Greg has a 2013 Infiniti M37 that he is fond of, but the car is getting up there in age and he is ready to trade his four doors for a big coupe that is reliable and powerful. He has a lot of flexibility and a $60,000 budget, what car should he buy?
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Here is the scenario.
I’m ready to give up my 2013 Infiniti M37. While I still love the car, the 4-door sedan has 102,000 miles and is starting to show its age. It was one of the best-kept secrets in the automotive world and I’d consider another if they were still made: good performance, comfort, looks (to my mind) inside and out, and less expensive to purchase and service than most of its peers. It was the perfect car when I was commuting 60 highway miles a day. Now I’m three miles away from the daily train ride into NYC and want something that will get my pulse racing on the weekends.
I’m looking for a reliable sports car that I can daily drive. Something bigger, roomier and more powerful than a Miata. Something without the ugly, go-fast dents that are found all over on just about every car made these days. It doesn’t have to be new; a low-mileage used car with modern safety features and at least a few creature comforts works. Either a stick or paddle shifters will do. I prefer a hard-top, but a sunroof would be nice. I tend to favor the German cars, and I don’t like the interiors on most American models. I would prefer a coupe, though I wouldnt totally rule out a nice sedan. I have a budget of up to $60,000
Quick Facts:
Budget: up to $60,000
Location: Norwalk, CT
Daily Driver: Sort of
Wants: Power, Reliability, Comfort
Doesn’t want: An American car
Expert 1: Tom McParland – Checks All The Boxes
The appeal of the Infintis from that generation was that they offered a healthy amount of power in both V6 and V8 versions in a relatively stress-free package. Unfortunately, Infiniti strayed away from that formula in favor of whatever it is they are doing now, but there are some wildcards on the market if you are willing to expand your net a bit.
Lexus crammed its excellent 5.0- liter V8 into a variety of models over the years, and while the Japanese brand’s performance offerings haven’t often made a direct challenge to the ///M or AMG cars, they did offer a compelling package of old school power with top-notch build quality.
As an upgrade to the M37, you may want to consider the Lexus RC-F, you will get a 470 horsepower V8 without any turbos or fussy stuff, and while you can likely find more power elsewhere, I doubt that this would be insufficient for your needs. The interior is modern enough, though a bit dated compared to some of the European choices. However, the RC-F should offer enough thrills for weekend driving, without having to worry about raiding your savings account for expensive repairs. Another benefit is you don’t see too many of these, and it can be nice to have something a bit different. Due to their rarity, you will likely need to source one from far away and have it shipped. This red one in Texas with under 9,000 miles is tempting, as is this white one from a private seller that is a little more convenient.
Expert 2 : Bradley Brownell – Neunelfer Über Alles
Oh, so you prefer German cars and you want a car that adds some verve to your life? There’s only one logical choice here, it absolutely has to be the Porsche 911. This definitely fits the bill, and it won’t drive like anything else on the market, used or new. The 996-generation 911 Turbo is the best bang-for-your-buck in the Porsche market right now, and they’re steadily marching up in value. The Turbo is definitely built more in the Grand Tourer direction, with a cushy full-leather interior and all-wheel drive, but it’s still an incredibly competent sporting machine.
This 2001 Turbo makes 415 ponies from a 3.6-liter flat six, and is possibly the most reliable thing Porsche has ever built. The Mezger engine slung out back is a gem of engineering and delivers an old-school boost punch when you mat the throttle. If you can stay out of boost, it’ll actually deliver pretty solid fuel mileage on the highway, too.
The 996 generation gets a lot of flack for its headlights, but I actually like them. The interior is definitely dated, designed 27 years ago, but there are plenty of things you can do to make it a little nicer. A modern CarPlay head unit goes a long way, in my opinion.
It’s admittedly at the top of your budget, but it brings a lot to the table, too. Go offer $60,000 for this one on eBay (asking $61,900) and never look back. It’ll treat you right, and you’ll have a blast. Plus you can tell people you drive a Porsche.
Expert 3: Collin Woodard – You Actually Want What You Don’t Want
Look, Greg, I hear what you’re saying. You don’t want an American car. On the other hand, everything else you’ve written makes it sound like you want an American car. Power? Reliability? Comfort? Buddy, you’re asking for a Dodge Challenger even if you don’t think you want a Dodge Challenger. Heck, much of the early engineering was borrowed from Mercedes-Benz, which is one of the German brands you like so much.
I know you don’t want to hear it, and maybe it’s because you’re worried your neighbors will judge you, but a Dodge Challenger would be perfect for you. Especially as a weekend car. If you really are hoping for a Miata but bigger, then I’m definitely wrong here, and you should probably go with Tom or Bradley’s suggestion, but a Hemi-powered Challenger is going to be a blast from the moment you start it up.
With a budget up to $60,000, you’ve basically got your pick of the lineup. If you’re worried about your car being too powerful, you can always go with some of the lesser Challengers, but here’s a 2015 Hellcat for just under $53,000. The RC-F makes plenty of power, but it certainly doesn’t make Hellcat power. Meanwhile, the Beetle doesn’t even have a V8. Come on, Greg. You know you want a Hellcat. It may feel wrong, but everything about it is so right.
Expert 4: Amber DaSilva – You Already Know What You Want
Greg, there’s a rare category of What Car Should You Buy shopper that I think you fall into: The buyer who’s already picked out a car, but wants others to arrive to the same conclusion independently to back them up. I know, you came here to ask what car you should buy, but let’s look at your wording here. You want something lightly used, comfortable, fast, and — perhaps most crucially to the argument — German.
Greg, get thee an M4. Better yet, get yourself an M4 Competition. You’ll have power in spades, all the German interior luxury you could want, and you’ll have it all for under $60,000. Here’s a solid option for you, but it’s far from the only one — you can find these cars within your price range all day long.
I know, I know, rear-wheel drive in Connecticut winters is scary. But, Greg, you got this. I drove an FR-S through years of Fairfield County snow, and I lived to tell the tale. If I could do it, so can you.