I think it is getting close to time to say good bye to my '06 CTS (3.6L w/6spd manual). I really enjoy it but it's time to try something else. Here's my criteria:
Ready...Go
SUBARU WRX BABYYYYY 1999-2004. meets all your requirements except for RWD
RX8!
...OK, maybe not.
In reply to bigben :
or a BMW 540 1990s not really cheap on maintenance though
I’ve been looking at the VW CC as they’re surprisingly cheap with a manual (though obviously FWD).
My first thoughts were Mini Cooper S, GTI, and BMW 3 series. All in the 2005 - 2008 range. Just wondering what other options I'm missing.
RWD, Manual, and Autocrossable is generally at odds with 30mpg, back seat, and $5k. Ditch one or two criteria and options open up considerably. I would look at a 4-door Civic Si. A few minor tweaks and you could run HS or STS competitively and still hit 30mpg while taking the kids to school.
3-Series meets all the requirements except for low maintenance costs. Toyobaru meets all the requirements except the initial purchase budget.
Using the Power Search function of fueleconomy.gov and sticking hard to rwd and manual some choices are:
Cadillac ATS w/2.0L ( but wont be under $5k)
Mustang of 2011-2017 had the 3.7L V6 that produced 300 hp and rated for 30 mpg hyw with auto (28 mpg w/ manual trans.) Great choice. Enough back seat?
Some BMW 3 series and 5 series but most miss the 30 mpg
Out of left field...2003 MBenz C230 Kompressor
Infiniti G35 sedan but 24 hyw
E46/E9x - slightly low on fuel economy, and slightly high on maintenance
Acura TSX or TL-S - 2006-ish. Probably hard to find a nice one in your price range without a ton of miles.
John Welsh said:Mustang of 2011-2017 had the 3.7L V6 that produced 300 hp and rated for 30 mpg hyw with auto (28 mpg w/ manual trans.) Great choice. Enough back seat?
Some BMW 3 series and 5 series but most miss the 30 mpg
Mustang back seats are laughable for utility, unless your kids are midgets.
Even with the maintenance costs, BMW would be my choice. You just can’t farm out everything to a garage.
IS300
captdownshift said:IS300
Only problem is that it falls waaay short of 30MPG. Closer to 20.
GameboyRMH said:captdownshift said:IS300
Only problem is that it falls waaay short of 30MPG. Closer to 20.
And unless you have no legs there isn’t any leg room.
Can Honda Fits be found for 5k?
GameboyRMH said:captdownshift said:IS300
Only problem is that it falls waaay short of 30MPG. Closer to 20.
What are IS250 rwd cars getting down to in price these days?
Looks like you could get a 2010 within budget.
pushrod36 said:E46 - slightly low on fuel economy, and slightly high on maintenance
My 2003 325i gave about 25 in daily suburban traffic; maybe 27-28 on longer trips. Back seat was reasonable for any kids not in rear-facing child seats. My family of 4 was not cramped with 2 teenage daughters back there.
Maintenance is only slightly higher than normal, if at all. There are numerous parts houses offering plenty of selection for functional generic maintenance parts for these things. When I sold it at 130k, mine was due for the coolant refresh, but other than that I really had not spent much on maintenance and it had never broken down even once. Original clutch was still tight as a drum.
The price gap between 330s and 325s is a lot smaller than it once was, so I'd look for a 330 if you can find it. But even my lowly 325i sport pack was a decent autocrosser at the local level. With a stick it is also a very entertaining commuter.
For $5k you should be able to find a solid one with 150k on it that's already been seen to. Or for $3000-$3500, find one with 120k on it and budget the rest for preventive maintenance.
Thinking... does a car exist that meets all of those requirements? I would try to find a nice 3 series for that price but they aren’t exactly low maintenance cost unless you do all the wrenching yourself. Especially in the 5k range. German car shenanigans abound.
I’d say G35, but the mileage requirement won’t be satisfied. Plus, I recall some issues with that iteration of the VQ.
Maybe IS300 is the best bet here but doesn’t hit 30mpg either. They are hard to find without a ton of miles and even harder to find with a MT, but if you take your time and are willing to fly and drive it’s possible. I always liked them and thought they were underrated.
4 door Civic SI is a great choice. You can find Fits in the $5k range. A rear sway bar helps them in the handling department. An Elantra GT hatch or Mazda 3 would be a good choice. How about an Subaru Impreza or Outback Sport?
manladypig said:SUBARU WRX BABYYYYY 1999-2004. meets all your requirements except for RWD
And price (for 100k example), and mpg.
Mazdaspeed 3? The mpg is pushing it a little bit it’s possible.
I like the Si idea too.
I recommend buying a G35, checking the oil every fill-up and just dealing with the fuel economy shortfall. My needs were pretty similar to yours when I was car shopping last. I bought a 2004 6MT G35 sedan with 112,000 miles on it for $4800 and I've never been happier.
In reply to G_Body_Man :
I don’t know why these aren’t The Answer more often. It seems to me that they’re forever under the radar.
There’s very few modern rwd, manual 260-270 hp cars around. And for the price?
In reply to G_Body_Man :
G35 was one of the main contenders when I bought the CTS several years back. The other was the IS300 but that one fell off based on fuel consumption and interior space. I'm kinda leaning towards the 330i. The later ones claim 30 mpg and it checks many other boxes. At the price break I'd have to settle for the 130-160k miles range. But parts costs worry me on BMWs
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