Daily Driver to Complement my 458

+1

Get a nice 550 BMW, or E90 M3, CPO with warranty.

 

For my DD I wanted something with good mileage and be under 5 sec 0-60. I ended up ordering a MB CLA45 AMG. Its a great car. 0-60 under 4.5 sec. 176 MPH top speed. Handles like a go cart. Paddle shift, recaro seats, etc. It's the best car next to my 458.

 

Save some coin and get a cheap ctsv?

 

Panamera gts
Awesome car
Great power
Great sound
NA engine
Seats 4 comfortably
Nice trunk
4 wheel drive for snow (if needed)

 

What about a Honda Ridgeline if you're into pickups? Wife uses it as her DD. Closing in on 180K miles. Kind of fugly, but reliable as heck. Only issue we've ever had with it was dead battery when some doofus (i.e., her husband) left it parked for a couple of hours with the head lights on...T

 

I would take the Masearti Quattroporte, because it looks great, sounds great and fit perfectly to your 458! Or the S63 AMG. Also a great car. I personally like the Mercedes much more than the (for my opinion ugly) BMW 7-Series from this era.

Other considerations:
Porsche Panamera (ugly)
Mercedes CLS 63 AMG (the best sounding of them)
BMW M6 Gran Coupe (the best looking of them)
Audi RS7

 

I went for a really cheap mod that also makes my 458 a lot quicker.....I DD a Honda Accord Hybrid.
The performance gap is quite impressive and makes the 458 even more special when I drive it ��

 

Interesting question about the $30 fun car. I like the Abarth but tat is really suitable for urban environments only. WRX? (but may not be 30K anymore)

 

maserati qp gets my vote. its a beautiful car, sounds nice, has all the room you need, and is not as common as yet another merc/bmw/audi so you wont see yourself coming and going all the time. dare to be different !!

 

Spend more and get a used Model S. Splendid car.

 

Got the Abarth Tributo (Ferrari tricked up one) in Rosso Corsa. Amazing little car and will chip it so that it has 230hp (when warranty is over). Awesome town car and fits anywhere.
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E60 M5 has horrible transmission, and drinks oil like no other..

 

Everybody is going off topic.. Keep in mind the guy wants to keep it within 30k budget.

 

Do you ever veer off into snow territory?

I'd say go with the 7er. Nice, big, comfy, lots of tech, etc.

 

WRX has a 6 spd MT. I cannot abide by the huge boy racer wing on the back of the STi...a station wagon apparently is no longer an option.

$26,295-$29,999 per subaru.com

Best

 

My 458 is my DD. But a fun good value second car is an AMG C63. They can be had in the low 30s. Seats 4 adults. Put a Renntech or Kleeman chip in it and its good for 500 hp/tq. They are a blast. The stock tires lasted me about 2800 miles on the street (no track time, no burn out) You can drive them with your right foot. Clarkson called them "An axe murderer with headlights."

 

I test drove one for a few days and found it too rough...kinda like a German Mustang.

I'll echo S4 or S5. Comfortable, quick, lots of good DD features...

Or wait 'till you can pick up an FF for $60K in a few years;-)

 

Yes Joe, C63 AMG but not the BS. Crazy leasing deals on these, i almost got it free in my cereal

 

I have a 2014 M5 with the competition package for a dd and it's amazing.

 

I've heard that the Maserati may not be a great choice as a DD due to the frequency of service related issues.

 

Find a used Cadillac CTS V (say 2010 or 2011 model) you won't be sorry and the cost will be a fraction of most cars. I own 7 cars and one of them is the CTS V , which I drive as often as possible. Best

 

Jag XFR. 510 BHP. Tons of torque. Stylish and comfortable, excellent handling. Get a '12 or later.

 

The C63 is the very best car for your requirements.

I have a few cars and the C63 does everything that I could ever want from a DD.

You need to go test drive one.

 

My DD is a Porsche Turbo. With the occasional back seat you can put a couple of kids back there. But for 4dr sedan, you really can't beat a Mercedes S550 AWD. Used, the 2011-12's are in the $50K range with reasonable mileage. We have had two S class cars over the last year and from reliability and function they have been great. They do well in snow also.