Oppo-help - Fast 4-door edition

"Enginerrrrrrrrr" (Enginerrrrrrrrr) 01/13/2020 at 14:44 • Filed to: None

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Hello Oppo,

So I have a request. I’m hoping to get a new-to-me car in the next year, but need some options. I want a 4-door (wagons are fine), since the wife and I will likely be trying to have a child. I just got rid of my old-ass honda accord (which I did love immensely), because my parents gave me their newer one because they were afraid mine was going to take a shit one day (fair). They got my mother something new, so now I have another Accord. I’m obviously privileged that I have a newish car and no car payment again, but after driving one accord for 15 years, I’m not super excited at the prospect of doing that again. For reference, the newish accord is a base model 4-banger with a CVT. As far as CVTs go, it’s actually pretty good, but I do miss the old days of revving my I-4 just to feel something. Now that feeling is totally removed even if the car is faster and handles better. I need some soul.

Ok, requirements: No older than 2005. Needs to be fast (V8 preferred, but hey, many things are fast these days with less cyclinders). I’d like to put a reasonable cat-back exhaust to get some rumbles. Price: $20k or lower. Mileage: less than 100k.

I can’t for the life of me think of anything besides a Pontiac G8 GT. It’s still a GM product, so parts won’t be hard to come by. It’s tune- able if I want. Looks aggressive enough. Has a Corvette motor. Full size 4-door. What’s not to like?

Chevy SS’s can be had for 25k now, but I don’t know if I can justify it when it’s just a newer G8...

Talk me out of it, Oppo. Preferably with another option.

E90M3 > Enginerrrrrrrrr 01/13/2020 at 14:59

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C63 AMG with the headbolts done. E90 M3 with the rod bearings done. 

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Enginerrrrrrrrr 01/13/2020 at 15:05

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A well-sorted, clean G8  GT is going to command quite a premium. You may as well get a decade-newer SS with many more features.

Snuze: Needs another Swede > Enginerrrrrrrrr 01/13/2020 at 15:13

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Cadillac CTS-V?  

dogisbadob > Enginerrrrrrrrr 01/13/2020 at 15:16

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There’s the 06-07 Accord V6 manual, which is really fast

If you want an automatic and better gas mileage, there’s the Accord Hybrid from the same time, which used a V6

The 07-11 Civic Si sedan might work, too. I see a surprising amount of car seats in 2-door Civics of that vintage

And for the big 4-door market there’s also the 300/Charger SRT8, and if you’re lucky you can find a Magnum SRT8

Chevy HHR SS is good too

Legacy/Outback 3.6R or whatever they called it (the 6-cylinder don’t suffer the head gasket issues that their 4-cylinder boxers are famous for)

The Matrix XRS/Vibe GT with the 2ZZ-GE was made up until 2006.

Toyota offered a TRD Supercharger for the 2AZ found in the 5th and 6th Camry, the 09+ Matrix/Vibe and Corolla, and a couple Scions

GM offered the LS4 V8 on some bi g FWD cars like the Impala, LaCrosse, and Grand Prix. There’s also the Northstar on the Lucerne and Bonneville

Wobbles the Mind > Enginerrrrrrrrr 01/13/2020 at 15:20

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Are you keeping the free, newish Accord ?

Jesus Arias > Enginerrrrrrrrr 01/13/2020 at 15:21

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You cant go wrong with a CTS-V. Luxury and muscle into one fine package. Plus a lot of aftermarket support.

Enginerrrrrrrrr > dogisbadob 01/13/2020 at 15:32

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These are good suggestions.  I especially like the Charger suggestion.  

Enginerrrrrrrrr > Wobbles the Mind 01/13/2020 at 15:32

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Using it as a trade-in.  We don’t need 3 dailies.

Enginerrrrrrrrr > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 01/13/2020 at 15:33

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The newer SS’s are at least 10k more.  You’d be surprised, I’m finding good GT’s for 15k or less all day.

Enginerrrrrrrrr > E90M3 01/13/2020 at 15:34

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Holy hell I didn’t know those cars were in the same price range...

412GTI > Enginerrrrrrrrr 01/13/2020 at 15:36

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Keep Accord, buy Mustang as second vehicle. 

Jason Spears > Enginerrrrrrrrr 01/13/2020 at 15:36

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Caprice PPV?

https://jalopnik.com/oh-boy-you-can-finally-buy-a-chevrolet-caprice-cop-car-1796585246

Enginerrrrrrrrr > Snuze: Needs another Swede 01/13/2020 at 15:37

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I’d probably go gen-2 on those, but they’re very close to that 20k price range... hmmm

Wobbles the Mind > Enginerrrrrrrrr 01/13/2020 at 15:47

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G otcha! Well, you may be able to get a 2012-ish Chrysler 300 SRT8 .

Enginerrrrrrrrr > Wobbles the Mind 01/13/2020 at 15:52

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Those SRT-8s really have gotten cheap, wow.

Enginerrrrrrrrr > Jason Spears 01/13/2020 at 15:55

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Oh shit.  I didn’t even think to look even though I looked at the SS’s. Yep, right in the correct price range...

Enginerrrrrrrrr > 412GTI 01/13/2020 at 15:56

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Can’t have 3 cars with my wife’s daily (the suv for the family).  Although I wouldn’t opposed to just having a mustang.  Mustangs can baby... but I’d never fit my two large dogs in the back...

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Enginerrrrrrrrr 01/13/2020 at 16:03

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But it is 15k for a 10-15 year old car with none of the modern features and luxuries of the SS (and lower miles, less wear and tear) . My point being if you were willing to drop more coin for the SS, it might be a better use of money in the long run.

thatsmr > Enginerrrrrrrrr 01/13/2020 at 16:12

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You dont want a noisy or harsh car to put a baby in. You will have both a noisy car and a noisy baby! Go for something stealthy fast like a gen 3 Lexus GS. 0-60 in the mid 5s and butter smooth to keep baby asleep. Way under budget too

https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/inventorylisting/viewDetailsFilterViewInventoryListing.action?zip=87110&showNegotiable=true&sourceContext=carGurusHomePage_false_0&distance=50000&endYear=2011&entitySelectingHelper.selectedEntity=d920&startYear=2008#listing=260556512

Stapleface-Now Hyphenated! > Enginerrrrrrrrr 01/13/2020 at 16:26

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How about a Hyundai Genesis? You can probably find a 2015 with the 5.0 if you do some searching. 

Enginerrrrrrrrr > thatsmr 01/13/2020 at 16:53

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This is a good suggestion, but the baby will learn to love the burble. If anything it will hopefully lull it to wonderful vi brational sleep. ;)

Enginerrrrrrrrr > Stapleface-Now Hyphenated! 01/13/2020 at 16:54

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This is the type of suggestion I came to Oppo for...

CobraJoe > Enginerrrrrrrrr 01/13/2020 at 17:13

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I have a friend with a Gen 1, and it’s an amazing vehicle.

But it does carry the luxury brand name, and therefore has the same annoying luxury tax on parts (Especially the annoying 6 lug wheels).  

Thomas Donohue > Enginerrrrrrrrr 01/13/2020 at 17:36

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E550 or E63

W212 or W213 / 2007 - 2014 depending on how much money you want left over for repairs.

2014 E550 is the Easter Egg, only year they made the sedan with the new body style. 4.7L Twin Turbo V8 w/405 hp. 0-60 4.5s (ask WilliamsSW about his)

https://oppositelock.kinja.com/2014-mercedes-e550-oppo-review-1826734335

interstate366, now In The Industry > Enginerrrrrrrrr 01/13/2020 at 17:38

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2012-14 TL SH-AWD. Reasonably fast (0-60 in the 5’s), very well loaded for the price, and lots of fun. Can be had in auto or manual, 6 gears either way. I like the sounds they make stock, but with an exhaust they sound even better. You’re looking at mid-high teens for one with under 100k.

CobraJoe > Enginerrrrrrrrr 01/13/2020 at 17:40

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Throwing in a few wildcards that I haven’t seen mentioned yet:

Infiniti Q50 or QX50 (One of the very few crossovers I’d consider)

Lincoln MKZ (Could be had with up to 400hp with AWD in certain configs, not sure if they’re any fun to drive or available at this price)

Ford Fusion Sport

...

If it were my choice, I think a C harger or G8 would be at the top of the list before test driving anything, but I’m a V8 RWD type of guy.  

thatsmr > Enginerrrrrrrrr 01/13/2020 at 17:51

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My 17 year old came home from the hospital in a 93 SAAB 9000. Turbo and unfortunately my last manual. That thing was a torque steer monster

thatsmr > Thomas Donohue 01/13/2020 at 18:16

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Getting into out of warranty benzos with diaper bills on the horizon? Ouch

Thomas Donohue > thatsmr 01/13/2020 at 18:54

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Didn’t realize he was trading in the Accord, I thought it was a third car.

So, I’ll remove the E63 suggestion and stick with the E550.  ;)

citrus > Enginerrrrrrrrr 01/13/2020 at 19:30

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I have a ppv and I love it, but the stock interior is butttttttt

It needs a few grand of g8 upgrades and a radio unlock to be nice

(I recently dumped a bunch of money into the sound system to make it livable... 3 years later)

Pictured here with my dad's g8

ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com > Enginerrrrrrrrr 01/13/2020 at 20:38

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I’d take a look at a used Kia Stinger. I drove one to find it was legitimately good in every way. Even the base 4 cylinder is quick. You might find a used one of those at the top of your price range.

thatsmr > Thomas Donohue 01/13/2020 at 20:54

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Ha! Ive dd’d three alfas over the last 30 years and am somehow scared of anything german past early 90s s class ;)

RangerSmith > Enginerrrrrrrrr 01/14/2020 at 00:14

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https://kpr.craigslist.org/cto/d/eltopia-2014-chevrolet-caprice-ppv-60-v8/7040384445.html

2014 Caprice PPV. This one has is near me, has 102K miles , but its less than 10 grand! I’ve seen a couple others around recently

Enginerrrrrrrrr > citrus 01/14/2020 at 09:09

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Yeah that’s my biggest reservation.  I sent a PPV to my wife to look at and she simply said ‘no’, while she did like the G8... hmmmmm

Enginerrrrrrrrr > CobraJoe 01/14/2020 at 09:10

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It also carries the wheel hop. I had a friend with one and even with the suspension tweaks he made, the wheel hop wasn’t totally gone.

It’s also kinda small inside....

Enginerrrrrrrrr > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 01/14/2020 at 09:12

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I’m not really looking for much in terms of modern features . I mainly just want an aux port haha.  In the end the G8 will likely be more of a collector car than the SS too. Plus it’s one of the last Pontiac cars, and a good one to boot.  These cars may see more depreciation, but the SS surely will see even more.

Enginerrrrrrrrr > Thomas Donohue 01/14/2020 at 09:15

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A powerful E class is surely tempting and will surely have a nicer interior than most of the suggestions.

But holy cow do I not want to bring high repair bills upon my house haha. I’ve been spoiled with my old (and new) Accord.

At least with an American car I’d likely be able to do most repairs myself.  Also wow the wagon V8 E classes command quite the premium over the sedans...

Enginerrrrrrrrr > CobraJoe 01/14/2020 at 09:17

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I appreciate the wildcard considerations, but a crossover isn’t on the list as my wife already is driving an XC60 and has it covered.  Didn’t think about the Lincoln or Fusion, and the Lincoln would definitely have a nicer interior.

Enginerrrrrrrrr > interstate366, now In The Industry 01/14/2020 at 09:18

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I do like Acuras, but I’m looking to have a little muscle in my next car.  I’ve also never owned anything RWD. 

CobraJoe > Enginerrrrrrrrr 01/14/2020 at 09:18

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Both fair points.  It is an oddly sized vehicle, too large to be considered compact, but to cramped inside to be considered midsized.  

Enginerrrrrrrrr > RangerSmith 01/14/2020 at 09:18

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Yeah PPVs seem to be a decent solution.  The interiors are a bit too barren though... 

Enginerrrrrrrrr > ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com 01/14/2020 at 09:19

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I did see that Stinger GTs are about at the top of my budget right now - which is really surprising since they’re quite new.  By the time I’m ready to buy they should probably be right at the sweet spot!  Good suggestion.

CobraJoe > Enginerrrrrrrrr 01/14/2020 at 09:32

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I have no experience with the Lincoln or the Fusion, but I’d assume the experience isn’t too far from the previous generation Fusion Sport with the 3.5L V6. That one was peppy, but gentle . A good contender if I had to share cars with my wife and if she couldn’t drive stick, but one I wouldn’t choose for myself.

When I went through this same search 4 years ago, I ended up with a ‘05 Subaru Legacy GT with a manual. Turns out, I dislike AWD in a performance car, and I dislike laggy turbos. I ended up selling that and getting a crew cab Nissan Titan instead, which drives like my old P71 Crown Vic — heavy and soft but with an indestructible feel and just enough power to have a little RWD fun. Now I’m saving up to have a fun 3rd car instead of needing my daily driver to be a family hauler too.

citrus > Enginerrrrrrrrr 01/14/2020 at 09:53

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G8 is the better turnkey car, I prefer the look of the Caprice (with a few mods) but making it as nice as a g8 takes money your wife probably won’t want to spend, even with the lower cost of entry

B e prepared for 6 liter v8 and 4000+lb car gas mileage

Enginerrrrrrrrr > citrus 01/14/2020 at 10:54

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Yeah looking at the gas mileage, it may be close to half what I’m getting now... but I figure now is the time to do it in my life haha.

citrus > Enginerrrrrrrrr 01/14/2020 at 12:26

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I average about 17 mpg

RangerSmith > Enginerrrrrrrrr 01/14/2020 at 21:08

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PERFECT SLEEPER!!!

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Enginerrrrrrrrr 01/23/2020 at 11:07

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At the very least, you need to get a long- ish test drive in an E90 M3. Let it warm up and then find a good on-ramp to wind it out all the way in 2nd and 3rd.