[s-cars] VLAC

[Taka Mizutani]

Everyone is posting about rather expensive cars, except for the TSX.
Bob's original post mentioned that it can't be an Audi, it can't be
luxury car priced (to me, that means keep it under $30k) and has to be
fun to drive.

I think the TSX is one of the top choices there, with the 6-speed
manual. The Mazdaspeed 6, the Legacy 2.5GT and the Altima SE-R would
be my other choices.

I've driven the Legacy and the Altima- the Legacy needs a bit more
tire and wheel and an ECU reflash- then you'll have 260whp and enough
tire to handle corners better. The Altima needs larger brakes and
suspension mods to make it flatter cornering, less wallowy and to
brake with more confidence (the car is powerful enough to get you
going really fast in a hurry and into trouble).

I think with suspension and brake mods, the Altima is my favorite-
power all the time is intoxicating. Best seats of anything I've ever
sat in under $30k new. The non SE-R versions are not worth looking at,
IMHO- they're more Buick than German.

Personally, I'd take a Legacy 2.5GT over the new A4 2.0T- it costs $7k
less than the Audi for 50 more hp, cabin is not that different in
quality (definitely not $7k better in the Audi), much stronger engine
feel, more nimble handling. The new A4 is a really nice car, but it's
about $5-7k too much money. There are much less expensive alternatives
out there.

Taka