Another car thread: Sport Coupe, 40k-ish, Manual

[N 82 50 24]

I've seen a lot of car threads on 2+2, but I want to see if OOT can help me out.

Here is my only 100% requirement:

1. MUST be a manual transmission

Here are my strong preferences:

1. Coupe (and not a convertible)
2. 35-40k range
3. Available now (ie, not spring release or something)
4. New car

Here are preferences, but not required:

1. German
2. Good maintenance/warranty program

So... I basically narrowed it down to a few cars: Infiniti G37, Nissan 350 and BMW 328i Coupe. The Altima coupe is, to be honest, too cheap. I don't really like it too much anyway. In addition, I don't like little roadsters like the Honda S2000 or BMW Z4. The Audi A5 and the BMW 1 series seem like they have promise, but I don't really want to wait until the spring to fight it out for the first versions of those cars.

Obviously the Infiniti has way more HP than the BMW (like 330 v 230). But how are the manual transmissions on the G37? Unfortunately I can't test one because I can't seem to find a manual on an Infiniti lot right now. Also, you can't price one out on the Infiniti website yet, which is kinda tilting me.

I currently drive a 3 series and I love the manual transmission. I do remember test driving an Altima when I bought a car a long time ago and I absolutely hated the long-throw on the manual transmission. It felt sluggish.

So does anyone have experience with these cars in manual? Or do you have experience with other similar cars that I should be considering?

[bmxicle]

I have a manual A4 2.0 turbo, and i've been pretty happy with it, and it's a manual, though i've only ever driven two manual cars. The audi A5 looks ridiculously sick to me, obv get that.

[N 82 50 24]

Only problem with that is that it isn't a coupe. If I expand my search to sedans then a ton of other cars come into the picture, including the 335 (sweeeeeeeeeeeet).

And it will be forever until I actually get my hands on an A5 if I wait for it.

[Gary Stevenson]

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Only problem with that is that it isn't a coupe. If I expand my search to sedans then a ton of other cars come into the picture, including the 335 (sweeeeeeeeeeeet).

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the 335 comes in a coupe too

[daryn]

wow.. A5 does look sweet

[wtf6192002]

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Only problem with that is that it isn't a coupe. If I expand my search to sedans then a ton of other cars come into the picture, including the 335 (sweeeeeeeeeeeet).

[/ QUOTE ]
the 335 comes in a coupe too

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And you cant get it for 40K. Its gunna be at least 46K without nav. Get the 335I though, I love it. I got the sedan, cheaper, faster and looks better.

[Stellastarr]

G37!

[Vince.]

350z, sportiest looking and most bang for the buck

[DOTTT]

Anyone know how much the A5 will go for?

[N 82 50 24]

[ QUOTE ]
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Only problem with that is that it isn't a coupe. If I expand my search to sedans then a ton of other cars come into the picture, including the 335 (sweeeeeeeeeeeet).

[/ QUOTE ]
the 335 comes in a coupe too

[/ QUOTE ]

And you cant get it for 40K. Its gunna be at least 46K without nav. Get the 335I though, I love it. I got the sedan, cheaper, faster and looks better.

[/ QUOTE ]
Yea. Even the 335 sedan starts at around 40k. The 335 coupe with a few options+taxes+other [censored] will get over 50k.

FWIW, I like the way the new 3 coupe looks more than I like the sedan. That being said, I do like the 335 sedan.