AWD + Manual < $32,000

fumoffu · May 09, 2005, 6:27 PM

Hi,

I'm looking for some advice on finding a new (maybe used) car to purchase.

I've done all the digging that I can to find a car that has AWD + Manual Transmission and is less than $32,000

STi/WRX/Legacy
A4/Used S4
Evo
W8 VWs
325xi
Your suggestion here

You don't have to list cars such as VR4 even though they have AWD + Manual, but b/c I'm looking for more 2000ish (year that is) cars.

I also emailed my Infiniti dealer asking whether a G35x w/ Manual was ever made, he later replied that there was an "optional manual transmission available". I'm guessing he thought I meant if a G35 has a Manual Transmission or AWD.

----------

I'm also wondering how well does RWD + Snow tires perform in snowy/icy conditions as opposed to an AWD w/ all-season tires.

Thanks

jonny_gsx · May 09, 2005, 7:15 PM

A4/S4 if you are more intrested in a comfortable day to day driver. If you're more perfromance oriented, go with the EVO, its the best performing car out of all the ones u listed.

Mopar68, cover your eyes, this could very well become the 4,789,678th evo vs sti thread...

nivlek · May 09, 2005, 7:16 PM

Wow, theres that many evo vs STi threads!!!!
...the evo is better... LALALLALA

fumoffu · May 09, 2005, 7:22 PM

Heh, don't mean to start a war thread here or anything.

But, I just saw the Evo MR, and it is sweet.

However, Evo IX and 2006 STi are both coming out real soon, will it have an impact if I purchase either cars now?

Maserati Man · May 09, 2005, 7:53 PM

theres also the R32 if your interested. but if your looking for something kinda cheaper, get a WRX, otherwise, get an EVO. i think the EVO is the best AWD car under 32,000.

igaboj · May 09, 2005, 8:47 PM

A4 for luxury as someone said; less for performance. Legacy GT if you want someting still comfortable.. but more towards performance, and since the 2.5 Boxer 4 engine in the legacy is basically a detuned STi engine, if you want some serious performance out of it, it's rather simple: http://www.vishnutuning.com/legacy_v300.htm $750, and you get 300 horsepower; just an ECU.

And if you want even more serious performance, and you're willing to sacrifice just about anything, go for an EVO or STi. STi if you ask me, as it's more comfortable, and better to drive day to day. EVO has better performance, but that'll cost you; not in price, but in sacrifices.

Mopar68 · May 09, 2005, 9:54 PM

Actually, I don't think you should be worried about the way a RWD car handles in the snow. I read an article that in this day and age, it's much easier to drive a RWD car in the snow. Get a good set of snow tires and you should be pretty safe. Don't go crazy though. So, for that amoutn of money, I'd say you should get something along the lines of a 350Z. Very pretty car, and pretty fast.

BlackMustang98 · May 09, 2005, 10:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mopar68

Actually, I don't think you should be worried about the way a RWD car handles in the snow. I read an article that in this day and age, it's much easier to drive a RWD car in the snow. Get a good set of snow tires and you should be pretty safe. Don't go crazy though. So, for that amoutn of money, I'd say you should get something along the lines of a 350Z. Very pretty car, and pretty fast.

I don't know about any of that. I crashed my first car (which was RWD) in the snow... or maybe it was because I didn't have ABS who knows i didnt have "snow tires" but all i know is that they are fun to drive in snowy parking lots... anyway 350Z's are not pretty, they are fast but I personally think they are ugly

lamborghini freak · May 09, 2005, 11:07 PM

driven both STI and evo STI < evo ( STI accels faster, evo hadles better but not by a whole lot)

Attaus · May 09, 2005, 11:16 PM

Through many heated battles, we have established that:

STi - Better for straight line performance

Evo - Better handling

Although both cars are great in both categories, they each out perform in their own. If I hear any more disputes, I'm gonna' bust a cap.

TwinTurboBliss · May 09, 2005, 11:39 PM

F40...............Or pick whatever YOU like better.

jimkk29 · May 10, 2005, 4:57 AM

The 325xi is the most usable, practical and fun.

Kirstyn · May 10, 2005, 5:09 PM

I don't think RWD will be too bad in the snow. When we lived in Chicago, we had a Jag XJR, and fitted it with Pirelli snow tires, and it was just fine in the snow.

I'd personally buy a used XK8 Jag.

Go test drive a bunch of cars, and pick the one that best suits your needs.

Mopar68 · May 10, 2005, 9:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlackMustang98

I don't know about any of that. I crashed my first car (which was RWD) in the snow... or maybe it was because I didn't have ABS who knows i didnt have "snow tires" but all i know is that they are fun to drive in snowy parking lots... anyway 350Z's are not pretty, they are fast but I personally think they are ugly

Well, that's why I said "in this day and age". I meant brand new RWD cars are pretty easy to drive in snow. They have all that electronic crap. And about the 350Z, to each his own. I like it. It's a different styling approach to a Japanese sports car, just like the 240Z.

AMW · May 11, 2005, 10:05 AM

If you can find a used 330xi, that would be the way to go at the max you would want to spend. Otherwise, I would not hesitate on the purchase of the WRX, for I have owned both cars and they both do exactly what you are looking for...

May 09, 2005, 6:27 PM	#1
fumoffu Starting Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 2	AWD + Manual < $32,000 Hi, I'm looking for some advice on finding a new (maybe used) car to purchase. I've done all the digging that I can to find a car that has AWD + Manual Transmission and is less than $32,000 STi/WRX/Legacy A4/Used S4 Evo W8 VWs 325xi Your suggestion here You don't have to list cars such as VR4 even though they have AWD + Manual, but b/c I'm looking for more 2000ish (year that is) cars. I also emailed my Infiniti dealer asking whether a G35x w/ Manual was ever made, he later replied that there was an "optional manual transmission available". I'm guessing he thought I meant if a G35 has a Manual Transmission or AWD. ---------- I'm also wondering how well does RWD + Snow tires perform in snowy/icy conditions as opposed to an AWD w/ all-season tires. Thanks

May 09, 2005, 7:53 PM	#5
Maserati Man CCC for life Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Tucson A to the Z Posts: 4,559	theres also the R32 if your interested. but if your looking for something kinda cheaper, get a WRX, otherwise, get an EVO. i think the EVO is the best AWD car under 32,000. __________________ "I wouldn't marry a salad bar... Unless it had pudding." - Penn Jillette

May 09, 2005, 8:47 PM	#6
igaboj Forum Guru Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: The Golden State Posts: 3,599	A4 for luxury as someone said; less for performance. Legacy GT if you want someting still comfortable.. but more towards performance, and since the 2.5 Boxer 4 engine in the legacy is basically a detuned STi engine, if you want some serious performance out of it, it's rather simple: http://www.vishnutuning.com/legacy_v300.htm $750, and you get 300 horsepower; just an ECU. And if you want even more serious performance, and you're willing to sacrifice just about anything, go for an EVO or STi. STi if you ask me, as it's more comfortable, and better to drive day to day. EVO has better performance, but that'll cost you; not in price, but in sacrifices. __________________ It's pronounced "Eye-Guh-Boe-Jay"

May 09, 2005, 9:54 PM	#7
Mopar68 The anti-hippie Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Westfield, New Jersey Posts: 7,488	Actually, I don't think you should be worried about the way a RWD car handles in the snow. I read an article that in this day and age, it's much easier to drive a RWD car in the snow. Get a good set of snow tires and you should be pretty safe. Don't go crazy though. So, for that amoutn of money, I'd say you should get something along the lines of a 350Z. Very pretty car, and pretty fast. __________________ "....give it everything you've got cause it'll throw you back more than you could ever imagine." -WP

May 09, 2005, 11:07 PM	#9
lamborghini freak Experienced Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: USA Posts: 530	driven both STI and evo STI < evo ( STI accels faster, evo hadles better but not by a whole lot) __________________ GT.500 Last edited by lamborghini freak : May 09, 2005 at 11:17 PM.

May 09, 2005, 7:15 PM	#2
jonny_gsx Enthusiast Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: norcal-Bay Area Posts: 1,905	A4/S4 if you are more intrested in a comfortable day to day driver. If you're more perfromance oriented, go with the EVO, its the best performing car out of all the ones u listed. Mopar68, cover your eyes, this could very well become the 4,789,678th evo vs sti thread...

May 09, 2005, 7:16 PM	#3
nivlek Enthusiast Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: toronto Posts: 1,964	Wow, theres that many evo vs STi threads!!!! ...the evo is better... LALALLALA

May 09, 2005, 7:22 PM	#4
fumoffu Starting Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 2	Heh, don't mean to start a war thread here or anything. But, I just saw the Evo MR, and it is sweet. However, Evo IX and 2006 STi are both coming out real soon, will it have an impact if I purchase either cars now?

May 09, 2005, 11:16 PM	#10
Attaus Wheelman Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: The Lone Star State Ride: 2003 330Ci Posts: 10,546	Through many heated battles, we have established that: STi - Better for straight line performance Evo - Better handling Although both cars are great in both categories, they each out perform in their own. If I hear any more disputes, I'm gonna' bust a cap. __________________ "Political discussion are like Nyquil." - Rav

May 09, 2005, 11:39 PM	#11
TwinTurboBliss Street King Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Mile high city Posts: 1,596	F40...............Or pick whatever YOU like better. __________________ Blondes are like supra's, over hyped.

May 10, 2005, 4:57 AM	#12
jimkk29 SCF Moderator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Athens, Greece Posts: 7,080	The 325xi is the most usable, practical and fun.

May 10, 2005, 5:09 PM	#13
Kirstyn Banned Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Just Outside Reality Posts: 7,101	I don't think RWD will be too bad in the snow. When we lived in Chicago, we had a Jag XJR, and fitted it with Pirelli snow tires, and it was just fine in the snow. I'd personally buy a used XK8 Jag. Go test drive a bunch of cars, and pick the one that best suits your needs.

May 11, 2005, 10:05 AM	#15
AMW Starting Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 11	If you can find a used 330xi, that would be the way to go at the max you would want to spend. Otherwise, I would not hesitate on the purchase of the WRX, for I have owned both cars and they both do exactly what you are looking for...

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