On a used car, what would you buy? Vehicle mainly used for commuting, between the years of 2021-2024. Fun to drive is preferable, but not a hard requirement.

Go.

Mazda CX-3. If you are willing to compromise some mileage for a little more "fun" and tech, get the CX-30 or CX-5.

Mazda 3

https://www.facebook.com/share/1EwQx5LJEr/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Plus

https://www.facebook.com/share/1Uacv5J3Ey/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Cloud said:

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On a used car, what would you buy? Vehicle mainly used for commuting, between the years of 2021-2024. Fun to drive is preferable, but not a hard requirement.

Go.

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I'd probably need to know a bit more - only ever for you, no passenger capacity requirements? Gas mileage matter, or no? What does fun to drive mean to you - manual, acceleration, cornering?

You could get a manual Honda Accord with the 2.0T engine, that's a smooth and surprisingly fast and nimble sedan - but manual may not be what most want for a commuter. You could get the Touring Trim with the 2.0T and automatic.

Cloud said:

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On a used car, what would you buy? Vehicle mainly used for commuting, between the years of 2021-2024. Fun to drive is preferable, but not a hard requirement.

Go.

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This is total clickbait from an Amateur. The obvious answer is that 2016 was the last great year of any automobile.

2016 Volkswagen Golf R 6 Speed Manual

Stinger GT2?

Unlikely for 20k

This was our budget to add a 3rd vehicle to our family as our teenage became a driver.

We found that we needed to raise the budget to $25 before anything with real value became available...below $20k offered a lot of beat to crap stuff.

Model 3. Just as fast as the Z06 (depending on trim) and a little more conducive to commuting.

Civic Si. Son has one. Fun little car. Manual. Gets great mileage. Probably in that range.

You should buy my 2013 Porsche Boxster.

The answer is always the best Toyota Land Cruiser in your price range.

https://texags.com/forums/46/topics/3583945

Toyota Tacoma with 125,000 miles on it.

Kyle Field Shade Chaser said:

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Toyota Tacoma with 125,000 miles on it.

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Not if he wants to get 20+ mpg commuting.

For commuting, a used hybrid Maverick could be a great choice.

AgFrogfan said:

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2016 Volkswagen Golf R 6 Speed Manual

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A 10 year old hot hatch that some surely drove like an *******?

How much money are we setting aside for a new clutch and transmission?

dodger02 said:

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AgFrogfan said:

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2016 Volkswagen Golf R 6 Speed Manual

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A 10 year old hot hatch that some surely drove like an *******?

How much money are we setting aside for a new clutch and transmission?

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dodger02 said:

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AgFrogfan said:

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2016 Volkswagen Golf R 6 Speed Manual

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A 10 year old hot hatch that some surely drove like an *******?

How much money are we setting aside for a new clutch and transmission?

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I think you're being slightly mistaken. These were $40k+ brand new. I know because I had one special ordered. It was the last year that the R was built in Germany. Did I mention they were AWD? Because they are. If you know about Syncro technology, then you understand it is not the same as Quattro.

2015 only came with an automatic transmission. 2016 we got the 6 speed. I traded mine in at around 45k on the ODO. (Divorce, Life, etc). I would have gladly driven my 2010 GTI 4dr 6 Speed 2.0T if not for that spectacular beast.

I would completely agree with your first question if it was in regards to a 5.0 Fox Body or Civic Si that had been ragged out and raced into the trash heap.

From what I've read, driven with proper, spirited care, you're probably expecting a $5k-6k transmission rebuild around 150k miles (240k km). The 2.0T powerplant is an exceptional platform.

Edit so I can add pictures.

My Mk8 was built in Wolfsburg. The Mk7 was not the last R built in Germany.

I autocrossed the piss out of mine on the weekend and drove it to work M-F.

The salesman whom I bought mine from slapped an upgraded turbo on his Mk7 and pushed 500BHP and >400ft-lb from his EA888. Yes, they're robust.

The number of 10 year old Rs on the road that were driven with "proper, spirited care" is far outnumbered by those with down pipes, upgraded turbos, and ECU tunes (not Thule roof racks and pop up tents). Add in the clutch dumps, and the R transmission is a costly repair for the next owner.

txags92 said:

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Kyle Field Shade Chaser said:

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Toyota Tacoma with 125,000 miles on it.

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Not if he wants to get 20+ mpg commuting.

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What he would save in maintenance costs likely more than outweighs the mpg savings on any used $20K vehicle thats not a Toyota.

Kyle Field Shade Chaser said:

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txags92 said:

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Kyle Field Shade Chaser said:

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Toyota Tacoma with 125,000 miles on it.

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Not if he wants to get 20+ mpg commuting.

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What he would save in maintenance costs likely more than outweighs the mpg savings on any used $20K vehicle thats not a Toyota.

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For 100k miles at 17 mpg vs 24 mpg and $4 gas, that is something like $6800 difference. Not sure the Taco will save you than much over a Honda Civic or Mazda 3 in that timeframe. And OP asked for fun to drive. Unless his commute includes an offroad section, not sure the Taco wins there.

And I say all this as somebody driving a 10 year old Taco with 110k miles on it.