CR-Z.
Fun, different enough to get noticed, techie enough to draw a question or two, and still a pretty solid sporty-compact.
Or you could go older and do a Civic/Integra with a big engine swap.
Put stickers on the side that say "245hp/35mpg" or something.
Or just a new Impreza non-turbo. 33mpg, slow as a dog. AWD
Sorry for a dissenting vote, but a TDI is the wrong answer for hilly switchbacks. With a $4,000 mod budget, then maybe, but stock it would be an efficient but soul-sucking disappointment.
Play the patriot card and get a Caddy.
The one advantage to driving a fuel sucking, awesomely awesome car is that it may indicate that your business is doing well.
There is always Subaru or Ford Ranger. All the hippies I know drive Subarus or Ford Rangers.
Biofuel TDI Golf, tune and nozzles for ~140whp and 250++ wtq, good clutch, fresh suspension. Done. :)
CR-Z is actually a great idea....
SVreX wrote: We will be building super high efficiency homes and additions. Green houses. That means our customers will likely be both young people and middle aged people with money. I need the ability to have a customer jump in the car and not think, "What kind of fruitcake is this guy?" So, I could be happy driving a MINI Cooper S, and it would appeal to the young crowd, but older folks would wonder if I was having some kind of mid-life crisis. I could be happy driving an M3, but the younger folks might think I'm a wealthy old fart. Prius might make them both happy, but what a drag to drive.
Don't know about GA, but there are tons of gray hairs out here in CA driving Minis. Remember - they were around in the 50s and 60s. :)
The Minis attract attention and put a smile on everybody's faces. Put some company graphics on it and you're good to go.
nderwater wrote: Sorry for a dissenting vote, but a TDI is the wrong answer for hilly switchbacks. With a $4,000 mod budget, then maybe, but stock it would be an efficient but soul-sucking disappointment.
njansenv wrote: Biofuel TDI Golf, tune and nozzles for ~140whp and 250++ wtq, good clutch, fresh suspension. Done. :)
(plus wheels & tires, etc.)
...Two contrasting ways to say the same thing 
Plenty of parts (no really), good gas mileage, fun to drive and are easy to find with a stick.
Lexus IS300 Sport Cross
I would think TDI torque would be great for hilly switchbacks. I think mine handles pretty good and it's stock except for it has the TT bushings on the steering
mazdaspeed6
Abarth! 
Good gas mileage, fun to drive and cool.
Nicest volvo 240 in the world?
Maybe a kia forte or koup? I really liked the veloster i drove and while it is ecofriendly it probably doesnt look eco friendly.
Chevy cruze is surpringly fun.
If you want fun in the hilariously incompetent and slightly scary sense, ive never laughed as hard in a car as i did with a prius c.
Mini is an excellent drivers car and not too presumptuous if you stick with the little wheels. Imo the car drives better in base form that s or cooper works form.
I rode in a first gen insight at an autocross in the fall and holy hell was that a lot more fun than I thought it would be. It's an auto but I can't think of much that says frugal eco guy like one of those.
Just buy a prius.......add coilovers, trd supercharger, and somewhat classy wheels. BOOM done.
Acura TL
I think CRZ is also the answer here, but I think Dean is onto something. I would go one further down in the range though and suggest the TSX.
It'll handle the roads in a pleasurable fashion, haul 4 adults, not big enough for the greenies to get mad, plus look modern and sleek without being ostentatious.
nderwater wrote: Sorry for a dissenting vote, but a TDI is the wrong answer for hilly switchbacks. With a $4,000 mod budget, then maybe, but stock it would be an efficient but soul-sucking disappointment.
I honestly disagree here. My g/f has a MCS and I've done a number of mtn runs with the local MINI clubs sweeping with my TDI. They'd drop me on the straights (90hp is still only 90hp) but they hold me up in the curves. And this is in the back of the pack where the aggressive drivers like play "drop-back." I'm not saying a TDi handles as well as a MINI, but on public roads at realistic speeds, a VW can hold its own even on crap all-season tires if you have half a clue about what you're doing (and I only have a quarter clue).
That said, another option would be a MINI Clubman S. 99% of the fun of a standard MINI, but a bit better at hauling cargo and the occasional adult or two in the back seats. Forget the Countryman - they handle like the small SUV's they are.
09-11 WRX with the Limited package (leather, etc). Looks low-key and not expensive. Gets reasonable highway mileage (and most people think they get better mileage than they actually do). Has AWD for all seasons. It's faster than almost all your choices so far, and cheaper. Seats are actually very comfortable. And Subaru has that whole "out in the environment" thing going on so you don't look like some rich douche who just sits in an office all day counting customers' money (e.g. if you drove an Audi or Bimmer).
Oh I like the Mazdaspeed6
irish44j wrote: ...............you don't look like some rich douche who just sits in an office all day counting customers' money.........
ha ha ha - this made me laugh.
BTW where can I find this "rich douche" job as today's work day left "nice guy loyal employee" feeling like crap?
CR-Z, MINI S, or Ford Focus (surprisingly fun in stock form). Although a later model WRX (09 and earlier - without the "extroverted" bodywork) would be a kickass stealth choice.
Rusted_Busted_Spit wrote: (saab 9-5) Plenty of parts (no really), good gas mileage, fun to drive and are easy to find with a stick.
Where does one find said parts? The Saab 9-5 Aero wagon interests me, but with no dealer network and the manufacturer being nonexistent I'm a bit concerned about major services or parts availability for the next 5-6 years. I'm not sure how well the aftermarket caters to the Saab.
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