I've been mostly driving a MT v6 accord coupe the last 3 years and it's been a decent mix of a bit of fun to drive, but also practical, but it just isnt big enough for me any more. I'm looking to getting a MT suv/crossover, or possible "sport wagon" or even a very large sedan. But there just isnt a lot out there. I don't mind buying used, and actually prefer to this isn't an issue of cost as much to me as "value". I would be buying this car with cash, and it just seems wrong to me to take cash I could have in appreciating assets, and dump it in a depreciating one just so I can drive a "new car". I know the used car market is funky right now, and maybe the best thing to do would be to buy something new, but I'm not sure that is going to be the case in 2-3 months.
Things I care about in order of importance, after it being a manual:
1.) Not a jeep. Sorry fiat drivers, my sister owned a fiat and that was the worst experience I've had fixing cars. Also Jeeps drive like **** on roads. Yea, they do, if I was gonna buy a jeep it would be some early 90's ****box just for trail use, I don't want my teeth rattling as I'm going 55 on the freeway.
2.) Some pep, I'm not looking for a sports car, but I don't want some gutless vehicle that cant drive on atlanta freeways. Would like either a v6, or a turbo 4, but dont mind adding a turbo or supercharger if needed
3.) General reliability, with lower mileage if used. I don't mind working on cars, chjanging timing belts etc, but I want whatever to work every day when I need it to.
4.) Some offroad capability, I'm not looking to go rock hoppin in my DD, but rough dirt and gravel, definitely highly prefer 4wd or awd
5.) Actual usable size, 4 doors and 4 adults is a bare minimum,
6.) Kinda odd but with Joe Biden, fuel economy creeps in here towards the end.
The real problem is most everyone stopped making MT's well over a decade ago, and if they are being made, they are either in muscle cars, specific luxury vehicles, or like complete base model cars, oh yea or subarus.
I'm generally trying to keep this in the 20-30k range but would be fine going up to 40-50 if there was an actual reason to.
So far vehicles I have been keeping an eye on
Used Toyota FJ cruisers, the problem with them aside from being overvalued right now is the back seats are pretty claustrophobic, this is probably as small of a passenger compartment as I'd want to go, but I have been keeping an eye on lowish mileage MT FJ's. They did sell these in the US till 2014 which is nice.
Used Toyota 4 runners, they only made MT's up to 2000 here, which means good luck with low mileage, but these things are tanks, my brother has a 97 that's still going, and very off road capable. Also love the roll down back window on them.
Used BMW X3's with the 3.0 inline 6, think they stopped making manual x3's in 2010, and it seems hard to find low mileage ones because most people who would buy a manual x3, bought it because they wanted a manual and are driving it till it's a time bomb. Also obviously not anywhere near as off road capable but a better on road driving experience. I know they also made manual X5's till like 06 or something.
Used Porsche Cayenne GTS: can find these with manuals with the v8 up to 2009 maybe 10, but this is definitely one that I know is gonna have higher maintenance costs and fuel costs
Used Mazda cx5, what's nice is these were made up to 2019, but only in the base trim so you are going to have the smaller gutless engine.
Used Cadillac CTS with a manual transmission. I would generally prefer more a suv/crossover, but these are pretty big sedans and they made them to 2012 with a v6 (before having to get the blackwing)
New/Used Subaru Crosstrek, here I might go new on something like this as you can actually still get a MT and the new 2.5L engine instead of the 2.0, Not quite suv size but larger than a sedan, and a few years of not having to budget general maintenance/repair..
New 2022 Audi RS6 avant, not looking to buy one of these at 116k , but if you know anyone who would buy one for me if I sucked em off. I might be down.
Not sure if there is anything else I'm overlooking, or if anyone has any input on any of the things I'm thinking about.
Things I care about in order of importance, after it being a manual:
1.) Not a jeep. Sorry fiat drivers, my sister owned a fiat and that was the worst experience I've had fixing cars. Also Jeeps drive like **** on roads. Yea, they do, if I was gonna buy a jeep it would be some early 90's ****box just for trail use, I don't want my teeth rattling as I'm going 55 on the freeway.
2.) Some pep, I'm not looking for a sports car, but I don't want some gutless vehicle that cant drive on atlanta freeways. Would like either a v6, or a turbo 4, but dont mind adding a turbo or supercharger if needed
3.) General reliability, with lower mileage if used. I don't mind working on cars, chjanging timing belts etc, but I want whatever to work every day when I need it to.
4.) Some offroad capability, I'm not looking to go rock hoppin in my DD, but rough dirt and gravel, definitely highly prefer 4wd or awd
5.) Actual usable size, 4 doors and 4 adults is a bare minimum,
6.) Kinda odd but with Joe Biden, fuel economy creeps in here towards the end.
The real problem is most everyone stopped making MT's well over a decade ago, and if they are being made, they are either in muscle cars, specific luxury vehicles, or like complete base model cars, oh yea or subarus.
I'm generally trying to keep this in the 20-30k range but would be fine going up to 40-50 if there was an actual reason to.
So far vehicles I have been keeping an eye on
Used Toyota FJ cruisers, the problem with them aside from being overvalued right now is the back seats are pretty claustrophobic, this is probably as small of a passenger compartment as I'd want to go, but I have been keeping an eye on lowish mileage MT FJ's. They did sell these in the US till 2014 which is nice.
Used Toyota 4 runners, they only made MT's up to 2000 here, which means good luck with low mileage, but these things are tanks, my brother has a 97 that's still going, and very off road capable. Also love the roll down back window on them.
Used BMW X3's with the 3.0 inline 6, think they stopped making manual x3's in 2010, and it seems hard to find low mileage ones because most people who would buy a manual x3, bought it because they wanted a manual and are driving it till it's a time bomb. Also obviously not anywhere near as off road capable but a better on road driving experience. I know they also made manual X5's till like 06 or something.
Used Porsche Cayenne GTS: can find these with manuals with the v8 up to 2009 maybe 10, but this is definitely one that I know is gonna have higher maintenance costs and fuel costs
Used Mazda cx5, what's nice is these were made up to 2019, but only in the base trim so you are going to have the smaller gutless engine.
Used Cadillac CTS with a manual transmission. I would generally prefer more a suv/crossover, but these are pretty big sedans and they made them to 2012 with a v6 (before having to get the blackwing)
New/Used Subaru Crosstrek, here I might go new on something like this as you can actually still get a MT and the new 2.5L engine instead of the 2.0, Not quite suv size but larger than a sedan, and a few years of not having to budget general maintenance/repair..
New 2022 Audi RS6 avant, not looking to buy one of these at 116k , but if you know anyone who would buy one for me if I sucked em off. I might be down.
Not sure if there is anything else I'm overlooking, or if anyone has any input on any of the things I'm thinking about.
