What car? Dual purpose airport car

I am looking for some thoughts from the hive here. I have started driving to the Dallas Love from Arlington, Tx, which is a 66 mile round trip, and am thinking about a commuter that I can use for the occasional track night/track day/autocross. So gas mileage is a consideration, $5k to as high as $7k. I've been thinking auto because of traffic but I don't know what would be fun and hold up. Right now I am driving a Super Duty that gets 11pm. I am a novice so the track time would be for fun and to increase my abilities. What are some ideas on cars? Thanks in advance. 

In reply to jrflying :

I know Miata is the answer but I am 6'2 with a 34" inseam and I don't fit with a helmet on. 

DSG GTI

Something with a flappy paddle gearbox of some kind seems like it would be perfect - auto mode for commuting, and some control over the gears on the track. The DSG GTI could be a good option, maybe a Toyobaru if it can be squeezed into the budget (I am about your height and I fit in one, and I know significantly taller people who can squeeze in) - they will need about $500~$1k in mods to survive more than autocross runs though.

Boxster with an auto?  Seems like there should be a good 986 shaped needle in the haystack somewhere for that kind of money with a less than desirable trans.

In reply to preach (dudeist priest) :

What years are the Dsg Gtis?

jrflying said:

In reply to preach (dudeist priest) :

What years are the Dsg Gtis?

I think they started with the Mk5, so possibly sometime in the mid-2000s.   I'm a little leery of suggesting an older one, because it seems like VW didn't have it all figured out when they started making them.  They continuously get better the newer you buy.  $7k won't be enough for a decent Mk7, though.

The best Civic Si you can find in your price range would be my first choice.  Or if you can find a manual transmission Accord - someone on the board does (or did) track days with them.  

eastsideTim said:

The best Civic Si you can find in your price range would be my first choice. 

+1

$5-7k is the bottom of the 3.7 Cyclone S197 Mustang market. It's going to have a bunch of miles on it, but you'd get 300hp and 30mpg in a platform with massive parts support, and they seem to be pretty reliable.

In reply to jrflying :

https://houston.craigslist.org/cto/d/splendora-2010-volkswagen-mk6-gti-turbo/7591979158.html

Are there any good manual tranny suggestions? I'm seeing many 3 series options and g35s. Learn me on them also please.

My first thought was a BMW 3 series, something like a 2006 and up E90 with the naturally aspirated straight 6.

I don't know if this comment is helpful, but I answered this question for myself with an 08 civic coupe, non SI, five speed. I've gotten 33 MPG from multiple tanks, and I don't drive slower than 80. 

It's slow, and I would have preferred an SI, but I couldn't find one in my price range (paid $6500 for it) that wasn't modified or branded title. The market has leveled off since then, and you might have more tolerance for a modified car. 
 

I have a 99 Miata sport for a dedicated autocross car, but despite the power limitations of the 1.8, I've also had fun in the civic at some local events. It's also allowed me to do some track days, which isn't possible with the Miata. 
 

I did upgrade the shocks to koni sports and install a larger rear sway bar, normal changes for a street class autocross car. 
 

jrflying said:

Are there any good manual tranny suggestions? I'm seeing many 3 series options and g35s. Learn me on them also please.

Since you mention the desire for a manual, I recommend the following...  

There are not that many manual trans cars on the market.  When they are on the market they are very slow to sell unless they are the few desirable, genuinely sporty cars.  I think a good place to get a good price deal is "non-sporty manual trans cars."  Who's really buying these cars?  The market all wants SUVs.  Sedans are dead and even more dead are 2 door cars.  So, with all that in mind, I went to FB Marketplace for Arlington, TX and 80 miles out.

I put in a price range of $3,000 to $8,000.  I went with $3,000 to avoid full beaters and parts cars as well as $1234 listings.  I went to $8,000 on your $7,000 budget because I dont expect you to pay full price.  

I then sorted for only cars and then only cars with manual trans.  That returned a few gems:

'11 V6 Camaro w/112k @ $7,700  Listed 2 weeks ago.

'12 V6 Accord Coupe w/ 132k @ $8k  Listed 2 weeks ago.

'13 Civic Coupe w/144k @ $8k  Listed 1 week ago.

'08 Fit w/105k @ $6.6k

'86 944 w/86k @ $6.6k 

None of these are the sportiest option for their brand but all can do fine on track in your novice hands.  All, except maybe the 944, will be reliable enough to leave airport long term parking at 11pm after a long week (which should be your primary goal.)

When shopping, manual trans is often equated with stripped models.  Samples would be Kias, Hyundais, Chevy Cruise, Chevy Sonic, etc.  All could be good but just make note that these stripped models often do not come with Cruise Control from the factory.  IF cruise control is important to you, be sure to verify that the car youre shopping actually has the option.  

jrflying said:

Are there any good manual tranny suggestions? I'm seeing many 3 series options and g35s. Learn me on them also please.

Definitely the 350z and G35/37

They are not the best on mpg though 

Wow! Thank you all for the great information!

The accord coupe listed above is a 2.4, not the V6. Nothing wrong with that.

The civic is very similar to mine, same drive train, a generation newer.

In reply to Floating Doc (Forum Supporter) :

Yes, but the Accord seems to have a V6 badge on the trunk

John Welsh said:

In reply to Floating Doc (Forum Supporter) :

Yes, but the Accord seems to have a V6 badge on the trunk

Good eye, I didn't catch that on my phone. It also has dual exhaust, which I think only would be on the V6.

Are G35 coupes with the manual trans around in that price range in good to nice condition? 

I like that V6 Mustang suggestion as well.  Some good ideas in this thread.

Bringing this thread back instead of starting a new one.

Can ya'll learn me on the 2014+ Hyundai Veloster turbo 6spd? How's reliability? Is it a fun car or completely boring? Trackable or is the suspension terrible? I am comparing it with GTI, civic SI, and the Focus and Fiesta STs. The Veloster is quite a bit cheaper than the others. 

jrflying said:

Bringing this thread back instead of starting a new one.

Can ya'll learn me on the 2014+ Hyundai Veloster turbo 6spd? How's reliability? Is it a fun car or completely boring? Trackable or is the suspension terrible? I am comparing it with GTI, civic SI, and the Focus and Fiesta STs. The Veloster is quite a bit cheaper than the others. 

Its probably comparable to the Fiesta but faster in a straight line and a lot less likely to end up on its roof.  The engine makes good power on 87.  It has an open diff which sucks.  1st gen has a beam axle rear and strut front.

2nd gen has the better suspension, but also has nannies that can't be defeated.

The driver's door is stupid.