Arg... help me pick a sporty car for commuting..

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SpatiallyAware

SpatiallyAware

Lifer
Sep 7, 2009
12,960
3
0
Alright, I need some help choosing a car.

A bit of background - I've owned a few high performance/sports vehicles (sportsports, porsches, etc) but my 'main' car has always been a POS... Really old high mileage 'work' vehicles more than pleasure

For the past 2 years (and at least the next 2) I'm commuting ~80 miles a day, 40 of which is heavy traffic.

I like *nice* things. I work a lot - generally 60+ hours a week, and I feel like getting into a nice vehicle at the end of the day (of which I spend > 10% of my day in) would really be worth it.

At this point I don't ride nearly as much as I used to. Eventually I'll be buying a Z4 M coupe or similar sports car, so this would be a compliment to that. With that in mind, I actually believe I'm going to go auto with this. I've always always driven a manual transmission but the traffic is taking its toll.. I have a pickup which I'm keeping so space and occasionally hauling stuff is a non-issue.


Thoughts? Right now I'm leaning towards a ~$16k automatic G35 coupe, 05+. From what I've read they have good automatics that people seem to like. I'm also considering a CTS but I like the way the G35 looks..

I'm not set on any hard price, but I'd like to keep it under 20k-25kish.
 
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TehMac

TehMac

Diamond Member
Aug 18, 2006
9,976
3
71
What about a 2006-7 BMW 5 series? Or a 2003+ for that matter. I was going to suggest a Hyundai but idk how "nice" they are.

Btw, 5 series are pretty sporty. What about a Mazda Rx8?
 
SpatiallyAware

SpatiallyAware

Lifer
Sep 7, 2009
12,960
3
0
TehMac said:
What about a 2006-7 BMW 5 series? Or a 2003+ for that matter. I was going to suggest a Hyundai but idk how "nice" they are.

Btw, 5 series are pretty sporty. What about a Mazda Rx8?
Click to expand...

If I was going to do a 5 series I'd probably get an e39 540 sport..

RX8 doesn't seem like it would be a good matchup to an auto..
 
PricklyPete

PricklyPete

Lifer
Sep 17, 2002
14,582
162
106
370Z? It also has a fantastic automatic...and a very sporty ride. Not that practical, but a bit more than the 350Z.
 
SpatiallyAware

SpatiallyAware

Lifer
Sep 7, 2009
12,960
3
0
I just watched some videos of the 08+ CTS with DI + sport and it's really nice. Much better looking interior than the others, and reviewers claim the auto is a ton of fun..

I'm hesitant to do something like a GTI/370Z because I'm going to end up with a Z4 M car. I don't want two small cars - I need something for comfortable commuting/work related but is still fun blasting around on friday night dates or whatever...
 
TehMac

TehMac

Diamond Member
Aug 18, 2006
9,976
3
71
SpatiallyAware said:
I just watched some videos of the 08+ CTS with DI + sport and it's really nice. Much better looking interior than the others, and reviewers claim the auto is a ton of fun..

I'm hesitant to do something like a GTI/370Z because I'm going to end up with a Z4 M car. I don't want two small cars - I need something for comfortable commuting/work related but is still fun blasting around on friday night dates or whatever...
Click to expand...

The Z4 M is a 2 seat coupe (it's far better than the 370z)

The GTI is a four seater, pretty big car given its class and has a great gearbox that will keep you amused and put power to the ground. You said you have a truck for hauling shit around.
 
D

drnickriviera

Platinum Member
Jan 30, 2001
2,462
270
136
SpatiallyAware said:
If I was going to do a 5 series I'd probably get an e39 540 sport..

RX8 doesn't seem like it would be a good matchup to an auto..
Click to expand...

keep in mind that 540 is going to get ass for mileage in the heavy traffic. I'm averaging 21mpg in mine, but that is mostly back roads. Anytime I go into the city, it will be around 15mpg
 
N

nismotigerwvu

Golden Member
May 13, 2004
1,568
33
91
I'll give my usual plug for a legacy gt here, but the low~ish mpg might be a turn off. However, if you'd ever have to worry about any bad weather you'd have to fight through it instantly becomes a winner.
 
exdeath

exdeath

Lifer
Jan 29, 2004
13,679
10
81
For $25k either E46 M3 if you want a little bit of everything and a plush ride, or a 03 Cobra if you want to get into modding and terrorize anything on the street.

Didn't see auto only :(
 
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PhoKingGuy

PhoKingGuy

Diamond Member
Nov 15, 2007
4,685
0
76
VW GTI, I just got rid of mine (still kinda miss it) but I was able to get 31-33 mpg on the freeway with it. Great in the twisties when you wanted it to
 
Arkaign

Arkaign

Lifer
Oct 27, 2006
20,736
1,379
126
I think you should go back pretty much to your first instinct. The E39 5-series is awesome and I miss mine, but that gen is pretty long in the tooth, and it sounds like you could use something more recent. You're going to have a small, sporty, fun, somewhat impractical and pricey to maintain (relatively speaking compared to say a Miata or S2000) car in the M Coupe. So, why not get a sedan (you were considering 540 or CTS, so it sounds like 4 doors is okay with you, and it's great for going out with friends, easier to load stuff, etc) G35/G37.

The sedans aren't in as high demand as the coupes (which get a lot of increased looking at by the sports-car crowd), but they drive really really well, and you get a lot for the $. For your $20-$25k budget, you could get :

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.j...on=&max_price=24000&cardist=34&standard=false

Didn't check the legitimacy of that exact listing, but $25k should get you a really nice G35/G37 sedan.

7spd auto, 3.7L 330hp V6, comfy, pretty quick, nice styling.

AFAIK, there aren't a lot of problems with the Infiniti G's, and with 0-60 times in the low to mid 5s, it's more than up to the task of matching a 540i.

On the other hand. If you're buying cash, then I know for a fact you can get a really low-miles minty 540i for easily half that price.

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.j...ission=&max_price=&cardist=768&standard=false
 
BoberFett

BoberFett

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
37,562
9
81
Your company is going through layoffs and you're going to buy $45,000 worth of automobiles because you think IT jobs are safe? LOL!
 
Dr. Detroit

Dr. Detroit

Diamond Member
Sep 25, 2004
8,561
951
126
2006 Mustang GT - 5spd Automatic.

Under $20K to keep you in your budget. Interior is on par with the G35 coupes.


2008 Accord V6 coupe. Comfy, great interior, 270HP.

2007+ Mini Cooper S - turbocharged and sporty fun
 
SpatiallyAware

SpatiallyAware

Lifer
Sep 7, 2009
12,960
3
0
TehMac said:
where did he say this?
Click to expand...

He's being a troll.

I want an M coupe but am holding off because my company isn't doing that great.

Instead I'm considering buying something more practical, thus this thread.


At this point I'm only window shopping and looking at options.
 
PhoKingGuy

PhoKingGuy

Diamond Member
Nov 15, 2007
4,685
0
76
SpatiallyAware said:
He's being a troll.

I want an M coupe but am holding off because my company isn't doing that great.

Instead I'm considering buying something more practical, thus this thread.


At this point I'm only window shopping and looking at options.
Click to expand...

I dont understand why you care so much
 
xSkyDrAx

xSkyDrAx

Diamond Member
Sep 14, 2003
7,706
1
0
Arkaign said:
I think you should go back pretty much to your first instinct. The E39 5-series is awesome and I miss mine, but that gen is pretty long in the tooth, and it sounds like you could use something more recent. You're going to have a small, sporty, fun, somewhat impractical and pricey to maintain (relatively speaking compared to say a Miata or S2000) car in the M Coupe. So, why not get a sedan (you were considering 540 or CTS, so it sounds like 4 doors is okay with you, and it's great for going out with friends, easier to load stuff, etc) G35/G37.

The sedans aren't in as high demand as the coupes (which get a lot of increased looking at by the sports-car crowd), but they drive really really well, and you get a lot for the $. For your $20-$25k budget, you could get :

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.j...on=&max_price=24000&cardist=34&standard=false

Didn't check the legitimacy of that exact listing, but $25k should get you a really nice G35/G37 sedan.

7spd auto, 3.7L 330hp V6, comfy, pretty quick, nice styling.

AFAIK, there aren't a lot of problems with the Infiniti G's, and with 0-60 times in the low to mid 5s, it's more than up to the task of matching a 540i.

On the other hand. If you're buying cash, then I know for a fact you can get a really low-miles minty 540i for easily half that price.

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.j...ission=&max_price=&cardist=768&standard=false
Click to expand...

Wow that is a lot of miles on that G37 in a really short amount of time!
 
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