Manual transmission, four door, new cars sold in the U.S. - Opinions anyone?

I bought my 3 series because it is the best DRIVING car in my opinion! It is one of the few four door, rear wheel or all wheel drive cars available with a manual transmission in this country.
For the sake of comparison, I'm only including four door, rear or all wheel drive cars available with a manual transmission in the U.S.

Prices are High to Low:

BMW M5 manual: $92,400
Cadillac CTS-V: $65,410
BMW 535i: $54,300
Porsche Cayenne $50,575
Audi S4 manual: $48,500
Acura TL-SH AWD: $44,080
BMW 335i manual: $44,000
Infiniti G37 manual: $42,855
BMW 328i manual: $37,745
VW Golf R manual: $35,600
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution GSR $35,500
Cadillac ATS manual: $34,600
Audi A4 manual: $34,300
BMW 320i manual: $33,445
Mini Cooper S Countryman All4 $28,000
Subaru WRX manual: $26,565



Did I miss any others? I'll reserve my opinions so my post isn't a mile long.

I bought my CC in '09 because it was a good size sedan with a 6mt. It had an MSRP of $27,500 and came VERY loaded.

The 6mt is still available but the base price is more like $31k now.

Not my cup of tea, and no MT, but there are several Lexus models that aren't bad. If I didn't have Bimmer blood, that might be my next choice. The Infinity G37 ain't bad either, and you can get MT in a G37 Sport.

A 2011 Motor Trend identifying all MT vehicles available: Clicky

Yes, it is two years old and, yes, it includes more than just four doors and RWD - but it provides a place to start.

As an aside, limiting the designation of the "ultimate driving machine" to four door sedans is like restricting the winner of a best restaurant competition to mid-priced national chains. I am reminded of the Nissan Maxima "four door sports car" moniker.

Then again, the Lamborghini Estoque would make a nice daily driver. (Yes, I know it is a concept.)

Originally Posted by woodswatchco

All this debate over the price of the new F30, 3 series and whether or not it's a "real BMW" if it's not a 335i or it's not loaded up to over $50k like some guys' cars on this forum is wearing me out. I bought my 3 series because it is the best DRIVING car! It is one of the few four door, rear wheel or all wheel drive cars available with a manual transmission in this country. If you get an automatic transmission, what other company has a transmission in a $37k car that even remotely compares to the no additional charge 8 speed unit in the F30???
For the sake of comparison, I'm only including four door cars available with a manual transmission in the U.S.

BMW 328i manual or 8 sp. auto: $37,745
BMW 320i manual or auto: $33,445
Audi A4 manual: $34,300
Audi A4 8 sp. auto (available in prestige trim only): $45,245
Cadillac ATS auto (6 speed only available): $35,800
Cadillac ATS manual: $34,600
Subaru WRX manual: $26,565

I don't think there are any other choices. I'll reserve my opinions so my post isn't a mile long. But really, what is better than a BMW out of this group of "driver's cars" ???

A CPO Audi S4 or BMW 335i with more options would be better.

Your opinion is always appreciated. I forgot about the very attractive CC but isn't it front wheel drive only?

Originally Posted by Jamesonsviggen

I bought my CC in '09 because it was a good size sedan with a 6mt. It had an MSRP of $27,500 and came VERY loaded.

The 6mt is still available but the base price is more like $31k now.

This is what I get for posting on a Saturday night after a couple adult beverages. How could I forget the Lexus and Infiniti? I ned to add them to the list.

Originally Posted by Frzdrdhppy

Not my cup of tea, and no MT, but there are several Lexus models that aren't bad. If I didn't have Bimmer blood, that might be my next choice. The Infinity G37 ain't bad either, and you can get MT in a G37 Sport.

Originally Posted by beden1

A CPO Audi S4 or BMW 335i with more options would be better.

Bringing used cars into this? Lol

Not seeing how a 335 is more of a "drivers car" by being heavier...but it has 60hp more!

Originally Posted by woodswatchco

Your opinion is always appreciated. I forgot about the very attractive CC but isn't it front wheel drive only?

AWD is auto only and V6 only. Same with with the Buick GS that I liked very much, 6mt but FwD. The Opel version in Europe has AwD and a turbo V6.

I was talking about new cars. I know you have a used Bimmer that's not an F30 but thanks for posting your used car opinions anyway in the F30 forum like always.

Originally Posted by beden1

A CPO Audi S4 or BMW 335i with more options would be better.

Originally Posted by woodswatchco

I was talking about new cars. I know you have a used Bimmer that's not an F30 but thanks for posting your used car opinions anyway in the F30 forum like always.

That's pretty rude dude.

We've been throught his before. Your cars are awesome and very expensive. Especially the Porsche. This is supposed to be an F30 forum and you always post negative comments about the F30. Especially the 328i. You can probably afford almost any car you desire. A guy that can afford a $100k Porsche probably does look down on a $37k-$55K
F30, 3 series BMW. If I had a $100k budget for a car, I would not purchase a 3 series BMW either.

Originally Posted by beden1

That's pretty rude dude.

Originally Posted by woodswatchco

We've been throught his before. Your cars are awesome and very expensive. Especially the Porsche. This is supposed to be an F30 forum and you always post negative comments about the F30. Especially the 328i. You can probably afford almost any car you desire. A guy that can afford a $100k Porsche probably does look down on a $37k-$55K
F30, 3 series BMW. If I had a $100k budget for a car, I would not purchase a 3 series BMW either.

I rarely post negative comments about the F30. I have posted that: I do not like the front end nose; I do not like the gps screen; and, I am disappointed that others say the ride has softened. I also do not agree that the F30 has better quality in the interior as compared to the E90. That's it.

I like BMWs. I've had 6 of them including a 3 Series that I currently drive. I really enjoy cars and do not look down on anyone's car if that's what they like. I do have my own preferences however, and that's what I thought a car forum was about...to discuss cars, trends and preferences!

I'm also not sure why I am even having to respond to this BS?

Originally Posted by woodswatchco

Audi A4 8 sp. auto (available in prestige trim only): $45,245

Nope. Starting with MY 2011, all quattro autos get the 8-speed tiptroni, from Premium ($35,495) to Prestige trims. And I think it is actually the same ZF unit used in the 3.

Originally Posted by woodswatchco

We've been throught his before. Your cars are awesome and very expensive. Especially the Porsche. This is supposed to be an F30 forum and you always post negative comments about the F30. Especially the 328i. You can probably afford almost any car you desire. A guy that can afford a $100k Porsche probably does look down on a $37k-$55K
F30, 3 series BMW. If I had a $100k budget for a car, I would not purchase a 3 series BMW either.

That is pretty rude. To say that people with a 100k budget will not look at a 3 series is just ignorant. You buy the car that fits your need, not to hit a budget quota. He's got a stable of cars which includes a loaded E93 335is as his vert. He has more than a $100k budget judging from all his cars and the S4 that he got for his daughter. Just because he has the money, it doesn't mean that every car he buys need to be the most expensive he can afford.

I wasn't saying that a 4 door is the "ultimate driving machine". I just wanted to show how few other choices there are in a 4 door with manual transmission cars there are in the U.S. There are a lot of people that say there are so many other better choices than BMW
when I bought my 4 door, F30. So, here is the actual list.

Originally Posted by Elk

A 2011 Motor Trend identifying all MT vehicles available: Clicky

Yes, it is two years old and, yes, it includes more than just four doors and RWD - but it provides a place to start.

As an aside, limiting the designation of the "ultimate driving machine" to four door sedans is like restricting the winner of a best restaurant competition to mid-priced national chains. I am reminded of the Nissan Maxima "four door sports car" moniker.

Then again, the Lamborghini Estoque would make a nice daily driver. (Yes, I know it is a concept.)

Originally Posted by beden1

That's pretty rude dude.

He is trying to follow the footsteps of the ultimate badge "loyalist" who should remain nameless (we all know who that is), but he fails royally because no one knows who woodswatchco is.

You are right. I had to go to Edmunds to get a price because the Audi website will not allow you to choose quattro and the 8 speed automatic unless you get prestige trim. This is a huge oversight on their part. It makes people think they can't get the good transmission unless they get the totally loaded up prestige trim for $45,000

Originally Posted by bmw_or_audi

Nope. Starting with MY 2011, all quattro autos get the 8-speed tiptroni, from Premium ($35,495) to Prestige trims. And I think it is actually the same ZF unit used in the 3.

Originally Posted by woodswatchco

I wasn't saying that a 4 door is the "ultimate driving machine".

You may want to change your thread title if "Ultimate Driving Machine" is not part of your criteria or to be considered.

Again, review the plethora of vehicles identified in the list as offered with MT and make your choice.

There is a lot of competition to the F30, regardless of one's criteria.

Originally Posted by beden1

I rarely post negative comments about the F30. I have posted that: I do not like the front end nose; I do not like the gps screen; and, I am disappointed that others say the ride has softened. I also do not agree that the F30 has better quality in the interior as compared to the E90. That's it.

I like BMWs. I've had 6 of them including a 3 Series that I currently drive. I really enjoy cars and do not look down on anyone's car if that's what they like. I do have my own preferences however, and that's what I thought a car forum was about...to discuss cars, trends and preferences!

I'm also not sure why I am even having to respond to this BS?

Beden, you've come a long way since that MG Midget! Do you miss hanging around junk yards scrounging for parts?

I also have fond memories of my 66 MGB, 90 300ZX, 01 740il ........

I wonder what my next BMW will be ...... not feeling so good about the turbos and plan to hang with our 09 328i for a while. The 2002 330i has been a gem and still drives like it did 10 years ago!

I'm just a guy with a 328i that wanted to point out that there are very few 4 door cars available in the U.S. that are available with a manual transmission. How is it "failing royally" to make a list of the cars that are available and ask for opinions of the cars on the list? Would you like to post a comment about the topic of the thread? Thanks.

Originally Posted by lqaddict

He is trying to follow the footsteps of the ultimate badge "loyalist" who should remain nameless (we all know who that is), but he fails royally because no one knows who woodswatchco is.

Originally Posted by sf_loft

That is pretty rude. To say that people with a 100k budget will not look at a 3 series is just ignorant. You buy the car that fits your need, not to hit a budget quota.

Exactly. Many of us do not buy the most expensive car we can afford.

Originally Posted by Elk

Exactly. Many of us do not buy the most expensive car we can afford.

Which is often why they can afford it.

Golf R is awd, 4 doors, manual.

Thanks. I forgot about the Golf R.

Originally Posted by Chris90

Golf R is awd, 4 doors, manual.

Originally Posted by woodswatchco

Thanks. I forgot about the Golf R.

If we are bringing hatchbacks into this, then we have the Focus ST and MazdaSpeed 3 that are performance oriented 4 doors with manuals. Same thing with the Jetta GLI(sedan only)