in the $28-40k range, with a 4cyl turbo or an i6/v6, has sharp looks with an available standard transmission, and comes without the boyracer look?

Honest question.

- The WRX/STi sedans are great performance cars for their price and engine-size, but the boyracer hood scoops, huge foglamps (on the older models), the huge wing, and the lackluster interior are their pitfalls in my judgment

- I adore the performance aspect of the EVOs and their bang-for-the-buck value, but again, they come with looks that are far too ostentatious for a guy about to hit his 30's like myself.

- The older 6-spd Acura TL-S would be the perfect car for me if it didn't come with a FWD drivetrain (trying my best to word this as diplomatically as possible to avoid a FWD vs RWD thread)

- I currently drive a 2005 2.5 Legacy non-turbo 5-spd, and I adore the looks and driving aspects of this car even if the power is anemic. If I could find a pristine 2.5GT or Limited sedan, I would sell mine and upgrade in a heartbeat. As for the new Legacys, they no longer fit the mid-size criteria I'm looking for.

- The turbo Sonatas are extraordinary and have kind of power I'm looking for, but Hyundai does not sell them with the proper transmission and drivetrain that I and like most enthusiasts on this forum are looking for.

- The new A4/S4's are gorgeous and the closest thing to what I'm currently looking for as my next vehicle, but I've driven my buddy's new 6-spd S4 and though Audi's balance of fit, power, and finish are impressive, the unresponsive steering really leaves something to be desired for.

- IS350/IS-F: I love the looks, I think the model could be a tiny bit larger in my book, but most importantly Lexus failed in making the car available with a proper standard transmission

- The G37 sedan is a beautiful car in its own right, but it's about 2-300 lbs too hefty for a single guy without any kids like myself

Before someone recommends BMW, let me just say that the 335i is next up on my list of test drives. But the thought of owning a twin-turbo'd BMW and having to deal with its maintenance in a few years after the CPO period expires would make anyone feel a little uneasy. The e90 M3 is out of the question as I (and most people) have no desire to purchase a car that averages mpg numbers in the mid teens even if the engine is just exquisite.

If I could have my say with a car company, I would ask for:
-mid-size body, with maybe a few subtle performance aesthetics
-a turbocharged 4cyl with 260-300 hp, a high-strung 6 cylinder, or a turbocharged inline or v6
-an AWD or RWD drivetrain. both drivetrains have their pros and cons but I would be satisfied with either
-a suspension that has a good balance between comfort and performance for everyday driving
-an interior that looks like some effort was made during the design process
-$28-40k pricing
-moderately reliable
-6spd manual available

Performance, reliable mid-sized sedans have been highly sought since the dawn of time. It's a proven formula that everyone has always desired, from the high-school teen or the young college student, to the middle-aged single bachelor, and to the young married couple with 1-2 kids.

BMW re-introduced the M3 sedan with the e90 series after abandoning the sedan model for 5-6 years with the e46 M3 iteration and they've been selling like hotcakes.
So why aren't there more car manufacturers keen to this quintessential demand and commit to producing more performance sedans?

 

Any interest in a used car? I think a couple year old CTS-V might fit your guidelines, except it gets terrible MPGs. I wonder if they can be had around 40k?

 

Sounds like he is already considering CPO.

Honestly you listed a number of options that account for most of the selection; I think the problem is that what you're asking for is just more expensive than you want it to be.
The only way you'll find it is thru a used vehicle.

 

Something simply like Mazda did with the original Miata but with a 6cyl or really a v8 and 4 seats is what the OP probably wants. Nothing fancy, just a decent handling rear drive car with a little bit of power. My buddy had a Dodge dart in the 70s with a 340 in it, it is probably exactly what the OP wants.

 

OP, to answer your question, I believe the real answer is because "there isn't much of a market for them".

People who buy midsize sedans typically don't do so looking for performance. A large portion of those who do prefer an automatic or automanual gearbox. What's left is a tiny fraction of buyers that car manufactures typically aren't enthusiastic about competing over.

You've listed most of the good options here. Personally, I'd give the G37 a hard look. I would test drive this as well as the TL-S.


As an aside, I wouldn't think the A4/S4 would be any less terrifying on maintenance than a BMW.

 

nothing is perfect in my opinion. you always have to scarifies something and question comes down to what you want to scarifies. Performance, reliability and a decent price tag? you are asking for too much already.

i had e6 m3 and what a car. it was s2000 on steroid. i loved it while i had it. currently i drive 2007 audi s4 and it's been the best DD ever. it puts smile on my face every time i get in. it only has 50k miles so i can't comment of reliability but it's been very solid other than few well known problems which were pretty simple to fix and CPO covered it.

i would just stick with German cars with CPO. i think it fits the bill you are looking for. and i bet once you test drive bmw 335 you will be hooked.

 

Here ya go.............Under 40K

 

As a former Contour SVT owner I understand the question. The old Ford was great. A neighbor of mine who owned an S4 at the time once told me, never sell that car because you have to step up to an S4 to really beat it. He used to own one.

I'm not worried about really big power. If the weight is under control I don't need it to be much faster than say 0-60 in the 6s. What the Ford had was a balance of decent price, a motor that loved to play, and BMW like suspension tuning. It didn't have to be the fastest car on the block (it wasn't but it wasn't slow for the time).

RWD would be nice but cars like the Integra, Prelude, FWD SVT cars, MINIs etc it's clear that FWD can deliver a car that's worthy of enthusiasm. Really, I have more hopes that we will see a good FWD car in this class given the larger number of candidates. A Fusion SVT is the one I would really like to see. I think the car looks good and I have great confidence in Ford's ability to tune a chassis. Now if they can find a good manual to go with it...

 

I was in a similar position you were in (except I was looking to spend no more than $30k and only used), and opted to purchase an s2k..

The "sport sedan" segement is full of compromises and things I didn't like, so I opted to just buy an s2k a cpl years back. The closest thing that fit the bill was a used 3 series w/ sport package. One big gripe I had about the 3 series is the lack of a compartment for a spare tire, and the IS series doesn't have rear fold down seats. Also, only the is250 RWD comes in manual, the 250AWD and 350 are auto only.. It really came down to the IS and 3 series for me, but they were large enough annoyances that I opted to just get an s2k and keep my civic for the winter and occasional driving. I find the "sport sedan" market severely lacking, for the same reasons you mentioned.

I didn't even consider anything FWD, so that crossed out the TL right off the bat. A powerful v6 + FWD = boring imo. I'm past the "boy racer" stage of getting a WRX or EVO, and wanted something a little more tame, but still fun. At this point I think I'm just going to embrace the fact that I'm going to be stuck with an auto for my next sedan.. Perhaps I'll replace the civic with a nice C class in a couple years, and the s2k will satisfy my itch.

Good luck!

 

That's 9 different models you mentioned, if my counting is correct. How many more do you want to have available to choose from? I certainly understand the frustration that none is exactly perfect for you, but considering the constraints "midsize performance sedan under $40k with manual transmission and understated styling" I think 9 choices is a lot.

Some to add to the list:
Volkswagen GTI
Volvo S60 T6
Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart

So that's 12 models.

In the realm of $40k-ish sport sedans I've test-driven, the Lancer Ralliart and the 2013 BMW 328i (with the 240hp turbocharged inline-4) have been the most enjoyable to drive. The Mitsi is cheaper to purchase, but the mpg difference makes the BMW cheaper over a long enough distance.