The Miata is the RWD answer because: fun drivers car, great handling, cheap, fairly reliable.
Thought experiment: Using the same criteria, what's the AWD anwswer?
I need something that will do snowy mountain roads in Colorado with 4-5" of snow. I'd like something that's way more fun than my Cherokee. ..An affordable handling beast, that can deal with the occasional snowstorm on a steep road.
Is there such an animal?
Subaru RS. Like the one for sale on this board.
You mention mountains, so a NA four cylinder wont be enough gusto. WRX is solution.
In reply to TGMF:
WRX is anything but cheap around here. But this is largely location-dependant.
Keith Tanner wrote: Subaru RS. Like the one for sale on this board.
Exactly, you should definitely buy that one. 
Someone from Denver saw my ad and said it was a $7500 car there. I haven't had much interest at $5500 here (Ohio).
EvanB wrote:Keith Tanner wrote: Subaru RS. Like the one for sale on this board.Exactly, you should definitely buy that one.
Nice looking car! Colorado = high prices for Subarus
TGMF wrote: You mention mountains, so a NA four cylinder wont be enough gusto. WRX is solution.
What about E30 325xi? How much does the AWD + ride height hurt the handling?
EvanB wrote:Keith Tanner wrote: Subaru RS. Like the one for sale on this board.Exactly, you should definitely buy that one.
I am trying not to look at your ad. It is pushing my buttons, but I'd have to unload a bunch of cars to make room. I drove one of those cars when it was new and loved it.
LuxInterior wrote:TGMF wrote: You mention mountains, so a NA four cylinder wont be enough gusto. WRX is solution.What about E30 325xi? How much does the AWD + ride height hurt the handling?
They're all over CO. I'm not sure they tick the "fairly reliable" box. Parts availability may be a concern.
If you can't find an RS that's not in Ohio, the first-gen Legacy GT has the same powertrain in a bigger body and is less likely to have been in a McRae re-enactment. Put a bigger rear sway from an Outback on it and they're fun. My parents drove one for years.
What has 8 cylinders, 4 wheel drive, manual transmission, 4 seats, is cheap, reliable, fun to drive, and abundant?
Two Miatas.
Keith Tanner wrote:LuxInterior wrote:They're all over CO. I'm not sure they tick the "fairly reliable" box. Parts availability may be a concern. If you can't find an RS that's not in Ohio, the first-gen Legacy GT has the same powertrain in a bigger body and is less likely to have been in a McRae re-enactment. Put a bigger rear sway from an Outback on it and they're fun. My parents drove one for years.TGMF wrote: You mention mountains, so a NA four cylinder wont be enough gusto. WRX is solution.What about E30 325xi? How much does the AWD + ride height hurt the handling?
Good to know. I've driven a couple of Bug eye Imprezas at cheap-o lots. I'd describe the handling as "Fairly Soggy". But , I haven't driven a first gen with with fresh ball joints, bushings, & a bigger rear sway.
They've got a different feel. They're not sharp and pointy, they're long travel and the suspension wants to move. I didn't understand ours until I took it for a long trip on two-lane roads. They should work well on Colorado roads. The sway lets it rotate nicely.
WRX or if you want more ground clearance Outback.
If you like hunting Unicorns - 05-up Outback XT with a manual.
Forester XT's with a manual are nice but the owner's (and buyer's) of them seem to think they are made of the tears of Angels.
Early bugeye WRX sedan's came with a 20 mm sway bar that really wakes up the rear end.
LuxInterior wrote: What about E30 325xi? How much does the AWD + ride height hurt the handling?
The e30 was a 325ix, it was the later cars that were named 325xi. They have more oversteer when compared to a two wheel drive e30, but otherwise drive and handle very good. I've had several of them and they are great in the snow.
The one problem is the front driveshaft doesn't engage very far into the transfer case, so there's a possibility of the splines stripping (I've had three cars, only one has had the problem.) It can be solved by shimming the driveshaft mount, or by using a guibo from a newer 3 series that's thicker.
LuxInterior wrote:Keith Tanner wrote: If you can't find an RS that's not in Ohio, the first-gen Legacy GT has the same powertrain in a bigger body and is less likely to have been in a McRae re-enactment. Put a bigger rear sway from an Outback on it and they're fun. My parents drove one for years.Good to know. I've driven a couple of Bug eye Imprezas at cheap-o lots. I'd describe the handling as "Fairly Soggy". But , I haven't driven a first gen with with fresh ball joints, bushings, & a bigger rear sway.
I definitely like the handling of the GC Impreza RS better than the bugeye wagon I had.
Keith Tanner wrote:EvanB wrote:I am trying not to look at your ad. It is pushing my buttons, but I'd have to unload a bunch of cars to make room. I drove one of those cars when it was new and loved it.Keith Tanner wrote: Subaru RS. Like the one for sale on this board.Exactly, you should definitely buy that one.
If you unload the Cadillac that should make plenty of room. 
NGTD wrote: Forester XT's with a manual are nice but the owner's (and buyer's) of them seem to think they are made of the tears of Angels.
We're not that bad. They are great all-purpose cars, though.
Forced induction is very nice at high altitudes. I'd look for a clean WRX somewhere in the country that doesn't value them as much as they do in CO, and fly in--- drive home.
Brett_Murphy wrote:NGTD wrote: Forester XT's with a manual are nice but the owner's (and buyer's) of them seem to think they are made of the tears of Angels.We're not that bad. They are great all-purpose cars, though.
The prices they are advertised for are unreal.
AWD answer = Subaru. Sorry for the high prices though.
What about MazdaSpeed 6??
I've been flogging a 1999 outback that is quite fun, though it will be more so after I swap a 6 cylinder in, with a 2 speed transfer case.
Also to add to the mix, Audi Allroad with the 2.7t engine, though pricey for upgrading, they can be had for somewhat cheap.
If not a wagon, Celica Altrac or Galant VR-4, both rare, but quite quick.
This looks like it could be a clean, unmolested low-ish mileage AWD Talon. These were very good handling cars out of the box with a good suspension design...
I'm pretty sure the grand Cherokee had a full time 4wd transfer case that would probably fit in the XJ. Drop the ride height, stiffen the springs, call it good.
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