help me spend 12k on a 4 door sporty car

[railer]

Requirements:

4 doors
250+ hp
Cheap to maintain (read: Japanese or domestic, only)
Nothing my aunt Ethel would drive. (no camry, accord, etc)

The list so far:

05ish Grand Prix GTP Comp G package.
04ish Maxima
Possibly 05ish Altima, but I drove 1, and they are really bare bones compared to the other two.

What else is there?
Thanks

 

[Zenmervolt]

I know it's not Japanese or Domestic, but the FWD versions of Volvo's 850 and S70 sedan are very reliable and in T5 guise are right around 250 hp. The engines are bulletproof and the transmissions are Asin Warner (same supplier as for Toyota transmissions). Plus, the aftermarket for these cars is great.

ZV

 

[Mide]

That's kinda a steep HP requirement.

 

[railer]

Thanks ZV. I'm not up on my volvo's, but I'll look at those.

Every V6 Altima, Camry, and Accord has 250+hp.

Even the new Fusion and Malibu have 250+ hp.

I don't think that's asking too much...

 

[tfinch2]

I always wanted a GTP before I got my 350Z. A 3800SC is a beast.

 

[Sephy]

Look into a Legacy GT..

 

[sniperruff]

i have a 05' altima SE and i'm hooked to the VQ roaring. you pay the penalty with 18mpg city though.

 

[railer]

oh, forgot to mention, ICCC about gas mileage.

I live 5 miles from work, and don't travel much.


Subaru Legacy is not a bad car. Thanks.

 

[T2urtle]

Originally posted by: railer
Thanks ZV. I'm not up on my volvo's, but I'll look at those.

Every V6 Altima, Camry, and Accord has 250+hp.

Even the new Fusion and Malibu have 250+ hp.

I don't think that's asking too much...

but EVERY CAR you listed for almost double and you ruled out 2 of the main cars that fit it.

whats the difference between 220-250hp... not too much on the street


i cant think too much of any car that fits you needs that haven't exactly been mentioned.

12k is the main breaking point. put a little more money for a g35, legacy GT, WRX.

 

[Black88GTA]

You'd have a LOT more options that fit your list if you dropped the 4 door requirement - since most 4 doors are probably something your aunt Ethel would drive. There are a few exceptions, but I think most of these have been mentioned already.

For example, you could pick up an '04 - '05 Pontiac GTO for about that. Great time to buy, since everybody going batshit over gas prices has caused the resale of these (and most RWD V8 sport coupes) to plummet recently.

If the 4 door thing is a must, I was going to suggest a Grand Prix GTP - but I see it's been listed already. Maybe a S/C Bonneville for something a little larger?

 

[Regs]

er edit

 

[Vette73]

Look for a 2004 CTS with the 3.6L V6. It makes 250hp+ and fits the bill.

Also RWD and parts off the CTS-V fit it so you can upgrade the sway bars from a old set from a V car like I did to my 04 CTS

 

[vi edit]

'03 Maxima. The fit & finish on the '03's is much better than the redesign in '04. You can easily get into a clean one with low'ish miles with your price range.

An '03 Acura TL-S would be an option to. Just be mindful of the auto tranmission issues that plagued Honda's V6 during that time frame.

 

[halik]

Originally posted by: Marlin1975
Look for a 2004 CTS with the 3.6L V6. It makes 250hp+ and fits the bill.

Also RWD and parts off the CTS-V fit it so you can upgrade the sway bars from a old set from a V car like I did to my 04 CTS

Get the manual too!

 

[halik]

Originally posted by: vi edit
'03 Maxima. The fit & finish on the '03's is much better than the redesign in '04. You can easily get into a clean one with low'ish miles with your price range.

An '03 Acura TL-S would be an option to. Just be mindful of the auto tranmission issues that plagued Honda's V6 during that time frame.

I really don't think a maxima qualifies as a sporty car...

 

[vi edit]

Originally posted by: halik

Originally posted by: vi edit
'03 Maxima. The fit & finish on the '03's is much better than the redesign in '04. You can easily get into a clean one with low'ish miles with your price range.

An '03 Acura TL-S would be an option to. Just be mindful of the auto tranmission issues that plagued Honda's V6 during that time frame.

I really don't think a maxima qualifies as a sporty car...

It's certainly not a 5 series, but it's not a Buick or Camry either. Compared to a Grand Prix that the OP was considering it will have a much better fit and finish and will likely be cheaper to maintain over the long run. It's reasonably quick, and doesn't feel like an absolute boat behind the wheel.

Sporty car != Sports car.

 

[fbrdphreak]

Originally posted by: railer
Thanks ZV. I'm not up on my volvo's, but I'll look at those.

Every V6 Altima, Camry, and Accord has 250+hp.

Even the new Fusion and Malibu have 250+ hp.

I don't think that's asking too much...

Every NEW sedan has 250HP+. New sedans do not cost $12K. Raise your price or lower your requirements if you want more options, that's pretty restricting.

A 2005 Legacy GT is a good option, but $12K is a wee bit low to find one. Still, do the hunting and if you forgo the Limited option (leather, heated seats, etc), it is possible.

 

[Toastedlightly]

Neon SRT4? They are sporty, 4 doors, and cheap.

 

[nonameo]

maxima, hands down.

 

[overst33r]

You're really missing out if you disqualify the BMW 3 series. Here's a typical example. I believe the 330i only made about 225hp, but it delivers in other places, not just muscle. I'll go out on a limb here and say you won't find a better DRIVING experience with your requirements. They might not be as reliable as a Maxima or a GTP, but they aren't as bad as people make them out to be.

On another note, If you consider the Lincoln LS V8 a sporty car, a low mileage example like this wouldn't be too bad.

 

[Arkaign]

Maxima SE w/manual = win. Only negative is FWD, sort of pushing it with that power requirement.

If you can stretch your budget a tiny bit (or put a honkin massive downpayment, is the $12k cash or what you want to finance in total?), you can find G35 Sedans pretty cheap. They range between 260 and ~300hp, depending on year/options, and even the weakest is a very nice setup. The only weak link is the somewhat out-of-place interior, feels like it came from a Sentra or something. But RWD and excellent balance and road manners. Classy.

 

[railer]

Thanks guys. Scared of maint. costs on a BMW. Neither the 250hp or 12k are absolute, and I suppose neither is the 4 door....but I've had coupe's now for all of my life, and I want something bigger. It's be nice to be able to throw the golf clubs in the back seat for once in my life. The wife has a tiny coupe, and the other "car" in the driveway is an F150. I wouldn't turn my nose up at a 230 hp car; I don't plan on street racing.

 

[railer]

Also: I can pick up 2003 gen maxima's CHEAP. I just like the 04+ stye better, and I even like the 02-06 Altima better than the 00-03 Max. Maybe if I could find a loaded 03 black max I might be tempted.

 

[ElFenix]

03 maxima, still the best looking max ever.

 

[Dr. Detroit]

For reliability - The 3800 Series II Supercharged will be the winner over all the rest.

Bulletproof motor & trans

For ease of modding - Once again the GM supercharged 3800 wins.

FYI the Fusion & Milan have 220HP

Other cars that may peak your interest:
Buick Lacrosse - 240HP V6
Lacrosse 2

Cadillac STS - 265HP V6 & better looks than the CTS

Cadillac STS V8 320HP 6spd Auto - Best of American Sport & Luxury

Lincoln LS V8 - 280HP

Impala SS - Some prefer this styling over the overstylized Grand Prix