The AWD Matrix/Vibe is a REALLY good idea for someone that will make due with a slushbox.
The AWD Matrix/Vibe is a REALLY good idea for someone that will make due with a slushbox.
HiTempguy wrote: The AWD Matrix/Vibe is a REALLY good idea for someone that will make due with a slushbox.
Yup... gotta be a manual. Primarily because my wife demands it, and also because I run transmission repair shops.
curtis73 wrote: Yup... gotta be a manual. Primarily because my wife demands it, and also because I run transmission repair shops.
I know I know, and in which case, you REALLY are looking at a Subaru.
In all honesty though, I knocked down a continuous 22usmpg city/27usmpg highway with a 2.5RS. If you get a GC8 model, the 400 less pounds really shows mpg wise. Especially since you want a stick, the 2.2L will do fine.
how about the two Hyundai SUVs.. the Tuscan and the Santa Fe. Neither are overly large, they are fairly reliable.. and the Hyundai name makes sure that used models are cheap
mad_machine wrote: how about the two Hyundai SUVs.. the Tuscan and the Santa Fe. Neither are overly large, they are fairly reliable.. and the Hyundai name makes sure that used models are cheap
I actually just spent about 200 miles in a 2008 Santa Fe this past weekend.
At 70 mph on perfectly flat roads, the 4cyl couldn't keep up and constantly shifted in and out of OD. There is an "eco" light that comes on the dash when you are driving conservatively. Its basically a "downhill" light since it never illuminates unless you are at 10% throttle or less. After 30 miles I wanted to jab my pocket knife through that light.
The bluetooth radio seems to be a nice addition... if it was able to synch with your bluetooth device before you get out of the car at the grocery store. It took up to 3 miles before it would synch with my phone.
And, since I borrowed it to go on a date, I must say that there is NO REASON why the seats can't recline farther. Seriously.
The world's nicest Galant VR4?
Stay away from Haldex setups. You don't want any of the part time "we'll engage the other set of wheels when we think you need it" drivetrains. I'd tell you to go with a GTX but that's a codependent abusive relationship in the making, and the AWD Mazda Proteges, all 12 of them (and I have 2 of those), are getting hard to find and are kinda long in the tooth as well. Hard to go wrong with a 2.5RS or a wrx. Very likely these are your best bets. But just to muddy the waters, the last time a thread came up here about what manner of awd car to get for a wife, someone suggested Jag Xtype, and after doing some research we went shopping and found an '02 for a bit less than 8k. It's pretty much a dressed up Ford Mondeo with a rear lsd and a viscous centerdiff and she looooooooves it. We haven't really had much in the way of trouble with it, no odd electrical issues, just a obd code about a small evap leak I can't find. As on any awd car, crawl under it and look for play in the output shafts, 'specially the rear.
DaewooOfDeath wrote: The world's nicest Galant VR4?
This.
Or the world's nicest Celica AllTrac?
I mean... don't you want to see how fast you can get up a 400ft icy driveway?
What about one of the EVO's? I've never been a big fan, but fun power, AWD... thoughts?
I'm also learning a lot from this thread... I never knew the Galant VR4 was AWD... I just thought it was a sporty version.
What are some other AWD cars I might not be thinking of?
A Galant VR-4 is an Eclipse GSX for grown ups. Problem is, it's twenty years old.
In reply to Jay_W:
And those Xtypes do come with manual trans. I just walked by one a few minutes ago. I would consider one of these.
4g63t wrote: A Galant VR-4 is an Eclipse GSX for grown ups. Problem is, it's twenty years old.
No offense, but Eww. I'm pretty picky about my Mitsus. Timing belts, pulleys, tensioners... not my favorite engine family.
curtis73 wrote: What about one of the EVO's? I've never been a big fan, but fun power, AWD... thoughts?
Not a chance for under $7500.
Another vote for Subaru. Mine was $400 and is as nice as you would expect from that number, but hasn't died yet!
If AWD really is the answer here, it is hard to go wrong with a CRV. For a nice to drive, fairly economical, AWD appliance that will never have a problem, it really does excel, and once in a while you can find a 5spd version.
Jay_W wrote: Stay away from Haldex setups. You don't want any of the part time "we'll engage the other set of wheels when we think you need it" drivetrains. I'd tell you to go with a GTX but that's a codependent abusive relationship in the making,
Ummmm... define Haldex. I agree that I don't want the car making decisions for me (especially if it involves sensors and computers), but I'm not sure what Haldex is.
Hard to go wrong with a 2.5RS or a wrx. Very likely these are your best bets. But just to muddy the waters, the last time a thread came up here about what manner of awd car to get for a wife, someone suggested Jag Xtype, and after doing some research we went shopping and found an '02 for a bit less than 8k. It's pretty much a dressed up Ford Mondeo with a rear lsd and a viscous centerdiff and she *looooooooves* it. We haven't really had much in the way of trouble with it, no odd electrical issues, just a obd code about a small evap leak I can't find. As on any awd car, crawl under it and look for play in the output shafts, 'specially the rear.
Tell me more about this Xtype. I basically wrote off Jag during the Ford years. Any issues after Tata/Marcopolo/Daewoo took over in 08-09?
Any of the diesels make it to the US? Diesel 6-speed manual Jag sounds almost not frighteningly terrible. Actually, it still sounds scary as hell, but I'm willing to listen to debate on the topic
I am extremely attracted to the xtype. extremely. looks a bit like a little Lincoln LS imo.
and what about a bmw ix car? 325ix? etc?
corytate wrote: I am extremely attracted to the xtype. extremely. looks a bit like a little Lincoln LS imo. and what about a bmw ix car? 325ix? etc?
One of my first thoughts was an iX, but searching for one that isn't a pile of wasted rust is frustrating. While I know that a 91 iX is a great car, trying to get my wife to believe that something with 200k on the ticker is a "good" car is a tough road.
Don't get me wrong... she trusts me on car choices implicitly, but I don't get laid with a 20-year-old rusty Bimmer. If I get her a diesel 6-speed AWD Jag, I get laid three times a day for a week.
It boils down to something that excites her AND fits my reliability/cost of maintenance requirements. Trust me... if I had my way, she'd be driving an 82 Blazer, but I wouldn't get laid ever again.
Not really, just using that as dramatic emphasis. I just want to provide my girl with a really kick-ass car that makes her happy, and at the same time get her a car that isn't a money pit waste of my time.
After almost 20 years of knowing her, I can safely say its love. She deserves to blindly benefit from my ability to choose cars that suit her since she isn't knowledgeable about them.
how about an E46 323 or 325 Xi?
mad_machine wrote: how about an E46 323 or 325 Xi?
Has it been that long that I can get an E46 for under $7500? I'm gettin old.
Yes. Last year we bought my mom a 2002 325xiT, 5 spd, 140k, decent shape, $6k. It needed nothing, and since then we have just done maintenance. Nice car.
around here you can. You rarely even see E46s anymore. People dumped them as soon as the E9x came came out.
I don't think xtype lasted to 08-09, but I have heard tell that as of the tata takeover, Jag reliability is right up at the tippytop of the scale, which I find incredible. My bride's car had right near 100k on it, manual trans, and is just a nice comfy place to chew up miles in and will go uphill in Seattle snow.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haldex_Traction --- the newer versions are prolly better than the older ones. but I bet the newer versions of haldex are not in cars that can be had for 7 grand.
I have a buddy who runs a shop who just loves haldex equipped cars, calling them extreme moneymakers.
Ok, so far in the small-ish AWD manual category we have: (narrowed down to ones I actually like 
)
What else should I consider?
Mazdaspeed 6? Probably still out of the price range, though.
I have heard that a huge downside of the Haldex setups is the fact if you drive on your tires for a while and then damage one beyond repair, you have to buy 4 new tires instead of 1-2, since you'll kill the Haldex if the tires are different diameters.
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