Advice needed: Fun to drive car for $25k? | GTAMotorcycle.com

Advice needed: Fun to drive car for $25k?

GTA_6speed

GTA_6speed

Well-known member
My B5 Audi S4 left me stranded on Sunday for the second time in the last two months. I'm due for a new car and wanted to get your advice on what to consider. Here are my requirements along with a few that are already on the shortlist.

- Looking to spend less than $25k - taxes in
- Want something that is reasonably reliable and not over 5 years old
- Must seat at least 4
- Rear-wheel drive or All-wheel drive preferred

As far as what i'm currently considering:

1. Infiniti G37 Coupe - I owned a G35 Coupe back in the day and was happy with it. Sat in a G37 at the Auto show and was impressed. Styling is a bit of an issue, but the performance seems decent. 08's with a 6 speed gearbox can be found for around $22k

2. Subaru WRX STI Hatchback - I like the styling, but I'm worried it might be a bit boy-racer to pull up to the office in every day. Power and performance is definately there. Interior finishing is another issue. They are tough to find, but I stumbled across an 08 with 90k for around $24k

3. e46 BMW m3 - Too dated? Too old? Not sure on this one... people seem to rave about them. I worry about maintenance issues though and facing the same types of issues i've had with my S4

4. BMW 335i - Was a big fan of this car and the tuning possibilities until I read that the new 4 series coupe was being released this summer. I think this car will look really dated really quickly. Thoughts?

5. Audi A4 S-Line - Wouldn't consider a previous-generation... look very dated now. Newer ones can be found around $25k... will be tough to source in a 6 speed though for $25k

Would really appreciate some insight here! With the S4 in the shop, i'll be looking to get a replacement in the next month or so. Thanks in advance!
 
Out of all those I'd go G or 335i.

Forget another Audi and forget the E46, both somewhat problematic.

Personally I'd find a Gx sedan, 4 doors and AWD just makes more sense.
 
Word of advice, if u want reliability dont get german. My bro recently got a ML350 & he told me a sensor went. He contacted me yesterday & told me now he has an engine thats leaking oil. The car is less than 10mths old.

I could go on & bore u with my stories, but I prefer not to. Oh yeh, I have an e46 & my other bro have an X5

Sent from my tablet using my paws
 
335...

e46 is too dated
a4 not as good as the 335
sti is good, but japanese
infinity - japanese

no hate on the Japs, but look at any e90 3 series. they run forever and specifically that 335 engine is perfection.
Also if you want to get racy, you can chip that car from BMW OEM (budds bmw). its cheap too and it has more torque/hp than the e90 m3.

You can not go wrong on the e90.

you will enjoy german engineering a ton more than the japanese stuff. The jap cars you have listed are probably more "fun" in the end to drive, but that solid feeling you get whipping a german car around an onramp can not be matched. Also the I6 in the 335 just feels and sounds right.

the STI is really really cheap feeling, plasticy.

Those who say reliability and german is not good? Not the case. Like any car, if you maintain it. It will be fine.
The fact that a part on a e90 might be a bit more expensive out of warantee doesnt mean its less reliable.
 
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I've got no business in this thread so here's my take. Crazy to buy anything used (08, 90K? $24K?wha?) Buy new with less tech systems, enjoy happy motoring.
 
VRUS - Unsure about the v8 in the b6 S4... fuel economy is terrible and the performance isn't much better than my B5. Plus it's still going to be 6-7 years old. Worries me a bit

DJBordie - Do you have a 335i? I have been reading up on them a fair bit... Wastegate rattles and high-flow fuel pump issues seem to be quite common. BMW extended the warranties for both, but still is a bit of a concern. The engine is a monster though, you're right. But they are so common and that 4 series coupe is gorgeous

RockerGuy - I hear you... nothing like being packed and ready for a cottage weekend, only to have the car die en route. Thank god it was still in the city and not 200km away in Haliburton!

mmmmnaked - I'd have to drive both... like the look of the 2 door, but you're right. AWD and 4 doors is a plus. Just not sure how much the performance/handling would be sacrificed with that extra weight
 
GTA_6speed said:
My B5 Audi S4 left me stranded on Sunday for the second time in the last two months. I'm due for a new car and wanted to get your advice on what to consider. Here are my requirements along with a few that are already on the shortlist.

- Looking to spend less than $25k - taxes in
- Want something that is reasonably reliable and not over 5 years old
- Must seat at least 4
- Rear-wheel drive or All-wheel drive preferred

As far as what i'm currently considering:

1. Infiniti G37 Coupe - I owned a G35 Coupe back in the day and was happy with it. Sat in a G37 at the Auto show and was impressed. Styling is a bit of an issue, but the performance seems decent. 08's with a 6 speed gearbox can be found for around $22k

2. Subaru WRX STI Hatchback - I like the styling, but I'm worried it might be a bit boy-racer to pull up to the office in every day. Power and performance is definately there. Interior finishing is another issue. They are tough to find, but I stumbled across an 08 with 90k for around $24k

3. e46 BMW m3 - Too dated? Too old? Not sure on this one... people seem to rave about them. I worry about maintenance issues though and facing the same types of issues i've had with my S4

4. BMW 335i - Was a big fan of this car and the tuning possibilities until I read that the new 4 series coupe was being released this summer. I think this car will look really dated really quickly. Thoughts?

5. Audi A4 S-Line - Wouldn't consider a previous-generation... look very dated now. Newer ones can be found around $25k... will be tough to source in a 6 speed though for $25k

Would really appreciate some insight here! With the S4 in the shop, i'll be looking to get a replacement in the next month or so. Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...

None of the above.

2009+ Acura TL with SH-AWD and manual tranny.

Legendary Honda reliability, torque vectoring AWD, 300+ hp, 92+ g's on the skid pad, and best manual gearbox in the biz.
 
TL is a gorgeous car.... but almost impossible to find in stick for $25k taxes in. Cheapest one I saw was ~$27k plus tax
 
SunnY S said:
None of the above.

2009+ Acura TL with SH-AWD and manual tranny.

Legendary Honda reliability, torque vectoring AWD, 300+ hp, 92+ g's on the skid pad, and best manual gearbox in the biz.
Click to expand...

and no mention of suspension "cough cough" setup

get the 35 and be happy.

Actually!!! my brothers friend is up on his lease for a 4 yr old 135
manual, Sirius, some bells and whistles. Winter rims & rubbers

i know his buyback is in that neighbourhood.

has about 50k on it, its very well maintained.

PM if interested

that car is a ****ing joy to drive!
 
XFactor - Love the BRZ... bit small though since i'm 6'3 for a daily driver. I may go take one for a spin and see how it drives. Saw Clarkson's review on a recent Top Gear, he loved it!

DJBordie - PM sent, thanks!
 
I thought the g37 sedan I drove was plenty fast and handled nice and tight. Good steering feel, almost identical to the coupe.
 
my vote would be a 335i which also comes in x drive (335xi)


save your money for a bit longer and go with a 335d. saving my pennies to buy one of those torque monsters that gets the fuel mileage of a civic
 
mitsubishi-lancer-evolution-ix-mr-gsr-titel.jpg
 
335d is crazy...500 ft pound torque or something
amazing on gas.

however the 335 engine is excellent on gas compared to the other non-turbo bmw i6's

dont get the XI, its heavy and useless...only a 75-35 split. not even worth it. and the rwd is so much fun in the winter.
 
Wow, I had no idea that there was so much torque in the 335d. I'd buy one just to support the sale of diesel cars here in Canada... so many fantastic engines available in Europe aren't sold here!

Great performance from that Evo, but I'm getting a bit old for big wings that obstruct my rear view...
 
Find a beater to get you through winter and then pick up a S1KR, 1199 or some other exotic ;)
 
bmw HP 4 ftw!

and I agree wholeheartedly with AF4iK :)

BMW_HP4_2013_A0150177_1000x667.jpg


actually the 335d is only 425lb torque
and the HP is lower than a standard 335...so it only does a quarter mile in 14.xx seconds @ 100mph :)
0-60 under 6 sec though!
 
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