Car Shopping...

[Mr. Banana]

Hello all,

I'm in the market for a new performance / sports car, and I'm having difficulty making a decision. It's more of a want than a need, but I could definitely make use of the car. Budget / value is important to some extent, but this is more of an emotional decision. Fyi, I've test driven each of these cars in the past, yet I'm still lost. In regards to pricing, I'm all over the place from $25k - $100k.

I'm aiming for a new purchase with solid build quality (Japanese build preferred), back seats (coupe is okay), and a car which has been in the market for a few years to have the early 'bugs' worked out. A manual transmission is preferred but a fast shifting DCT is okay as well (past 5 cars owned have been true manuals). Car doesn't have to have high power and can be replaced with the 'feel' factor.

A Merc, Porsche, BMW are off my list because I feel they are too 'fancy' for my taste. And the only Audi I'd consider is an R8, but it has no back seats. Hyundai Genesis Coupe and the MINI are off as well because I prefer the BRZ over both in regards to the drive / build.

From my research, I've come to a final three (not in any certain order).

- '15 BRZ Premium (Love the simplicity and true manual transmission... And the fun factor even while not breaking the speed limit.

- '14 Lexus IS F (Arguably has better build quality than both the Subaru and Nissan... Also in its final year of production and it will be my last chance to own a new one).

- '14 / '15 GT-R Premium / BE ('16 MY ordering will open up in a couple months so I may even opt for that).

I've researched a bunch and I feel I may be overlooking some vehicle(s). Your help / advice is greatly appreciated... (Fyi, I did not post this topic on other forum boards because the BRZ had been my only choice for a while as I was sitting tight).

Thank you again for any help and advice.

* EDIT - A Lotus Evora could be an option as well, now that I think of it... Just haven't test driven one yet, and also don't hear very much about this car...

[thatfilipinoguy]

Lexus RCF

[juliog]

That's like asking whether you should buy a 50cc scooter, a Harley or an italian super sport bike.

[Mr. Banana]

Originally Posted by thatfilipinoguy

Lexus RCF

Heard good things about the RCF... Looks great and I'm sure performance is solid as well.

Originally Posted by juliog

That's like asking whether you should buy a 50cc scooter, a Harley or an italian super sport bike.

Haha, I know what you mean... For some reason, I find good traits and characteristics of each.

I've spent $60k on car yet I've found more excitement in driving and owning a $25k car a few years after... It's possible!

[dem00n]

Aston Martin Vantage GT with a 6 speed, pure bliss at $100K.

[thill]

What is this car? Daily driver? Weekend garage queen? What about the new Stingray? Cayman S? Nothing wrong with a BRZ, but with your budget you can get a better car.

[Mr. Banana]

Originally Posted by dem00n

Aston Martin Vantage GT with a 6 speed, pure bliss at $100K.

Nice... I missed this one. Am reading about and looking into this one as we speak...

Originally Posted by thill

What is this car? Daily driver? Weekend garage queen? What about the new Stingray? Cayman S? Nothing wrong with a BRZ, but with your budget you can get a better car.

Car will be a daily driver. Though keep in mind that I'm the type of individual who would gladly daily a Lotus Exige. Need back seats, even if limited in space.

[thill]

The GRT would be a beast, but I cannot imagine daily driving the car.. What about a BMW M4, or an Audi RS5 or something similar? I think you would get some great performance but also a really nice interior for a daily driver.

The new M4 seems really nice.

[Mr. Banana]

Originally Posted by thill

The GRT would be a beast, but I cannot imagine daily driving the car.. What about a BMW M4, or an Audi RS5 or something similar? I think you would get some great performance but also a really nice interior for a daily driver.

The new M4 seems really nice.

Sorry, what's a GRT? You mean GT-R or the Vantage GT?

Had an e90 M3 in the past and was the car I least enjoyed. Never been a luxury car guy...

[thill]

Originally Posted by Mr. Banana

Sorry, what's a GRT? You mean GT-R or the Vantage GT?

Had an e90 M3 in the past and was the car I least enjoyed. Never been a luxury car guy...

Sorry meant GTR

Don't get me wrong the BRZ is a great car, a fun car to drive, and is a practical daily driver.

Lexus is going to be more like a BMW/Merc which it sounds like you just don't want.

I will throw two more options at you. Mitsubishi Evo and Subaru WRX STI. Both cars feel way more raw than the BMW/Lexus but are also practical enough to be daily drivers.

This is an interesting take on a GTR vs Evo:
[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZupgBABiqxM&list=UUv-FM9e2vGXIEExo7L-ogOQ"]Godzilla goes to Finishing School: '14 GTR, '10 GTR, and Evo X - Everyday Driver - YouTube[/ame]

[cnk]

I love the GTR and the RC-F looks good. The maintenance and aftermarket parts for the GTR are really expensive though. If I had the expendable income, right now I would honestly be looking at the Jaguar F-type R coupe. Car is just gorgeous.

[FiRStsc10n]

Originally Posted by thatfilipinoguy

Lexus RCF

+1. If you're considering a new IS-F. Might as well wait couple months for the RC-F.

Updated internals on the V8, more HP, coupe, etc.

[thill]

But if BMW M4 and Audi S5, Porsche, etc are too refined and nice, wouldn't the same be said for the Lexus? I am reading the the OP wants something a little less refined and a little more raw. Hence why he is mentioning a Lotus. And I love the idea of the Lotus, but not really as a daily driver. That car should be considered a weekend garage queen.

[totopo]

so a gt-r is less fancy than like an m235i or m4?