My wife is a speed demon. She loves fast cars. She's been thinking about getting something standard again (or a really good auto/clutchless transmission). She also does like utility but we have a 91 sidekick we bought as a beater that her mom gave her the cash for and passed away shortly after so we are keeping that car forever. Looking into a VW AAZ 1.9 TDI for it right now since apparently its almost a complete drop in

She currently has a IS300 and loves the car. We were thinking about the IS350/F but a friend of mine thats a master lexus tech said the maintenance costs on those cars are higher then they were for the IS300.

So I'm trying to talk her into looking at the following cars:

08+ WRX STi - Yes I know but she is not gonna need more then 400ish hp and she loves the sound of the boxer engine

08+ Evo. She loves everything about the car, BUT.......she hates the front. I'm hoping to convince her to test drive one anyways

08+ Subaru Legacy - Like the STi but way more sedate

Not here's where it gets fun. She likes all types of vehicles so she is also looking at:

08+ GLK 350 - Loves the looks. Doesn't like the fact that its kinda small

08+ Range Rover sport - Maintenance costs are a concern

2011 Outlander Sport - Loves everything about the car---------except the fact that it only comes with 150HP. Seriously Mitsubishi.....WTF

08+ Acura MDX. Almost had her in this one but my sister is a selfish brat and thats what she drives so in my wife's crazy female mind she does NOT want to get the same vehicle as my sister. I think its stupid but whatever.

Last thing to note, I know the FT-86 is on the horizon and the Subaru version looks great if the renderings are to be believed. The Toyota version I've heard may be coming out later this year. No clue on the Subaru STi version.

Distant third is the BMW 335 (XI). I liek it but the 4 door version doesn't look as good as the 2 door. Plus I'm not sure on the maintenance costs on this one either.

Trying to keep it around 35k (Yes i have found IS-F's for 36-40 that I believe I can get close to the price we want to spend).

I will try to get her into a Evo IX MR. She hates my car because of all the money thats gone into it so thats an uphill battle.

 

wow, your list has very different vehicles. i'd suggest you first narrow down your category - suv, sedan, hatch, extreme performance or just average. this way you dont have to compare lexuses to STi's, or subaru legacys to Range rovers

having just owned a RR sport, i can tell u not to get one w/o warranty. Also, my wife is about done on a 3y lease on an IS250. amazing car in all regards, except that its pretty slow. so prolly not for you
MDX is a great vehicle in most regards. but once again, if you need it to be fast, walk past the MDX
3 series is quiet the opposite - its fast, but is smallish inside, and not exactly very reliable.

 

Customer that comes through my work just picked up a 2011 STI. He has put a Cobb stg 2 on her and she is a beast. I actually really like the new STI's.

 

+1, my buddy just got the STI limited in white and its a really nice car. In stock trim it does feel sluggish but I'm coming from an 05 VIII with cams. Handles great and has some good torque to back it up.

 

Define 'speed demon'. Does she just like to accelerate hard? Or does she corner quickly? Honestly, if she wants to drive 'fast', that pretty much eliminates every SUV or crossover besides a BMW X5M or Porsche Cayenne Turbo.

If operating costs are a concern, I'd say that eliminates the STI and Evo too. So, that leaves a Mustang GT 5.0 as something thats fast and relatively easy on the wallet.

 

its unclear to us which one she wants - fast sporty car or utility?

I'm not bothered at all about the variety of fast cars you listed - i'm bothered at how the second half of the list is full of DD SUV/CUV vehicles. For most people, there is no "indifferent" - deep down they want one or the other. Nobody's "happy with either choice" imo

it's like Evo vs STi threads - deep down the OP already made the decision and has his heart set on one; only in this case it's about the type of car you two are looking to buy

 

sti! won't be as sharp as the evo but I think it's the best combo of speed and utility

 

Audi S4 Avant

 

Maybe she'd like a g37x(awd) or something along those lines. Those are real nice insode and can get up and move when needed.

 

335 just get one with warranty

 

i asked an audi dealer recently about getting a current model year S4 avant into the US (since Us market doesnt otherwise get em). they said about 6month wait, and ~$10-15k above the current European msrp (which is already higher than our MSRP).

 

FT-86 has potential to be a fun RWD car if the bean counters at Toyota don't completely neuter it for production. It sounds like it may be a bit light on speed but it they keep the car light in weight and not dial in too much understeer in the handling it could be a more manly Miata.

 

Sorry I haven't checked in since i posted this.
To answer some of the questions. She has very different tastes. Originally she wanted a SUV but she bought this really good condition Suzuki Sidekick and plans to put a VW 1.9 TDI motor in it. We only have 2 kids so I don't think a SUV is really worth it.

When I say speed demon she'd go out on a track to race her car if given the opportunity. She likes speed, handling....she really is like a dude when it comes to that stuff. She doesn't want it all the time.

I'm not worried about the maintenance costs of a Evo or STi. I can wrench on the regular stuff and she won't need more then 400ish HP to be really happy, but because she likes performance I really am trying to steer her towards something that can be made faster for relatively cheap (Enter Evo X or even a good condition IX). She won't be driving it everyday and if she does the most she'd put on it during the week is 100 miles. Weekend she sometimes does alot of driving but we bought the sidekick for everyday going to work or school, etc.

@Exyia I completely get you. My issue with her is one day she craves performance, the next day utility the day after that luxury features. Thats why I figured the IS350 would be sure bet. My friends reasons for not getting it to me now that I sit down and think about it aren't really issues. Most performance oriented vehicles are going to need more regular service/tires, etc then regular commuter cars.

I know its almost impossible to get all three in one car, which is why I figured if I can get her in something that is a) Got some creature comforts b) Fast and fun to drive and can be made faster for not too much expended then I might get her to get past the utility part. I mean being honest the utility goes almost completely against all the other areas shes interested in.

I think once we find some time for her to test drive everything she's interested in she will naturally find something she really likes.

 

2011 BMW 1 series M.

1 year model so buy one if you can and keep it nice and you're pretty much guaranteed to be able to sell at a reasonable price.

3200lb, 360 wheel torque, factory LSD.

 

I like it.....its kinda small though. LOL.


Sghe just needs ot get out and start test driving them. She may end up hating the IS and loving the Audi and may just say screw performance and go get a Honda Pilot.