Re: Need New DD...~15k
 

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...

Re: Need New DD...~15k
 

If nothing else, I like the Dart commercials :D

Re: Need New DD...~15k
 

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.

Re: Need New DD...~15k
 

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

Re: Need New DD...~15k
 

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/ra...279587843.html

Re: Need New DD...~15k
 

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.

Re: Need New DD...~15k
 

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

Re: Need New DD...~15k
 

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.

Re: Need New DD...~15k
 

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.

Re: Need New DD...~15k
 

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.

Re: Need New DD...~15k
 

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_v...5394250587.jpg

Good luck and have fun shopping!

Re: Need New DD...~15k
 

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-...8BW345075.aspx

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

Re: Need New DD...~15k
 

http://images.t-nation.com/forum_ima..._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-i...9cd7cdf78cd556

2004 Golf R32. If you want to stay AWD and fun.
http://www.saintpaulautos.com/used-i...saintpaulautos

2009 Jetta TDI.
http://www.saintpaulautos.com/used/V...f129a30b2e.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/K...a8e19caaa0.htm

2011 Mazda 3. You could liberality copy him.
http://www.whitebearautos.com/used/M...e066e87e36.htm

2011 Mazda 6 Sport with the 2.5
http://www.whitebearautos.com/used/M...6a82befdad.htm

2008 Saturn Vue if you wanna go the small SUV route.
http://www.whitebearautos.com/used/S...cdd025d51b.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.

Re: Need New DD...~15k
 

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.

Re: Need New DD...~15k
 

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

Re: Need New DD...~15k
 

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.

Re: Need New DD...~15k
 

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'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.

Re: Need New DD...~15k
 

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.

Re: Need New DD...~15k
 

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

Re: Need New DD...~15k
 

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