Car Hunting: Sedan Edition
 

It's been an issue for a while, but the lack of a sedan in our car mix is becoming more and more of an issue for me at work.

This has me hunting around amongst the fairly limited choices that can be had for roughly "sell the E46" money. Further requirements are manual (some DCT transmissions may be considered), and AWD. Because, honestly, I'd like the next car to be a better winter beater than the M3.

Net-net, I'm having a hard time expanding the list past E90 335i xDrive. B8 S4s are an option, but are a bit more expensive generally. (And sadly, my Mom says that she's keeping hers for a while longer, or else I'd just buy that off her.)

Is there anything else that I'm missing in the $15-20k range? I'd consider renting an F30, but BMW isn't selling the 320/328 with AWD and a manual. Keep in mind that it's a business beater so it can't be too small, nor can it be too interesting.

What about a used A4 with stick?

Jaguar XE coming up is interesting, although beyond your price range... But my understanding is the only stick will be in the RWD 2.0 engine version.

Mitsu evo/ subi sti too small?

I take a wrx is a bit too immature?

Or Focus RS. :)

Slow, hapless, expensive. And unlike the S4, whose DCT I like, I do *not* like it with the 2.0T. They don't compare well on a value basis to a 328. And you have to be really picky about the options because Audi didn't include basic things like memory seats.

It needs to be a car that I can put very rich investors/owners into the back of without pissing them off. So, yes.

But an E90 is nice enough?