Cross-Shopping FL5?

[zumbooruk]

I currently drive a 2007 FA5 which I still love very much, and I cannot imagine shifting at less than 8k RPM, but still, I would like to get new car

I've been looking to purchase the FL5 as an obvious choice, yet, even though I can afford it, I find it difficult to pay over MSRP...

So I decided to also cross-shop for other cars, possibly more upscale, since if I have to pay extra, might as well put the money into the car instead of the stealership

My "hard" requirements are manual transmission, four doors, fun to drive/smooth shifting/engaging/good handling/canyon carver (I do not plan to race/track the new car, but I might keep the FA5 for that)

As far as I can tell, nothing beats the CTR on the combination the above, plus reliability, utility/space, and possible resale value

That said, if you had a budget of around $70K, what other cars (which satisfy my requirements above) would you consider?

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[chazzer96]

I would look at the CT4 Blackwing maybe even the CT5 If you shop around and increase the budget just a bit more.

 

[Superhatch]

I was in the same boat roughly, coming from a very fun FA5, but I also have a CRX project that is 8/10 right now. If you have the space I would suggest an FL5 and then room for an older Honda project. It gives you something to tinker with/track, build up slowly over time while you have an amazing daily.

Outside of that combo Used M3, M5, Blackwing all hit what you are looking for and not much else I can think of. Those are all much faster than the FL5 for sure both on and off track, but coming from an FA5 I think they aren't in the spirit of what you're probably looking for.

 

[svvitch]

New or used? If used how old are you willing to go?

 

[NoviceFL5owner]

If you want a fl5 then come to STL. I got my '25 in December and had dealerships competing to give me one under sticker.

 

[optronix]

Your only real options are a used M3 or CT4-V Blackwing. The Blackwing will probably have to be used to fit within the $70k price point. Brand new, well-optioned CT4 BWs can rise up to near six-figures. CT5 BWs are very cool but way out of the budget you're throwing out. The only other downside from cost is they are very large and heavy cars (the CT4 is also quite heavy)- which is a pretty stark contrast from the FL5's philosophy of being astonishingly lightweight for a modern car.

An F80 M3 is a fantastic car. If you can find a clean, low-mileage option, that would be my recommendation. It's not going to have the finer inputs of the FL5 (e.g., shifter, steering), and it's an out-of-warranty BMW- but it's a higher tier car, for far less than you'd spend on a new Blackwing, and possibly less than you'd spend on an FL5 (but doubtful if you want a good one). The F8x generation of BMWs are truly "built different" and you won't find the litany of catastrophically expensive maintenance issues that plagued the older generations. The power will blow your fucking mind vs what you're used to with an older Honda.

You could conceivably find a used G80 M3 for ~$70k. I've never driven one but I'm tempted to go find out what it's like. The aesthetics have grown on me by a large margin since it was first introduced, and as far as I can tell it grants supercar-levels of performance in a very well put-together luxury package. The weight conversation will of course be relevant but I think categorically the G80 is just in a different class of car vs the FL5.

Another possible option is an Integra Type S. I realize there are a variety of philosophies on this board in particular that effectively shun the DE5, but if it's just the principal of not paying over MSRP to a southern California dealership, then you may be more likely to find a DE5 without a markup. If you're not philosophically opposed to it already.

Or just do what many, many others have done, and just buy it out of state.

 

[Tougefl5]

Used tesla plaid and just pretend to shift lol

 

[nttran98]

I currently drive a 2007 FA5 which I still love very much, and I cannot imagine shifting at less than 8k RPM, but still, I would like to get new car

I've been looking to purchase the FL5 as an obvious choice, yet, even though I can afford it, I find it difficult to pay over MSRP...

So I decided to also cross-shop for other cars, possibly more upscale, since if I have to pay extra, might as well put the money into the car instead of the stealership

My "hard" requirements are manual transmission, four doors, fun to drive/smooth shifting/engaging/good handling/canyon carver (I do not plan to race/track the new car, but I might keep the FA5 for that)

As far as I can tell, nothing beats the CTR on the combination the above, plus reliability, utility/space, and possible resale value

That said, if you had a budget of around $70K, what other cars (which satisfy my requirements above) would you consider?

Literally fly to like Missisippi or ALabama or Oklahoma, Buy one, Fly over to buy, Drive back. And by the time youre home, it already broken in.

 

[Clark_Kent]

I don't view this as a real problem. You don't have to pay over MSRP, you're choosing to pay over MSRP. Increasing the budget and looking to other cars to avoid paying a markup you don't have to pay doesn't make sense to me. MSRP deals are abundant across the country. Zimbrick Honda in Madison, WI has an SGP at MSRP. That's one of many many examples. You buy the car and you ship it to California and you'll have it in your garage in less than a week. Buy the car you truly want, which seems to be the FL5, instead of increasing your budget up to $25K to buy something you kind of want or may be open to. Your "hard" requirements describe the FL5, so just buy it. This is both simple and easy.

 

[thatonedaveguy]

The car sells for what it's worth- if you manage to be one of the very few who get one for msrp you could immediately sell it for more than you paid for it used. You could sell it years later for over msrp with 30k+ miles on it.

Many cars from other brands that are on the enthusiast tier also have markups- it's not entirely unique to the Type R though others don't have it quite as bad.

As far as driving and similar cars go-

Super heavy cars with a lot of power won't provide anything like the FL5 driving experience- they will just be hella bland by comparison. The Type R is about light and nimble driving with an engaging shifting experience.

The GR Corolla is probably the closest you will get to an FL5 but that comes with its own set of compromises compared to the FL5. Other mentions are Supra, Miata, BRZ/86, Golf R, Elantra N but they all have different compromises as well.

 

[zumbooruk]

I would look at the CT4 Blackwing maybe even the CT5 If you shop around and increase the budget just a bit more.

Thanks,

After I posted this (should have done it before...), I did a quick search, and indeed the CT4-V Blackwing caught my eye. pretty much everything I want (possibly minus reliability and space, as it seems smaller than the CTR), bit over my budget.

but, none seem available in inventory, I guess that getting a 4BW will require a custom/special order? and I have no idea if the sealership will ask over MSRP...

will call a few dealers over the weekend.

 

[zumbooruk]

Outside of that combo Used M3, M5, Blackwing all hit what you are looking for and not much else I can think of. Those are all much faster than the FL5 for sure both on and off track, but coming from an FA5 I think they aren't in the spirit of what you're probably looking for.

thanks,

I do not care as much for raw speed (0-60 or 1/4 mile, or even top speed) as much as I care about handling, fun to drive, etc.

I rather purchase new, and never cared much for BMW, so again, CT4-V Blackwing, as mentioned above might be it.

 

[zumbooruk]

New or used? If used how old are you willing to go?

my entire life, other than the car I took from my parents (76 Buick Century), I bought only two cars, both new, and both times kept the car for about 20 years.

my first was a 1989 Mercury Cougar XR7 (same as the Thunderbird SC), supercharged 3.8L V6.

the second was the 2007 FA5

I am 60 years old, can afford a new car, and again, intend to keep it till I cannot drive anymore...

 

[zumbooruk]

If you want a fl5 then come to STL. I got my '25 in December and had dealerships competing to give me one under sticker.

Literally fly to like Mississippi or Alabama or Oklahoma, Buy one, Fly over to buy, Drive back. And by the time you're home, it already broken in.

I've considered this, but thought that I should wait till spring time for better weather driving cross country back to California, and maybe by that time local dealership might go down to MSRP?

 

[Superhatch]

I've considered this, but thought that I should wait till spring time for better weather driving cross country back to California, and maybe by that time local dealership might go down to MSRP?

FYI I picked up mine from East Cincinnati Honda and they sold at MSRP with no addons required. They have been selling them at MSRP from the start and I've had a great experience with them so far. I'm from WI and I had to go that far out to find a dealership selling at straight MSRP. Many said they sold at MSRP but then always added something on top of it, PPF, accessories, rust protection, etc.

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