YACT: $30K or less, torquey engine, RWD/AWD, & reasonable MPG

[fbrdphreak]

Originally posted by: notfred

Originally posted by: fbrdphreak

Originally posted by: OS
WRX TR might be ok, save you a lot of cash and subaru has cheap financing right now.

They save like $1K off regular WRX, no better MPG, and are unsafe compared to the Legacy. No Imprezas at all for me. 🙂

Oh no, it's unsafe!

Are you buying a sports car or a minivan? I mean, you didn't put "side impact airbags" in your list of requirements.

Its more that if I'm going Subaru, I'm going LGT. Top safety ratings, more power/better torque than WRX, fully loaded for $25K. Also Impreza insurance is much higher than LGT for me

 

[imported_Mike]

Originally posted by: fbrdphreak

Originally posted by: notfred

Originally posted by: fbrdphreak

Originally posted by: OS
WRX TR might be ok, save you a lot of cash and subaru has cheap financing right now.

They save like $1K off regular WRX, no better MPG, and are unsafe compared to the Legacy. No Imprezas at all for me. 🙂

Oh no, it's unsafe!

Are you buying a sports car or a minivan? I mean, you didn't put "side impact airbags" in your list of requirements.

Its more that if I'm going Subaru, I'm going LGT. Top safety ratings, more power/better torque than WRX, fully loaded for $25K. Also Impreza insurance is much higher than LGT for me

why not a STI?

 

[fbrdphreak]

Originally posted by: EngenZerO
nissan z

Not looking for something really small & harsh ride. G35 would be the comparable suggestion

 

[swtethan]

M3!!!!!! woooo!!!!! 30k for 2001

 

[fbrdphreak]

Originally posted by: Mike
why not a STI?

18/24, worse than LGT! LGT is safer too, and cheaper

 

[NutBucket]

Originally posted by: fbrdphreak

Originally posted by: notfred

Originally posted by: fbrdphreak

Originally posted by: OS
WRX TR might be ok, save you a lot of cash and subaru has cheap financing right now.

They save like $1K off regular WRX, no better MPG, and are unsafe compared to the Legacy. No Imprezas at all for me. 🙂

Oh no, it's unsafe!

Are you buying a sports car or a minivan? I mean, you didn't put "side impact airbags" in your list of requirements.

Its more that if I'm going Subaru, I'm going LGT. Top safety ratings, more power/better torque than WRX, fully loaded for $25K. Also Impreza insurance is much higher than LGT for me

Power is similar. The 2.5 in the WRX is underrated. Its running similar 1/4 mile times to the LGT.

Safety is also a wash IMHO.

EDIT: You're gonna get crappy mileage with any turbo subaru. Its just hard to keep your foot out of it. I only manage decent mileage on the highway. Around town I get about 20.

 

[MikeMike]

Originally posted by: fbrdphreak

Originally posted by: Mike
why not a STI?

18/24, worse than LGT! LGT is safer too, and cheaper

could always look at a 9-2x.

 

[fbrdphreak]

Originally posted by: MIKEMIKE
why would you not want one as a Daily?

30mpg highway is easily obtainable.

rear seat legroom is bigger than a WRX.
city mileage, is dependent upon how you drive it 😉
interior is nicer than any subbie ive been in.

This is true, the GTO will be a consideration. I'd figure 28-30MPG highway is easy with a 6-speed, fueleconony.gov just doesn't have any users who get that is all.

 

[imported_Mike]

just get a camry/honda/something equally boring

 

[fbrdphreak]

Originally posted by: NutBucket
Power is similar. The 2.5 in the WRX is underrated. Its running similar 1/4 mile times to the LGT.

Safety is also a wash IMHO.

From my understanding, smaller turbo = less noticeable lag. Safety isn't a wash for me, insurance speaks for that much. Also LGT Limited is very nicely loaded, WRX doesn't have that option TMK.

 

[fbrdphreak]

Originally posted by: MIKEMIKE

Originally posted by: fbrdphreak

Originally posted by: Mike
why not a STI?

18/24, worse than LGT! LGT is safer too, and cheaper

could always look at a 9-2x.

I thought about the Saaburu's a while ago, might see what they're doin'. But then I'm back at an Impreza, unless GM is discounting the sh!t out of those too.

 

[fbrdphreak]

Originally posted by: Mike
just get a camry/honda/something equally boring

Equally boring to what? Everything discussed here is not boring IMO. Maybe not an STI screamer, but in between; which is what I want. Something comfy, reliable, safe, and fun to drive. More fun to drive than winding up an N/A four banger, not so much as screaming turbo. Make sense?

 

[DeviousTrap]

Originally posted by: fbrdphreak

Originally posted by: swtethan
im still going with used S4 (see reason above)

unless youre talking about a brand new car, you wont find one for that price

Prefer new, but I'm not really considering Audi. Nice cars I'm sure, but I want something that will last a very very long time or be an incredible value so I don't care.

How are Infiniti's for longevity?

I'm probably going to get flamed for this, but a well maintained Audi will last. I'd look at a brand new A4 2.0T and then chip it for $400 to get 241hp/292lb-ft. The turbo engine is extremely torquey on the lowend and will give you 30mpg.

 

[MikeMike]

Originally posted by: fbrdphreak

Originally posted by: MIKEMIKE

Originally posted by: fbrdphreak

Originally posted by: Mike
why not a STI?

18/24, worse than LGT! LGT is safer too, and cheaper

could always look at a 9-2x.

I thought about the Saaburu's a while ago, might see what they're doin'. But then I'm back at an Impreza, unless GM is discounting the sh!t out of those too.

you can negotiate decently on them.

 

[NutBucket]

Originally posted by: fbrdphreak

Originally posted by: NutBucket
Power is similar. The 2.5 in the WRX is underrated. Its running similar 1/4 mile times to the LGT.

Safety is also a wash IMHO.

From my understanding, smaller turbo = less noticeable lag. Safety isn't a wash for me, insurance speaks for that much. Also LGT Limited is very nicely loaded, WRX doesn't have that option TMK.

The WRX has an even smaller turbo than the LGT!

You can always get the WRX Limited (good luck finding one though)

 

[fbrdphreak]

Originally posted by: DeviousTrap
I'm probably going to get flamed for this, but a well maintained Audi will last. I'd look at a brand new A4 2.0T and then chip it for $400 to get 241hp/292lb-ft. The turbo engine is extremely torquey on the lowend and will give you 30mpg.

Interesting. 30MPG highway with the chip? How much do these puppies run?

 

[fbrdphreak]

Originally posted by: NutBucket

Originally posted by: fbrdphreak

Originally posted by: NutBucket
Power is similar. The 2.5 in the WRX is underrated. Its running similar 1/4 mile times to the LGT.

Safety is also a wash IMHO.

From my understanding, smaller turbo = less noticeable lag. Safety isn't a wash for me, insurance speaks for that much. Also LGT Limited is very nicely loaded, WRX doesn't have that option TMK.

The WRX has an even smaller turbo than the LGT!

You can always get the WRX Limited (good luck finding one though)

Interesting, I had thought WRX's all had larger turbo's than LGT thus more turbo lag. My understanding of this is obviously rudimentary, but TMK LGT has less lag than a 2.5L WRX.

WRX Ltd has leather/etc? Never heard of one of those

 

[Reckoner]

Get the Legacy GT man, you won't be disappointed 🙂

 

[fbrdphreak]

Since we've had three LGT owners in here, answer these for me:

(1) Best highway mileage you've gotten? WHat are the revs in 5th gear @ 70 or 80mph? CIty mileage? When do you shift in the city?
(2) How is driving stop & go with AC on?

 

[NutBucket]

WRX Limited = Leather + Sunroof + Spoiler (not STi sized😉) and yes the 2.5L on the '06+ WRX has a smaller turbo than the Legacy 2.5L.

 

[DeviousTrap]

Originally posted by: fbrdphreak

Originally posted by: DeviousTrap
I'm probably going to get flamed for this, but a well maintained Audi will last. I'd look at a brand new A4 2.0T and then chip it for $400 to get 241hp/292lb-ft. The turbo engine is extremely torquey on the lowend and will give you 30mpg.

Interesting. 30MPG highway with the chip? How much do these puppies run?

For a base model it's $28k for a FWD, $30k for AWD. They're rated at 23 city/34 highway.

 

[phantom309]

Originally posted by: Acanthus
Subarus are quick, AWD, and Turbo if you get the right package.

Not sure about the "Torquey" engine though.

You might have to go pretty deep into the used pile.

The Legacy GT has pretty impressive midrange punch. It's a lot torquier and more responsive than the bugeye WRX's most people have experience with. If you're used to a big V8 that still might not get it for you, tho.

Fuel mileage can be pretty good if you drive it conservatively, but Subaru boxers are so much fun to wring out that's almost impossible. Mine gets about 23mpg. But you know what? Everyone else's 4-door sedan with AWD and mid 5-second 0-60 gets lousy mileage too.

 

[Doboji]

Originally posted by: fbrdphreak

Originally posted by: Doboji
Mazdaspeed6... AWD 280 TQ at 2800RPM... 25mpg no turbo lag thanks to direct fuel injection.

I have one... it be niiiiice🙂

25MPG city or highway? More expensive than the LGT at this point. Interesting about the direct injection. Also IMO 6-speed = more shifting in the city & it is slower than the LGT too 😉

I get between 20 and 26... best I've gotten highway is 26 worst I've gotten city was 18(when I first got it). Slower? Well that all depends on who you ask, and really who's driving it. 0-60 sure the Subaru has the MS6 beat because you can get to 60 in second gear... beyond that I think the MS6 takes it. But if you don't want a manual... then the Mazda is not the car for you.

-Max

 

[NutBucket]

1.) I've gotten 26-27 highway with the cruise set about 70-75.

2.) I can't tell if the AC is on or off, honest. Hell, I've been driving with Cobb's Economy map the last tank or so and I hardly notice the difference in normal driving.

 

[Fenixgoon]

Originally posted by: fbrdphreak

Originally posted by: DeviousTrap
I'm probably going to get flamed for this, but a well maintained Audi will last. I'd look at a brand new A4 2.0T and then chip it for $400 to get 241hp/292lb-ft. The turbo engine is extremely torquey on the lowend and will give you 30mpg.

Interesting. 30MPG highway with the chip? How much do these puppies run?

A4's have a much larger aftermarket now... can't go wrong with one IMO 😛

my bro has a 2002 A4 1.8T and it flies (it is pretty nicely modded). not to mentino it's hella sexy