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View Full Version : Buying a new DD. what to buy suggestions?



S13_Ryan
04-24-2011, 01:15 PM
so back in the market again for a new vehicle. I'm going to be trying to get rid of the Cherokee this summer and picking up something newer and more reliable.

-$20,000- $25,000~ limit (Used of course)
- must be AWD or 4x4 for calgary winters.
- Leather/heated


I'm really not too picky just needs to be something nice.

So far really the only car in the running's is a Newer Subaru legacy gt sedan.

any suggestions are welcomed, thanks.:thumbsup:

black13
04-24-2011, 01:39 PM
G35x
is250 awd

theken
04-24-2011, 01:46 PM
Car only? Or trucks suvs crossovers?

S13_Ryan
04-24-2011, 01:55 PM
not really interested in a truck. SUVs and crossovers yea, but im also concerned about fuel consumption. don't want to be breaking the bank filling up.

bituerbo
04-24-2011, 01:58 PM
IS250 AWD

M.alex
04-24-2011, 02:07 PM
why does it have be 4x4 or AWD? I get around fine with RWD and blizzaks :dunno:

lee88
04-24-2011, 02:10 PM
Interested in my 2005 Subaru Forester XT Turbo?

http://alberta.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-cars-trucks-2005-Subaru-Forester-XT-Turbo-AWD-16000-obo-W0QQAdIdZ275536006

dj_rice
04-24-2011, 02:16 PM
Subaru Legacy GT Spec B

And didnt finish reading all of your post but good choice!!!

S13_Ryan
04-24-2011, 02:36 PM
Originally posted by M.alex
why does it have be 4x4 or AWD? I get around fine with RWD and blizzaks :dunno:

because i already own a RWD car. And after going through this winter in the jeep im just not interested.

S13_Ryan
04-24-2011, 02:37 PM
Originally posted by lee88
Interested in my 2005 Subaru Forester XT Turbo?

http://alberta.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-cars-trucks-2005-Subaru-Forester-XT-Turbo-AWD-16000-obo-W0QQAdIdZ275536006


looking for something newer then that. and im not too into the wagons.

jsn
04-24-2011, 03:23 PM
Only interested in the Legacy? Have you considered impreza/WRX or even maybe an older, used STI? Didn't really say too much about what you're looking for. Are you looking for something abit more luxurious?

I second DJ rices choice. The Legacy GT Spec B would be an amazing choice as well.

S13_Ryan
04-24-2011, 03:25 PM
spent the last 2 hours since my original post looking at the IS250 awd and really like it.

ive considered a WRX aswell but i think im leaning towards luxury seens as i already have the rwd 240sx and don't plan on selling it.

leftwing
04-24-2011, 04:49 PM
Have you considered a used Audi? I think the A series (4,6,8) cars are nice looking, they are awd and have some good power. downside is im sure maintenance is a bit pricey.

Twin_Cam_Turbo
04-24-2011, 05:10 PM
+1 for Legacy GT Spec B.

S13_Ryan
04-24-2011, 05:41 PM
Originally posted by leftwing
Have you considered a used Audi? I think the A series (4,6,8) cars are nice looking, they are awd and have some good power. downside is im sure maintenance is a bit pricey.

yeah i love the look of the audis but all the stories i have heard about reliability and the cost of repair kind of make me want to stay as far as i can away from them.

Twin cam, i was waiting for you to chime in on this one, you just got rid of your s13 and picked up the legacy did you not? What do you think so far?

Muji
04-24-2011, 05:45 PM
Originally posted by S13_Ryan
spent the last 2 hours since my original post looking at the IS250 awd and really like it.

ive considered a WRX aswell but i think im leaning towards luxury seens as i already have the rwd 240sx and don't plan on selling it.

IS250 is nice as long as you are not the one sitting in the cramped rear seat. If you hardly use the rear seat, who cares, worth noting though if you do.

Twin_Cam_Turbo
04-24-2011, 05:55 PM
Originally posted by S13_Ryan


yeah i love the look of the audis but all the stories i have heard about reliability and the cost of repair kind of make me want to stay as far as i can away from them.

Twin cam, i was waiting for you to chime in on this one, you just got rid of your s13 and picked up the legacy did you not? What do you think so far?

Ive put about 10000km on mine so far, its pretty nice. Interior is great, I have the GT Limited so I have leather, heated seats, power seats, ski pass-through, automatic climate control. My friends have sat in the back seat for a few ski trips now, they seem to like it. 250HP stock i'snt too bad, and I talked to Sunny who tunes Subaru's, and with a down-pipe and opensource tune you can expect to see 25-30AWHP and 30-40AWTQ over stock (200AWHP and 200AWTQ at Calgary's altitude), which is what I'm planning next. AWD works great in the snow, was out at Auto X yesterday, fairly neutral handling with oversteer if you know how to provoke the car into it, brakes are fairly good. Steering is a little on the light side for me, but it does the job. Its been reliable for me, I did the timing belt because it was due, changed the fluids, one wheel bearing failed and took out the speed sensor (Subaru has a TSB out for this), and some front control arm bushings, not bad considering my car has over 183000km on it now.

Overall I like it, but it isn't a sports car, its a quick 4 door sedan with lots of potential. I think I will be looking for a Corvette or a S2000 or something like that for a summer car in a few months or next year.

S13_Ryan
04-24-2011, 06:15 PM
Originally posted by Twin_Cam_Turbo


Ive put about 10000km on mine so far, its pretty nice. Interior is great, I have the GT Limited so I have leather, heated seats, power seats, ski pass-through, automatic climate control. My friends have sat in the back seat for a few ski trips now, they seem to like it. 250HP stock i'snt too bad, and I talked to Sunny who tunes Subaru's, and with a down-pipe and opensource tune you can expect to see 25-30AWHP and 30-40AWTQ over stock (200AWHP and 200AWTQ at Calgary's altitude), which is what I'm planning next. AWD works great in the snow, was out at Auto X yesterday, fairly neutral handling with oversteer if you know how to provoke the car into it, brakes are fairly good. Steering is a little on the light side for me, but it does the job. Its been reliable for me, I did the timing belt because it was due, changed the fluids, one wheel bearing failed and took out the speed sensor (Subaru has a TSB out for this), and some front control arm bushings, not bad considering my car has over 183000km on it now.

Overall I like it, but it isn't a sports car, its a quick 4 door sedan with lots of potential. I think I will be looking for a Corvette or a S2000 or something like that for a summer car in a few months or next year.

yeah most likely whatever i buy will be staying 100% factory other than a set of wheels and tires and maybe some lowering springs for summer. i already have the 240 which has seen a lot of aftermarket attention and i can't afford to be putting money into two cars nore do i want to take the huge loss on selling the 240sx.

hoping that whatever i buy needs next to nothing maintenance wise right from the get go... so I'm looking at cars with no more than 75,000km's.

so far the legacy and the IS250 are pretty much spot on what im looking for. going to check out one of each this week.

Sugarphreak
04-24-2011, 09:48 PM
....

msommers
04-24-2011, 09:58 PM
I agree, my Mom's CRV is amazing in the winter time. I'm impressed every time I drive it when the weather is shit.

tentacles
04-24-2011, 11:00 PM
Legacy Spec B is the best choice. Dealbreaker is that they are made in USA so no 6% tax when importing. The Spec B interior is even pretty good (for a Subaru). Manual transmission only though which is what I like anyway. You can pick up a 08 in your price range.

Runner up... you can probably squeeze in an 06-07 BMW 525xi or 530xi under your budget. \With the NA I6 engine reliability should be pretty good. For used cars 5 series resale value is worse so better value than 3 series - Why get a MSRP $50k car when you can spend $3,000 more and get a MSRP $65k car.

There's also the Cadillac CTS AWD if that's how you roll, although I think the last gen CTS had some reliability issues.

beyond_ban
04-25-2011, 12:26 AM
EVO IX

garyb
04-25-2011, 08:10 AM
As posted above, i would stay away from Audi or VW, dont make the same mistake i did :nut:

S13_Ryan
04-25-2011, 10:45 AM
Originally posted by garyb
As posted above, i would stay away from Audi or VW, dont make the same mistake i did :nut:

yeah i plan on it. thanks for all the help so far. I'm going to look at an IS250 this week and still looking for legacy's. there isn't a whole lot to choose from with the features I'm looking for. is it worth the headache to import?

dj_rice
04-25-2011, 12:58 PM
http://forums.beyond.ca/st/331526/fs-2007-subaru-legacy-gt-ltd-5mt/

Not a Spec B and it is sold but was $2000 under your starting budget range and very low KM so I think Spec B can be had for cheap and low KM :)

S13_Ryan
04-25-2011, 01:22 PM
yeah i saw that this morning too and kicked myself. im going after a white car too:banghead:

bituerbo
04-25-2011, 02:59 PM
Honestly, I really love Audi's, and will be keeping mine for a while, but the things you hear about reliability and cost of ownership are all true.

Tomaz
04-25-2011, 04:30 PM
I have been looking at a few cars/SUVs/CUVs in the same category, but around the $40k-$50k brand new. Maybe you can find a used one that would fit the budget:

Ford Edge
Ford Fusion
Ford Escape
Volvo XC70
Volvo XC90
Volvo S40, S60
Mazda CX-7
Nissan Xterra
Subaru Legacy
Subaru WRX
Mercedes GLK
Audi A4
Audi A3
VW Tiguan

That should be a good list to start from. There are a few from Chev, Dodge, or Mitsu I haven't looked into yet, so I am sure there is some stuff missing on my list.

Like I said, most of these are about $40K new, so finding a used one in your price range isn't out of the question.

Good luck!

revelations
04-25-2011, 06:00 PM
Honestly, unless you live in the SW/NW or someplace where hills are part of the daily routine, most FWD cars will suffice just fine in Calgary - especially if youre equipped with good snow tires.

S13_Ryan
05-02-2011, 04:19 PM
thanks for all your help guys, i've decided on the IS250 awd. for the money id spend between the two cars and the lower mileage and nicer interior and features being the Lexus i just think it makes more sense. i also get the remainder of the 6 yr/116,000km powertrain warranty.

ill update when its mine:angel:

roll_over
05-02-2011, 04:26 PM
SX4 Awd...cheap on gas, warranty, sporty....

Tomaz
05-02-2011, 09:35 PM
Nice choice! Don't forget to post pics! ;)