Thoughts on a decent AWD car?

[shin0bi]

I'm getting to the point where my daily driver (Saturn SC2) is starting to cost more and more to keep on the road, and my Fairlady Z was a lemon when I bought it. There's only so much lemonade I can afford to make from it...

I'm basically ready to trade em' both in for something else. I love the durability and practicality of the Saturn, but I also really enjoy the performance and fun-factor of the Z.

I've decided my next car should mesh those qualities together, and naturally my first conclusion is a Subaru WRX.
However I know there's a lot of other makes/models out there that have:

AWD
240hp +
4 seats
durability/safety


So, I'm definitely open to suggestions. Is the Subaru the clear and obvious choice, or am I overlooking other contenders?

* I should mention that I am not interested in crossovers, SUVS, vans, or trucks. I'm a car guy, through and through :) *


Due to some fairly ludicrous suggestions, *cough* Lamborghini*cough*, I'm placing a limit of $45k for a NEW vehicle, and an age limit of no more than 5 years on a used vehicle.

I'm looking for realistic suggestions, please:)

[BrknFngrs]

I really like my WRX. Fun to drive, good power and fairly practical (2006 model). The only things I don't like is that the seats don't fold down in the back so getting bigger objects into the trunk is a pain and the gas mileage blows.

[Troll-ol]

Ralliart, eclipse

[max_boost]

Cost?

Ralliart
A4/S4
335x drive BMW
Wrx/Sti
Passat 4motion
Subaru legacy
Etc.

[Twin_Cam_Turbo]

Subaru Legacy 2.5GT Limited.

[schocker]

No price listed so may I suggest
911 Turbo S, 911 Turbo, Panamera Turbo S :D
I have recently been looking at wrx 265, sti, B8 A4 quattro, 328xi, g37x, C300 4matic though as reasonable vehicles.

[lauphman]

Mazda speed 6.

[avishal26]

^ how about an M35 / 45 AWD? do you want a manual car? if it doesn't matter to you then the Infiniti M35/45x is an awesome choice - extremely comfortable and reliable. very luxurious too :D

don't know what your price limit is... you can usually get an 07 or 08 with less than 50k for around $30 - $35k

It is also good around corners :D but obviously not as good as an STI. The M is heavy

[Guillermo]

my only complaint with the subaru is how utterly cheap everything feels - from the tin can doors to the crappy hard plastic everything interior. i was considering buying one last year until I took it for a test drive, and couldn't get over how poorly-constructed everything was. it really reminded me of my first car - '88 hyundai excel (called the pony in canada) - which was an absolute shitbucket.

[alpha_gangsta]

Volvo S60R?
Mazda Speed6?
Mitsu Lancer Evo?

[DonJuan]

Dont forget the C class 4Matic. Drove one couple weeks ago. C260 4matic. Not as plush as as I was expecting for a Merc, but felt solid and the gas milage was insanely good, eventhough I was driving it hard. Would prob go for a bigger engine C300 or C350, but it definately chamged my mind on Mercs, from BMW and Audi.

Id still prob go for a G37x or M37x

[Phuqu]

V70 R.

Not that I'm biased.

[Twin_Cam_Turbo]

Originally posted by Guillermo
my only complaint with the subaru is how utterly cheap everything feels - from the tin can doors to the crappy hard plastic everything interior. i was considering buying one last year until I took it for a test drive, and couldn't get over how poorly-constructed everything was. it really reminded me of my first car - '88 hyundai excel (called the pony in canada) - which was an absolute shitbucket.

My Legacy isn't bad, the doors are pretty light but other than that its nice, 4 stage leather heated seats, soft touch plastics, nice buttons, leather wrapped steering wheel, power front seats, nice feeling buttons. I have sat in a new WRX though and it wasn't nearly as nice.

[Team_Mclaren]

i love these threads:

OP: I want a car, money is no object (apparently )

Reply1: "i drive "car1", its the best"

Reply2: "i drive "car2", its the best"

Reply3: "i drive "car3", its the best"

OP: oh i cant afford those, next....

:facepalm: :facepalm:

[Sugarphreak]

...

[Guillermo]

Originally posted by Twin_Cam_Turbo


My Legacy isn't bad, the doors are pretty light but other than that its nice, 4 stage leather heated seats, soft touch plastics, nice buttons, leather wrapped steering wheel, power front seats, nice feeling buttons. I have sat in a new WRX though and it wasn't nearly as nice.

yea, i was talking about the WRX as that's what OP is considering. i've never actually been in a legacy before LOL!

[Aleks]

Originally posted by Team_Mclaren
i love these threads:

OP: I want a car, money is no object (apparently )

Reply1: "i drive "car1", its the best"

Reply2: "i drive "car2", its the best"

Reply3: "i drive "car3", its the best"

OP: oh i cant afford those, next....

:facepalm: :facepalm:

If he doesn't want to keep fixing his old saturn or his old nissan Im guessing his budget is probably something like a few year old WRX. :dunno: making porsche and bmw suggestions rediculars

[tentacles]

Gallardo LP 570-4 Superleggera.

[shin0bi]

Sorry, I probably should have specified my cost limit in the original post. I'll address that right away.

My hope is that I will be able to do a trade-in on both of my cars, in addition to putting some cash down, and then financing the remainder of the cost.

Probably not willing to go any higher than $45k for a new vehicle, and really, that's probably pushing it. I'm also fine with a used car, as that's more realistic for my budget... of course, the challenge is finding a decent, low mileage used vehicle that has NOT been bagged to shit. I'm looking to be in this new vehicle for a few years, and I don't wanna be stuck paying ridiculous maintenance bills because a previous owner drove the thing fast and furious.

I appreciate all the suggestions so far. Hopefully the money cap helps steer the thread down a narrower path!

[colsankey]

Others have said it, but as soon as I saw your specs, I thought, that looks alot like the Ralliart I picked up. You'd be looking at ~36k for a premium modem (loaded excet nav).

[bspot]

5 years old and 45K? RS4!!

No clue on pricing for a 5 year old one, but maybe S6?

[soloracer]

Lexus IS 250 AWD or Lexus IS 350 AWD

http://ref-lexus.info/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/wpid-Lexus_IS350_AWD_2011_3000.jpg

[Stealth22]

Originally posted by Twin_Cam_Turbo
Subaru Legacy 2.5GT Limited. This.

[asp integra]

B8 audi S4 FTW!