I agree with the lack of a manual in the Infinitis being an issue for me. They have such a great twin turbo motor with so much potential. Maybe someday Nissan will get smart and put that into a production Z car. What is wrong with the infotainment system?

The STI hatch is a bit more grown up, but the performance of those cars is so outdated. They really used to be something cool and fast... 15 years ago. Now they are just corner markers at track days. There was one in my run group at my last track day and I was having fun reeling him in and blowing his doors off- and my car was by no means the fastest.

I really hope that the next generation STI is a great car and it has all the potential to be. It looks like the S209 will very well run a faster lap time at VIR than the ATS-V this October for the Lightning Lap and that will be a sure testament to the handling, brakes, and tires. I would imagine the ATS-V would still devour the S209 at a track like Road America with its longer straights, but a win at VIR would still be impressive for such an outdated car.

 

I'm optimistic on the next generation STI. It's confirmed to have a 6MT and it has to be better performing, more fuel efficient and reliable than the current generation car. I don't care if it isn't considerably more powerful than the current car, just an updated engine with 330-350

I'm less optimistic about the MK8 GTI and R, only because of the way VW and Audi have been trending with manual transmissions--ie deleting them. I don't see the R getting a 6MT option, although I'll be incredibly happy if it does.

 

I doubt it will be any good. 2007 Subara Impreza STIs were probably the last good Subaru to be made in my opinion and looked decent. The current ones look very ugly and bloated. The Q50 is ruined by the electric power steering in my opinion. Whenever I drive it I always cringe when I go on the roundabouts. Plus the run-flats suck a$$.

And definitely agree new Golfs are crappy. They even made an electric version for pussies Best Golf is the mark 1, period. Mark 3 is the next best one. After that, it's ****e. New cars are crap in my opinion. They got to keep things simple and stop focusing on infotainments, cupholders, and stuff that makes soccer moms happy.

 

Subaru gave us a 2019 Forester Sport for a loaner while they were repairing the AC in my wife's 2018. Seems they tweaked the programming in the CVT for the new model so it's more smooth and consistent, less like the simulated shift points in my wife's car. Why? I don't freaking know. On top of that, the car had flappy paddles. Seriously... flappy paddles on an underpowered, naturally aspirated, 4-cyl boxer, in a family SUV, with a continuously variable transmission.

Banghead...

IDK why I'm venting about this here. But whatever.

 

Better get use to electric power steering--even Porsche has ditched hydraulic steering these days. IIRC, electric steering is optional in the Q50, but sadly, the 6MT is unavailable. I'd otherwise love a 400 hp RWD 6MT Q50.

I didn't say new golfs are crappy--I sold my G37S for a MK7.5 R . I said I'm not optimistic about the MK8 redesign. The infotainment system in my MK7 is fantastic, it responds instantly and is very easy to operate, including separate controls for the HVAC. Plus, all the driving aides, from collision mitigation to lane keep to stability control can all be disabled, and with the exception of stability control, they remain disabled after shutting off the car. Even the stability control has a "sport" setting and "off". And I like having functioning cupholders....I take a cup of coffee to work every day, which is something I couldn't do in my G37S. Even launching at 3000 rpm doesn't spill my coffee

I wonder if they could update the software to be smoother in your wife's car? But yeah, agree on the paddles. Either get a manual or stop pretending, especially in a SUV or even a mini-van (Honda Odyssey has flappy paddles these days). I can't imagine the market actually wants these things.....

 

No, one of the things we really like about her Subaru is the way the CVT behaves like a traditional transmission. It's just a more familiar experience. I think something is lost in the drive when you have a flat powerband. That experience is the primary gripe I have about my buddy's Tesla. (Although in his case, the curve isn't so much flat as it is vertical, LOL)

I know. The mind reels at all the stupid.

 

Lego, unfortunately you may be right about the new Golf R and the DSG being the only option. You cannot even buy an Audi with a manual transmission anymore!?!

Rochester, reprogramming shift points, holding gears longer, adjusting throttle tip-in, etc. are common updates now that can be done as easily as your service dept. plugging into the OBDII port when you are in for an oil change. Updates for car computers are almost as common as phone updates now. It is strange.

I know what you guys mean about paddle shifters. I have been helping people get cars for 17 years now and not once has anyone ever asked for paddle shifters. Not once. Most people have no idea how they even work. I was explaining them to a guest the other day and she said, "well I don't know how that works, I never learned to drive a manual." I tried not to let the sound of my hand slapping my forehead echo too loudly.

 

Oh I thought the newer generation Q50s are sold only with electric power-steering (like the 3.0t) while the older 3.7 variants had the option of it. Either way, electric steering sucks. I hate hate hate electric steering.

That hot coffee issue is not a problem for me since I don’t drink any. I remember when people complained about the BMW E39’s cupholders a long time ago. It’s a sports sedan, not a SUV. Seems only people in America praise cupholders. My rule is no food or drinks in the car, only bottled water. That cupholder rant will be for another day.

Sorry for the crappy VW comment, cut me slack cause I’ve been working since 4 AM

I’ll be old school man never buy a newer car after 2010-2011.

On a side note, have you seen the Toyota Z4, I mean BMW Supra? Those things are just butt ugly. Uglier than those Alfa Romeo Guilias.

 

They brought the 6MT back with the 2.0 on the A4 for one year, then discontinued it. No more manual in the BWM 330/340 either. The only car VW/Audi sells with a manual are Golf based. I'm sure the GTI will offer a manual option, but IDK if they're going to be able to justify developing a manual R for a few thousand units worldwide. Especially when the DSG outperforms the 6MT.

It sucks. I'd love a 6MT RS3

I could be wrong on electric steering on the Q50, but I thought it was optional. Honestly, if a car doesn't offer a manual, I tend to not dig into the details too much.

I have the same no food or drinks except bottled water rule in my car, but it's for passengers only

 

I’ve been thinking about this for the 6mt sedan variant of the question and the best answer is a chevy ss in 6mt trim many years down the road. I think some of them are owned by retirees and they will still be mint.
I mainly pick it for natural aspiration and awesome handling. Gas mileage is supposed to be comparable with more power. The pontiac G8s are like the prev generation and they are fairly trouble free cars.

 

I seriously considered a SS. But awesome handling? It weighs 4000 pounds. It's one of a few cars that is actually subject to the gas guzzler tax. I've seen people talk about 10 mpg in the city, I consistently got 15 in my G37, which is pretty bad.

I see a fair number of them around, and they always catch my eye, and sometimes ear, because they sound awesome.

 

Hm.. that’s interesting abt the gas mileage. But.. doesn’t the GTR weigh 4000lbs?

 

My man! Hahaha! For real though, if they want to eat they have to do it before or after the ride.

For me, the weight of the car does not really matter. People complain about the weight so much, but if you know how to control all that weight then you're fine. The SS is a really good choice. The only thing I hate are all the fake vents and the electronics it has. Other than that, a pretty nice car that can beat most of the cars on the streets. I prefer the Pontiac G8, or a Vauxhall VXR8, as Deepblue mentioned that they are kind of like a previous generation of the SS. But those Vauxhall Monaros/Pontiac GTOs are also a good bang for a buck if money is tight. Australians really know how to make a bad a$$ car, mate.

 

A quick google search says 3800. Regardless, the GTR is another car that I have no interest in due to it's lack of 4 doors or manual transmission

I'm shocked at the difference 400 pounds makes.

Turn in and the ability to rapidly change direction left-right-left-right type thing is definitely impacted by weight IMO. 415 HP and 0-60 in 4.5 seconds and a 13 flat quarter isn't that impressive.

If you want a large sedan though, the SS checks off a lot of boxes. Last I checked, they've retained there value pretty well too.

 

Some SS models came with magnetic ride control which would be a must have IMO. Not sure if there is a visual cue other than the button in the cabin. Makes it a bit hard when it comes to shopping if the pictures aren't the greatest.

Also, most 6MT models are in the upper $30k to lower $40k. Stiff competition in that range...