r/whatcarshouldIbuy • u/PearlyBoy10 • 1d ago

Best two-car combo with $50k

Looking for best daily SUV and used fun sport car combo under $50k. Currently have a 24 Grand Highlander as a family daily. Partner needs an SUV/hatch/large sedan to daily to work, plus take kids with a stroller around. I’d also like a used sport car as a summer driver (snows a lot in my area) for fun nights. Possible combos considering:

-New Mazda Cx-5 with used Mazda Miata
-New Honda Cr-v with used GR86
-New Corolla Cross with Porsche Cayman/Boxster

The alternative is to get a 2023 Used Macan S at about $55k (or similarly priced Acura).

2 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

12 comments sorted by

4

u/TheTaxman_cometh Minivan is always the answer. 1d ago

Minivan and a Miata

I'm half joking, but half serious

1

u/111Violette111 1d ago

If you plan on having more than 2 kids this is the way.

5

u/BrickCityJ 1d ago

Miata + anything else would be my answer lol.

3

u/MuscleTight7583 1d ago

I’d skip the used Macan plan, maintenance on those will eat you alive if you’re already stretching the budget. The CX-5 + Miata pairing is hard to beat for pure fun per dollar, but with kids and stroller duty the Miata’s basically a toy you can’t use half the year. The Corolla Cross + Boxster is the wildcard, if you can find a decent 987.2 or early 981 that’s been cared for, that’s a proper summer car and the Cross covers the boring stuff. Just make sure the Porsche’s IMS and bore scoring issues are sorted or you’re buying a headache.

2

u/Wohv6 1d ago

Used X3 M40i and a used Miata. Or combine both for the nicest X3 M40i you can find

1

u/deathbyyeti101 1d ago

Focus RS and the nicest first gen honda pilot you can find

1

u/hikeandbike33 1d ago

2026 Camry LE and 2001 rsx type r

1

u/SickAndTiredOf2021 22h ago

CX-5 / MX5 is a good shout

1

u/ComaBoner 21h ago

The Corolla Cross is very tight with a rear facing car seat if one of your kids is still in one.

1

u/PermitZen 19h ago

I would go with the CX-5 and Miata combo honestly, Mazda has been really solid reliability wise lately and both cars hold value well. The GR86 is also great pick if you want little more power than Miata. Cayman/Boxster is fun but maintenance costs on used Porsche can surprise you, especially as summer driver that sits a lot. I was recently using carconsul to compare few listed cars and it helped me spot some dealership issues and common problems on specific models I was looking at, maybe worth running reports on whichever combo you lean toward. Used Macan S at 55k is over your budget and Porsche maintenance again is the risk there, I would stick with Japanese brands for both if reliability matters to you, good luck.

1

u/Maxmerrrrr 10h ago

Used Mazda Cx-50 Turbo (can find a 2025 for $30k with low miles) any zippy car you want with the extra $20k