Now I'm looking into the market for a new car that says: I'm a businessman but still has a lot of fun.
Hoping to get it around ~25-30 but price is negotiable as long as it's new. I'm normally a Chevy guy, and the 2011 Camaro looks enticing, but it's got the Transformer's stigma to it that I'm not a fan of.
What are some other sporty new cars around that price range? 
Alternatively, look for a certified pre-owned Lexus IS (probably IS250). New cars are silly.
Red, of course. 
If you MUST buy new, you can get a new Mustang V6, Dodge Challenger or Hyundai Genesis in your price range. The Subaru WRX is a solid and inexpensive option, and quite practical if you have to deal with snow. If RWD/AWD is not that important, you can snag a VW GTI. Unfortunately, if you don't dig the Camaro, Chevy really doesn't have anything to offer you in sporty other than the Corvette. If you can wait a year or so, Toyota is bringing out a new sports car they co-developed with Subaru for the 2012 model year, which should be light, RWD, and toss-able. Don't buy anything Scion unless you like cheap ass plastic. Blindy. fucked around with this message on 08-09-2011 at 03:05 PM.
If you must get a $30,000 car that says "I'm a businessman who still has fun" you are talking about a used BMW 3 series XI (or an older 5 series if you care more about the business man look with a low budget).
If you care more about having fun I second the WRX. I'd stay away form the STI model because that's a little overkill. The Impreza line looks ugly, rusts, and is a 4 banger but is a beast that handles like a dream.
edit: I can not overstate my agreement with Blindy's assessment of new cars. Let other people burn their own money. Don't be the sucker yourself.
edit2: Remember where you are going. For example if you live in the Boston area you'd be insane to get a car larger than a full sized sedan. New England in general also destroys cars (salted roads, etc) and you'll like something heavy with AWD for the winter and hills. That's just my area - the point is to keep region in mind.
At the very least think of the commute you'll probably have. If you are driving straight on the highway for two hours a day you'll wish you had something comfortable. If you've got a short commute and are constantly going on dates you may want something sportier.
edit3: If you just care about looks and nothing else you may want to consider getting a Shelby Cobra Kit Car. Ghost of Forums Past fucked around with this message on 08-09-2011 at 10:52 PM.
Speaking as a mechanic (ASE Certified Master Technician), I'd steer away from the German cars (with apoligies to our resident German) they're quirky in the computer department as the Euro cars tend to speak thier own language that then needs to be translated into the OBD-II language used by all US/Canada scan tools. Even just doing a simple wheel alignment takes special tools as well as requiring a full tank, 150 lbs in both front seats. 150 lbs in the back seat and 46 lbs in the trunk! Some of them even require special socket sets that no other car in the world uses. You'll wind up going to the dealer for some of the service unless you can find a shop that specializes in Eurocars. (Dealers tend to charge anywhere from $100 to $150 per hour (or more!) of labor while other shops can be drastically less. The Firestone I work at is $80 per hour, some places like small "mom and pop" shops can be less expensive $65/hr for basic services)
Also keep in mind that many of these vehicles today of the "sporty" variety are running larger than normal wheels and the tires are horribly expensive and usually only last about 40,000 miles if you're religious about checking pressure monthly, doing tire rotation at the proper time and an alignment at least yearly. Trying to get a vehicle with 16 to 17 inch rims will keep tire costs down in the long run.
Only real complaint I have is that Honda can't make a Nav system for shit. Even in the new '12s coming out it's STILL a fucking DVD based unit. I'm all for having the DVD unit for loading upgrades (but I still think it's bullshit overall) but there is no reason they couldn't have moved to a fucking solid state configuration by now...
quote:
We were all impressed when Ghost of Forums Past wrote:
My personal advice is to get an $8,000 used Accord V6 LX with leather and sunroof then spend the rest on your house.
And that's the EX-L, the LX doesn't have the leather options (at least on the V6). The EX is the upper level trim package and the -L is of course the heated leather seats. 
