Hello.

I've had plenty of interesting old cars (both as a daily and as a fun car) but I want something low maintenance and reliable, as well as fun to drive and refined. I've been driving a Volvo S40 T5 6 speed for the last 2 years, but it's falling apart and it feels like a ticking timebomb. Very disappointing as my MK4 Jetta was holding up significantly better and it had another 30K miles on my Volvo. To fix everything on it would cost well over what its worth. The new car would have to be at least a 2006 and a manual is mandatory. Preferably under 120,000 miles. I'd like it to last me 4-5 years, although I usually keep a car for only 18 months to 2 years.

After mulling it over for quite awhile, I've decided it would be either an Acura TSX, 7G Accord 6-6, or an Acura TL.

I've been wanting a TSX for a long time, but as soon as I drove one with a manual transmission I was somewhat disappointed. I hated the feel of the clutch pedal-I thought there was a problem with the car. I think it was a "don't meet your heroes" moment as I put it up on a pedestal and was expecting it to be perfect. I drove another and it felt the same. Next, I started looking at TLs, and I really liked them for the most part, except the seats are pretty lousy. That was exaggerated by the firm ride. Still though, I really liked the engine, the transmission is fantastic, it's luxurious and quiet, it's properly fast, and the LSD will help it plough through snow (this being WI), but it will have the highest fuel and consumables cost.

I honestly wasn't paying attention to 6-6 Accords, as I automatically assumed I wouldn't find one. This caused my to miss out on an impeccable red-badge sedan with just 114K miles, which I probably could have got for $6400. There is one more sedan for sale though- in Chicago. 128K miles, navigation, but the owner has difficulty answering simple questions like "when was the timing belt changed?" and "Why are you selling it?" Even so, we eventually agreed on a price and I told him I'd come to look at it this Friday afternoon.
https://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/cto/6018518100.html
It has more miles than I'd like, and I wish I could get more answers. But I prefer the red-badge sedan far more than the more common coupe-the 4 door looks more upscale and it's more practical, I've never liked big coupes. Tell me what you think of this car, and my back up options below:

3 6-6 coupes:
-06 92K miles, $8900. Very clean. https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/d...2272/overview/
-06 98K miles, $7900. Less clean, gaudy body kit. Curious, why isn't that V6 badge red? https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/d...6902/overview/
-07 96K miles, $7900. no pics so the link doesn't mean much. https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/d...5860/overview/

And a dealer Acura TL. The only car that's PP is the Accord Sedan.
-06 130K miles, $7000. Non-navi. https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/d...0958/overview/

One way to look at it is I can always buy a 6-6 coupe in the future (8th,9th gen), but now is the best chance to enjoy a TL or 6-6 Sedan as a reliable daily driver. Unfortunately those are the ones with the most miles. I've already arranged for a family member to help me bring back whatever I bought Friday, and I already took off work. So I'm intending on bringing something home, and unlike last time, I have back ups.

I honestly am not sure exactly how the Accords drive... Would the Coupes feel exactly the same as the sedans? I was told that the 7G feels like a slightly bigger/softer TSX in terms of handling and body control. I was also told it shares it's transmission with the TL, which is great because I thought it was excellent. Is the Accord a step down from the TL in terms of fun-to-drive, or are they pretty much the same?

Thanks, and I'll update on Friday.
Andrew.