What Manual Car.

Author
Discussion

Snowboy

Original Poster:

8,028 posts

150 months

Thursday 21st August 2014
quotequote all
I've owned BMW's in the past, and I've worked for BMW.
The cars just don't float my boat.

I'm not bashing BMW, I wouldn't criticise someone else for having one, I just don't want one myself.

Please don't derail the thread about me not wanting one.

A Porsche is tempting - but they might be a bit small apart from the panamera.

gizlaroc

17,251 posts

223 months

Thursday 21st August 2014
quotequote all
Snowboy said:
I've owned BMW's in the past, and I've worked for BMW.
The cars just don't float my boat.

I'm not bashing BMW, I wouldn't criticise someone else for having one, I just don't want one myself.

Please don't derail the thread about me not wanting one.

A Porsche is tempting - but they might be a bit small apart from the panamera.
That's fair enough, but I don't see that the others being much cop with a manual 'box, they simply don't suit them.
A big luxury 4 seater just doesn't work with with a manual imho.
Or rather I can't think of one that works well with a manual, and neither can you, hence the post I guess? haha

Even the Panamera woud seem strange with a manual 'box.


clowesy

293 posts

120 months

Thursday 21st August 2014
quotequote all
B7 RS4? Avant or saloon you'd get a good low(ish) mileage example well within budget. Manual box and a good amount of luxury, great seats and epic engine. AWD not RWD though.

Kolbenkopp

2,343 posts

150 months

Thursday 21st August 2014
quotequote all
Or an Alpina smile.

GreatPretender

26,140 posts

213 months

Thursday 21st August 2014
quotequote all
Porsche Panamera S. There were two RHD manual cars sold in the UK; one of which was a Porsche GB press car.

So err, good luck finding one hehe

janddouglas

38 posts

135 months

Thursday 21st August 2014
quotequote all

Interesting question, I have the same desire, though a bit bigger budget ($70k ish). I can't see past a 2013 M5 which are now down to low $70's. Real shame Merc gave up on manuals.

hornetrider

63,161 posts

204 months

Thursday 21st August 2014
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Interesting thread this, I love a good manual myself. Bookmarking to see if there are any decent answers. smile

Frio3535

595 posts

134 months

Thursday 21st August 2014
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An Aston Martin DB7 Vantage with a manual gearbox meets most of the criteria bar the shape.

s m

23,164 posts

202 months

Thursday 21st August 2014
quotequote all
BorkFactor said:
Vauxhall VXR8?
Seems the obvious choice - comfy seats, big boot and engine

Plenty with a manual box as well

Snowboy

Original Poster:

8,028 posts

150 months

Thursday 21st August 2014
quotequote all
Merc still does manuals - but only up to 1.8 petrol or 2.0 diesels (roughly speaking).
Anything with balls or with an amg tag is auto.

Lexus haven't done a manual since about 05.

A search on auto trader far manual jags gives no great joy.

I really had no idea that manuals were so hard to find.

cerb4.5lee

30,185 posts

179 months

Thursday 21st August 2014
quotequote all
Snowboy said:
I really had no idea that manuals were so hard to find.
Sadly its been like that for a very long time and if you want a decent engine with a relatively high cylinder count and capacity then they mostly come mated to an auto and there isn't anything wrong with that but there are a select few like you and me that still enjoy a manual.

I had a V8 4.8 X5 and I wanted it as a manual but they didn't offer one so I had to put up with the ancient dim witted autobox that it came standard with which was hopeless but what I liked about my old V8 M3 was that it was a rare car in that you could actually buy it as a manual...which I gladly did. driving

XJ Flyer

5,526 posts

129 months

Friday 22nd August 2014
quotequote all
Snowboy said:
Powerful Engine.
A bit of luxury.
4 seats, decent boot - saloon, hatch or estate.
Rear Wheel Drive

I can get this with most mercs or Lexus.

But, the tricky bit is I want a manual gearbox.
(Oh, and I don't want a BMW)

Budget it up to 30k.
New or used.

What's the closest I can get to a v12 engine mated to an s2000 gearbox in a big Merc Saloon body.

To clarify - by Manual I mean I want a clutch.
None of this flappy paddly business.
I want to change gear; not ask the car to change gear for me.

Edited by Snowboy on Thursday 21st August 17:55
Other than something like a VXR8 it'll need to be a conversion like a Jaguar X300 V12 or Merc E class V8 both of which can be converted to manual easily.There is at least an example of the latter on youtube

www.youtube.com/watch?v=HRxH0rLf2Pw

Impasse

15,099 posts

240 months

Friday 22nd August 2014
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Bill

52,473 posts

254 months

Friday 22nd August 2014
quotequote all
On a positive note the budget does get you cars (Jags mostly, if BMs are out) with the newish ZF 8 speed that the journos are raving about.

gizlaroc

17,251 posts

223 months

Friday 22nd August 2014
quotequote all
Impasse said:
Nice car, but actually an auto.

But there is one out there...

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/a...


lickatysplit

470 posts

129 months

Friday 22nd August 2014
quotequote all
out of interested, have you looked at an Infiniti?

Snowboy

Original Poster:

8,028 posts

150 months

Friday 22nd August 2014
quotequote all
lickatysplit said:
out of interested, have you looked at an Infiniti?
I have not.
Any particular model?

TWPC

838 posts

160 months

Friday 22nd August 2014
quotequote all
Really interesting question.

The VXR8 and B7 RS4 also strike me as the best answers but if you want something comfier, how about buying a used manual Merc C250 CDI or E250 CDI and taking it to DMS to get chipped? Their website says they can get 259hp and 413 lb/ft of torque out of that engine.

jamieduff1981

8,022 posts

139 months

Friday 22nd August 2014
quotequote all
Chrysler 300C?

I'm not recommending it. I'm just aware that it could be bought with a manual gearbox and a V8. It'll be crap though, as all luxury saloons are with a manual gearbox. I promise you - passengers hate being shunted along in powerful manuals on actual journeys rather than when taking a like-minded mate out for a hoon.

BorkFactor

7,258 posts

157 months

Friday 22nd August 2014
quotequote all
jamieduff1981 said:
Chrysler 300C?
Did they make manual version of them? I could have sworn they were auto only?

Well, in the UK at least.