Infiniti G20 T alternatives?

I've been searching nationwide for a good example of an Infiniti G20t with a 5spd for quite some time without much luck. Are there any other similar cars I should be looking for?

My current criteria is this, 30+ mpg, manual, 4 doors, and around $3k. Creature comforts, like the Infiniti has, would be nice. My commute is 100 miles round trip so buying something new doesn't make much sense to me as I would outpace depreciation with the mileage. I had a G20t and loved it but it was pretty rusty and got in an accident. I'm currently rocking a first gen neon and it's getting the job done but I don't like the car at all.

Thanks GRM, I know a few of you will be able to point me in the right direction.

There was one for sale in northern Virginia a few weeks ago, I'll check this evening to see if it's still around.

It's gone, sold in early February.

Thanks for checking, I'm cool with flying somewhere for the right car. I'm currently targeting sub 150k mileage.

cough, saab, cough

Legacy, Saab, Audi, and volvo of a similar vintage would all be in that same ballpark, and probably be similar in driver experience.

G20 was a blend of Altima and Sentra. Maximas of the early 00's could be had with less creature comfort, but also started with less of a price tag, so there are more of them floating around online.

As a fellow past owner (2 different P11 G20's), I understand your yearn for that level of sophistication, driving pleasure, ease of maintenance, and economy. Its not common these days...

An older Accord 5spd may do the trick. Plentiful, pretty satisfying to drive and smooth.

Though not billed as a lux car, a well equipped Mazda 3 has many of the lux features you desire. Available with leather as well as climate control style hvac. Nav was even available, though rare.

I've been looking at Saabs as my understanding is they're just badge engineered Subarus. I just don't know E36 M3 about them or their maintenance requirements. The timing chain of the SR20 motor on the Infiniti is extremely appealing.

Find the nicest second gen Neon RT you can find, then swap the non RT trans into it for highway mileage. All in, with the trans swap and fresh consumables will still be way under $3k.

As long as you are ok with only having two power windows...

CarRacer wrote: I've been looking at Saabs as my understanding is they're just badge engineered Subarus. I just don't know E36 M3 about them or their maintenance requirements. The timing chain of the SR20 motor on the Infiniti is extremely appealing.

This isn't remotely true, aside from the 9-2X. That one is. It's a great car but I think we'd all recommend a nice 9-3 over a 9-2X anyway. A five-door 9-3 can be had with a manual and either a slow or a decently quick engine (or a bonkers too much for fwd engine) and luxury options for well under $3,000. I love mine. Go and look! (And what's wrong with a badge engineered Subaru if it's based on a turn of the century WRX?)

A 6th gen accord ticks your boxes quite nicely. 5 speed is no slouch, rides well, and should be well within your budget. 5th gen maxima also worthy of consideration. Early Mazda 6, though I did not quite care for the shifter on the Duratec 3.0, it was a very solid, well put together car overall.

My two cents: I had a commute like yours for a while (40 mi each way Baltimore to DC) which I did in a 5 speed '02 accord coupe which was a perfectly fine vehicle for the job. However, I always wished I had something plusher and more isolated (and automatic). Were I to do something like that again, I'd probably opt for a ford Panther fo some sort. Either a well appointed Vic or Grand Marquis. Misses the mark for gas mileage, but otherwise is about the perfect high mileage, long commute work horse.

Lugnut wrote: (And what's wrong with a badge engineered Subaru if it's based on a turn of the century WRX?)

Nothing, that's actually what made them appealing.

I'll check out the accords, see what they're like. I hate the ergonomics of the neon, so I'm not going down that road again.

The first generation i30t was available with a stick, but they are rare. I used to have one but I can't recall if it met your gas mileage requirement.

I see youre in Mn...Heres a quick rundown from your list of craigs

04 Mazda 6 - $2400
98 Saab 900 SE-T - $1700
95 Bimmer 3 series - $1900
02 Altima 3.5v6 - $1500
03 Outback 2.5l - $3500
05 Legacy - $3100
99 Bimmer 3 series (Ca car) - $3500

Most of these talk to recent maintenance. There are also a bunch of others that I just didnt feel like repeating (lots of good looking non-Imprezza subie stuffs). Not all will get 30+ MPGs, but theyll not be far off, and will probably be as comfy if not more so than the G20. Its fun looking at someone elses craigslist, you get so used to seeing the same stuff on your own, that its refreshing to see new stuff.

James, text me. I have a coworker with a really nice 2000 G20 5speed that he's been kind of complaining about. Same guy who had the RHD Lancia Delta. Its a southern california car with near perfect interior. I'm almost sure he'll want more than 3k for it.

Joe Gearin wrote: An older Accord 5spd may do the trick. Plentiful, pretty satisfying to drive and smooth.

Agreed. The Later g20s weighed almost the same as a 6th gen accord with .3 less displacement and less horsepower. I'd go for a 6th gen accord ex or a 7th gen if you can find it in your price range.

Not sure how to identify -T models but here are a few manual G20s in socal;
99 infinity g20 - $1700 (san Jacinto)

Sr20de p11 g20 Jdm - $1500

1999 Infiniti g20 clean title - $1200

what about some f2t goodness like a 626 GT?

or 2 doors; 1990 Mazda MX6 GT (TURBO) 5 SPEED $2000

https://washingtondc.craigslist.org/doc/cto/6080695371.html

not a t trim example but looks clean and the seller has kindly left the tag in the picture so you can carfax it. Long ways from Minnesota and auto tragic unfortunately. Oh yeah $2,500.

I'd go 2.3 Saab 90009-5 turbo. Timing chain and comfy.

m4ff3w wrote: I'd go 2.3 Saab 90009-5 turbo. Timing chain and comfy.

SR20DE is also timing chain, but youre not wrong on the comfy part...