Hello everyone! I'm usually only involved in the 3G TL section, but even then I have been absent from azine for a good amount of time now. The 6MT trans on my type-s has given me one too many problems, and i'm most likely taking Honda to arbitration with an attorney for the Lemon Law.

I'm looking for a new/used car to replace my beloved type-s, but i'm having some trouble finding/deciding on a car that fits the bill.

The car HAS to come in a manual transmission (and a good one too, no Hyundais please ) and it ideally should get better than 26mpg highway. Any ideas for something reliable, semi-grown up and fun to drive that fits the bill? I don't really care if it's a sedan, hatch or coupe. As long as I can walk out of it in a suit and not look ridiculous haha.

My current choices are:

1. Used E90/E92 335i
2. Used Porsche Cayman/Boxster
3. New BRZ/FRS
4. S2000
Other suggestions are very welcome! I don't want a Mini, mazda3 or GTI, though. The styling of those cars simply don't suit my fancy. I'm trying to stray away from the G and 370z as well because I just don't like the reputation that car puts off haha

Can someone with experience owning one of the euros listed above chime in on maintenance and reliability? I've only ever owned Lexus and Acuras, and from my experience both my sc300 and my TL have been very good to me. I understand that parts are more expensive, but I have a friend who is a tech at Benz that can help me save tons on labor.

Also, I hear maintenance on any Porsche is expensive as heck due to the tight engine bay. Can anybody give me a ballpark number on oil changes and whatever costs of owning I should expect?

Do Euro cars have as many electrical problems as the stereotype suggests? I don't want to deal with fixing the car all the time. I just want a reliable daily driver that's fun to drive and gets decent mileage

Thanks for all of the help in advance!

 

You don't like the Nissan/Infiniti reputation, but don't mind the BMW one?

Used Cayman. Live a little.

 

NEW BRZ/FRS
Sounds like you want minimal problems+Warranty.

 

porsche

 

Mustang 3.7 V6

 

Out of those choices, 335 (assuming it'll be a DD). Apparently they're wicked fast with a tune.

 

I'm also leaning towards a 335, but now I want a diesel model haha. Probably not going to happen though, the 335d rarely goes up for sale in the used car market :/

I've spoken to a few BMW owners since yesterday, and they all vouch for the reliability and longevity of their cars. I've always been told to stay away from German cars due to the high frequency of electrical problems, but can anybody attest to that? The official BMW thread's first two pages are useless lol.

Yeah kind of weird lol, I guess I have some personal issues with a few G37 drivers

I would LOVE to get a used Porsche! But I'm hesitant to get one because my friends tell me the maintenance is expensive and i'm not sure if my Benz tech is up for the job

Can anybody give me some insight on the cost to maintain a Porsche?

BRZ/FR-S is the obvious choice, but man, i'm going to be missing that power in my daily driving

Thanks for all the replies guys, all advice/opinions is appreciated!

Oh and I would love the new Mustang, but my girlfriend says no haha. And the 335i is fast enough without the tune already!

 

FRS+Turbo= DONE

 

From personal experience, I probably wouldn't buy a BMW/Audi/Mercedes/VW that wasn't a CPO. I had way too many problems with my 330xi, ended up having to sell the car for parts.

Granted, I think you're better off buying a new car than anything used, you get a warranty and the depreciation is going to suck regardless. I bought new because of the 0% financing available, whereas with a used car I would have paid 3.9-7%

 

Haha I am definitely not going to FI any of my cars if it's not FI from the factory! If I do end up getting the FR-S, it would be incredibly tempting to no doubt

You bring up a good point, but I also wonder if a dealership even does much about certified pre-owned vehicles. The way I see it, they're going to try to rip you off and sell you a car unless it's deathly dangerous lol. Then again, it would be nice if the dealer offered a warranty with the CPOs.

Also, if you don't mind me asking, what car did you end up buying?

Now I'm doubting going used Euro lol. Back to the drawing board! Thanks for the insight though, I definitely don't want to rush this decision.

I'm also reconsidering the Gen Coupe! A friend of a friend of mine got a brand new gen coupe in 2008 and had the crap transmission from the factory. Took it to the dealership and they fixed it without hassle. He says there hasn't been a problem since, so maybe....

 

Who's car is it?

 

^

 

What woman doesn't like a mustang ? You see more women driving them than men

 

haha no comment!

 

Well, it's been over 9 months and I finally got a new car, which happens to be a car that wasn't even in one of my original list of choices

You're all going to make fun of me, but I don't care because I can't help but grin every time I drive the damn thing.

And I did do a bit of the TL diet, but I think I even beat inaccurate in weight now :P You all still have about double my power though haha

Farewell, Azine, farewell Mr. TL, you've all been good to me.

If you see a silver 2008 Miata waving at you in socal, just know that he was and always will be one of you

 

No one is going to make fun of you for driving a Miata. Miatas are fun to drive and a great enthusiast's car. I prefer the S2000, especially above 6k rpm, but the Miata is nice.

Now post pics.

 

Good solid choice, no jokes and no laughs. G/L and don't be a stranger.

 

No need to leave. 90% of Car Talk participants no longer own Acura's

Enjoy and post pics!!

 

Spotted

 

^hahahahaha wow, but the sad truth is I'm too ashamed to take pics of the car in its current state as my wheels somewhat match the exterior of that NA miata. I bought the car from a Nissan dealership and the previous owner slapped on some 17" chrome wheels on it... at least that's easy to change haha

And thanks for all of the kind words! The NC miata is truly a blast to drive; the reviews are not kidding when they say you can drive the car at 9/10ths on a backcountry road and not put anybody in any serious danger. Not a "fast" car by any means, but it never fails to put a grin on my face in a corner

 

ROFLMAO! Awesome.

 

The BRZ's are real nice.

 

Alright, well here she is! I just plastidipped the windshield surrounding and mirrors today lol



Anyone would admit it doesn't look half as good as my TL type-S, but it just makes me smile when i'm carving through the corners