Caliwild

Hey guys,

Not sure if this is the right subsection to post in, but here goes...

Just sold my 2010 6 speed TSX. Sad to see her go... But getting a car allowance at work so I can lease a new car. I have $600 to work with. We have 2 kids (still young) so I think I can still get away with a sedan and not have to get a hunkin' ol' SUV. I'm shying away from the new TLX because of the lack of manual transmission. I drove the Audi S4 and WOW, it was a beast. And leases appear to be around the $600 range. I also drove the new 435i Grand Coupe (4 doors and hatchback), which was fun but again, no manual tranny. Any other ideas? Should I just admit my sporting ways are over and lease an MDX?

dave_88

so basically you want: 4 doors (practical), sporty and a manual.

how much is the m3?

Nedmundo

The regular BMW 3 Series is still available with a manual, but if you want AWD the manual is only available with the 335i, not the 320i or 328i. The Cadillac ATS 2.0T with RWD is also available with a stick, but its small trunk makes it ill-suited to family duty IMO.

So, despite its issues, IMO the 3 Series is the best bet. With $600/month, you should be able to get one very nicely equipped too. Just make sure you get Sport or M Sport line and/or the DHP, for the best handling. The base suspension is really soft, and remember that with AWD cars, Sport and M Sport lines don't come with a lowered sport suspension as they do with RWD, making DHP an absolute must on the AWD cars. Sport and M Sport lines come with sport seats too, which are excellent. (On the 320i, it's a Sport Package rather than a "line," and that package is about the only true bargain in the entire BMW universe, but with $600/month you can step up to a 328i or 335i.)

Or, if you don't care about fuel economy, you could go for the Chevy SS, which is now available with a stick. That thing would be a blast.

CGTSX2004

iTrader: (1)

In your shoes, the S4 gets my vote. I drove one last year and despite being one of the oldest platforms in the class, it is still a fantastic drive and extremely enjoyable.

You can read my thoughts here: East-West Brothers Garage: Test Drive: 2014 Audi S4 Premium Plus 6MT

You might want to see if you can find a CTS-V wagon that has not yet been titled as I bet that would fall right in your range and be an awesome mix of family hauler and performance car.

It too just let my 6MT TSX go and it is definitely hard to find a proper replacement.

katanamast279

You can always look at a Golf GTI. They are quite affordable and fun to drive. Plus you can still get them with a Manual. If you want something more prestige then definitely something like a 335i or a M3 with a manual.

Caliwild

Thanks! M3s are lovely but more in the range of $800 to $900 per month!


I'm leaning towards the S4, as the 3 series are like Civics out here in Los Angeles (you see them everywhere). Also, it's very hard to find one with manual tranny.


I actually drove the Audi SQ5 SUV but was very underwhelmed. I thought it might drive a lot better than the MDX AWD, but it doesn't. I really wish the AWD TLX came with a manual...

Thanks for the responses so far...

Caliwild

Great review... that pretty much confirms my test drive. Fuel economy is not an issue, as I am also getting a company gas card!

rawger

Car allowance at work, $600 to work with. Gas card. Can you get me a job, please.

Caliwild

Sure, come on down to California, pass the bar exam and we'll talk!

ceb

It depends on the work that your firm does. Anything at all in the automotive field? If so, then support them even if it isn't your perfect car.

If that isn't a concern, then my vote goes to the S4 (S3?). My experience with BMW and BMW dealers is such that I will never own a BMW in the US. A great car when it runs but arrogant dealers when it doesn't. Is the C class available in a stick? The new version really is an S from a few years ago that shrunk.

joflewbyu2

Or work at a dealership as a sales professional making $100k / yr and get a car allowance too. Acura, Lexus, Porsche and many many others offer allowances.

VR1

Car dealer sales professionals make 100k/yr!? Damn..

kurtatx

It's often a complete crap job.

129 Cars | This American Life

urbanstereo

2011 tsx

joflewbyu2

It is what you make of it. Be professional and have a good work ethic, money will be easy to make. I Know two dealerships where sales pros are making $300k / year plus. Usually each dealership will have $100k / yr person. Be lazy with no work ethic, $30 - 35k / yr is what you will wind up with.

panamera125

Yeah go with the S4. BMW stick shifts suck, and a 335 isn't really as nice to drive as an S4 anyway

Nedmundo

Why do you say that about BMW manuals? I've driven a current gen 328i Sport Line with 6MT, and thought the transmission was excellent. The lifeless steering, on the other hand, was awful and is IMO the biggest weakness of the F30 3 Series, though apparently it's been improved since the 2012 model I drove.

No doubt the S4 is fantastic. A car fanatic neighbor of mine loves his, and has kept it longer than any car since I've known him. I have an instinctive aversion to VAG cars due to reliability concerns, but supposedly Audi and VW have improved recently. I know BMW has those issues too, though the four cylinder 3 Series models are reportedly pretty solid.

panamera125

Okay, poor wording on my part. They don't suck, it's just you either really like BMW manuals, or you don't. My dad's 328i has really, really long throws... Like driving a truck. The rest of the car is fantastic, but it's just that manual. That's just my opinion, as we all know there are plenty of people out there who love everything about BMWs, and good for them.

TxCv12

Out of curiosity, how much did you sell your tsx for? Was it private or through the dealer? I may be thinking of selling mine with a 6 speed.

Caliwild

OK, just pulled the trigger on a 2015 S4 with manual tranny and all the fixins! I'll let you guys how it feels once I get behind the wheel! Sold the TSX for $16K with almost 70K miles. Not bad I guess...

VR1

Congrats!! New S4 is awesome!

CGTSX2004

iTrader: (1)

Congrats! It is a fantastic car and you should have a great time with it.

Caliwild

Man, oh man, is this S4 nice... Luckily, we got some rain in L.A. today so I got to see what Quattro can do. Perfectly balanced. Haven't really had a chance to really punch the gas since I'm in the break-in period (waiting at least 500 miles). The tech features are amazing. Google Earth view on the nav is very pretty. The in-car wi-fi is very cool. The Bang & Olufson 14 speaker, 550 watt system blows away the ESL system I had in the TSX. I hate to say it, but this is much nicer than my TSX. The leather alone is worth the price of admission. Very thick and supple. And the manual tranny is much better than I expected. Clean throws and no missed shifts. I'll have to post pics soon... Oh, and they gave me a $1000 incentive credit for coming over from Acura. If you're in So Cal, talk to Audi Valencia. They are the most efficient and honest dealership I have ever dealt with, and that's saying a lot.

kball

Speaking of Porsche, maybe the new Macan turbo?


Oops. Late to the party.
I leased an A4 about 8 years ago...and it too was the best buying experience i ever had with any dealer
including acura and lexus

Caliwild

Yeah, for some reason, every time I go to a BMW dealer, I feel like they treat you like a nobody. They are very condescending and elitist. I give them a try every time I need a new car and get the same treatment every time... Audi was the exact opposite.

katanamast279

I agree. Everytime I went into Jaguar or Mercedes everybody acted like they had sticks up their butts and nobody wanted to help me except for one person. I usually think to myself you never know I could have came in to buy a car cash and you just missed out. Lol