Hi, my name's Cobra, and I have automotive deficit disorder :)
I like posting on other people's "What Car" threads and have been slowly creating what I think is a list of my next "what car" requirements. I bought a 2010 Lexus GX460 about 18 months ago and it has been a lot of fun. I had to do some minor maintenance stuff but once that was out of the way I built it for a mild Overland style (for my kayak fishing/endurance race camping and tailgating). It is a good "truck" and I do enjoy driving around in it, but (there's always a but) the wife recently picked up a beautiful XC90 T6 that does all of the similar big SUV things, which got me to wondering about what I would do if I could sell my GX...
These things (GX's) are really popular these days so if I sold it I would have enough positive equity to possibly get into something new (to me) with no car payment, which would be nice with daycare costs being what they are. It would also get better mpg almost by default compared to my GX.
That being said, I do have a laundry list of requirements:
- Budget - ~$6k or under
- Fun to drive, somewhat special/unique and luxury-ish
- Good exhaust note
- 0-60 in under 6.0S
- Manual would be great, but good auto also an option
- 4 or 5-door
- Around 25+ MPG combined (averaging a low 15 in the GX)
- Leather seats
- Aux/USB
- Rear A/C vents (this one makes things interesting, but to me is a must with a 2-year old and the hot FL summers)
- Rear seat leg room of ~35" or more (GX was 34.5", so want to stay at that or more, another interesting one, but I am 6'2", wife is 5'10" and our son is growing like a weed)
- Safe (so the compliment of front and side airbags, so newer than ~2002 or so I am guessing)
- Modifiable - I love personalizing my vehicles to make them unique, whether it's factory wheel swaps, suspension, performance upgrades, etc.
- No major "gotchas" for reliability
So what has my initial research unearthed?
- Acura - TSX/TL (owned 1 auto TL, 1 CL Type-S manual and 1 Integra previously)
- Chrysler 300C Hemi
- Dodge Charger Hemi
- Honda Accord (owned 1 V6 auto)
- Hyundai Genesis 3.8
- Lexus GS/LS (obviously I have the GX, wife has owned an RX350, IS350 and CT200h)
- Mercedes Benz C230/E320/E350? they are common down here in retiree-land, but don't know much about them
- Nissan Maxima
- VW CC (would need to test getting little man in and out)
Most of my experience has obviously been of the Japanese variety, but I am intrigued by trying something new. My list is also entirely sedans, but I would be open to the CUV-type things possibly (that GLA45 AMG thing seems awesome). If they made a BR-Z 4-door with manual and rear a/c 8-10 years ago I feel like that would be at the top of my list, but alas.
Not ready to pull the trigger on any of these, but am researching By Owner sales of 1 or 2 owner examples with service records. So, am I missing anything? Maybe Infiniti G or M? Anybody have really good/bad experiences with these they can share?
I've been in the market for the car you're describing a bunch of times, and every time I've ended up buying a BMW 3 Series or 5 Series after test driving the other options.
When it comes to the V6 Accord or a TL for under $6k, you're gonna get in to the years that have the grenade-like transmission. Also will need to factor in timing belt compared to the timing chain found in the i4 of similar years, if that's a problem to you.
I don't know enough about the rest to comment.
Of the choices listed, I would personally go with a TSX. Quick enough, looks good, plenty you can do to it if you'd like, should see 25+ MPG, etc etc. Owned slower Accord version with a 5 speed and I honestly had to do zero maintenance outside of the usual fluids. Wish I never sold it, tbh.
07-08 G35 sedan should do the trick. On RWD models just about everything for a 370Z bolts right up. 0-60 in the mid 5s regardless of transmission, aux connectivity on models with navigation and rear A/C vents in the back of the console. Rear legroom is 34.7" which really isn't bad and the 6-speed models are a treat.
BMW kinda scared me a bit honestly, as in my budget you are looking at higher miles, but then again as long as you stay with the inline 6 and no turbo stuff it is just the usual cooling system and mounts I assume? SO anyhting ending in "28" or "30" I would imagine?
As for the Honda/Acuras, I love the J35 but ended up selling my last TL because it was an auto and just wasn't all that fun to drive. TSX seems like a Civic Si minus the LSD but with the luxury stuff I need, so I would love to find a well-maintained one of those under budget.
Infiniti G35 seems like another great option with a manual, just hard to find under budget without getting up to 130-150k miles, where I start to wonder what maintenance costs you start racking up. I know from past threads there was something about consuming oil and REV-Up engines or something like that. Love the large aftermarket though.
In reply to CobraSpdRH :
G35 models with the DE engine are prone to oil consumption at high mileage, but the 07-08 sedan was on the V36 chassis and has the HR motor which isn't prone to oil consumption. I'm at around 125k on my DE model and it's been bulletproof. In the two years I've had it, it's only needed brakes, a ball joint and a new head unit (early V35 cars are prone to CD changer failure).
I’m thinking Mercedes-Benz (S124) 300TE wagon would be perfect for you. Try to find a later 24-valve version. Probably best to avoid the 4Matic system; stick to RWD.
G_Body_Man said:
07-08 G35 sedan should do the trick. On RWD models just about everything for a 370Z bolts right up. 0-60 in the mid 5s regardless of transmission, aux connectivity on models with navigation and rear A/C vents in the back of the console. Rear legroom is 34.7" which really isn't bad and the 6-speed models are a treat.
Either this or TSX. The Nissan will probably be around or lower than your MPG requirements and the TSX should be up around 30mpg.
Love the Mercedes and the IS SportCross examples, but not sure they would qualify as "fun to drive" versus some of the other choices as they are auto. That and there are 0 within 500 miles of me in my price range.
So I will keep an eye out for manual G35's, Acura TL's and later TSX's. For BMW's, I really like the E46 body style, so will look for a 330i sedan or a wagon (328i). Can those still be fun in an auto?
What about Saabs? Would a 9-3 Aero with the 2.8 turbo 6 (or even the 2.0T and SportCombi) be a good/bad idea? Manuals aren't exactly plentiful but they are pretty cheap when they do pop up.
If you're interested in the E46, be aware that the rear subframe has been known to crack.
I believe the later E46 330s got a reinforced rear subframe from the factory, but not 100% sure on that.
CobraSpdRH said:
What about Saabs? Would a 9-3 Aero with the 2.8 turbo 6 (or even the 2.0T and SportCombi) be a good/bad idea? Manuals aren't exactly plentiful but they are pretty cheap when they do pop up.
Saabs are great and you can get a lot of power out of the 2.8. Resale though, you need to find other Saab enthusiasts which isn't always easy. I've had 9-3 Aero (4 cylinder) and 2 9-5 Aeros, auto and manual. Great cars overall.
