Sport sedan choices

[peppy]

I have never been this indecisive buying a car in my life. We are looking for a car to replace our Jetta and I am stuck!

We want a car that gets good mileage and is engaging to drive without huge repair and maintenance bills. I have narrowed it down to a BMW 335d, Audi A4 6spd, and a Lexus IS 250. Year range is 2009-20012 and the prices are about $12K to $20K.

I really want the diesel BMW, but am afraid of the repairs. Best MPG

The Audi is really more car than I should be able to afford but I have VAG to help.

The Lexus is probably the most practical and the least fun to drive.

[Norm K]

If you've lived with the "lower-level" Jetta without complaint then why not consider a WRX ... regular or STI?


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[Shaun @ Tru6]

I've driven the IS250. It may be the least fun of the lot but is still a lot of fun. And you'll spend 10% on repairs compared to the other two.

[peppy]

Originally Posted by Norm K

If you've lived with the "lower-level" Jetta without complaint then why not consider a WRX ... regular or STI?


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Don't make this harder. I do like the Subaru I just haven't let myself drive one.

[peppy]

Originally Posted by Shaun @ Tru6

I've driven the IS250. It may be the least fun of the lot but is still a lot of fun. And you'll spend 10% on repairs compared to the other two.

I looked at a 2011 AWD with 60K and all the options ( cooled seats) today.

[Norm K]

Originally Posted by peppy

Don't make this harder. I do like the Subaru I just haven't let myself drive one.

My Winter car is a 2007 Outback 2.5 XT, manual transmission. With a couple of minor enhancements it puts out about 280hp to the crank and even at around 3,500 lbs it scoots along pretty well.

I know lots of folks with boosted Subarus - pretty much everyone loves `em!

You'll do yourself a disservice if you don't at least have a drive.

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[pwd72s]

I don't know about engaging to drive, but if reliability without huge repair bills is high on your list of priorities? Go with the Lexus. Renowned Toyota reliability...

[bleucamaro]

With the choices given so far my order would be:

WRX
BMW
Lexus
Audi

[oldE]

Before you buy any of these, make sure you spend an hour of seat time in each. In the last year I have found several cars which will not replace my Jetta due to seats which do not support as well as the VW chairs.
Best
Les

[peppy]

Originally Posted by oldE

Before you buy any of these, make sure you spend an hour of seat time in each. In the last year I have found several cars which will not replace my Jetta due to seats which do not support as well as the VW chairs.
Best
Les

Our Jetta has terrible seats, no lumbar support. I am thinking about that I have an hour and fifteen minute commute.

[peppy]

So now I need to drive a Subaru?

[MRM]

Of the original three, the obvious choice is the BMW. If you research the 335d you won't find a complaint. I admit my bias since I came from an Audi to a BMW - the Audi broke down so often it spoiled me for the brand forever while my BMW is now right at 100k without any service beyond scheduled maintenance. The Lexus rides rough and isn't sporty. But it is cramped. I just don't like it. I also think the A4 is the diffusion model of Audi.

The BMW and Subaru are completely different animals, but it the Subie ticks all the boxes, you should consider it. If you want the refinement that comes with the expense of a more premium model, the BMW is the obvious choice. I have read a bit about the 335d and I don't think there are any reliability issues but I could have missed something. The Lexus is of course flawless. The Audi will introduce you to the comfortable world of Audi dealership waiting rooms and loaner vehicles.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by MRM

Of the original three, the obvious choice is the BMW. If you research the 335d you won't find a complaint. I admit my bias since I came from an Audi to a BMW - the Audi broke down so often it spoiled me for the brand forever while my BMW is now right at 100k without any service beyond scheduled maintenance. The Lexus rides rough and isn't sporty. But it is cramped. I just don't like it. I also think the A4 is the diffusion model of Audi.

The BMW and Subaru are completely different animals, but it the Subie ticks all the boxes, you should consider it. If you want the refinement that comes with the expense of a more premium model, the BMW is the obvious choice. I have read a bit about the 335d and I don't think there are any reliability issues but I could have missed something. The Lexus is of course flawless. The Audi will introduce you to the comfortable world of Audi dealership waiting rooms and loaner vehicles.

Ummm, you'll be hard pressed to find anything BMW without complaints. They are expensive cheap cars, and have been so for 20+ years. Great to drive, but that comes at a price. Audi will be nicer inside, less nice to drive, and probably provide equal levels of hassle. Lexus will be nice inside, boring to drive, and dead reliable. Pick your poison.

[peppy]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

Ummm, you'll be hard pressed to find anything BMW without complaints. They are expensive cheap cars, and have been so for 20+ years. Great to drive, but that comes at a price. Audi will be nicer inside, less nice to drive, and probably provide equal levels of hassle. Lexus will be nice inside, boring to drive, and dead reliable. Pick your poison.

Picking my poison is the problem.

[Nickshu]

Volvo S60R AWD has been flawless and drives beautifully. Honestly w/ the T6 engine in sport mode it's one of the fastest sedans I have ever driven.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by peppy

without huge repair and maintenance bills.

I have narrowed it down to a BMW 335d, Audi A4 6spd

I can't believe that you mentioned those two things in the post.

I haven't had either, but I haven't exactly heard good things about either.

It seems like both have the same issue. Either you get a good one, or you get a bad one, and you might have a 50/50. I've seen too many people here that have sworn off BMW because of reliability issues. Audi may be a bit better, but not exactly the best. And to mention both of those and compare them to a Lexus seems crazy.

[petrolhead611]

Just buy a Ford Focus or a Ford Fusion. They handle well, and run and run.

[BReif61]

Depending on how you define "good gas mileage," an E90 328i should fit the bill. The non-turbo I6 is a good engine with minimal issues and it's fun to drive, especially with the sport package.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by peppy

Picking my poison is the problem.

BTW, I echo the WRX comments, it will be equally fun to the BMW but with Japanese reliability. If you want a little nicer interior find a several year old Legacy GT, it's basically an STI for grown ups. Slightly different suggestion, the Ford Focus ST is very nice inside and out, and while it is FWD they are a blast to drive, get great MPG, and very reliable.

If reliability is a super high priority, avoid the German stuff. They will always require more attention than a Japanese car.

[peppy]

I guess I will have to drive a Subaru now. Can you get one with a regular automatic or are they all CVT's?

As of now I am leaning toward a 2011 BMW 335d with 60K miles. I can get it for about $15K

My wife did not like the Subaru Impreza sedan.