Moving beyond Lexus: 4-dr Manual Car Market
07-18-06, 11:11 AM
#1
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Moving beyond Lexus: 4-dr Manual Car Market
If you've checked out the classified section, you might have noticed that my car's on sale (pics will be up soon btw). I'm starting to commute to work by train now, so I figure it's a great time to pick up a 5-speed car. I know it's a very small market niche, so I'm curious to see what everyone's advice would be.
I'm looking for a 2000+ 4dr 5-speed sedan/hatch under $15k (most likely won't spend that much but just to keep things interesting). I've only come up with 2 so far.
1. Nissan SE-R or plain old Sentra - sat in an auto '03 SE yesterday and it doesn't have anything on the Lex in all aspects, but I guess that's the tradeoff I'll be looking at. =(
2. Subaru RS
3. ???
I'm looking for a 2000+ 4dr 5-speed sedan/hatch under $15k (most likely won't spend that much but just to keep things interesting). I've only come up with 2 so far.
1. Nissan SE-R or plain old Sentra - sat in an auto '03 SE yesterday and it doesn't have anything on the Lex in all aspects, but I guess that's the tradeoff I'll be looking at. =(
2. Subaru RS
3. ???
07-18-06, 11:23 AM
#2
Originally Posted by no2faber
If you've checked out the classified section, you might have noticed that my car's on sale (pics will be up soon btw). I'm starting to commute to work by train now, so I figure it's a great time to pick up a 5-speed car. I know it's a very small market niche, so I'm curious to see what everyone's advice would be.
I'm looking for a 2000+ 4dr 5-speed sedan/hatch under $15k (most likely won't spend that much but just to keep things interesting). I've only come up with 2 so far.
1. Nissan SE-R or plain old Sentra - sat in an auto '03 SE yesterday and it doesn't have anything on the Lex in all aspects, but I guess that's the tradeoff I'll be looking at. =(
2. Subaru RS
3. ???
I'm looking for a 2000+ 4dr 5-speed sedan/hatch under $15k (most likely won't spend that much but just to keep things interesting). I've only come up with 2 so far.
1. Nissan SE-R or plain old Sentra - sat in an auto '03 SE yesterday and it doesn't have anything on the Lex in all aspects, but I guess that's the tradeoff I'll be looking at. =(
2. Subaru RS
3. ???
3. IS300 5 speed
07-18-06, 11:58 AM
#3
Originally Posted by Och
3. IS300 5 speed
bingo...is what i would buy
other good options are
1) the bug eye wrx impreza
2) 00+ 6-speed maxima (vq motor is very reliable/good on gas),
3) 99+ infiniti g20t or sport--comes in 5-speed, well under 15000, fun car to drive (a little luxury also)--4cyl motor..
4) the sentra spec-v is a nice choice decent power/price/gas--6-speed also
5) mazdaspeed protege or mazda3 both are very nice--somemazdaspeed
have boost package some dont but definitely a great car
07-18-06, 05:56 PM
#7
Lexus Champion
Originally Posted by Och
Acura CL is a coupe, and I don't think the last gen CL came with manual. It was a 5 speed auto, very unreliable.
But indeed, it was available 6-speed! Cool car!
"L.A. Auto Show
2003 Acura 3.2 CL Type S adds new 6-Speed manual transmission
Los Angeles, California - In March, 2002, the Acura 2003 3.2 CL Type S will offer an all-new, close-ratio 6-speed manual transmission to complement its powerful 6-cylinder VTEC engine and high performance chassis. In addition, the 2003 3.2 CL features more aggressive styling and an array of interior enhancements including an optional OnStar communications service. "
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07-19-06, 06:33 AM
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Still a short list
Yeah. Still sounds like slim pickings to me so far. I mean if you bring in a tranny swap, then your options open up a lot more, but I'm not getting this as a project car.
My roomate' s got an 5-speed 01 RS and I drove around in my friend's rented sentra yesterday. If the choice was between the sentra and RS, I would get the RS (still gotta check prices for the mazda's...thanks for the input). The sentra rides harsh (not in the nice controlled way), responds slow both in terms of the engine and turning, and is not quite a looker.
I havne't driven my roomate's subaru in a long time, but my overall impression was a lot more positive than the sentra. I may have a bias b/c I wasn't actually considering to buy one at the time. I like the lights more than the succeeding "bug-eye" lights. The interior of both car's are pretty bad, but then again i'm comparing it with the SC. I know the subaru doesn't even have a light in the trunk.
I personally think this older sentra one looks nicer than the new, maxima-ish front grille that the 04+ rocks.
My roomate' s got an 5-speed 01 RS and I drove around in my friend's rented sentra yesterday. If the choice was between the sentra and RS, I would get the RS (still gotta check prices for the mazda's...thanks for the input). The sentra rides harsh (not in the nice controlled way), responds slow both in terms of the engine and turning, and is not quite a looker.
I havne't driven my roomate's subaru in a long time, but my overall impression was a lot more positive than the sentra. I may have a bias b/c I wasn't actually considering to buy one at the time. I like the lights more than the succeeding "bug-eye" lights. The interior of both car's are pretty bad, but then again i'm comparing it with the SC. I know the subaru doesn't even have a light in the trunk.
I personally think this older sentra one looks nicer than the new, maxima-ish front grille that the 04+ rocks.
07-19-06, 09:26 AM
#12
I ran a search on Autotrader.com for a 2000+ Sedan with a manual tranny and found that you can EASILY pick up a 2004 Corolla for just around $14k. There were some 2002+ Camry's on there as well. Some of the Camry's were close to 30-40K miles (which is basically brand new for a Toyota engine, but whatever).
Here is an example of one of the Camry's for sale (just under $15k)
And here is an example of one of the Corolla's (just under $15k as well, but its a 2K6 Model and has 1600 miles on it
)
Food for thought.
Here is an example of one of the Camry's for sale (just under $15k)
And here is an example of one of the Corolla's (just under $15k as well, but its a 2K6 Model and has 1600 miles on it
) Food for thought.
07-19-06, 09:30 AM
#13
Originally Posted by no2faber
Yeah. Still sounds like slim pickings to me so far. I mean if you bring in a tranny swap, then your options open up a lot more, but I'm not getting this as a project car.
My roomate' s got an 5-speed 01 RS and I drove around in my friend's rented sentra yesterday. If the choice was between the sentra and RS, I would get the RS (still gotta check prices for the mazda's...thanks for the input). The sentra rides harsh (not in the nice controlled way), responds slow both in terms of the engine and turning, and is not quite a looker.
I havne't driven my roomate's subaru in a long time, but my overall impression was a lot more positive than the sentra. I may have a bias b/c I wasn't actually considering to buy one at the time. I like the lights more than the succeeding "bug-eye" lights. The interior of both car's are pretty bad, but then again i'm comparing it with the SC. I know the subaru doesn't even have a light in the trunk.
I personally think this older sentra one looks nicer than the new, maxima-ish front grille that the 04+ rocks.
My roomate' s got an 5-speed 01 RS and I drove around in my friend's rented sentra yesterday. If the choice was between the sentra and RS, I would get the RS (still gotta check prices for the mazda's...thanks for the input). The sentra rides harsh (not in the nice controlled way), responds slow both in terms of the engine and turning, and is not quite a looker.
I havne't driven my roomate's subaru in a long time, but my overall impression was a lot more positive than the sentra. I may have a bias b/c I wasn't actually considering to buy one at the time. I like the lights more than the succeeding "bug-eye" lights. The interior of both car's are pretty bad, but then again i'm comparing it with the SC. I know the subaru doesn't even have a light in the trunk.
I personally think this older sentra one looks nicer than the new, maxima-ish front grille that the 04+ rocks.
2K6 Sentra SE-R Spec V... 8k on the Odo $14K.
I think Autotrader.com just became your new best friend!
08-10-06, 01:17 PM
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Matrix
Ok. So lately I've been attracted to the Toyota Matrix. I know I'm going to get a little flak for this (all my housemates have).
It comes in both a 5 sp version (corolla engine) and a 6 sp version (Celica GTS engine). Manuals are rare, but I found one in NY on autotrader which is the 6 sp version (not sure I'm allowed to post links). I called the dealer, and he told me that the car has some modifications--mentioned intake, suspension, muffler. I asked if he had any service records, and he said no.
What are your thoughts? It's only got 40k, and I'm pretty sure I can get it lower, but is it too risky? I don't particularly want a modded car, but I'd like to have the 6 sp version.
It comes in both a 5 sp version (corolla engine) and a 6 sp version (Celica GTS engine). Manuals are rare, but I found one in NY on autotrader which is the 6 sp version (not sure I'm allowed to post links). I called the dealer, and he told me that the car has some modifications--mentioned intake, suspension, muffler. I asked if he had any service records, and he said no.
What are your thoughts? It's only got 40k, and I'm pretty sure I can get it lower, but is it too risky? I don't particularly want a modded car, but I'd like to have the 6 sp version.