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Originally Posted by Table 5
Last year I was considering a very similar lineup. I'm somewhat in the same boat again as I'm looking for a fun and cheapish third car (ie under 15k), that can be my winter beater and still be able to carry two car seats. I keep going back and forth from something small and tossable like these, something offroad oriented (older 4Runner/Land Cruiser/FJ), or a larger coupe/sedan with a big engine (early Lexus SC, Infiniti M45, Merc E300).
On the small car front, I remember when I tried the Abarth, I was a little disappointed. It sounded great, but I was hoping it would be a bit more tossable (plus I wasn't thrilled with the seating position). I really wanted to love it, but just didn't.
The GTI was really nice...but almost too nice, bordering on boring. It also sounded kind of meh.
The Fiesta ST was probably the most fun small car. Horribly ugly/busy interior, but I could see it being a great city car.
The GT86 was actually the best drivers car I tried. It actually reminded me of my Cayman. Probably a nice car for a teen too as it's not crazy powerful.
I think a Mazda 2 could be fun in the city. Too bad they don't make a sporty version. If you want to get weird, maybe you can get a Micra Cup Car (although not sure if they are street legal).
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I did the SUV thing semi-recently (few years ago) with an '09 Pathfinder and only kept it for a half a year. I also bought a Wrangler and only kept it for a weekend. I used to have jacked up trucks and did go to Maclean Creek/Waiprous a lot, but after 35 those crap-riding vehicles lose a lot of appeal as DDs.
The Fiesta ST seems like a lot of fun, but I can't get past the immaturity of the interior. The Abarth and Cooper S have pretty whimsical interiors, but something a little more charming about them IMO.
I hear what some guys are saying about RWD with good tires being a safe vehicle, but I think FWD is safer for my daughter so I'm holding strong on that. GT86 is out for that reason, in addition to being too small for me to fit in. For a young person, I like how under powered they are.
Big-engined sedans are great for your needs. Way more pleasant to drive than an SUV, but I really don't like SUVs now, anyway. A big Expedition or something I could do because they ride so pillowy and I like that, but mid-size body-on-frame SUVs are the worst.
If I can get a smokin' deal on a convertible Cooper S, I think that's my preference. Otherwise, I'll get an Abarth. Yes, the drive won't knock your socks off, but the sound will. I think a teenage girl in that thing would have a blast, too, and I'll have fun as well. You're right about the GTI being a bit too buttoned down for an extraneous fun car and I think that comment helped solidify why I was waffling on what didn't feel right about that one.