DD shopping for Mrs. Byers...

JohnByers · **Posted:** Mon May 24, 2010 9:13 am

First off, I will admit that I perhaps over analyze/research car purchases. With that said, the wife's lease is up a year from now. I am already looking for a replacement to her 07' Vert Beetle.

Never leasing again, since I am a capable mechanic we will go used and I will handle virtually all maintenance/repair it will need.

Requirements:

-4 doors (boys are bigger now so a 2 door is out
-Manual Tranny
-Leather seats (she is spoiled now and won't go back :shock:

)
-Under 80k miles
-MPG's in the mid to upper 20's.

Wants:

- heated seats
-Sporty look
- color other than white/tan/champagne

Cars that she has mentioned interest in:

1) 2000-2005 E46 BMW (325i, 328i, or 330i as long as its a sport model)
2) 2000-2005 Subaru Legacy GT Limited
3) 2000-2006 Mazda MazdaSpeed6
4) 2002-2006 Toyota Camry
5) 2002-2006 Nissan Altima SE-R
6) 2002-2006 Audi A4
7) 2004-2006 Infiniti G35

Budget: ~14k

Note: My wife's uncle owns 11 car dealerships in the central PA region and routinely goes south to the auto auctions to buy and ship north. He has graciously offered to find what we want and sell me for what he buys it for.

Feel free to shed some opinions, rip the car list to shreds and tell me why or why not.

What says THSCC?

Matt McGrain · **Posted:** Mon May 24, 2010 9:22 am

Have you considered a Lexus IS300 with a manual tranny? I bought a 2003 for my wife four years ago and it's been really awesome. The maintenance is pretty reasonable and the ride is a great mix between luxury and sportiness.

I guess the only downside (depending on perspective) is that the car is not really a big car and the interior is sporty instead of what you'd expect from a 'luxury car'. However, at 3200 lbs. it's not a super heavy car and would be a fun car to race in TIR class or even DS. The drive by wire system is the car's biggest downside but you learn to deal with the delay in throttle response. Plus, the car (engine/exhaust) is a little to quiet IMO.

I'm sure that these could be found for around $15k with low mileage and a few of them even have the factory LSD option.

Marty Howard · **Posted:** Mon May 24, 2010 9:26 am

Believe it or not, we were looking at the same cars just a couple of years ago so here is our thoughts on each listed. keep in mind we had to think of it as a family car as well as something fun.

1) 2000-2005 E46 BMW (325i, 328i, or 330i as long as its a sport model)

328i is a great car. It tends to be pricier than the pothers listed but its still good. Our problem was the limited back seat width.

2) 2000-2005 Subaru Legacy GT Limited

The limited is a great car. Drives very well. The issue we had was with a baby seat/booster seat there was no leg room for the child. Not sure why rear knee space is so limited.

3) 2000-2006 Mazda MazdaSpeed6

On paper this car looks good, but for some reason it just doesn't translate. It doesn't have the same feel as other Mazdas.

4) 2002-2006 Toyota Camry

Incredibly boring. It's not just the magazines saying this. When compared to the others in this list it's just not in the same league. Plus, can you still get a manual?

5) 2002-2006 Nissan Altima SE-R

Suprisingly good car. Even being FWD vs the others RWD it is a blast to drive and very utilitarian. Big plus for us is it fit all three kids in the back, large trunk, and the 6 speed with the hyped up VQ and upgraded suspension pieces makes it a blast.

6) 2002-2006 Audi A4

Good car, excellent quality materials. But with the experiences that Karl and two different neighbors have had I reservations. One of my poor neighbors had her car completely gutted by the dealership while they tried to find an electrical issue.

7) 2004-2006 Infiniti G35

Another good choice, along with the BMW 3 series. We had the same issue though with the size of the rear seats and incapatibility with child seats.

We also checked out the Volvo S60R

We ended up with the Altima SE-R

Chris Halweg · **Posted:** Mon May 24, 2010 9:36 am

Haha, I see you added the G35 to your list now.

JohnByers · **Posted:** Mon May 24, 2010 9:45 am

The SE-R seems like a great combination of family and sports car. Any major maintenance issues with them?

JohnByers · **Posted:** Mon May 24, 2010 9:46 am

Chris Halweg wrote:

Haha, I see you added the G35 to your list now.

absolutely, it was a great suggestion! I dunno why but that car just didn't "pop" out at me as a possiblility before when I was sitting down. I mentioned it to my wife and she was like, we can afford one with our budget? :lol:

Marty Howard · **Posted:** Mon May 24, 2010 9:51 am

JohnByers wrote:

The SE-R seems like a great combination of family and sports car. Any major maintenance issues with them?

Sitting an 60K miles and no issues to date other than being hit by an extermiator truck. Even then it won vs the truck.

Timing belt change coming soon though. We will see how much that runs.

If you make it to the RTP area you can take it for a spin.

PedroCuevas · **Posted:** Mon May 24, 2010 10:28 am

JohnByers wrote:

Requirements:
-4 doors (boys are bigger now so a 2 door is out
-Manual Tranny
-Leather seats (she is spoiled now and won't go back :shock:

)
-Under 80k miles
-MPG's in the mid to upper 20's.

Wants:
- heated seats
-Sporty look
- color other than white/tan/champagne

Cars that she has mentioned interest in:
1) 2000-2005 E46 BMW (325i, 328i, or 330i as long as its a sport model)
2) 2000-2005 Subaru Legacy GT Limited
3) 2000-2006 Mazda MazdaSpeed6
4) 2002-2006 Toyota Camry
5) 2002-2006 Nissan Altima SE-R
6) 2002-2006 Audi A4
7) 2004-2006 Infiniti G35

Budget: ~14k

Of that list, I would remove 1 and 6 just because they are/look/feel too small, 3 because of MPG's and reliability issues, and 4 because it's just too boring. Then add Acura TSX & TL (up to 2008 they used to look really good), VW Passat and probably a Cady to the list.

MarcusMcRae · **Posted:** Mon May 24, 2010 10:30 am

If you can find a Legacy Gt wagon they are awesome cars.

Avoid Volvos like the plague!

MikeWhitney · **Joined:** Wed Aug 20, 2003 9:15 pm **Posts:** 4724

My take ...

1. Cross the Camry and Mazda off the list for reasons stated

2. How much is "fun to drive" a factor? I'd drive the 330i, G35, and IS300 to compare. Only get the BMW if you are ready to work on it more than the others. You have a few already and know all the info and parts sources I'm sure. IS300 or G35 would be interesting as a change from your BMW centric stable. But if you're never driving the car and don't care, I think my next point is relevant:

3. If your goal is not to be bothered with issues I think the SE-R would be a good choice.

4. Never buy an Audi or Passat. If you like to work on cars you will hate yourself for buying one.

5. Only buy the Subaru if you're enamoured by the unique drivetrain.

Edit: Agree that the TSX should be added to #3 along with the Altima SE-R. I hear nothing but good things about those cars.

Aaron Buckley · **Posted:** Mon May 24, 2010 10:50 am

Be careful with the older G35's with a manual transmission. I have a good friend who is an enthusiast (bought Dan Ecclestone's 2002 WRX and still has hit), has a G35 6spd manual (2006 believe) and has had horrilble oil consumption issues. He just had the engine replaced (under warranty) by Infiniti and the problem has gone away. He isn't alone either. The G35 coupe doesn't seem to have this problem, which is odd, for the sedan and coupe have the exact same drivetrain.

I wouldn't cross it off your list, but I would ask a lot of questions / want the car's history. - AB

JohnByers · **Posted:** Mon May 24, 2010 11:26 am

great food for thought, keep them coming.

This thread has me really interested in:

1. G35
2. Altima SE-R
3. TSX

JamesShort · **Posted:** Mon May 24, 2010 11:30 am

Your year range for the LGT crosses two generations and two aspirations. The 2000-2002 Legacy in the US did not come with a GT turbo charged edition. The 4th gen started in 2003 but didn't have a turbo 2.5GT until 2005. Anyway, the LGT from 2000-2004 was N/A 2.5L and 2005+ is turbo 2.5L.

I personally like the first gen TSX over the new ones. I think the first gen look better and they have the more aggressive K24 engine which have the real performance vtec like the RSX-S/Civic SI K20. The new K24 in the new generation TSX, is the same K24z3 that is in my wifes Accord (191 hp). The VTEC system on these engines is purely for economy and not performance and only works on the intake cam (ie one of the intake valves opens half way to create swirl etc and it only operates on the intake cam. At higher rpms you are running on the same cam profile but with both valves opening fully.

On the K24 from the first gen TSX, vtec works on both cams and there is a fuel economoy/lolly gag cam profile and an aggressive high lift, high duration profile for the higher revs.

The nice thing about the new K24z engines, however, is the vertical oil filters so you don't drip oil down the side of the block

.

JohnByers · **Posted:** Mon May 24, 2010 11:33 am

yeah the year range was more of a price range and the fact that she liked both body styles. She wouldn't be swayed one way or the other if it was turbo or n/a. This is gonna be what she likes driving rather me since she will be driving it 97% of the time.

BriceJohnson · **Joined:** Thu Apr 13, 2006 7:33 am **Posts:** 2230

TSX's are really nice, and I agree with James, the older ones are better. The newer ones are HUGE (almost the same size as a TL). This can be a good thing or a bad thing, depending on what you are looking for. I've test driven an '06 TSX w/ a manual and its quite fun. Its not gonna win a drag race or anything, but its a nice car, and handles very well while not beating you up.

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