Weighing Options for Family DD/occasional Autocross

I'm looking at replacing my 2006 manual trans 3.6L CTS.  The car is used as my commuter and 2nd car for running kids to activities plus occasional autocross events.  My wife also drives the car and will autocross it whenever we can manage to not have a schedule conflict. (So not very often)  I don't mind going older, but she'd really like to have a newer one.  Must be manual trans, must feel sporty enough to want to autocross it, probably looking in the $5k to $8k range, must have 4 doors, rwd preferred, not a gas guzzler.

Currently in my area I have found two potential candidates:

Contestant #1.  2005 Suby Legacy GT, 115k miles, 5spd, 2.5L Turbo 250hp, AWD, 25mpg - $5,000

Contestant #2.  2012 BMW 328i, 152k miles, 6spd, 2.0L Turbo 240hp, RWD, 34mpg - $6,600

Which one would you pick and why?  If you've owned one what can you share about comfort, performance, reliability, cost of ownership?

328i 

I have an '05 LGT wagon and have enjoyed the experience over the last couple of years. While only my second Subaru, it is apparent why they have a cult like following; it has grown on me after I bought it for my wife to drive.

I find the seats very comfortable and the equipment mostly acceptable. Probably the nicest Subaru has ever made but not a luxury car by any means. Updating to a modern stereo and adding a backup camera made a big difference. 

While no supermodel, it is better to live with than the funky looks of many modern cars. I like the sleeper aspect and it keeps me from unwanted attention. 

It isn't suoer great on gas and parts are not the cheapest ever but neither is enough to worry over. Actually more reliable than most other subie models, so kinda like gravity. Being and older car it has needed maintenance and a few upgrades but it is certainly much better than most and the aftermarket is still very active.

Handling isn't fantastic but is still fun to autocross and track for a family car. It will be outclassed at every event if that matters. Power is nice stock since it comes on quickly and has a usable curve. With some mods it is a serious car and even a simple tune makes a nice difference. 

I'll check back and can answer any questions. FWIW, I have zero interest in a bmw like that. I've had an e30 & e36 and the more modern 3 series are not to my taste at all. I definitely hate the downtime of repairs without even getting into the costs...

I think both are good choices. No experience with BMWs so I will defer to people who have.  Leaning more towards the Subie. It won't be competetive in AutoX but still could be fun. At 115K miles check the history as the head gaskets tend to go (weep) around that time on 2.5s. They will need to be addressed if not already done. 

I'd rather have the CTS than either of those!

Dave M said:

I'd rather have the CTS than either of those!

I don't find either option that different from what you already have OP. Go test drive them and see what you think. I'd stick with your CTS. It's the devil you know.

clutchsmoke said:

Dave M said:

I'd rather have the CTS than either of those!

I don't find either option that different from what you already have OP. Go test drive them and see what you think. I'd stick with your CTS. It's the devil you know.

I've  been tempted to do that. For the price differential between what I'll get when I sell the CTS and what I'd pay for another car, I could buy quite a few repair and upgrade parts. I really want to do a hot factory cam swap and install CTS-V sway bars, but with 230k miles on the clock, small annoying problems are starting to creep up that make my wife not want to drive it. 

I echo Clutchsmoke, go test drive both and see. And I too don't find either that different from the CTS. 

Maybe a MazdaSpeed 6 if you can find one or a G35 sedan but most cars are going to have decent amount of mileage at that price level