Present car situation:
Type R race car (street illegal soon)
Toyota Tacoma Xtra-cab (tow truck, small back seats)

I don't have a car with a decent back seat.

In about a year to year&1/2 looking for something "sporty" but family friendly (ie back seat can fit two adults reasonably comfortably).

Car can be no more than $30K or so & manual tranny. In the list below, I include cars that maybe used by the time I am ready to buy.

I value the opinions of this board so select from choices below or chime in with your own choice. (I figure this discussion can help a few of us who are in are 30's and going on to the next stage of life.)

Acura TSX
Mazda RX-8 (haven't seen any on the road, and I have never sat in back seat)
Subaru WRX (sedan or wagon, used or new) or STI (theft issues?)
Evo (maybe to expensive? probably no used cars available in a year because too new? theft issues?)
BMW E36 M (reliable ? expensive maintenance? too old in a year?)
BMW E46 (non M, used)
Honda Accord Coupe V6
G35 (used)
Volks Passat / Audi A4 (used)

I do not like anything from Nissan (is Maxima or Altima) and no domestics besides below:

I would honestly really like a Cadillac CTS-V (maybe it is the bling-bling in me , but a recent review of the car has me wanting one. Corvette engine in a sedan !!)

If this is way too much OT, moderators can delete or move...I am bored at work and just started thinking of things...

 

WRX hands down. 4 doors, AWD, "family sedan" with B00ST. You can get a used one for very good price and even brand new they arent anymore than an ITR brand new.

 

sti Boostin w/ the family

 

IS300, STI, or EVO

 

I'd vote for an A4 w/ 1.8T, or a 4 door E36 M3.

Warren

 

Mazda6 w/ the v6 and 5-spd.

 

TSX.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by davidnyc &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">G35 (used)
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<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by davidnyc &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
I do not like anything from Nissan (is Maxima or Altima) and no domestics besides below:
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Anyone see a conflict? thats like saying...i dont want a honda but I am looking at an integra?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Chris N &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">TSX.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Yeah what Einstein said above or a '91-'93 M5.

 

Nissan may be rough around the edges, but I'd put it above VW/Audi for reliability.

Mazda 6 seems like it's also worth a look (along w/ Altima SE V-6).

CTS-V starts just under $50K.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by lustedp &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Anyone see a conflict? thats like saying...i dont want a honda but I am looking at an integra? </TD></TR></TABLE>

Seems like he meant to say he doesn't like the maxima or the altima and doesn't mind the G35.

No different than liking the intergra but not liking the accord or civic.

 

IS300... RWD...

4 doors is always better than 2 doors if you need more back seats space.

 

Hey David.

I guess it depends on how much performance you want. There are places outside of NYC that are selling Evo's below MSRP.....that brings you well below your $30k cap. But the ride is stiffer than the Type R, and you will still not have cruise control or a quiet cockpit for that price.

And the theft of the Evo is very very low.....so far. There are very few parts on the Evo that are easily swappable to the regular Lancer or to other Mitsubishi products. So the market to resell parts isn't there.

If you are just looking for something to hold 2 more people, and not something to go blistering through the streets with, I'd get the WRX or the TSX......At least with the TSX, you know your getting a reliable car of known build quality.


Cheese~

 

For me, it would be either the TSX or the WRX.

 

i would vote for anything quiet/luxury and sporty. you don't need another noisy car. that said the tsx or IS300, or E46 non M would be my pick.

 

Were I in your shoes, I'd get the TSX in that light blue.

It's a beautiful car. The more I look, the more it grows on me. And apparently it's more of a driver's car than most of the cars you listed up there.

EVO or STi would be nice...but it's kind of extreme for a family-type hauler.

E36 M3 is always nice, but I feel like you'd be tempted to mod it and take it on the track.

 

S4 I'm kinda biased..

Under 30k, new? TSX no question.

 

wrx wagon

 

My first instinct is to suggest an STi/EVO... The STi powerband has made it a great daily driver for me. (and it has the added bonus that my wife enjoys riding in my car now)

What kind of daily driving will you do with it? Long trips on the highway? Much driving in snow?

Based on my daily driving preferences, *I* would rank them this way:

Evo/STi
E36 M3 4door
G35
E46
WRX

I haven't driven the other cars, making it unfair to judge them. I've also heard a lot of good things about the TSX.

 

Chalk up another one for the Mazda 6 V6 5MT.

Too bad the Accord saloon isn't offered with a manual transmission.

The WRX and IS300 are both too small inside for me to consider them "family-friendly." BMWs are mostly overrated and overpriced.

 

1st gen CR-V w/ LS turbo kit

or

2nd gen CR-V w/ RSX-S head swap

'cause it's still a Honda

(btw- the Accord V6 has horrible mileage per performance, or so says my speed-demon sister)

 

I'd get an EVO.. but thats a biased opinion.

Besides, in a year there just might be something else out that you'd rather have.

 

I would say the Lexus IS300. Thats only because I just bought one. It is awesome and compfortable. It is Solar Yellow along with my PY ITR.

IS300

 

Since you live in NY, where it snows in the winter, why not get something comfortable and 4wd?

No, not Evo or STi. But, what about an A4? You should find 1.8t w/ quattro for under $30k. They are not all that bad. And, it's been extremely reliable for us in the past 2 years.

If you want a family sedan, I would not get something that's a "special edition" model. (i.e. EVO, STi.) I think it's nice to have a car that is just nice and comfortable. You wouldn't be driving it like a sports car with friends and family in the car anyway. Heck, I love driving an automatic whenI have to cart people around.

 

thats what i would do ^