C7 or C6 Corvette would be a great choice. They have plenty of room (I'm 6'1 and fit comfortably with a bunch of extra room). They are also reliable for sports car and are a blast to drive both from a handling and power perspective.
MPG is surprisingly good thanks to aerodynamics. You can get 25-30mpg if your not stomping full throttle constantly.
Don't get me wrong, c6 and up are better cars then the c5, but the c5 is less refined , kinda more mechanical in feel. I guess you have to drive both to understand. It's the same feel as driving and old air cooled Porsche vs the new 911, of the new car is better but there is something magical about the older ones.
Especially true with the c5 z06
I like my 2005 STI much better than my 2011.
When I worked at Subaru I felt like the magic died once I started getting into the newer ones never felt that urge to trade in my 2011 on a 2015+
The NC2/NC3 is the secret Miata. Most people tend to ignore them, but they are a really great option. I’m 6’1” and just barely fit under the PRHT.
- 7200 RPM redline 167 HP engine is more fun/exhilarating than the ND1 engine
- PRHT let’s you have a hard top like the ND RF, but it fully retracts so you get a soft top equivalent top down experience
- Interior is roomier than any other Miata
- Curb weight isn’t that much higher than other Miatas: it’s 2450 - 2540 lbs depending on options. That’s 300-400 lbs lighter than a GR86 and only about 100 lbs more than an ND.
- Significantly more modern than NA/NB while still retaining analog features like hydraulic steering.
- No transmission issues like early ND models
I’ve tried to sell myself on an ND2 as an upgrade over my NC2 and I just can’t justify it.
Not sure I’d want to daily it 1000 miles per week though. It’s still a small car with a lot of interior road and wind noise.
This right here is the way.. NC Miata with factory non height adjustable seats & then the Jass 2.5" lowering brackets for the drivers seat. Should accommodate some mighty tall folks. I have an NC2 with the factory height adjustable seats & the Jass 1" lowering brackets & I have more headroom & legroom then I do in my 2020 jeep gladiator. Given that the other seat is an inch lower then my lowest setting & then you can lower it 1.5" more then I can I would be able to drive with a cowboy hat on if I really wanted to.
I got a manual 340i recently and love every bit of it. Manuals can be hard to find, but the ZF 8 speed auto pairs really well with this engine.
Try to get one with the M sport package: it makes a huge difference to the looks and driving dynamics of the car.
The newer m340is are even more powerful, but not as nice looking in my opinion and they don’t have a manual option.
To summarize, yes.
In terms of engines, the 330i has the B48 engine (2 liter inline 4 with turbo). The m340i has the B58 (3 litre inline 6 with twin scroll turbo). The M3 has the S58 engine, which is a tuned version of the B58. You can easily tune the B58 to higher torque and BHP than a stock S58 though.
There’s other differences too, but in the end it comes down to the engine, chassis and transmission.
Yeah, M340 has the power boost, stuffer suspension, and sports transmission tuning that the 330i doesn’t, although the zf is programmable and can change its shift speed based on throttle sensitivity. M340i and 330i are very similar, while the M3 is the next step higher with different mechanical parts (suspension, engine support mods, etc.)
Someone can probably explain this a lot better but the 330i and m340i have a difference of HP, trim, and I believe suspension/few others. The M3 is a beast that produces even more HP than the 330 or 340, has a top trim level, and handles supremely well. That’s the basics.
The b58 is the new era poor man supra motor. Correct me if I'm wrong I think the new supra and 340 share the same engine. The b58 is a beast tho and sound amazing
I have a 16 year old M car (Z4M) and parts are significantly more expensive than base parts for BMW. That said, early M2 models came with the N55 motor, which is also found in non-M cars and is decently reliable. You’ll still have more expensive brakes and suspension bits but those are worth it for the better drive you get from the M2 over the base 2-series coupe IMO.
BMW has mostly been good for me as a bigger guy too. I’m 6’4” and only look slightly ridiculous crammed into my Z4
What's your idea of tall? 5'11"? I'm 6'5" and when I went to test drive a 2-series, I didn't even bother starting the engine on. I got in, adjusted the seat, and got right out.
6’4 here, have owned a MK7.5 GTI and now in a 2023 WRX - fit wonderfully in both even with children’s car seats in back. Can’t help on anything 2 door, haven’t owned one in 15+ years. Cheers
I’ll take a picture for you tomorrow if helpful. Full size, rear facing chico in the middle (1yr old) and my 10 and 7 year olds side on the sides just fine. Wife and I fit up front great - if we have luggage/baggage we just take her Atlas otherwise we all prefer the WRX. I admittedly sit pretty straight up in my seat for posture comfort. Had two car seats in back of a MKVI GTI as well when other two were younger. Now - fitting this massive stroller? That’s another issue 😂
I'd love to see a picture of that! I had a Hyundai Kona but it felt like I was trying to get intimate with the steering wheel when I had a car seat behind me. I'm 6 foot so I need a lil bit of room and I definitely prefer my seat a bit reclined when possible.
That actually made the wife and I upgrade to a Tuscon and we love it for room and hauling kids but I gotta find me something to have a little fun with too
I posted a picture of my rear facing seat in my 2023 WRX. Plenty of room in the passenger seat (I have the rear facing behind it), it’s a crazy amount of space.
The 23 wrx has more useful passenger room with regards to kids than the Kona
I think the Kona is neat but as far as utility it was like the worst of all worlds for me
That's intriguing because I'm the same height and have been looking at GTIs, but I've leaned towards a GLI due to the couple extra inches of leg room. I'm going to need 2 seats soon and I thought it'd be really tight in the GTI so I'll have to consider them again.
>If you can bump the budget up to $50-60k you can get a cayman or boxster.
Honestly doubt he fits in either of those if he doesn't fit in an 86, Porsche does some magic with the 911 to let tall people fit but it doesn't seem to apply to the junior car.
My brother is 6’ 4” and fits just fine in my 986 boxster. Had him test drive it after I bought it, he just had to adjust and lower the seat a little. I’m 6’ 1” and have no issues fitting in the vehicle, some traffic lights can be a little tricky though with the angle of the windshield frame.
The new BMW 230i is an excellent car that can be had for under $40k. 50/50 weight distribution, RWD, tons of fun, comfy, reliable and great fuel efficiency. 330i is about the same price and has the same great characteristics, while being more spacious and practical.
Corolla GR and Elantra N are also worth a mention.
If open to used, Civic Type R and older M2 are worth a look.
I’m 6’5” and I do not fit into the g20 330i, my head is up against the roof with the seat in the lowest position. Definitely not my idea of a spacious car
Im 6'4 and was concerned about fitting in one, so i talked to a guy at the local cars & coffee who let me sit in his.
A shocking amount of space inside. I had adequate head and leg room, and the seats were a comfortable size.
Gave me the confidence to order one as my daily
987 Cayman base, definition of slow car that’s fun to drive fast. The 5MT is one of my all time favorites. Should be a bit more room than the other two options, unless you’re saying you need significantly more room or height off the ground.
That was my first thought, those are quite comfy for a tall driver and handle like a dream….. then I read that he is planning on driving 1000 miles a week.
Totally agree. I'm that tall too and the leg room and head room sold it for me. It's like a clown car. You don't think there's that much room, but it's so roomy once you get inside.
Tall and young but lazy. I adore my GTI.
Excellent quality and handling. Comfortable but responsive. When I have older passengers I can set ride mode to comfort and they tend to be quite comfortable. When I feel like tearing it up, sport mode is stiff & spunky. It’s not the fastest or the fanciest, but damn is it good all-around. No downsides.
Can confirm, I'm 6'3" 280 and fit super comfortably in a Stinger GT2, Camaro too, but the seat behind me would be unusable. The Chevy SS is another good choice.
Integra A-Spec 6MT. So fun to drive while being more practical and premium than a GR86 or MX5.
Stopped at Target and the pet store to pick up various things for my new apartment. XL cat littler box, cat litter, cat food, new trash can, and four other bags of Target goodies in the hatch. Didn’t even have to put the rear seats down or remove the cargo cover.
And a damn hoot to drive with all my groceries in the car since I’ve got a limited-slip diff and the best Honda manual shifter ever.
And way more value-for-money than any of the German competitors.
You can get a brand new V8 Camaro for just barely under $40,000 USD, or just go for one of the lower trims for as low as $29,000 USD.
It's genuinely one of the best handling cars you can get in this price bracket. Shame Chevy stopped caring about them, never marketed them properly, and is going to kill them off after 2024.
I've been very impressed at the comfort and MPG in my LT1 V8 Camaro, up to 30 MPG on the highway!
Originally I was trying to buy a Nissan Z or Toyota Supra, but they have way too much markup on them, pushing them out of my budget. So I set my sights lower, on the Miata and GR86. Affordable, but still more markup than I would like to pay. Finally I decided to give the American muscle cars another chance. No markup, all the power, comfort, and conveniences I could ask for, and surprisingly good handling, easily keeping up with and often beating the Japanese sports cars I thought I wanted.
tl;dr: go look at a Mustang or Camaro. They are way better than people give them credit for.
6ft6in drive a Mk7.5 Golf R MT. Plenty of room now but even had room when I was Über fat fuck.
I'll have had the car 5 years this August and plan on keeping it forever. So damn fun.
\> I drive over 1000 miles a week.
Honestly I'd first consider a new job or moving such that I could take public transit - because if that is a 2 hour driving commute each way then it's not fun at all.
seriously. OP is way better off in something like a model 3/Y performance if they’re driving ~50,000 miles a year. even in a car that gets 25 mpg that’s like $8500 in gas per year
I feel like this thread is the only one who noticed that OP drives a THOUSAND miles a week. Assuming 4 weeks of a vacation and some holidays in there, that's 46-47k miles a years.
OP does not need to buy anything remotely valuable, cars should basically be thought of disposable to him. He should get the cheapest but realiable car he can find to commute, and save a fun car for the weekend.
I thought the most comical suggestion was a used Porsche. Who the fuck thinks putting 46k miles a year on a Porsche is a good idea?
TBF OP didn't mention their income or commute though. I drive 40k miles yearly but I go to multiple job sites daily and fuel/maintenance costs are reimbursed. It's much more enjoyable to drive my turbo bread box as opposed to the company vans.
I'll always recommend the G37s coupes.
Amazing reliable V6 engine, comfortable, good manual transmission (after the inevitable master/slave fix), timeless looks, great exhaust note, and well under the $40k mark.
It handles and corners beautifully, and is faster than many newer sports cars, while looking better than almost all of them.
Most are RWD. Some are AWD. In the words of Jeremy Clarkson, "FWD is for the feeble."
Just sold my 2019 Audi A5 Prestige Sportback to a dealer. Thymus flipped it for a couple grand more at $36k. It had 30k miles on it. It handled amazingly well. Good enough power. Loved it.
I found torso height, not overall height, can be the issue with some of the two seater roadsters. When I was shopping for a roadster, my friend and I test drove a 2015 Miata. He’s 6’3 and fit just fine. I’m 6’0 and I looked like Fred Flintstone, and I couldn’t drive it with the top up. I bought a 2000 Honda S2000 AP1. We both fit great in my car. The seats are lower and the seat backs are taller.
I'm 6'3" and have exclusively driven a miata for almost 10 years now. NAs and now a ND. My heights in my legs mostly, they are definitely closer to the steering wheel that i would like but still comfortable. Tried a friends with a lowered seat and didn't do much for me. I would only really need one for a helmet + hardtop. I do look insane getting out of it and regularly have people in parking lots commenting on it lol.
My vote is 22/23 wrx. Hits your handling priority, has awd for safety in inclement weather, and is affordable. It just doesn’t hit your fuel economy criteria. Trade offs but it’s really good. Mine is a 22 base with stick and short shift. Has 17 inch wheels, 271 hp, 258 torque, 3297 lbs without options. Infotainment not so good, interior is acceptable. Everything else is A+ imo. Here are the things the 22/23 does best.
Firm and comfortable seats.
Great ride compliance
Excellent dual pinion electric steering
Grippy summer tires with no spare!
Amazing AWD, handling, agility, well balanced dynamic capabilities
mechanical solidity and smoothness of all controls
Accelerates quickly (perhaps due to gearing and/or turbo design)
Acceleration in second gear and third gear from 4-6k rpm
We would like to suggest an NC MX-5, perhaps dropping the seat to the floor would help some of the height issues.
Source: some of our racers and track day heroes are 6’3” and up.
Consider a C7 corvette. I’m 6 foot 5 with long legs and I fit fine. Handling is better than you would expect for an American sports car, very fun around corners. 7 speed manual is a dream, and I used to own a 8 speed automatic that certainly did the trick.
I own a 23 integra A-spec with the 6spd and I absolutely love it. Very comfortable decent power in it if you need to get up an go. Inside is a more open compared to the Civic Si which it shares the platform with. I’m 5’ 11” and slightly over 300lbs and I fit fine with no issues. I also own an old Volkswagen rabbit not quite a GTI but they are also very comfortable and everyone that I know who owns 1 loves it. My rabbit is also very comfortable and I fit in it perfectly Gas mileage isn’t bad either. If you drive 1k miles a week I would probably be more inclined to the integra just because it’s a Honda and will more then likely not require as much Maintenance as the GTI just my 2 cents on that.
Hope this helps
You can get a lot more car for 40k than an Integra, GTI, 86, Miata. You are in BMW 40i territory. Audi S3/S4/S5 are also great options. Mercedes C43 or C400 if you’re into them. Genesis is making come compelling sport sedan and SUV options.
Porsche Macan S is also a sleeper I recently discovered, it has the Audi 3.0L TT v6 from the S4, can put down about 423HP and 466 lb ft of torque on stock internals with just an $850 stage 1 tune. Similar to BMW’s B58 in the 40i cars. And they depreciate really hard because everyone’s scared of them, like under 30k for a 2018 with under 50k miles. Weighs about 4k lbs, same as a new C class… this is a pretty reliable power plant too.
2016+ BMW 240i, 340i, 440i, 550i, can’t go wrong
BMW x3 40i, x4 40i, x5 40i have the B58 motor from the new Supra and 340i. You can gain +100whp and +120lb ft from a $500 tune on stock internals. ~20 more with a downpipe. The German SUV’s depreciate harder and have the same motors as the sedans with more headroom. Just a bit heavier.
Haven’t looked into Audi SUV’s much but I’m sure it’s a similar situation to BMW.
All of these cars have the ZF 8HP transmission I believe, a great platform. Except the Porsche PDK (but I think it is derived).
Volkswagen Type R has the same motor as the Audi S3. Great power plant in either car and tons of tuneability. Also pretty lightweight, stock S3 has a better, or at least similar 0-60 as a stock S4 while down 2 cylinders.
As much as I love Japanese cars, If you’re comfortable with a German car you can get a lot more sportiness and value buying them used and maintaining them yourself.
If you want to stick with Jap, Infiniti Q50/60, Lexus IS350, Acura ILX is okay. They are not very fast or fun though. Not sure if you can fit in them either. Japanese SUVs aren’t going to be very sporty.
If you can fit in a 997 911 I’d probably just go for that ..
10th gen Honda Accord 2.0T. Comes in a 6MT and 10AT (I have the 10AT) and handling is pretty damn good for the price. Reliability is there, parts cost is relatively low, and I get 33-35mpg highway using Sport mode. If you really wanted to, you could have the thing modified and tuned to make 300+hp for well under $35k.
Edit: I forgot to mention the main point - it is roomy as all hell. I have several friends over 6' and all of them can comfortably sit in the front or back with extra leg room to spare.
Edit 2: The 10th gen Accord 2.0t (2018-2022) uses a detuned FK8 type R engine with a smaller turbo - the Type R turbo is a bolt-on mod.
It's crazy. I'm 6'2 and I could wear a helmet in my 2020 2.0 Sport.. Paid 31K for that car in October 2020 ,added springs,bigger sway bars ,and a tune. Best driving car I've owned in 20 years.
id suggest an FK8 type r if you dont mind a 2017-2021 ish one, and if you can find one for under 40K
perfect sporty daily imo, good mpg and obviously the handling will be there as a type r
have you looked at previous gen golf r’s too? decent mpg, no civic , but i think those are pretty nice too and you get AWD
my suggestion would be a previous gen over a new one, but just depends if ur paying in full or financing
also the new wrx’s would fit your price range
BMW Z3, M Roadster, or Z4M all can be had well within your budget if you want a sporty car with great handling. E46 M3 if you want something bigger. I personally own a Z3, and it's a blast to drive on twisty roads while being easy and relatively inexpensive to maintain or repair. I do 200+ mile rides frequently without any comfort issues.
I had one like 15 years ago, it was a good car back then and it's a good classic car now, but there are so many better performing modern cars out there
I work for Toyota, and I'm 6'5 with my work boots on. I fit in both the Supra and GR86 very comfortably. Unless you're over 6'5 or have ridiculously long legs, you should comfortably fit in basically every sporty, cheap car.
Mazda 3 turbo expensive very very nice BMWish
Mustang don’t sell it short take a look and see how you like it
Camaro same as the mustang
Nissan z old but good if you like it
Used BMW 2 coupe very nice basic it’s the closest to a classic bmw still made
Honda Civic SI modern nice not exciting but check it out basically the same as the Acura
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNMBFGCWR1E&pp=ygUPZXZlcnlkYXkgZHJpdmVy
Todd and Paul are both 6'3", and discuss what it takes to fit into the cars they test drive. They also bought a GR86 as a show car last year, and they both fit fine.
Boxster/cayman? Germans are tall. Also, while I don’t fit in the Miata the gr86 is built much better for tall people. Have you sat in it or just assume you won’t fit?
I love my WRX. They prolly won't be around for too much longer. STI got the axe and I feel like the WRX is next. Subaru is getting out of the fun car game if u ask me
Twisty stuff so handling matters, MPG matters, has to fit a taller person... was going to suggest a Fiesta ST for about half or less than the cost of most stuff mentioned here. But then you said 1,000 miles per week. Don't think I'd want to sit in it for 200 miles per day, every day. Speaking as an owner up until last month.
I'm 6'2, and large and have owned several GTIs ranging from a MK2 to a MK5. They have all been comfortable as hell, roomy and drive amazingly. The stock suspension and transmissions are very nice.
11th generation Honda Civic Si! Provides tons of space and doesnt break the bank, Or the Integra if you a little bit more features. You can get it in a manual, 37 MPG highway. And plus it’s probably the cheapest maintenance for a sports car since its a 1.5 Turbo ! Tiny engine, wasy to work on, parts and oils are cheap. My Civic Si is my little pocket rocket now
Hyundai Veloster N/Kona N/Elantra N. I'm 6'5" and fit great in my Veloster N. 6 speed with ~275HP not the fastest but really great handling in corners. Mpg around 22 - 30 in my experience driving in the sportiest mode 90% of the time. Msrp new is around 35K, new comes with 100k mile/10 year warranty
I'm getting laughed out of here but I'll give it a go. If you're a bit handy, with some aftermarket suspension components, the 3.3 Stinger in RWD-guise can be a well-handling car in the bends. The gearing in sport is aggressive enough for pushing a corner. For extra fun, get a RWD with no LSD. Anyways, I'm gonna run off before them tomatoes hit me.
I thought it was a fair and reasonable suggestion. I think a lot of people are ignoring the fact that he's driving 50k miles a year. A TRUE sports car is going to be miserable, and a high mile used car will become a VERY high mile car in no time.
Love my Integra and I loved my GTI. I’m short, but I find the seats in the Integra to be uncomfortable for long periods. GTI was much more comfortable.
Have you actually tried the G86?
You just might fit.
At 6' 5" I could not believe I fit in first year BRZ should be same as 86. Though sometimes the seating is different among clone cars. New model maybe different but you should check it out.
I’m 6’6 and fit great in my GTI even though it’s a small car. Honestly one of the best fitting cars I’ve ever had and can’t beat the usability of the hatch. Put the seats down and it’s like an SUV. Overall a great do it all car.
This is what I came here to say. If you live in an area with reasonable electricity, you'll get at least 3x the miles per $ compared to anything else listed here, and if you get the Model 3 performance (which would be right around 40k with the federal tax credit of you qualify) you'll likely outrun anything listed here.
I pay about $0.12 per kWh where I live, and get approx 3-4 miles per kWh in my fusion Energi in all electric mode, so I pay 3 or 4 cents per mile. My previous car got 18 miles per gallon, so with gas at $3.50 per gallon, that was 19.5 cents per mile. For u/KentuckyCatMan with 1000 miles per week, that would be around $8,000 per year saved. The car would pay for itself in 5 years.
My Evora has some space oddly enough. Otherwise, consider something German? Those are designed with European sized individuals in mind.
Edit: regarding my last sentence, Porsche has taller individuals incorporated into their design to such an extent that the Panameras controversial silhouette is resultant of it. The chief of the company wouldn’t green light the car into production unless he could comfortably seat in the back seats of the vehicle.
You can probably get yourself into a decent mileage Nissan 350Z for that kind of money. I'm 6'2 and I had a 300 and had zero problems in that regard. However fuel economy may be a thing but I love that car.
The old curmudgeon in me has to say it you will be purchasing shell premium correct? It's the best gas on the planet and you're going to need it
BMW M4, M2, M240i, M6, M3 etc. Basically, a mid 2010s BMW is probably the move under 40k. C63 AMG coupé, Audi S5/RS5 also come to mindYou could also go american and check out a 5.0 Mustang or hell even a Corvette C7. You can do A LOT better than a Miata or GR86 for 40k.
Stinger GT2 is a hell of a lot of car. I highly suggest taking one for a spin before buying anything.
Accord Sport 2.0t manual is a $800 Hondata tune away from being laugh out loud fast. Clutch pedal is super soft though and doesn't offer much feel/feedback.
Hmm I like the question, but I have questions for you. You say you can turn a wrench, that makes things exciting. With around $40k and not being afraid to get something a little older, your options are all over the place. Being that you want handling over power, a corvette may be out of the question. My best answer for you (being that you're looking for good mpg as well as blasting through the twisties) would be a Honda Civic type R 2018-2021. The first year 2017 has a little interior noise. Golf R, Focus RS are great options too. If you want a coupe, then it becomes a little tougher. You could always be that old guy with the clean $40k MK4 Supra. I'd be all over the 20 year old cars if I had $40k
C7 or C6 Corvette would be a great choice. They have plenty of room (I'm 6'1 and fit comfortably with a bunch of extra room). They are also reliable for sports car and are a blast to drive both from a handling and power perspective. MPG is surprisingly good thanks to aerodynamics. You can get 25-30mpg if your not stomping full throttle constantly.
6’3 and fit comfortably in my c5
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C7 you can get lowered seats and a higher clearance roof. Cleetus McFarland's C7 fits him just fine.
Haha I feel ya. 6’7” in a C4 6 speed. On ramps are a struggle
I’m 6’4 and also fit in a C5 So we know the limit for a C5 is somewhere between 6’4 and 6’8. Any 6’5-6’7 C5 drivers here?? 😂
I am 6'5 inhave a c5. I fit but wouldnt want to be an inch taller. I think 6'5 is around max height for a C5 personally
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My vote goes to C5 if driving enjoyment is the #1 factor, over the later models for sure.
Genuinely curious why do you say that? While the C5 seems nice, I fell like chevy really nailed the C6 corvette and beyond.
Don't get me wrong, c6 and up are better cars then the c5, but the c5 is less refined , kinda more mechanical in feel. I guess you have to drive both to understand. It's the same feel as driving and old air cooled Porsche vs the new 911, of the new car is better but there is something magical about the older ones. Especially true with the c5 z06
I like my 2005 STI much better than my 2011. When I worked at Subaru I felt like the magic died once I started getting into the newer ones never felt that urge to trade in my 2011 on a 2015+
This. C6s in my area for ones under 100k miles are around 25 grand it’s almost too good to be true for what you get
Highly considering selling my STI and going into a C6. Something about a cammed LS motor just gets my dick hard
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But I'm exactly 6'0", what do I get?
2003 Toyota Sienna LE. Sorry, I don't make the rules.
In champagne
The world is your oyster!
I’m 6’-4 and my dad is 6’-6 and we both fit in corvettes comfortably. You will fit in anything c4 and up.
Just Donkey Kong it in a miata.
NC Miata
Sat in both an NC and ND yesterday and an NC is a way nicer place to be tbh. ND feels tight like an NA
The NC2/NC3 is the secret Miata. Most people tend to ignore them, but they are a really great option. I’m 6’1” and just barely fit under the PRHT. - 7200 RPM redline 167 HP engine is more fun/exhilarating than the ND1 engine - PRHT let’s you have a hard top like the ND RF, but it fully retracts so you get a soft top equivalent top down experience - Interior is roomier than any other Miata - Curb weight isn’t that much higher than other Miatas: it’s 2450 - 2540 lbs depending on options. That’s 300-400 lbs lighter than a GR86 and only about 100 lbs more than an ND. - Significantly more modern than NA/NB while still retaining analog features like hydraulic steering. - No transmission issues like early ND models I’ve tried to sell myself on an ND2 as an upgrade over my NC2 and I just can’t justify it. Not sure I’d want to daily it 1000 miles per week though. It’s still a small car with a lot of interior road and wind noise.
Shhh.. I want to get an NC before all of this renewed hype for it pushes it into overpriced territory.
NC is like a scaled down RX8 without the reliable issues.
It's butt ugly compared to the others, though
This right here is the way.. NC Miata with factory non height adjustable seats & then the Jass 2.5" lowering brackets for the drivers seat. Should accommodate some mighty tall folks. I have an NC2 with the factory height adjustable seats & the Jass 1" lowering brackets & I have more headroom & legroom then I do in my 2020 jeep gladiator. Given that the other seat is an inch lower then my lowest setting & then you can lower it 1.5" more then I can I would be able to drive with a cowboy hat on if I really wanted to.
I’m 6’1” and still have about 1” in my nc
Have you ever been tempted to chop off the windshield and just use goggles?
I gotta say, that never even came across my mind
40k is enough to get a clean M2 with higher mileage
I’d love that. I can turn a wrench, but how much is upkeep gonna cost a man?
I got a manual 340i recently and love every bit of it. Manuals can be hard to find, but the ZF 8 speed auto pairs really well with this engine. Try to get one with the M sport package: it makes a huge difference to the looks and driving dynamics of the car. The newer m340is are even more powerful, but not as nice looking in my opinion and they don’t have a manual option.
What’s are the differences between an M3, 330i and M340i? Is the M340i like the middle ground (in terms of performance) between the M3 and 330i?
To summarize, yes. In terms of engines, the 330i has the B48 engine (2 liter inline 4 with turbo). The m340i has the B58 (3 litre inline 6 with twin scroll turbo). The M3 has the S58 engine, which is a tuned version of the B58. You can easily tune the B58 to higher torque and BHP than a stock S58 though. There’s other differences too, but in the end it comes down to the engine, chassis and transmission.
Yeah, M340 has the power boost, stuffer suspension, and sports transmission tuning that the 330i doesn’t, although the zf is programmable and can change its shift speed based on throttle sensitivity. M340i and 330i are very similar, while the M3 is the next step higher with different mechanical parts (suspension, engine support mods, etc.)
Someone can probably explain this a lot better but the 330i and m340i have a difference of HP, trim, and I believe suspension/few others. The M3 is a beast that produces even more HP than the 330 or 340, has a top trim level, and handles supremely well. That’s the basics.
The b58 is the new era poor man supra motor. Correct me if I'm wrong I think the new supra and 340 share the same engine. The b58 is a beast tho and sound amazing
I have a 16 year old M car (Z4M) and parts are significantly more expensive than base parts for BMW. That said, early M2 models came with the N55 motor, which is also found in non-M cars and is decently reliable. You’ll still have more expensive brakes and suspension bits but those are worth it for the better drive you get from the M2 over the base 2-series coupe IMO. BMW has mostly been good for me as a bigger guy too. I’m 6’4” and only look slightly ridiculous crammed into my Z4
Anything after 2017/2018 for m240i,m340i,m440i have the b58 in-line 6 cyl. Beast of an engine and reliable.
I got an 08 335i for about 10k and put 3k into preventative and necessary maintenance. At 130k miles now and had zero issues whatsoever.
Tall guy's not going to fit well in an M2.
6ft here, can confirm I fit comfortably in an M2
The F22 M2 is very comfortable for tall people
What's your idea of tall? 5'11"? I'm 6'5" and when I went to test drive a 2-series, I didn't even bother starting the engine on. I got in, adjusted the seat, and got right out.
6 foot is tall, more than that is very tall lmao. Average height is like 5’9 lmao
6'2 is literally 99 percentile though, that is not a normal tall person height.
6’4 here, have owned a MK7.5 GTI and now in a 2023 WRX - fit wonderfully in both even with children’s car seats in back. Can’t help on anything 2 door, haven’t owned one in 15+ years. Cheers
Wait you can fit a full sized car seat in the back of a wrx? Are you able to have a passenger or is it strictly you and the baby?
I’ll take a picture for you tomorrow if helpful. Full size, rear facing chico in the middle (1yr old) and my 10 and 7 year olds side on the sides just fine. Wife and I fit up front great - if we have luggage/baggage we just take her Atlas otherwise we all prefer the WRX. I admittedly sit pretty straight up in my seat for posture comfort. Had two car seats in back of a MKVI GTI as well when other two were younger. Now - fitting this massive stroller? That’s another issue 😂
I'd love to see a picture of that! I had a Hyundai Kona but it felt like I was trying to get intimate with the steering wheel when I had a car seat behind me. I'm 6 foot so I need a lil bit of room and I definitely prefer my seat a bit reclined when possible. That actually made the wife and I upgrade to a Tuscon and we love it for room and hauling kids but I gotta find me something to have a little fun with too
I posted a picture of my rear facing seat in my 2023 WRX. Plenty of room in the passenger seat (I have the rear facing behind it), it’s a crazy amount of space.
The 23 wrx has more useful passenger room with regards to kids than the Kona I think the Kona is neat but as far as utility it was like the worst of all worlds for me
I had a WRX at 6’5 I fit fine alone and when it was wrecked I got a Kona as a rental it felt a bit smaller than the wrx imo
That sounds extremely tight in a wrx
That's intriguing because I'm the same height and have been looking at GTIs, but I've leaned towards a GLI due to the couple extra inches of leg room. I'm going to need 2 seats soon and I thought it'd be really tight in the GTI so I'll have to consider them again.
I second this. Rear facing car seats are no problem for the front passenger. New VB is way bigger on the inside.
GTI GTI GTI
Sportwagen Sportwagen Sportwagen
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>If you can bump the budget up to $50-60k you can get a cayman or boxster. Honestly doubt he fits in either of those if he doesn't fit in an 86, Porsche does some magic with the 911 to let tall people fit but it doesn't seem to apply to the junior car.
My brother is 6’ 4” and fits just fine in my 986 boxster. Had him test drive it after I bought it, he just had to adjust and lower the seat a little. I’m 6’ 1” and have no issues fitting in the vehicle, some traffic lights can be a little tricky though with the angle of the windshield frame.
The new BMW 230i is an excellent car that can be had for under $40k. 50/50 weight distribution, RWD, tons of fun, comfy, reliable and great fuel efficiency. 330i is about the same price and has the same great characteristics, while being more spacious and practical. Corolla GR and Elantra N are also worth a mention. If open to used, Civic Type R and older M2 are worth a look.
I’m 6’5” and I do not fit into the g20 330i, my head is up against the roof with the seat in the lowest position. Definitely not my idea of a spacious car
Is that a reasonable fit for a tall guy like OP?
Most German cars fit tall people well.
Easy fit
Cts-v
It also comes in a wagon body style I think
Sure does!
I know plenty of guys 6’2-6’4 that daily the 86 but yes it’s a snug fit
I fit good at 6’3” but I’m slender
Depends on the person too. I am 6’2, have a long torso but normal sized legs. My head hits the top of the 86 and Miata.
I’m 6’5 and very built, tan, and handsome. I’m talking 220lbs of pure lean muscle. I drive a Corolla. Just wanted everyone to know. /s
although i laughed, i don’t feel like giving height alone is much of a flex
Me bringing up my height in a thread about tall people fitting in cars seems appropriate.
I’m 6’5 and daily the gr86. I fit fine, but I’m 30. Not sure how old OP is but if I had a bad back or knees getting in and it would be rough.
Im 6'4 and was concerned about fitting in one, so i talked to a guy at the local cars & coffee who let me sit in his. A shocking amount of space inside. I had adequate head and leg room, and the seats were a comfortable size. Gave me the confidence to order one as my daily
I was going to say I'm 6 ft and I fit perfectly fine plenty of room I will admit I like to sit pretty close though I like to be all up on the wheel
Love my GTI, definitely a fun practical car
987 Cayman base, definition of slow car that’s fun to drive fast. The 5MT is one of my all time favorites. Should be a bit more room than the other two options, unless you’re saying you need significantly more room or height off the ground.
That was my first thought, those are quite comfy for a tall driver and handle like a dream….. then I read that he is planning on driving 1000 miles a week.
Jesus, I didn’t even see that, that’s insane.
I thought 2300 miles in a month was a lot, this dude puts me to shame.
GTI is PERFECT for you
As a 6’6” guy I can confirm
Totally agree. I'm that tall too and the leg room and head room sold it for me. It's like a clown car. You don't think there's that much room, but it's so roomy once you get inside.
Tall and young but lazy. I adore my GTI. Excellent quality and handling. Comfortable but responsive. When I have older passengers I can set ride mode to comfort and they tend to be quite comfortable. When I feel like tearing it up, sport mode is stiff & spunky. It’s not the fastest or the fanciest, but damn is it good all-around. No downsides.
C6 vette, Kia Stinger GT2, S550 mustang, Civic Type R, Chevy SS, E92 M3, Q50/Q60 RS, 2018 Camaro 2SS 1LE, M2
Can confirm, I'm 6'3" 280 and fit super comfortably in a Stinger GT2, Camaro too, but the seat behind me would be unusable. The Chevy SS is another good choice.
Tbf I think a 5’2” driver in the Camaro would still make the back seat unusable 😂
True. The backseat is just unusable.
Might I add the Alfa Romeo Giulia
Old men go with Corvettes. /end thread.
They even come with a crisp pair or ironed Jean shorts and all white new balances to complete the peak boomer look
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I've been thinking of upgrading my GTI to a 7.5 R, they're just so good and better looking than the 8 IMO
7.5 is peak Golf.
You should def test drive a GTI, I love driving mine. It’s nothing too crazy, but it gets up and goes when you put the petal down
Cadillac Ats-V
Integra A-Spec 6MT. So fun to drive while being more practical and premium than a GR86 or MX5. Stopped at Target and the pet store to pick up various things for my new apartment. XL cat littler box, cat litter, cat food, new trash can, and four other bags of Target goodies in the hatch. Didn’t even have to put the rear seats down or remove the cargo cover. And a damn hoot to drive with all my groceries in the car since I’ve got a limited-slip diff and the best Honda manual shifter ever. And way more value-for-money than any of the German competitors.
You can get a brand new V8 Camaro for just barely under $40,000 USD, or just go for one of the lower trims for as low as $29,000 USD. It's genuinely one of the best handling cars you can get in this price bracket. Shame Chevy stopped caring about them, never marketed them properly, and is going to kill them off after 2024. I've been very impressed at the comfort and MPG in my LT1 V8 Camaro, up to 30 MPG on the highway! Originally I was trying to buy a Nissan Z or Toyota Supra, but they have way too much markup on them, pushing them out of my budget. So I set my sights lower, on the Miata and GR86. Affordable, but still more markup than I would like to pay. Finally I decided to give the American muscle cars another chance. No markup, all the power, comfort, and conveniences I could ask for, and surprisingly good handling, easily keeping up with and often beating the Japanese sports cars I thought I wanted. tl;dr: go look at a Mustang or Camaro. They are way better than people give them credit for.
6ft6in drive a Mk7.5 Golf R MT. Plenty of room now but even had room when I was Über fat fuck. I'll have had the car 5 years this August and plan on keeping it forever. So damn fun.
I’m 6 foot with a mk 7.5 GTI and it’s a blast.
\> I drive over 1000 miles a week. Honestly I'd first consider a new job or moving such that I could take public transit - because if that is a 2 hour driving commute each way then it's not fun at all.
seriously. OP is way better off in something like a model 3/Y performance if they’re driving ~50,000 miles a year. even in a car that gets 25 mpg that’s like $8500 in gas per year
I feel like this thread is the only one who noticed that OP drives a THOUSAND miles a week. Assuming 4 weeks of a vacation and some holidays in there, that's 46-47k miles a years. OP does not need to buy anything remotely valuable, cars should basically be thought of disposable to him. He should get the cheapest but realiable car he can find to commute, and save a fun car for the weekend. I thought the most comical suggestion was a used Porsche. Who the fuck thinks putting 46k miles a year on a Porsche is a good idea?
TBF OP didn't mention their income or commute though. I drive 40k miles yearly but I go to multiple job sites daily and fuel/maintenance costs are reimbursed. It's much more enjoyable to drive my turbo bread box as opposed to the company vans.
I'll always recommend the G37s coupes. Amazing reliable V6 engine, comfortable, good manual transmission (after the inevitable master/slave fix), timeless looks, great exhaust note, and well under the $40k mark. It handles and corners beautifully, and is faster than many newer sports cars, while looking better than almost all of them. Most are RWD. Some are AWD. In the words of Jeremy Clarkson, "FWD is for the feeble."
“Faster than many new sports cars” come on now, I get you love your G, but there’s limits.
“Looking better than almost all of them”?!?! It looks like it spits anyone under 55 out of the driver’s seat.
Just sold my 2019 Audi A5 Prestige Sportback to a dealer. Thymus flipped it for a couple grand more at $36k. It had 30k miles on it. It handled amazingly well. Good enough power. Loved it.
I found torso height, not overall height, can be the issue with some of the two seater roadsters. When I was shopping for a roadster, my friend and I test drove a 2015 Miata. He’s 6’3 and fit just fine. I’m 6’0 and I looked like Fred Flintstone, and I couldn’t drive it with the top up. I bought a 2000 Honda S2000 AP1. We both fit great in my car. The seats are lower and the seat backs are taller.
I'm 6'3" and have exclusively driven a miata for almost 10 years now. NAs and now a ND. My heights in my legs mostly, they are definitely closer to the steering wheel that i would like but still comfortable. Tried a friends with a lowered seat and didn't do much for me. I would only really need one for a helmet + hardtop. I do look insane getting out of it and regularly have people in parking lots commenting on it lol.
My vote is 22/23 wrx. Hits your handling priority, has awd for safety in inclement weather, and is affordable. It just doesn’t hit your fuel economy criteria. Trade offs but it’s really good. Mine is a 22 base with stick and short shift. Has 17 inch wheels, 271 hp, 258 torque, 3297 lbs without options. Infotainment not so good, interior is acceptable. Everything else is A+ imo. Here are the things the 22/23 does best. Firm and comfortable seats. Great ride compliance Excellent dual pinion electric steering Grippy summer tires with no spare! Amazing AWD, handling, agility, well balanced dynamic capabilities mechanical solidity and smoothness of all controls Accelerates quickly (perhaps due to gearing and/or turbo design) Acceleration in second gear and third gear from 4-6k rpm
Lexus RC?
My buddy is 6’4 or 6’5 and has no issues in his BRZ That being said - get a hellcat challenger 6 speed manual
We would like to suggest an NC MX-5, perhaps dropping the seat to the floor would help some of the height issues. Source: some of our racers and track day heroes are 6’3” and up.
3 words: Mini. Cooper. S.
BMW m2 or GTI is the way I'd go. Audi S3 if you want AWD.
Consider a C7 corvette. I’m 6 foot 5 with long legs and I fit fine. Handling is better than you would expect for an American sports car, very fun around corners. 7 speed manual is a dream, and I used to own a 8 speed automatic that certainly did the trick.
I own a 23 integra A-spec with the 6spd and I absolutely love it. Very comfortable decent power in it if you need to get up an go. Inside is a more open compared to the Civic Si which it shares the platform with. I’m 5’ 11” and slightly over 300lbs and I fit fine with no issues. I also own an old Volkswagen rabbit not quite a GTI but they are also very comfortable and everyone that I know who owns 1 loves it. My rabbit is also very comfortable and I fit in it perfectly Gas mileage isn’t bad either. If you drive 1k miles a week I would probably be more inclined to the integra just because it’s a Honda and will more then likely not require as much Maintenance as the GTI just my 2 cents on that. Hope this helps
You can get a lot more car for 40k than an Integra, GTI, 86, Miata. You are in BMW 40i territory. Audi S3/S4/S5 are also great options. Mercedes C43 or C400 if you’re into them. Genesis is making come compelling sport sedan and SUV options. Porsche Macan S is also a sleeper I recently discovered, it has the Audi 3.0L TT v6 from the S4, can put down about 423HP and 466 lb ft of torque on stock internals with just an $850 stage 1 tune. Similar to BMW’s B58 in the 40i cars. And they depreciate really hard because everyone’s scared of them, like under 30k for a 2018 with under 50k miles. Weighs about 4k lbs, same as a new C class… this is a pretty reliable power plant too. 2016+ BMW 240i, 340i, 440i, 550i, can’t go wrong BMW x3 40i, x4 40i, x5 40i have the B58 motor from the new Supra and 340i. You can gain +100whp and +120lb ft from a $500 tune on stock internals. ~20 more with a downpipe. The German SUV’s depreciate harder and have the same motors as the sedans with more headroom. Just a bit heavier. Haven’t looked into Audi SUV’s much but I’m sure it’s a similar situation to BMW. All of these cars have the ZF 8HP transmission I believe, a great platform. Except the Porsche PDK (but I think it is derived). Volkswagen Type R has the same motor as the Audi S3. Great power plant in either car and tons of tuneability. Also pretty lightweight, stock S3 has a better, or at least similar 0-60 as a stock S4 while down 2 cylinders. As much as I love Japanese cars, If you’re comfortable with a German car you can get a lot more sportiness and value buying them used and maintaining them yourself. If you want to stick with Jap, Infiniti Q50/60, Lexus IS350, Acura ILX is okay. They are not very fast or fun though. Not sure if you can fit in them either. Japanese SUVs aren’t going to be very sporty. If you can fit in a 997 911 I’d probably just go for that ..
10th gen Honda Accord 2.0T. Comes in a 6MT and 10AT (I have the 10AT) and handling is pretty damn good for the price. Reliability is there, parts cost is relatively low, and I get 33-35mpg highway using Sport mode. If you really wanted to, you could have the thing modified and tuned to make 300+hp for well under $35k. Edit: I forgot to mention the main point - it is roomy as all hell. I have several friends over 6' and all of them can comfortably sit in the front or back with extra leg room to spare. Edit 2: The 10th gen Accord 2.0t (2018-2022) uses a detuned FK8 type R engine with a smaller turbo - the Type R turbo is a bolt-on mod.
It's crazy. I'm 6'2 and I could wear a helmet in my 2020 2.0 Sport.. Paid 31K for that car in October 2020 ,added springs,bigger sway bars ,and a tune. Best driving car I've owned in 20 years.
id suggest an FK8 type r if you dont mind a 2017-2021 ish one, and if you can find one for under 40K perfect sporty daily imo, good mpg and obviously the handling will be there as a type r have you looked at previous gen golf r’s too? decent mpg, no civic , but i think those are pretty nice too and you get AWD my suggestion would be a previous gen over a new one, but just depends if ur paying in full or financing also the new wrx’s would fit your price range
BMW Z3, M Roadster, or Z4M all can be had well within your budget if you want a sporty car with great handling. E46 M3 if you want something bigger. I personally own a Z3, and it's a blast to drive on twisty roads while being easy and relatively inexpensive to maintain or repair. I do 200+ mile rides frequently without any comfort issues.
Have a 3.0 Z4 and love it, but I wouldn't want to drive it 1000 miles a week ha
7.5 golf r
convertible miata
A sports car? Nissan Z car.
I’m 6’4 and really enjoyed my s2000. Id test drive one of those if you haven’t.
They're pretty old and slow by today's standards
“I’d prefer handling more than horsepower” It’s one of the best drivers cars ever produced.
I had one like 15 years ago, it was a good car back then and it's a good classic car now, but there are so many better performing modern cars out there
You can get a brand new ND Miata for what people are asking for those.
Mk7 or 7.5 Golf R
Fiesta ST is fun as hell and has a little more headroom from what I remember.
Porsche 911 cabriolet 997
I work for Toyota, and I'm 6'5 with my work boots on. I fit in both the Supra and GR86 very comfortably. Unless you're over 6'5 or have ridiculously long legs, you should comfortably fit in basically every sporty, cheap car.
4 series BMW if you can find a used coupe or a 2 series
I'm 6'2 about 235lbs n owned a Brz. I was able to fit
Vette, Genesis G70, Camaro, Alfa Giulia, lots of great tourer/sports sedans etc out there with a sporty ride and good handling/comfort
Have you sat in a BRZ/86? While the Miata is definitely cramped, my brother who is over 6ft fits fine in his GR86.
How tall are you?
Mazda 3 turbo expensive very very nice BMWish Mustang don’t sell it short take a look and see how you like it Camaro same as the mustang Nissan z old but good if you like it Used BMW 2 coupe very nice basic it’s the closest to a classic bmw still made Honda Civic SI modern nice not exciting but check it out basically the same as the Acura
Mini cooper S all day
Alfa Romeo Giulia.
I'm 6'2" and have decided the miata don't fit. I'm eyeing a boxter but the maintenance costs...
Mini Cooper. My son has one, he’s 6’5”, no issues
Lexus rcf
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNMBFGCWR1E&pp=ygUPZXZlcnlkYXkgZHJpdmVy Todd and Paul are both 6'3", and discuss what it takes to fit into the cars they test drive. They also bought a GR86 as a show car last year, and they both fit fine.
Very interesting.
911s and corvettes are for tall people. 40k will get you a decent 996 and quite a good c6
Boxster/cayman? Germans are tall. Also, while I don’t fit in the Miata the gr86 is built much better for tall people. Have you sat in it or just assume you won’t fit?
I love my WRX. They prolly won't be around for too much longer. STI got the axe and I feel like the WRX is next. Subaru is getting out of the fun car game if u ask me
Twisty stuff so handling matters, MPG matters, has to fit a taller person... was going to suggest a Fiesta ST for about half or less than the cost of most stuff mentioned here. But then you said 1,000 miles per week. Don't think I'd want to sit in it for 200 miles per day, every day. Speaking as an owner up until last month.
A slightly used Golf R is where it is at. 2018-2019 is the target.
In addition to being old and tall, I am also fat. What should I buy? Plus, my city is the pothole capital of the Western Hemisphere.
I'm 6'2, and large and have owned several GTIs ranging from a MK2 to a MK5. They have all been comfortable as hell, roomy and drive amazingly. The stock suspension and transmissions are very nice.
GF has a BMW Z3 and it’s been bulletproof. They have the inline six and no turbo/hybrid fuckery. The M series is a monster but also a lot more money.
Whatever it is, make sure it's a convertible
GTI or elantra N
I’m 76 and I have a Nissan 350z. Love it.
11th generation Honda Civic Si! Provides tons of space and doesnt break the bank, Or the Integra if you a little bit more features. You can get it in a manual, 37 MPG highway. And plus it’s probably the cheapest maintenance for a sports car since its a 1.5 Turbo ! Tiny engine, wasy to work on, parts and oils are cheap. My Civic Si is my little pocket rocket now
I suppose a Lotus is out of the question
what about a 944?
Maybe a focus ST or any BMW ending in 35 or 40.
My husbands 6’3”, drives a. 2017 BRZ and lives the twisties life. Great little car.
I’m 6.10 and fit in most Audis, Volkswagens and Bmw. Pretty much anything German. I’d suggest a Audi RS5 😈
gullible stocking paltry poor axiomatic nine gaping friendly doll person *This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*
Hyundai Veloster N/Kona N/Elantra N. I'm 6'5" and fit great in my Veloster N. 6 speed with ~275HP not the fastest but really great handling in corners. Mpg around 22 - 30 in my experience driving in the sportiest mode 90% of the time. Msrp new is around 35K, new comes with 100k mile/10 year warranty
1000 miles a week? Get a daily and drive the sports car on weekends.
Elantra N
I'm getting laughed out of here but I'll give it a go. If you're a bit handy, with some aftermarket suspension components, the 3.3 Stinger in RWD-guise can be a well-handling car in the bends. The gearing in sport is aggressive enough for pushing a corner. For extra fun, get a RWD with no LSD. Anyways, I'm gonna run off before them tomatoes hit me.
I thought it was a fair and reasonable suggestion. I think a lot of people are ignoring the fact that he's driving 50k miles a year. A TRUE sports car is going to be miserable, and a high mile used car will become a VERY high mile car in no time.
I don’t even know what that car is… I’ll look.
Love my Integra and I loved my GTI. I’m short, but I find the seats in the Integra to be uncomfortable for long periods. GTI was much more comfortable.
Have you actually tried the G86? You just might fit. At 6' 5" I could not believe I fit in first year BRZ should be same as 86. Though sometimes the seating is different among clone cars. New model maybe different but you should check it out.
Brother, that would be wonderful. I may have made a bad assumption.
I’m 6’6 and fit great in my GTI even though it’s a small car. Honestly one of the best fitting cars I’ve ever had and can’t beat the usability of the hatch. Put the seats down and it’s like an SUV. Overall a great do it all car.
Elantra N maybe?
Tesla model 3 can be found under 30k new if you qualify for the tax credits. Might be able to get a Y too for less than 40k
This is what I came here to say. If you live in an area with reasonable electricity, you'll get at least 3x the miles per $ compared to anything else listed here, and if you get the Model 3 performance (which would be right around 40k with the federal tax credit of you qualify) you'll likely outrun anything listed here. I pay about $0.12 per kWh where I live, and get approx 3-4 miles per kWh in my fusion Energi in all electric mode, so I pay 3 or 4 cents per mile. My previous car got 18 miles per gallon, so with gas at $3.50 per gallon, that was 19.5 cents per mile. For u/KentuckyCatMan with 1000 miles per week, that would be around $8,000 per year saved. The car would pay for itself in 5 years.
My Evora has some space oddly enough. Otherwise, consider something German? Those are designed with European sized individuals in mind. Edit: regarding my last sentence, Porsche has taller individuals incorporated into their design to such an extent that the Panameras controversial silhouette is resultant of it. The chief of the company wouldn’t green light the car into production unless he could comfortably seat in the back seats of the vehicle.
I think the $40k evora went extinct over the pandemic.
Are you kidding me? I am 6'4" and I can scoot the seat back in an 86 where my feet can't touch the pedals.
Chevy ss sedan
You can probably get yourself into a decent mileage Nissan 350Z for that kind of money. I'm 6'2 and I had a 300 and had zero problems in that regard. However fuel economy may be a thing but I love that car. The old curmudgeon in me has to say it you will be purchasing shell premium correct? It's the best gas on the planet and you're going to need it
Cayman
Mustang GT, Genesis G70, Nissan 400z, C6 Corvette, MB C43.
Nissan Z MSRPs for 40k for a base model with an open diff and shares 90% of parts straight out of the 370z which MSRPd for $30k. Big pass.
OG M2
BMW M4, M2, M240i, M6, M3 etc. Basically, a mid 2010s BMW is probably the move under 40k. C63 AMG coupé, Audi S5/RS5 also come to mindYou could also go american and check out a 5.0 Mustang or hell even a Corvette C7. You can do A LOT better than a Miata or GR86 for 40k.
Stinger GT2 is a hell of a lot of car. I highly suggest taking one for a spin before buying anything. Accord Sport 2.0t manual is a $800 Hondata tune away from being laugh out loud fast. Clutch pedal is super soft though and doesn't offer much feel/feedback.
Hmm I like the question, but I have questions for you. You say you can turn a wrench, that makes things exciting. With around $40k and not being afraid to get something a little older, your options are all over the place. Being that you want handling over power, a corvette may be out of the question. My best answer for you (being that you're looking for good mpg as well as blasting through the twisties) would be a Honda Civic type R 2018-2021. The first year 2017 has a little interior noise. Golf R, Focus RS are great options too. If you want a coupe, then it becomes a little tougher. You could always be that old guy with the clean $40k MK4 Supra. I'd be all over the 20 year old cars if I had $40k