Let me start by saying that I have been an Acura/Honda fan for years. I had a 01 CL-S and an 02 TL-S which I both loved. I haven't had a car in over 2 years buying vans and suvs instead. My last car was the TL-S. I own a business and the vans and suvs are delivery vehicles for that business. Plus we have 3 kids so sedans are not really that practicle. My wife and I have decided that I have "suffered" long enough without a car and we decided that I could take 20k and buy a car. This will not be my daily driver more of a "fun" car. My question now is, what to get? I want it to be sporty and be able to mod it a bit to keep my interest in it. I also prefer 4 doors. So help me out guys, what should I get?

 

STI
E36 M3
Mazdaspeed3
Evo
GTI
SRT4

 

It sounds like from your previous cars that you want something a little sporty, while retaining the use of four doors.

2005/2006 Acura TL <-My choice
2006 IS250/350
2006 Nissan Altima
2005-2006 Nissan Maxima
2006 Infiniti G35
2005 BMW 330i
2005 Audi A4
2002 Audi A6

 

I would think that the majority of those cars would not be able to handle three kids, but then again, he said he did not need it for the space. Does the E36 M3 come with four doors?

 

Well he said he wanted a fun car and it wouldnt be his DD. So i figured the backseat wouldnt be used all that often.

But yes, 97-98 E36 M3 came in 4 doors.

 

I knew that at one point the M3s had four doors, didn't think it was that late.

 

i know its not a car but a trailblazer SS? 395hp and still hold 3 kids lol...
06+ Jetta GLI
Altima SE-R
IS300
IS 250/350 20K though???
STI
idk....theres alot of choices.

 

G35 sedan or TL

 

 

Thanks guys, keep the responses coming.

 

3g tl 6mt

 

Not four doors but definately a fun car.

http://www.mbworld.org/forums/merced...les-minty.html

Maybe $19,000 at best

 

IS300. cheap and has a huuuuge aftermarket.

please get the 5mt

 

He said four doors and able to mod it a bit.

I'm not sure what "mod it a bit" entails though ...

With three kids and as a daily driver, I'd get something towards the "very reliable and slightly less exciting" end of the continuum.

Which means nothing German, LOL

I just looked at cars in the $15-20k range and let me tell you, there's not much there that isn't either a moneypit or a rolling bucket of wallpaper paste.

That said, you could find a good Subaru Legacy (maybe a SpecB) and infinitely mod that with STi bits until your wallet cries uncle. AWD for the winters and by getting a Legacy you're removing the chance some kid abused it like a WRX.

 

So badly do I want to say an S2000, but you said you want 4 doors.

Older Evo or STI? Maybe even a normal WRX? You can still mod them, and they are decently sporty, plus they are reliable.

Of if you have the time, get an older Integra 4 door and swap in an H22 or a K20. It takes more time, but you can do it for under $20k.

 

99 maxima... vq35/6mt swap, run 13's save 10-12k and call it a day lol... fwd ftl, but daily driver/family hauler capability if needed ftw

 

2005 Acura RL
or if you can strech it to $25K go with a 2006 M35X or 2006 RL

Why are so many people interested in how fast the cars go, The guy has 3 kids I dont think he is looking to run th 1.4 mile in 13 seconds!!
But then Again if you look at the kids posting for him to buy a rocket they are all under 24 y/o so I guess thats why there all about fast cars..
You can't even drive fast anymore anyways because all the camera's and cops out there, and get hit with a few speeding tickets and see what happens to your insurance, well at least here in the northeast!

 

2001-2003 M5 can be had for under 20k depending on mileage. Can perform as well as many sports cars but is still practical if you want to take the kids. The only thing is to mod one is not cheap, so you may not be able to do as much to it as some other cars.

 

Dude just do yourself a faver and find a certified RL, Park ave acura just sold a 2005 with 40K miles for $20,995, well they had it listed for that im sure it was had for under $20K. You get a safe car, Honda relibility, you can get a acura 100K warrenty for about $1000. Its AWD, fully loaded, and Safe with the room for 3 kids in the back..
It does not even have to be certified , as long as its under 50K miles and still under warrenty , u can buy a ACURA warrenty for $1000 that covers it for anouther 50K miles..
Best car you can buy for $20K!

 

He said he wants a fun car, that won't be his daily driver which he can mod. Why would he get an RL which is hardly the most fun car to drive and has about zero mod potential?

I think a lot of people didn't fully read the first post.

 

x2

He wants:

4 doors
Sporty
Mod-able
Doesnt need to haul kids

 

A fun car with four doors and easy to mod would lead me to something RWD/AWD and turbocharged:

Evo IX
Impreza STi

Umm, thats about all I can think of. I would defintely recommend against going with an older out-of-warranty BMW...

 

07-08 TL Type S - 6 speed and navi - drop it a inch & 1/2 and put some rims on it - done!! You'll have fun every time you drive it

 

TL and the TSX are at the top of my list. Like I said, I do love Acura. Just wanted to see if anyone had any other suggestions. I'm a 34 year old pharmacist so the 1/4 mile time of a car is not as important as how it handles. S2000 is also a consideration but not enough room. Also like the S4, G35, and S60R.

 

If I could get one for around 20k i'd be all over it!

 

yeah look for some 3G TL-S in your price range. it'll be perfect.

 

Did you ever drive a 05-07 RL hard?
It handles better then my Cl-S with suspention did and better then my girls 06 TL A-spec and my 2010 TSX.. The SH-AWD Pivits the car around turns and its a J series engine, What you can do to the TL , U can do to the RL. Its no dog either.. Its speen is on par with a 3g TL and handles better!

 

I have to agree with you. I drove an 06 a couple of months ago hard and it was a fun car. Very underrated. I think with the A-Spec suspension and performance tires it would be even better.

 

Used TL

 

6 speed 06-07 accord v6 is another good choice

 

Forgot about that!

Good choice too. The can be had for less then the TL-S too.

Somewhat rare though, but they are out there.

 

Mazdaspeed 6

 

id get some hot hatch. Just in case you need to haul the kids and some otherr stuff.
You always have the space and when its just you, well its still a sporty car. Something like the Mazda3(speed3 if you want a manual)

 

Why would you get a 2005-06 TL when you can get a RL for about the same price if not a couple grande more, and you know the RL was not abused because 80% of RL owners where older people that did not hot rod there cars.. Look at how much 2005 RL's are going for and then look at 2005 TL's with the same miles are going for.. You will see that there is not much difference and new the RL was 15K more, and like I said most RL owners where older gentlemen that took the car in for maintence and did not hot rod it.. And you get SH-AWD... For 20K the best bet is a 2005 RL , safe, loaded, room for the kids in the back..And the thing handles better then the TL!

 

Who says u can't mod a RL...



I was just looking for used RL's under 21K and ALOT of 05's and even a few 06's came up that where still under factory warrenty (that means u can buy a acuracare extended warrenty for about $1000 is u shop dealers)
Best bet

 

that would be hard to find for 19k

 

http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail...5&aff=national

Here is a 2006 RL with 36K miles thats 15 miles from my house for $18,995.. Still has 16K remaining on factory warrenty, you will not find a BETTER car for that money!

Edit : it is actully $21,995 , slimey dealer says that $18,995 says that thats the price after $3K down but im sure u can find other 06's in your price range!

 

Wow, the Infinityyyyyyy salesman is really pushing hard for the RL.



Maybe I should be pushing for the M35X

 

Well for a preowned car for 20K why would someone buy a TL when a RL of the same year and miles can be had for the same price.. The M35X is a GREAT choice also but it came out in 06 so the car would prob be in the $25K range with lower miles, and the acuracare warrenty is ALOT cheaper then the Infiniti warrenty , I belive to extend the M35X warrenty to 7 years or 100K is aroung 3K where the acura one is about 1K..
I am not biased toward any car , and just because I sell infiniti, I will admit that there are better made cars out there, NOT MANY but there are!!

 

Maybe he doesnt want an automatic?