The even-sportier Regal GS is available in AWD, and with manual. I don't know if they can be had together. And I'm not sure if the "ordinary" Turbo (ha! Like these cars are ever ordinary) can be had with manual transmission. But they're out there.
When I bought mine, it was after a long period of trying this car and that, wondering if This Car would suit me or if That Car would be a reliability problem, or a gas sucker, or whatever. But I'd liked the LaCrosse I test drove, and the Regal even more. Strangely, for a smaller car, it seems larger inside than the LaCrosse. I worried that the smaller car would ride hard on the lousy streets here. But I got used to the slightly firmer ride of the Regal very quickly.
Two dealer ("free") oil changes and tire rotations, a 50K-mile transmission fluid change at my indie mechanic, a warranty-covered replacement of the seat heater module, and my own baster drain and refill of the power steering: That's been it for 10 months. The car does fine on regular fuel, is comfortable on long trips and short, and zooms quickly up to any speed you want when you are firm with the pedal. Two hundred sixty horses should make for even more fun for you!
