E36 M3.. No... a real one! Usually not ragged out like the 5spds and really great drivers. Good rear seat room and a real trunk. Not slow and I have even driven one on track that was fun. My M3/4/5 has been the best blend of sport/fun/track/commuter car I've had.
FSP_ZX2 wrote: I test drove a Jetta GLI with DSG...and *really* liked it. And I for one, hate automatics passionately.
Next, drive a Porsche with the PDK. It can read your mind, even on track.
David S. Wallens wrote:FSP_ZX2 wrote: I test drove a Jetta GLI with DSG...and *really* liked it. And I for one, hate automatics passionately.Next, drive a Porsche with the PDK. It can read your mind, even on track.
Zoes kraaazee Germuhns!
My nephew had an automatic WRX that I drove a few times. It wasn't as much fun as my five speed, but it was much better than I had expected.
The back seat is still too small for car seats, though. If you put the kids seat behind the passenger seat, the front seat has to be almost all the way forward.
I know a couple people who had automatic WRXes (the first ones they brought to the US). The auto made a laggy turbo setup even more laggy, it was far from ideal.
Anything turbo. Automatic keeps the turbine spinning and limits lag-at least it did on my RWD Volvos. Which brings me to...
Junkyard_Dog wrote: Anything turbo. Automatic keeps the turbine spinning and limits lag-at least it did on my RWD Volvos. Which brings me to...
With an automatic, the turbo only lags once. It's a good time once you have enough power.
MCarp22 wrote: MR2 Spyder SMT?
This /\
The mr spyder auto is the same trans as the manual elise (c60), just actuated by the computer. People complain about shift speed, but there is a (free i think) mod to speed up shifts. Especially boosted, it might be nice to be able to keep both hands on the wheel, mine (214whp/very light) is a berking handful.
Ctsv is 6mt only.
I second the Jetta. Very fun to thrash too, even the a/t. Also agree wrx rear seat is abysmally small. Lexus IS has huge insurance costs. Higher than a 335 that will blow the doors off it, and higher than an S4. It's odd but true.
Don't forget he said 5 yr old. That means a booster or maybe a forward facing if the little one is exceptionally little. So space isn't that bad of a problem.
That being said a subaru wouldn't be a good value. Prices are wildly inflated for wrxen right now and $12k wouldn't buy as much as from another make. One could get the best e36 m3 auto in the world or a clean e46 m3 smg for the price range being discussed.
We all like to pontificate that only a manual is the 'true driving experience'. We poo poo any auto shifting transmission as junk. How many 'Porsche (BMW, etc.) you're dead to me' posts have we read/written here and elsewhere. Even though only NASCAR still rows their own in the pro set. But I digress.
I have an 09 Saab 9-3 with the steptronic. I love it. Two pedals, two feet. Works well for commuting and spirited back roads (fun on the closed stage roads at Tall Pines). Haven't had it on the track yet, but I think I'll like it there as well. You'll be very happy with a tip, step, or DSG. Don't feel guilty when you love it too.
Now, if you're crazy, I did go to highschool with a guy who broke his left ankle, and for at least a month, drove his manual trans jeep wrangler entirely with his right foot. And no, it didn't have a hand/pto throttle.
Good luck finding one (much less in auto) but would kick major ass and I would let you pass to hear that sweet sound!!!
carbon wrote: This /\ The mr spyder auto is the same trans as the manual elise (c60), just actuated by the computer. People complain about shift speed, but there is a (free i think) mod to speed up shifts. Especially boosted, it might be nice to be able to keep both hands on the wheel, mine (214whp/very light) is a berking handful.
I missed the "functional backseat" part of the requirements.
JtspellS wrote:
the regular 9-3 with the v6 turbo and awd is the same thing pretty much. Lots of those. Pretty much they stopped making this car because that became a regular trim.
this generation of 9-3 i like quite a bit, would consider buying it in the future.
I tracked with an older guy that used a Cooper S with their version of a tip tonic. It was also his daily driver. It was very competitive and he was well into his mid 70s
Thanks, this has been great. Thought I'd collect the batch of suggestions here for folks just joining the discussion:
As one poster observed, a small back seat is fine for my situation-- it's a front facing booster and my wife is on the shorter side. By way of comparison, everyone is comfortable in a 323ci. Four doors would be a bonus and having read a bit about the VW trans moved that one up a list. An old four door e36 m3 might also be a hoot, but I worry a bit about maintenance eating me up. What could I expect w/ either of the M3s?
Helpful to see others comment on relatively high WRX prices. I was surprised when I looked as a wagon was at the top of my list originally, but the comparative bang for the buck just isn't there.
Missing anything at this point? Other creative ideas? Next step will be putting my butt in the seat of a few of these options and see what suits.
Again, thanks.
I seem to be late to the party, but I will have to agree with several of the previous comments. I drove an 2005 Auto WRX of a friend's a good bit and found it uninspiring, it was never where it needed to be as far as the boost curve or the power band when I wanted it to be, it handled well but I was not really impressed. I test drive the GTI with DSG when it first came out just to see what I could see, and was pleasantly surprised with how fun it was. In fact I believe one generation of the Golf R32 or R36 was only available with the DSG giving you another AWD option.
If WRX prices have let you down AND you want an automatic wagon-did the Saab 9-2x ever come with the turbo and the auto? Did they depreciate any differently (more) than the WRXs?
It's a little tragic to me that automated manual development pretty much all went to dual-clutch boxes. I think the automated single clutch manual had plenty of potential for 'normal' cars, given the right programming. The tragedy is lessened as dual clutch boxes move into cheaper and cheaper cars.
I drove my 86 Crx auto a bit 2 days ago. It does have a torque converter but it's closer to an automated manual than most other 4 spds of the 4spd auto era. And it still works fine after 250k. Not a coincidence, imo.
In reply to Junkyard_Dog:
Saab 92x are at least $1000 cheaper than a comparable year and condition wrx. IF you can find one. They did come with auto and turbo as well.
The 4eat responds really well to a shift kit.
What about using the car you already have?
Admittedly, that's in the UK, but I'm sure something can be made to work in teh age of the intarwebs.
Pontiac G8.
You can find a V6 car in the budget, a V8 might be a stretch. Great handling, roomy back seat and 4 doors. They only can in auto other than the unicorn GXP model.
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