New advice on buying a new car
 

Just got a new job out in Denver and I'm looking to replace my 98 2.5rs. I'll be doing a fair amount of customer interaction with my job and I'd like something a little "nicer". Is there anything besides an evo/sti that can give me comparable awd performance under 20k?

I've thought about
Volva s60r
Audi s4
bmw 325

Re: New advice on buying a new car
 

The S60R is my choice, I've had a few of them and they fit the bill nicely for looking professional while still maintaining a performance feel. They ride smooth as butter in the regular suspension mode.

Re: New advice on buying a new car
 

Out of those 3, I'd choose neither. All of them are expensive to work on and will require a lot of maintenance anywhere after 80-90k miles. My dad has a s60r and he has replaced A LOT of shit on it. Active suspension, etc etc. If you get a CEL, you are fucked, it will just go into 5mph limp mode in the middle of the highway. Also limited aftermarket availability. I used to have a e36 M3 and I have replaced quite a bit too. Although it was mostly performance stuff, but just to do the front ball joints, I had to replace both control arms 250$ a piece. Audi s4 of 2000-2001 are a total nightmare to work on. Lets say the clutch or turbo goes, you are looking at like 15+ hours labor.

I'd get a WRX if I were you. Still presentable, lots of potential, easy to work on, best awd system (STi actually has THE best, but wrx is pretty good still) and parts can be easily bought on the aftermarket if something happens.

Re: New advice on buying a new car
 

i have to agree with fran05. i dont like the boxer motor but the wrx/sti would be the best option.

Re: New advice on buying a new car
 

How bout a legacy GT?

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The blue interior on the sti makes me sick. Otherwise an sti would be on the list. I understand that a wrx would be an affordable choice and it's an option as well I guess.

I'm looking to add to my list, not just pick one of the three :)


Also an option. I think I'd have to drive one to really appreciate one.

Re: New advice on buying a new car
 

G35x with bolt-ons?
CTS-V?

Re: New advice on buying a new car
 

Speed 6.

Otherwise you can just get a DD that is strictly a DD like many of us. Something like an AWD Fusion, won't leave you stranded, is newer so shouldn't require a lot of work... Then get something on the side to play with.

Re: New advice on buying a new car
 

R32?

Also if you truly have 20k why not just get an EVO? Prolly best bang for the buck,4 doors for planned and unplanned parenthood, ect... LOL

Re: New advice on buying a new car
 

Have you considered a Lancer Ralliart or the regular WRX? New both are starting in the low 20's. So if 20 is a hard limit, you could probably could find a low miles used for just under that.

Edit: I should probably read all of the posts before responding, lol. But yeah, if the WRX is something you're looking at, you should definitely look a Ralliart, Evo's little brother.

Re: New advice on buying a new car
 

i would say legacy gt, wrx, or sti only thing with wrx is their trannys like to go boom with much more than 350awhp but the STI you wont have an issue with the tranny, if you dont like the interrior you will be able to sell all the seats no issue and buy wrx seat and have cash left over for goodies otherwise just get a evo.. you can get a nice evo for under 20k...

Re: New advice on buying a new car
 

legacy gt!...and I should know I just bought one..very nice inside and out (heated leather seats are my fav), rides smooth, handles amazing, 2.5 turbo gets up and goes, and of course awd ftw! what more could you want.

Re: New advice on buying a new car
 

A G35x lacks sportyness to me imo and the CTS-V isn't awd. Now if the G35 came awd (and I know the G37 does but that's outa range) I'd be all over it!

My dad owns a Mazda 6 and I really don't like the feel of the shifter. A Speed 6 could be in the running as well I guess assuming it doesn't feel at all like a regular 6...

I just have an apartment, so at this point I don't have room for multiple cars.

Well, for the record..I do not "truly" have 20k. I'd take out a loan to start building more credit. And I am kinda straying away from the evo simple because imo it lacks the niceness of some of these other options. I know that the evo would rock the socks off most of the cars I've listed, but it's not all about performance to me.

I've never thought about a VW. Would anybody else second an r32 as a candidate?

Only new Lancer I've been in was Scheides's evo and that thing made me cream myself. Now with that said...I don't think I am as ballin as Scheides and can't really afford something like that now. I have not considered the new Ralliart for no particular reason. Maybe this is something I should also take a look at in person. (Good thing denver has like a million dealerships!) I would love a hatchback wrx, but most of what I've seen is over that 20k mark. And I think 20k is a pretty hard limit :(.

LGT has been mentioned I believe and that's something I'll go take a look at. Good point about the wrx trannys, I forgot about this aspect. I've had friends blow their trannys with much less than 350hp too. I'm not too intrigued about the idea of buy an sti and then swap out all (door cards, carpet, seats..) the interior. Blah, more evo talk. I love evos but I don't want another racecar. Someday I'd love to rock an evo x, but now is not that time :(

Another +1 for the LGT. ok ok ok I'll go look at one.

Re: New advice on buying a new car
 

Volva s60r
Audi s4 (not too much love for the s4?)
bmw 325
wrx (This would probably be the cheapest option - 05 wrx)
Legacy GT (I'll go test drive one and see if I see what you guys see)
MSP 6 (Any comments if this drives like a regular 6?)
R32 (Never been a vw fan...)

Re: New advice on buying a new car
 

fyi the manual trans are hard to find in the gt's and they are also not the best like the wrx's..automatics handle more power and easier to find but less fun to drive.

Re: New advice on buying a new car
 

I noticed that when I typed in "Subaru Legacy GT" vs "Subaru Legacy GT manual" haha. There was one ad left.

Re: New advice on buying a new car
 

The MS6 is a completely different car than the regular Mazda 6, it's not even built in the same factory (100% Japan Made and shipped to the US). Comparable to the Legacy GT, great AWD, nice and comfy on the inside, and will hold its value if you get it for a good price since they only made them for two years. I had one and loved it, picked it over the EVO at the time due to the interior comfort. This is a car you can track or enjoy he daily comforts in daily driving. You won't win many drag races as it's heavy, but I've seen them enjoyed in spirited back roads, auto x, and the road course.

Re: New advice on buying a new car
 

Legacy GT

Re: New advice on buying a new car
 

Grrr I found a Spec B like an 1.5 hours from me, but I don't think I wanna drive that far just to test drive a car. Maybe I'll check out the regular GT in town first :)

p.s. Why did subaru think it'd be a good idea to start throwing this ugly f&f blue interior into their top models. ICK!

Re: New advice on buying a new car
 

Audi S4 IMHO, I almost bought one in 06.

What year are you thinking about, like an 04?

Re: New advice on buying a new car
 

Eh idk I think the S4 is kinda dropping out of the running the more I look into em. There aren't very many 04+ that are in my price range. The few I've found have a good chunk of miles on em.

Re: New advice on buying a new car
 

I would buy the s4 that has the v8. But hard to find with low miles in your price range. Its an audi so service will be spendy if you need work done that you cant perform.

Re: New advice on buying a new car
 

The Legacy GT should be leather unless I'm mistaken...the interiors are much nicer, and larger, than that of the WRX/STI.

Re: New advice on buying a new car
 

I would check out that spec b in a heartbeat. They are rare as hell and hard to find. Pretty sure they also have the sti 6 speed too.

Re: New advice on buying a new car
 

Do it, the right car is easily worth the drive. Hell, I drove to Ann Arbor, MI to get my IX.

Re: New advice on buying a new car
 

This.

I drove a hour and a half each way to find my red 1g, that I sold to Mark Leasure, was well worth it.

I'd drive pretty much any distance for a clean and well maintained car...

Re: New advice on buying a new car
 

a legacy GT is probably your best bet BUT i do think a nicely maintained b5 S4 would be a cool car too.

Re: New advice on buying a new car
 

No thanks on the V8

That is correct.

Unfortunately, there are only auto LGTs close by me, but I'll go drive one around to get a feel for em and if I like what I see I'll make the drive out to see that spec B...assuming it's still fs. It's on craigslist but I didn't see it on the dealers website.

Re: New advice on buying a new car
 

I wouldn't do S4, to hard to work on since you were a former dsm'er. You could consider the 1.8t though?

How about BMW 325xi? Those are nice.

So chalk one up for 1.8tqm and 325xi :). That way your "customers" will think your some what ballin haha. Otherwise, just don't buy anything with a big fart can or is loud when you start it.

Actually, get this:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Bugat...#ht_500wt_1019

/thread

Re: New advice on buying a new car
 

2.7t s4's are a pain in the ass to work on. Ex: you hafta pull the motor to replace turbos. ABSOLUTELY DO NOT buy a 2004 s4 there are major timing chain problems with them and you hafta pull the motor to update the timing chain setup because its on the backside of the motor. If you want luxury awd go with a 325xi-330xi. I liked my audi a4 but my 330i is a way better car all around.

Re: New advice on buying a new car
 

seriously dont wait go for the spec b! you have no idea how rare those are..if you miss this opportunity it will most likely never come up again. driving a gt to get a feel wont be the same.

Re: New advice on buying a new car
 

"In North America, early sporty models were known simply as the Sport Sedan and Touring Wagon. Later models were given the GT and GT Limited nomenclature. The 2006 Legacy model brought forth a limited run of 500 Spec B models. Starting in 2007 the Spec B became a regular production model (albeit a somewhat limited run). All Spec B models feature an improved suspension system by Bilstein, navigation system (making the Spec. B the sole MT Legacy to get one), exclusive (to the Spec B) interior, 18" wheels, and additional aesthetic modifications. 2006 Spec B models have a 5-speed manual transmission while 2007-on models have a 6-speed manual transmission."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subaru_Legacy

Seems silly to not at least take a drive to check it out.

Re: New advice on buying a new car
 

Agreed, if you're set on a manual it's worth the drive to test it out. I still think test driving a Speed 6 would be worth your time as well. It's what my old roommate / best friend has for his DD. I love them. Nice looking car, decent power, manual tranny, interior is cleanly done (not weird race/rice seats and colors).

Also, I haven't priced them out, but I loved my Saab 9-3. It was a FWD 2.0 turbo, but they make them in awd now, but not sure if awd would be in your price range.

Re: New advice on buying a new car
 

Another option, since you seem to like Subarus might be the Forester XT. New, these start mid 20s, so you'd be looking at low miles used for the budget you're working with.

Re: New advice on buying a new car
 

How about a used '09+ Ralliart? Are they below $20k yet?

Re: New advice on buying a new car
 

Yes
http://www.edmunds.com/mitsubishi/la.../?sub=ralliart

But they're hard to find. People aren't trading them in just yet, especially since the car has hardly changed a bit since '09 (a few very minor things). I looked through Rydell's inventory and I didn't see even one.

Re: New advice on buying a new car
 

2009-2010 Lancer GTS... ::runs and hides::

Re: New advice on buying a new car
 

Re: New advice on buying a new car
 

Hey man, CO is overrun with subarus. Don't do it. Get a kia.

Re: New advice on buying a new car
 

My buddy checked that out, said its pretty beat up