It would be driven to school 5 days a week and maybe on the weekends having fun with my friends , I would get a manual if it is more reliable, but would prefer an automatic since I would be using it about everyday, I would probably put about 10k miles on it every year.

I would probably keep the car for at least 7 or 8 years maybe 10.

He did say the V8's Cadillacs were okay, which includes the CTS V but rules out the ATS V.

@bclaud8977 But it’s all the things around it you also have to be mindful of - the complete package not just the powertrain. Electronics on GM esp. Cadillacs can be tough to troubleshoot and very costly. Your total cost of ownership esp. as a daily driver will be very high compared to the other cars this community has been recommending for you. I still can’t recommend it as a first car and a daily car at that.

How would it compare to the C5 Z06 in terms of running costs?

Hard to say, more technology and computer modules on board. My Corvette C5 has 14 computer modules on board (scanned with my Autel MX808). The Cadillac being newer and more bells-whistles has definitely more than that and prices of computer modules (OEM) can run into hundreds EACH, plus labor to diagnose/troubleshoot electrical gremlins. We’re splitting hairs here, but total cost of ownership of both will be very high (better than BMW), but still high. Not recommend as your first (daily) vehicle!!

Yeah, Modman said in the V10 and V12 forum that the BMW V10 and a truck v10(can't remember the truck) are the most reliable V10/ V12 that can be had for cheap, and that is why I included it here.

Yes, he was referring to Ford's gas V10 in the Super Duty trucks and some vans, and the BMW M5. But he also said neither are cheap to repair though, particularly the M5. And once again, you have to consider all the other things around the car besides the powertrain (engine/transmission). Those other things can break before the engine/transmission do and cost you money and sanity. You have to consider the complete package (not just the engine/tranmission) when it comes to reliability and total cost of ownership.

Agreed, I want to get a V10 or V12 but it looks like it is not in the cards, unfortunately I think that the M5 in that generation was in a time when BMW was at its worst in terms of reliability.

I still recommend you get one of those daily drivers we mentioned to you before, and then later get a dedicated track car like the C5 Corvette Z06. I don’t know your financial situation (and none of my business), but just keep that in mind.

As of now I only have a few thousand saved up, but I plan to work the next 2 summers and add about 15k to what I have. And do the same every summer until I get out of college and then move on to my career. I do want a performance bargain with the criteria I mentioned. I do think that a Z06 while it would not be a luxury car could be driven daily, most of my miles would be interstate miles just going to school so I would not rag it out quickly. Thank you for the all your help, Would a Lexus ISF be something to look into though?

The ISF is the best choice of all the ones you’ve mentioned, but I can’t recommend it. A lot of these have high mileage and on the V8 of starter or knock sensor need to be replaced you have the remove the whole intake manifold along with other items just to get to them. It’s very laborious and hard to get to, so it will cost several thousand dollars if you have a shop do it. Mod_Man used to have a 2008 Lexus LS460 with the V8 and knock sensor replacement would have cost him $3,500 or so and he got rid of the car. I recommend for a daily driver you avoid the V8 in a Lexus. Also, total cost of ownership for a V8 Lexus/Toyota will be higher than their V6 than their I4. So I recommend the IS300 or IS350 instead. We gave you a list of recommend cars; I strongly recommend you pick from that list.

You are probably right in telling me to make the smart choice, but I do want a performance car, and an ISF would be something I would consider, I would think Mod_man would have to spend more being an LS and not an ISF but maybe I am mistaking. Would the regular C5 be better than the IS F?

Thank you, and you are probably right, I sometimes will get settled on what type of car I want and then I think will this car has this this and this so I should still consider it. I guess what I have decided to do is try to find the car that is best for me in each segment. I think I have ruled out the muscle cars unless you think a C5 corvette z06 is a muscle car, then a BMW M3 2015, BMW M2, and M240, then maybe an M5 V10, or a Nissan 370Z, Or a lexus, GS F, or IS F. I have a few front runners like the Corvette and M240, and GSF, and I maybe would also consider a Cadillac CTS V, but I want to know of all the cars that I need to look into and then narrow down from their.

You do as you feel.

Do you have any suggestions for a performance car that is reliable and is under $20k?

Under 20k is certainly going to be a used car, and who knows how long it will last you, the previous owner probably beated it. Also depends if you want a daily driver or a weekend car. Is it your first car? Is money an issue? How many seats? etc.

It would basically be my daily driver, but I wouldn't put a ton of miles on it because I would mainly use it to get me to school. I would prefer back seats but if it is a really good reliable, performance car like a Z06 C5 corvette, I could make an exception for the 2 seater. Yes it will be my first car, my budget is about $15-$20k.

Well it's hard to suggest something, there are plenty of choices. But keep in mind that in a $20k budget, try to keep half or at least a quarter of the price you pay for the car to pay for insurance and gas. Don't pay 20k because insurance and gas together from a sports car and especially your first car will make you bust your budget. Buying something 10k and keeping 5k for insurance and gas would be a smarter move for example. You don't drive much, but that's for now, think about the future. You know best your situation to choose what kind of car you will need. As for cars,
bmws have great engines but cost a lot in maintenance,
Subaru WRX or STI don't cost that much and have 4 seats,
Ford mustangs are decent, don't handle that well but V6 or V8,
Look online see what owners think.

I agree, and plan to save money for insurance, maintenance, gas, etc. I mean you can find all kinds of deals, an example is a 2003 Z06 Corvette for under $8k, but it has roof damage because someone flipped it! I do have a lot of interest in BMW's particularly an M2, M3, or M240i xdrive. What do you think of them, they will have depreciated down to where I can afford them when I buy the car, or at least the M2, and M240.

Maintenance is costly, they have complex designs and parts are not cheap. But they. are. fun. to. drive. BMWs are made for fun (not the SUVs obviously). And when the insurances see you drive a bmw, especially m model, it will go sky high. Don't get xdrive, RWD = drift for days. If I were you I would not go with M series as a first car, a "normal" bmw is plenty fast and, no matter how good of a driver you think you are, you'll probably crash your m series somewhere in the neighborhood. You don't just start learning to drive not only a fast car but also a RWD car at the same time with a screaming beast like a bmw m series, you could seriously and easily kill someone or yourself. You can fanboy all you want behind your screen about m2 and m3 but once you get in the real world, you'll realise how much more they really cost than you thought, and how much dangerous and hard to control they really are. It's your life, but m series wouldn't be a smart move in terms of money and safety.