[1fastdoc]

The M3 is my DD currently and I have my wife's 02 Acura RSX auto (160hp slushbox) for when we have bad weather. Every time I drive that thing a little piece of my soul dies. She drives an Acura MDX, which we use when we go out as a family. I have a 6 year old and sometimes we have others with us.

So my plan was to dump the RSX and pick up a Subaru WRX. I miss rowing gears and want a beater stick. Drove the WRX last week and a couple things surprised me. First, it's not as peppy as I expected. Second, it's pretty bland inside. Third and worst, it's actually smaller inside than my M3 coupe. Seems silly to have a "practical" sedan that is smaller than my fun car.

So now I'm lost. Nashville doesn't get too much bad weather but I want something that can handle anything for the occasional winter storm. I.e. AWD. If the Lexus is350 awd came in a stick I'd be good to go, but it doesn't.

Does anybody have a suggestion? I wonder if the Acura TSX comes in AWD and stick. Audi A4 is another and I think it comes with a stick. But I've known a few people who got burned by their repair bills.

I'll probably pick whatever I decide on from an auction through a friend. If I go beater, cost has to be under 15k. If I go long term DD, then up to 30k.

[amanda hor$t]

seeing some f150 lightnings for ~12k on ebay. there are older 911 non-turbos in that price range also.

[F1Venom]

Toyota 4Runner.

[ZJP]

Jeep Wrangler.

[1fastdoc]

Guess I should have qualified it as a search for a car. Already have an SUV.

[Seminole]

Used A4 or S4 with Quattro and a stick? The S4 will have the V8 and you could always do the APR tune to the 2.0T and give it some decent performance for cheap.

[JasonCSU]

Keep in mind the WRX is very tunable, so it would not be difficult to bump up the power with something like a Cobb Access Port.

[JLed79]

Used 328 or 335xi? The xdrive is bad ass. Youtube it vs all the other heavy hitters awd systems and you'll see. The others don't hold a candle to it. We were about to trade the wifes X3 for a Merc C class, but the 4matic blows compared to the x drive. In upstate NY and with my driveway I actually need and use a great AWD system. In Nasheville maybe you won't. Just a thought. Good luck in your decision.

[ragingclue]

AMC Eagle?

[amanda hor$t]

i also really like the fiat (15k new, poor man's mini cooper). or a used mini cooper. those would probably be my picks for a dd if i needed one.

[silverfishZ4M]

Golf R32 (6 cyl) or Golf R (4 cyl turbo) (both are AWD)
2004 is manual only, choices are leather or cloth seats.
2008 is DSG only (automatic)
2013 is manual only and comes in 2 door or 4 door, basic package or loaded with sunroof/nav/push button start/premium sound.
Can get a new R for at least $2k under invoice and 0.9% through vw credit, they are selling very slow. I saw a brand new 2 door basic package for $28k several months ago.

I personally owned the 2004 R32 and currently the 2013 Golf R, as well as 2005 Impreza 2.5RS. Really loved the 2004 and regret selling it. 2013 is just OK, not a fan of 2.0L turbos but if you're looking at WRX's I guess that doesn't matter to you. The subaru felt very cheap so I wasn't a fan, even as a winter beater.

[b0bab0i]

The E92 M3 is a porker.

[Kroy]

Originally Posted by JasonCSU

Keep in mind the WRX is very tunable, so it would not be difficult to bump up the power with something like a Cobb Access Port.

Yep, was going to chime in with Subaru.

[1fastdoc]

Originally Posted by silverfishZ4M

The subaru felt very cheap so I wasn't a fan, even as a winter beater.

That's the problem. I want fun, practical, nice and a stick. My old 95 Integra GS-R was great and I miss beating on that thing. Going for the A4 seems kind of dumb when I have the M3 but I found an 07 A4 S-line that I may go check out.

[amanda hor$t]

Originally Posted by 1fastdoc

That's the problem. I want fun, practical, nice and a stick. My old 95 Integra GS-R was great and I miss beating on that thing. Going for the A4 seems kind of dumb when I have the M3 but I found an 07 A4 S-line that I may go check out.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/acura...item3382119d53

[silverfishZ4M]

The a4 is a dog. Not fun at all.

[KingOfJericho]

The 2.0T feels lifeless. I get them as loaners when my S4 goes in for service. While I adore the feel of the S4 motor, the A4 is just blah.

[Kwando]

Subaru Forester?

[Deep_Blue]

My neighbor has a Subaru XV Crosstrek. I think its cool looking in its own way. The orange paint is outrageous but thats part of the fun. Looks like a traffic barrel.

[kihun]

I have a honda crv for my commuter/beater its awesome.

[1fastdoc]

Originally Posted by R Grubba Balls

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/acura...item3382119d53

That poor little car has taken a beating.

The one major downside to those was the ridiculous torque steer. If I lived in a climate with no snow or ice I'd get the new BRZ in a heartbeat. Not too keen on having all 3 of my cars be RWD though.

[amanda hor$t]

Originally Posted by 1fastdoc

That poor little car has taken a beating.

The one major downside to those was the ridiculous torque steer. If I lived in a climate with no snow or ice I'd get the new BRZ in a heartbeat. Not too keen on having all 3 of my cars be RWD though.

that car took a hit but the engine's new and his mod selection's pretty good.

i had a 95 gs-r also before the m3 (17" ssr gpo, trust exhaust, akimoto intake, cams/sprockets). overall great car, gets civic mileage when you don't abuse the vtec. if i see a good type-r at a good deal i might bite. and the jdm front bumper is money.