Sporty AWD manual cars.. which one?!

[4-Ripcord]

Hey guys,

So the one thing I really needed my truck for was getting to the mountains in the winter. I have lived in ski towns the last two winters and the roads can get pretty bad, plus Northern NM never does anything about snowy roads so they stay iced over for quite a while.

Anyway I am looking for a fun All-wheel-drive car to replace my 4runner! :target:

My budget will be between $10k and around $13k.


The ones I have considered so far are..



Lexus IS250 AWD. (2005+)
The AWD drive is hard to find and the manual ones are even harder. A higher mileage one is at the top of my budget so I cant get a nice one like I would want..

It is a toyota though so I have no worries about the reliability.

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Audi B6 A4 Quattro 1.8T Ultrasport (2002-2005)

I will say that it is my favorite of the ones I am looking at, BY FAR. The interior and exterior are just awesome. Also FWIW its my girlfriend's favorite too.

There are a lot of people that say this model of audi is horrible, and others who say it is awesome. I realize they need to be up kept pretty well and I have no problem spending money on that. I just hate doing repairs..

They fit in my budget perfectly, I can get a nice low mileage one at the top end of my budget.

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Mazdaspeed 6 (2006-2008)

Same case as the Lexus, I would end up getting a higher mileage one at the top of my budget.

Ive heard these cars are slugs, I want something pretty quick.

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WRX, STI, EVO.... no

I'm not in highschool, I cant drive cars like that.
Although i do like the Bug eye WRX wagons..

 

[GSPRunner]

What about a legacy GT? Not as boy racerish as the WRX, fun to drive, and usually pretty cheap compared to a lot of what you're considering. I had an IS250 AWD and while it was a good looking car, nice to drive around town and got pretty decent MPG(26-28) it was a DOG.

 

[4-Ripcord]

What about a legacy GT? Not as boy racerish as the WRX, fun to drive, and usually pretty cheap compared to a lot of what you're considering. I had an IS250 AWD and while it was a good looking car, nice to drive around town and got pretty decent MPG(26-28) it was a DOG.

My sisters boyfriend used to have one, he replaced two turbos and one engine in a little over 2 years. I go on the forums and there are lots of stories like that.

I really like those cars and would seriously consider one if they weren't time bombs.

 

[GSPRunner]

My sisters boyfriend used to have one, he replaced two turbos and one engine in a little over 2 years. I go on the forums and there are lots of stories like that.

I really like those cars and would seriously consider one if they weren't time bombs.

I've heard that as well now that I can remember. Bummer they are neat cars. But yeah I don't think you can get an IS250 AWD w a manual trans, I think you could only in the RWD cars. Either way they are underpowered, and I don't know if you're looking for something that can haul people from time to time but the back seats are tiny. Sounds like the A4 might be your best bet, they are easy to tune, look good, are cheaper, cool interiors, and while they might have a few little annoying problems(CELs, valve cover) I rarely hear of anything major happening with them. And not sure who told you the Mazdaspeed 6 was a slug, but out of the box it is far quicker than any of the cars you listed. I still don't like them though.

 

[Masterbaiter]

You could also look at the e90 330xi and also the e46 330xi. You should be able to find both in that price range. I really hate the way the e90s look but I had e46 325i and it was probably my favorite car I have ever owned. It wasn't by any means a fast car, but it was a blast to drive and was not to terrible maintenance wise. Also if you can find a manual one you might want to look at the volvo s60 R I think they are in your price range and they are awd.

 

[NateMob]

A guy that i lived with for a couple years a while back had an 04 A4, prior to knowing Curt i always liked Audi and the A4. In the year we lived together he had it in the shop for the better part of 2 months, about 4 seperate occasions, the trunk latch broke, the radiator took a shit, the ECM also went bad, along with losing a servo in the trans. After the last $1500 bill from the mechanic he sold it with a quickness.

It looked like sex on wheels, drove awesome with the turbo, but reliability was terrible.

Out of that list i would be looking for a low mileage MS6. I wouldn't hesitate to put my wife in a AWD IS250 though, she wouldnt notice the lack of power that you or i would.

 

[4-Ripcord]

was his the manual or the CVT?

 

[NateMob]

The auto, I couldnt remember at first but i remember him using it in "manumatic" mode pretty often.

 

[4-Ripcord]

The auto, I couldnt remember at first but i remember him using it in "manumatic" mode pretty often.

yeah those autos were awful. 6MT ftw

 

[NateMob]

Gotta agree that for a sporty car, manual is the only way to go. Have you considered a G35X? 300hp awd sedan with a 6sp...after i sold my G35 Coupe i test drove a sedan and it was still a bad ass car with 4 doors instead of 2.

 

[4-Ripcord]

Gotta agree that for a sporty car, manual is the only way to go. Have you considered a G35X? 300hp awd sedan with a 6sp...after i sold my G35 Coupe i test drove a sedan and it was still a bad ass car with 4 doors instead of 2.

I do like the g35s a lot, but the AWD version only had the automatic.

 

[NateMob]

Oh that sucks, i just assumed they would have offered it with the manual. Still might be worth a drive, if you can find one.

 

[4-Ripcord]

I have a friend selling a g35 manual coupe, if I wasnt set on a awd I would consider it.

 

[NateMob]

I loved mine, but honestly i dont remember getting much better than 21-23 as far as fuel economy went. That along with the insane monthly payment i had led to the sale of it, i couldnt afford to modify it so i moved on.

 

[rickashay]

Directed over here from your build thread.

I agree the Audi looks SO good and the interior is phenominal. I really like Audi's aesthetically, but I personally, would be scared to buy one. My mom had an 04' for a few years. She bought it used and it had ~45,000 miles on it when she got it. Dealer maintained, no accidents, super clean car. The things was such a huge PITA that she sold it about two years later. As soon as the car was out of factory warranty shit just started breaking all the time. It had check engine lights on a weekly basis and all I can remember is my parents complaining about the high cost to maintain it. Every time you took it to the dealer to get the CEL looked at, they would walk away with a tripple digit bill, even if nothing was fixed. The car drove beautifully, when it wasn't having issues but I just couldn't believe the amount of problems it had for being always well-maintained and a relatively low mile car. Maybe it was a lemon, but I'd do your research before you end up owning something that costs an arm to maintain.

 

[rideexileex]

Can you elaborate more on the car requirements? Passengers, cargo, mpg's, etc?

Is AWD really needed, or could you get by with an FWD? FWD tend to do alright in most snow conditions, and if its really bad, chains are that much of a pain if they still fit...

I was in the same boat, and settled on a TSX - 4banger 6spd. Great gas mileage (32mpg highway), honda motor, and still fairly classy. And no, I don't care that it has VTEC lol. I've taken it up skiing on the mild weekends and get the 4runner out when its bad. Still done many road trips to Montana.

I do like the BMW x drive idea - don't know much about the reliability aspect as much, not having owned a beamer before, but I used to do valet parking as a summer college job and after driving almost everything... BMW takes the lead in interior comforts in my mind.

 

[4-Ripcord]

Yeah AWD is a must for how much snow this thing will see. Gonna get snow tires too..

Other stuff? Sedan, high 20's on gas, auto climate control is nice and so is heater leather seats. Grey or silver.

 

[JWaldz]

I've been eye balling this guy for a while.. I just know I wouldn't be getting much better gas mileage.

2004 Lexus IS 300

 

[89s rule]

If you are set on those options and price range IMHO your options are kinda limited.

I too love the look of the A4 but have been very hesitant to buy one because of repair costs. Same goes with and VW and the TDI Jetta/Golf which I have considered in the past for a commuter.

If you turn down the Impreza then that seems to leave: Volvo S60, BMW 525xi, 530xi, 330xi, or 325xi and the Lexus already mentioned.

All of these have your requirements but IMHO the $ for maint vs. car payment doesnt always add up. Unless you get a really good one and unfortunately you dont always know that until you are in too deep. I worked at BMW in the plant for the X5 and X6 and have gone to the driving school for a tour and ride in the M5. I have loads of respect for BMW, but they still make me nervous with maintinance costs and specialty items.

Several people say the same about Land Cruisers and I have owned two (FJ62 and a FZJ80) and they gave me no major issues and I could do most all of the upkeep myself. If you have a good group of owners who network and help each other out that always helps. This is true on the web via forums and locally with a club.

Now you have me jonesing for a BMW 5 series. :lookout: Must stay on task, I hope my next vehicle is this or similar:

 

[hulk311]

I can't believe no one has mentioned the 2013 Suzuki SX4 Crossover 4dr Hatchback AWD (2.0L 4cyl 6M) AND 6.9" of ground clearance. The best feature of this vehicle is the I-AWD transmission in 6 speed Manual. 3 choices: 2WD, AWD and 4 WD Hold. Average fuel consumption: 24 city and 33+ in highway. Great driving in dry pavement in 2WD, AWD on wet pavement or off road and 4WD Hold on snow, muddy road and icy weather. The other favorite features is the 2.0L engine using a steel timing chain instead of the timing belt. The chain is maintenance free. This vehicle is fast and very easy to drive.

They even make a lift kit for it, I think it's a 1.5" lift.


The Suzuki SX4 comes with the i-AWD switchable three-mode 4x4 system. An Electric Control Coupling Device provides 4WD-Auto, 4WD-Lock, and 2WD modes.

4WD-Auto mode - Under normal driving conditions while in 4WD-Auto mode, there is no torque transfer to the rear, and the SX4 4GRIP effectively operates as a front-wheel drive vehicle.

However, as soon as there is pronounced front wheel slip, torque is automatically apportioned to the rear wheels to produce all-wheel traction to enhance stability.

4WD-Lock mode - The 4WD-Lock mode is maintained up to around 40 mph for full traction with both axles, before automatically switching over to the 4WD-Auto mode for smooth cruising.

2WD mode - The 2WD mode is a simple front-wheel-drive mode, offering the best fuel economy.