Well, first some good news. I got a job! (Wooooooooooo!!!) Anyways, that changes the car situation a bit as A: I know have income again, and 2: I will need to commute 80 miles round trip 2-3 times a week. So, big V8's aren't going to work (and neither will the Meotter. Suit + Miata = Fired).
Better half commented on how I should probably stick with 4-doors since we're going to have kids soon (18 months or so), and we borrowed a Forrester and she commented on how the hatch was neat, but it was slow (N/A).
So, I'm thinking 02-03 WRX wagon 5-Speed. Fits all the requirements, and meets my new budget of around $8000. Any others? Prefer a turbo and a stick.
Saab 9-3
Saab 9-5
Forester Turbo
Mazda 6 hatch/wagon
Mazdaspeed 3
9-3/9-5 could be interesting, I'll look into those. Mazda 6 and MS3 are still well outside my price range. Sorry, but only old turbobrick's do it for me.
I think the Scooby has everything I want at my price range. Now, where's that GRM article...
Scooby is what you need for sure. I got mine for $7500 with only 74k on the clock. They are comfortable, powerful, and not too flashy. If you want to look even more refined you can look for a Legacy GT although I was having a hard time finding them in that price range.
Plus, if you want to take a trip off the beaten path it will serve you well.
kbb.com tells me something like an '04 6 Wagon with just under 100k miles in excellent condition should be at the top of your $8k budget.
Of course, the blue book and reality can be quite divergent. And really I don't even like the 3 but I know it gets a lot of attention.
http://portland.craigslist.org/wsc/ctd/1881167010.html
The mileage is a little high but looks to be in decent shape.
After doing some searching it appears that Scoobys are more expensive in your area but still worth it IMO.
Yeah, folks up here in the PNW love their Subarus, and it reflects in the prices of used ones. As the owner of an '05 Saabaru 9-2x Aero myself (well, wife's car), I was going to recommend one as well. Reliable as a Subaru, but with a few nifty features like a quicker steering rack and a slightly nicer interior.
If your thinking about having kids, you might want to beg, borrow or steal an infant seat to see if it will work with any car you purchase. They take up a LOT of space when they are rear facing. I spent a month one night in the back of an Impreza, and I doubt I could get comfortable in the front seat knowing how much room my little one takes up in the back seat.
Will a used Mazda Speed 3 fit in the budget? Has a four doors, a manual, and a turbo.
My wife has a non-Speed 3, manual and she loves it. Even the non-Speed is a fun car to drive.
Mazdaspeed3 won't fit that budget. I drove a regular 3 before buying my WRX and while it was decent it just didn't feel right. I like doors that I can hang my elbow out of comfortably, the doors on the 3 were just too high, I felt too enclosed by the car. Not to mention the power difference between the two. The 3 just doesn't compare to a turbo.
barnca
Reader
8/7/10 9:27 p.m.
there is a nice lookin black hatchback for sale down the street from my parents.. i can get you some pics if you want.. its in NH.. dunno if that is a deal breaker.. i am pretty sure the price on it was 8500.
Did you mean to say miata plus suit equals fried? Does it lack a/c?
In reply to octavious:
Only Mazda3 hatch you're going to get for less than $8K will either be beat to hell or wrecked.
How about a BMW 3- or 5-series wagon? Since this seems to be a job that expect some sort of "professionalism," it would fit right in with the suit-and-tie set but still be entertaining. Problem is finding a 5-speed wagon, since the wagons themselves are rare enough. I found this E46 wagon 75 miles from your house. If you're willing to make the trip it might be worth a look.
BMW 323i wagon on AutoTrader
WRX wagons are truly one of the best DDs ever made. The mileage isn't great (mine does 20/25 making about 280hp), but about even with the Crown Vic's, so there you go.
I will say though, I wouldn't want to put car seats in the back.
possibly consider audi's? I don't know if they are any better than volkswagens for reliability, but they have turbo, all wheel drive and/or wagons in your price range. including a few S series. ( I was lurking them on autotrader tonight.) shame on me.
I would third the saabaru. Most of them seem to be CHEAPER than the WRX they are built on because the fanbois do not know about them. Also means they are less beat on
A Passat or Jetta TDI Wagon? Or perhaps a 4 door golf. Either way you can't go wrong.
318ti?
As for the Mazda6, it does seem the wagons and hatches don't jibe with the blue book, at least where I am (SW Ohio). I'm guessing its because there's not that many of them out there, and the people looking for them really want them. If you can find a 6 wagon, there's a decent chance its got a 5 speed stick. A lot of the ones I've seen do.
BTW - Is your commute via the Highway? Your namesake car, or just a regular vic or marquis shouldn't have trouble getting 24-25 on the highway.
The suit + Miata thing means have you ever driven 40-50 miles in a rollbar equipped Miata in a suit? It gets wrinkled to all heck, even with A/C. I'd look like hell walking into the office. It's just not big enough. Moot point anyways as the other half never lets me drive it anyways 
I have put car seats in small cars (1G Forrester, 00 Civic, 87 Accord) and they fit fine if you buy the right seat. Too many people buy seats the size of normal Recaros and wonder why they won't fit. A WRX wagon is going to be way better than an SN95 Mustang...
The P71 would probably be fine, but I have automotive ADD and this is the longest/most miles I've ever owned a car. I almost find myself making excuses to get rid of it for the next thing. My commute will be 70/30 highway/town and we could actually use a hatch (we used the RX-7 to haul stuff all of the time, it was great!). The Grand Prix has a massive trunk like the P71, so we won't lose anything there.
What issue of GRM has the WRX buyer's guide?
The Crown Vic/Grand Marq is a dandy road car, and hard to beat for comfort.
But the best I've found that combines stealth, power, utility and comfort would be something on the order of the old turbobrick.
