Another what car thread where miata is not the answer ;) Looking for a 4 door daily

Last week I sold my daily 07 VW Rabbit. I though I had a car to replace it with, but unfortunately the car I was going to buy sold before I could get it. I was planning on replacing the Rabbit with a MK6 GTI 4 door manual but I am having a hard time finding a clean one I like. Now I am looking at a wider variety of cars to see what else I can get.

I am open to pretty much anything but I just want something reliable and easy to maintain. I drive all over Florida for work, anywhere between Miami to Jax, so I need a car that can get me places reliably. My Rabbit was awesome, I had 165k miles on it with the original clutch that had no signs of wear. I have a great independent shop I use for my BMW/VW in port charlotte so I have been looking at e90's or maybe getting another zhp. My buddy wants me to get a b5 s4 but his is so unreliable I can't run something like that.

BMW 330 zhp... and done.

Lexus IS250?

FoST
BMW

dculberson wrote: Lexus IS250?

I never drove one, anyone know how they are? It's not a bad idea, thats the type of car that would last forever.

jonnyd330 wrote:

dculberson wrote: Lexus IS250?

I never drove one, anyone know how they are? It's not a bad idea, thats the type of car that would last forever.

I hear they are kinda pokey, but otherwise alright.

RX-8

I have a MK6 gti 4 door DSG, absolutely love this car, paid 18k for it with 19,000 miles. stage 1 revo tune apr carbine intake, has nav and a roof. no xenons but that's an easy upgrade.

There was some talk here recently about the VW CC with manual trans that sounded like a good highway Grand Touring type car.

JohnRW1621 wrote: There was some talk here recently about the VW CC with manual trans that sounded like a good highway Grand Touring type car.

Oh yeah, I forgot about those. Hmm that could be a contender.

jonnyd330 wrote:

JohnRW1621 wrote: There was some talk here recently about the VW CC with manual trans that sounded like a good highway Grand Touring type car.

Oh yeah, I forgot about those. Hmm that could be a contender.

The only issue with the CC for me was that I don't think you could get the turbo motor with a stick.

I look for BMW 330i copies on a regular basis (the e46 version). What I end up finding a LOT of are 2006 models. It was the one year BMW offered the 330i in the e90 chassis. If you plug 330i in Craigslist, you'll find them all over the place. With a manual to boot. I've never driven one, so I don't know how they feel compared to an e46 330i, but it might be perfect for you, given the amount of driving you do. The engine should be bulletproof, since it is the tried and true inline 6. Worth a shot?

I've found The Answer®!

2006 330i in Jax

2006 330i in Orlando

In reply to dyintorace:

Yeah I have been thinking about an e90 but the seats look like they are e36 m3 compared to the e46 zhp seats.

How has your luck been finding zhp's?

This sounds like a job for the 04-08 Acura TL Type-S.

https://orlando.craigslist.org/cto/5657454236.html

2012 Mazdaspeed 3. I thought Mazda6, but there's zero 6's for sale with manual transmission, unless dealer.

https://orlando.craigslist.org/ctd/5657491132.html

jonnyd330 wrote: In reply to dyintorace: Yeah I have been thinking about an e90 but the seats look like they are e36 m3 compared to the e46 zhp seats. How has your luck been finding zhp's?

I would try the sport seats in the e90 before you discount them. They seem to be decent.

e46 ZHPs are generally too expensive, IMO. Everyone knows what they are now, and thinks they are worth gold. $10k for one with 150k is too much. And sub-100k miles, folks seem to be asking $13k to $16k.

Always a bunch listed here:
ZHP Mafia classifieds

So I just found an 06 e90 that looks really nice. Too high mile for me but that is a good looking car and the seats appear to be pretty nice.

http://daytona.craigslist.org/cto/5668480305.html

Two Miatas?

Sorry, just had to say it. Sounds like some good suggestions already.

The G35/37 came in a manual sedan and seems like it could eat up some miles. Seats are pretty sporty, but not on the level of a ZHP I wouldn't imagine. It has all the luxury options and there is a big aftermarket available.

Also, somebody said TL Type-S above, and having owned a non Type-S they are pretty fun cars.

NickD wrote:

jonnyd330 wrote:

dculberson wrote: Lexus IS250?

I never drove one, anyone know how they are? It's not a bad idea, thats the type of car that would last forever.

I hear they are kinda pokey, but otherwise alright.

Kinda pricey. I'd be surprised if you find one in your price range.

Oh wait, I forgot about the first generation. I've only driven the second gen. But the second gen was one of the best cars I have ever driven, EVER. Too bad I'm too big for it.

Skyactive Mazda 6 with six speed? I've driven them and they seem like they would be good highway cruisers.

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?endYear=2017&zip=32099&transmissionCode=MAN&maxPrice=18000&transmissionCodes=MAN&showcaseListingId=432661006&mmt=%5BMAZDA%5BMAZDA6%5B%5D%5D%5B%5D%5D&modelCode1=MAZDA6&sortBy=derivedpriceASC&startYear=2014&makeCode1=MAZDA&showcaseOwnerId=449474&firstRecord=0&searchRadius=300&listingId=433334462&Log=0

szeis4cookie wrote: This sounds like a job for the 04-08 Acura TL Type-S.

Or second choice of a TSX.

Your list pretty much screams G35/G37 to me. More reliable and significantly more horsepower than a 330i and manuals aren't total unicorns like some of the other cars mentioned here.

I was looking at IS300's at little while back, really hard to find a nice one and people aren't afraid to ask $$$ for them still.