4-door fun manual daily driver options

Still on the original water pump? If not, you might want to proactively replace that along with the timing chains. I've got a Taurus and the 3.5L's internal water pump is the one thing that keeps me awake at night...
At this point if it goes, it goes. I've gotten my use out of it. I just noticed the chain rattle a few weeks ago but I think it's because I don't drive it much anymore. The oil drains off the chains. I may take it out more often and see what's what.
 
It's hard to tell. With inflation the way it is, it might just be that the rest of the market will eventually catch up to what's happened with used car prices. They increased the money supply by something like 40% in 2020 alone. But I agree. I do think the chip shortage will be resolved and newer cars will flood back into the market. It may take a year or two to get back to normal. I'm in no rush.
 
I've been seeing a lot more inventory at car dealerships recently. :)
Not around here. The only Dealership lot that is full is the M/B Dealership and I assume it is that way because a new M/B is typically above the average price people around here are willing to pay.
The Dealership I work at typically had around 450 new cars/trucks/suv's in stock before 2020. If we have 40 new vehicles in stock right now I would be shocked. The parking lot that held inventory is a big open lot right now and has been for over a year. Every new vehicle we get in is usually sold or will be sold in a matter of 2-3 days. We have folks who don't care what the color or options are, they just want to buy. The sales staff is less than half of what it used to be. Who wants to be a car salesman when there are no cars to sell?
That being said...the service department is busy. People are spending a lot of money fixing up older high mileage vehicles, and why not when there is no inventory of new vehicles?
 
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Yeah, Gen 1 CTS-Vs may not be a bad option if I don't wait for the 32.9-52.8k Gen 2s to come back down with the market. I like that champagne '04 with 74k on it for 23k. Of course, then I look at KBB and see that it should be $19k and that trade-in is $15k. I feel like I'm low-balling when I offer what the books say is fair value.

If the market really is 40% high and it comes back down to reality next year, then I'd save $13-21k on a Gen 2 or $8-12k on a Gen 1.
 
Yeah, Gen 1 CTS-Vs may not be a bad option if I don't wait for the 32.9-52.8k Gen 2s to come back down with the market. I like that champagne '04 with 74k on it for 23k. Of course, then I look at KBB and see that it should be $19k and that trade-in is $15k. I feel like I'm low-balling when I offer what the books say is fair value.

If the market really is 40% high and it comes back down to reality next year, then I'd save $13-21k on a Gen 2 or $8-12k on a Gen 1.
I would just keep my eyes peeled is all. If you're sensitive to them in your mindset, you'll come across one that somebody is putting out there. Look for club forums etc...

I could sell mine right now for $20k-ish more than I bought it for (not that I would).