Cheap fun daily driver

So I'm going to be driving between Southern California (Escondido, CA) and my new home Arizona State University quite often over the next 4 years. So I was thinking I could buy something that would be fun, sporty, and somewhat economical to daily instead of the poor 4Runner that hates turns at above 12 mph and doesn't get over 18 mpg on the highway down hill. So I would keep the 4Runner, and daily drive/semi-build something else.

Requirements
-$10k -$15k or less preferably
-Less then 150,000 miles
-Manual
-Aftermarket support

Thats it.

Let's hear some suggestions

 

Civic, Integra, RSX

/thread

 

whoa, we must have a different definition of the word "cheap" hahaha

 

Right?! Lol

buy a cheap honda and spend $10k In mods for the runner

 

HAHA! Ya I want the thing to run. I actually want an FR-S to fill this position, but being $25,000, that's out of the question. Closer to $10k the better. I'm thinking about a BMW E30 with an S52 OBDII swap. Fast, fun, economical, fun to work on, manual.

 

Did I miss something? When did BMWs get fun to work on lol?

 

E30's are. My buddy has a couple of them.

 

Along with my somewhat obsession with owning multiple 3rd gens, Lol, I also take a liking to my other vehicles as well. I have a civic hatch for the great gas mileage and a couple of six speed acura legend coupes for my wife and I to drive. We did engine swaps on both building 3.5/3.2 *hybrid swaps and they are sweet if you've ever driven a nice six speed legend, it is not like any other acura/Honda when it comes to comfort and luxury if they are in good condition. My recommendation by personal opinion. =) and there have been some very nicely built six speed coupes sold this last month on acuralegend.org I almost got another one

 

a civic is such an obvious choice here, you could drop your budget by 5k too

 

A nissan 240sx

 

You may not get much better mileage in this, but that wasn't a requirement

 

http://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/cto/4454742661.html

Hey since u didn't restrict it to cars only

http://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/mcd/4459547986.html

 

Imprezas are sexy. I'm with 99 on this one

 

http://www.clubwrx.net/forums/vehicles-sale/134408761-ks-2003-wrx-64k-low-mods-clean-title.html

 

Consider the word cheap. Remember you have to insure it too lol. I might be the old timer and suggest an older camry. Easy to work on, awesome gas mileage, cheap, comfy, good for road trips, and when you get a better job you can get a toy. I love all the other suggestions though.

If you do look for a camry look for 98-00 with the little 4 banger. I remember 475mi tanks out on the interstate on like 15 gal. Budget around 3k and shop for one in good condition. One of the best cars I ever owned.