it's advice, not advise. Lancer Evolution

It's a crossover which is a perfect balance of maneuverability with cargo space. I'd recommend at least test driving the Nismo version, it really surprised me.

Apologize for the mistake. Evo is a good option. Are they reliable and easy to maintain？

Evos are broken every 5 seconds.

Hi there. On the list you have, Mazdaspeed3. It really is a short list of fun and sporty 4 doors at 20k. VW is not as reliable. For me the Focus will count but only if it is an RS.

I'll vote Focus ST. 4 Doors, nice turbo motor. Just did a quick search and there seem to be a lot of good examples under $20k. If you do get the mod bug for it, basic bolt-ons and a tune will probably net you some nice gains.

I'd stay away from anything Direct injected right now. Almost all of those cars are showing issues, at low miles, running on US gas.

Find a used infiniti G35 manual and fun to drive perfect for a daily

So, a 4-door sedan that's sporty with a manual transmission. I drive a Cadillac CTS-V, does that count?

PS: before committing to an Evo or an STi, get a quote for insurance premium from your agent.

:iagree: Actually, the G37s sedans are coming down on price too, mid to high teens get you something pretty good in the private market. I also own a G sedan and love it.

2010 G37 Sedan 6MT - MyG37

For Sale Flawless 2009 g37s sedan - MyG37
^not 6MT but a worthy mention

Disclaimer: I am not related to the owners of the listed vehicles.

My question here is,if it's for the GF/Wife & baby must be a 4dr and under $20K what does it matter how "Sporty" it is? You aren't driving it as your in a Z :p I bought my GF a Versa 5spd Sedan brand new for $17K financed. She isn't complaining at all,it's her 1st ever brand new car also.

WRX if you can handle the interior.

If you are looking at MK6 GTIs, expand your search to the MK6 GLI as well. You will appreciate the extra couple inches of rear seat legroom with car seats.

It sounded like the car is actually for him. He's buying a 4 door DD instead of selling his Z.

For me, even if it's for purely for the wife, if I'm spending the $, might as well get something that I like and still fulfill the purpose for her. :excited:

After driving the Z, my wife said "is there something wrong with the civic? it makes lotta noise but doesn't move much..." we bought her a G37 soon after ha.

Yeah the Versa sure isn't a Z but it's not a bad little car honestly,especially for the price new. I actually was planning on buying her a AWD Juke but when I showed her the brochure she thought it was ugly. Then we went to pick her new car up and she saw the Juke and literally said this to me....why didn't you get me one of these:ugh2:

Btw how is that new STI treating ya? Gonna jump on one in a few months!!


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I have a 2015 Mazda3 S Touring Hatchback. It has the 2.5 four with a 6 speed manual. It only has 184 hp and 185 ft-lb of torque, but it is very fun to drive. It has been reliable and gets good gas mileage. I paid 25k new, but you could find a used one for under 20k. It is also a very practical daily driver. If you find one with the 6 speed auto, it comes with sport mode and paddle shifters.

i like it a lot. if stock vs stock, the STI is more fun to drive dan the 370Z. since my Z has some minor tweaks to make her mine, not an even comparison, but i can see people hopping to the STI from the Z if they can only keep one car.

i got the AP installed the other day. pretty cool. :D doing the rear fog this week.

Ohh Mr kenchan wait until you install downpipe up the boost and add a intake! I hear its ridiculous at that point! I will be going full stage2+ if I end up with one. Cheers! FYI: silver doesn't look that bad on the STI hehe


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actually the 15/16 STI's require new injectors if u do dat due to boost creep issues. wastegate is limited. car comes out of the box pretty lean. im going to keep the pipes and intake stock. i dont need more noise.. im a middle aged guy remember, i had a noisy car before. lol

hell, the silver grew on me now. thing looks great. was originally going to get the darker blue wrx or the wr blue STI, but im glad i got silver. probably tired of the blue by now. lol

I'd go with a Juke or a Mitsubishi Lancer

Man, with all the past engine issues with the WRX STI (top ring land breakage, which usually means a new motor ... just google the top ring land problem), I'd personally stay away from it. Not to mention the cheap plastic "low rent" interior. The G35 and G37 w/ 6-spd manual would definitely be on my short list. Problem is you can't get AWD with 6-spd manual trans. Therefore, my top choice in the 4-DR sporty category would be...... the Acura TL Sport with AWD and 6-spd manual trans. Best of all worlds! Plus it looks great with leather appointed interior and has 305 hp engine. Your wife will love you!

The ej257 isn't a very methodically thought out engine. With that being said, have you seen the new STI interior? It was a whole lot better than the Z I just traded in, (base) the value aspect of the STI is whats amazing about it. If I were OP I'd get a wrx.


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meh, i dont agree with dat. the engine is quite mature now and the new interior is actually quite nice. it's not a glamorous interior like a lexus but it's not how u described it.

and LOL'ed at TL reference. u need to get your car guy head checked. a TL? seriously? :rofl2:

Seriously. Lol. Like I said, as a family car (which some Millenials, not all, who haven't gotten out of mom and dad's house wouldn't understand) with a decent amount of room for the kids, it's great. And the wife would probably love it. You guys are referencing new or one year old Sub's. Didn't know we were talking new year models. Changes the game a little bit, don't you think?

Lol lol. But seriously, me having a 8 month old myself, spacious interior and storage is looking more important all of the sudden.

Just an update. After test driving 2 Mazdaspeed3s (gen1 and gen2) and 2 GTIs (Mk6 and Mk7), I ended up with a CPO 2013 candy white Mk6 GTI Driver's Edition. It has only 8,400 miles on it with all service records. The Speed3s are great cars, however, they are harder to live with as a DD. Overall, the VWs are just more refine.

After the VW scam/affair with their emissions systems, I think VW is more misleading than anything else. Who knows, you may even get some sort of compensation or settlement if your vehicle is part of the scandal.:stirthepot:

What are everybody's thoughts on the Subaru Outback (a newer one)? I'm thinking of getting one to replace me Jeep.

I'd much rather have a WRX, but it's darn-near impossible to find a used one near me that's low-mileage, reasonably priced, and not beaten to death. Plus, the insurance is a little more than I'd want to pay (in addition to the Z anyways).

Gas mileage is **** and everything is crappy plastic.

Wife has a 2015 Subaru Forester. Interior is about average in its class. So, I believe the more expensive Outback can only be better. The 2.5 NA we have is also used in the base Outback. Our MPG is about 24 with 60% city and 40% hwy in DC/MD/VA. In comparison, the 2005 Toyota Matrix it replaced gave me 22.

All wheel drive all the time and extremely reliable.