Wow this is a tough question. I think there is alot of good stuff out there right now. My limitations are: 1.) I drive 55 mi. round-trip highway for work and 2.) My neighborhood is on the side of a big hill - and in the winter it can be tough without 4WD. My Speed6 w/ AWD and winter Bridgestones does pretty well, but when the weather gets really questionable, I reach for the 4Runner keys (after asking the wife's permission, of course!!).
If I was replacing the Speed6, I could be a bit more flexible. I would like something with a MT, so I might consider:
a 2010 GTI,
a 2010 Camaro,
a leftover G8 GXP (no chance of finding one of them!!)
a low-lux but high-performance CTS,
a Mazdaspeed3 or maybe Mazda would do another Mazdaspeed6 by then,
or if I could ever find one, a late 3rd Gen T4R with MT but without a sunroof
and I have been itching for an early-90's FJ
Low-lux, hi-po Infiniti G35S sedan w/6MT
Volvo C30 w/6MT
however,
Subies are too small for me,
Audi is too bland and can be too $$$,
I will not pay for a BMW to sit in the shop,
Mercedes does nothing for me
Nothing by Chrysler
Acuras have been abused by the ugly stick
FJ w/6MT but I would get murdered on the MPG.
If I had to replace the wifey's T4R I would look at a 5th Gen Trail Edition but would not rule out another 4th Gen. I would like to retain true 4WD capabilities in one vehicle and we need the capacity of an SUV (no pickups). Those two requirements really limit us.
Good thought provoking thread.
the only way to make the big lip look less crappy, IMHO, is to put a big brush guard on it....problem being if you crash it (ahem...like I might have done...oops) the brush guard amplifies the impact in certain areas and makes a heck of a mess.
