Need New DD...~15k

[BluDevl]

I went with a '05Volvo S40. I had to search a little, but I found the Turbo 5 cylinder, AWD, and 6-speed manual. These are close to the same think as the Ford Focus ST that is Turbo AWD and in Europe only. I generally get about 27-28 mpg, but you will need premium fuel. So far, it has been great! I purchased with 115k and now has 126k with no issues. They come with a 15g turbo, and a front mount intercooler for their factory setup. They make about 220hp and 230 tq . I would check them out if you want something mildly fun, yet economical.

http://imganuncios.mitula.net/2006_volvo_s40_t5_san_luis_obispo_ca_9621743539425 0587.jpg

Good luck and have fun shopping!

[rose0529]

I'd personally spring for a TDI Golf.

My personal favorite as well, room to haul lots o stuff and still get good mpg. With 20k you can get one. I know west side vw just got a 2011 white 4 dr golf tdi with like 20k miles on it for like 22k, could prob talk them down, but its a manual. It has at least a year of free maintance left too...

http://wsvw.lutherauto.com/preowned-inventory-new/2011_Volkswagen_Golf_St_Louis_Park_WVWNM7AJ8BW3450 75.aspx

and add this...
http://malonetuning.com/?page_id=564
or the apr version.... :)

[Trogdor]

Shamless plug for Whitebear Mitsu in 3..


http://images.t-nation.com/forum_images/e/4/e400f_ORIG-hey_guys_whats_going_on_thread.jpg

No seriously though, I've got a lot of really good options for DD in the range.

2012 Ford Focus. These two were the lowest price ones in the state (at their package level) 3 months ago when they were selling for 17,999. Now they're even lower priced! Sunroof, SYNC system, Twin Clutch Auto, up to 45MPG, and surprisingly decent pick up for a 2.0.
http://www.whitebearautos.com/used-inventory/vehicle-details.htm?vehicleId=a511fda90a0a0064009cd7cdf78c d556

2004 Golf R32. If you want to stay AWD and fun.
http://www.saintpaulautos.com/used-inventory/index.htm?SByear=clear&SBmake=Volkswagen&SBmodel=R32&SBbodystyle=clear&SBprice=clear&SBlinkedAccountId=saintpaulautos

2009 Jetta TDI.
http://www.saintpaulautos.com/used/Volkswagen/2009-Volkswagen-Jetta-e2e10b540a0d048d00134af129a30b2e.htm

2011 Kia Forte EX. The cheap econo box. If you want something with super low miles and don't really care that the car is just 5 wheels, an engine, heat and AC. I got one here.
http://www.whitebearautos.com/used/Kia/2011-Kia-Forte-b604fa930a0d048e00d790a8e19caaa0.htm

2011 Mazda 3. You could liberality copy him.
http://www.whitebearautos.com/used/Mazda/2011-Mazda-Mazda3-1136925e0a0a000201c617e066e87e36.htm

2011 Mazda 6 Sport with the 2.5
http://www.whitebearautos.com/used/Mazda/2011-Mazda-0c10ed7d0a0a000201d60b6a82befdad.htm

2008 Saturn Vue if you wanna go the small SUV route.
http://www.whitebearautos.com/used/Saturn/2008-Saturn-VUE-a511ff570a0a0064009cd7cdd025d51b.htm

I've got a bunch of other really good options with low miles. I don't want to spam this post though. Stop in and see me and we can talk about all the other options.

[turbotalon1g]

TDI golf gets my vote, my friend has one and has to travel the 5 state area with his and its reliable as shit, enough TQ to be fun and get fantastic MPGs.

Before you pick something else I'd drive one, new focus's are sweet too.

[Tachyon]

http://malonetuning.com/?page_id=564


I don't know a lot about TDI tuning, but can your actually realize a 4-6 MPG gain with a chip?

[Murlo26]

http://images.t-nation.com/forum_images/e/4/e400f_ORIG-hey_guys_whats_going_on_thread.jpg

No seriously though, I've got a lot of really good options for DD in the range.

2012 Ford Focus. These two were the lowest price ones in the state (at their package level) 3 months ago when they were selling for 17,999. Now they're even lower priced! Sunroof, SYNC system, Twin Clutch Auto, up to 45MPG, and surprisingly decent pick up for a 2.0.
http://www.whitebearautos.com/used-inventory/vehicle-details.htm?vehicleId=a511fda90a0a0064009cd7cdf78c d556

2004 Golf R32. If you want to stay AWD and fun.
http://www.saintpaulautos.com/used-inventory/index.htm?SByear=clear&SBmake=Volkswagen&SBmodel=R32&SBbodystyle=clear&SBprice=clear&SBlinkedAccountId=saintpaulautos

2009 Jetta TDI.
http://www.saintpaulautos.com/used/Volkswagen/2009-Volkswagen-Jetta-e2e10b540a0d048d00134af129a30b2e.htm

2011 Kia Forte EX. The cheap econo box. If you want something with super low miles and don't really care that the car is just 5 wheels, an engine, heat and AC. I got one here.
http://www.whitebearautos.com/used/Kia/2011-Kia-Forte-b604fa930a0d048e00d790a8e19caaa0.htm

2011 Mazda 3. You could liberality copy him.
http://www.whitebearautos.com/used/Mazda/2011-Mazda-Mazda3-1136925e0a0a000201c617e066e87e36.htm

2011 Mazda 6 Sport with the 2.5
http://www.whitebearautos.com/used/Mazda/2011-Mazda-0c10ed7d0a0a000201d60b6a82befdad.htm

2008 Saturn Vue if you wanna go the small SUV route.
http://www.whitebearautos.com/used/Saturn/2008-Saturn-VUE-a511ff570a0a0064009cd7cdd025d51b.htm

I've got a bunch of other really good options with low miles. I don't want to spam this post though. Stop in and see me and we can talk about all the other options.

You around Saturday? I plan to hit a few places, maybe I will start with you.

I for sure want to hit the TDI golf though that rosey posted, I looked at the interior shots and specs etc and I am liking the looks of those. I like the idea of turbo diesel a lot too.

[rose0529]

new focus's are sweet too.

FWIW.... I drove one to florida and back .... got 37mpg (sweet), but I hated driving it. the transmission was annoying and it had kinda bad blind spots... imho. BUT eveyone is different.. thats why I say drive a bunch of stuff, I know everyone won't have the same likes/dislikes I do when driving a car.

I don't know a lot about TDI tuning, but can your actually realize a 4-6 MPG gain with a chip?

I've just started looking into it. IT sounds like you get basically the same maybe a little better mpg but more power (depending on how happy your foot is..) with stage 1, but if you take out the emissions stuff you def see a gain in mpg, but thats prob not something I'd do under warranty or free maintance period.

[EclipseGST]

My g/f's brother has a 09 GTI and we had his car for 7 months while he was in the navy boot camp... Such a nice car, had it from Nov-May, so experienced whatever winter we had last year. haha

It wasnt all dolled up inside, nothing to fancy but it did have power everything and factory HEATED CLOTH seats! I've never seen that before but its pretty amazing when you jump in during the winter and you dont have the cold leather but still have heated seats.

Got high 30's for gas mileage running back and forth to the cities from Winona (250mi round trip) and it was very comfortable and roomy.

My other option I was looking at was a 06-07 Mazdaspeed6. AWD - turbo 2.3L 6spd manual. Very nice cars that can be had in the price range of 16-22k with lower miles. They are just a little harder to find.

[Trogdor]

You around Saturday? I plan to hit a few places, maybe I will start with you.

I for sure want to hit the TDI golf though that rosey posted, I looked at the interior shots and specs etc and I am liking the looks of those. I like the idea of turbo diesel a lot too.

Yep, I'll be in Saturday from 9-6. If you want me to get any of the VW's let me know in advance (by Friday). I'd have to go get them from another lot.

I also have a speed 6 for 14k

[tehehodi]

The R32 is a sweet little car but you might just want to stance it.. haha