Can you think of a better sports sedan for the money?

I'm still kicking around the idea of replacing my E90.  If I'm going to do it, I want it to be newer... my car is 17 years old.  As I've said before, I don't really want to spend a lot simply because I travel so much and my car sits in the airport parking lot.  As I was browsing, I came across a car I had totally forgotten about... which is inexcusable because I had one before.  2017-2019 Ford Fusion Sport.  I can get a good one for $10k-$15k.  Super low mileage ones are more than 20k, but I'm perfectly happy with a higher mileage car that's got a solid service history.

For under $15k can you think of a better sports sedan that's less than 8 years old?  Let's define "sports sedan" as a car with sporty intentions, doesn't need to be the world record holder at The Ring.  325hp, sport tuned suspension, easily tunable, comfortable for road trips, nice luxury touches.  Anything that is better??

Pontiac G8.

Infiniti Q50 should check those boxes as well. 

Check the weight of that thing before you get excited over the horsepower.  It's a nice drivetrain but IIRC those things are 4200lb.

Probably not much of a concern in Florida, but that's a lot of mass to ask of the tires in inclement weather (read: snow and slush) and you really feel it at lower speeds where the weight plays more of a factor than aerodynamics.  They DO drive very nicely.

I used to tell myself that if the S60R ever got totaled, I'd look for an all wheel drive Regal GS.  Not the current one, but the one that went out in 2017ish.

earlybroncoguy1 said:

Pontiac G8.

I drove a G8 new--great car, but production ceased in mid-2009,  making it a good bit older than the OP is looking for.

Edit:  I can't think of anything offhand, but I would suggest that a Ford might feel like a rattly tin box if you are coming out of the Ultimate Driving Machine.

Mazda 6. 

Drive one back-to-back with the Fusion and you'll likely be surprised. The 6, at least in my eyes, drives a lot nicer and is a much nicer place to be; that's why there's one in my driveway. 

325hp, AWD, great looks, hard to top that. Yes, she's a bit porky, and the dynamics are a bit dull for autocross or track work, but as a commuter? Pretty hard to beat. 

You can also get a high-mileage SHO for that money if you want more room:

Pete. (l33t FS) said:

Check the weight of that thing before you get excited over the horsepower.  It's a nice drivetrain but IIRC those things are 4200lb.

 

Probably not much of a concern in Florida, but that's a lot of mass to ask of the tires in inclement weather (read: snow and slush) and you really feel it at lower speeds where the weight plays more of a factor than aerodynamics.  They DO drive very nicely.

I used to tell myself that if the S60R ever got totaled, I'd look for an all wheel drive Regal GS.  Not the current one, but the one that went out in 2017ish.

Yep, it's heavy.  4100lb.  I only had mine for a brief while but I really enjoyed it.  Even with it's mass, it hustled.  Lots of tq on tap.  Mine was tuned so it was fiesty.  I never got to track it, wish I had.  I'm used to tossing around a much heavier car on track so the weight won't bother me as long as it's at least competent.

The Mazda6 is a wonderful car, no question about it.  Probably should go look.  Love both the exterior and interior design.  Don't care if it doesn't hit 60 in 2.3 seconds, just would want to be sure it's lively enough.

That IS the thing with the 2.7.  Even in a three ton F150 it has a lot more oomph than its power figures would indicate, because it just makes that power everywhere.

I sort of question the application of the term 'sport sedan' to a Fusion, but...

Kia Stinger, perhaps?  Never driven one personally, but from what I've read they're not bad?

That Fusion does look nice. 

In a similar thread, just 6 months ago I suggested the Cadillac ATS w/2.0L turbo and 6speed manual

Wha about another 3 series but a 2017-2019 with a manual transmission. They're available for under $20k.

I was always intrigued by the Fusion Sport. Had no idea they were that heavy, wow! I have been in an F150 with the 2.7 and even that felt quick tho.

I like the idea of a Mazda 6. If you can find one with the turbo that would probably hustle similar to a Fusion Sport. 

I can't think of any other options given your parameters that haven't been mentioned. Oh what about a Civic Si sedan? Are those cheap enough yet?

John Welsh said:

That Fusion does look nice. 

In a similar thread, just 6 months ago I suggested the Cadillac ATS w/2.0L turbo and 6speed manual

On the service side, there are far too many reports of the #4 piston turning into gravel for me to not want the 3.6 instead.

The throttle control with that engine is really annoying with a manual trans.  It seems to actively fight you driving smoothly.

Just revisited some reviews. Somehow the 2.7 in the Fusion Sport makes more torque (380) than the 3.5 in the Taurus SHO. And the Fusion is around 200lbs lighter (that SHO is obviously not light!). 

As strange as it sounds, I actually prefer an automatic this time.  My wife's car is a manual so I can scratch that itch anytime.  The Fusion isn't a sports sedan in the way an E90 is, however in Sport trim it's pretty good.  

I've heard less than great things about the F30 and G20 3 series, probably need to drive one.

In that thread John linked, somebody mentioned some Acura sedan, maybe a TLX (I can't keep Acuras names right). That might be worth a look too.

I recommend looking into Kia stingers with the 3.3t v6. I have been very happy with mine and it feels much quicker then its power numbers would suggest 

What are early Hyundai Genesis sedans going for these days?

I've driven the Stinger and really liked it, they're just still pretty expensive.

The early Genesis is cheap, but pretty old at this point.  The newer ones are probably a bit softer than I might want??

Honda Accord 2.0T.  All the car you need, nothing you don't, at best a set of konis and sport springs and it will be a great car.  

brandonsmash said:

Mazda 6. 

Drive one back-to-back with the Fusion and you'll likely be surprised. The 6, at least in my eyes, drives a lot nicer and is a much nicer place to be; that's why there's one in my driveway. 

...what model? My son drives a (my) 2015 Mazda6 touring and I find it pretty loud in the driver's seat. It can get out of its own way but I wouldn't consider it fast in any way. 

In reply to OHSCrifle :

We have a Sport. In fact, it's our second Mada 6 Sport. I'm surprised you find yours loud; my experience has been the opposite, and before we purchased I rented both so we could drive them back-to-back. 

It's not FAST, no, but it's nice to drive. 

Yeah, lots. Top of the list is the B8 S4. 333hp supercharged V6 that can make 450 to the wheels with a tune, 6 speed manual, real diffs.

Sonic said:

Honda Accord 2.0T.  All the car you need, nothing you don't, at best a set of konis and sport springs and it will be a great car.  

I look those up once in a while.  This guys about $8k over KBB value. Sorry about the stick shift.