What car - AWD, 4 door, manual Edition

A buddy just sold his 2005 Saabaru 9-2X aero.

He's looking for a replacement. Criteria: new car, 4 doors (prefers a hatch/wagon style), AWD, manual transmission, sporty, under $30k. Is there anything else besides a new WRX?

ATS?

Not sure about the manual...

New? An Audi A3 is the first that comes to mind but I don't think can you get the AWD with the manual. If he's willing to go over 30 large there is a Golf R waiting for him. On the tamer end, the is always the Acura TSX Wagon

Speed6 if you can find one albeit no wagon.

Legacy GT is also fun and can be had in full wagon.

Ummmmmmmm kinda slim pickings outside the Subaru realm.

What? No one has mentioned a Subie? That fits the thread title perfectly.

^Subaru doesn't actually sell regular Legacy wagons anymore, only the oddball aardvark-lookin' behemoth Outback. Last year for wagon/GT 5MT was '05, the normally aspirated wagon was axed in '07.

In reply to Mmadness:

Looking at Audi's website, they don't list the A3 as an available model in the US and the cheapest thing is the A4 sedan at $32.5k (MSRP). He won't go over $30k because he can get a new WRX for under $30k.

carguy123 wrote: What? No one has mentioned a Subie? That fits the thread title perfectly.

Fall back position is WRX. Looking for alternatives...

pinchvalve wrote: Not sure about the manual...

Cheapest new BMW awd is $34.5k, cheapest awd wagon is $42.5k (MSRP). Don't meet his criteria.

I couldn't think of anything that fit the criteria other than his default replacement WRX. That's why I'm posing the question here. Hoping you folks can come up with something I didn't think of.

Please don't take my rebuttals as mean-spirited, I'm just going with the facts and no extra smart alec comments because I don't want to offend anyone. I've been told my sense of humor doesn't necessarily translate well if you don't know me...

Does it have to be NEW? Sounds like it. Slim pickings indeed, then.

Criteria: new car...

Along with everything else, I've got nothing other than Subarus... Hell, can you get a WRX for under $30k?

Wait... Might be able to squeeze a MINI Countryman under that price... Although those lean towards the SUV side of the equation.

If he can live with both the seats and the rather splendid dual-clutch manumatic, he might want to look at a Lancer Ralliart.

Knurled wrote: ATS?

Cheapest AWD version is $37.8k (MSRP) on the Caddy website, so it's out. Although I should suggest it just to get a dig in that he's gettin' old.

SlickDizzy wrote: Does it have to be NEW? Sounds like it. Slim pickings indeed, then.

Yep. His quote "If I wanted a used car I would just keep my Saab."

BoxheadTim wrote: If he can live with both the seats and the rather splendid dual-clutch manumatic, he might want to look at a Lancer Ralliart.

I'll toss that one his way, but anticipate that he will automatically ignore it due to the dual-clutch transmission. I'd consider it (I really want to try a car with a good DCT). I didn't realize Mitsu had a turbo version below the EVO.

Ian F wrote: Criteria: new car... Along with everything else, I've got nothing other than Subarus... Hell, can you get a WRX for under $30k? Wait... Might be able to squeeze a MINI Countryman under that price... Although those lean towards the SUV side of the equation.

He's found several new WRX's listed for $27-$28k.

Don't think he'll be into the MINI, too much like a Mommobile or SUV, but if it can be had with the turbo motor I'll pass it along.

/runs off to check/...turbo awd $27.3k (MSRP)

Secretariata wrote:

BoxheadTim wrote: If he can live with both the seats and the rather splendid dual-clutch manumatic, he might want to look at a Lancer Ralliart.

I'll toss that one his way, but anticipate that he will automatically ignore it due to the dual-clutch transmission. I'd consider it (I really want to try a car with a good DCT). I didn't realize Mitsu had a turbo version below the EVO.

It's basically the Evo's little brother - it does have a detuned engine, very similar drivetrain without the flares, the expensive suspension components and the big Brembos.

We drove one before we ended up with the Evo, if it hadn't been for the seats that both my wife and I didn't get along with - they gave us both an instant back ache - it certainly would have been a contender.

I would however not recommend driving one and an Evo back to back, because at that point the Ralliart is an also ran .

In reply to pinchvalve:

I have two friends each with an E36 3-series AWD wagon w/5-speed, so they're out there.

Are you saying that the only manual transmission you can get in a Subie is on the WRX?

And no where does it say it has to be a wagon, just 4 doors.

New, as in brand-spanking new never owned straight off of the dealers lot, or pretty new, less than 20-30K miles sold in the last few years?

If the latter, the T5 version of the S40 could be had in AWD with a 6 speed, I've had a bit of lust for one of them. 2012 is the newest S40 you'll find though.

Also S60(R) & V70R are AWD manual options. I think I've seen either the V40 or V50 with in AWD manual too.

• Lee

they still sell lancer ralliarts? That is a worse alternative to a WRX.

TBH if he liked that saabaru he should just get the subaru wrx.

Legacy GT is also fun and can be had in full wagon.

not new and sporty though with a manual. They only sell the H6 now and it's auto only.

Volvo T6 wagon i think is awd and manual, probably > $30k

Saab 9-3 Aero if he doesn't want brand new had awd, manual, and turbo V6. Can be had for DIRT cheap

carguy123 wrote: Are you saying that the only manual transmission you can get in a Subie is on the WRX? And no where does it say it has to be a wagon, just 4 doors.

Not saying the only manual Subaru is a WRX, just that is what he is considering and looking for alternatives to.

bigdaddylee82 wrote: New, as in brand-spanking new never owned straight off of the dealers lot, or pretty new, less than 20-30K miles sold in the last few years? If the latter, the T5 version of the S40 could be had in AWD with a 6 speed, I've had a bit of lust for one of them. 2012 is the newest S40 you'll find though. Also S60(R) & V70R are AWD manual options. I think I've seen either the V40 or V50 with in AWD manual too. - Lee

Brand spanking new is the requirement.

Base S60 with AWD is $33.9k (MSRP) so it's probably out.