Moved up to Wisconsin so my car needs have changed a bit....

Looking for something that:
1.) can handle the snow, preferably awd
2.) 20k or less
3.) has to get good gas mileage, i drive 80 miles back and forth every day
4.) sporty as you can get given the above
5.) 50,000 miles or less

Not really into the euro stuff
Thus far I am looking at a mazdaspeed6 and a legacy gt
Thanks for the help

10/6/2011 9:44:32 PM

I personally would love to own a Legacy GT.

10/6/2011 10:19:06 PM

nm

[Edited on October 6, 2011 at 10:25 PM. Reason : nm]

10/6/2011 10:24:59 PM

if you're putting on 400+ miles a week ,assuming maintenance records are there i'd look for something that already has higher miles and a lower price .

10/6/2011 11:06:02 PM

Legacy GT

10/6/2011 11:06:32 PM

The answer to this is pretty clear-cut: 2003-2005 Lancer Evolution VIII. It meets all of your criteria (well, gets prob 20 mpg, about as good as you're gonna get with AWD), and it is hands-down the sportiest choice.

If you can find an Evo IX (2006 model), then get that, but you might have a hard time unless you spend more or accept higher mileage.



Of course, do you really want the sportiest choice? If you do, there's nothing left to discuss: the Evo is it. Just recognize and accept that focus like that doesn't come without some compromises. you could get cars that are better at other things and meet your other 4 requirements.


[Edited on October 6, 2011 at 11:51 PM. Reason : and summer tires suck in snow no matter how many drive wheels and limited slips you have]

[Edited on October 6, 2011 at 11:55 PM. Reason : or get a $5k winter semi-beater and a $15k sports car]

10/6/2011 11:48:50 PM

I'd second EVO if it wasn't for 160mile round trip commute. That car would be brutal for that length of commute every day.

Also, you don't necessarily need AWD drive, unless you really WANT it. You need good set of winter tires. For that long commute, I'd be looking for something with long-wheel base for comfort, good on gas and with high miles, because you will anyway pile up miles way too fast. No need to spend money on low mileage car. Sporty ...eh...high mileage '04 TL for $11k.

10/7/2011 12:40:59 AM

new impreza is lighter with smaller engine but returns better mpg and performance (because of the weight)

of course you're probably looking near $20k

10/7/2011 6:27:20 AM

Suzuki SX4

-Its AWD
-You could find one 1-2 yrs old for about 17K or 18K or 3-4 yrs old for much less than 15K and it would still have a 100,000 mile powertrain warranty
-Allegedly gets 30 mpg, not amazing for this size car but better than legacy or mazdaspeed (right?)
-No ones going to call it sporty, but its probably not a total slouch, just make sure you don't get the CVT
-You could easily find one with less than that many miles and within your price range

10/7/2011 9:23:16 AM

evo, sti, legacy gt, mazdaspeed 6, s60r, v70r

10/7/2011 10:41:19 AM

Thx for the advice. An evo would be the shortest but rough for a dd that far. Adding a 3.5 altima to the list as well. Going to go kick tires tomorrow.

10/7/2011 7:48:37 PM

Evos are expensive. they hold their value well. Even the shitty ones are 10k. A Legacy is more oriented toward comfort. The later ones got larger and less sporty though.

10/7/2011 7:59:14 PM

Yeah, care to update your criteria to reflect what you really want?

What you're saying right now narrows it down to Evo, period. There isn't even arguably any other car that's as sporty and meets your other requirements.

10/8/2011 1:13:30 AM

an evo? are you serious? you really want a piece of shit?

id rather drive a civic

10/8/2011 8:00:05 AM

An EVO just doesnt fit what I am looking for, agreed its the most sporty. But as far as comfort, gas mileage, and looks its really not in the group. Ive had an STi I know what I would be getting into with an EVO.

10/8/2011 9:52:12 AM

right, i figured...so how "sporty" do you want?

10/8/2011 11:02:27 AM

About this sporty....



Suprised that the drivetrain actually feels very similar to the STi, obviously not quite as fast or brutal but alot in common........but much nicer to drive.

10/9/2011 12:14:42 PM

Have you given any real thought to just having 2 cars, with one being a 4x4 or AWD winter beater?

10/9/2011 12:30:34 PM

Yea thats basically what I was doing. Had the pickup and beater civic for gas mileage, unfortunately both were relatively high in mileage. Only had one parking space in the parking deck here as well, in Wisconsin that becomes a bit of a problem as well was starting to get rust on the pickup.

Ended up getting the MS6 pictured above. Drivetrain is a lil clunky when your hard on it. Particularly you seem to get a good thump when shifting hard. (Supposedly can be fixed with an aftermarket engine mount) Other than that itll do. Decent compromise in my mind.

[Edited on October 10, 2011 at 9:28 PM. Reason : ....]

10/10/2011 9:27:29 PM