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15-18k, late model, AWD, manual transmission

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Been looking to replace my 07 Mazda 3 with something a little more fun. Drove the MS3 and while it had plenty of power, the torque steer was disgusting. So that wasn't even an option.

My local Subaru dealer had a couple 06 Legacy GT's on the lot that I took out. I wasn't all the impressed. there was quite a bit of turbo lag and the clutch on both of them was nasty.

I waited a couple months and my Mazda dealer called and said they just had gotten an 06 Speed 6 in, so I drove down the next day to check it out. very clean. It was the Sport with Navigation and 22k on the odometer. Took it out for spin and I was immediately impressed. Turbo lag was nearly non existent. Had plenty of power right up from 2k to about 5500rpm. The six speed was a blast to slam through, though a bit notchy. Interior was comfy and not too cheesy. The AWD is alright. It's certainly no Subaru AWD system, but it works. With a good set of winter tires it would have no probs gettting around.

Speed6 AWD is front biased. So unless the wheels are losing grip, it's basically FWD. Once the wheels start slipping into will go into AWD mode where it can distribute to 50/50. I was impressed enough to buy it. Got it for a very good price. I paid 16,800 for it after everything was done and said.

I've driven it for a couple months now and put quite a few miles. We've had plenty of snow, and the AWD is sufficient. I have the stock 18's on there with all season tires and it's manageable. It's not like my wife's legacy by any stretch. but it works just fine if you drive sensibly. though doing AWD drifts in the lowes parking lot is lots of fun 🙂. I imagine things would be a lot better with some narrower 17's.

I smile everytime I drive the car...it really is a pleasure to cruise around in. I drive 30 miles to work one way and I haven't had this much fun since I had my Supra.
 
Originally posted by: Skoorb
Originally posted by: SearchMaster
Originally posted by: Anubis
Originally posted by: Fmr12B
How about a Saabaru?

Saab 9-2X Aero - I think the styling is grown up compared up the boy-racer WRX and the interior is vastly improved with more premium materials.
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i have one its a great car, its not exactly roomy however

you can get them pretty cheap, i got mine a 2005 with 30k Miles on it for 10K, and no there was nothing wrong with it, just a great deal
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Not that easy to find though. I found 1 within 50 miles of my zip on Autotrader...as I recall Skoorb is somewhere in OK. I did a search in Oklahoma City and there was nothing within 100 miles.
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Rochester, NY :0
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If you are in rochester, your in luck. Marina Dodge in webster has a white speed6 on the lot. well they did a couple weeks ago. If you are interested in checking out my 6 feel free to PM me. I live in webster.
 
Hi Need4speed, I've not checked out van bortel yet. I'm really concerned about the 6 from a reliability perspective, based on what I've read on edmunds. Are you worried about it...? I do believe it would be an incredibly fun car to drive and it looks very nice--fast without over the top, but I wonder if it's a bit toosporty for what ultimately will be a family car for us. I have had mrsskoorb today checking out the cx7, but a bit concern with that is mileage, it really really sucks down gas, and premium at that. I don't know we can stomach that.

Just checked on that 6. I feel like if I saw it in person I'd have a had time not buying it, but at the same time feel guilty like I should be buying something more family oriented!
 
In this old thread I made a list of AWD coupes and sedans. The only cars on that list that are available with both manual and AWD are Audi A4, A5, S4, S5, and TT; BMW 328xi and 335xi; Mazda Speed6; and Subaru Impreza and Legacy.

Hope that helps.

Edit: For $18k I'd go with a brand new Impreza. They're probably about the same size as the older Legacy, and the MSRP starts at $17,500.
 
Thanks, Kalrith! BTW the 09 forester is available with manual and AWD, so we're gonna check it, but I really don't know how well 170 HP will work for it.

Imprezza is a natural inclination, but too small as a family sedan (we are used to a larger car).
 
Originally posted by: vi edit
If you want size + AWD then you can't really beat a Ford 500. Plus they are dirt cheap.

It's not a manual transmission and it's not going to turn any heads, but it's comfortable, safe as a tank, has dirt cheap insurance, and has a trunk that could almost swallow a Honda Fit.

🙂

http://www.carmax.com/enUS/vie...41ad-9041-1b4fd713caab
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Do you think I could get the mrs to drive it, though? 🙂

EDIT: Oh, ford 500. For some reason I read it as F150. hehe

Not sure about warranty but that thing actually is well priced and gets good mileage, too. I think we may not end up with the CX7, the main weakness being its mileage. I don't know that I can tolerage 18-21 average mileage on premium gas.
 
sorry it took me so long to respond ... the reliability on the speed6 doesn't concern me too much. all cars have their quirks but as long as the car is fun to drive and I get something out of it I'm more than willing to put up with it. Honestly, most of the complaints about the speed6 come from guys that pound the shit out of the car ... bad motor mounts, rear diff mounts, etc. I'm sure a lot of cars would have long term issues from constant hard starts etc. The leaky turbo that most people complain about come from heavy exhaust mods. Mine doesn't smoke and if it does I'll deal with it then.

Gas mileage is reasonable as long as you don't wind the gears out and minimize getting into the boost. That is hard to do by the way 🙂 since it's so much fun to drive. My speed6 is the daily family car for my wife and my daughter. We take it everywhere. It's much more roomy than the legacy. So in the regard I think it's much better suited for the family. It's easy to get in and out of. Has plenty of room for the baby seat in the back. The legacy we have a tough time getting the kid in and out because it's cramped in the back.

gas prices are reasonable right now, though that may change. I had the same thought when I took my 3 and traded it for the speed6. I went from having to tank up with 87 to 93, but honestly it's not that bad. Like I said, drive with a reasonable foot and you'll be ok. You can run 91 in it and the ECU will adjust the timing for it, you'll just lose some power.

For me, the speed6 was the best compromise between sporty, fun and a family grocery getter. It's docile looking and doesn't scream ricer like the EVO or WRX. I don't mind taking my clients out in it and having them think I'm some sort of Boy Racer. When I want to have fun, I just stomp on the gas and let the turbo wind out and it puts a shit eating grin on my face everytime.

It's not the fastest, it's not the best handling, it's not even the best looking to some, but all around I think for the price it's the best compromise between all of those. It's fast enough, it handles well enough, and it looks pretty good....all for around 16-18k used. You can't beat that. Take care of it and I'm sure it'll take care of you.

I wouldn't over look it if you want a car thats fun to drive and can get the family back and forth.

I'll gladly let you take a look at mine if you don't want to hassle with the dealer.
 
Originally posted by: Need4Speed
sorry it took me so long to respond ... the reliability on the speed6 doesn't concern me too much. all cars have their quirks but as long as the car is fun to drive and I get something out of it I'm more than willing to put up with it. Honestly, most of the complaints about the speed6 come from guys that pound the shit out of the car ... bad motor mounts, rear diff mounts, etc. I'm sure a lot of cars would have long term issues from constant hard starts etc. The leaky turbo that most people complain about come from heavy exhaust mods. Mine doesn't smoke and if it does I'll deal with it then.

Gas mileage is reasonable as long as you don't wind the gears out and minimize getting into the boost. That is hard to do by the way 🙂 since it's so much fun to drive. My speed6 is the daily family car for my wife and my daughter. We take it everywhere. It's much more roomy than the legacy. So in the regard I think it's much better suited for the family. It's easy to get in and out of. Has plenty of room for the baby seat in the back. The legacy we have a tough time getting the kid in and out because it's cramped in the back.

gas prices are reasonable right now, though that may change. I had the same thought when I took my 3 and traded it for the speed6. I went from having to tank up with 87 to 93, but honestly it's not that bad. Like I said, drive with a reasonable foot and you'll be ok. You can run 91 in it and the ECU will adjust the timing for it, you'll just lose some power.

For me, the speed6 was the best compromise between sporty, fun and a family grocery getter. It's docile looking and doesn't scream ricer like the EVO or WRX. I don't mind taking my clients out in it and having them think I'm some sort of Boy Racer. When I want to have fun, I just stomp on the gas and let the turbo wind out and it puts a shit eating grin on my face everytime.

It's not the fastest, it's not the best handling, it's not even the best looking to some, but all around I think for the price it's the best compromise between all of those. It's fast enough, it handles well enough, and it looks pretty good....all for around 16-18k used. You can't beat that. Take care of it and I'm sure it'll take care of you.

I wouldn't over look it if you want a car thats fun to drive and can get the family back and forth.

I'll gladly let you take a look at mine if you don't want to hassle with the dealer.
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I take it you haven't experienced the heatsoak issues that I hear about?

 
Originally posted by: kalrith
In this old thread I made a list of AWD coupes and sedans. The only cars on that list that are available with both manual and AWD are Audi A4, A5, S4, S5, and TT; BMW 328xi and 335xi; Mazda Speed6; and Subaru Impreza and Legacy.

Hope that helps.

Edit: For $18k I'd go with a brand new Impreza. They're probably about the same size as the older Legacy, and the MSRP starts at $17,500.
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You can update your list to include:

2008 Saab 9-3 Turbo X (Sedan or wagon)
280 HP Haldex AWD 6spd manual or Automatic

2009 Saab 9-3 (Sedan or Wagon)
2.0T 210HP or 2.8L Aero 280HP
Available AWD on both models




 
Originally posted by: Kelvrick


I take it you haven't experienced the heatsoak issues that I hear about?
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hasn't been an issue for me. granted it's been cold out, but i can really only see this being a problem if you are idling for an extended period of time. As long as the car is moving there is plenty of fresh air being shoved under the hood. Personally I think problems like that are overblown by a few people that typically have no data to back it up. I'm not saying that a front mounted intercooler isn't a better option, but the top mounted one isn't all that bad either for 99% of the time. the subaru is top mounted too and the only difference is that god awful hood scoop. the speed6 has a pseudo ram air through the front grill for the intercooler.

unless you're launching the card WOT from every light I really don't think this is as big a deal as it's made out to be on the forums...and keep in mind who the people are that make those posts. The speed6 for me is my daily driver, and on occasion i like to let her loose and have some fun. It's all about compromise, just as I mentioned in my previous post.
 
Originally posted by: Skoorb
Thanks, Kalrith! BTW the 09 forester is available with manual and AWD, so we're gonna check it, but I really don't know how well 170 HP will work for it.

Imprezza is a natural inclination, but too small as a family sedan (we are used to a larger car).
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The '09 Forester looks really nice. I was looking at the 2009 Consumer Reports Auto Buying Guide (or whatever it's called) a couple of days ago, and the Forester got 18/30mpg in their real-world tests, which is excellent gas mileage for an AWD SUV. The Impreza got pretty much the same mileage. I know they have the same EPA ratings, but I expected real-world results to be different.
 
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