[aspiring335]

Really struggling with what to go for, but here are the basic requirements. Suggestions greatly appreciated.

Four seats, but the only rear passenger will be my three-year-old daughter, so it doesn't have to be super spacious in the back seat. Coupes are fine.

Quick, but doesn't have to be ridiculously fast. Must have a great exhaust note and be fun to drive.

Steering feel, agility and handling finesse are ultra-important.

Must NOT be an E9x. Funny to write this here, but I already have an E91, and an E92 would just feel too similar.

Used, without a horrific reliability record. Not too old, but anything up to five or six years old would be OK.

Ideally around $40k, but would go to $50k-ish for the right car.

Is it me or are there just not many cars at all that meet these requirements? All I've come up with so far is a used 911.

[marvenmassey]

Originally Posted by aspiring335

I've come up with so far is a used 911.

WOW, I wish that was my "second" car

[kol]

LOTUS

[pokerface]

wrx?

[aspiring335]

Originally Posted by pokerface

wrx?

Yea, that's not a bad idea. I have never actually driven a WRX STI, but I will definitely check it out.

[Want]

F30.

[tony20009]

Camaro or Mustang; Porsche Cayman, Maserati (?), any number of MB's, Audi A5 ...

For the money you want to spend, you have many options.

[Thussy]

Originally Posted by aspiring335

Yea, that's not a bad idea. I have never actually driven a WRX STI, but I will definitely check it out.

+ 1 - Definitely an "interesting" car. AWD, highly tuneable, although I don't think it's very comfortable, and interior finishes are lacking.

[vantage_coupe]

135i.

Great exhaust note, REALLY fun to drive, tunable, cheaper to maintain than a 911 Carrera etc. If you're willing to spend about 55kish you can get a 1M but I think a nice 135i would be a sweet second car.

[only1]

C63

[99three]

I'm partial to Porsche since I have the 993. I'm not sure the 997 4S is in the 40K range and the 996 hurts my eyes, but it would be a better daily than the air cooled versions. Hands down an amazing track car and it's got 4 seats. It isn't as expensive to maintain as you think. GL with your search.

[Evolution_GT]

Originally Posted by aspiring335

Yea, that's not a bad idea. I have never actually driven a WRX STI, but I will definitely check it out.

I've considered this as well, but I'm sure you will find the interior is a huge downgrade... I don't even think the new impreza's interior is much of an improvement...

What about a slightly used B8 S4? 2010's can be had for around 50k

[aspiring335]

Originally Posted by Evolution_GT

I've considered this as well, but I'm sure you will find the interior is a huge downgrade... I don't even think the new impreza's interior is much of an improvement...

What about a slightly used B8 S4? 2010's can be had for around 50k

Funny you mention that. I just spent some time driving a friend's new S5 convertible. I was expecting it to be boring, but if you play around with the Drive Select settings (i.e. put the exhaust / engine and sports diff in Dynamic), it's great to drive and makes an awesome sound. Tough to find an S4 for $50k taxes in though.

I don't know if I would mind the Impreza interior. It's not trying to be luxurious, so it just is what it is, and it's pretty hard-wearing from what I understand. What I hate are the interiors in Infinitis, which are trying for luxury but look and feel tacky and flimsy.

[aspiring335]

Originally Posted by 99three

I'm partial to Porsche since I have the 993. I'm not sure the 997 4S is in the 40K range and the 996 hurts my eyes, but it would be a better daily than the air cooled versions. Hands down an amazing track car and it's got 4 seats. It isn't as expensive to maintain as you think. GL with your search.

I would love a 993 (hands down one of my favourite cars), but I agree that a 996 would be easier to maintain. Since I have the wagon, perhaps I could live with just two seats, in which case the Cayman S is looking pretty tempting. Tons of them at good prices in the US.

[Evolution_GT]

Originally Posted by aspiring335

I would love a 993 (hands down one of my favourite cars), but I agree that a 996 would be easier to maintain. Since I have the wagon, perhaps I could live with just two seats, in which case the Cayman S is looking pretty tempting. Tons of them at good prices in the US.

If you could live with 2 seats you could easily grab a brand new 370z taxes in for just over 50k (easily get $3,500 off MSRP discount)

[Well Marbled]

CLK Cabriolet.

[ericlol]

if u have a 3 year old kid, u might want sedan instead of coupe, and more of like a family car

according to ur budget, and dont have to be ridiculously fast I would have got an alpine white C350 with panoramic glass sun roof

I thought of getting the C350, cause its looks nice and my gf likes it,
but in the end I got the 335xi sedan because I wanted a fast car instead...

nevertheless the C350 is an amazing car

[aspiring335]

I already have an E91 so don't need another family car. The c350 is way too boring...

Originally Posted by ericlol

if u have a 3 year old kid, u might want sedan instead of coupe, and more of like a family car

according to ur budget, and dont have to be ridiculously fast I would have got an alpine white C350 with panoramic glass sun roof

I thought of getting the C350, cause its looks nice and my gf likes it,
but in the end I got the 335xi sedan because I wanted a fast car instead...

nevertheless the C350 is an amazing car

[AP2]

Z4M or M-coupe?