Looking for a new ride.

[Big Nate]

Ok I am looking for a new CAR. My truck is costing me a lot to drive and it is less then stellar going around corners.

Check list of must or almost must haves.

1. 4 door
2. not black or dark color (you all know I have an issue with my car looking clean)
3. manual transmission
4. leather would be a huge plus.
5. used <10k
6. mid size to small full size (no huge boats)


Things that don't matter. (for the most part)
1. make and model
2. color (other then black or dark)
3. Fuel type gas or diesel

Thank you Dan for not flaming me with a list of every car that came in a manual. I was under they assumption that most of the people here know me and what would fit me. This is not a huge national forum after all.

 

[Workdawg]

I have resisted the urge to be a douchebag and simply list every sedan made in the last 5 years that came in a manual... because they would all fit your criteria.

I think you need to be a little more specific. Price range would be a big factor, as well as other things you would like. Presumably fun to drive is a factor? Reliability? Size? (a Chevy Aveo and a Audi A8L both have 4 doors, but they are very different sizes). Drive wheels? Trunk space (sedan/hatch/wagon preference?)... etc

 

[Picklz]

Speed6

 

[ZoomZoom Diva]

I am going to assume a vehicle that fits 4 comfortably will do, as I would assume the Denali would be used if everyone is going somewhere. I will also assume a decent-sized trunk, but it doesn't have to be enormous.

The question I do have is the power and fuel efficiency requirements. I know this is a conundrum I am facing as I am looking to buy in the next couple of years (June 2013 most likely). I still want 250+ hp, but also am concerned about the cost of fuel...

 

[Big Nate]

I can't find one that is not beat down Picklz cuz that was my first choice. Even though it has a huge fat ass that car was great.

 

[Picklz]

Expand your search beyond just the metro, it took me a few months before I found one that was reasonable on mileage/price/condition. Lucked out that it was @ Morries.

Buying any used car more than a year old you're almost going to have to expect a few rock chips / minor blemishes - If you're looking for paint that's 10/10 that may be difficult with anything used.

Just the other day I decided to look around and see what I'd buy if I dumped the 6 or it got totaled, i couldn't come up with many car's I'd rather have for a daily in the 15-25k price range - assuming I wanted to keep a manual, decent power, and either FWD or AWD.

An Evo X would be a serious consideration if I didn't already have the vette, but the extra room and comfort of the MS6 is of greater value than the capabilities of the X. The MS3 is also not a bad option but I assume you don't want a hatch and would like more room than they offer.

 

[Slim]

Silver Speed6

or Audi A4

or Nissan G35

but those will have higher maintenance.

 

[AJ]

Legacy GTs come with leather and are comparable to the Speed 6. I'm trying to think of some of the 4 doors that ripped it up during Auto X this year and that leads me into some Audi/BMW cars, which may or may not be ideal either.

 

[Picklz]

I really like a lot of Audi's vehicles but I couldn't bring myself to own an Audi, their reliability/maintenance is horrible. BMW would be slightly better IMO but you're looking at RWD year round then or one of the AWD variants, not too familiar with the AWD Bimmers and if you can get those with a manual.

If you get a MS6 get the CAR LED tails like yesterday IMO lol.

 

[JohnnyT]

Let's see, the LS6 / LS2 CTS-V's should fit in that criteria ('04-07). I had to expand the range, but they can be found for high teens - low 20s with 30-50k miles.

LS2: http://tinyurl.com/89fext5

LS6: http://tinyurl.com/7otufgn

If that doesn't suit you, and aside from what's already been said, have you ever considered one of these? http://tinyurl.com/28rdnbz

If reliability's a concern, I think that's a solid bet.

 

[mndsm]

Two Miatas?

I had to, i'm sorry, it's a grassroots joke. Honestly, if I was in the 4 door 20k market, it'd be either ms6 or CTS-V. I couldn't trust a german that cheap, and the Japanese don't make anything else inspiring in the mid sized category. You CAN get an 04-05 legacy GT with a manual, and that had what amounted to a detuned STi drivetrain in it. I've heard tell it's very small inside though, so that might not work. I'd go ahead and suggest ms3, but something tells me you want something a little more grown up than that.

 

[ZoomZoom Diva]

The problem I see with Audi and BMW is the A4 and 3-series are too small for a family sedan. Even the new A4 is very small in the back seat, despite its 185" exterior size. Moving up into the 5-series or A6 is going to involve a substantial increase in cost or moving considerably older with all the risks that entails. As mentioned before, they are not cheap to care for and feed.

Going more premium and older is a risk I do not consider worth taking for a daily driver. If you're going to spend over $20K on a car for daily purposes, it should be fairly new as it should be able to provide dependable daily service for several years.

If you did wish to take a risk in that area, the Volvo S60R could prove an interesting choice, though maintenance costs are still high.
Less risky, but EXPENSIVE to buy - prior-gen Acura TL and particularly the TL-S. Still LOVE these cars, but the used car prices will send you into shock.

Moving to the mainstream market. You can leather to nearly any car for about $1500. Therefore, I would consider this the least of my concerns.
Since you're speaking of the Speed6, I'm going to throw out all the I4 mainline cars right off the bat. 170hp is simply not going to cut it in this market. I will even throw out the non-Speed6, as you would likely need to add $5K to $10K to make it where you would require it to be powerwise.

This leaves slim pickings for a manual transmission... and two routes.

1) AWD Turbo I4. Here lies the Subaru Legacy 2.5GT and the Mazdaspeed6. In pre-2010 models, the Legacy is small for a mid-size car, both inside and out. The rear seat does not fold on pre-2008 models, when the car was facelifted with a better interior. The 2010 model grew to approximately the size of the prior generation 6, and has a roomy interior. The Mazdaspeed6 is a thoroughly known quantity, so I won't elaborate there except that I would trust the Subaru more mechanically.

2) Up-powered FWD V6. Nissan Altima SE and SE-R. Unfortunately, the SE-R didn't make it into the revised model in 2007, so you're dealing pretty old now. I also remember headroom being tight on what was otherwise a compelling package. The 2007+ Model SE isn't going to have the specialness of the others as it is a mainstream model, but I thought it offered a manual at first on the 3.5SE.

 

[Picklz]

IF you don't mind RWD a CTS-V or G8 GXP (if you could find one) would be awesome choices. If you're willing to put up with an auto and/or flappy paddles there may be more options (including the G8 GT)... TL-S's are pretty awesome (08+ I think?) but pretty spendy for what you get.

 

[LASERBLUE135]

There is a wrx wagon on craigslist that just had timing belt etc done for less than 6k. It's a crazy good deal.

 

[YSOSLO]

Hyundai Sonata 2011 turbo might be an option, if FWD is okay. The reviews on the Sonata often mention that they're now setting the bar for their class, rather than trying to catch up or imitate a Camry or an Accord, and they were offered with a manual transmission, although the manual may be tough to find. They also have a great warranty and aren't priced through-the-roof. There's a "Special Edition" one on CarSoup right now with heated leather seats (bonus). It's not black, but it's a darker blue...might be darker than what you're hoping for.

I've also heard really good things about the newer (2010-2011) Ford Fusions, and they were offered with the MT as well. Personally, I'd look at a Subaru Legacy or a WRX, mainly because I LOVE the AWD in the Winter, but I don't know if the offer the Legacy in a MT anymore.

With you living so close to work, have you considered leasing until something new and cool comes out in the next couple of years? Lots of manufacturers come out with lower-cost leases to kick off the new year, although you wouldn't be able to mod it up like you might be looking forward to doing with a new ride.

 

[ZoomZoom Diva]

Do you have a showing of a Sonata Turbo with a manual? Everything I have read on the Sonata and Kia Optima only offers a manual on the most base-level N/A models. Also, while it is nice to see someone is optimistic, I don't see the market getting better for viable options with manual transmissions, particularly with the massive incoming increases in fuel economy standards.

 

[Stealthgator]

2008 SAAB 8-3 Aero XWD...anybody :-?

 

[Big Nate]

Updated first post with a new max price It is worse then I thought.

maybe a protege p5 Wagon???

Would come in way under budget and still give me some performance with a 5 speed.

 

[Picklz]

$10k, OOfffta. You may have to either look at something with considerably higher mileage, or remove the fun/power/handling aspect and look at more 'boring' options.

 

[ZoomZoom Diva]

There are some credible 6s models that land within that range, based on sales I have seen. Altima SE and Legacy 2.5GT models in the 2003 - 2005 era may also be a possibility. A 6s with good tires isn't a bad overall package.

On the P5, if you can find one without rust, you may have a deal, but the ones I see have a fair amount of rust on the rear 1/4 panels in particular.