What other cars am I missing?

[fbrdphreak]

So I'm consolidating my two cars down to one for cost savings.

I'm pretty settled on a 2005-2006 Legacy GT. Very safe, still plenty fun, reliable, AWD, comfortable, roomy, and nice interior.

What other cars am I missing? AWD/RWD is good, FWD not a deal breaker. Must be manual transmission. I'd prefer something with established reliability and definitely fun to drive (good handling, or able to modify to such). Basically, what's comparable to an LGT in characteristics that I'm forgetting?

I've thought of a Mazdaspeed6 or Mazdaspeed3, but I'm not sold on the long-term reliability of those cars.

What else?

EDIT

I should mention my reasons for moving away from my GTO & 97 Legacy, as well how those pertain to the LGT:

-Monthly payment: I can get an 05 LGT in the $15K range, substantially lowering my car payment.
-Insurance: going from 2 cars to 1 will save a good amount in the first place, but the LGT is very cheap to insure & is a very safe car.
-Gas mileage: the LGT is no gas sipper, but should get 2-4 MPG better than my GTO. I want something that will do low-mid 20's in mixed driving.
-MANUAL TRANSMISSION - this is self explanatory

 

[MiataNC]

VW GTI or GLI if you want turbo, but I would go Mazda before VW as far as reliability goes.

 

[njmodi]

Infiniti G35, Acura TL, BMW 3-Series, Cadillac CTS

 

[fbrdphreak]

No way I'm getting a VW, but thanks for checking me.

Caddy CTS is too big & heavy for it's power level and I can't afford a new one.

G35 is an option that I should consider, giving due diligence.

I'm not really considering a BMW as won't/can't buy new and prefer to be able to my own maintenance.

Acura TL...hmmm....again I suppose due diligence. But FWD really turns me off...

 

[MiataNC]

RX-8

 

[fbrdphreak]

^^
Sorry, I like torque.

 

[njmodi]

As for doing your own maintenance - I've heard Subbies AWD system is quite complex... if we put aside maintenance/cost of ownership - I would defi get the Subbie

 

[fbrdphreak]

The AWD system is actually not complex with a manual transmission. It is full-time 50/50 split and aside from normal CV joint replacement, is very reliable and can take lots of abuse.

Maint/cost of ownership is a concern, hence why no BMW or VW. And the TL is too expensive.

In looking at a G35 it meets my criteria, but I'd have to get an 03-04 to meet my price range & I'm not sure on reliability. Also, G35's are everywhere. You don't see many LGT's around here

 

[njmodi]

I'm so jealous of you! I want a Legacy GT - I'm sure there are some pretty awesome internet forums on subbies (and perhaps specific to the LGT)...

For now I've gotta hold on to my Maxima - but the LGT is definitely on my list (when i eventually replace the Max).

 

[melijak]

Check out the legacygt.com forum
There is a stinky clutch issue with the manual legacy and a rattling dash from what I've read, but you can fix these two issues easy.
The manual ones are usually modified or have been in the past. Stage 2 will get you to 300hp with just cheap and exchaust.
I wish that I bought the legacy gt wagon with a stick when they were still around.
Make sure you tell us the details and post pick when you get it. I've always been a big fan of fast subies.

 

[fbrdphreak]

Thanks - I'm all over LGT.com

 

[Blackjack200]

I've been looking for the same thing as you for a while now. It's not out there except for Mazdaspeed 6, LGT (and of course, Impreza) and BMW. Go outside that and pretty much everything is FWD, automatic transmission, or some combination of the two.

 

[kalrith]

Originally posted by: Blackjack200
I've been looking for the same thing as you for a while now. It's not out there except for Mazdaspeed 6, LGT (and of course, Impreza) and BMW. Go outside that and pretty much everything is FWD, automatic transmission, or some combination of the two.

Add Audi to that list.

Also, I made a spreadsheet of all coupes and sedans with AWD under $50k MSRP. I haven't updated it in a while, so I'm probably missing some of the new ones. Anyways, here's the thread that has links to the spreadsheet.

Edit: The list also denotes whether it comes with manual or automatic transmission (auto ftl).

 

[AdamK47]

How much did you originally pay for the GTO?

 

[melijak]

Don't add audi to that list if you want to save money on repairs.
Another option is also Saabaru.

 

[fbrdphreak]

Paid $30,600 for the Goat, owe $25K, private book is $21K, trade-in book is $19K.

Good point on Audi, but between purchase cost & maintenance (my buddy had to take the whole nose off his Audi to replace the alternator...) it's a no go.

I considered the Saaburu, but cost is about the same as an LGT and it uses the 2.0L WRX drivetrain - I'd rather have the 2.5L LGT as my starting point.

 

[mitaiwan82]

man you're looking at the same cars I'm looking at...I tried driving a few G35 sedan and usually came off not liking the clutch too much. When they did the model refresh in 2005, Infiniti supposedly lightened the clutch feel, but I still felt that the '05+ sedans I've driven is clunky when changing gears. Maybe because I'm used to driving my '94 Miata with a 127k clutch...

I did get a chance to drive a '04 BMW 330i ZHP right after test driving a '05 G35 6MT sedan...damn that 330i felt SO much faster even w/ a smaller engine (and good clutch also!) Too bad I'm too cheap and cost conscious to just go for the Bimmer, because I think it's the exact car I'm looking for.

When I test drove the LGT, I came away feeling impressed by the steady delivery of power, but was expecting more of a push from the turbo engine. I also found the Subaru clutch to be meh (too light, imprecise and hard to find friction point).

Originally posted by: fbrdphreak
I considered the Saaburu, but cost is about the same as an LGT and it uses the 2.0L WRX drivetrain - I'd rather have the 2.5L LGT as my starting point.

the '06 9-2x Aero uses the 2.5L engine

 

[fbrdphreak]

Originally posted by: mitaiwan82
man you're looking at the same cars I'm looking at...I tried driving a few G35 sedan and usually came off not liking the clutch too much. When they did the model refresh in 2005, Infiniti supposedly lightened the clutch feel, but I still felt that the '05+ sedans I've driven is clunky when changing gears. Maybe because I'm used to driving my '94 Miata with a 127k clutch...

I did get a chance to drive a '04 BMW 330i ZHP right after test driving a '05 G35 6MT sedan...damn that 330i felt SO much faster even w/ a smaller engine (and good clutch also!) Too bad I'm too cheap and cost conscious to just go for the Bimmer, because I think it's the exact car I'm looking for.

When I test drove the LGT, I came away feeling impressed by the steady delivery of power, but was expecting more of a push from the turbo engine. I also found the Subaru clutch to be meh (too light, imprecise and hard to find friction point).

Originally posted by: fbrdphreak
I considered the Saaburu, but cost is about the same as an LGT and it uses the 2.0L WRX drivetrain - I'd rather have the 2.5L LGT as my starting point.

the '06 9-2x Aero uses the 2.5L engine

Hmmm...06 9-2x Aero KBB is ~$15K. Not bad - I will begin researching. One concern I have is non-drivetrain parts. Between the fact that it's a Saab and these were a limited run, I'd be concerned about longterm parts availability...

Yeah I can test drive a G35 6MT sedan around here if I want, and I suppose I should, but I don't care for the styling & am not sold on long-term reliability (given I'd be looking at an 03-04 model).

I'd just be worried about maintenance costs on a Bimmer. But they do say they are the ultimate driving machine...

 

[melijak]

Well, how long are you going to keep the car? How many miles do you drive per year?

You don't buy a bimmer unless you have around $2-5K to spend on the repairs a year after warrenty is over. But they sure lease well aspecialy when you pick it up in Munich/ euro delivery.

Example: My 335i $46K USA - Euro delivery $39K
0 down, tax included 12k miles/year 3 years, free maintenace - $6K per year to lease

And the funny part is is about 400$ a year cheaper to insure than my WRX was, 21-26 mpg....plus you can brake it in on the autobahn.

 

[ponyo]

Why not sell the GTO and just drive the '97 Legacy? Looks like you're major upside down on the GTO.

 

[fbrdphreak]

Originally posted by: Naustica
Why not sell the GTO and just drive the '97 Legacy? Looks like you're major upside down on the GTO.

I would, but it needs some maintenance in the hopes of getting decent mileage (now it doesn't get much better than the Goat) and I really would prefer a manual. I could sell it and find a similar model year LGT with 5-speed, but I'm not trying to go ENTIRELY frugal on my automobile. I'd still prefer a nice car with decent power and respectable handling. My 97 doesn't quite have the power and of course it is aging.

I am upside-down, but even figuring in the loss on the Goat I can still save $280+ a month if I get an 05-06 LGT. It's time for me to start saving some dough instead of hemorrhaging it down the drain on car/insurance/gas payments and other stuff.