car suggestions wanted

[DivideBYZero]

Can I ask why AWD is a must have?

 

[brainhulk]

Can I ask why AWD is a must have?

because it owns when you sidestep your clutch @ 5k

 

[jlee]

because it owns when you sidestep your clutch @ 5k

:awe:

It's really too bad that Subaru doesn't make the new Forester XT's with a 5MT.

 

[exar333]

:awe:

It's really too bad that Subaru doesn't make the new Forester XT's with a 5MT.

Yeah. Subaru is loosing it's roots recently if you ask me. Most of their cars are a land-barges now (Forester and Legacy anyone?) and have lost their old character. It is like they are slowly turning into a new Toyota, but with AWD.

 

[DivideBYZero]

because it owns when you sidestep your clutch @ 5k

Not really. You're more likely to kill your clutch and shocking the drivetrain like that regularly isn't the best either.

Not saying I didn't do it, just sayin'. :whiste:

 

[Zap]

Can I ask why AWD is a must have?

If you read through the thread, I already explained it... but here it goes again...

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.

It isn't as bad now that they put a stoplight here, but it used to be downright dangerous having to stop right before a small slope, and then having to merge onto highway traffic.

It's really too bad that Subaru doesn't make the new Forester XT's with a 5MT.

Yeah. That's about the only thing we'd consider used, since it isn't available new.

 

[MJinZ]

How about a truck? I'm sure there are some fast trucks with a manual and 4WD.

I think I've found one of few fast Manual 4WD trucks... I was going recommend the Raptor but it seems it's not available with a manual:

http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/...-of-sema-debut-with-supercharged-5-7l-v8.html

 

[Zap]

Truck is not in the cards at this time, though thanks for reminding me how much fun it was to drive my dad's F150 4x4 in the desert BITD. Man, I miss that (as well as a dad that wasn't a vegetable ).

Driving will be probably 95% commuting with up to 80 mile round trip. We know we will already be taking a gas hit as the current Mazda 3s is rated at 35MPG highway on regular fuel (she's always able to hit over 30MPG combined). A WRX, for instance, does 25MPG highway on premium.

Speaking of WRX, we test drove a new 2011, along with a new 2010 Forester (base model 5-speed) and a Forester XT (used 2007 turbo 5-speed and loaded).

Base Forester was... meh. Of course it was the base model at just over $20k, but it did not feel that peppy at all. The Forester XT had a really nice interior and was really peppy, but the clutch was OMG so stiff. Their response was "oh they're all like that after 60k miles on it." Uh, my Mazdaspeed 6 isn't.

The WRX was... really fun! Wow! Felt more powerful than my Mazdaspeed 6 and easier to launch (MS6 is finicky on launch, I used to stall a lot and I've been driving manual transmission vehicles for DECADES) though the white haired lady that was our sales rep reprimanded me to stay under 4k RPMs. It also cornered/handled better than any car I've driven before. I wonder if it is because of the new wider stance for 2011 or if even older WRX handled like that? The one we test drove was a 2011 WRX Limited sedan, so it was pretty nice inside. I like the way the new wheels look, too, since they are dark (anthracite?). No more gold rims with blue car! Also, wow the engine makes a mean growl. My MS6 sounds whisper quiet in comparison.

My wife was up until almost 1am perusing the brochure, so I'm thinking she liked it. That, and the smile on her face when she drove it.

A couple questions... is the "SPT Performance Exhaust System" worth it? What about the short throw shifter? Turbo heat shield for our Winters?

 

[PricklyPete]

Truck is not in the cards at this time, though thanks for reminding me how much fun it was to drive my dad's F150 4x4 in the desert BITD. Man, I miss that (as well as a dad that wasn't a vegetable ).

Driving will be probably 95% commuting with up to 80 mile round trip. We know we will already be taking a gas hit as the current Mazda 3s is rated at 35MPG highway on regular fuel (she's always able to hit over 30MPG combined). A WRX, for instance, does 25MPG highway on premium.

Speaking of WRX, we test drove a new 2011, along with a new 2010 Forester (base model 5-speed) and a Forester XT (used 2007 turbo 5-speed and loaded).

Base Forester was... meh. Of course it was the base model at just over $20k, but it did not feel that peppy at all. The Forester XT had a really nice interior and was really peppy, but the clutch was OMG so stiff. Their response was "oh they're all like that after 60k miles on it." Uh, my Mazdaspeed 6 isn't.

The WRX was... really fun! Wow! Felt more powerful than my Mazdaspeed 6 and easier to launch (MS6 is finicky on launch, I used to stall a lot and I've been driving manual transmission vehicles for DECADES) though the white haired lady that was our sales rep reprimanded me to stay under 4k RPMs. It also cornered/handled better than any car I've driven before. I wonder if it is because of the new wider stance for 2011 or if even older WRX handled like that? The one we test drove was a 2011 WRX Limited sedan, so it was pretty nice inside. I like the way the new wheels look, too, since they are dark (anthracite?). No more gold rims with blue car! Also, wow the engine makes a mean growl. My MS6 sounds whisper quiet in comparison.

My wife was up until almost 1am perusing the brochure, so I'm thinking she liked it. That, and the smile on her face when she drove it.

A couple questions... is the "SPT Performance Exhaust System" worth it? What about the short throw shifter? Turbo heat shield for our Winters?

Glad to hear you liked the WRX. I've been wanting to drive a 2011 hatch.

 

[Zap]

It is pretty much decided.

2011 WRX Limited 5-door with short-throw shifter

It still has to be ordered as there are none to be had. Will take 6-8 weeks. Good thing is that we can choose almost anything we want with it (hence the short-throw shifter). I say "almost" because the 10" custom enclosure Kicker subwoofer will only be available in January (should be much better than the previous "under passenger seat" subwoofer). Also, the preferred color is "Plasma Blue Pearl" which is apparently an STI-only color. Since this will be custom built, we are going to ask the dealer to beg/plead with the factory for the other color. Don't really want to go all out with an STI because besides costing around $5k more, the ride is harsher and the noise level is higher.

 

[RKS]

That's it, I'm gonna test-drive a STI on Monday.

 

[Zap]

The WRX STI 5-door would actually have been $6800 more than a WRX Limited 5-door. Subaru charges the same for 4-door or 5-door (hatchback) in the WRX (base/Premium/Limited) but in the STI there is a $2000 charge for 5-door in the base STI, and the STI Limited has no 5-door option.

Well, it is done. We ordered the car and put a deposit on it. WRX Limited 5-door with short-throw shifter for dealer invoice +$200.

 

[punjabiplaya]

what color?

edit: pics nao! and grats.

 

[Fenixgoon]

The WRX STI 5-door would actually have been $6800 more than a WRX Limited 5-door. Subaru charges the same for 4-door or 5-door (hatchback) in the WRX (base/Premium/Limited) but in the STI there is a $2000 charge for 5-door in the base STI, and the STI Limited has no 5-door option.

Well, it is done. We ordered the car and put a deposit on it. WRX Limited 5-door with short-throw shifter for dealer invoice +$200.

congrats! :thumbsup:

 

[Jumpem]

The only three I would consider:

Taurus SHO
STI hatch
EVo MR Touring

 

[Zap]

what color?

edit: pics nao! and grats.

No pics since it was ordered and won't arrive for 6-8 weeks. Color is Dark Gray Metallic.

The only three I would consider:

Taurus SHO - Too big for what we want. Yes it is powerful and AWD, but it is not nimble and sporty, and of course lacks a manual transmission. It is also on the expensive side.

STI hatch - Would have ended up costing about $7k more. Test drove one and it was noisy and rode harsh compared to non-STI. The controls for suspension/drivetrain are gimmicks if you aren't racing/autocrossing. Also, not available as STI Limited so no leather interior or moonroof, which the one we got has. Sorry, but Alcantara "fake suede" looks really sporty but doesn't have the same feel.

EVo MR Touring - No normal manual transmission, and really expensive. Manual transmission is something we want. We all know that there are faster transmissions, however we want the good ol' sporting feel of a manual. Besides, we like the fact that most people can't drive our cars. :awe:

Of course this is all from our viewpoint, needs, budget and desires. Those are all good cars in their own right.