The FiST replaced an 05 Maxima SL 5AT that was dying and needed lots of work at 115k miles last year. Timing chains, cam sensors, oil pump and seals — Nissan threw the book at me with their repair quote when it started overheating last summer. So I nursed it along a couple more weeks and went to CarMax since I couldn’t justify $3-4K repairing an old car I was out of love with anyways. They gave me $1,200 for it.
The Max had great torque from the VQ35DE, but and average chassis and average transmission. I test drove a 2016 Accord Sport and a Civic Sport Hatch 1.5T.
Then I saw my FiST, debadged, Magnetic 1 yr old w 8k miles. It stood out even with a quiet paint color, it looked special. After a short test drive I knew it was the one. Maybe it was the symposer buzzing at me or maybe just the sheer joy of rowing my own gears again. It brought back the joy of driving and it hasn’t left me since.