What to get for daily?

Donatello. · 05-09-2026, 09:01 PM

Looking to replace my Mazda6 that is only used for bad weather and such (I'm in PA) with something fun. Considering a Focus ST or AWD TBSS as of now, but looking for other suggestions. The 6 sees under 1k miles per year as I work from home so not going to spend a fortune. Also thought about a WRX or STi, but not really wanting to spend $20k ish.

Also, don't want anything tiny as I want to be able to load wheels & tires, etc when needed. So, sadly, things like the Fiesta ST are out.

Don't want anything with high miles or unreliable. AWD preferred, but FWD is ok. No RWD.

I have a 30th AE Miata and Hellcat for fun. Although, the Hellcat is for sale as I drive the Miata a lot more so I'll be replacing that with something else fast, fun & RWD at some point.

Alfisti · 05-09-2026, 09:48 PM

I'm a bit lost, still 1k miles a year? And a WRX is more than a Focus ST in good shape?

Loading big wheels and tires may be a stretch but base Giulias are incredible value, the 2T is very solid, 2019+ and they got rid of any gremlins but truth be told the base never really had them, the horror stories are with the quadrofiglio cars.

If want to dumb it down more, maybe original X1 with the 6 cylinder engine? Good size, AWD, stonking engine ..... aways been a favourite sleeper of mine.

Donatello. · 05-09-2026, 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alfisti

I'm a bit lost, still 1k miles a year? And a WRX is more than a Focus ST in good shape?

A decent mile ST3 is around $10k. I haven't seen a late model nicely equipped WRX with decent miles for that $.

Quote:

Loading big wheels and tires may be a stretch but base Giulias are incredible value, the 2T is very solid, 2019+ and they got rid of any gremlins but truth be told the base never really had them, the horror stories are with the quadrofiglio cars.

If want to dumb it down more, maybe original X1 with the 6 cylinder engine? Good size, AWD, stonking engine ..... aways been a favourite sleeper of mine.

Not interested in Alfa or BMW for this.

25 V8 IS · 05-10-2026, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Donatello.

Looking to replace my Mazda6 that is only used for bad weather and such (I'm in PA) with something fun. Considering a Focus ST or AWD TBSS as of now, but looking for other suggestions. The 6 sees under 1k miles per year as I work from home so not going to spend a fortune. Also thought about a WRX or STi, but not really wanting to spend $20k ish.

Also, don't want anything tiny as I want to be able to load wheels & tires, etc when needed. So, sadly, things like the Fiesta ST are out.

Don't want anything with high miles or unreliable. AWD preferred, but FWD is ok. No RWD.

I have a 30th AE Miata and Hellcat for fun. Although, the Hellcat is for sale as I drive the Miata a lot more so I'll be replacing that with something else fast, fun & RWD at some point.

Get a Focus ST. I think you will be happy. Now I've never owned one, but I had a friend who passed away who did and he absolutely loved that car.

I have no idea what maintenance is like on them either.

KevinC · 05-10-2026, 04:19 PM

Mk7.5 Golf R (2018-19). Spectacular all-arounder and makes a great DD. Mine is at 103k miles and has been dead-nuts reliable and is still tight as a drum.

pbonsalb · 05-10-2026, 07:11 PM

Can you buy a 2018-19 Golf R for the $10k the OP appears to be comfortable spending? I would but think so but have not looked.

Efthreeoh · 05-11-2026, 05:03 AM

Buy a used mid-sized pickup truck.

JerseyM3 · 05-11-2026, 10:30 AM

Jeep Wrangler. Go anywhere.

XutvJet · 05-11-2026, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

Buy a used mid-sized pickup truck.

^This. Nissan Frontier. Toyota Tacoma reliability and a much better drivetrain for 70% of the price used.

MJBO · 05-11-2026, 11:51 AM

A daily doing 1000 miles a year

KevinC · 05-11-2026, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pbonsalb

Can you buy a 2018-19 Golf R for the $10k the OP appears to be comfortable spending? I would but think so but have not looked.

He mentioned $20k and the answer is yes.

pbonsalb · 05-11-2026, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KevinC

He mentioned $20k and the answer is yes.

You and I interpret differently the words “but not really wanting to spend $20k ish” in Post #1.

Efthreeoh · 05-11-2026, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MJBO

A daily doing 1000 miles a year

I had the same thought. I use to drive 800 miles weekly.

STi from DSM · 05-11-2026, 08:15 PM

It might be more than he wanted to spend initially but could last longer... What about a Camry TRD? Trying to think of things that would be a little more fun but still a good bang for your buck. What about a Boost Blue Honda Civic? GREAT color with good reliability. Both are probably more than $20k but would probably last a bit longer.

ShocknAwe · 05-19-2026, 09:41 PM

GTI/Jetta. Camry. Civic.

Or a Bentley Conti GT. Either or.

ZTK_M240i · 05-21-2026, 07:37 AM

Get a nice used GTI. They are great daily drivers. Fun, practical, reliable, sporty, etc.

(I don't think a decent used R would fit in your price point or I'd say that.)

visionaut · 05-21-2026, 11:23 AM

F3x

Donatello. · 05-21-2026, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XutvJet

^This. Nissan Frontier. Toyota Tacoma reliability and a much better drivetrain for 70% of the price used.

No dispute on what you said, but they are zero fun for me. I do not offroad. With that said, I have been thinking about getting a pickup b/c useful. The Toyotas are $ even with high miles so they are out. Just cannot bring myself to spend that $ for the miles.

I would also only want a 4WD truck, no RWD only.

Donatello. · 05-21-2026, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZTK_M240i

Get a nice used GTI. They are great daily drivers. Fun, practical, reliable, sporty, etc.

(I don't think a decent used R would fit in your price point or I'd say that.)

What gen(s) & what do they normally go for? How is the cargo space? Needs to be able to fit wheels & tires etc in the back easily

Donatello. · 05-21-2026, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by STi from DSM

It might be more than he wanted to spend initially but could last longer... What about a Camry TRD? Trying to think of things that would be a little more fun but still a good bang for your buck. What about a Boost Blue Honda Civic? GREAT color with good reliability. Both are probably more than $20k but would probably last a bit longer.

With that amount of $, I may as well look at something tha can replace my Hellcat AND the 6 since I just sold the Hellcat. Not dropping $20k on a new beater that rarely gets used.

Efthreeoh · 05-22-2026, 08:51 AM

It is difficult to understand what you want. You say a daily but will drive it just 1,000 miles annually. You want to carry wheels and tires in it, so why do you want a hatchback? Wheels and tires are sometimes grubby as hell, so why would you want them inside a car? And you say a pickup truck is not fun for you because you don't off road. Okay, but what is your definition of fun? And what is your priority, carrying wheels and tires, or having a daily canyon carver.

There seems to be a bit of an oxymoron going on with what you want.

I use my pickup as a wheel/tire transporter all the time. Trust me, you want to use a pickup for such a use case.

Donatello. · 05-22-2026, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

It is difficult to understand what you want. You say a daily but will drive it just 1,000 miles annually. You want to carry wheels and tires in it, so why do you want a hatchback? Wheels and tires are sometimes grubby as hell, so why would you want them inside a car? And you say a pickup truck is not fun for you because you don't off road. Okay, but what is your definition of fun? And what is your priority, carrying wheels and tires, or having a daily canyon carver.

There seems to be a bit of an oxymoron going on with what you want.

I use my pickup as a wheel/tire transporter all the time. Trust me, you want to use a pickup for such a use case.

Winter/bad weather/when I have something that won't fit in the Miata daily...

I have a carver...the Miata. No Oxymorons here

I don't disagree trucks are useful.

05-09-2026, 09:01 PM	#1
Donatello. How's My Driving? 1560 Rep 1,225 Posts Drives: Hellcat & Miata Join Date: Apr 2020 Location: US iTrader: (0)	What to get for daily? Looking to replace my Mazda6 that is only used for bad weather and such (I'm in PA) with something fun. Considering a Focus ST or AWD TBSS as of now, but looking for other suggestions. The 6 sees under 1k miles per year as I work from home so not going to spend a fortune. Also thought about a WRX or STi, but not really wanting to spend $20k ish. Also, don't want anything tiny as I want to be able to load wheels & tires, etc when needed. So, sadly, things like the Fiesta ST are out. Don't want anything with high miles or unreliable. AWD preferred, but FWD is ok. No RWD. I have a 30th AE Miata and Hellcat for fun. Although, the Hellcat is for sale as I drive the Miata a lot more so I'll be replacing that with something else fast, fun & RWD at some point. __________________ 2018 Charger Hellcat - SOLD 2019 Miata 30th Anniversary 2021 CX-5 Signature 2009 Mazda6 Last edited by Donatello.; 05-21-2026 at 08:26 PM..
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05-09-2026, 09:48 PM	#2
Alfisti Brigadier General 7866 Rep 3,817 Posts Drives: 2008 Saab 9-3 Combi Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Toronto, Canada iTrader: (0)	I'm a bit lost, still 1k miles a year? And a WRX is more than a Focus ST in good shape? Loading big wheels and tires may be a stretch but base Giulias are incredible value, the 2T is very solid, 2019+ and they got rid of any gremlins but truth be told the base never really had them, the horror stories are with the quadrofiglio cars. If want to dumb it down more, maybe original X1 with the 6 cylinder engine? Good size, AWD, stonking engine ..... aways been a favourite sleeper of mine.
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05-10-2026, 04:19 PM	#5
KevinC your average JAMF 4167 Rep 4,407 Posts Drives: '21 M2 Comp, '19 Golf R Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Cochise County, AZ iTrader: (0) Garage List 2019 VW Golf R [5.00] 2021 BMW M2 Competi ... [3.50]	Mk7.5 Golf R (2018-19). Spectacular all-arounder and makes a great DD. Mine is at 103k miles and has been dead-nuts reliable and is still tight as a drum.
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05-10-2026, 07:11 PM	#6
pbonsalb Lieutenant General 7620 Rep 13,578 Posts Drives: 18 F90 M5, 99 E36 M3 Turbo Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: New England iTrader: (4)	Can you buy a 2018-19 Golf R for the $10k the OP appears to be comfortable spending? I would but think so but have not looked.
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05-11-2026, 05:03 AM	#7
Efthreeoh General 22511 Rep 21,406 Posts Drives: Z4 Coupe & Z3 Roadster Join Date: May 2012 Location: Summum Choragium iTrader: (0)	Buy a used mid-sized pickup truck.
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05-11-2026, 10:30 AM	#8
JerseyM3 Colonel 1573 Rep 2,010 Posts Drives: 2025 M3 Comp xDrive Join Date: Feb 2025 Location: Jersey Shore iTrader: (0)	Jeep Wrangler. Go anywhere.
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05-11-2026, 11:51 AM	#10
MJBO Colonel 6047 Rep 2,440 Posts Drives: a lot. Join Date: May 2012 Location: Melbourne, Australia iTrader: (0) Garage List 26 BMW M3 CS Touring [10.00] 26 BMW X5 M60i [0.00] 2025 GWM Cannon Alp ... [0.00]	A daily doing 1000 miles a year
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05-11-2026, 08:15 PM	#14
STi from DSM Lieutenant Colonel 1825 Rep 1,904 Posts Drives: 2024 Audi RS3 Join Date: May 2020 Location: Champlin MN iTrader: (4) Garage List 2020 BMW M850i Gran ... [10.00]	It might be more than he wanted to spend initially but could last longer... What about a Camry TRD? Trying to think of things that would be a little more fun but still a good bang for your buck. What about a Boost Blue Honda Civic? GREAT color with good reliability. Both are probably more than $20k but would probably last a bit longer. __________________ 2024 Audi RS3 Turbo Blue \| 2020 BMW M850i GCX (Mineral White) 2025 Acura Integra Type S (Liquid Carbon) 2022 M850i Xdrive Gran Coupe (Twilight Purple) \| 2019 Audi RS5 Sportback (Navarra Blue) \| 2021 Audi S4 (Quantum Gray) \| 2018 BMW M5 (Singapore Gray) \| 2019 Audi RS5 (Mythos Black) \| 2020 X3M Comp (Black Sapphire) \| 2019 Audi RS3 (Mythos Black)
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05-19-2026, 09:41 PM	#15
ShocknAwe 1Addict 5214 Rep 9,149 Posts Drives: N54 E82, M57 E70, 964 C4 Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Charleston iTrader: (22)	GTI/Jetta. Camry. Civic. Or a Bentley Conti GT. Either or. __________________ 2010 E82 1 Series M Clone Hydra Performance augmented OEM+
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05-21-2026, 07:37 AM	#16
ZTK_M240i Captain 448 Rep 764 Posts Drives: '25 M240i xDrive Join Date: Mar 2025 Location: Florida iTrader: (1)	Get a nice used GTI. They are great daily drivers. Fun, practical, reliable, sporty, etc. (I don't think a decent used R would fit in your price point or I'd say that.)
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05-21-2026, 11:23 AM	#17
visionaut Major 1743 Rep 1,223 Posts Drives: 2016 435iX GC & 1976 2002 Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: Mile High City, CO iTrader: (0)	F3x
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05-22-2026, 08:51 AM	#21
Efthreeoh General 22511 Rep 21,406 Posts Drives: Z4 Coupe & Z3 Roadster Join Date: May 2012 Location: Summum Choragium iTrader: (0)	It is difficult to understand what you want. You say a daily but will drive it just 1,000 miles annually. You want to carry wheels and tires in it, so why do you want a hatchback? Wheels and tires are sometimes grubby as hell, so why would you want them inside a car? And you say a pickup truck is not fun for you because you don't off road. Okay, but what is your definition of fun? And what is your priority, carrying wheels and tires, or having a daily canyon carver. There seems to be a bit of an oxymoron going on with what you want. I use my pickup as a wheel/tire transporter all the time. Trust me, you want to use a pickup for such a use case. __________________ A manual transmission can be set to "comfort", "sport", and "track" modes simply by the technique and speed at which you shift it; it doesn't need "modes", modes are for manumatics that try to behave like a real 3-pedal manual transmission. If you can money-shift it, it's a manual transmission. "Yeah, but NO ONE puts an automatic trans shift knob on a manual transmission."
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