New car daily driver question (wow, how unusual)

Ok, here are my parameters:

Musts:

1. Must be new (non negotiable with spouse)
2. Vast majority of my use is solo, but need to fit 14 year old 6'1" son in front passenger seat and 5'5" wife and 5'2" 12 year old daughter in rear seat occasionally
3. Good highway driver: 5 days per week, I drive 20 miles round trip; 2 days per week, I drive 160 miles round trip. In last 12 months, I did 18k miles. So, I guess that means reasonable ride, reasonable mpg, etc.
4. 4+ doors
5. OTD price < 40k

Wants: 1) manual trans (more fun, keeps some undesirables from driving it, can use it to teach my kid)

Would love your thoughts!

The new BMW 328..............quick and 30+ mpg out of the boosted 4.

Buick Regal GS? (wow, never thought I'd recommend a Buick...)

+1 for a new 328i. It is the gold standard of the class.

If you will never be out of warranty, a4 is a nice car.

G35 is quick, but is due for a redesign soon

STi?

Another vote for 328i - but you won't have much in the way of options to keep the out the door price under 40k. Keeping your eyes peeled for a basic 2012 as the 2013s come out might land a better deal (the base prices are about a grand more for the 13s).

BMW will be the standard answer and hard to argue.

Could also look at Mazdaspeed 3, Infiniti G37

Driving 18k miles a year, I think the BMW will spend a boat load more time at the dealer's service dept.

That Buick does seem like a good option.

A G35/37 would be an awesome option as well. I really like the driving dynamics of that car.

check out the Cadillac CTS too

Hmmm, inputting into brain: New, under $40K, manual trans, 4-doors = Sports Sedan.

Output/answers:

• Audi A4 - Only if you buy another car and trade it in before the warranty expires. Also you are stuck with the small motor, lowest trim, etc.
• BMW 328i - You'll be in the basest of base models, but you might be able to custom-spec something fun. (Looks like a 328i M-Sport in Estoril Blue with Leatherette is $41795 out the door including delivery, that might be worth the jump...)
• Buick Regal GS - Turbo Buick with a stick. $36045
• Cadillac ATS - This is honestly the most intriguing. A lot of the other car mags are saying the ATS is better than the new 3, at least is some (sporting) respects. A 2.0L Turbo ATS RWD 6-Speed is $34615 with no options, so you could actually load up a little here.
• Infiniti Gsomething - Looks like you'd be stuck with the small (crappy) engine if you actually want a stick under $40K and the Sport Pack has to be paired with a bunch of other packages. PASS.
• Lexus ISsomething - 6MT is only on the 250 and the stupid website said it wasn't even "available in my area", PASS.

So yeah, I'm going to say Caddy ATS Turbo, followed by Buick GS, followed by the most-expensive one the 328i M-Sport.

With some haggling, you could get a Taurus SHO out the door for $40K, but no manual transmission.

OP here.

Thank you SO much for your ideas - most of which I have not considered.

My reaction thus far to narrow the list:

Deprioritize the Regal GS - sounds nice, but I like rwd > awd > fwd and it is only fwd

Deprioritize the Infiniti Gxxx - doesn't seen competitive mpg wise

Deprioritize the Audi A4 - I cannot guarantee that I will only own within the warranty period

Deprioritize the Sti - doesn't seem competitive mpg wise.

Is this a rational assessment?

In reply to Skobie:

I think that sounds reasonable.

An Acura dealer just quoted me $40k for a TL SH-AWD with tech package and manual. It was a very nice car. I think the sticker said 17/25 mpg. The manual is fan-freaking-tastic. The seats were great and the tech was pretty good. Maybe not cutting edge but better than the other cars that were at about the same price point.

I still think ATS/Turbo/6MT is the winner here. Brand new platform, RWD, sportier than a 3-series, and @36K you can load it up a little (CUE, moonroof, etc) or just enjoy the savings.

Wait till you see the new Fusion.

iceracer wrote: Wait till you see the new Fusion.

Really? FWD only, stick only with the smallest 4-banger, etc...

OP here again.

What about the Outback? The 2.5 nat aspirated with 5 speed is rated 21 city / 28 hwy on reg unleaded (most cars in this thread require premium).....

In reply to Skobie:

You'll get that mileage in real life if you frequently get towed, let buses push-bumper you, drop it out of airplanes, etc...

If you want a "Sport Sedan" with an MT and no premium gas you are likely looking at bottom-rung cars designed for gas mileage and not sport.

It's like 30 cents a gallon more, just get something you like. (I don't even measure the fuel mileage on the 4-barrel, 360-cubic-inch, 3-speed auto, V8 Javelin...)

In all seriousness...

Going down the list again.

• Acura: The ILX is a penalty box, the TL only pairs the 6MT with the V6/SH-AWD @ $43K, the only TSX with a 6MT is the 200HP 4-cyl SE package, yawn.

• Chevy: You can go absolutely nuts on a Cruze Turbo 6MT and get all the options including the RS for about $24K. Small and still slow though.

• Dodge: You can load up a new Dart Rallye 1.4L Turbo 6MT for $22K. This may be the best penalty-box as it's based on the Alfa architecture and is a little bigger than the other small cars.

• Ford: Finally, some choice here. The big secret for 3-pedal enthusiasts is the SE Sport packages, available on the Fiesta (too small), Focus (sedan is ugly), and the new 2013 Fusion. The 13 Fusion SE Sport EcoBoost 6MT is a proper looking Sport Sedan. The 1.6L EcoBoost/6MT should provide good fun, plus cloth interior standard.

• Honda: The 12 Civic is a dud and the Accord isn't much better. The 13 Accord is supposed to be a big step up, but good luck getting one soon. I think the Fusion will be better anyway.

Mazda CX5 manual? From the review just published, it sounds like it might meet your parameters.

Chevy Volt. I absolutely am 100% serious.

Mike wrote: Chevy Volt. I absolutely am 100% serious.

I should add, with a single speed transmission, it is a manual. (Don't be fooled, the L on the gear selector simply remaps the throttle and regeneration.) Of course, that doesn't stop the undesirables.

Javelin wrote: I still think ATS/Turbo/6MT is the winner here. Brand new platform, RWD, sportier than a 3-series, and @36K you can load it up a little (CUE, moonroof, etc) or just enjoy the savings.

this

Can you still get new Evo Xs?

You could get a brand new fully loaded Focus ST with a 6-speed and Recaros for less than $40k. I'd do that in your situation.

I have no input on car ideas... I honestly have a hard time even dreaming of $40k on a car... I tend not to pay attention as I couldn't afford it.

but for the premium fuel stuff... as mentioned don't worry about it... if you think about it premium is at an all time best value... the last few places i've been it runs about 20cents more per gallon... average a 15gallon tank and thats only $3.00 more per fill up... percentage wise this is about as good as it gets for premium... (compare to when it was $1 for reg and you paid about 20% more to get premium)