Kill my inner child - sub $10k daily beater

[Ideo]

There's a Skoda Octavia VRS for 12k on Carsales at the moment.

[kaanage]

Hey, I did suggest a Yaris first, but the brief seems to be straying a long way from the OP's original question Any of the European cars suggested here at less than 10k are likely to be a gamble.

I still think the first idea of a cheap Japanese runabout plus a fun project car makes more sense than buying 2 cars that could both turn into projects. That said if you're going to make the daily a project as well, might as well make it something with an interesting starting base rather than a cooking model you have to put a lot of work into just to get it beyond boring

A $10k 9N3 TDi wouldn't be a gamble. And note that the OP has specified

but will be driven to the snow (I'll get chains)

which would be a dreary experience in a lot of the small Japanese cars mentioned.

A ~2005 Ford Focus wouldn't be bad as it had the best chassis in its class (better than the MkVI Golf that we replaced ours with) and the equivalent Mazda 3 would be reasonable, too, since it's pretty much the same chassis
eg http://www.carsguide.com.au/cars-for-sale/D_1887836/

This Nissan Pulsar would be a decent option, as well http://www.kingstoncars.com.au/Autom...3/details.aspx

[Mk3 AAA]

Haven't read the thread besides first post. I'd go a Mazda 3 SP23.

[Arnold]

I'd increase your budget to $20,000. $10k for a man of your calibre is kids' stuff.

I take that back. Stick to the $10k budget with which you're comfortable, Scotty. A Mazda3 for that kind of money should still provide fairly trouble-free motoring and driving enjoyment.

[Buller_Scott]

Thanks for your responses, guys.

I'm zooming in on prospects, with just ONE "i really shouldnt" car... ugh.

(it's pretty hard to ignore those gloriously crap French resale values).

[Gti Dave]

Maybe im reading between the lines but a renault seems to be playing with your heart strings? Otherwise you really cant go wrong with a manual honda jazz as ive mentioned in the past.very practical, loves to rev and most probably by far with the greatest shopping capacity. Lol.