Jordan finally got the go-ahead to upgrade his 2014 Chevy Cruze to something with a bit more performance that he can enjoy the occasional track day with. This ride does need a usable rear seat, but other parameters are generally wide open. What car should he buy?
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Here is the scenario.
Quick Facts:
I finally have the wife on board to sell our second car! Our 2014 Chevy Cruze started out as our first new car purchase and its been PERFECT. Now it’s been retired to second car status and just isn’t driven often. We have a RAM 1500 for the family so the new car we want something fun with a full size backseat. It wont be used for kids unless necessary but we do need to keep that option for at least 1 car seat.
OVerall I want something fun, that sounds cool and can be taken to an open track day! I’ve decided getting into HPDE events is my next hobby. This car wont be track dedicated, but its something I want to enjoy and learn. Despite living in MI, a rear drive car is fine and manual or auto is fine. Budget ranges from 25k – 40k
Budget: $25,000 – $40,000
Location: Detroit, MI
Daily Driver: Yes
Wants: Performance, usable rear seat, good sound
Doesn’t want: A truck or SUV
Expert 1: Tom McParland – Track Day, Bro
Given that you are from the motor city, you would likely lean towards any number of big V8 sedans or coupes and those would make a fine upgrade to the Cruze but they may not be ideal for throwing down lap times, especially as you are new to track-day events.
I will suggest a wildcard of the Toyota Corolla GR, since Autocross is probably where you want to start as that has one of the lower cost of entries for track experiences. But navigating a cone course even if you don’t exceed 40 mph, will give you the racing bug real fast. Therefore, you want something that has grip and changes direction at will.
The GR was made for this purpose, but you get all the quality and practicality of a Corolla infused with street-legal rally car hardware. There are a few lightly used examples with low miles in your region like this one for about $36,000…that’s a few grand leftover for an extra set of tires.
Expert 2: Lawrence Hodge – The Hot Hatch Of Hot Hatches
Jordan, after driving something like a Cruze all this time, you deserve something special. Something that you can look forward to driving everyday. And given the parameters you gave us, I managed to find the perfect car to thrill you: the Honda Civic Type R. Not just any Type R either, the current generation.
The current Type R is the king of the sport compact class and really showcases Honda’s know-how when it comes to sublime driving dynamics. You get a turbocharged 2.0-liter I4 putting out 315 hp paired with one of the best feeling six-speed manuals on the market. And the recent redesign means you don’t really have to look like some vaping punk when you step out the car either. The last gens anime styling gave way to a Type R that you can actually call handsome. And the interior isn’t a bad place to spend time either. Plus it’s a hatch, so it’s more than useable for daily use.
While new Type Rs are still being marked up in a lot of places and the new ones that aren’t are slightly over your budget, if you look hard enough for a used one you can find some at a good price. And seeing as they were recently redesigned, the used ones have low miles. I managed to find one within your budget. A 2023, it has just 3,436 miles on it and the dealer is asking only $38,921. If you’re interested, I suggest you hop on this thing quick. A Type R with those miles at that price won’t last long. Trust me, this is a car you won’t regret buying. You’ll probably never want to get rid of it.
Expert 3: Andy Kalmowitz – Be The Person Porsche Wants You To Be
Sup, big dog? The hot hatches listed above me are certainly good choices, but they’re missing a certain joie de vivre that comes with owning a two-seat mid-engined Porsche, and because of that, I’ve got the (nearly) perfect car for you. Buddy, what you need is a Porsche Boxster S. I know, I know, you said you wanted a rear seat, but as an expert, let me tell you this: your children will appreciate that you own a Porsche far more than they appreciate being able to sit in the back seat of a Toyota Corolla. Trust me on this.
I cannot think of a better car to learn with on the track than a Porsche mid-engine sports car, plus it’s going to be an absolute hoot for the other 99 percent of the time you’re driving it on public roads. I just spent a lot of time with a 718 Boxster GTS, and while that may be out of your price range, the essence of that car exists in older Boxsters too. You’re just never going to be able to beat a slick Porsche six-speed manual transmission and the howl of a naturally aspirated flat-six motor. You’ll probably end up loving the engine even more than your kids and be happy that it’s what’s behind you rather than them. I kid… mostly.
Anyway, I found you the perfect example well within your budget, located a bit of a drive away in Illinois. It’s a 2008 Boxster S with just 51,000 miles on the clock. To make it even better, this car is finished with an iconic brown over brown spec. It even comes with a matching factory hardtop, Jordan! This chocolaty goodness could be yours for just $33,900, leaving you plenty of room to prep for track day use. I truly love the look of this car, and if you don’t buy it, I might. But Jordan, you really should. Your kids will thank you.
Expert 4: Collin Woodard – Everyone Else Is Wrong
Jordan, I don’t know how to tell you this, but while I try to be respectful of my colleagues, they’re all wrong here. I don’t know exactly where in Detroit you live, but the Honda Civic Type R is probably out because it’s too stiff and is probably a target for thieves. It’s also too quiet. The Toyota GR Corolla gives you a $20,000 interior in a $40,000 car. The Porsche Boxster doesn’t have a back seat. You could always find the nicest 911 that fits your budget, but I say go a different direction.
Get the Hyundai Elantra N. The badge isn’t as prestigious, it’s down on power and it doesn’t have all-wheel drive. I get that. At the same time, a brand-new one starts at $33,700, and you can always get it with a dual-clutch transmission if your wife doesn’t know how to drive stick. It has a real backseat that should be able to handle a car seat no problem, and most importantly, it’s just a ridiculously fun daily driver that’s still plenty track-capable. I’ve both autocrossed and tracked the Elantra N, and it’s been great in both instances.
The adjustability might feel a little overwhelming at first, but once you get the hang of things, you’ll appreciate being able to put everything in comfort/quiet mode driving to dinner with the wife and kid, sport things up while you’re alone and set everything to its most hardcore setting when you get to the track. Other suggestions will probably lay down faster lap times and are objectively “better,” but in your situation, I would argue the “worse” car is actually better for you specifically.