10-11-2006, 12:11 PM | #11 | |
Vicarious Twitterer
Join Date: May 2005
Carmudgeonly Ride: 06 330 cic ZHP
Location: CT
Posts: 7,566
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Quote:
The car continues to impress - we just took it to VT for several days and it was a competent, quiet and comfortable cruiser. The seats held up really nicely (or should I say our backs held up nicely, which for us is a milestone). We got great gas mileage, had plenty of room for crafts and antiques (60 plus cubic feet) and good ground clearance for those VT dirt back roads. For a high vehicle, it handles well, too ( relatively speaking, of course). A clean Outback wagon with under 20k on the clock should be obtainable in the high teens - heck, I bought ours for 22k new out the door. A better car for NYC roads and your circumstances would be hard to imagine (otherwise, you may as well have kept the ZHP). Ed |
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10-12-2006, 01:51 PM | #12 |
Alphanumeric
Join Date: Aug 2005
Carmudgeonly Ride: 981S, 340i
Posts: 9,584
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I really want a b5s4 avant but between turbos and theft, how about a
X5 3.0 manual? High mileage ones are in the teens. Unlike the b5s4, I don't think the 3.0 has any catastrophe potential. I have done rwd+snows, but this time around I really would like awd. BTW, I have never driven an x5, this whole idea could be shot down in two minutes (just like the a4 3.0). Flame away.. |
10-12-2006, 01:56 PM | #13 |
Mugwump
Join Date: Oct 2003
Carmudgeonly Ride: E46 330i, Chevy Colorado, Tesla Model 3
Location: NY
Posts: 17,475
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10-12-2006, 02:25 PM | #14 |
Alphanumeric
Join Date: Aug 2005
Carmudgeonly Ride: 981S, 340i
Posts: 9,584
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Not a bad point (and I considered backing out of the sale at various points). I might still regret it strongly.
1. Now that I finally have a dedicated rwd sports car, I would like awd - I need to drive through snowstorms for the best skiing - I'm sick of carrying wheels/tires up to my apartment (no elevator) 2. I plan to drive the CayS quite a bit. This leaves 3 to 5000 miles/year for the second car. I can do that in a car with higher mileage, further along its depreciation curve. Yes, I may be swayed by just the right rwd bmw (be it a classic or a 5er or sth) and go back to doing two sets of wheels, but I'd rather not. I started out with a 10ish budget and seeing what's out there I may increase to the high teens. That's still 10k less than what I sold my zhp for. |
10-12-2006, 03:32 PM | #15 |
Solving problems
Join Date: Oct 2003
Carmudgeonly Ride: M5 / 718 GTS / Cooper S / GTI / LR4
Location: Metro Boston
Posts: 25,264
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I got it. Buy my Saabaru.
It has full leather, MT, Xenons, heated seats, 6-CD changer, premium Audio, AWD, cheap to own, better low-end torque than pre-'06 WRX's, looks better than a Subaru, and still has 2.5 years of warranty left. And it is within your budget. It really is the perfect car for you for the money, even if you don't buy mine. Last edited by FC; 10-12-2006 at 04:14 PM. |
10-12-2006, 03:52 PM | #16 |
Alphanumeric
Join Date: Aug 2005
Carmudgeonly Ride: 981S, 340i
Posts: 9,584
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That's actually a pretty good idea. Is it quieter/better NVH on the hwy than a regular impreza? I agree that it looks better and the vins start with JF
I'll probably even spring for the turbo one. I have one issue. They seem to be all 05+, so they haven't depreciated much... |
10-12-2006, 04:05 PM | #17 |
redefined
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 14,896
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10-12-2006, 04:10 PM | #18 | |
Solving problems
Join Date: Oct 2003
Carmudgeonly Ride: M5 / 718 GTS / Cooper S / GTI / LR4
Location: Metro Boston
Posts: 25,264
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Quote:
As a "beater" I still recommend the Linear (2.5L NA). Better low-end torque, better fuel economy, uses regular instead of premium, absolutely bullet-proof engine/drivetrain reliability, and cheaper insurance by about 20% - and of course, much cheaper to buy. A car like mine ('05) sells for ~$17K (FWIW, it had an MSRP of ~$27K new). (I have a tow hitch installed and a full set of winter wheels/tires). Of course, that is your call. |
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10-12-2006, 04:12 PM | #19 |
Alphanumeric
Join Date: Aug 2005
Carmudgeonly Ride: 981S, 340i
Posts: 9,584
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10-12-2006, 05:11 PM | #20 |
The user formerly known as rwg
Join Date: Oct 2003
Carmudgeonly Ride: Z4
Location: Vegas baby!
Posts: 8,261
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I was just commenting earlier today how my friend's Mercedes CSL 500 has been nearly maintenance free (one bad something or another for the AC fan). That doesn't mean Mercedes in general are suddenly reliable. Until my mechanic tells me Audi's aren't in the shop all the time, they won't get a "reliable" rating in my book. I think you are one of the very fortunate equ, but I woudn't count on getting struck by lightning twice in a row.
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