Ok kids, I am thinking about replacing my Ford Escape and am not sure what to look at. Here is what I want...
Must seat 4 Must carry a Goalie Equipment bag Competitive Autocrosser Daily driver reliable
Price should be $8000 or less.
I like the Sabb 9-3, also considered a Cobalt SS and Saturn Ion
Any thoughts guys??
Test drive the Cobalt. A lot of vehicle for the money. Saab will not be competitive. I don't like FWD. Uggh.
Might be too old, but take a look at an E30. Awesome vehicle, I have no problem getting a huge defensemans bag into the trunk. You'd have to put leg pads in the back seat, but no biggy.
Miata. Doesn't seat 4. But Ratghia fits his goalie equipment in it.
Also, 318ti. I remember when we looked at one many moons ago, we brought along two hockey bags and it passed the test.
mtn wrote: Miata. Doesn't seat 4. But Ratghia fits his goalie equipment in it.
Unfortunately, I cant get Ratghia and his kid brother into a Miata with me.. LOL I wish I could, the Miata would be my only choice.
2 Miatas as pontoons for a P71, with an E30 on the tow bars
The answer to everything GRM
If I could afford a second car Miata would be the choice. I can only have 1 for now.
WRX or Impreza?
My mom has a 2004 2.5rs and its trunk is huge, if you need more you can get it as a wagon. I can fit in the rear seat (I am 6'2") and would only be uncomfortable on a long trip. Also AWD winter capability is a monster plus.
E36. For that price you can pick up an M3 with a few needs or a 328i with plenty of money to mod it for STS or DSP, both of which it will do well in. They are great cars to drive, lots and lots of parts support and knowledge, easy to work on. The trunks are bigger than you'd think.
Sonic wrote: a 328i with plenty of money to mod it for STS or DSP, both of which it will do well in.
You probably meant STX for the 328i.
How about a big block caddy? They meet the requirements.
Andrew
I would look for a Rx-8 or a Mk4 GTI, but you already knew that. You could also get another of what you traded in to get the Escape.
328IS would kinda rock....
Golf GTi.
2000-2005 Celica GTS
RSX Type S
Cherry clean Integra GSR
E36 328is
B3 Audi S4
Four 1g MX6 GTs (HUGE TRUNK)
Omni GLH 
The answer is '58 Pontiac.
Turbo Brick!
I drove a 2002 Audi S4 today with the boys. 90,000 mi and in very nice shape! What an awesome car. Even with an automatic it was a ball to drive! Anyone have any thoughts on these cars?
Do you like chasing electrical gremlins? Do you like high maintenance cars? Do you like having to remove the entire front end of a car including core support, bumpers, etc to do the timing belt? Not to mention that the front end has something like 6 ball joints per side.
It's a shame S4 suck so badly in so many ways, as I really like them in so many ways - fast, comfortable, AWD. I'd love to have an S4 Avant for a daily, but I don't want to deal with the reliability and maintenance issues, and this is coming from someone with a Land Rover.
Mazda 6 wagon with the V6 and 5 speed manual trans.
Miata with a tow hitch and a Harbor Freight tire trailer.
Could you get the 6 wagon with a v6/manual? i LOVE the styling on those bad boys.
The powetrain is decent, too. Not fast, but fast enough to make some moves in traffic and dust off posers.
Adding the "competitive in autocross" caveat sorta fouls the 6 AND my next suggestion, 2003 3.5L Maxima.
Focus ZX5.
In reply to Vigo:
The 6 wagon only came in V6. And now that I think about it, a disproportionate number of the ones I've seen have been manuals. Might take a bit of looking, but that would probably be an excellent choice. I really like my 4 cylinder 6 sedan.
Thanks for the wave off on the S4. I have a friend here at work that has one as well. Says its an awesone caar, but he cant afford to fix it when it breaks. I think I have setteled on an '03 Cooper S. I think it will do everything I need it to do and be fun to drive to boot!
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