Well, you guys are gonna have to rewrite this now...

If it was your money, which one are you buying?

I'd get a manual 320i with the Track Handling Package. Manuals are a more noble cause.

I am aware there is a new A4, but it won’t go on sale for at least another 6-9 months. I have no idea whether or not it will have a stick, but Audi has never pitched their cars as the “Ultimate Driving Machine” either.

Yes, but I was speaking about the current generation, which wil still be on sale for almost another year. The point I was trying to make is that BMW killed off the manual for its for 4 cylinder turbo models but Audi still has them.

Umm... the A4 and A5 both come standard with a 4 cylinder turbo and a stick.

I’d definitely prefer the manual on the 2-series (actually, most people pitched the 228i manual as an alternative to the 320i Jalopnik Edition), but I'm glad a stick is still with the 320i and 6-cylinder models. Also, the sport package in combination with the stick and new track handling package for $37k seems like a…

$20k for a Smart with 120 hp and no aids isn't awful. The Brabus version of the last Smart was awesome.

I didn't mean direct competition. I meant make it more fun. Like Torch said, it won't let you have fun. If it did, I could be a sort of urban Miata.

I really wish it was more fun to drive, because it could have been (not joking) a city dweller’s Miata. It’s much better than the old one, since it looks better, has more power, and it comes with a manual. It’s a shame it’s not better executed. I’d honestly have a Mirage (or a used car) over this.

+1 for Hitchhiker’s Guide reference

I would go that far, but definitely under $50-60k.

The CORRECT answer.

My choice would be one no one (for some reason) has mentioned yet: the Mercedes C300. Comfy, quick, and per C/D, has the nicest interior of any car under 60 grand.

The first one, because public transportation isn't that good anyway. Plus, everyone can thank me because I forced them to get a car they wouldn't have otherwise bought!

Aren't you the one that makes these lists?

Porsche Cayenne Turbo

I realized that, but Kinja sucks and won't let me edit it.

No matter how good the tires are, 27 laps of a 4.2 mile race track at an average of over 100 mph and 1g of lateral force is pretty insane. I blame whoever decided to keep Vettel on those tires for well over half the race.

Also, I doesn’t (didn't) come with a manual.