former520 wrote: Just picked up a G37 as a solution to this question. 337 hp, 6spd, less maintenance that the 335 that make similar hp, way more hp than E46's. Front engine, rwd, lots of aftermarket, good interior. Can get them with lower miles than the CTS-V at the price point. I picked up an off lease with full dealer maintenance history for 15k with 80k and did not have to look hard to find it.
I think this is the winner.
Another vote for the Infiniti. G35 or G37. CTS should be a good bet too.
This thread is relevant to my interests. Will he be financing? Or cash?
I just saw a mint 1-owner 2008 G35 6mt sedan for ~$14-15k but it was gone before I got to test drive it. Seems like it would tick all the boxes.
Maybe a 4 door SI? Manual, LSD, rev-happy and boostable, many upgrades, reliable.
Wow, early G35s can be found on the local CL for $6000 to $9000. What issues do these have?
I was thinking G35/37 as soon as I saw the thread title, I'm glad someone else posted it first.
pimpm3 wrote: ...he isn't the most mechanically inclined, and pays someone to do his maintenance.
^^^^I think it makes even more sense with regard to this.
bgkast wrote: Wow, early G35s can be found on the local CL for $6000 to $9000. What issues do these have?
Some burn oil, others never a drop. I had a 2004 4dr/6sp and it was in the never a drop category. I put about 40k miles on it and sold it at 110k. Never did anything but oil changes, air filters and tires. Literally, nothing else. The CV axles did start making noise just when I put it up for sale.
I had an 06 G35, 6 spd, coupe. Bought it new, sold it at about 50k miles. Never had a problem with it, never took it back to dealer for anything. Didn't burn oil at all. I would buy another or even a sedan.
S4. Newer for greater reliability, 2001 era for silly tunability. 
With a 15K budget you could get a lower milage 6 speed and go stage 3+ with it and have ~450-500 hp to play with.
Thats funny I actually suggested a g37 yesterday. How hard is it to find a 6-speed sedan, that's the million dollar question.
Manual transmission Mazda 5 with $$ left over for suspension mods
I bought a Saab 9-2x Aero, which is a WRX, for these same parameters (well, a little cheaper). I'm pretty disappointed with the throttle response and off-boost power delivery. The rest of the car is pretty good.
I think it needs the basic exhaust / plumbing / ecu mods.
The is300 I could build for 15k would be srt turbod to about 450@ the wheels with a getrag 6 speed swap from a turbo supra and some kw variant3 coilovers.
Lexus IS300 SportCross (wagon)
Sportx adds $5k to the formula (because of rarity), and makes the tranny swap a) a necessity because none came with a stick, and b) a little harder cause you have to source pedals, shift surround, iirc a crossmember. Sedans are 150lbs lighter, feel more rigid and have sightly different weight distribution. Wagon is looser comic off corners despite .5" wider rear tires/wheels.
I have both. Soon to be merged.
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