Another ISO daily driver thread

[tabascobobcat]

My 1999 Acura TL now has 188,xxx trouble free miles on the clock.
Technically there is nothing wrong with it, just tired.
If I were to keep it she would need struts, brakes, tires, and a freshen up on the front suspension.
Front tie rod ends have corroded apart here in Ohio. Bushing cracked, mounts soft, etc.
Almost time for timing belt #3.

So I want to consider a new to me used daily driver.
I have 3 young kids and drive 35 straight miles each way to work
The wife drives and Odyssey and I have a 1988 911 for weekend fun.
The obvious idea of another Honda/Acura sounds rather bland, but is not out of the question.

Looking for fresh ideas. Have looked for a 2005 320 CDI but are finding those rare locally.
Prefer 4 door. Diesel torque intrigues me.

I know you guys have some ideas. Let them fly please.
Lets set the bar at $15,000 for the time being.

[widgeon13]

Used black Audi? What could go wrong?

[onewhippedpuppy]

What's your bias, fun and sporty vs bland and reliable?

[Nostril Cheese]

Mazda, Hyundai, Honda.

[tabascobobcat]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

What's your bias, fun and sporty vs bland and reliable?

All the above I guess. Have been struggling (over thinking) this.
Hoping for the AHA moment.

If money were no object in would probably be BMW 5 series.
But money in an object for us so looking for a reliable 4DR Sports Sedan that I look forward to putting the next 100,000 miles on and occasionally fit all 5 of us in.

[tabascobobcat]

Probably not an option at $40K

[onewhippedpuppy]

If you want the same level of reliability that your Acura offered, you should probably stay Japanese. Anything from Europe is going to require more TLC. I would look at:

Infiniti G35 - RWD, can be had with a stick
Infiniti M35/M45 - RWD, comparable in size to your TL
Infiniti Q45 - somewhat oddly styled but big, fast, comfy and cheap
Lexus IS300 - quirky cool which is rare for Lexus, RWD, can be had with a stick, cool sports wagon variant
Lexus IS250 - nicely styled, RWD, can be had with a stick
Lexus LS430 - bulletproof couch on wheels
Lexus GS300/GS430 - Japanese 5 series
Acura TSX - smaller than your TL, can be had with a stick
Newer bodystyle TL
Subaru Legacy GT - detuned STi power, adult styling, luxury interior
Nissan Maxima - can be had with a stick, sporty but FWD
Mazda6 - Audi like interior, fun to drive, can be had with a stick
Mazdaspeed6 - 274 HP, AWD, can be had with a stick

That would be a good start. All of the above are more fun than a Camry. Obviously I liberally applied my strong preference for a manual transmission. Of the bunch my personal preference would be for the Mazdaspeed6, Legacy GT, or G35. I owned a Legacy GT wagon for a while, it was a great car that would really fly with a few mild modifications.

[BReif61]

FWIW, the Mazdaspeed6 is available EXCLUSIVELY with the manual transmission. They never made automatic MazdaSpeed anything, to the best of my knowledge.

[Nostril Cheese]

Mazdaspeeds are VERY fun to drive, FWIW.

[tabascobobcat]

I need to study this one a bit more I think

Subaru Legacy GT - detuned STi power, adult styling, luxury interior

[onewhippedpuppy]

The Legacy GT is a really good, and in my opinion under-appreciated, car. The interior won't frighten an Audi, but it's head and shoulders above the cheap hard plastic that you'll find all over a WRX. I personally couldn't buy a WRX just because of the interior, it just feels every bit like an economy car. Here's my old one, different wheels really make them look more distinctive.

[1990C4S]

Originally Posted by Nostril Cheese

Mazdaspeeds are VERY fun to drive, FWIW.

Not sure about an older Mazda in Ohio, they rust badly....

[71scgc]

TRUCK.

Carter

[Sarc]

Originally Posted by Nostril Cheese

Mazdaspeeds are VERY fun to drive, FWIW.

Agree 100%.
I daily drive a bone stock MS3 with 20K miles. Very entertaining to drive. I might be selling mine soon if your interested, although we can fit 3 little ones in the back it is a bit tight back there.

[cashflyer]

[tabascobobcat]

My wife needs an automatic
Unwilling to learn an MT

[tabascobobcat]

Missed this by a day

[Doug&Julie]

I'll add another vote for a Subaru. We've loved ours. Very reliable. Great in winter. Maybe not as much "fun" as a BMW / Audi, but you pay for that fun in the long run.

[wildthing]

GTI. Small. Heck even lease a brand new one.

[scottmandue]

If $$$ is important go drive a Hyundai Sonata before you make any decisions.







When do the 2015 cars start showing up? I always buy last years model off the lot.