So, this is an update to my "can't find a new vehicle at even up to 50k" I like as much as my now 9 year old 8 (with 108,000 miles on it).

Cadillac ATS - POS, Overpriced, Garbage manual
Lexus IS - Overpriced, very weak base motor
370Z/G37 - Closest, but not there. Powerful V6. Cheap interior.
Camaro - Overpriced, bunker interior, cheap plastics.
Mustang - 2015 is pretty good. New 5.0 is potent. Still clunky though.
Toybaru - Cheap interior, weak motor, sh!tty ride, non-existent rear seat
VW GTI - Great car. Seriously. But lost its edge. Too refined.
Acura - Wow did they lose their Mojo. They're dead to me.
Challenger - Honestly, I love the Scat Pack version with the 485 HP 6.4. It's intoxicating in a straight line, and looks bad ***, IMO, but it's so massive.
Lexus GS - Too chunky. Pricey.


Some of these vehicles cost 2.5x what I paid for my 8, which has been trouble free. The upshot is many of them manage to best the 8 by as much as twice the HP. But none have the ride quality, handling, practicality balance as finely honed as the 8 (even some of these sedans have smaller rear seats & trunks than the 8).

So, I'm going to do full flush & fills of all fluids, plugs/wires/coil packs, rear diff service, new brake pads all around, and see how far I can ride the 8.

BTW, in this arctic winter, on Hankook iPikes, and with a fresh interstate battery, the 8 has been an absolute champ, never missing a beat, even in temps as low as -14 Fahrenheit.

 

I'm looking into a new AWD vehicle for next winter - top choices are used BMW 335xi or new WRX. Didn't see you list those. What are you/everyone else's thoughts on those?

 

Golf R is pretty nice. My nemesis at the track drives one, and I am pretty impressed with it, although I am a RWD-only kind of guy at least for now.

 

Unfortunately the cars that replace the 8 start at 78 grand unless you buy a base Vette

BMW Z4
Jaguar
Fiat
Nissan GTR
Audi R8
BMW I8

So your stuck with a Miata or check out the new Focus

 

If you're still in love.... hang onto it!

 

If I decide not to go with an LS2 swap on my RX8 in the next 2-3 years, I'm looking at the ND new (wild card, but intial impressions are great, I'm just hoping they've done a better job with chassis stiffness than they did on the NC, the cowl shake on my NA with various braces was infuriating), BRZ new (better steering and shifter than the RX8 IMO, but the ride quality is crap and the motor is coarse and dead in the mid-range), or a Cayman S used (haven't driven one yet, but it's a safe bet to be a great drivers car).

 

CaymanS would definitely fit the bill in performance, not sure about practicality. Golf R would be my second pick, but it's just a golf. Alfa Romeo 4c comes closest to an upgrade for me. But 2 seats. These cars are irreplaceable :p