Find me a practical car that doesn't suck

[BlueSkyJaunte]

No fighting in my thread. I have spoken.

Paid three dealers a visit today.

BMW: "We have over 325 vehicles in stock. Not one has a manual transmission, not even our M3s." OK, so I can't even test drive a stick shift BMW. Thanks for playing. NEXT!
M-B: "Well, we can order you one of the C-series cars in a manual transmission....but no, not the AMG. Sorry." Sigh.
Audi: "We'll offer you this laughable amount on your vehicle for trade-in. I know your vehicle is in excellent condition but from our perspective, it's really 'rough'. Those low-mileage TDIs are a dime a dozen and nobody wants 'em. Frankly, we're not at all interested in your business." OK they didn't say that precisely but it's a fair translation.

Moving along....

[porsche4life]

I'd think it would be fairly easy to get rid of that TDI.... My dad had no problem getting rid of his with about 30k on the clock.... You will have a hard time finding a modern car that isn't a bargain bin or full blown sports car that is a stick I would think...

[onewhippedpuppy]

Finding ANYTHING in a stick is going to be a challenge. Get ready for a road trip if you're serious. What's your price range? New or used?

Isn't it pretty hard to find a used TDi? Put that baby on Craigslist! You're going to get raped on trade regardless of the dealer.

[LeeH]

Originally Posted by BlueSkyJaunte

1) Fun to drive (daily)
2) Manual transmission (no DSG, "auto stick", or any of that BS)
3) seats 4 comfortably--especially since I have two child car seats to manage now
4) No BMWs, Government Motors, Mustangs, Panameras, or Chryslers (though I love the looks of the Dodge Challenger).
5) Decent gas mileage (25 highway)

Sounds like a Mazda3 hatchback to me.

[dd74]

Blue - just for kicks, scrounge around the internet and see if you can locate a new Pontiac GTO. Not terrible mpg, as large as an M5, as fast as an M5, has a six speed, and IMO, looks better than an M5.

Oh, and let the Government Motors part slide a bit; the GTO is made in Oz, FWIW.

[Heel n Toe]

Originally Posted by BlueSkyJaunte

BMW: "We have over 325 vehicles in stock. Not one has a manual transmission, not even our M3s."

That is quite possibly the weirdest statement I have heard in a long time.

What is this world coming to?

[dd74]

Whatever the world comes to, it soon won't involve a clutch.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by dd74

Blue - just for kicks, scrounge around the internet and see if you can locate a new Pontiac GTO. Not terrible mpg, as large as an M5, as fast as an M5, has a six speed, and IMO, looks better than an M5.

Oh, and let the Government Motors part slide a bit; the GTO is made in Oz, FWIW.

You mean a G8 GXP, right? 420 HP, 6 speed, RWD, $40k MSRP. They're probably pretty cheap right now with Pontiac's demise. It's actually a damn good call, they're supposed to be great cars. Not bad looking, but the OZ Holden version looks much better. There's a guy at work with a G8 that has converted it to Holden bodywork (mostly bumpers), it's a damn good looking car.

[sprio]

Enzo1, I'll post a report once I have my hands on the car. It's ordered, but looking at 8 weeks minimum for delivery - these are apparently rare as hen's teeth as configured - we ordered it with only the preferred and climate package. I think any that come into the US with the manual tranny are loaded to the hilt, and I'm not interested in satnav, or any of that crap.

[dd74]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

You mean a G8 GXP, right? 420 HP, 6 speed, RWD, $40k MSRP. They're probably pretty cheap right now with Pontiac's demise. It's actually a damn good call, they're supposed to be great cars. Not bad looking, but the OZ Holden version looks much better. There's a guy at work with a G8 that has converted it to Holden bodywork (mostly bumpers), it's a damn good looking car.

Yes. The G8 GXP. Funny, though, even with Pontiac's demise, as the cars were so highly touted by the press, I wouldn't expect them to be all that cheap. Maybe I'll look them up and see...

[kach22i]

Originally Posted by LeeH

Sounds like a Mazda3 hatchback to me.

Took the words out of my mouth.

Similar:

Ahead its world debut at the Geneva Motor Show Mazda has released details and photo of two new Mazda3 models: sporty Mazdaspeed (MPS) and all-new Mazda3 i-stop.

New 2010 Mazda3 MPS and Mazda3 i-stop Unveiled Ahead of Geneva Motor Show « It’s your auto world :: New cars, auto news, reviews, photos, videos …

The new 2010 Mazda3 MPS, the performance variant of the Mazda3 which comes with the MZR 2.3 liter DISI turbocharged engine with 260 hp and 280 lb-ft (380 Nm) of cranking weight. The DISI stands for Direct Injection Spark Ignition. Direct shot technology allows for the enhanced performance and cheap.

[BlueSkyJaunte]

Just looked around, there are more than a few Holden GTOs ( ) available in the immediate vicinity. Damned ugly cars, but I remember being passed by one on an on-ramp like I was standing still (I had it floored in my WRX).

[dd74]

Originally Posted by BlueSkyJaunte

Just looked around, there are more than a few Holden GTOs ( ) available in the immediate vicinity. Damned ugly cars, but I remember being passed by one on an on-ramp like I was standing still (I had it floored in my WRX).

Ugly. Interesting. I think they're very nice looking in a minimal way. Regardless, you can't fault the car's underpinnings. That's proven stuff from down under.

I always thought GM should have unloaded Buick instead of Pontiac as Pontiac seemed more on the cutting edge; i.e. the GTO.

But then again Buicks are what sell in China.

[dd74]

Oh, hey Blue: what's the immediate vicinity. Can you throw up a link? I'd like to see what the Holden/GTOs are going for.

Thx.

[vwbobd]

I'm tellin' ya dudes 3.5L Altima has 270hp and 258 ft lbs of torque and still gets over 26 MPG and phun as ph-ck to drive AND room for the kiddies and groceries too.

[vwbobd]

Originally Posted by LeeH

Sounds like a Mazda3 hatchback to me.

not enough room in them for $hit, we drove one too and they are pretty fast but kinda slow off the line. And it was so small inside I could almost sit in the middle of the back seat and use the armrests on both the rear doors myself. felt like riding in the back seat of a .....well a 911

[BlueSkyJaunte]

DD: I just searched for GTO on the Phx craigslist. They all seem to be in the high teens.

Lee: I dunno, nothing from Mazda has ever appealed to me in any way. I have a coworker who just unloaded his Mazda3 and kept his WRX. Right decision, IMHO.

vwbobd: If you're talking about the Altima with the CVT, not a chance. Zero interest in a car with two pedals.

[porsche4life]

The G8 GXP looks like a fun car to me... One of them thoroughly spanked me at autocross a few months back....

[m21sniper]

Mazda 3? Pffft.

E-V-O...E-V-O!!!

[kaisen]

Originally Posted by BlueSkyJaunte

vwbobd: If you're talking about the Altima with the CVT, not a chance. Zero interest in a car with two pedals.

Altima is/was available as a 3.5L V6 with the 6 speed manual trans.
Look for a '07-09 3.5 SE sedan
TONS of car for the money