What Car: 4dr, Auto, Limited Slip Differential, MY 1996 or newer, Under $5k-ish.

As stated in the title, I'm interested in knowing what my options are that meet all of the following requirements:

4 doors (Sedan or Wagon), Automatic, Limited Slip Differential (standard or optional from the factory), MY 1996 or newer, 2000 or newer preferred, & under $5k-ish.

I was originally thinking FWD only but will consider RWD also. RX-8 doesn't count because who want an automatic rotary ;)

AWD is not being considered.

Cars I know of that meet the criteria:

P71  and certain Crown Vics, etc.

Infiniti i30 /i35

Probably some BMWs or Mercedes?

What am I missing? 

I'm gathering that tall wagons (SUVs) are out?  That would probably be an easy starting point for auto trans + LSD.  

Yes, SUV's are out. Needs to have a car-like center of gravity. 

jaaaaaag! though LSD will be a rare option, and probably only on the closer to 1996 end of the spectrum. I think many jags run a standard dana diff though, so a bolt it LSD carrier from a junkyard is not hard to find. Lexus maybe, LSD also rare. BMW and Merc for sure.

Plenty of pickemup trucks meet your criteria, though the crew cabs do cost a lot more than standard cabs.

Impala SS. There, I said it.

Lexus IS300.  Did any Infiniti G35s come with a limited slip? One from a Z can probably be swapped in.  

Automatic E36 M3s can be found at your price range, most non M BMWs lost the LSD after 1995.  Same goes for Mercedes, only some AMG models get it. 

Lexus IS300 - 2001 to 2005.  LSD was a fairly common option even with auto trans.  Was standard on the Sportcross up here in Canada.

Gen 1 Infiniti Q45 has that all.  Best years are '94 & '95 for upgraded timing chain guides over the earlier years.  I realize this missed the '96 cut off and they made this Gen 1 Q45 until '96 but it lost some hp to be OBD2 compliant.  

4.5L V8 putting out 300hp and an $100 ECU flash will get you 30hp more.   Factory limited slip.  

The Gen2 versions lost engine size and HP and I think went w/o lsd.  

Gen 1s are easy to find and you will never spend $5k on one. 

'95 in Louisville with 135k asking $2,450    

I seem to recall some Nissan Maximums has LSD. Yes?

Donebrokeit said:

I seem to recall some Nissan Maximums has LSD. Yes?

Maybe, but I think they are all fwd by 96.

FWD options are of particular interest to me.

I think you mean the infiniti J30 which a decent number of them having LSD's, the i30 and i35 were both fwd and based on the Maxima

Depending on location, I can honestly suggest the LH platform (Intrepid, Concorde, LHS, 300M) are a decent contender. 

Roomy 4 door sedan, front wheel drive, should be priced within the target price range.

They would not meet the limited slip criteria tho.

OEM Limited Slip  with Auto trans is kind of the main point of this exercise.

Is the mid year thing for obd2?

MY = Model Year. Yes; OBDII, air bags, normal seatbelts for sure, etc.

If 2003 i35s still had the lsd i would vote that way. 

In reply to John Welsh :

Gen II had LSD. Gen III dropped LSD but the 350/G35 LSD is a pretty easy swap into them. 

LSD in a Mercedes is not very  common. I think  the 190e 2.3-16v and the w116 450sel 6.9 came with LSD standard. And modern-ish AMG's with the P030 package. They had some models with ASD but I don't know if they fully locked.

cghstang said:

FWD options are of particular interest to me.

Sentra?

Lincoln LS?

Sonic said:

Lexus IS300.  Did any Infiniti G35s come with a limited slip? One from a Z can probably be swapped in.  

Automatic E36 M3s can be found at your price range, most non M BMWs lost the LSD after 1995.  Same goes for Mercedes, only some AMG models get it. 

Sport-Tuned Suspension Package RWD 05-06 G35 5AT sedans got a vLSD.

Acura?  Did the TL or the RL get a dif?  

A 4dr e36 M3 should be able to fit the bill. A 4dr auto M3 would be the least desirable model.

Are the MINI clubmans down to $5k yet?

Did the police FWD Impala get limited slip, or the Taurus?