Updated - 2nd vehicle to pair with Maverick Hybrid, $10k budget.

[siberdraknon]

This is one of the worst times in decades to be buying a used car. So, IMO instead of wondering what to buy, maybe ask yourself if the Maverick checks all the boxes, this is just something to drive a few thousand miles a year with no real need or purpose in mind, and there is a pretty strict (and low) budget, why you are looking for 2nd vehicle at all?

If it's just for fun, I ride my (ridiculously overpowered, full suspension, fat tire) e-bike nearly as many miles as I drive the Maverick and with racks I can even do most of my errands with it. More fun for me on public roads at legal speeds than any car I ever owned.

Ya, certainly, its not the most optimal time. I'm not looking to pay a premium. I have considered staying with just the Maverick and looking into an ultra-light camper or a small boat instead. The main reason I like 2 vehicles is I live alone and hate to inconvenience others. 2 cars is great for accommodating for things like down-time with repairs/upgrades etc. Rideshare services don't really exist in this area.

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[KathyG]

My vote is for an older Honda CRV. We had to get another vehicle d/t 526 day wait for Maverick, and it needed to be flat towable behind motorhome. Found a 2006 CRV LX with 109K miles at a dealer 200 miles away and called them to put a deposit to hold. They were great - no deposit - car was detailed and ready to go for us in a few days.
I was so pleasantly surprised at how capable and predictable it was. We had it for a year and sold it to a friend - and they love it too. Had lots of features that I didn't expect - cruise control, traction control, side airbags. We took it on a few trips around western states and that little car could go anywhere!
If we could have afforded to keep it - we would have.
I did miss having a truck bed to use for getting wood, etc. But it was really a great little car!

 

[Oldemant]

I would look for a four door 1990’s Rabbit. Diesel with turbo. Easy to work on, fun to drive and good for the dogs.

Put 300k on one,(non turbo) in the 80's. I prefer my wife's "14" JSW TDI. Planning on doing the delete when the Maverick shows up. Better performance, reliability etc. plus the thing is a torque monster.

 

[OrCoaster]

Put 300k on one,(non turbo) in the 80's. I prefer my wife's "14" JSW TDI. Planning on doing the delete when the Maverick shows up. Better performance, reliability etc. plus the thing is a torque monster.

Were the VWs not advertised at one time as the poor man's Porche?

 

[MakinDoForNow]

This is one of the worst times in decades to be buying a used car. So, IMO instead of wondering what to buy, maybe ask yourself if the Maverick checks all the boxes, this is just something to drive a few thousand miles a year with no real need or purpose in mind, and there is a pretty strict (and low) budget, why you are looking for 2nd vehicle at all?

If it's just for fun, I ride my (ridiculously overpowered, full suspension, fat tire) e-bike nearly as many miles as I drive the Maverick and with racks I can even do most of my errands with it. More fun for me on public roads at legal speeds than any car I ever owned.

I was thinking of suggesting an e-bike. I found one with 200 mile battery. Haven't bought one yet.

 

[OneAlienBoi]

Mustang GT

Not a bad suggestion, but any mustang gt you find these days for under 10 grand is probably gonna be beat to hell. I recently saw a '08 mustang v6 going for about 9k.

 

[Z06]

The answer is obvious a C5 vette

 

[JennyJoannSuebeeMcNash]

A miata would tick yer boxes. However a small Japanese Kei 4w truck or van would be fun at the beach. Wish I had one for the Texas coast to get to isolated prime spots for beach metal detecting.

My neighbor has one of the Kei vans. It's cool as hell!

 

[AutobahnSHO]

Miata
Is
Always
The
Answer



I keep a baseball cap and sunglasses in the car for sun, ear plugs for road noise (all those other cars' tires at highway speed are LOUD!) and if you keep a warm cap and/or scarf and/or gloves you can ride top down with the windows up and heater blowing even in 40 degree weather.
(Windows up also helps keep A/C bubble around you when it's hot, but I put the top up anything more than 90degrees)...

 

[FamousAmos]

Volkswagen Cabriolet? Probably none in decent condition left, but you never know.

I was encouraged to see so many Miata suggestions. The best car (quality build and function) I ever owned was my 1992 first generation Miata. I kept it 17 years, then sold it. I NEVER SHOULD HAVE SOLD IT. I had just divorced and moved to Texas. I needed a "real" car with AWD for the Texas boat ramps, so I bought a Mazda Tribute, both great vehicles. Then, my immature childhood caught up with me and I bought a Triumph TR3B. Well, three cars was too much for my 2-car garage, so the Miata went. The Miata and Tribute were the only two vehicles I drove over 100,000 miles. Neither one ever caused a bit of problem. Sorry for the tangent; I got carried away.

 

[Markii56]

I'd forget the Volvos and the Saab: trouble-prone (like virtually every other European import), parts are expensive IF you can even find them.

Have you considered a Corvair? Fun to drive (especially the '65-'69 models), plentiful, affordable, easy to work on and Clark's Corvair Parts has practically every part you'll ever need. Great club support, too, especially in the Midwest.

 

[Suzukiridr14]

I like to keep 2 vehicles. My hybrid checks every requirement box I've got. This opens up my 2nd vehicle options to basically anything. I've got $10k to spend and am looking for suggestions. What's your 2nd vehicle?

I'll probably put 3-5k miles a year on the 2nd vehicle. My initial thought is something fun and impractical. I like to do my own maintenance and mid-lvl repairs. I'm located in a small beach town in the Midwest. Its normally just me and sometimes one of my corgis.


Update: Here's some more background and considerations.
The Maverick replaced a combo of '01 4 runner and '12 Veloster. I'm trying to avoid areas that the Maverick already has well-covered. I don't need extra towing, or additional off-road capacity. Fuel efficiency isn't a concern. I'd avoid anything with expensive repairs. I want something that I can reasonably obtain parts for and make repairs myself if/when needed. I am fond of convertibles but would like to avoid any significant top issues.

Positives: 2 seaters, manuals, non FWD, uniqueness, parts availability, power, comfort.

Cars I've ruled out: Miata, Most SUV's, BMW's, Anything too big for my garage ~7' height.

Cars I've considered, in no order: Lexus SC300/SC400, Sky/Solstice, Boxster, Toyota MR2, newer SAAB 9-3, Crossfire, Volvo C70 and C30, Buick Reatta, Focus ST, C5 vette, Genesis coupe, 2dr Wrangler, 04-06 GTO, Inf G35/37, Something classic.

I've got endless time so I'm hoping the right car will just pop out at some point, then I'll pounce.

Thanks everyone for the feedback and suggestions.

There's too many Miata's around here. I am considering other small roadsters. Solstice/Sky/Crossfire/MR2.

Beware of getting any of the cars you listed. I bought a 2002 Thunderbird, the problem with cars that are over 10 years old, and no longer produced, is there are no parts available especially electrical components. Don't think you'll find parts at junk yards, and people that have them, know what they have. Also not all parts from different years, are interchangeable. The 2002 Thunder bird is a 1 year only example, parts from 2003-2005 are different.

 

[Oscarcat]

I like to keep 2 vehicles. My hybrid checks every requirement box I've got. This opens up my 2nd vehicle options to basically anything. I've got $10k to spend and am looking for suggestions. What's your 2nd vehicle?

I'll probably put 3-5k miles a year on the 2nd vehicle. My initial thought is something fun and impractical. I like to do my own maintenance and mid-lvl repairs. I'm located in a small beach town in the Midwest. Its normally just me and sometimes one of my corgis.


Update: Here's some more background and considerations.
The Maverick replaced a combo of '01 4 runner and '12 Veloster. I'm trying to avoid areas that the Maverick already has well-covered. I don't need extra towing, or additional off-road capacity. Fuel efficiency isn't a concern. I'd avoid anything with expensive repairs. I want something that I can reasonably obtain parts for and make repairs myself if/when needed. I am fond of convertibles but would like to avoid any significant top issues.

Positives: 2 seaters, manuals, non FWD, uniqueness, parts availability, power, comfort.

Cars I've ruled out: Miata, Most SUV's, BMW's, Anything too big for my garage ~7' height.

Cars I've considered, in no order: Lexus SC300/SC400, Sky/Solstice, Boxster, Toyota MR2, newer SAAB 9-3, Crossfire, Volvo C70 and C30, Buick Reatta, Focus ST, C5 vette, Genesis coupe, 2dr Wrangler, 04-06 GTO, Inf G35/37, Something classic.

I've got endless time so I'm hoping the right car will just pop out at some point, then I'll pounce.

Thanks everyone for the feedback and suggestions.

Don't laugh. For exactly the reason you wrote about, I keep an Inferno Red 5 speed manual 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser in my garage. It is fun to shift, holds lots of stuff and cheap to own and insure.

 

[Suzukiridr14]

I like to keep 2 vehicles. My hybrid checks every requirement box I've got. This opens up my 2nd vehicle options to basically anything. I've got $10k to spend and am looking for suggestions. What's your 2nd vehicle?

I'll probably put 3-5k miles a year on the 2nd vehicle. My initial thought is something fun and impractical. I like to do my own maintenance and mid-lvl repairs. I'm located in a small beach town in the Midwest. Its normally just me and sometimes one of my corgis.


Update: Here's some more background and considerations.
The Maverick replaced a combo of '01 4 runner and '12 Veloster. I'm trying to avoid areas that the Maverick already has well-covered. I don't need extra towing, or additional off-road capacity. Fuel efficiency isn't a concern. I'd avoid anything with expensive repairs. I want something that I can reasonably obtain parts for and make repairs myself if/when needed. I am fond of convertibles but would like to avoid any significant top issues.

Positives: 2 seaters, manuals, non FWD, uniqueness, parts availability, power, comfort.

Cars I've ruled out: Miata, Most SUV's, BMW's, Anything too big for my garage ~7' height.

Cars I've considered, in no order: Lexus SC300/SC400, Sky/Solstice, Boxster, Toyota MR2, newer SAAB 9-3, Crossfire, Volvo C70 and C30, Buick Reatta, Focus ST, C5 vette, Genesis coupe, 2dr Wrangler, 04-06 GTO, Inf G35/37, Something classic.

I've got endless time so I'm hoping the right car will just pop out at some point, then I'll pounce.

Thanks everyone for the feedback and suggestions.

Why don't you get a Mustang. It fits all your requirements. Convertible, rwd, parts available, easy to work on, can have choice of collector car, to muscle car!

 

[rret]

I like to keep 2 vehicles. My hybrid checks every requirement box I've got. This opens up my 2nd vehicle options to basically anything. I've got $10k to spend and am looking for suggestions. What's your 2nd vehicle?

I'll probably put 3-5k miles a year on the 2nd vehicle. My initial thought is something fun and impractical. I like to do my own maintenance and mid-lvl repairs. I'm located in a small beach town in the Midwest. Its normally just me and sometimes one of my corgis.


Update: Here's some more background and considerations.
The Maverick replaced a combo of '01 4 runner and '12 Veloster. I'm trying to avoid areas that the Maverick already has well-covered. I don't need extra towing, or additional off-road capacity. Fuel efficiency isn't a concern. I'd avoid anything with expensive repairs. I want something that I can reasonably obtain parts for and make repairs myself if/when needed. I am fond of convertibles but would like to avoid any significant top issues.

Positives: 2 seaters, manuals, non FWD, uniqueness, parts availability, power, comfort.

Cars I've ruled out: Miata, Most SUV's, BMW's, Anything too big for my garage ~7' height.

Cars I've considered, in no order: Lexus SC300/SC400, Sky/Solstice, Boxster, Toyota MR2, newer SAAB 9-3, Crossfire, Volvo C70 and C30, Buick Reatta, Focus ST, C5 vette, Genesis coupe, 2dr Wrangler, 04-06 GTO, Inf G35/37, Something classic.

I've got endless time so I'm hoping the right car will just pop out at some point, then I'll pounce.

Thanks everyone for the feedback and suggestions.

2018(?) VW Jetta 1.4 liter turbo 6 speed manual. Fast, fun, 40 mpg. Read some reviews. Good luck!

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