I was always a car guy growing up, and I've worked in the automotive industry in one way or another in most of the past 30 years, including over 20 years in IC engine manufacturing. I turned 50 in 2022, but fun cars were hard to find, selling over sticker, and you had to commit before they even showed up at the stealership.

So now things are sorta stable, cars are selling at list or lower, and you can actually test drive them. So what to get?

I haven't owned an automatic transmission since 1994, and in the last 20 years my daily drivers have been a 2002 Subaru WRX, 2013 Subaru WRX, and a 2017 Civic Si. Also had 1997 and 2000 Mazda Miatas when I was still married. I will keep the Civic Si for now as a commuter and eventually maybe a hand-me-down to my son.

So far I've tested:

Mustang GT 6-speed - V8 sound and power, dealers have tons of 10-speed autos but almost no manuals. Getrag MT82 is problematic, with a class action lawsuit. Tremec is much better but only available in the Dark Horse. Price has gone way up. During COVID a Mach 1 for 50K was going over sticker to 60K. Now the "Dark Horse" is 60K. Ford reliability - I worked for FMC for 7 years so....

Acura Integra Type S 6-speed - a nearly perfect 4-door front drive turbo sedan. A Civic Type-R for adults with no silly Fast/Furious wing. Stupid 265/30-19 tires that are going to have trouble with Indiana potholes.

Subaru WRX 6-speed - AWD traction, goofy styling since 2022 (ok more goofy than usual), and new 2.4L engine has more torque on the low end but a low 6000 RPM redline that comes too fast. The all-year-round jack-of-all-trades but falling behind the competition of late.

VW GTI - Pretty fast but terrible digital dash and VW reliability.

Mazda Miata RF - more power than in years past, but still a bit underpowered. The RF auto-folding targa top is interesting. Not as good as a real convertible but way better with the top up. A real drivers car, with relatively low limits so you can drive it like you stole it without breaking too many traffic laws.

Toyota GR Supra 6-speed - weird looking with a BMW I-6 Turbo powertrain. Accelerates as good as a Mustang GT V8 with better handling. Feels like a bigger faster Miata on steroids with a closed top. BMW reliability and maintenance cost?

Subaru BRZ / Toyota GR86 - have not found a manual to test drive yet.

Toyota GR Corolla - a 1.6L 3-banger making 300 hp with variable-split AWD? Have not been able to test drive yet. Crazy but reminds me of my 2002 WRX pushing the limts with unrefined but fun rawness.

C8 Corvette - would like to drive one but the 70K base model is non-existent and the true price of entry is 80K-100K at the low end.

i would narrow the list down by tossing out the ford, chevy and the subies. Go from there.

Good luck.

Good luck. You need to consider the used market. If you are after a Man Trans, then the C8 Corvette is out since they are only automatics. Consider a C6 or C7 with a Tremec 6 (C6)or 7 (C7)speed manual. If considering the older C6 look for specialty models that hold their value. I am currently driving a 2013 (C6) 427 Convertible - they only came with the manual trans and they only made 2551 of them. My EDD is a 2015 Chevy SS - also a manual (Tremec 6060)which command about a $3500 to $4500 premium over the automatics in the used market. Very hard to find and pricey when you do - but worth it.

My son had a 2020 Camaro SS 1LE with the manual trans. He's a big guy and the car was too uncomfortable for him. He wound up selling it and getting a Chevy SS just like his old man's. LOL

Good luck.

Adios,

Pizza Bob

Im biased, but it would be the Subie WRX. Love mine, 2013 Hatchback. Super fun, and practical. It has been the most reliable vehicle that I have ever owned.


ARman

^^ My coworker has a 2008 C6 Z06 427 7-speed. I call it "The Humbler". I like the C6 better than the C7.

All I can say is I've considered a Miata to scratch the mid life itch. But then I've go to think about how comfortable my aging body is gonna be in it.

Since you apparently like the WRX but want something a bit more refined, check out the smaller turbo Mazda hatchbacks like the Mazda3, or perhaps the CX-30.

Similar turbo performance and AWD (available not standard), but with a nicer interior, more grown-up styling, better reliability, and a significantly lower price tag to boot.

I'm not sure about the CX-30, but the 3 is available with a manual transmission. (And even the automatic Mazda turbos have paddle shifters for quasi-manual mode.)

The 3 is still made in Japan too.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: RogueJSK,

quote:

Originally posted by ARman:
Im biased, but it would be the Subie WRX. Love mine, 2013 Hatchback. Super fun, and practical. It has been the most reliable vehicle that I have ever owned.


ARman

My 2013 2.5L WRX got random misfires starting around 70K and at 103K needed an engine-out rebuild of both cylinder heads due to low valve lash on the exhausts. Subaru of N.A. agreed to pay half the cost at warranty rates. And that was because ex's daily driver 2004 Forester XT 2.5L shit the bed at 150K and the 2013 Forrester X 2.5 drank oil and blew at 70K. 3 of 3 2.5L engines failed early. My 2002 WRX 2.0L was bullet proof.

I got laid off in July and got a very healthy severance. Turned 50 in august. Had a couple of great interviews since, if something develops soon, I’m going to probably buy myself a GT Mustang. Manual trans and if I can swing it the factory warranted, dealer installed supercharger option. 700+horse for 50k ish.

quote:

Originally posted by 6guns:
All I can say is I've considered a Miata to scratch the mid life itch. But then I've go to think about how comfortable my aging body is gonna be in it.

5'6" 180 lbs (need to lose 10-15) I fit fine. Well, have to roll down the drivers window and rest my arm on the sill. But a turbo and 250 hp would push the Miata over the magical 10 lbs/hp ratio...

Looks like you are considering the same cars I did.

WRX - No STI and I will never own anything with plastic fenders, they will be faded and ugly after a year and they started off hideous before fading.

Supra - I'm not fan of BMW

Mustang - fun, overpriced for anything above a GT.

Miata - fun to drive, peppier, but still a Miata.

Integra - 2nd place, but it's FWD. I don't think I will ever buy anything not AWD but it's a strong contender, mom loves her A-Spec, so the S will probably be even nicer.

BRZ/86 - if I wanted a subie I'd buy a 2021 STI.

GTI - if it was a AWD I'd own one.

Corvette - can't see myself driving it long term, would be a fun rental for a week.

Ended up with Circuit GR Corolla, it's a blast to drive, absolute thrill, can't say enough about its grip, acceleration, and toss-ability. I must stress it is still very much a Corolla with nicer seats, suspension, engine, and brakes. You have to prepare yourself for that. It's shocking how primitive and cheap it feels, but I bought it to be a toy, not a luxury vehicle.

Lotus Elise or a Caterham if you don’t need to daily it.

Not sure why people pick on BMW reliability. Maybe I have lemons? I'm on my fourth BMW and just like the last three, it works and works. I usually get rid of cars before 100k miles so maybe that's why I've had good luck? I do pretty much all maintenance myself. Oil changes are easy, brakes are easy, spark plugs are easy (except for that damn hard top convertible I had, it had a big bar over the last sparkplug, so it took me an extra 15 minutes. lol)

I just did the front pads on my current BMW. M pads barely made it past 20k miles, but the replacements were $78 and it took me under an hour.

Serious question, why not an auto?

I can’t imagine ever wanting to go back to a manual transmission.

My midlife crisis car was a 1995 Nissan 300zx. I loved it. My 3/4+ life crisis car may well be another Nissan - a new Nissan Z.

Lots of styling cues from earlier Z’s particularly the 1990-95 model. As long as you don’t go nuts, it can be had at a reasonable price. I think Nissan hit it out of the park with this one.

I did the same thing when I turned 50. I ended up getting a 1988 Ferrari 328 GTS. Loved that car. Drove it into the ground. The block shift was an absolute joy to drive.

Wish I still had it - my current car is a 1999 355F1 and the paddle shift is a novelty that has worn off.

Good ouch with whatever you find. What makes you happy.

Supra. The B58 engine is solid, without the potential pitfalls of its predecessor. Really there's no inherent lack of reliability, there's just staying on top of maintenance.

Out of your selections I would go with the Supra. The BMW’s B58 is one of the best and most reliable engines made and put down the rated hp to the wheels. They actually credit the B58 for bringing the entire brands reliability ratings up.

If you’re looking for a fun car I can’t imagine too many cars under 300hp that are really that fun. Depends on what you’re used to.

The Toyota GR Corolla with right at 300hp would probably be fun because it’s light enough to not need so much hp. The turnoffs would be that it might be too boy racer for you and one person had theirs catch on fire and Toyota wouldn’t back up their warranty because he went over 85mph.

Not on your list but incredibly fun to drive and quite practical as well.
https://www.challengertalk.com...anual-loaded.713880/

This message has been edited. Last edited by: 1s1k,

I have found that the roar of a V10 to be the best music there is.

Of those mentioned the 'Vette would get my vote.

Let us know what you ultimately decide.

My hubby got his midlife crisis when he was 47ish. We went to Toyota to get my Camry's oil changed and ended up looking at what was then a Scion FRS (now the Toyota 86). 11 years later we still drive it and still love it. We have the 6 speed and if you can find one to test drive it. We like ours and have been very happy with it.