Nothing with 7k
All the Jaguar X-type are awd and some are manual trans. https://sacramento.craigslist.org/ctd/5403569389.html
Not just grown up but this even has a hood ornament!
I know internet lore says anything with a VW group badge on the nose is a ticking time bomb, but I know lot's of people who run them (R32, PAssat, Jetta, A4, TT) and they are all totally reliable. the owners range from the take it to the quickie oil change place once a year to completely anal car geeks. B5 Passats and A4s need front control arms periodically and I don't believe there is a Mark IV R32 with a working gas guage left on the planet, but other than that they just keep running for ever.
I'd be all over an A4 for your money if you can't stretch to an R32 with no qualms.
On more non VAG if you can find one. A Saabaru 92x Aero. A WRX wagon all cleaned up for prom night.
Legacy GT spec B (unicorn), VW R32, WRX Premium (WRX minus wing and usually in a subdued color), Forester XT, Audi S4/6, Volvo Rs
So there are a few.
SaaBARU is the winner here. That was a good looking car with motivation.
I don't like the idea of autocrossing a Mazdaspeed6. That's the only thing holding back my recommendation (and I drive one as a DD).
I know several people in the Mazdaspeed community that do and they swear by them. The Cobb AP now has launch control for the MS6 but I'm afraid to try it. I'm afraid of my center diff tossing it's bearing caps. Now, if you want to do open track days, I'd say have at it. Mine see's 5-6 of those a year and I've had zero problems.
Just load it up with Corksport goodies and go have fun. The MS6 is invisible to the police as well. No big wings or turbo scoops, just clean sedan lines IMO.
It has been a super winter car as well...
When I was shopping STI's and WRX's, I found that this was more than half the price of those cars.
Mine is just a "sport" MS6 and I'd say it has a super nice OEM cloth interior. No need to find leather, unless it's just the deal you come across.
JohnRW1621 wrote: All the Jaguar X-type are awd and some are manual trans. https://sacramento.craigslist.org/ctd/5403569389.html Not just grown up but this even has a hood ornament!
I test drove a 5 speed AWD Jaguar V6 when they were new. When I walked into the dealership and asked if they had one with a 5 speed, the manager ran out, handed me the keys to one in British Racing Green and told me to take it for the day. Even before the test drive, he made it clear that I could probably have it for more than five grand off MSRP. I'm pretty sure that I could have even gotten a handjob out of the deal if I had asked.
The only problem was that I really didn't like driving that car at all. The interior was beautiful, but there was noting special about the way it drove and I remember hating the pedals.
I bought a 2004 WRX a few days later. Great car that I loved for 125k miles but at that point, I just had a huge feeling that it was about to get crazy expensive to keep. I'd love to have another (low miles and unmodified), but Subarus' propensity to rust scares me off.
I second the Saabaru. Or, alternatively, find an STI and strip away all of its boyracerness. I met a guy in the parking lot of an Autozone that did this. He told me that the STI attracts too much attention and he bought it for legitimate AWD DD purposes so he swapped out all the WRIX STI cladding for standard Impreza stuff. Looked good and was a definite sleeper.
You could take advantage of the strong US dollar:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mazda-Mazda6-Speed-6-/221993401238?forcerrptr=true&hash=item33afd67b96:g:zWoAAOSw5dNWlWyT&item=221993401238
fornetti14 wrote: I don't like the idea of autocrossing a Mazdaspeed6. That's the only thing holding back my recommendation (and I drive one as a DD).
I'm curious about the reason for not wanting to Auto-X it? Is it not well suited to that, or is it not competitive?
fornetti14 wrote: I know several people in the Mazdaspeed community that do and they swear by them. The Cobb AP now has launch control for the MS6 but I'm afraid to try it. I'm afraid of my center diff tossing it's bearing caps. Now, if you want to do open track days, I'd say have at it. Mine see's 5-6 of those a year and I've had zero problems. Just load it up with Corksport goodies and go have fun. The MS6 is invisible to the police as well. No big wings or turbo scoops, just clean sedan lines IMO.
That's one reason I like the idea of one, but not knowing anybody who owns one of them, didn't know how well they'd work in the real world.
Find a 3.0L 6 spd audi a4. That combination is fairly stout and reliable, while being silky smooth and the torque is wonderful. That being said it makes for a thirsty partner, expect 19mpg. And rubber won't be cheap and you'll need it every 25k or so. But each of those issues you'll have with an STI or Evo. I still say V50 T5 AWD 6 spd. You'd be a call to viva performance away from a precious Gen focus RS only with a haldex unit opposed to a revoknuckle. Most of the options being given, sans R32, are MUCH larger chassis that are much softer than the sti/evo. The V50 is not.
I feel like my 328xi suggestion is being overlooked. You could get one for under $10k and then stop off at the Turner Motorsport site for just about anything. Granted you're not going to make huge power with it like you would with a 335, but I bet it will be much more reliable.
The other thing is that guaranteed a 328xi has never been seriously modified or abused like a WRX/EVO or even 335.
captdownshift wrote: In reply to Harvey: Turner can make the handling absolutely incredible.
You can dump some serious money into that E90 chassis.
http://www.turnermotorsport.com/BMW-E90/c-13-bmw-suspension.aspx
THE MS6 is a sneaky fast car. There is one in my building here in NoVA. The only issue that seems to be common with even late model Mazdas is rust. His has it too.
I remember when I demoed a MS6 and got into it I was like "This isn't as fast as I expected it to be Holy E36 M3 I'm doing a 100!"
I seem to recall someone saying on this board that the MS6 rear driveshaft is problematic and not serviceable and very expensive as well.
The MS6, like the MS3, also sometimes tosses a rod through the block with no warning. It's not common, but it's certainly not unheard of.
In reply to fornetti14:
The wife and I test drove one a while back that had lots of blowby and a rattly timing chain, is that common?
What are the chances that this one has a worn/failing timing chain tensioner? (NMNA):
http://www.tremontcarconnection.net/2006_Mazda_MAZDASPEED6_Tremont_IL_193938.veh
I was looking at it thinking about snagging it for a fix and flip, but there's no profit margin. At least that I can see.
Look for a 2007 Mazdaspeed6, or a 2006 that has had the timing chain tensioner TSB performed. If a compression check looks good, buy it, and immediately change the oil to Rotella T6. It'll be an awesome car.
I had a 2006 for 7 years, and it never left me stranded. I had the timing chain TSB performed at 69,900 miles (Mazda extended the warranty to 70,000 miles). Other than replacing the thermostat, and two front lower control arms, there were no issues with the car that weren't caused by me.
They sound great with a Magnaflow exhaust, and a tune really changes the character of the car.
Allroad in your area. 6 speed. $4500
Grown up car with some serious hoonage potential when you want it. Hands down best car I've ever driven in snow/ice/crap.
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