Need New DD...~15k

[timschot]

I've spoiled myself and don't think I'll ever own a rwd or fwd vehicle in this climate again. Granted, last winter didn't exactly require it...

We have an 03 audi a4 1.8t and love it. Alternate set of wheels with blizzaks makes that thing a lot of fun in the winter. We will have that car for a long time, wife absolutely loves it. When the motor goes, it'll probably just get a nice fresh one put back in.

Fair warning - people will tell you the a4 is an electrical nightmare, but take it with a grain of salt. I've owned this one for 60k and while I know a thing or two about cars to do most things myself, it has not been that bad. Coil packs fail every so often (only $20 each, though), and the timing belt/tensioner needs changing every 60k. Stock turbo went out around 90k, but I think it was on its way out from the previous owner already at 35k when we bought it. Think he had run it almost dry on oil. And turbo swap was a piece of cake.

I would not hesitate to buy a subaru impreza base model though. I just like awd for a dd up here...

[Kracka]

If nothing else, I like the Dart commercials :D

[niterydr]

Wife and I were in the same boat but with a bit more budget, got her a 09 gti with 48k on it from Westside VW. CPO so it is under 2/24k b2b warranty.

[Kracka]

Base Mitsu Lancer for $16k, 10/100 warranty. Get a red one :p

[JET]

I am trying to decide between a nice car or going something cheaper and saving up more for a new house. I wanted an AWD commuter that was somewhat fun and here is the cheap option:

Audi TT - this one is a bit high at $16k, but looks nice - chip adds 50hp and should be a nice DD

http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/ram/ctd/3279587843.html

[Murlo26]

Base Mitsu Lancer for $16k, 10/100 warranty. Get a red one :p

F THAT!

I have too many evo parts, I'd turbo it.

But seriously, I hate how the base ones look, so wannabe evo.

I want to spread my love to something non mitsu I think.

[goodhart]

Shouldnt that be the other way around?

Yea I suppose. Either way though, diesels are just getting broken in at 100k miles!

[simulatedwood]

Murlowski,

I will kick you in the nuts if you do anything without having me look at it and give the thumbs up first..lol

No seriously!

Speaking of.... I just pick-up up my latest old man winter mobile, Biege\gold 2007 Honda crv awd ex with 100k miles for under 13k out the door. It is possible to find some nice stuff in the market. just have to look hard.

[Murlo26]

Murloski,

I will kick you in the nuts if you do anything without having me look at it and give the thumbs up first..lol

No seriously!

Speaking of.... I just pick-up up my latest old man winter mobile, Biege\gold 2007 Honda crv awd ex with 100k miles for under 13k out the door. It is possible to find some nice stuff in the market. just have to look hard.

You missed the W in my name, Murlowski :)

Come test drive Saturday with me if you are free. There seem to be some really solid brand new cars for 15-20k range that get 40mpgs almost. So I will honestly have to look hard at those, some good ass gas mileage would really help me out for how much I drive, so I should focus on that I think. I am pretty sure my 95 honda gets over 30mpgs so I don't want less, its nice filling up only once a week. The evo got filled up like 3 times as much.

Edit:

Looking at stuff more, I should have no issues with $300 a month payments, so that probably gets me closer to 20k for money...probably makes things worse for deciding. I will have to see what kind of deals I can get from dealerships I guess. I don't have a car payment now, but sadly I have minimal cash reserves so I wouldn't be able to buy a car outright until spring which is too late. So regardless I am taking out a loan and that amount a month is easy, $400 with the evo was no problem with mods so I should be good on this. Plus when I get my bonus this spring I will pay off a big chunk like with the evo, I paid off the evo in 3 years even with all the mods/motor builds. I am single still so I have money to burn haha (just letting people know so I don't get the don't spend too much speech). So I think I will look harder at newer cars that are around 20k, still nothing fancy.

[Tachyon]

The new Dart is a Alpha Romeo Giulietta with a some Dodge sheet metal cleverly bolted on.

I'd personally spring for a TDI Golf.