We are planning on picking up a Ford Freestyle to replace the Jetta TDI as a family hauler and are planning on getting something a little more fun to go with it. My choices have been an 06 325i, 05 C230, and G35 Sedan. The G35 is probably my top choice now because it seems like we can get more car for what we are wanting to spend (under $17,000) and from what I have read they are pretty reliable. My only criteria is the car has to have a manual transmission. What should I look out for? The only problem I have found (read) is that they sometimes consume oil. How much oil are we talking? Is there anything else to look out for? Also do you have any idea how they compare to similar cars in insurance rates? I am 30, married with two kids so our insurance is not to high but its something we would like to keep low.

 

I've been reading about the oil consumption problem and it has me kind of worried. How common is this problem? How much oil do they tend to use? Are there any fixes besides replacing the engine?

Thanks for any help you can give