Joey Hates Winter, Looking for a New Car

  • Thread starter Joey D
  • 73 comments
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Joey D

Joey D

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47,538
United States
Lakes of the North, MI
GTP_Joey
GTP Joey
So, I'm sick of West Michigan winters and not being able to even make it out of my neighborhood due to snow, ice and whatever else Mother Nature thinks we need. I've been stuck several times this year, even with snow tires so it's time I throw in the towel and get some AWD and more weatherproof.

As for the Focus, my wife's car is nearing the end of its life so she'll be taken my Focus so we can dump her car since it's a massive money pit and I'm sick of fixing it.

Anyway, so what I'm looking for:
  • 2008 or newer
  • $20,000 or less
  • Under 60,000 miles
  • AWD
  • Preferably automatic, but for the right car I'll live with a manual
  • Needs more than two doors
  • Needs at least 4 seats
  • Needs a decent amount of cargo space
  • Needs to be entertaining-ish to drive
  • Needs to not have a reputation for being unreliable
  • Needs to not shatter my spine, I'm getting old :lol:
  • No SUV's
  • Not a Nissan or a Mazda
So what I've found thus far:
  • Mercedes-Benz C300 4MATIC
  • Ford Fusion Sport AWD
  • Audi A4 with 2.0T
  • VW R32
  • Saab 9-3 Turbo X
  • Subaru WRX hatchback
Cars I won't consider:
  • 2009+ Subaru Legacy, it's hideous.
  • Ford Taurus, it's the size of Texas.
  • Cadillac anything, I'm good.
  • BMW anything, I've had a BMW product and the cost of maintenance on it was funny.
  • Inifiniti G-sedan, driven them and they're just not me.
 
Subaru WRX gets my vote. I can't speak about the reliability of their turbo engines (yet) but my '02 Scooby hasn't given me a lick of trouble since I've owned it and it has over 212K miles.
 
Joey D
  • Needs to not have a reputation for being unreliable
  • Audi A4 with 2.0T
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You may want to reconsider an used Audi if reliability is a priority.

Joey D
Cars I won't consider:
  • BMW anything, I've had a BMW product and the cost of maintenance on it was funny.
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Aw shoot.

But in all seriousness, how common are Forester XT Turbos up there?

2008_subaru_forester_2_5_x_premium-pic-15231.jpeg

Subaru-Forester-25XT-2008-1680x1050-005.jpg
 
I'd say the Subaru as well, but the automatics are awful so you'd be better off with a manual for that. Saying that, my username choice doesn't help with being unbiased... :dopey:
 
SVX
I'd say the Subaru as well, but the automatics are awful so you'd be better off with a manual for that. Saying that, my username choice doesn't help with being unbiased... :dopey:
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I disagree. They aren't the best on the market but for a daily driver they are more than capable.
 
peobryant
I disagree. They aren't the best on the market but for a daily driver they are more than capable.
Click to expand...

Most of my dad's Subarus are automatics, but to be honest it could be due to the fact we live on a fairly steep hill. They take awhile to upshift from my experience and generally quite outdated. I guess they're not that bad for generally city driving.
 
Well, me being your neighbor, I can relate to the "wow, I'm surprised by how bad everything is" thing. Standard-issue vehicles around here tend to be much of the same stuff. If you haven't figured it out, we really dig the crunchy cousins - Volkswagen, Volvo and Subaru. Thing is, price, performance, and reliability are going to vary greatly. As much as I'd be all like, "Yeah a Passat 4MOTION will hold together!" In truth, I know it won't. Because I know people who have had them. They like to eat mechanical bits for breakfast.

I think the obvious answer is anything Subaru. Almost anything from the glory days of the brand, 2005-2009. I'm personally impartial to the Legacy sedan and the Outback Wagon, particularly in 2.5GT form with the turbocharged H4. That being said, well-cared for H6 models can be had for somewhere around the same price, and that would certainly check off the "comfort" box in some trim levels.

I really like the Saab 9-3X nomination. God I love that car. Go for it. The Fox dealer network really seems to be holding onto the Saab branding they had, servicing all of those abandoned models in town. I'd assume that you're covered for parts and all that. A friend has a recent-ish 9-3 turbo 'vert, he likes in quite a bit. Few problems aside, it's been mostly trouble-free. Mostly.

If you're swinging on the A4 and the R32, what about a compromise with an A3? Thing is, they're fairly uncommon around here. That'd be a problem.

I have to wonder, what's a newer, used, all-wheel-drive Buick LaCrosse going for these days?
 
I love how you will take a Fusion yet ignore the Taurus, and they are similar in size. :lol:

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chevy-colorado.jpg


Comes with anything from an I4 to a 5.3L V8. The 4 cylinders are rated up to around 185 horsepower at best and anywhere from 190lb-ft to 265lb-ft of torque for the engines in the years you provided though some are out-of-US diesels. That said, they are comfortable to drive (they drive really well actually), can hold up to 5-6 passengers, get decent MPG's, have on demand 4WD at the flip of a dial (in multiple modes no less) and are good for throwing the occasional 2x4 in the back if you need it. Best part is used ones are becoming pretty affordable, and they are reliable. My grandfather has one with an I5 4WD automatic and LOVES it. The V8 ones would be pretty entertaining I think, but not needed.

I know the vehicle itself may be a bit large for you, but it's something I would seriously consider since it meets your criteria.
 
Tornado
Joey? In a Colorado? I'd pay to see that.
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Well it's always an option that fits what he's asking for. I'm not saying he'll go with it (and probably won't), but it's there.
 
I drove the Lincoln errr... MK... uhhh... Fusion-sized one. It was a 2013, probably the most comfortable vehicles I've ever sat in. Reasonably well-planted, and it was powerful enough. Not sure when they switched to that body style, but if you found a used on that would be sweet. I do get the feeling that they haven't dropped that far in price though.
 
So I see a Saab 9-3 on there, and I see a WRX. Maybe it's because it's a forbidden fruit for us in the UK, but I'd be after one of these if they're available in budget:

2-800-oemexteriorfront-41355.jpg

​
I don't know what sort of image they have out there, but to me it's a Subaru without the image problems and a Saab that actually handles well.
 
Thanks guys.

@peobryant & @SVX: I like the WRX, however I'm not sure I'd be able to find one that isn't beat to hell around here. The automatics on the Impreza are either an antiquated 4-speed or a CVT, neither of which I really like or what to live with. If I do find a WRX or even an STI in good working order that's been taken care of, I'd consider it pretty heavily.

@Doog: Any reason why the Audi's would be unreliable? I honestly don't know outside maybe getting the random electric issues that VAG cars seem to have from time to time. As for the turbo Forester, I don't know if I've even seen one of those popped up. I know they exist because a guy I RallyX with races one, but trying to find one to even drive might be a challenge.

@YSSMAN: The 9-3 Turbo X is really tempting, especially since they're are only 600 in the US. It's good to hear Fox would service it though, it might be worth me actually going to take a look at it. The slightly older Legacy wouldn't be bad, I did find one of those GT models while searching AutoTrader, could be worth a drive. As for the A3, everyone I've found within a 200 mile radius of GR is the FWD one. I wasn't even aware Audi made FWD cars, I thought they were like Subaru and thought anything not AWD was Satan. And the Buick LaCrosse, weird thing is I like those cars, quite a bit actually, but all the ones I've found are gold/beige. I can't drive a gold/beige Buick because I'm not 85.

@Slash: I was more talking about the Fusion generation prior to the current one. But as for the Colorado, I don't want or need a pick-up. I know they aren't bad trucks and it's one of the few small trucks that are still left in the US, but I can't see myself in one unless I slammed it 7". Also if I was going to get something truck-like I would probably just get a Jeep Wrangler, because you know no doors or roof.

@hawkeye122: I like Lincolns, but all the ones I've found either have a million miles on them or are out of my price range.

@homeforsummer: If I could find a 9-2x I'd be set. I love that car.
 
I'd go for an older Forester XT, myself. Crummy transmission and all. It's not that kind of car, anyway, so the lack of response in spirited driving is not an issue.

Plus, those are godawful strong automatics in the older models (the first pic Doog posted)... they can take 350-400 hp on the stock automatic. Later ones aren't so durable, though they're arguably more practical and more comfortable cars.
 
Joey D
@Doog: Any reason why the Audi's would be unreliable? I honestly don't know outside maybe getting the random electric issues that VAG cars seem to have from time to time. As for the turbo Forester, I don't know if I've even seen one of those popped up. I know they exist because a guy I RallyX with races one, but trying to find one to even drive might be a challenge.
Click to expand...

Whenever I read about Audis on the internet, I always find comments regarding the long term issues, expensive parts, and stuff just not lasting long in general. Sometimes you run into the occasional tale of an Audi that was just constantly in the shop. Granted, these horror stories tend to concern older Audis ('98-'06 it seems like), so newer Audis may have improved...to the extent that a car can improve in just one generation. Of course, there are some people who drive Audis and never get any issues out of them (or like how my mom's Mini's held up great, and yours...didn't), but when over half the stuff you read about a brand talks about the poor reliability, you've gotta be really cautious or at least know what you're getting into.
 
I think the main issues that Audis and Volkswagens have is that their electronics are somewhat prone to failure. My mate has an Audi 100 with 270,000 miles on it, and the engine and transmission have never been apart. Still the original clutch, too. Granted, that's one example of a much older Audi, but it's worth researching the weak points of all the cars you might consider.
 
 
Quick question, are the cars listed in the OP hypothetical or have you actually found examples for sale near you? I looked on eBay and I'm not seeing anything that meets your criteria that's also close by.
 
@Pagey279: You might be onto something there, although I probably don't need the S80 and would be fine with the S60. 300hp sounds good though.

@Doog: After a bit more research it seems like you're right. Maybe looking at a certified pre-owned Audi with a warranty of some sort would be the best route if I decide to go with an A4.

@xZAMGMarmite: You're on the right track with your searches, it's just that all those examples are pretty far away from me. But that did remind me that I should look on eBay too.

@Beeblebrox237: Yup, I've found examples of all those cars within the West Michigan/Chicagoland area.
 
I'm so on the Volvo hype train. Get one. Get a nice one because I'll only be able to afford an early 2000's base model S60/S40 if I buy one.

Regarding A4's, a friend bought a 2003 A4 1.8T last year with ~160,000km on it. He's had nothing major break but a lot of small things thave had to be fixed and he's 3k+ into the car now. Granted with a 15k budget I'd imagine you could find a much nicer and newer example than his.
 
@Beeblebrox237: I've looked at a couple S60R's and was completely sold on them till I read up on some of their issues, they're really prone to some really nasty drivetrain failures that look really expensive to fix.

@Noob616: The S80 is a really nice car and I can get a low miles 2010 example with pretty much all the options for my budget. I'd have to drive one to see how it feels because I'm worried it'll feel squishy in the corners. The good news is that there isn't a ton of aftermarket options out there so I won't be tempted to modify my car, although with the Volvo's having the same stupid bolt pattern as the Focus, I'd already have summer wheels sorted. The S80 would probably be much nicer to live with than a similarly sized Fusion too.

Now I just need a day off work so I can actually go drive some cars.
 
Seems like some ideas I had were already posted (9-2X and Forester). Personally I would say a Suzuki SX4, (My brother has one and it's an absolute blast in the snow) but since you want size... What about the Suzuki Kizashi?
2011-Suzuki-Kizashi-Sport-37.JPG


Edit: Not entirely sure about how much they cost now... :dunce: (Or how easy or hard they could be to find)
 
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There's real appeal problems in a just released car with a recently abandoned dealer network. Even new Oldsmobiles were hard to get serviced after 2003, and almost all of those were rebodied Buicks.
 
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Joey D
@YSSMAN: The 9-3 Turbo X is really tempting, especially since they're are only 600 in the US. It's good to hear Fox would service it though, it might be worth me actually going to take a look at it. The slightly older Legacy wouldn't be bad, I did find one of those GT models while searching AutoTrader, could be worth a drive. As for the A3, everyone I've found within a 200 mile radius of GR is the FWD one. I wasn't even aware Audi made FWD cars, I thought they were like Subaru and thought anything not AWD was Satan. And the Buick LaCrosse, weird thing is I like those cars, quite a bit actually, but all the ones I've found are gold/beige. I can't drive a gold/beige Buick because I'm not 85.
Click to expand...

I believe they're running most of the parts/service for Saab at the used car location next to the Honda one. Even then, local places like Prestige Imports will do work on a lot of "odd" import brands and models. My former boss' family ran that dealer, they're pretty good on getting things sorted out.

The number of gold or white LaCrosses around here is insane. Hell, it seems that way with all the new Buicks as of late. You'll see an occasional red, maybe a black, but the rest are white and gold. Unless its an Enclave. Then, those are all brown. Every single one.
 

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