Gustavo lives in Texas and has a Porsche, but doesn’t want to put too many miles on it. He is looking for a reasonably priced sedan with low maintenance costs that he can use for commuting so the sports car can be for the weekends. What car should he buy?
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Here is the scenario.
I currently have a 2 seat sports car, but need a daily driver. Looking for something fun but with 4 doors and not too expensive. Wanted a V6 but will settle for a 4 cylinder. Absolutely do not want a CVT, a manual would be good if available. Definately something dependable and budget between 20-30k, used is fine.
Quick Facts:
Budget: up to $30,000
Location: Houston, TX
Daily Driver: Yes
Wants: Reliable, 4 doors, somewhat fun
Doesn’t want: Anything with a CVT
Expert: 1 Tom McParland - The Answer
You are looking for a sporty-ish four-door that is low-stress in terms of running costs. Despite the Miata mania that is typically found on this website, the real “answer” for most people just looking for a solid car that checks a lot of boxes is the Mazda6. I still stand by my argument, that the Mazda6 is the best luxury sport sedan without a luxury badge. Your desire for a V6 indicates you probably want a bit more power than most base model mid-sizes offer, and while the Mazda6 doesn’t have a six-cylinder option, you can get it equipped with 2.5-liter turbocharged four that pumps out 250 hp and 310 lb-ft. The interior of these sedans can rival more expensive European options, and they will be packed with all the safety gizmos and tech you could want for a daily commute.
You will want to avoid the Touring and Sport trims, as they only have the base motor, but the higher trims aren’t difficult to find with turbo power.
Here is a 2021 Carbon edition, (you may or may not dig the red seats) with about 23,000 for about $27,500. The Mazda6 has just enough style to fit right in at a dealership that is mostly stocked with Maseratis.
Expert 2: Collin Woodard - Feel The Sting
The Mazda6 is a solid choice, Gustavo, but I think we can do a little better while also getting you that V6 you’re looking for and even more practicality. I’m talking, of course, about the Kia Stinger. It’s not as sporty or quite as luxurious as the BMW 430i Gran Coupe or Audi S5 Sportback that a lot of people like to compare it to, but it’s also bigger. I’d argue it’s more of a thinking man’s Dodge Charger than anything else, and it does that job very well.
You won’t be able to get a manual since Kia only ever offered the Stinger with an automatic, but at least it’s not a CVT. And as more of a grand tourer than a true, focused sport sedan, it’ll make a fantastic daily driver that’s still plenty of fun when you want it to be. Especially if you get one of the rear-wheel-drive Stingers that are more than happy to hang their tails out if you ask them to.
Less-powerful four-cylinder models are definitely available in your price range, but the V6 version you actually want tends to be a bit more. If you can stretch your budget just a bit, this 33,000-mile 2018 Kia Stinger GT2 is loaded with options and appears to be a good deal but is also about $2,000 more than you were looking to spend. Alternatively, this 62,000-mile 2019 Kia Stinger GT lacks the GT2's features and has more miles but compensates with a much lower $23,000 asking price.
Sure, it’s a Kia, and the dealership experience varies depending on where you go, but give the Stinger a test drive, and I guarantee you’ll be surprised by how enjoyable it is to drive and how much you get for your money. It might be a little bit of a risk, but there’s a reason the Stinger has a 4/5 Ownership Satisfaction score over at Consumer Reports.
Expert 3: Owen Bellwood - Somewhat Fun
Gustavo you seem like a person of exquisite taste, so whatever car you’re putting alongside your two-seater has to be of a pretty high standard. And while I’ll agree with Collin that the Kia would be a great choice, I think you can do better.
That’s why I’ve picked out this wonderful Mitsubishi for you, and I think it ticks all your boxes.
First, it’s a chance to own a genuine bedroom-poster car, and what’s better than that? Then there’s all the fun you’ll have in an all-wheel-drive, sports sedan that packs a turbocharged engine and a five-speed manual. Think of the hoot you’ll have hooning this thing around town, and even though you craved a V6 I don’t think that this four-cylinder motor will leave you wishing for much more.
Then, there’s that slick rally-inspired styling on the outside, the crisp black leather interior and the cudos that comes with daily driving a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution. Gustavo, make the right choice.
Expert 4: Andy Kalmowitz - Super Roo
What’s up Big G? How’s it goin’? You good? Glad to hear it. Anyway, I am a big fan of everyone above me, but they’re all dead wrong. Buddy, what you need is a VB Subaru WRX. No car on this earth is more tailor-made for exactly what you’re looking for. It’s a wonderful daily, fun enough to drive, reliable, has four doors (!!!), and most importantly does not have a CVT if you don’t want it.
Another unintended plus of having a Subaru WRX? Boxer engines, babe. We already know you like those, you Porsche fan, you. So, why not continue the flat-engined theme in your daily? What an engine it is, too. The 2.4-liter turbo four pumps out 271 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. That may be a bit less powerful than some of your other options, but dude, this is a Subaru. You can tune and upgrade it to your heart’s content.
Anyway, there are at least a couple dozen current-generation WRXs in your budget within a few hundred miles of Houston. That means there are plenty to choose from, but I found the perfect one for you, my dear Gustavo. What we’ve got here is a 2022 WRX win the best color (no, I don’t give a fuck about blue) with under 14,000 miles on the clock. All of this 11.6-inch touchscreen goodness can be yours for just $29,500. Sure, it’s at the top of your budget, but buddy, you’ve got a Porsche. You can spend a lil’ extra.
Anyway, Gustavo, make the right choice. Buy a Subaru WRX (and a vape).