30 min drive both ways 5 days a week plus weekend driving. I am 24 with a stable professional job. I hate driving automatics and trucks, I love the driving experience.

26k budget (about 8k down payment) I'd like the newest possible with the fewest miles I can afford, I have no problem going all the way up to 26k.

car on my list:

mustang - I drive on '02 v6 currently and love it. I'd prefer to get a v8 if I go with this option. Obviously it would not be brand new if I do.

scion frs - I like this over the brz. I haven't driven one but I like the idea of rwd small cars.

civic SI - I work for Honda and can get a brand new one out the door for about 22k, but I am not used to driving fwd cars. Idk if that would break it for me.

I don't mod or anything like that, I would drive it stock for 5+ years until I get something else. I don't really have to worry about snow (2-3 times a year)

Does anyone have any opinions on what car would be best for me? Thank you in advance.

FRS

ditto, great interest rates with good credit

any issue looking at a used 2013 frs?

I think the new ones are just over 26k out the door, unless I could haggle it

Jetta tdi

2013 vw beetle

Go rwd turbo

Best of both worlds with good mpg

Civic Si is your best option.

Not very fast but it's still faster than most cars currently on the road, the manual and the high reving motor makes the car fun and it will also give you the best MPG I'm pretty sure.

I would personally try to find a low mileage 06-09 and pay cash. Also very reliable and toyota/honda have the best retained resale value.

8th gens are better than the 9th. Higher redline. Either way they're not fast stock, at all. Imo the 8ths look better too, 09-11 being the best.

A couple hundred dollar tune and you can move that redline anywhere you want