AWD sports coupe.

[nOOky]

The wife is looking for the above vehicle. Maybe not right away, possibly next spring. She favors the Audi TT. Looking around there is not much selection in coupes, and a Subaru is just plain too ugly for her to consider. The Focus RS does not come in red, so that's also not an option (I know, I know, but it's a requirement of hers, she's buying it)

I'm trying to steer her towards considering a sedan also, which opens up a whole bunch more options. The Fusion Sport will have that wonderful 2.7 liter, and there are other Audi's and BMW's that qualify.

Thoughts? Budget of around $40,000, maybe there will be a good used TTS available by then...

 

[michal1980]

bmw 2 series with x drive.

 

[NutBucket]

Does the Infinity G coupe (whatever the f they call it now) come in AWD?

EDIT: It does, Q60 coupe. And yes, it comes in red.

EDIT 2: Cadillac ATS

 

[herm0016]

ATS with all wheel drive, available in coupe or sedan. should be loads more reliable than the TTS. available with the 2L turbo 272hp.

edit: red with the blacked out chrome, and dark al wheels looks badass.

 

[A5]

This doesn't really seem to exist outside the luxury brands, sadly.

Choices I can come up with:
Caddy ATS
Infiniti Q60
Audi A5/TT
BMW 2/4

 

[LTC8K6]

SHO? It's sort of a blend.

 

[herm0016]

you should be able to pick up a 16 ats well optioned at the end of the year for 40. not sure you can get into the infiniti or audi with the same options for that price new.

 

[Midwayman]

Both Acura and Mercedes offer awd on just about everything as well.

$40k would put you in a TLX easily. Possibly a C-class depending on options and discount. Avoid the CLA. Or just get a CPO off lease.

My TL was a really good car. Their handling isn't quite as sharp as some of the best, but for most people they offer a ton of value.

 

[monkeydelmagico]

S5
335xi
G37x

All used late model choices available in red. Sassy lady wants a eye catcher ride.....

 

[JulesMaximus]

S5
335xi
G37x

All used late model choices available in red. Sassy lady wants a eye catcher ride.....

Probably not a lot of red ones available though, especially with AWD.

 

[NutBucket]

If she really wants to be noticed how about a red convertible?

 

[vi edit]

Lexus RC comes in AWD. Can get into them just above 40k. Maybe with incentives/deals/end of month/wife showing off great cleavage at time of sale/ect you can get in under your price.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

Lexus RC comes in AWD. Can get into them just above 40k. Maybe with incentives/deals/end of month/wife showing off great cleavage at time of sale/ect you can get in under your price.

So, like the OP, I've been contemplating this same question for the last month or two and am eager to hear opinions. I was convinced that I would end up with a 435i xDrive coupe but many have tried to steer me away from BMW. I considered the ATS since I get a huge GM discount, but I have reliability concerns. I'm also thinking about the Lexus RC as well, so the question is: ATS vs Lexus RC - which one? The nearest Lexus dealer is 34 miles away and the nearest Caddy dealer is 22 miles away, if that helps.

I might just give up and settle for a 2016 Impala....

 

[vi edit]

The ATS looks like an old Accord Coupe. And I've sworn off GM for basically..ever. So I'm a bit biased on that question.

The important thing is...if you are spending 40 large on something...it better move your needle and feel like the car you want. If you are indifferent on that, then maybe you don't need to be spending 40 grand on it.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

The ATS looks like an old Accord Coupe. And I've sworn off GM for basically..ever. So I'm a bit biased on that question.

The important thing is...if you are spending 40 large on something...it better move your needle and feel like the car you want. If you are indifferent on that, then maybe you don't need to be spending 40 grand on it.

Not to threadjack, but hopefully my comments/questions will help the OP decide as well. The 435i is what I want, but I have too many reliability concerns with BMW and it seems Cadillac isn't much better - if at all. I'm not a mechanic and would have to pay to have things fixed when they break, and I understand BMWs have insane repair costs. In my case, the car I buy will be a daily driver and will probably be my main ride for the next 10 years.

The Lexus RC has caught my eye and no one beats Lexus on reliability, but the dealer is so far away and my GM discount makes it so hard to not go for a GM.

EDIT: I should also add that the wife is very much against a coupe and wants me to get a sedan. She really likes the Impala (I do too, frankly), but I think this is probably my "splurge" car - by the time I replace it, I'll be close to retirement and probably will go with something more modest like a Buick.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Not to threadjack, but hopefully my comments/questions will help the OP decide as well. The 435i is what I want, but I have too many reliability concerns with BMW and it seems Cadillac isn't much better - if at all. I'm not a mechanic and would have to pay to have things fixed when they break, and I understand BMWs have insane repair costs. In my case, the car I buy will be a daily driver and will probably be my main ride for the next 10 years.

The Lexus RC has caught my eye and no one beats Lexus on reliability, but the dealer is so far away and my GM discount makes it so hard to not go for a GM.

EDIT: I should also add that the wife is very much against a coupe and wants me to get a sedan. She really likes the Impala (I do too, frankly), but I think this is probably my "splurge" car - by the time I replace it, I'll be close to retirement and probably will go with something more modest like a Buick.

My best friend's wife is leasing a 428 Grand Coupe. I don't think they've had any problems with it at all so far but they've only had it for a little over 2 years now. They are leasing it for 3 years.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

My best friend's wife is leasing a 428 Grand Coupe. I don't think they've had any problems with it at all so far but they've only had it for a little over 2 years now. They are leasing it for 3 years.

Yeah, I am looking to buy and I'm not so worried about the 4-year maintenance window, as BMW covers that. My concern is what happens AFTER that and the warranty expires - I don't have the tools or ability to make repairs myself and I've read a lot of comments in various forums during my research that BMWs tend to magically start having issues right after the warranty and maintenance periods end. D:

I'm planning to hold on to this car for a long time - I'm not someone who flips vehicles every 3 years. My current car is a 2001 Grand Prix which I bought new in 2001 and has been a great car, but is having issues which will cost a ton of money to fix. I'd rather take that money and apply towards a downpayment rather than repairs on a 15 year-old car.

 

[vi edit]

Meh. Distance really doesn't matter much to me for a dealer. Lexus does 10,000 mile oil change intervals. So depending on your driving habits you won't be going there very often. Other than that and tire rotations you shouldn't even need to see your dealer for the first 50,000-70,000 miles. So how often does that distance even matter? 35 miles isn't much. At least to me.

Personally I hate coupes. Had one. Hated it. Would never want another as a daily driver. Long doors are a massive pain in the ass in tight parking lots. And with the bloated size of the land barge SUV's being driven and parked by clueless soccer moms parking spaces are even more crowded.

If you are looking for something that long term, then do think about your back and knees getting in and out of something with a big, heavy door like that. Plus the contortion it takes to twist into the seat being that many of these are fairly low to the ground.

Just things to think about...

 

[IndyColtsFan]

Meh. Distance really doesn't matter much to me for a dealer. Lexus does 10,000 mile oil change intervals. So depending on your driving habits you won't be going there very often. Other than that and tire rotations you shouldn't even need to see your dealer for the first 50,000-70,000 miles. So how often does that distance even matter? 35 miles isn't much. At least to me.

Personally I hate coupes. Had one. Hated it. Would never want another as a daily driver. Long doors are a massive pain in the ass in tight parking lots. And with the bloated size of the land barge SUV's being driven and parked by clueless soccer moms parking spaces are even more crowded.

If you are looking for something that long term, then do think about your back and knees getting in and out of something with a big, heavy door like that. Plus the contortion it takes to twist into the seat being that many of these are fairly low to the ground.

Just things to think about...

My Grand Prix is a coupe, but my wife hates it - she has the same complaints about the doors you outlined above. I like coupes because I think they're generally nicer looking cars.

You bring up good points about the Lexus. Maybe I'll go test drive an RC.

 

[core2slow]

from my biased opinion, i'd say go with a TT. A used TTS with 275hp in a lightweight 3200lb body makes for a super fun drive.

I'm going back to the TT once the TTRS comes out in a few years.

 

[nOOky]

The Infiniti Q60 looks really intriguing. I couldn't look much at work because the Barracuda filter blocks out the Infiniti website wtf? But anyway, she has a 2011 Honda CR-Z now, which I hate, she has really always lusted after the Audi. The main use is zipping around town back and forth to work, and weekend trips in the summer etc. AWD comes in because we live in Wisconsin, it would be nice if she could use it more throughout the winter when the roads are clear or nearly clear, because the CR-Z absolutely sucks in any amount of snow. It's also not practical as it's a two-seater, so we both can't ride along and carry a child in the back or even a dog comfortably.

 

[vi edit]

The Infiniti Q60 looks really intriguing. I couldn't look much at work because the Barracuda filter blocks out the Infiniti website wtf? But anyway, she has a 2011 Honda CR-Z now, which I hate, she has really always lusted after the Audi. The main use is zipping around town back and forth to work, and weekend trips in the summer etc. AWD comes in because we live in Wisconsin, it would be nice if she could use it more throughout the winter when the roads are clear or nearly clear, because the CR-Z absolutely sucks in any amount of snow. It's also not practical as it's a two-seater, so we both can't ride along and carry a child in the back or even a dog comfortably.

LOL. Sports coupe and car seats. Yeah. I mean it will do *in a pinch*...but good luck getting a kid out in a lot of parking lots. Not to mention their feet are going to be in your back the entire ride.

If you have kids...a sport coupe *IS NOT* the car you are looking for.

 

[bruceb]

Unfortunately, the ATS only seems to come in a 3.6L Twin Turbo 464HP / 445FT-LBS .. it does require Premium gas .. personally I do not want turbos. When they work fine, they are ok, but when they decide to let go (and they will at some point given the very high rpms they turn) they can easily do serious engine damage. The ATS MSRP starts in the $62K range, which is one reason I won't really consider it. I can get a full size Chevy SS with the same power for the mid $40's and it will have most of the same goodies as the Cadillac

 

[jlee]

Unfortunately, the ATS only seems to come in a 3.6L Twin Turbo 464HP / 445FT-LBS .. it does require Premium gas .. personally I do not want turbos. When they work fine, they are ok, but when they decide to let go (and they will at some point given the very high rpms they turn) they can easily do serious engine damage. The ATS MSRP starts in the $62K range, which is one reason I won't really consider it. I can get a full size Chevy SS with the same power for the mid $40's and it will have most of the same goodies as the Cadillac

You're looking at the ATS-V. The ATS starts at $33,215.

Turbos rarely catastrophically fail. Seals wear out, but that'll just cause oil consumption and smoke under boost. The chances of one grenading and spewing debris into your engine are incredibly low, and even such your intercooler should basically become an expensive air filter and catch debris before it's ingested.

 

[NutBucket]

Agreed. Generally speaking modern turbos are perfectly reliable and will easily run 100k plus with no issues. In stock applications 200k is not unlikely.