This might get long, but the details matter for my situation.
I currently drive a 2008 Jeep SRT8 with 84K miles. My daily commute is less than 10 miles round trip, so the poor mpg and maintenance expense/intervals do not bother me. However, we are moving to San Antonio soon. My commute will probably go to 70+ miles round trip. While I COULD afford the gas and everything else that may come with a high mileage SRT8 Jeep, I don't want to. So, I'm looking to sell the Jeep and get into something cheap(ish), probably a lease, for daily driving purposes. Then, in 6-12 months, assuming I land a job on par with the one I had in Houston, I'll start looking for a fun/weekend/track car - another 13/14 5.0, older Shelby etc. I do have a 1 year old and two dogs, so a 2-door civic is not what I'm after. I'm looking for suggestions, but what I'm currently considering is a lease on a new Ford Escape with the 2.0 turbo motor and sport package. I feel like it'll be nice enough that I don't absolutely hate it and regret my decision, and maybe with a tune it'll get out of its own way, and hold me over for the 6-12 months without a real sports car. With the Sport Package, it's not a bad looking little SUV either. Trying to keep the lease payment under $400, closer to $350 if possible. If you guys have any other suggestions, please post up. I'm sure there is something out there that I haven't considered yet.
I currently drive a 2008 Jeep SRT8 with 84K miles. My daily commute is less than 10 miles round trip, so the poor mpg and maintenance expense/intervals do not bother me. However, we are moving to San Antonio soon. My commute will probably go to 70+ miles round trip. While I COULD afford the gas and everything else that may come with a high mileage SRT8 Jeep, I don't want to. So, I'm looking to sell the Jeep and get into something cheap(ish), probably a lease, for daily driving purposes. Then, in 6-12 months, assuming I land a job on par with the one I had in Houston, I'll start looking for a fun/weekend/track car - another 13/14 5.0, older Shelby etc. I do have a 1 year old and two dogs, so a 2-door civic is not what I'm after. I'm looking for suggestions, but what I'm currently considering is a lease on a new Ford Escape with the 2.0 turbo motor and sport package. I feel like it'll be nice enough that I don't absolutely hate it and regret my decision, and maybe with a tune it'll get out of its own way, and hold me over for the 6-12 months without a real sports car. With the Sport Package, it's not a bad looking little SUV either. Trying to keep the lease payment under $400, closer to $350 if possible. If you guys have any other suggestions, please post up. I'm sure there is something out there that I haven't considered yet.