As I stated elsewhere, agreeing with your point, if these were ICE vehicles most wouldn’t consider low end Nissan to Mercedes an apples to apples comparison.

This guy!? Nice!

I’d nominate the whole series of BMW inline 6s (username checks out).

The question is what’s best, not what’s most esoteric

The only answer is The 225 Slant Six from Chrysler. Underrated, easily upgradable, more durable than an industrial sewing machine, cheap, and you can tell everyone that it’s actually one half of a V12.

I know it’s kind of a cliche at this point, I know I’m sort of sick of it as the go-to for ambitious engine swaps, but...

To avoid the crusher they should peel off the HOV stickers and get them approved for golf courses.

After my i-MiEV was totalled I started commuting on a ebike (I have three now.)

Let me ask you, how long is your commute these days? During the pandemic, I’d say it was probably something like 15 feet and didn’t even require the donning of pants.

anytime you can use a Carlin quote you should use a Carlin quote. thanks!

“They’ll do anything for the unborn. Then once you’re born, you’re on your own.”

I didn’t try to buy a car as a kid, my parents were happy enough to lend me theirs, as I was happy enough to lend my kids my cars. At one point we had four cars for four drivers, but they were all in adults’ names with adults covering insurance, kids kept up with gas and oil and asked before taking the any car…

Thinking back to my first car days I was parking on the street in front of the parents house. I like the thought process that led you to an EV for a first driver, but would that mean that mom or dad has to give up a garage spot to access a plug?

This is the way that I grew up. My father was a big believer in matching grants. If I could save $500, he would contribute $500. First car: 1967 VW Squareback. (In 1976) I also had to pay my own insurance and repairs. It didn’t have modern safety equipment, even for its day. Really took it easy with that car, because…

Used Nissan Leaf:

You want to insure a teenager on a new car? And have to deal with incidental damage and misuse by said teenager?

When performance cars are outlawed only outlaws will have performance cars,

Late 70s and 80s cars were mostly garbage. They are distinct, but aren’t worth getting to know them better. With few exceptions, car culture/community just skipped right over them and went straight to various 90's models becoming collector cars. 

Is Obama still coming for your guns too, grandpa?

Which is why theseAOTD slideshows are such a joke. What possible relevance does a car that cost $5k 17 fucking years ago have to the question of what the best $5k cars are today?

You know what was an awesome car for less than $5k 50 years ago? A Hemi Superbird. Why don’t we put that on the list, too?