Thought exercise: Best sporty 4-door for under $50k new or used

[Biggins]

Originally Posted by Josh (PA)

Is it worse than an E46? I haven't sat in one.

I think it might be. I sat in one at the auto show a couple years ago and thought the coupe might actually have more room than the sedan. It was odd.

[JST]

Originally Posted by Biggins

I think it might be. I sat in one at the auto show a couple years ago and thought the coupe might actually have more room than the sedan. It was odd.

Yeah, that's my off the cuff reaction, too. It's been a long time since I sat in the backseat of an E46, but while I remember it being snug I don't remember feeling confined the way I did in the ATS-V.

The only other car that gave me a similar feeling--almost a panic attack from how little room there was--was the G35 coupe. I rode in a friend's, once. Never again.

[John V]

Cool, so the best ~ $50k sport sedan is a car that nobody on this board will ever buy.

[wdc330i]

I just find the Cadillac styling so ungainly-- even offensive. Just cheesy and pandering to some kind of uniquely American idea of machismo.

I feel the same way I feel about all those Dodge Chargers. I'm not consistent, though. I don't mind pickup trucks that assume the same pose.

[Josh (PA)]

Originally Posted by wdc330i

I just find the Cadillac styling so ungainly-- even offensive. Just cheesy and pandering to some kind of uniquely American idea of machismo.

I feel the same way I feel about all those Dodge Chargers.

I personally agree, the new caddies scream mafioso / north jersey shore wannabe styling. Although there has been a white CTS-V on the turnpike the last few weeks that I have started to like. The bright white in contrast to the black louvers is really growing on me.

If it was my $50k, I'd probably go E63 wagon, and give up the manual requirement. If manual was a non-negotiable, I think I'd go F80 M3 over E90 due to the torque and nicer interior.

[John V]

Originally Posted by wdc330i

I just find the Cadillac styling so ungainly-- even offensive. Just cheesy and pandering to some kind of uniquely American idea of machismo.

I don't like it either.

And yes, the previous-gen CTS-V drives phenomenally well. But I'm not buying one, either.

[Plaz]

Originally Posted by wdc330i

I just find the Cadillac styling so ungainly-- even offensive. Just cheesy and pandering to some kind of uniquely American idea of machismo.

Originally Posted by Josh (PA)

I personally agree, the new caddies scream mafioso / north jersey shore wannabe styling.

[JST]

Originally Posted by John V

I don't like it either.

And yes, the previous-gen CTS-V drives phenomenally well. But I'm not buying one, either.

I actually do like the newest iterations of the styling. I don't think they're particularly overdone, given the swoopy droopy diaper look of new Benzes and the hellish dystopia reflected in the most recent Japanese designs.

[Plaz]

Originally Posted by JST

I actually do like the newest iterations of the styling. I don't think they're particularly overdone, given the swoopy droopy diaper look of new Benzes and the hellish dystopia reflected in the most recent Japanese designs.

I agree on the latter, but I like the new Benz loaded diaper look.

[JST]

Originally Posted by Plaz

I agree on the latter, but I like the new Benz loaded diaper look.

Relevant:

http://www.caranddriver.com/comparis...c-ats-v-page-2

There’s less space inside the Cadillac, too. The rear seats are tight enough to trigger a claustrophobic episode. In a game of inches, every fraction counts.