[baege]

So life means I may be forced back into giving up a manual for now so that my girl will be able to drive our car

While I love having a manual, part of me thinks it's kinda obsessive to limit our search for a place to 2 parking spot condos (rare as fuck in our city) just so I can drive a manual car

for now I can live with a car that has a good manumatic with responsive paddles until we are in a situation where I can have a manual again.

I also have to admit coming back from 2 weeks with a decent manumatic in a fun car (mini cooper JCW) I might be showing my age a little (I have passed the 35-45 demographic). My immediate thought after coming back and driving my manual GTS4.0 in urban traffic was "man this is a bit of a chore". As I mature I do find my tolerance for the downsides of a manual car is weakening. That said, if we ever move out of the city and have 2 parking spots and decent roads around us then I will definitely get a sports car with a manual again.

But for now it's back to a slushbox...

I like smallish cars
I like naturally aspirated cars
I like low end torque

She wants an SUV but I just can't do it, I need something that will still feed the passion but we need something with a little practicality since it will be our only car

I've narrowed my search down to
M2 comp DCT
IS 500
CTV-4 blackwing

I had an M2 comp prior to the GTS and loved that car so it's a front runner right now

the IS intrigues me with its naturally aspirated v8 but I think the transmission can't compare to the DCT in the m2

the cadillac is a bit of an outlier

so I am thinking back into the M2 comp with a DCT

any counterpoints or other suggestions?

[BGM-M3COMP]

IS500 is a bit of a letdown when it comes to performance IMHO.

However of your list, i would pick that.

Because like you said, NA V8. The last of it's kind. There's no more like it after that.

The CT4V-BW is actually pretty impressive for what it is, but i feel like if you went that route, you might have regretted not trying for a CT5V-BW.

And an M2 comp is too small. I debated on an M2 before i got the M3. But it was too small.

[wtwo3]

I wanted SO bad to like the IS500... but at the end of the day it's an ancient platform with an ancient motor and an ancient interior with ancient tech. Yes the NA V8 is its saving grace and it's glorious... but there's just too many short comings with the car otherwise.

I don't think you mentioned what your budget is... but is a GT3 too impractical?

The M2 obviously isn't NA but it'll still be a lot of fun and DCT is always a pleasure to handle. Plus it's small, very nimble.. Would be a good choice.

The CT4 BW is a good car... I haven't driven one but the reviews are great. But if you're looking for that NA feeling, the CT5 BW with its supercharged motor will get you much closer. I know it's bigger but reviews are outstanding for it.

[gatorfast]

I know you said you can't do an SUV, but based on your criteria you should strongly consider the Macan S. Handling is probably on par with the cars you mentioned and it will also be more refined and practical as an only car.

[damnitBobby]

Def do not do a SUV. Its hard enough for you going from a 6MT to an automatic. Going to a SUV will be an even bigger change. This is coming from someone who went from sports sedans to a sporty SUV, and regretted it 6 months into ownership.

Out of those I would choose the IS500 or M2. The Lexus transmission isn't the fastest though. Definitely try to test drive one if you can.

[AlexFL]

Get a Genesis G80 - awesome car.

[Alfisti]

Wait, is this in place of the Cayman?

[RM7]

Originally Posted by baege

I like naturally aspirated cars
I like low end torque

With the fact that modern turbos come on with full torque around 1400-1700, these two things are opposites. Twin scrolls, turbos tapping directly off the exhaust manifolds or even part of the exhaust manifolds, hot-V setups, and other ways they make them spool fast and easily, this is where your max torque down low is. I can pull out of a dig easily with my LT1 and it's ~300lb/ft at 1000rpm, but it's not producing it's 460lb/ft until later, even though it's a flatt-ish curve and one of the flattest curves for NA. It still doesn't compare to modern turbo torque.

[baege]

Originally Posted by gatorfast

I know you said you can't do an SUV, but based on your criteria you should strongly consider the Macan S. Handling is probably on par with the cars you mentioned and it will also be more refined and practical as an only car.

tried one before I got a m240i, still felt like an SUV not on par with an actual sports sedan or coupe...

[baege]

Originally Posted by AlexFL

Get a Genesis G80 - awesome car.

also huge!

[baege]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

Wait, is this in place of the Cayman?

yup

[Humdizzle]

is500s trans is awful. a great engine with a bad transmission is still a let down.

m2c is nice, a bit low rent inside though and it rides rough.

you could always back a few years to the e92 m3 (no low end though), c63 507 edition... even a 2016 supecharged dct audi s4.

[baege]

Originally Posted by Humdizzle

is500s trans is awful. a great engine with a bad transmission is still a let down.

m2c is nice, a bit low rent inside though and it rides rough.

you could always back a few years to the e92 m3 (no low end though), c63 507 edition... even a 2016 supecharged dct audi s4.

yeah I just read a review of the IS500 which points out it needs the 10 spd in the LC

I considered the NA c63s back in day, the transmission was again not enjoyable

I also want something newer as it will be our only car that we go on trips on etc.

[BGM-M3COMP]

Originally Posted by baege

also huge!

What about the G70 then? The one with the 3.3 twin turbo V6?

Same engine as in the stinger GT but far better looking, IMHO, and more "luxurious".

It's odd because i was watching a video of the G70 this morning. My GF is considering one however she also wants a model 3 like me smh lol

[baege]

Originally Posted by BGM-M3COMP

What about the G70 then? The one with the 3.3 twin turbo V6?

Same engine as in the stinger GT but far better looking, IMHO, and more "luxurious".

It's odd because i was watching a video of the G70 this morning. My GF is considering one however she also wants a model 3 like me smh lol

yeah definitely smaller but the dreaded paddle shift lag seems to be an issue there

going away from a manual I definitely want an automatic that has responsive paddle shifting... the mini I just rented had lag in the paddle shifts and it took away from the experience for sure...

[dgoldenz]

991.1 obviously. If you can afford a 4.0 GTS then it should be no sweat.

[BGM-M3COMP]

Originally Posted by baege

yeah definitely smaller but the dreaded paddle shift lag seems to be an issue there

going away from a manual I definitely want an automatic that has responsive paddle shifting... the mini I just rented had lag in the paddle shifts and it took away from the experience for sure...

Hmmm ok then what about.................

A G80 M3 x-drive?? lol

Not sure why no one mentioned that? Is it because of long wait times? Not sure how soon you need this next vehicle but maybe check with your dealer and see what the approx wait time is?

[Alfisti]

Originally Posted by baege

yup

You gotta be fucking kidding me. I'd marry her before i change cars to make sure this is worth the loss and hassle.

F80 M3, slightly used.

[Alfisti]

Originally Posted by BGM-M3COMP

Hmmm ok then what about.................

A G80 M3 x-drive?? lol

Not sure why no one mentioned that? Is it because of long wait times? Not sure how soon you need this next vehicle but maybe check with your dealer and see what the approx wait time is?

'Cos it's pig ugly.

[BGM-M3COMP]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

'Cos it's pig ugly.

That is definitely true however it fits OP's needs, minus the NA engine part.

It'll be practical, AWD, somewhat "responsive" paddles and pretty damn quick. It'll be a faster car over the IS500 and the CT4V-BW.

[AlexFL]

The updated F-Type R has SVR’s supercharged V8 with 575 hp. It’s a bit overpriced to buy new but, since it’s a Jaguar, it depreciates really quickly. You can get 2021 low mileage ones for <90k.

[Alfisti]

Originally Posted by BGM-M3COMP

That is definitely true however it fits OP's needs, minus the NA engine part.

It'll be practical, AWD, somewhat "responsive" paddles and pretty damn quick. It'll be a faster car over the IS500 and the CT4V-BW.

None of that matters if you can't look at it. Maybe the Giulia is the answer but the F80 was a handsome car.