10 Good Second Cars to Consider

2017 Porsche 718 Boxster handling ・ Photo by Porsche

Do we really need a second car, like some sort of useful runabout or a thrilling weekend driver?

It all depends on what a "need" is. Maybe it’s a just a “want,” and, if so, that's fine. In this Autobytel feature, we’ll be looking only at new cars that would make a great second car, because used car choices woulld involve simply too many variables, especially classic cars or projects in which the owner may be able to handle some but not all of the necessary wrenching duties.Without further ado, here are 10 good second cars, each a vehicle you could just jump in and drive immediately.

2017 Alfa Romeo 4C

Yes, there are going to be a few sports cars in this list, because life’s too short not to have fun. The Alfa Romeo 4C, in coupe or convertible (Spider) form, is an ideal second car because, frankly, it can be quite tiring. There’s no power steering, the suspension is super firm, and the cabin doesn’t have much in the way of sound insulation. But all those things collude to provide an exhilarating driving experience on the right roads. The 4C is a true enthusiast’s machine, with a mid-mounted 237-horsepower turbocharged engine set into a lightweight carbon-fiber tub. This is as visceral as driving can get in the 21st century. Oh, and it looks just awesome.

Photo by Alfa Romeo

2017 Audi R8

The difficult thing about having an R8 as a second car is fighting the temptation to jump into it first. There’s a cliché about supercars that can be driven every day, but the R8 really is one of those machines. It’s civilized, comfortable, and safe (all-wheel drive is standard). It even has Wi-Fi. The 5.2-liter V10 engine is also addictive, with 540 horsepower (or 610 in the Plus variant). But let’s assume that someone who can afford an R8 has other obligations/demands/needs that can only be fulfilled by something with more doors and seats. In which case the R8 is ideal for those occasions when the driver can get some precious alone time.

Photo by Audi

2017 Chevrolet Suburban

Let’s imagine a family with, say, a Toyota Prius. Their hybrid can deal with the school run and grocery shopping, yet still keep fuel consumption in check. But this fortunate brood also has a holiday home by a lake, so every now and then the family needs a roomy SUV for people and paraphernalia, and to tackle any rough terrain and/or bad weather. Enter the Chevrolet Suburban. It might be too big to use all the time (depending on where the family lives), but it’s ideal for those semi-regular road trips and good to have around for the unexpected. The Suburban can seat up to nine occupants, has a massive 121.1 cubic feet of cargo space and uses a strong 5.3-liter V8 with 355 horsepower.

Photo by General Motors

2017 Ford Fiesta

For a straightforward, uncomplicated, affordable runabout to complement the main family vehicle, there’s nothing wrong with a Ford Fiesta. Hey, it even has an entertaining front-drive chassis. This subcompact comes as a sedan or hatchback, but the hatchback version is more practical and arguably better looking. The basic engine is a 1.6-liter 4-cylinder with 120 horsepower, or there’s the option of a turbocharged 1.0-liter 3-cylinder with 123 hp. If anyone wanted to explore the Fiesta’s impressive driving talents a little more, there’s the 197-hp ST version, which is an absolute hoot. Just one thing to bear in mind, there’s a new-generation Fiesta arriving for the 2018 model year.

Photo by Ford

2017 Jeep Wrangler

Driving a Jeep Wrangler on the weekday commute would be foolish. It’s too noisy, slow, and uncomfortable. But it’s so much fun on a weekend it’s almost crazy not to have one. There’s a huge off-roading community that has built up around the Wrangler and a whole aftermarket scene. Not only that, Jeep’s iconic compact SUV is the key to another automotive world, where names like Rubicon and Moab are simultaneously romantic and challenging. Anyone who likes the idea of rock-crawling in Utah shouldn’t bother looking elsewhere. There really is nothing else quite like the Wrangler. That’s one reason why its resale values are always so strong.

Photo by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles

2017 Mazda MX-5 Miata

What's better than driving down the coast road on a warm summer’s day just as the orange sun dips into the azure sea? Doing this in a convertible, of course. And it doesn't have to be a super expensive one, or intimidatingly powerful. The current (and still fresh) generation of Mazda MX-5 Miata would make a perfect companion, even with its modest 155 horsepower. It’s rear-wheel-drive and the driver sits close to that back axle, for a great “seat of the pants” perception of the car’s excellent handling abilities. A new RF version with a folding hardtop joins the MX-5 range this year.

Photo by Mazda

2017 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class

Look after it, pamper it. Don’t drive it every day, even though it is perfectly capable of performing that duty. The SL is comfortable and has a great sound system—the two most important traits when you’re stuck in traffic. And at some point, this Mercedes might go up in value, because that’s what an SL tends to do. So bring it out on high days and holidays, or those times when you really want to impress the heck out of someone. The SL isn’t really a sports car; it’s too heavy and plush for that. It's more of a grand tourer. There are high-performance AMG versions, but the regular Mercedes-Benz SL550 is still a glorious machine.

Photo by Mercedes-Benz

2017 Porsche 718 Boxster

There are pricier open-topped cars, but this Porsche is a prime example of why it's wise to have a premium convertible as a second car. And actually, some of those higher-dollar alternatives won’t be half as much fun. The 718 Boxster has a wonderful balance to it, along with a feel and responsiveness that is pure Porsche. The regular Boxster now has 300 horsepower from a mid-mounted and turbocharged 2.0-liter flat-4; the Boxster S enjoys 350 horsepower from its 2.5-liter turbo flat-4 (no more naturally aspirated flat-6 engines). Don’t worry about the 718 in the name; that’s merely a nod to an older Porsche, a racer from the 1960s. But it does signify a completely new generation of Porsche’s least expensive model.

Photo by Porsche

2017 Subaru BRZ

In a way, this is like a tin-top MX-5, right down to its affordability. It could work as an only car for someone like a college student, but the BRZ is not the most civilized transportation for everyday use. The cabin is somewhat bare-bones. However, this compact coupe does have a fantastically balanced rear-drive chassis. When the canyon roads are calling, this is the way to answer them. The amount of power isn’t great—205 horsepower from a naturally aspirated 2.0-liter flat-4 engine—but getting the most from a little is more enjoyable than never having the opportunity to use all of a lot.

Photo by Subaru

2017 Volkswagen e-Golf

Electric vehicles are still mostly in that “useful for a second car” bracket. The number of them is growing, but the good thing about this electric Golf is that its range has been extended for 2017 to 124 miles. Which goes some way in battling the dreaded “range anxiety.” And this could perform the opposite function of a typical second car. Depending on the length of commute and charging facilities at each end, the e-Golf could be the weekday wheels for routine stuff and a regular vehicle could handle the longer trips. Either way, the Golf is practical, stylish, and refined. This model also gets a bump in power and it recharges more quickly than its predecessor.

Photo by Volkswagen