Help me Decide...

While I'm not entirely ready to make the purchase, I will be within the next six months. I am looking for a car, that for the most part, meets the following criteria (although it doesn't necessarily have to match 100%).


$25,000 +/- price tag
Manual transmission
RWD or AWD
300+ horsepower
4-doors
2004 or newer
"Lower" mileage (subjective, of course but I don't want a car that is over 100k and is going to start falling apart)
Import (prefer Germany or Japan)
NOT a WRX, STI, EVO, etc


Here is what I have found to be in the range and am now considering:
Audi S4
BMW 530 (might be low on power)
BMW 545
BMW M5 (previous gen; 2002-2003; price might be a stretch)
Infinity G35 sedan
Lexus IS350 (don't think it comes in 6-spd though)
Volvo S60R


Any advice, experiences are appreciated.

Thanks.

 

Lexus IS350 and don't worry about the mileage. It'll never fall apart.

 

The Lexus IS250 comes in a manual transmission if you really want that. Also, the 350 would be far more than your 25k budget while the 250 would be around there. Since your around the same area, I did a autotrader search, I know its not that great, but lowest on the 350 is 34k and on the 250 is 27k

 

Thanks for the info. I have a friend with a 250 and it seems awfully underpowered. I guess I should focus more on the other cars on my list.

 

The old bi-turbo S4's are very very expensive to maintain

 

Could you get a Phaeton for $25k?

 

Maybe a 2004-2005 Q45. 340 hp, usually very well taken care of, and greatly depreciated.
BT

 

The S4's I am considering are the V8's

 

If the budget allows, the 2002-'03 M5. That's one bad-A machine.

 

Don't even think about it now. 6 months gets you closer to the '09 my and more options dropping into your desired price range.

 

....and I would get the best E39 M5 I can find at that time.

 

Even though you indicate you're not interested, a Mitsubishi EVO IX or Subaru STi is your best bet for performance, economy and reliability...

 

I don't disagree, but I don't like the "hot import" association that comes along with those cars. Personal choice, I guess.

 

The Volvo for sure.

 

Any personal experience with these? Obviously this is the #1 choice on my list (should I find one that fits that budget). Any major issues I should watch out for?

 

I haven't owned one myself but I have always liked them. I'm sure there is feedback on them here or a few owners who can chime in.

 

I think the S60R might be the best bang for the buck of the bunch...

 

I am having an absolute ball with a MiniCooper S with the JCW tuning kit installed; fit and finish is superb, and car is totally fun to drive (and no slouch, once you get over the characteristic torque steer of a FWD car). Only downside that I have encountered so far is that other drivers tend to treat you like you are not there. As to image, it is sort of reverse-chic from my perspective. You may see it differently. Used, I'd find an older 911 that had been respected, rather than beat on and remained stock.

 

Jaguar S-Type 4.0 gets my vote. Great looking car with a lot of style and substance.

EDIT: Oops, just noticed you wanted a manual tranny.

 

Too new, you'll never find one.

 

Ding, ding, ding.

 

I would love a 911, and have strongly considered a 993 or 996. Unfortunately, at this time I need something a little larger and with 4 doors.

 

I'm hopeful we may start to see many more M5's at this price (hopefully slightly lower) over the next year.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2002-M5-PRICED-TO-SELL-CALIFORNIA-MINT-40K_W0QQitemZ260200142483QQihZ016QQcategoryZ133182QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

That's $30,000 plus tax, besides the prices will come down with high miles or age, neither is wanted for the M's.

 

This M5 is reasonable and right down th street from me

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=232708880&dealer_id=55670364&car_year=2002&model=M5&num_records=100&systime=&make2=&start_year=2002&keywordsfyc=&keywordsrep=&engine=&certified=&body_code=0&fuel=&awsp=false&search_type=used&distance=0&marketZipError=false&search_lang=en&make=BMW&color=&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&min_price=20000&drive=&default_sort=priceDESC&max_mileage=&style_flag=1&sort_type=priceDESC&address=85032&advanced=&end_year=2005&doors=&transmission=&max_price=31000&cardist=11