Need a reliable replacement for the wife's VW VR6

Needs:

Stick Shift
4 doors
reliable but fun to drive
under $30K (until I get out of school )

Beside another Max we have considered:

Altima (too plasticky inside)
Acura TypeS (no 4 door w/ stick)
GTP (auto only)
WRX (wife finds it fugly)
Audi A4 1.8T offers more tune-ability than the 3.0 (but related to VW )
IS 300 (too small / boy racer look)
G35 (currently auto only?)

What am I missing

 

Welcome home to Maxima.org. You're going to love this place. Even more so after you get your Maxima

If you don't like the Alitma and want something reliable (that rules out Europe and the US makes) then the Maxima is pretty much it.

Unless of course you consider an Accord 4-banger 5spd. Not much in the power department, though.

If you can hold off a bit, wait and see what Honda does to the Accord for 2003 when it will be all-new. Will they finally make the damned V6 with a stick shift ( )?? We'll see The new Mazda 6 (626 replacement) is also coming out soon. It'll have a 3.0L 220HP-ish V6 model with an available 5spd manual too so that could be a possibility as well.

 

Thanks for the welcome but have been around a while. I have had my 95 SE from 49 miles to now over 150K without any major problems. I am keeping the Max but want to get rid of the VW with just over 50K miles.
BTW my wife also thought that Hondas (not Acuras) seemed kinda cheap on the inside also. We are looking to buy a car within a month or so so I don't want to wait until the 03 or 04 are in full supply.

 

Well buddy you dont have many choices, maybe look for a used BMW 5 series or late model 3 series other than that not many choices.

 

IS300 if she cares about looks.

WRX if she cares about performance.

 

323i wagon? is it under 30k?

 

Well you could pick the 98 to 00 SVT Contour only thing is it's a "Fix Or Repair Daily" so there could be lots of repair's needed. Besides that the 96 to 00 Toyota Camry V6 was available in a manual and if you find one with the TRD body kit; they're actually not to bad looking. There is also the 01 and up Chrysler Sebring/Dodge Stratus V6 w/5spd which aren't bad vehicles either. Not to mention the current Mazda 626 V6 is also avaialable with a manual too. But I still would pick the Maxima over them all. If you still decide against the Maxima then I would pick the Dodge Stratus RT w/5spd.

 

I don't think you can get the IS300 or A4 for less than $30,000. Depending where you are you would want the Quattro with the A4. There aren't many 4 door manual transmissions. I like the Bonny SSE, and the Regal is not a bad car.

 

Lincoln LS

 

i30 5spd

 

Oops, my bad

 

Subaru Legacy GT

165bhp 2.5L flat-4
5-speed available
industry leading AWD system
nice looks
decent interior

 

i agree.

also, what about a saab 93 or 95? i don't know about the 95 but the 93 is available with a 5 speed. my mom has a 2000 93 and that car is rock solid and the turbo is a blast to drive.

she got hers under $30k.

 

Well since you have a VW VR6 and considered the WRX, how about the Sentra SE-R or Spec V? How much do those run? According to the new R&T digest magazine I read, it's a blast to drive and sticks like glue.

 

There's a comparo between the Sentra Spec-V, Focus SVT (my personal favorite), Civic Si, and GTI 1.8T in the latest issue of Motr Trend...

 

Yuck, it's a FORD. Yet, I can't believe it won the comparison.

I'll still take the a GTI that can do the 0-60mph in 6.5.

 

theres the new caddilac CTS 5spd 220hp,if you were to stay with VW theres the new vr6 jetta with 200hp. theres really not much else everyones listed every possible option

 

THe Focus, like the Contour/Mystique was designed for the European market. IN fact, the Focus SVT has an engine built by Cosworth. Anyone who knows anything about motorsports knows that Cosworth has built some of the winningest engines in the world.

 

you are right, also Impreza RS with 2.5 motor is good too. How about the new Toyota wagon compact wagonthat just came out? It tops at 18K and has the same motor as Celica GTS? Very pretty car.

 

the Matrix?? I personally don't like that. Go for the Mazda Protege5, that car is BEAUTIFUL! It must be the best looking car thats affordable (under $25k)

 

my friend has Protege5, that car is slow, has the same Ford Focus 2.0 motor in it, plus dealers are not stepping off, selling only for MSRP. Matrix is a better engine, and resale value.

 

Integra GSR 4dr.....might still be able to find a new 2k1 (cant remember if they made a 2k1 though)

Tell her to buck up and deal with the looks of the WRX! I mean come on! 22k, ave $8000 and go have a great time with it!

 

just buy another maxima - hello 2k2 6spd. what more could you want.

 

You might want to consider the Volvo S60.

http://new.volvocars.com/models/s60/s60_specs.shtml I've only been in the S80s and those are pretty sweet