I've had 2 Miatas and am now on my second GR86. The Miatas were the most fun to drive, but I had to give them up because my walker (I'm 91) wouldn't fit in the car. The GR86 is more track ready; all I had to add were some track brake pads and an oil pan baffle. I track the car a few times a year, mostly time trials and hill climbs with some Track Nights in America thrown in. Let me recommend TNiA, you get 100 minutes of seat time at the track for about $200. That works out to about 30 miles per dollar.

@billyrock8305

Ай бұрын

Awesome dude 👍

@carhelpcorner

Ай бұрын

Amazing. Keep at it! 👍

@hectorramirez5227

20 күн бұрын

91 tracking cars???

I have a 2021 Mazda 3 hatch, it’s my first car, and I can say that this man is speaking nothing but the truth, it’s so much fun to drive, and the 6 speed manual that it comes with is a rare spec, but so worth it

@hectorramirez5227

20 күн бұрын

But the turbo version doesn’t get the manual does it?

@gabenager5909

19 күн бұрын

@@hectorramirez5227 no it doesn’t, at least in the US. The manual is only on one trim level, and that level doesn’t have the turbo

My choice would be the Mazda 3 - a basic yet fun to drive 4 seater. As usual, this presentation wins everyone for its practicality and personal experience of the products. Thank you VERY MUCH!

Have owned 8 Mazdas, 4 of which were Mazda 3s, looking for my second MX-5 at the moment . No unscheduled maintenance or breakdown on any of them. Daily driver is the Mazda CX-30, son has a CX-5.

@blueaxe27

Ай бұрын

I just bought a CX50 Turbo. It’s my third Mazda (1997 3 Sedan and 2008 CX7 Turbo). Love them all. I noticed from a lot of comments here and other videos, it’s pretty common that once you’ve owned a Mazda you tend to stick to a Mazda. They are really great driving cars.

Mazda’s sweet spot in this video. Mazda 3 specifically 👑 🥇 Miata #1 convertible 🥇 👍 🇯🇵

I bought the BRZ. I'm now 10 years in the BRZ/86 platform. Driving is a joy and the only boring aspect is the ownership experience in that nothing really goes wrong. If anything I see the mechanic for only two things, maintenance or modifications.

@carhelpcorner

Ай бұрын

Not surprised to hear 😁

If you only have one vehicle, I think the Civic is the way to go. Good handling, nice ride, some fun and should be dependable if you like to keep a car for more than a couple of years. Glad you mentioned the GTI and all the "problems" that might come with it. It's fun as long as you are aware.

@tobiasa9071

Ай бұрын

The civics have had some paint problems, some generation ago. I looked at a Civic type-R and there were a ton of Stone shots in the paint and the car wasn't that old.

The Mazda 3 is the only one I'd consider from that group; it's a better compromise in terms of fun vs practicality than the other car I would also have considered if it weren't a 2-seater; the Mazda Miata. The rest of the cars have reliability issues (transmission and/or engine) that would make me steer far clear of them.

Just nabbed myself a ‘03 R53 Cooper S for $3500. 86K miles, decently maintained, and already had Koni Shocks. These things are so fun and the supercharger whine is addicting.

Good choices all

Such a shame Mustangs became so expensive that they aren't really affordable anymore... otherwise they would make my version of this list 100%.

@thullraven1

Ай бұрын

I love my 2018 Mustang, but I would tread carefully with any Ford product made after 2020 because that's when they started having tons of recalls across almost all models including Mustangs.

@Mathguy363

Ай бұрын

I mean the msrp on a mustang gt with a v8 is 48k cad, yeah you won’t find it at msrp, but it’s still relatively cheap for a v8 sports car

@carhelpcorner

Ай бұрын

I agree. What happened to the prices? The MSRP has skyrocketed in the last few years.

@wholeNwon

Ай бұрын

@@thullraven1 Ford products that my family have had over many years have all been unreliable, poorly built and generally really bad. I would NEVER buy anything from Ford.

@thullraven1

Ай бұрын

@@wholeNwon For every person like you, I know four or five that have good Fords without major issues, as longer as they are older Fords. I'm not saying they are Toyotas, but they aren't Chrysler crap either. An exception may be an Explorer. They seem to be problematic no matter what year.

Great choices, all of them. I will buy a car in the fall and it will be a toss up between the Mazda 3 and the GTI. I’ve owned a 2021 GLI and it was such a nice car to drive but, yes, expensive to maintain 😮

@LordStaind

Ай бұрын

Get the GTI. You’ll love it. I have the 2023 40th anniversary and love driving it on a daily basis.

Great list Shari. Too bad I can no longer drive any type of sedan or coupe. At almost 65 years young, I need my SUV Crossover to be able to slide into the driver's seat without having to crouch down.

@carhelpcorner

Ай бұрын

I hear this all the time. Why do all the fun cars always have to be so low?

@wholeNwon

Ай бұрын

@@carhelpcorner The physics of turning...angular momentum and all that sort of thing? EVs with big battery packs at their lowest points will help, at least with the currently prevailing battery chemistry.

It came down to the GR86 and the GR Corolla (i know it doesn't /quite/ meet the 40k guidelines but it deserves an honorable mention!) for me but the four doors ultimately won out, but damn if I don't look at the 86 and get a little bit jealous.

I have a Miata, but before purchasing it was also considering the GR86. I would have gotten the Toyota except having a convertible for me made the choice a no brainer.

@carhelpcorner

Ай бұрын

I would have done the same 👍

Question for Mazda people. How does the mazda 3 turbo compare with the mazdaspeed protege. I want the fun aspect of a Miata but idk if 2 seats will be sufficient, and idk if I’d ever trust getting in an accident (I have previously recovered being paralyzed waist down and fracturing my spine in 7 spots) I def don’t want to add extra risk by getting a tin can strength car, but how are the mazda 3s performance/reliability wise compared to the protege

I had a GTI and have to say that its ride and handling are hard to match. Properly maintained it's a wonderful car and a pleasure to drive. My second choice in this list considering fun to drive is the Mazda 3 Turbo.

Given how much Civic hatch prices have gone up, the SI seems to be in a sweet spot given its MSRP.

I understand there are two spots for Mazda, but they are not my picks due to skimpy interior space. Where is Corolla GR by the way? Or is it not reliable?

Fully agree. Mazda is by far the best balance between fun/sportiness, low TCO and reliability. Unfortunately you do not have Suzuki in North America... Suzuki Swift Sport is a nice cheap alternative for some.

"MIATA: Winner and still champion...in this comparo and in my own heart. I've owned one, and LOVED it. It's he most slick and sophisticated handling car in this $40k class. Everything works smoothly and almost fluidly. I owned a 97 Miata, but the love affair continues, even though we've parted.😢

agree

Can you make a video for fun reliable suvs that are affordable for new parents? Thanks in advance, I really enjoy your videos.

@wholeNwon

Ай бұрын

You're a parent now so your days of "fun" are over! (Just kidding. The real fun in life is just beginning for you.)

Hands down the GTI is the most capable of the bunch and a lot of fun to drive. I'd buy the Mazda 3 turbo over everything else. It's refined, well built, individualistic and reliable.

4:42 the GR86 and the BRZ have back seats though? There’s just not a ton of room.

Mazda 👑

mazda for sure

Just remember the advice of Junior Johnson, " If you don't feel like you're gonna sh*t your pants, you ain't goin' fast enough."

I would pick an Integra A-Spec with the technology package.

@dextersmithbsee

Ай бұрын

Good choice but a bit pricey with the A-spec package.

I have a 2017 GTI, and I honestly think it's the best car I have ever owned. I have had no real issues at all. The 2017 - 2021 GTI is a great choice, just know some of the maintenance is a little more expensive.

How is a manual a great anti theft device?

@wholeNwon

Ай бұрын

It's a joke, of course, with an element of truth.

@aldelandsheer7651

Ай бұрын

Because about 10% of drivers in the US know how to drive a manual.

I think Mazda could be reliable, I just have not experienced it yet. Honda is an engine builder! They have had some engine concerns, but they dispatched them quickly the 1.5L turbo is bullet proof! Same can not be said about the head gaskets on the Subaru. For the same reason, I would not touch a Toyota GR86, or Subaru BRZ. I can totally get behind your number one pick! I am trying to find an older model. They are tough to find for a good price. I had a love of the GTI, but that was decades ago! VW has struggled for decades with reliability mostly related to electronics, this just stupifies me. They were tech savvy enough to launch what ended up becoming "diesel gate". Perhaps they should have spent that money on electrical systems.

@wholeNwon

Ай бұрын

Clearly VW has the technical ability to produce supremely reliable cars. The only explanation for their failure to do so is that they choose not to. So, I'll never own any of their products. Thinking a little more about it, perhaps they really can't build reliable vehicles. Consider the Phaeton (that I found very appealing) and the "Bentley".

BRZ

Zoom Zoom.

The Miata stands far above the rest of this field in reliability.

The honda si isncheap knock off version of type r. That theb1 cqr i stay from far

Currently debating between a Kona N or a Tucson

Miata Is Always The Answer

Why are all these 4 cylinders lol😂

@mauricioornelas2603

Ай бұрын

Because you can’t find “new” cars that are under 40k like these …

It’s a shame I never learned how to drive a manual😢

@TJDST4

Ай бұрын

You have not **yet** learned to drive a manual transmission.

@carhelpcorner

Ай бұрын

It's never too late!

Vw made in Mexico not Germany

@seanwalker6459

Ай бұрын

You are incorrect sir the mk8 gti and golf r are made in Wolfsburg Germany

@cgmiddle

Ай бұрын

Sie werden in Deutschland hergestellt, Idiot.

The mx-5 just need just a small bulge. Cmon Mazda.

Hyundai Elantra N. 2.0L turbo inline 4. 276 HP and 289 lb-f. Limited slip differential. Stock exhaust produces awesome pops and bangs which none of these cars do.

@carhelpcorner

Ай бұрын

I can't stand the pops and bangs. I find them so obviously fake and it just get more and more irritating to me over time.

@spritual_enlightenment

Ай бұрын

@@carhelpcorner It isn't a fake, and it's not loud as much as one in those Italian cars.

The VW GTI is the best car its fast , agile , its also reliable car, and feel expensive interior..so gti is my favorite 🤩GTI is all around car. Its sleeper car..

MINI Cooper S should be on the list. Higher reliability rating than the Honda, and even more so than your honorable mention the GTI.

Affordable ? Are you kidding ?