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car suggestions wanted

Zap

Zap

Elite Member
Just trying to get some ideas for now. Wish list:

manual transmission
all-wheel drive
available as a new car (2010 or 2011)
peppy performance (let's say 0-60 in 6s range or lower)
under $40k

Right now this is just a mental exercise, so no need to "sell" me on why a particular car is perfect. Just need suggestions that fulfill the wish list. Possibilities I've already thought of:

Subaru WRX/STI
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution
Audi A4 sedan/Avant
Audi A5 coupe
BMW 328i xDrive sedan/coupe/wagon

Close but not ideal:
Lexus IS (no manual)
Infinity G sedan (no manual with AWD)
Subaru Forrester (no manual with turbo)
Acura TL (AWD w/manual starts at $43k)
BMW 335i xDrive sedan/coupe (over $40k)
Audi S4/S5 (over $40k)
 
i have an evo. love it.

but next year's genesis coupe will be awd also. so there's another option. I'm not sure if the volkswagon r20 (awd) is still coming to US. What the heck happened to that thing?
 
Lotheron said:
Volvo S40
Subaru Legacy


Surprisingly the 2012 Regal GS shows up on Edmunds as meeting this criteria:

2012 Buick Regal
GS 4dr Sedan AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6M)

All of the above might not be in the 6 second 0-60 times, but I bet most are close.
Click to expand...

I actually quite like the look of the new Regal GS, but I highly doubt you'll get it down to 6's time wise...but I'd love to be surprised. I know it is coming with a manual...but with AWD too? Interesting.
 
PricklyPete said:
I actually quite like the look of the new Regal GS, but I highly doubt you'll get it down to 6's time wise...but I'd love to be surprised. I know it is coming with a manual...but with AWD too? Interesting.
Click to expand...

Yeah, check the link in my edit. GM is stating sub 6 seconds for the GS when it comes out supposedly early next year.
 
I was going to suggest awd fusion sport but I believe it is auto with fake manual only and doesn't fit the styling of the cars you like.

I predict Audi for you.
 
I also just thought of the Subaru Legacy 2.5GT Limited. It looks to be a WRX all grow'd up.

Thanks for the suggestions and keep 'em coming!
 
Zap said:
Just trying to get some ideas for now. Wish list:

manual transmission
all-wheel drive
available as a new car (2010 or 2011)
peppy performance (let's say 0-60 in 6s range or lower)
under $40k

Right now this is just a mental exercise, so no need to "sell" me on why a particular car is perfect. Just need suggestions that fulfill the wish list. Possibilities I've already thought of:

Subaru WRX/STI
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution
Audi A4 sedan/Avant
Audi A5 coupe
BMW 328i xDrive sedan/coupe/wagon

Close but not ideal:
Lexus IS (no manual)
Infinity G sedan (no manual with AWD)
Subaru Forrester (no manual with turbo)
Acura TL (AWD w/manual starts at $43k)
BMW 335i xDrive sedan/coupe (over $40k)
Audi S4/S5 (over $40k)
Click to expand...


We are looking at the same type of cars except a manual was more important than awd. My first choice would have been the 335ix but even the 335i with a few nice options is about $45K. Currently we are headed (car should be here next month) to a 11 G37 S sedan which is rwd and a 6MT.

Lancer and Evo are too boy-racer and the Bavarian offering kill you with pricey options if you want to get close to the amenities the G37 offers as standard equipment (leather, moonroof, nav, sat. radio/traffic, BT, hdd stereo, bbk, etc.).
 
*Why can't people spell Forester? OP pay attention.

*If the A4 is on the list, the A3 should be also.

*The Buick Regal is sub 6 seconds, 0-60.

*STI is avail in sedan form. Go look at it.

My intriguing pick of the day, the Countryman...by MINI.
 
caspur said:
*Why can't people spell Forester? OP pay attention.

*If the A4 is on the list, the A3 should be also.

*The Buick Regal is sub 6 seconds, 0-60.

*STI is avail in sedan form. Go look at it.

My intriguing pick of the day, the Countryman...by MINI.
Click to expand...

Maybe if/when they come out with an S version..

We sort of like wringing out this motor in the Cooper hatch, but in the pudgy Countryman, it's probably going to drive you nuts. Expect 10.5 seconds to go by before you hit 60 mph, says Mini.
Click to expand...

http://www.insideline.com/mini/countryman/2011-mini-cooper-countryman-first-look.html
 
brainhulk said:
i have an evo. love it.

but next year's genesis coupe will be awd also. so there's another option. I'm not sure if the volkswagon r20 (awd) is still coming to US. What the heck happened to that thing?
Click to expand...

I 2nd the the evo. Very nice car, the pinnacle of peppy car, wicked performance and value.
 
Audi A4 Avant is only available with an auto. 🙁

Look at getting a B7 A4 Avant as you can get it with a manual or I might wait to see what the new A3 is like.
 
EVO/STI aren't in the same category as an A4 Quattro. Ones a lux sport cruiser the other is a tin can with a monster under the hood.
 
Lotheron said:
Volvo S40
Click to expand...

Heh, my mom's old car is a Volvo S40.

Unfortunately it doesn't seem AWD or manual are available.

Lotheron said:
Surprisingly the 2012 Regal GS shows up on Edmunds as meeting this criteria:

2012 Buick Regal
GS 4dr Sedan AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6M)
Gm is saying <6 second 0-60 too.. 🙂
Click to expand...

2012 seems a long way away right now, but spec-wise it's a winner.

brainhulk said:
but next year's genesis coupe will be awd also. so there's another option. I'm not sure if the volkswagon r20 (awd) is still coming to US. What the heck happened to that thing?
Click to expand...

Does "next year" and "coming to US" mean for 2011?

caspur said:
*Why can't people spell Forester? OP pay attention.
Click to expand...

My bad.

caspur said:
*If the A4 is on the list, the A3 should be also.
Click to expand...

No. AWD "Quattro" version not available with manual.

caspur said:
*The Buick Regal is sub 6 seconds, 0-60.
Click to expand...

Current Regal not available with AWD.

caspur said:
*STI is avail in sedan form. Go look at it.
Click to expand...

Already know about it and have looked at it.

caspur said:
My intriguing pick of the day, the Countryman...by MINI.
Click to expand...

Intriguing indeed, but too slow. Now, pack another 50-100 horses in there and we might be talkin'...

cyclistca said:
Audi A4 Avant is only available with an auto. 🙁
Click to expand...

You're right.

BTW, I was out running errands earlier and driving my wife's Mazda 3s. Encountered a guy driving a Subaru Legacy 2.5GT with a lead foot. :biggrin: Tried my best, but was still several car lengths behind after a block. Still, I think my Mazdaspeed 6 looks a lot better (and it would have probably been tied). The Legacy... looks kind of plain. Rear end looks as exciting as a Camry... then again that's probably what it competes with.
 
Zap said:
Heh, my mom's old car is a Volvo S40.

Unfortunately it doesn't seem AWD or manual are available.



2012 seems a long way away right now, but spec-wise it's a winner.
Click to expand...

2010 Volvo S40
T5 R-Design 4dr Sedan AWD (2.5L 5cyl Turbo 6M)

Also, the 2012 Regal GS is apparently launching in the Spring.
 
Zap said:
BTW, I was out running errands earlier and driving my wife's Mazda 3s. Encountered a guy driving a Subaru Legacy 2.5GT with a lead foot. :biggrin: Tried my best, but was still several car lengths behind after a block. Still, I think my Mazdaspeed 6 looks a lot better (and it would have probably been tied). The Legacy... looks kind of plain. Rear end looks as exciting as a Camry... then again that's probably what it competes with.
Click to expand...

Sit inside one before you get attached to it. They really went downrent with the plastics inside. The car I drove a month or two back felt very flimsy inside. The buttons on the steering wheel creaked, etc.
 
If you're flexible about the AWD requirement, you should consider a 2011 VW GTi. With some snow tires, it will be great in the snow and rain. the mk6 gti is a great car, I would get one if I was in the market for a new car.
 
Dude you're all over the place with cars. You have luxury cars with high performance cars. You need to narrow it down more.
 
Older (2006-2007?) STI non hatchback before they went to the 3 piece grill, and then do a blacked out FMIC, and delete the hood scoop and spoiler. And make it deep metallic blue.

Gorgeous, fast, AWD, easy to mod, roomy, a little luxury, manual, and you can pick one up for about $20,000.

The only negative is it's not a 2010-2011, but I think you should break that requirement. You'll get a hell of a deal and have a classic (it's the best looking STI), and there really isn't much exciting or new for 2010-2011 unless you do something like a 5.0 Mustang GT.

PS: the Evo and STI deserve to be in their own listing; non S Audis and non M BMWs shouldn't be listed anywhere near those two gems. It sounds like you don't know what you want, like you want something that performs well (STI and Evo are top tier of their respective brands) but are put off by the fact that they are a Subaru and Mitsubishi and not as flashy/trendy as something with a BMW or Audi badge. So you are willing to compromise *YOUR* needs and wants in a car and spend the same money on the bottom tier BMW / Audi (eg: No S/M) in order to please *OTHERS*. Either pony up for a Audi S or BMW M, or just get the Evo or STI, or you're going to be pissed when your 328 gets smoked by a Subaru.

There is a guy I know at a body shop who just bought one just like I described but also with upgraded turbo, headers, down pipe, etc. 400 AWHP and absolutely gorgeous in the sunlight. I'll have to grab some pics next time I'm hanging out. Think he said he paid $19k for it, not sure the miles but it was pretty low.

Option 2:

2005 E46 M3, around the same price as the STI $20-25k, with both the high performance *and* the badge, just no AWD. Your 2005 car will be better than 99&#37; of everyone else's 2011 cars, even if they are too stupid to realize it.

If you want all three luxury, status, and performance, you're going to either have to double your price range for new, or cut your current price range in half and look at at last generation M3s, S4s, etc.
 
Last edited:
Lotheron said:
2010 Volvo S40
T5 R-Design 4dr Sedan AWD (2.5L 5cyl Turbo 6M)
Click to expand...

Interesting... their brochure download is still for 2010 model year and mentions the T5 AWD, but their web site is all about the 2011 model with no mention of AWD. Guess they dropped it.

Lotheron said:
Also, the 2012 Regal GS is apparently launching in the Spring.
Click to expand...

Good to know.

PhoKingGuy said:
Sit inside one before you get attached to it. They really went downrent with the plastics inside. The car I drove a month or two back felt very flimsy inside. The buttons on the steering wheel creaked, etc.
Click to expand...

Very good to know. Anyone know if the WRX is as low rent?

Stifko said:
If you're flexible about the AWD requirement, you should consider a 2011 VW GTi. With some snow tires, it will be great in the snow and rain.
Click to expand...

Already have a FWD Mazda 3s with snow tires (on separate wheels) in the household. Huge, HUGE difference trying to get moving in snow. Cornering/braking is the same, but try to get going up a slope from a dead stop like our side street onto the highway, and it is a huge PITA even with snow tires.

zerocool84 said:
Dude you're all over the place with cars. You have luxury cars with high performance cars. You need to narrow it down more.
Click to expand...

See below.

exdeath said:
The only negative is it's not a 2010-2011, but I think you should break that requirement.
...
It sounds like you don't know what you want, like you want something that performs well (STI and Evo are top tier of their respective brands) but are put off by the fact that they are a Subaru and Mitsubishi and not as flashy/trendy as something with a BMW or Audi badge.
Click to expand...

You guys are reading too much into this. I'm just collecting suggestions for my wife. I already have a 2007 Mazdaspeed 6 that (I hope) is good for many more years. She knows that she wants AWD, manual transmission and more power (than her Mazda 3s). She was thinking of a $30k-ish limit, but I'm the one that am considering a higher limit just to see what is out there. Basically I'll give her a list and she can go from there.

Also, I'd rather her get a new car so that there are more years before it starts breaking down. I'd rather her not have a car problem in the middle of a blizzard. IF we get used, will probably need to be less than two years old.
 
My pick: 2012 Buick Regal GS in the Spring.

Haven't seen anyone mention the Cadillac CTS. Unfortuanately MSRP goes to $41k when you step into the 3.6L (which is what you want). You should be able to draw them down a few thou at the dealership though. Is $40k out the door, or before TT&L?
 
Another car to possibly consider if you are going to stray from the 2010-2011 requirement is say a 2007-2009 Volvo S60R which has 305 HP AWD and manual transmission. No where near as fast as a STI/Evo/E46 M3 but it's has 4 doors, has a close to luxury interior and plenty of pep.

I agree with what people have said earlier you need to decide if you want something stripped down and built for speed such as the STI/Evo or if you want something more refined with some pep such as Audi, BMW, Volvo, Buick.

I was doing a very similar search a few years ago, but I was looking for a wagon, we just had a kid. Narrowed it down to the Subaru wrx wagon, A3, S60 R wagon and the Mazda speed3 . I abandoned the AWD and went with the speed3 because I liked it the best overall.
 
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