GameboyRMH wrote: Sounds like the first thing you should've done is to stop at the Subaru dealership and ask to see the cars with snails.
Well, I don't want a WRX (too small, and the auto is a CVT), and I thought they stopped selling the Legacy turbo here a generation ago?
Armitage wrote: Ecoboost AWD Fusion might be worth looking at if the SHO is too large. It won't run in the 14's stock though.
It barely makes it into the 15s, actually. Which is too bad, I'm a Ford guy at heart and I love the look of them.
captdownshift wrote: VW Phaeton
You saw where I was scared of owning a BMW or Audi, right? Now you want me to own a 10+ year old Volkswagen that they made like six of that's full of unobtanium parts? Pass... 
mazdeuce wrote: It looks like the earlier second gen CTS-V is $30k ish. Not AWD, and your mileage might be sliiiiightly lower, but gobs of fun.
Yeah, it is. And I have considered them. Maybe I need to take another look. They are stupid fast.
Huckleberry wrote: Easily under $20k, and with SMG easily ticks all your boxes. Better looking than any BMW made since too.
As a former E46 ZHP owner, I will always have a spot for the E46 M3 in my heart. But alas, it's a 2-door, it's getting pretty old, and I've always heard that those early SMGs were bad news?
What about a Subaru Legacy 3.6R Sedan?
Tom_Spangler wrote:captdownshift wrote: VW PhaetonYou saw where I was scared of owning a BMW or Audi, right? Now you want me to own a 10+ year old Volkswagen that they made like six of that's full of unobtanium parts? Pass...
The parts aren't unobtainium... You just have to pay them to re-build the factory when you need one 
Regarding the Acura, Lexi, and Infinitis, there are some fine vehicles there, but I haven't owned anything Japanese in long time, and it can still be a bit of a touchy thing where I live (SE Michigan). I'm not a Toyota fan anyhow, so I've never really considered the IS. I have looked at the G37 off and on, but it just doesn't push my buttons from a styling or interior point of view. The Acura looks good on paper, but their styling really went off the rails in the late 2000s, IMO. I loved the look of the first-gen TLs and TSXs.
Porsche panamera?
mndsm wrote: Porsche panamera?
Fails the styling test miserably, but have they become that cheap already?
Tom_Spangler wrote:mazdeuce wrote: It looks like the earlier second gen CTS-V is $30k ish. Not AWD, and your mileage might be sliiiiightly lower, but gobs of fun.Yeah, it is. And I have considered them. Maybe I need to take another look. They are stupid fast.
If you find one with the good seats they are heated and cooled and very nice. The factory nav kind of sucks, but it mostly works. They are stupid fun and competent for AX. Uses the same oil and filter as my truck, cheap. They are a nice place to spend time, my wife even likes driving mine.
In reply to Tom_Spangler:
The panamera cqnt be found anywhere close that that price range, a used Cayenne Turbo can be had though. Jeep SRT8 might be in that range as well now. It's too bad that the Polestar Volvos aren't into that range yet, as those are the answer. Maybe a used R line Volvo would fit the bill.
The Cayenne Turbo and SRT8 Jeep are gonna have an mpg problem. Neither is going to have an easy time breaking 20 mpg on the highway.
rslifkin wrote: The Cayenne Turbo and SRT8 Jeep are gonna have an mpg problem. Neither is going to have an easy time breaking 20 mpg on the highway.
Yeah, that's why I've considered and rejected them along with the Trailblazer SS and all the other sporty SUVs. We already have one giant gas-sucking truck, we don't need another.
I came here to second the G37XS.
It looks decent, has a nice interior, lots of amenities, and can be found well within budget. An AWD G37XS model fits all of your requirements.
For that kind of money I'd shop S6/S8/A8 for around 25 grand and throw 2,500 into an aftermarket super-duper extended warrantee. Beat on it all you want and let them eat the cost of putting a new ZF transmission in it just before you sell it at 190,000 miles.
Crummy roads and nasty winters call for air ride, AWD, never rust, and excellent interiors. That's Audi.
Genesis Sedan R-spec?
Tom_Spangler wrote: As a former E46 ZHP owner, I will always have a spot for the E46 M3 in my heart. But alas, it's a 2-door, it's getting pretty old, and I've always heard that those early SMGs were bad news?
As a current E46 330i ZHP owner, I wish they made a sedan version of the M3. It would be the perfect car. M3s with SMG and 3XX Xis are relatively unloved by bimmerbros. Read: cheap. The SMG is literally the same as the manual with some wizardry bolted on to shift it. If those actuators fail, it can be expensive like everything else. I've never driven one, but I'd like to. They are subpar compared to a true DCT, but I still love that they did it.
M3 is the only way to get an LSD stock in an E46. You need that. 
Tom_Spangler wrote:rslifkin wrote: If you're looking BMW, I'd say a 5 series fits your desires better than a 3 series.It kinda does, yes. The Bangle-ized E60 is not to my liking, but the F10 isn't bad. Still kinda prefer the Audi A6 if I'm going German, though.
The S6 of that vintage (C6) has a Lambo V10 in it. :)
Ecoboost AWD Fusion might be worth looking at if the SHO is too large. It won't run in the 14's stock though.
Actually, they are putting the 2.7L ecoboost in the Fusion soon. It will probably run in the 13s stock.
I am very happy with my 340hp Lexus GS450h. However, it's not AWD. If there are AWD GS350s out there i would give them a look. The IS would be too small, but the GS with the same engine is still quick. Here in Texas i had my cooled seats cranked yesterday.
What about the Lincoln MKS (that's the Lincoln version of the sho right?)
I know they would be super slow compared to that list you compiled but what about a newer Mazda 6? You can get them with flappy paddles and they are really roomy w/huge trunk to boot.
I don't like sedans that much but I would drive a newer 6..
GameboyRMH wrote: Sounds like the first thing you should've done is to stop at the Subaru dealership and ask to see the cars with snails.
That's what I was about to say...
Dodge Charger. Ticks all the box's you can even get them with AWD. A couple year old on should easily fit your budget. I would be seeing if there are any off lease cars that your local dealer can hook you up with. Even tge v6 is 300 hp.
I'll be the crazy one here....NISMO Juke RS
I dare you to test drive one and not enjoy it. I honestly like it with the paddle shifters more than the ND miata with manual.
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