Are there any good Manual Trans sport sedans left?

[RYU]

I never thought i'd have this problem... My other half has always been insistent on a manual trans car but nothing out there is exciting from the Japanese offerings. The TSX is boring. The TL is too big and ugly. The G37 is...well it's a Nissan. The IS350 (even IS-F) are not available in manual.

Am I SOL? At this rate we'll never retire the IS300. I had to special order that in 04 with a stick.

I think we may have to go with a BMW and live with the maintenance issues.

Am I missing anything?

 

[Nero Tenebre]

Buy a new or CPO BMW and you won't even have to worry about maintenance.

 

[RYU]

She gets very attached to cars. She's as bad as me. We've had the IS300 for 10 years with virtually zero issues. you can probably understand my hesitation to go German. My bro's 2014 328is already visited the dealer once . It's only got 3k miles.

 

[kaede]

I have had gone through 4 e39 m5's before and is currently driving a 07 335i sedan. Let me just say it is a luck thing with German cars. They do require a bit more maintenance, and parts can be a bit more expensive when things goes wrong. Out of the 4 m5's that i have owned, 2 gave me tremendous amount of trouble. Electricals, sensors, semi-catasprohic engine failures, lights that never wanted to work, and the list goes on and on. However, on the other two my family and I literally drove the crap out of it expecting the same issues, but nothing.

On the 335i that I dd right now with various basic mods (jb4, intake, charge pipe, exhaust etc) pushing 400hp out of the 3.0L, it has not given me any problems at all as well. The only maintenance that is a bit bothersome is weared control arm bushings prematurely, (at around 30k miles). I swapped in M3 control arms for that (bushings cannot be replaced individually due to design), as well as a failed floor board control unit (one that controls most electricals, replacement costed around $1k).

You can try Subaru if you like what they have to offer. Or spend a little bit more and take a gamble on a german vehicle. If this is your first euro car, maybe get used cause they have already depreciated much. Sell it if it gets too troublesome. A very awesome vehicle will be the e90 335i with the jb4 flash mod and m3 suspension swap. Drives like a dream and eats other cars alive on the streets. Good Luck!

 

[Aluminsx]

I had a 2006 Legacy GT Limited for a little while that had a stick. The Spec B of the same era had a six speed. They have since redesigned the Legacy. It was quite a car and Subaru seems to be a company that likes making cars with manual transmissions. The reality is that we people that like driving cars with manual transmissions are a dying breed. I'm going to try and hold out as long as I can.

 

[DV8]

Just tossing this out there but how about a MazdaSpeed 3? Not that luxurious and, yes, it's a hatch but could be more practical if that's what you're looking for. 263hp/280lb-ft... not too shabby IMO.

 

[myw]

My neighbors have been pretty pissed re the problems they've had with their new 3 series awd (can't recall which model), and they too come from Japanese cars.

G37 and is250 rwd are your only Japanese 6 SPD mt options sadly; with maybe some acura options that I didn't seriously consider.

U can always wait for the is200 to die then test drive the is250 6spd; or just go and test drive it regardless.

 

[RYU]

My neighbors have been pretty pissed re the problems they've had with their new 3 series awd (can't recall which model), and they too come from Japanese cars.

G37 and is250 rwd are your only Japanese 6 SPD mt options sadly; with maybe some acura options that I didn't seriously consider.

U can always wait for the is200 to die then test drive the is250 6spd; or just go and test drive it regardless.

The Lexus IS still comes in Manual Trans? No kidding? I'll definitely look this up on my way home. Last we checked on the website they were automatics only.

 

[myw]

The Lexus IS still comes in Manual Trans? No kidding? I'll definitely look this up on my way home. Last we checked on the website they were automatics only.

Yeah dood. I have one. Sadly 6 spd available in the is250 rwd ONLY.

Still reliable, relatively fun to drive with a modest 200hp. The driving experience does not compare to a 3 series. But I deemed lexus reliability more important.

 

[RYU]

big bummer.. it appears the 6spd was only available until 2012.

 

[myw]

big bummer.. it appears the 6spd was only available until 2012.

They were slow sellers. Test drive one anyways; I'm sure the dealer has one demo car.

With what you just said I guess it's a safe bet that the new IS coming this dec will be auto tranny only. Bummer.

 

[DocL]

The Cadillac CTS and ATS both can be had with a manual transmission.

 

[4cruizn]

Wow, if you end up selling your MT IS, let me know. My brother just picked up a 2002 "Intensa Blue Pearl" IS automatic in the Sacramento last weekend. He wanted a manual but this car was just TOO clean.

Anyway, I feel your pain on being discouraged about the number of manuals (or lack thereof) available in new cars today. I have driven only stick shifts since I was 17. Currently in a 2013 6MT ILX and having a ton of fun with it. Drove it 900 miles this weekend from Phoenix to San Diego and back. 32 mpg, 0-60 in 6.9, small enough to park and a delight to throw around the corners. It's a Civic Si with all the Acura amenities. Give it a look. Mine's Silver Moon with black interior, OEM body kit & lip spoiler, 17" accessory wheels. 28,200 on the odometer now.

Road trip pics: http://drivetofive.wordpress.com/2013/02/17/trip-to-san-diego-california-in-the-ilx/

On a related note, I'm also really impressed with the 2013 Accord Sport sedan. You can't get a Camry or Altima in an MT anymore, so I applaud Honda for staying at it. This car is a great value at < $25k, I think. Looks great too - design is worlds ahead of the last generation.

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews...est-review?src=spr_FBPAGE&spr_id=1458_7017581

Good luck and keep us posted.

 

[stuntman]

Mazdaspeed 3
Pontiac G8 GT
335i
E90 M3
CTS-V
Chevys new SS sedan looks really cool.

 

[Jimbo]

Cadillac CTS and ATS.

 

[whitebois]

VW Golf R - dont't laugh, go drive one. Not a sedan but way more practical.

 

[NA1MT]

Audi RS4

 

[RYU]

You guys have mentioned cars I personally would love to drive. Even the new Chevy SS/Holden is exciting. Many of you know though that females can be more emotional and can be quite loyal to particular brands. She's got this thing for Lexus or Acura so I guess my biggest gripe is how these two companies don't have a decent MT sedan offerings

I showed her the new LF-CC concept. She LOVES it. I can't blame her.. it's beautiful. I think she's opening up to the possibility of a coupe. We have a pickup and a Pilot afterall. Going to visit the dealerships this weekend.

I suppose leasing a BMW, Audi, or Merc would not be a bad option temporarily.

 

[Ponyboy]

On a related note, I'm also really impressed with the 2013 Accord Sport sedan. You can't get a Camry or Altima in an MT anymore, so I applaud Honda for staying at it. This car is a great value at < $25k, I think. Looks great too - design is worlds ahead of the last generation.

I echo this sentiment. Although not a rwd car, the Accord Sport Sedan is a great driver's car. Surprisingly agile and great engine. And fairly inexpensive when not trimmed out.

I was also going to mention an e39 M5 but I have such a love hate relationship with mine that I can neither recommend or dissuade ownership of one.

 

[Grimeas]

It's small maybe for a sedan but i love my 4door civic SI. It is great to drive and i just took it in to get warrantied paint work since there are some years that have clear coat issues which Honda is taking care of. But its fun as hell especially compared to this stupid camary rental they gave me. I feel like i will never get to speed in that damn camary to get on the interstate where as my SI i can go faster on the entrance ramps then what the people on the interstate are actually doing makes it easy and fun to get on.

 

[Night Prowler]

I know you are more interested in newer cars but don't forget about:


*S2k
*Evo/Sti
*350/370 Z
*Another BRZ!

 

[SuperSonic]

Ford escort, 5 speed manual. Even can get the xl version with a/c and heater lol

 

[Jimbo]

Aren't we talking about "sedans"?

 

[CarterK]

CTS-V
S4
335i

 

[DRIFTER]

A sport sedan in my opinion has to be RWD or AWD. Going by your location I would opt for a RWD car like the CTS-V/CTS or a BMW. On the other hand the RS4 is an all round fantastic car. If I had to pick one car to drive the rest of my life it would be the RS4 hands down (due to my location)