I was driving a 2013 Volvo S60 and got rear ended at a high speed in Houston on I-10 before the 99 flyover. Guy in front of me threw on his brakes and I got sandwiched between a lawn truck behind and a Dodge Ram in front. They just let me know today that it is indeed a total. The Volvo held up well in terms of keeping me safe, and I wasn't hurt at all. I'll miss that car but want to try something new.

Just bought my wife a new Ford Explorer, and in the past few years I realized that driving the S60 is just me 98% of the time. The once-a-month date is pretty much the only time my wife and I get to enjoy the car together. I have a 4 and 2 year old and the carseats stay planted in the SUV.

So I want to get a new car keeping in mind this will get me to and from work and basically just when it's only me going places. I want something with at least equal get-up as my S60, and still do want four doors. I'm leaning right now towards a used BMW 328i (drove a friend's for a day last week while waiting for a rental and enjoyed it). Preferred budget is about $20k.

Any good deals or suggestions on vehicles - I'd like to hear. Again, just want something that's fun to drive, can get up and go, used, without breaking 20k or too much above that level.

Subaru BRZ.
Boxer.
Rear wheel drive.
Zenith.

Zenith.

I am in a similar boat as far as vehicle usage. I am always looking around at what might replace my '04 accord that will soon be 200k+ miles.

Right now I am considering a GTI or Mazda 3 if I decide to scale down. A newish Accord or a used Genesis will be high on my list if I go full size.

GTI

No hatchbacks.

Sacrilege!

C5 or C5 Z06

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No hatchbacks.

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WHAT?!? Okay, then. You can find a used Jetta GLI within your budget. That's my recommendation.

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Sacrilege!

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I'm not sure when everybody became obsessed with euro hatchbacks but I just...can't.

If you drop the two door requirement I'd vote for a 987 Boxster or Cayman.

Genesis Coupe
Suburu BRZ
Infinite G37 Coupe
Scion FRS

Says he wants four doors and gets a dozen two door suggestions. #autoboardin

Double the budget and get a new Camaro SS.

Trust me, it's worth it.

G8 GT
CTS-V
E39 M5
E60 535
S4

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Double the budget and get a new Camaro SS.

Trust me, it's worth it.

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Letting the wife know. Will report back with results.

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Double the budget and get a new Camaro SS.

Trust me, it's worth it.

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Letting the wife know. Will report back with results.

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Don't ask permission. Just put your foot down and do it.

Focus ST?

I've been taking a look at some Fusions as a possibility. Like the titanium and would want the ecoboost if I went that route. Don't want to spend 30k so would need to be used probably. Does it go?

Get the Taurus SHO

If your required list is:
Fun
4 doors
No hatchback
$20k or less

That narrows you down to a WRX.
Get around a 2012-2013 if you find a low mileage one and buy the COBB Tuning Access Port. I really enjoyed mine when I had it.

Edit to add - this is assuming you don't plan to trade in your first born child for maintenance on a German car. Otherwise I'd go S4 or some sort of Bimmer.

S600 V12 [/jalopnik]

A friend of mine has a nice 2011 Altima SR (Maxima Engine) good color, good miles.
Way under your budget and a nice car, not sure how fun it is though...

www.pittstopautotx.com

I guess when I say "fun" I just mean a reasonably fast 0-60 time.

I bet it would beat most BMW's without a M in front of it.

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A friend of mine has a nice 2011 Altima SR (Maxima Engine) good color, good miles.
Way under your budget and a nice car, not sure how fun it is though...

www.pittstopautotx.com

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Found the Altima SR. That's actually a really nice car at that price point. Thanks for sharing.

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I guess when I say "fun" I just mean a reasonably fast 0-60 time.

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If 4.2 seconds is good enough...

2007:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mercedes-Benz-S-Class-S600-/141977629741?forcerrptr=true&hash=item210e86b42d:g:u7EAAOSwFEFXJVbw&item=141977629741

Previous body style
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mercedes-Benz-S-Class-5-5L-s600-v12-/381620217593

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mercedes-Benz-S-Class-5-5L-S600-V12-/121977749218

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A friend of mine has a nice 2011 Altima SR (Maxima Engine) good color, good miles.
Way under your budget and a nice car, not sure how fun it is though...

www.pittstopautotx.com

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Found the Altima SR. That's actually a really nice car at that price point. Thanks for sharing.

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CVT

Toyota Avalon

#realtalk

Audi A4 2.0T sedan or wagon. Find one that has Quattro so you don't get stuck with the CVT. Or get a 6MT.

2009-2010 B8 model should be in that range

MODZZZZZ http://blog.modbargains.com/5-best-mods-for-b8b8-5-audi-a4-a-beginners-guide/

Hadn't thought of the A4. Good option. Interesting looking at the mods too.

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I've been taking a look at some Fusions as a possibility. Like the titanium and would want the ecoboost if I went that route. Don't want to spend 30k so would need to be used probably. Does it go?

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It moves pretty good IMO.

With an SCT tune, it moves even better....LOL

Test drove a 2.0 ecoboost fusion today. Not bad.

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Test drove a 2.0 ecoboost fusion today. Not bad.

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I'm pretty impressed with how they drive as well as the solid feel of the chassis.

I highly recommend the A4 2.0T. We bought one for my wife a few years ago and it's a fantastic car. I can't say enough about it--it's a lot of fun to drive. I've been thoroughly impressed with its performance and have found it hard to keep the car under 90. It just seems like the faster you go, the happier that car is. Plus it gets excellent gas mileage as well.

Checked out many of the suggestions here but ended up going with my initial leaning. Got a CPO 2013 328i with 31k miles. Has sport and lighting package plus a few more extras. It's very smooth and lots of fun to drive.