Quote:
Originally Posted by Happy
Interesting…
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Not really a surprise. There's no alternative to a stick shift E53.
For the is, you have to want an E53. Otherwise, there are plenty of newer, more reliable alternatives for similar to not much more money. Yeah, the 4.6/4.8is is unique and interesting in many ways, but then again, E70 X5Ms can be found under $20k now. If you wanted the is, you probably wanted grunt, and an X5M has a LOT more grunt.
That kind of thing really holds down the value of the is, especially when you consider the cost of upkeep.
Your alternative to a manual E53, though, is either a really unreliable 1st gen Cayenne, or a really expensive 2nd gen. There were also about double the number of 4.6is and 4.8is trucks built. (Way more 5MT than 6MT.) That's why I'm here. I didn't particularly have any desire for an E53. I just wanted an inexpensive manual wagon-ish vehicle with AWD. And it had to be reasonably reliable and easy to work on. The E91 isn't big enough. The E61 is so hideous that I don't care how well it would fit my requirements. Old VAG products? :lol: So yeah. E53 6MT it was.