I've run out of options here...


Basically here's the deal. The two dealers I've been to seem to be willing to pay around $25,000 for a trade in on my G35, and I'm looking to "trade down" if you will..



That being said, here's what I'm considering, open to other options...

(the cheaper the better...my G is paid off, but the left over $$ I'm wanting to add to savings since I'm saving pretty hardcore for a new house)

It has to be:
*AWD
*Manual Trans (5/6 speed...no "tiptronic")
*Kinda fun to drive?
*Not bad on insurance (24, no accidents or tickets, excellent credit, not married)
*Reliable (yeah, I know, there's a JEEP on that list)
*Able to get around in the snizzow.
*Able to haul shiznit. (stuff)



2002-2005'ish Subaru WRX Wagon, 5 speed.
2002-2005'ish Subaru Forester XT (Turbo)
2004-2006 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon


That's what I'm looking at right now....any options you'd think of for around 15-20k or so?

 

Maybe a question is in order: any specific reason why you need 4WD? That feature, by itself, adds thousands onto the price and eliminates a lot of choices.

 

how many miles u got on ur G?

 

Mazda speed 6. AWD 6 speed manual, not to big, not to small, good reliability (My family has owned many a mazda and I had a mazda go almost 240k on the stock parts, all except the struts and wheel bearings). Speed 6 is a 2.3L 4 banger turboe'd for around 250hp, good 0-60 and 1/4 mile times as well... just another option instead of a WRX for ya...

 

My wife has the Forester XS (no boost) and other than being slow its a great car. It has plenty of room and the AWD in a Subaru is bulletproof. Never let us down at all and since its a Forester you could go as fast as you want and the cops never give it a second look. There's a decent aftermarket for parts, I threw some 18" wheels on it and that really changed the look of it. I think lowering it is in the future and then it will really be a nice ride.

If she wants another one, I'm going to get the XT, if I can't talk her into a Infinity FX35.

 

If it were me with those requirements, I'd be looking at the Mazdaspeed 6 and an Audi S4 wagon (though reliability MIGHT be a concern with the Audi.)

 

^ Are Audi's not very reliable?

 

Subaru forrester XT or legacy GT. They're both REAL fast with 2k in mods (faster than a bolton Z probably), reliable, great in snow, have a lot of room, are comfortable and they're pretty cool cars to begin with. The only problem is that the subaru XT is too boxy, and the legacy GT is expensive.

 

Some (though certainly not all) of the Audis that I've seen, including the one that my wife drives, have had more engine problems than I would have hoped they would have. And it doesn't help that Audis aren't exactly cheap to fix (although buying a 'certified pre-owned' one with the 100,000 mile warranty sure helps in that regard).

 

Meh, you'll see what I get. The G gets traded in to "GO autogroup-HONDA" a week from today. (hint hint)

I can't fit in the Subaru's... 6'7" = a no go for the scooby's

 

Good to know, i was looking into one for a daily driver.