking at whenever i walk up to it so ill take a new m3, old m3, or the g8 gt. Mazda6 or evo would be ok but evo is to economy car based and mazda6 is still to...common
altimadude00 says:
04:04 PM, 06/15/09
I'll give the SX4 some lovin' and take it.
rocklah says:
04:59 PM, 06/15/09
370z, against all odds Nissan actually went lighter, wider, shorter and faster with this car. Practicallity will have to take a back seat, oh wait the z doesnt have one!
zoel says:
05:08 PM, 06/15/09
flex
roadburner says:
05:50 PM, 06/15/09
Both EVOs, 135i, old/new M3, 370Z, and S5. Nothing else has the "gotta have it" factor for me. That said, if I was dropping $35K-$45K of my own money I'd find a clean E46 330i ZHP for my daily driver and I'd grab either a nice 993, M Coupe or E30 M3 for my track toy.
Achtung, Baby!
ddoouugg says:
10:25 PM, 06/15/09
e90 m3. i35i. cts. evo.
t10 says:
10:48 PM, 06/19/09
"Realistically, I can't bring myself to spend $45k on an EVO. That money would better be spent on a 135i. Would I spend that much money? Maybe... but I like to keep it well under $40k."
Well while I was getting the oil changed on my EVO X GSR today, they sold the last MR at the dealer = 31K. and there is still another one around town to my knowledge at the same price. Just so you know people are buying manual EVOs well under 30K right now, though inventory is going fast. But if you ever wanted this car many places are offering the deal(s) of the century (the one I referenced above was literally >10K off MSRP)