Please read my car thoughts below...

[Anonymous]

The Audi windshield wipers are $2 online and you can change them yourself. Unless your time is worth $2000/hr, you're insane to ask the dealer to change them.

[Anonymous]

We got a 2020 TLX for 28k out the door. We are very happy so far. Replaced a 10 year old base Sonata so a nice change.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hi All - I've always been a fairly lame Honda/Toyota guy because I want reliable and low maintenance costs, but I'm now late 40s and thinking about something more fun. At the same time, when I think European, I'm concerned that I'll be in the shop a lot and that will piss me off. I could buy CPO Audi A4, for example, but I believe that's just a one year warranty. I also keep my cars a long time and so that's a factor. Lastly, I want a good infotainment system and so that's why I'm not really focused on Lexus, plus they are expensive, even used. I don't see myself as a BMW or Mercedes, or Cadillac guy.

Basically, I want something sporty, yet understated, reliable and comfortable, good infotainment, and reasonable maintenance. Oh, and I want to keep the total price in the mid-upper 20s. Does such a unicorn exist?

Here are my thoughts:

2018 Mazda 6 - Inexpensive, fun and sporty, though not a true sports sedan, so-so reliability
2018 Accord 2.0 - Reliable, strong 0-60 times, somewhat bland
2017 Genesis G80 - Luxury, reliable, possibly too big and an old man's car, not especially sporty
2017 Audi A4 - Sporty, reliable, high maintenance costs
2019 Kia Stinger Base - Sporty, maybe too youngish, not sure about reliability

What’s the car being used for? Do you have kids? Can it be a coupe or 2 seater?

[Anonymous]

Oooh! Miatas are fun as hell to drive. Even Jeremy Clarkson once said "the only reason I'm giving it 10 stars is because I can't give it 11."

[Anonymous]

I don't think your list is boring...looks like you're focused on four door, mid-to-large sized sedans. In that genre and your stated price range, I'd go with the Genesis or the Stinger. Lean slightly towards the Genesis, as I'm a big fan of the brand. Also, it' the equivalent to Hyundai as Lexus is to Toyota and you mentioned being a big fan of Lexus. If you're worried about the G80 being too big, look at the G70.

[Anonymous]

I have the Sport 1.5 version of the Honda Accord, and I really like it. The sport tires do exaggerate road noise, but I wanted the stick and only the sport model comes with stick. It does have great pickup, which is one of the reasons I got it. It's also kind of easy to speed in, though.

I love my boring cars, though. This is my 4th car, and only one could be described as even mildly interesting. I figure if I like driving it, who else really cares?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hi All - I've always been a fairly lame Honda/Toyota guy because I want reliable and low maintenance costs, but I'm now late 40s and thinking about something more fun. At the same time, when I think European, I'm concerned that I'll be in the shop a lot and that will piss me off. I could buy CPO Audi A4, for example, but I believe that's just a one year warranty. I also keep my cars a long time and so that's a factor. Lastly, I want a good infotainment system and so that's why I'm not really focused on Lexus, plus they are expensive, even used. I don't see myself as a BMW or Mercedes, or Cadillac guy.

Basically, I want something sporty, yet understated, reliable and comfortable, good infotainment, and reasonable maintenance. Oh, and I want to keep the total price in the mid-upper 20s. Does such a unicorn exist?

Here are my thoughts:

2018 Mazda 6 - Inexpensive, fun and sporty, though not a true sports sedan, so-so reliability
2018 Accord 2.0 - Reliable, strong 0-60 times, somewhat bland
2017 Genesis G80 - Luxury, reliable, possibly too big and an old man's car, not especially sporty
2017 Audi A4 - Sporty, reliable, high maintenance costs
2019 Kia Stinger Base - Sporty, maybe too youngish, not sure about reliability

tl;dr - I am having a midlife crisis, and want to get a fun car, but I don't have a lot of cash to spend on it. Any suggestions?

Also OP described an accord as "somewhat bland." Yeah, somewhat. In the same way that Mr. Everest is "somewhat high."