sit your but in a Evo-8   or a WRX-STI there .. fixed ... there not v8's but they will move pretty fast .. if your looking to tune it .. i'd go with the STI

Quote from: FearedGS500 on March 09, 2007, 11:32:02 PM
sit your but in a Evo-8   or a WRX-STI there .. fixed ... there not v8's but they will move pretty fast .. if your looking to tune it .. i'd go with the STI

As noted earlier in the thread, I am not looking for a sports car, nor a shopping cart. I like the understated and subtle look of sport sedans; quiet, unimposing power but with a touch of refinement and luxury. Plus, those two aren't very reliable vehicles.

Just because the Evo's crank walks and the WRX goes through 2nd/3rd gears like my ma and cheap beer doesn't make them unreliable.

Did you find an IS250 6mt?  Call ahead, because I found it extremely difficult to find one in stock to test drive.  Same with the 3-series.  My local dealership had 40 cars and only 1 manual.

IMHO, I don't think you need AWD.  For Texas weather, any of the RWD cars you mention with traction control, a manual transmission, and all-seasons will get you where you need to go.  AWD is a lot more about peace of mind than about actual control advantage.  If you exercise good judgement and skills while driving on ice/snow, then you'll be fine.

Mak, I'm probably placing an order for a 328i tomorrow.  The E90 dipstick sensor fails safe, and the driving dynamics are a league above the A4.  Hopefully it'll last as long as my dad's E30 325i, which he bought new in 1990 and still drives. 

the steering and suspension on e90s are freaking amazing. it's like riding a motorcycle, very easy movements, a minute change of pressure does a lot. but no matter how you drive, you still can't do wrong. i just like little cars more than sedans. ie mcoupe...

Quote from: ledfingers on March 10, 2007, 03:32:16 AM
the steering and suspension on e90s are freaking amazing. it's like riding a motorcycle, very easy movements, a minute change of pressure does a lot. but no matter how you drive, you still can't do wrong. i just like little cars more than sedans. ie mcoupe...

Indeed.  Very forgiving, but very fun.  I would love to get a Z4 coupe or M coupe, but they're out of my price range and I need a practical 4-seater anyway.

did someone already mention the Infiniti G35 6MT?

Quote from: baco99 on March 10, 2007, 08:38:56 AM
did someone already mention the Infiniti G35 6MT?

Quote from: AlphaFire X5 on March 09, 2007, 04:28:16 AM
On this list for test drives this upcoming week:

AWD
Subaru Legacy GT (5MT)
BMW 328xi (6MT)
Mazda Mazdaspeed6 (6MT)
Audi A4 2.0T quattro (6MT)

RWD
BMW 328i (6MT)
Infiniti G35 Sport (6MT)
Lexus IS250 (6MT)

Quote from: sanjay on March 10, 2007, 02:17:58 AM
Did you find an IS250 6mt?  Call ahead, because I found it extremely difficult to find one in stock to test drive.  Same with the 3-series.  My local dealership had 40 cars and only 1 manual.

I'm going to the Lexus dealer first, mainly to drive an automatic IS250 AWD and an automatic IS250, just to get a feel for how AWD feels. If they don't have a 6MT in stock I don't mind, really. I could go to the BMW dealer to test the 328, but I don't want to have to deal with getting the feel for a new transmission as well as trying to feel how the car reacts with AWD.

Volvo S60 R is AWD and manual

Also - was just reading about the new G8 which will essentially be the Holden Commodore .. RWD and manual .. sounds rather nice .. but you'd have to wait a bit.

Quote from: MrDan on March 12, 2007, 10:38:23 AM
Volvo S60 R is AWD and manual

It's also $10,000 over my target budget.

QuoteIt's also $10,000 over my target budget.

try used!

Quote from: AlphaFire X5 on March 12, 2007, 10:43:14 AM

Quote from: MrDan on March 12, 2007, 10:38:23 AM
Volvo S60 R is AWD and manual

It's also $10,000 over my target budget.

I drove an 05 that was $22k

Quote from: baco99 on March 12, 2007, 10:46:22 AM
try used!

Quote from: MrDan on March 12, 2007, 10:48:39 AM
I drove an 05 that was $22k

Yes, but at the moment I am looking at new cars at the moment, because I do plan to buy used in a few years.

Also, every review I've read says the S60 (even in R trim) is not nearly as fun to drive as its competitors. It's fast, sure, but not as fun to drive as it should be. I'll consider looking into it though...

bah.  don't buy used.  waste of money.  depreciation in the first year will kill your ego.  Go CPO and get the extra service.  Some CPO warranties are better than new these days.

Quote from: baco99 on March 12, 2007, 12:58:53 PM
bah.  don't buy used.  waste of money.  depreciation in the first year will kill your ego.  Go CPO and get the extra service.  Some CPO warranties are better than new these days.

Uhh. How the hell is buying used a waste of money? Care to back that up? Buying NEW is what wastes your money, as the car depreciates significantly the instant it is off the dealer's lot.

If you're worried about investing, don't buy a car...  They're all a COST, not an investment...  (Well, unless it's come rare classic that you don't drive).

Depends on how you do it.  I've bought cars from one coast and sold them on the other for a 10~15% net profit.  You just got to be smart about if you're doing the "investment" thing.

DOH!  SORRY - I meant NEW, not used.  I almost always buy used when I can. 

Sorry for the confusion.

Quote from: baco99 on March 12, 2007, 05:58:53 PM
DOH!  SORRY - I meant NEW, not used.  I almost always buy used when I can. 

Sorry for the confusion.

Even so, I never said I was buying new. Throughout the entire thread (including the post you responded to) I have been saying I intend to buy used.

Quote from: AlphaFire X5 on March 12, 2007, 11:02:03 AM
Yes, but at the moment I am looking at new cars at the moment, because I do plan to buy used in a few years.

See?

Quote from: MrDan on March 12, 2007, 10:38:23 AM
Also - was just reading about the new G8 which will essentially be the Holden Commodore .. RWD and manual .. sounds rather nice .. but you'd have to wait a bit.

Manual transmission will only be availible on the G8 GT (V8). I am not looking for a V8 due to gas consumption.

Quote from: AlphaFire X5 on March 12, 2007, 06:41:47 PM

Quote from: MrDan on March 12, 2007, 10:38:23 AM
Also - was just reading about the new G8 which will essentially be the Holden Commodore .. RWD and manual .. sounds rather nice .. but you'd have to wait a bit.

Manual transmission will only be availible on the G8 GT (V8). I am not looking for a V8 due to gas consumption.

I'd want the true Holden anyway love the looks of that car