Sports Sedan Search

[mbres2000]

My 2016 Mustang GT is going on 10 years old. I’ve enjoyed driving it over the years, but many of the roads where I live now are in a perpetual state of crappy. Big trucks have beaten them to death, delivering everything imaginable to the subdivisions and warehouses being built all around us. As soon as the county fills in the potholes and rough spots, others spring up, so it’s an endless battle just trying to aim the car to a smooth(er) section of road. With the car’s stiff suspension and low ride height, it’s not a fun ride anymore. I’ve bottomed out a couple of times now, and even the driver’s seat is groaning in protest. OK, you’ve got the idea!

What I’m looking for now is a moderately quick, good-handling sedan with better manners on the roads where I drive. Back in the 70s and 80s I had a BMW 3-Series, an Audi GT Coupe, and later an Infiniti G35. Those were fun cars that rode a little higher and smoother than my Mustang.

Cars currently in production that I’ve been looking at (online) are the BMW 3-series, the Genesis G70, Audi A5, and Acura TLX. Am I missing anything? If Toyota, Mazda, or Honda, had a sports sedan, I’d look at those, too.

I’d appreciate your suggestions and comments, especially if you’ve owned any of these cars.

 

[drtyler]

BMW M340i, although 330i with Sport Package and certain options may be ok. Not sure how much "sport" you want.

@MCompact has a Mercedes C43 and has been very happy with it. It's a fine machine based on the pictures & reports he has posted. I would definitely consider one.

Skip anything from Hyundai or Kia.

 

[stormgol]

BMW.

 

[raaizin]

BMW M340i, although 330i with Sport Package and certain options may be ok. Not sure how much "sport" you want.

@MCompact has a Mercedes C43 and has been very happy with it. It's a fine machine based on the pictures he has posted in the past.

Skip anything from Hyundai or Kia.

with the potholes he describes I see tire many tire buldges in his future with this car. personally I think something like a CX-5 would do him better. While not a sedan in the lower trims the tires aren't that low profile to cause issues and it is sporty. Sport sedans are a dying breed

 

[drtyler]

with the potholes he describes I see tire many tire buldges in his future with this car. personally I think something like a CX-5 would do him better. While not a sedan in the lower trims the tires aren't that low profile to cause issues and it is sporty. Sport sedans are a dying breed

Agree about the low profile tires. However, there is nothing sporty about a CX-5.

 

[skyactiv]

You probably would have liked a new V6 Camry, but 2024 was the last year.

What your looking at still sits low and anything sporty will have have low profile tires and not ride as good as you may like. My wife bought a new 2025 BMW 330i xDrive and she had to have it in Brooklyn gray because she was born and raised there. It came with 19" tires and while it handles great and is supposedly runs a 13.9 1/4 mile, I wouldn't buy it if ride quality is that important to you. The non M Sport with 18's would be better.

 

[john_pifer]

I’ve really enjoyed my Elantra N over the last year/25,000 mi.

 

[MurkyAsparagus]

I’ve driven most of the luxury sport sedans on the market. I prefer the M440i over all the others, especially if you get the adaptive suspension and smaller wheels. The hatch makes it superbly usable and practical. The infotainment I actually enjoy using and the driving feel is something I’ve never experienced before. In 10k miles, the average MPG has been 31.2. It’s sporty when you want it to be and it’s a luxury cruiser when you want to cruise. It’s hard to beat.

From Audi and BMW, the S and M cars just feel better built. I’ve compared X5 to X5 M60i and Q5 to SQ5 as well as S5 to A5, the more sporty cars seem to just be built better. Closing the doors feels like closing a bank vault. A loud thud.

 

[Vexorg]

I am looking at an Acura TLX or Subaru Legacy in a couple of years for a daily instead of my Ram 2500.

 

[jghall00]

I've found the AI platforms are good at distilling commentary from various sources. Perhaps ask one or more of them for suggestions on best handing sport sedans between a specific model year and price range?

 

[dogememe]

Cadillac CT4? Tesla Model 3?

 

[mbres2000]

I’ve driven most of the luxury sport sedans on the market. I prefer the M440i over all the others, especially if you get the adaptive suspension and smaller wheels. The hatch makes it superbly usable and practical. The infotainment I actually enjoy using and the driving feel is something I’ve never experienced before. In 10k miles, the average MPG has been 31.2. It’s sporty when you want it to be and it’s a luxury cruiser when you want to cruise. It’s hard to beat.

From Audi and BMW, the S and M cars just feel better built. I’ve compared X5 to X5 M60i and Q5 to SQ5 as well as S5 to A5, the more sporty cars seem to just be built better. Closing the doors feels like closing a bank vault. A loud thud.

My son and his wife have had several X5 and X7 models, and now he has an X6. Have to say all of them have had engine/transmission combos that work together like no other car I've owned or driven! Even the base X5 loaner he had for a day was fantastic. Maybe I can find a 330i that will work, because the M340i can get very pricey.

Also, I just found some scary comments on this site about the Genesis G70, and Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis in general. Turns out my wife's Kia Telluride with 22K miles is in the shop for a intermittent fuel level gauge, and a "check engine" light thrown in for good measure. I'm told they are waiting for KIA tech support to get involved.

 

[Wireman1987]

Is350 or a caddy

 

[mbres2000]

Cadillac CT4? Tesla Model 3?

Gotta check out the CT4. Tesla Model 3 is a non-starter due to the central PC-like display, instead of instruments behind the steering wheel. Maybe a Mustang Mach E?

 

[edyvw]

Agree about the low profile tires. However, there is nothing sporty about a CX-5.

It was just matter of time: "I know you want 911, but what about Honda Accord?"

 

[slacktide_bitog]

GR Corolla?

Civic Si? Integra?

 

[edyvw]

My son and his wife have had several X5 and X7 models, and now he has an X6. Have to say all of them have had engine/transmission combos that work together like no other car I've owned or driven! Even the base X5 loaner he had for a day was fantastic. Maybe I can find a 330i that will work, because the M340i can get very pricey.

Also, I just found some scary comments on this site about the Genesis G70, and Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis in general. Turns out my wife's Kia Telluride with 22K miles is in the shop for a intermittent fuel level gauge, and a "check engine" light thrown in for good measure. I'm told they are waiting for KIA tech support to get involved.

BMW 330 or 340. Think about 2 series too. It is not that small (unfortunately).
330 is a very quick car. You can get into trouble with that vehicle very fast, too.
But 340 is something else. It arguably has the best 6-cylinder engine in the world, and doesn't have major problems (the oil filter housing is known to leak, but there is an aluminum replacement available).
The only issue with any new car is the new AC freon R1234 (or whatever it is) that seems to wreak havoc on evaporator cores.

 

[Cujet]

Blackwing or a higher trim BMW

 

[edyvw]

Blackwing or a higher trim BMW

If he can swing the M3 manual, that would be my pick.

 

[dogememe]

Gotta check out the CT4. Tesla Model 3 is a non-starter due to the central PC-like display, instead of instruments behind the steering wheel. Maybe a Mustang Mach E?

Fair enough. The Mach-E in upper trims has good suspension and handling while the cheaper trims aren't very refined or enjoyable - I've just heard that/seen that in reviews... never personally checked it out. I'd rather have a Blazer EV SS than a Mach-E personally, but it's no secret I'm a big fan of GM EVs.

I'm not personally a huge fan of Hyun/Kia, but you could always check out the Ioniq 5 N, a lot of reviewers seem to LOVE it.