The search for some sport.. sedan?

Hello fellow GRM'rs! I'm in the terrible position of being able to spend a few dollars on a new (to me!) vehicle.

Budget 15K or less. 4 doors not a requirement, but back seats are!

First candidate is everyone's favorite E36 M3. I'd driven a few of these back when they were new/ish, and I can still remember the way it felt. They seem to just have a feel to them. Or at least the 2 I drove did.

E46 m3. I've seen a few that fit in the price range, albiet with higher miles (120k+). The cars I've looked at online appeared to be clean, but nothing close by that I could drive and see if I liked it.

G35 - I owned a auto sedan for awhile before the wife and I started a family. It was the first "nice" car I've had, but I longed for a manual.

540i/6 speed. About a year ago I bought a pristine example of one, stupid low miles (40K), and awesome condition. I loved the way the car drove, but in the 3 months I owned it I replaced 3 different window regulators, the entire sunroof cassette, and a cam angle sensor. I thought by searching for a low mileage example I'd find a car that I could drive more than working on it (hell...the sunroof in my 200k mile civic worked and probably still does to this day). Kinda left a bad taste in my mouth with the repairs (sunroof was $1250 alone). Car was an 02'. Big car

CTSV - Never owned/driven, but I hear they are great. Again, a bit large.

What else? if the rear seat wasn't requirement, I'd be all over a S2000. With the kids, and the remote possibility that I may need to haul one or 2 around, I'd never hear the end of it if I buy a true 2 seater.

RX8?

Early S197 Mustang GTs are getting down into that price.

You might find a Mazdaspeed3 in that price range if you're not married to RWD.

GTO

I know it's kinda boring compared to a BMW, but I love my IS300. Gas and oil is all it needs for long periods of time.

I'm a BMW, Audi, VW specialist, so I drive these cars on a regular basis. Ultimate Driving Machine is a true statement. But for a DD, the Japanese always win with me.

Disclaimer- there will me an e36 M3 in the stable as a track car eventually...

Maybe a g8 If you can find one? Never driven one just think they look badass

With my little time spent in a normal CTS, I wouldn't call it a big car. I did not fit in the back seat at all. My '00 A6, however, I fit very well in the back. Can you get a new A6 for under $15k with it still on a warranty? That would be the only way I'd go back to owning an Audi.

Non-M e46 sedan. Can be had all day long for under $15k, even for the nice ZHP edition, like mine below.

In reply to dyintorace: That is a beautiful color/body/wheel combo

Raze wrote: GTO

Agreed. GTO.

Mazdaspeed6? Only came in a manual, pretty fast, AWD so it is truly a year round car, and a rapidly burgeoning aftermarket.

Just saw one of these getting tuned. It had a cat back exhaust, fmic and an intake. Made 293awhp and close to 350ft lbs of torque. Pretty impressive...

Can GTO handle? I always thought they were all motor heavy handling beasts

The one issue with the Mazdaspeed 6 is they are FWD most of the time then when slip is detected it goes to the rear

In reply to Jaynen:

I've won STU in one against an STi personally, but yeah, they can handle. They are actually small and light compared to the new Camaro, Mustang, and Challenger. Good IRS, lots of upgrades available from Aussieland.

I've actually driven this one in a race:

Huh, nice. Would not have thought that

Rx8 was a fleeting thought, but thats about it.

ZHP and the GTO are both great suggestions! Looking again I'll have to search for a nice example in my price range...seems a slew of both have ended up at by here pay here lots....

Just want to put in my vote for a manual G35 sedan. I know they are not very popular around here, but I had one and as a sporty reliable DD it is a great car.

All manuals are sport package, 270-ish + hp depending on the year. Pretty much any 350z suspension upgrades bolt right in. The sedan avoids the Jersey Shore image that seems to go with the coupes.

6 spd G35's are pretty sweet, just a 4 dr Z car. Lots of upgrades available, decently fast, Nissan quality.

Other than being a tad bit slow, I really like my Mazda6. You could have two of them with your budget. Just go test drive a manual version and see if you like it.

Otherwise my vote is for the E46 ZHP.

Legacy GT or Volvo Turbo-something?

E39 M5's can be found in that price range. That said, you'd find a better ZHP for the $, and it would be significantly cheaper to keep on the road. A 2006 era Legacy GT would be a great, fun sedan: STI goodies bolt on.

Only thing I see missing so far is a genesis coupe

Cone_Junky wrote: I know it's kinda boring compared to a BMW, but I love my IS300. Gas and oil is all it needs for long periods of time. I'm a BMW, Audi, VW specialist, so I drive these cars on a regular basis. Ultimate Driving Machine is a true statement. But for a DD, the Japanese always win with me. Disclaimer- there will me an e36 M3 in the stable as a track car eventually...

Yep, another vote for the IS300

Also, here is a nod to the less sporty, but more enthusiastic little brother to the G35: G20t (LSD 5 speed with fifth gear popout issue correction is a must).

G8 (if you can find the v8 6spd version for $15k).

Legacy/Imprezza

I drove a GTO today....not impressed. Maybe it was the mileage, needed new suspension, I dunno. Motor = awesome. Chassis felt like a wallowing buffalo.

I've yet to find a E36 M3 to drive locally, nor found one to buy anywhere....all I find are verts and automatics.

I stopped today to check out a STI and a mini S. Both were nice, just not for me.

For the first time in a long time, I'm getting tired of looking for a car.

What I need to find is a 96' 993 w/50K miles for $15K