I'm guessing that your blood is just too poor for a adrenaline-producing car (thats ok, see what I drive =)

Cars have achieved so much in the realms of fuel economy, power and reliability, but $22k just isnt much. $22k will barely buy you a base-model minivan.

I remember when a new econobox was advertised on TV for $9000 (or less), and I am just old enough to remember watching the Space Shuttle Challenger explosion when I was in 6th grade... I cant imagine seeing the sticker price on a Porsche 356 ($3k back in the day ?)

If you must have a warranty - look at some manuf's CPO programs - If mazda had a CPO Miata on the lot, it might fit your price range. Else, if you want adrenaline for $22k, you are going used. Wife and I are in my 30's and she is a stay at home mom. 1 income simply isnt enough to have a nice car anymore (although I imagine that you are at a different place in your life than I)

-John

What about a Fiat Sedici? The US version minus the fiat emblems does not have the diesel yet but it does have a well built 150Hp gas motor. Design was handled by Giogetto Giugiaro's Italdesign studio. Google it. http://www.fiat.co.uk/showroom/?id=4804#showroom/sedici

Will Fiat be bringing some models to the US, soon?

I have already posted a few links to it in this thread. See post 6 10 20 and 26.

Sedici was never produced with 150 BHP. This is a Suzuki badged as Fiat. The only gas engine is 1.6/120BHP Suzuki, the other one is 1.9 Multijet Diesel from Fiat and from 2009 2.0L Multijet Diesel;)
For US market ONLY they are using 2.0L gas engine with 143 BHP. The rest of the world is with 1.6 Gasoline and 2 X Diesel engines.

Jack up your budget a few hundred dollars and you could get a Honda Civic Si sedan.

I'm looking at the Mercury Grand Marquis. You can buy an almost new 2009 with factory warranty for about $20,000. Excellent solid reliable car for the money.

The 2010 SX4 was raised to 150 HP thru VVT. The Suzuki hatchback is a joint venture by Japanese and Italian automakers Suzuki and Fiat and are built in 3 countries. All the info is there just "google it". http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suzuki_SX4

OK I got it :D You are working for Suzuki and you read Wikipedia more than the rest of us :D

Peace....

Peace.

For some reason cars don't excite me anymore like they used to. I'm not sure what it is but the excitement kind of went away over the summer after I moved back to the farm. I think it has something to do with all the stuff I have going on around here. I tend to drive my '97 Ford F150 more than anything else.

I gave up on exciting for now. I do like interesting though. I find the new Prius interesting.

I used to be a VW guy and still admire some of their offerings. I would be hard pressed to choose between the technologically interesting Prius and the Golf TDI.

I was interested in the Suzuki SX4/Sedici, until I looked at one closely at last years car show. Too cheap looking and cramped and not that cheap when well equipped. I would never buy one over a Subaru.

I'm surprised there hasn't been any mention of Mini/Mini Clubman so far.

Same here, all I see is a money drain.

Thats why I recomended a Honda Accord. They don't break and are nice and comfortable to drive. With the most basic maintenance and a couple sets of tires you can get 10-12 years out of one without having to spend much money.

Assuming we are talking about New cars since you said "MSRP".

The Jetta is a deal. I would do that in a hearbeat since I have been in TDI's before.

I hate to admit that I like the "idea" of the Honda FIT (Flame suit on). But it is probably like riding down the road in a beer can. Body drumming, road noise, engine noise, etc...

I used to own a 1997 VW GTI/VR6. I bought the car new off the showroom floor. I drove the car 190,000 miles between 1997 and 2002. I went shopping for cars and looking at new cars in 2002. I actually drove a Subaru Impreza at that time... Like driving a "beer can". The build quality was horrible compared to the GTI. I remember getting back in my old VW and driving away. My car was still in incredible condition and drove better (overall) than that damn Impreza. I was not impressed. Maybe I should have drove a Legacy?

Anyway... A few weeks later I bought a nice used low mileage 1996 VW Passat TDI and a new 2001.5 Dodge 3500 QuadCab Cummins/6 speed. I liked VW TDI so much that I bought another one a few years later. Both are gone now. I sure miss those cars.:rolleyes:

Used cars is a whole different story. I would have to think about that one. I would probably hold out for that low mileage, garage kept, mint condition 1987 300TD. I really wish I would have held out for a wagon.....

Actually, I agree with some of you that "exciting" is too much to hope for in this price range. "Interesting" might be the better term.

I have a friend with a Honda Fit. He also has a 300TD,( for sale) a 300CD, a TR6 and a Honda Odessy. Previous vehicles include a 928 Porsche, and some Alfas. I list all his vehicles to show why I value his opinion.
He really loves his Fit. I've been in it for a few hours at a time, and its not too noisy.

Thanks for all the responses. I am not planning an immediate replacement, but this gives me a place to start, if I have to. Thanks, again.