Yes - the Panther platform is way easier to work on and the user community (forums) are vastly more accommodating. For example, I can put a manual transmission in the Crown Vic / Grand Marquis with junkyard parts for under $1000 - and there is a step-by-step DIY already posted. Try that with the Lexus.

"How many cars can add 200hp at the crank with just [$10K worth of] bolt-ons?"

If they made a manual Odyssey, I’d be all over it.

What german row-your-own longroof is going to be anywhere near as powerful as this for less scratch? As mentioned by the other Saab owners on here, this thing is a tune and some bolt-ons away from 350+ WHP.

250HP, stick shift, station wagon for under $7K? This is the easiest NP of all time - although I suppose if it was brown and RWD it would fetch a higher win %.

C7 Corvette. It looked evolutionary in the magazines, but the first one I saw in person (in Dubai) looked exotic even when surrounded by far more expensive machinery.

I’ll add that I like the steering wheel.

THIS. My wife’s 2011 Murano LE is nice enough on the highway and does kid-hauling duties well - but that CVT is just painful.

Keep up with a 3.7 (Base model V6) with four doors, fail wheel drive and CVT? Not from a dig.

Sincerely, Ford Mustang V6 in 2011.

Valid points - I concede.

I Googled it a bit and as far as I can tell, no state will give you tax back on it. They all default to a "minimum zero" on the sales tax.

Depending on other factors (mileage, color) - they are getting more than that on eBay. I live in a state (South Carolina) that caps sales tax on vehicles at $300 (5% of the first 6000, then it caps) - so if you buy a 10 year old Civic or a brand new Bentley - you pay the same $300. As such, I can not imagine how…

What color?

Edmunds.com is fairly accurate. I can put up with a lot of "tire kickers and lowballers" for $2K (personally). 6-12 hours (what I've spent selling previous cars) at my current pay rate doesn't come near $2000.

I can't even argue with that.

Would much rather have this (Turbo 6) than the Saabaru.

I would personally budget several grand to restore the engine back to "stage 0" with 183K miles on it.

Anyone ever put a manual transmission in one of these?

If you find one of these (e91) in RWD with a stick for less than $15K, I'll be shocked (and likely buy it). I'm willing to go up to $20K if it's got premium, sport/M-sport, and decent miles.