hatchbacks/SUV's with decent range of power.

[jlee]

Yes I have.

www.ford.com

Find it.

 

[HAL9000]

www.ford.com

Find it.

I can't. Looks like some people on this forum have been lying to me.

 

[xSkyDrAx]

I heard the newer motors higher HP rated ones were not as solid as that the older ones, well when they first came out. Will add that to the list.


Of the MS3 and WRX, insurance might chew me up some. After a test drive, if i'm considering them i'll get quotes and see whats the deal. But looks WRX wins.

I'm only 25, when was shopping for my G35x,WRX,legacy GT sedan, GS300. The WRX was almost 2.5x the cost of the other 3 cars. G35x being the cheapest, the LGT being my favorite but i could not find a GT Limited model that had lower miles. So i opted for the cheaper g35x which was the cheapest to insure as well.

Now i'm wishing i bought a GT wagon that I passed up. Forester XT is a iffy car, sometimes i like it and sometimes i hate it. Somehow at the end of the day I look at the FX35, maybe because I'm more familiar with the motor and how nissan does things. No idea how subaru does things. I'm sure a car is a car and parts are in roughly the same place.

Were the cars you listed used? I'm surprised to see a used WRX costing more than a used G35x unless it was newer/lower miles. Also I have not heard much about the new 2.5L engines that subie uses for 09-12 having any major blow up issues aside from the occassional one you hear about from a forum user but those are probably rare in the overall scheme of things.

 

[Dr. Detroit]

AWD & Your Budget is tough

Forester XT

Dodge Magnum Hemi AWD - if you can live with 250HP you can get the 3.5L V6

Mercury Mariner Premier - 240HP 3.0L V6 & AWD

Ford Fusion Sport 3.5L V6 AWD (260 HP)

 

[jlee]

2008ish Toyota RAV4 with the 276hp V6?

 

[Howard]

AWD & Your Budget is tough

Forester XT

Dodge Magnum Hemi AWD - if you can live with 250HP you can get the 3.5L V6

Mercury Mariner Premier - 240HP 3.0L V6 & AWD

Ford Fusion Sport 3.5L V6 AWD (260 HP)

He didn't say AWD was a necessity.

 

[natto fire]

I'v been told repeatedly on this forum that you can get the RS in America it's just really rare.

The ST is the model down from the RS.

No you haven't

If only a forum was like some kind of database, and it could magically keep a searchable record of what forum posters had said, barring edits.

So HAL is it the same person telling you repeatedly about the Focus RS, or multiple people, in either case they werehalf right. Kind of a grey area as far as getting it cleared, you might have to "sneak" it across the border. Getting it through legally requires the EPA, DOT and Customs and Immigrations clearance. Which are not bureaucratic entities known for swiftness and desire to help "common folk".

 

[bwoody2016]

Ford Edge Sport?

 

[T2urtle]

Ford Edge Sport?

Oddly enough, i was next to one today on the road. Looks nice. Quickly glanced over interior shots of the 2012's its works for me. Brand new starting is 30k. With my budget, i might not be able to get a couple year older one.

He didn't say AWD was a necessity.

AWD is a plus for me but i really dont care which wheels do the work. I've found useful for me to get and out of street parking in spots i wouldn't want to try with FWD/RWD.

Were the cars you listed used? I'm surprised to see a used WRX costing more than a used G35x unless it was newer/lower miles. Also I have not heard much about the new 2.5L engines that subie uses for 09-12 having any major blow up issues aside from the occassional one you hear about from a forum user but those are probably rare in the overall scheme of things.

Yes, i've never bought a brand new car. At the time most cars were of 2004-2006 makes aside from the GS300. The time was around 08-09 when i shopped around. WRX cost more to insure and have a higher demand on them, mainly because they are popular with younger people like myself. And you know young people have a higher rate of accidents says the highway safety and other surveys.

The 08 WRX was the start of the newer style with the same HP as the older one correct? I think 224hp VS the newer 260hp motors. I think i saw in 08-09 there was a good amount of issues with the motor itself. I didn't read into it as i got my car already.

I'm looking for a automatic car now. I could swing for the manual. But the last car i DD before the g35 was a 98 200sx SER manual. It was fun at times and annoying on others. I think i've feel in love with driving a auto again. I'm not a speed demon no more, I mainly mod for style and if its cheap HP. Like G35 has intake, exhaust and suspension, i am happy with it. My SER, added a turbo and supporting mods, suspension. Its not me anymore. I'm getting a miata for a summer toy which will be a manual so i would like a auto for the DD. Not sure if WRX even come in manual. I like the LGT, FXT does.

 

[MotF Bane]

Oddly enough, i was next to one today on the road. Looks nice. Quickly glanced over interior shots of the 2012's its works for me. Brand new starting is 30k. With my budget, i might not be able to get a couple year older one.


AWD is a plus for me but i really dont care which wheels do the work. I've found useful for me to get and out of street parking in spots i wouldn't want to try with FWD/RWD.



Yes, i've never bought a brand new car. At the time most cars were of 2004-2006 makes aside from the GS300. The time was around 08-09 when i shopped around. WRX cost more to insure and have a higher demand on them, mainly because they are popular with younger people like myself. And you know young people have a higher rate of accidents says the highway safety and other surveys.

The 08 WRX was the start of the newer style with the same HP as the older one correct? I think 224hp VS the newer 260hp motors. I think i saw in 08-09 there was a good amount of issues with the motor itself. I didn't read into it as i got my car already.

I'm looking for a automatic car now. I could swing for the manual. But the last car i DD before the g35 was a 98 200sx SER manual. It was fun at times and annoying on others. I think i've feel in love with driving a auto again. I'm not a speed demon no more, I mainly mod for style and if its cheap HP. Like G35 has intake, exhaust and suspension, i am happy with it. My SER, added a turbo and supporting mods, suspension. Its not me anymore. I'm getting a miata for a summer toy which will be a manual so i would like a auto for the DD. Not sure if WRX even come in manual. I like the LGT, FXT does.

WRX is usually manual, more often than not. The 2008 had a weaker motor than the 2009 and later versions.

 

[Zap]

Speed3's are NOTHING like the 2.SLOW...

2.0L = 150 PS (110 kW; 150 hp)@6500, 183 N·m (135 lb·ft)@4500
2.3L DSI/Turbo = 267 PS (196 kW; 263 hp)@5500, 380 N·m (280 lb·ft)@3000

You left out the 2.3L non-turbo. My wife had one. Actually pretty fun to drive. It was quite peppy for only having somewhere around 160BHP, but probably because it had higher torque than most N/A 4-cylinders (even ones with higher BHP). It was the 3s model (for Sport?) and came with 17" wheels.

I do agree with the more base models. Had those as rental cars. Bleh! Not even close to the 3s we had.

09/10 WRX pretty much all of your reqs aside from mileage but it's probably no worse than the g35

It doesn't get that great mileage. Even though I think it is EPA rated the same as my Mazdaspeed 6, I always get better mileage in the 6 than my wife's WRX.

AWD is a plus for me but i really dont care which wheels do the work.
...
I'm looking for a automatic car now.

Ok, no AWD means more choices.

Automatic? Scratch out WRX. Well, I think they did offer an occasional rare automatic up through 2008 maybe.

 

[xSkyDrAx]

It doesn't get that great mileage. Even though I think it is EPA rated the same as my Mazdaspeed 6, I always get better mileage in the 6 than my wife's WRX.

You can if you stayed off the boost :awe:

Also the new regular imprezas are around 20k new. AWD 150hp/150 torque about and 35 mpg comes in hatch style and auto too.

 

[Howard]

AWD is a plus for me but i really dont care which wheels do the work. I've found useful for me to get and out of street parking in spots i wouldn't want to try with FWD/RWD.

???

 

[T2urtle]

???

Sorry, typing while talk to other people. I love the awd, but I've mainly found it useful in getting into spots I normally wouldn't want to try with a fwd/rwd car. With city parking I normally have to rock the car to get out with a fwd, with the awd I just slowly being up the revs and pull out.

 

[T2urtle]

You can if you stayed off the boost :awe:

Also the new regular imprezas are around 20k new. AWD 150hp/150 torque about and 35 mpg comes in hatch style and auto too.

I think this is a solid option actually, hopefully it has enough kick to make me smile.

But knowing a used forester xt can be had is also tempting. I found on that I hope I can get my hands on today.

 

[jlee]

I think this is a solid option actually, hopefully it has enough kick to make me smile.

But knowing a used forester xt can be had is also tempting. I found on that I hope I can get my hands on today.

If you want an 04 I know a guy >.>

 

[bbs lm-r]

???

Sorry, typing while talk to other people. I love the awd, but I've mainly found it useful in getting into spots I normally wouldn't want to try with a fwd/rwd car. With city parking I normally have to rock the car to get out with a fwd, with the awd I just slowly being up the revs and pull out.

I had the same thought as Howard. I must be missing something because I honestly still don't quite understand what you mean.

What type of parking spot in the street would benefit from AWD?

 

[Dice144]

I had the same thought as Howard. I must be missing something because I honestly still don't quite understand what you mean.

What type of parking spot in the street would benefit from AWD?

Snowy roads that the city has not plowed yet or plowed you in!

 

[GoatMonkey]

My opinion is that if you're used to driving a G35 the WRX is going to feel like you're driving around in a little clown car. Try the Legacy instead. It even has an option for a wagon if you want the cargo space.

I also really like the Audi A3 on certain days. Reliability is more of a question on those though. I think you've already ruled out a VW R32, mostly the same thing I guess. But the 2.0 turbo might get decent fuel economy.

 

[SandEagle]

for 20k you can get a new, base 4x4 Xterra. throw a schrock front bumper, rear schrock tire carrier, sliders and you got one badass SUV.

 

[T2urtle]

Snowy roads that the city has not plowed yet or plowed you in!

Around Chicago, street park can an issue. They plow middle of the road, not the sides where u park. They sometimes form like a 1-2 feet edge, u have to go over or thru to make it into as park spot. The higher or tougher spot, most people don't try or have tried and ultimately get stuck.

If ur unlucky, plow comes back and throws the snow on you and bury u even more. To a point where any car needs to rock back and fourth a couple times to get out the spot.

It helps having traction.

 

[nitrous9200]

I think this is a solid option actually, hopefully it has enough kick to make me smile.

But knowing a used forester xt can be had is also tempting. I found on that I hope I can get my hands on today.

The new Impreza has a CVT which I've never driven but I'm sure you will find disappointing in terms of performance. The previous gen's mileage is disappointing, rated at only 20/26.

 

[T2urtle]

Drove a3, 3.2 dsg quattro. Looked for a quattro 2.0 but only fwd.

Decent little car. VW relibality is a small concern, with the 3.2 I wont be as mod friendly. Good power, good feel.

Now to a mz3

 

[mc866]

My wife has a 06 G35x so I'm very familiar with what you are driving today.

I have a 07 Mazdaspeed 3. I live in MN and the FWD can be a bit of a hassle in the snow but the low clearance is the bigger issue. If you are looking for something fun as hell to drive and has space of a hatch go test drive a 1st gen speed3. You won't be disappointed. The only issue of sorts that I've been having is tires only last 2 years. I've been running all season instead of dedicated snows which is probably the reason for it. That and I may or may not be a bit heavy on the gas. Mazdaspeed is only manual, not sure if that's a deal breaker for you or not.

Other suggestions include 07 WRX wagon, first year of 2.5L engine but still old body which I prefer over the new ones.

Legacy GT wagon, nice cars but pretty difficult to find at least in these parts, more wagon than hatch.

Good site on suby specs:
http://www.cars101.com/impreza.html

Also Volvo V70R, AWD lux interior and 300HP, less hatch more wagon though.

Dodge Magnum R/T AWD????? Fast but HUGE

 

[Zap]

You can if you stayed off the boost :awe:

Translation: I can't. :sneaky:

I drive my Mazdaspeed 6 the same way and it still gets better gas mileage. Not a huge amount, but just enough to notice that there is a difference.

Sorry for derailing.