Help me pick a RWD sedan.

[slugg]

Manual or auto doesn't matter to me, but the auto must be "semi-automatic" style (triptronic, manumatic, whatever you want to call it). The car must look good in silver (some cars only look good in black), be reasonably quiet, sharp handling, and decent power.

So I really like the BMW 330i ZHP (AKA: Performance Package) sedan. Unfortunately, these are hard to find. I can't seem to find much in terms of comparable cars. Are there any, really?

Price range: strict limit at 10k. Would like to hit 7k if possible. Would mildly consider spending less and modding the car a bit. I'm currently doing some searching on the viability of modding a 328i.

What do you all say?

 

[Throckmorton]

A comparable car is a non ZHP... I drove a 330ci and it was plenty fast. 225hp (or whatever) doesn't sound like much but it feels great because BMWs have a flat torque curve.

 

[ballmode]

Infiniti G35 for more room and straight line speed (260-280hp)

Lexus GS300 for plushness

or the BMW

 

[Zor Prime]

If you can get around the semi-automatic might want to look at a 98-00 Lexus LS400. Should be able to find a really nice one around 8-10k. Might not be "fun" but they have a V8 and can do 26-28 MPG on the highway. Mod the exhaust and they can sound terrifying like that sound should not be coming from a 'sedan,' lol.

 

[T2urtle]

which GS300 gen. The 2nd gen are all super high miles and just not worth it to me personally, unless you were going to slap a low mileage motor + turbo in it.

G35 and E46 of any flavor is high on my list with your requirements. There isn't much more for RWD sedans in your range. Genesis is out. Charger/300c are boats with next to no handling. Maybe a CTS. No idea what the market for a G8 has turned into. I heard those are decent handling cars.

 

[Dr. Detroit]

Lexus IS300

High Mileage C32 AMG Kompressor

C43

 

[hans007]

i'd get the E46. i used to own a first gen G35. and its fast, but its like not even really a luxury car. the E46 is not going to be quite as fast if you get a 330 or 325, but its smooth. its refined and that probably is worthwhile.

im not sure how cheap they are now, i know a friend traded in her 05 325i last year for a 2012 e92 and she got like 12-13k for it with maybe 75k miles on it. i'd say if you want somethign in the 7-10k range you are going to have to get say a 2002 328i or something like that if you dont watn something with like 150k miles on it

 

[master7045]

Genesis R Spec (2 or 4 door)

 

[rommelrommel]

Please direct me to the 10k genesis sedan...

 

[GoodRevrnd]

I started looking for 2003-2004 330i's in manual... that's a really tall order to fill. They're out there, but most are in questionable condition and I swear 90% of them are silver and I don't care for silver. I'd really prefer a 2003 540i in manual, but I'm fairly convinced those don't exist at all. My budget allows for a fair bit more wiggle room, but I have the same basic requirements as you, and I can barely find shit out there I like. =/

 

[Demo24]

You might can get a g8 for that, if not its gonna be close.

 

[nerp]

Not going to recommend the Charger because they're not worth looking into before the 2012 models and it would be above your price range.

 

[Jimzz]

CTS have come down now they have some years on them.

 

[Throckmorton]

I started looking for 2003-2004 330i's in manual... that's a really tall order to fill. They're out there, but most are in questionable condition and I swear 90% of them are silver and I don't care for silver. I'd really prefer a 2003 540i in manual, but I'm fairly convinced those don't exist at all. My budget allows for a fair bit more wiggle room, but I have the same basic requirements as you, and I can barely find shit out there I like. =/

A couple weeks ago there were two 540i manuals in Houston for sale but they were silver

 

[master7045]

Please direct me to the 10k genesis sedan...

Ah that's my bad for speed reading... Move along now, nothing to see here

 

[GoodRevrnd]

A couple weeks ago there were two 540i manuals in Houston for sale but they were silver

I honestly would just settle on silver if the car was great otherwise, though Houston would be a bit outside my operating range. I think I'm mostly stuck with Las Vegas and LA, with San Diego and Phoenix as possibilities.

 

[Slacker]

http://www.amarisupercars.com/detail?vid=39940

 

[railer]

You might can get a g8 for that, if not its gonna be close.

Maybe a v6 G8 with 350k. Otherwise they are nowhere near $10k, even the v6ers. An 04 or 05 CTS could be had for $10k...and is still a pretty cool car.

 

[phucheneh]

Budget too low. IMO. If all your 10k options are luxury cars, you can't 'afford' them. Unless you're one of those guys with lots of money who makes frugal car purchases but doesn't mind paying for upkeep.

With sedan as a requirement, G35 is the cheapest I can think of. I think you may have a few more options in a two-door. Z's, Mustangs, maybe a GTO? Dunno how those held their value (or held up in general).

 

[foghorn67]

For 10k, that's pretty rough. If the G35 search doesn't come up with anything, maybe the 1st gen CTS.
I 2nd everyone's thought. You're looking at high mileage cars.

 

[NutBucket]

I saw a smoking lease deal advertised for a Cadillac ATS turbo.

 

[Zargon]

10K is going to ve VERY high mileage for what you are looking for

at 15K you can probably find a G8, a E43 M3, the Merc Marauder, Decent G35's, IS350's

 

[BUTCH1]

10K is going to ve VERY high mileage for what you are looking for

at 15K you can probably find a G8, a E43 M3, the Merc Marauder, Decent G35's, IS350's

Exactly, budget way too low, OP, consider another type of vehicle before you wind up with a high-mileage, abused shitbox..

 

[slugg]

Exactly, budget way too low, OP, consider another type of vehicle before you wind up with a high-mileage, abused shitbox..

Noted.

Switching jobs soon. I'll just wait for that.

 

[railer]

Someone might want to slap me for this, but a buddy of mine picked up a 2003ish Saab 9-3, and that's kind of a cool, different car. It was cheap, (< 5k), and with the IIRC 210 hp turbo 4 banger it move along pretty well.