slownrusty

Awesome Freudian slip...

csertich

Have to agree. I have an '04 as my DD. Just enough power and I get 24 mpg in town.

chuck

dcdude

Thanks for reminding me (twice) about the car seats...I can be a little dense. Maybe the slightly bloated '08 Impreza deserves the focus? Conversely, the last Saab I drove had really good longitudinal interior space. No love for the Saab 9-3 here?

- Lexus GS has no manual trans.
- E36 M3 is an amazing machine, but lacks modern safety features.

castorjs

I have a 2006 WRX limited totally stock as a DD and it is a blast drive and the gas mileage is decent. Maintenance is relatively low and it will easily keep up with any 993.

David in LA

I would also say Subaru Outback....it would double as a beater weekend camping/fishing car.

CaptainGSR

At least you are not looking at mustangs anymore:-)

If you want japanese, the 04-08 acura TL is hard to beat. A much much better car than the TSX. Very fast and fairly roomy inside. I recommend you test drive one.

The subaru outback is good car, but you will get so bored very fast! The WRX would be more fun.

I get back from HKG tomorrow. Let's go car shopping. I'm also looking for another car:-)

Speedyellow993

TLs are great under warrenty. Check the used car reviews. Tranny issues and poor overally reliability.

dcdude

Mustang was an "as well as" idea. This car would be "instead of" Corolla. I've already got a wagon. Legacy is the less-ugly sedan version of the Outback. Apparently the Legacy GT has a 245(?) HP engine, which may be the same as WRX without the boy racer looks. Also has more space in the rear seat. We're getting warmer here. All the Subies seem to be in Utah, so we may have a heck of a road trip, Johan!

What I like best of all is a deal, so I may just need to act quickly on whatever someone is giving away amongst today's group of: Legacy, Jetta 2.5, E46 and Saab 9-3.

M. Schneider

A Volkswagen MY05.5 to present Jetta A5 sedan body. 2.5 or 1.9 TDI. Auto or manual gearbox. 5 Star safety rating car.

All that said is I own a MY2006.5 Jetta TDI which is ridiculously optioned to the hilt. Don’t get me wrong it’s still a VW however a nice commuter car that I’d ordered new. The 1.9 diesel w/DSG gearbox allows for your right foot to have fun with the torque. It's no speed demon however the torque is always there ready to scoot. Ours has heated leather memory seats/mirrors, DVD Navi w/ a super duper HiFi mit CD changer and Sat radio etc. The HVAC dual auto climate control is one of the best, Interior lighting package, Smart wipers, 1 touch electric windows all around, Glass sunroof, Electric rear window shade, Airbags galore. etc..etc. And a host of other VW equipment not normally found in its product group. Our TDI is all stock basically.
:: Add the VW DriversGear Eibach lowering springs, 17” GTI wheels with Michelin sneakers, up rated Pagid brake pads and way you go with an under the radar low investment commuter car that’s easy to own and fun to drive. O did I mention the trunk is huge..

The MY05 thru 09 model Subi Outback XT (XT = 2.5l turbo slightly detuned WRX version motor, 250hp/250 FT LBS. Tuning comes in at 280hp/290 FT LBS.) was mentioned as a commuter car option: thirsty (-20mpg) for premium fuel is all I can say; we own one. Check out www.legacygt.com in the Outback section where at long last our XT Outback was fitted with a Japanese domestic market sourced Bilstein BTS suspension kit. Makes the Outback XT closer to a Audi A4 wagon than the crummy commuter car chassis that it is. The Bilstein spring/strut kit transforms the Outback while maintaining the classic Outback signature raised ride height.
The brakes totally suck on the Subi Outback chassis’s…. buyer beware… and the route to up rating the brakes isn’t that straight forward on the Outback series. I’m just saying.

Kika

I love the Mazda 3 that we got...in fact, you suggested it. so back at ya!

Chris L

Love, love, love the 9-5 Aero. Have an '02 and am looking for another '04 or '05 with vented sport seats. Easy to work on and phenomenal value.

Chris.

UserA

2004-5 BMW 545 with a ton of miles. Great looking fun car and for 15K you can get one.

Steve 96C4S

Reliable? Super nice car? I'd forget about a preowned 545i, MB 01 E55, older E46, etc. Maintenance could really add up on a German car. Japanese cars are usually A LOT less on maintenance. My buddy buys and sells Saabs. He does like them and they can be had pretty cheap.

My wife chose this and adores this car. It's got all the goodies and instead of $51k, they're now down to $15k with some miles on them (2005's)





I'd get the black interior but here's a beige one...




Top of the line Acura for the price of a used Civic


It has everything.




Nice detail


Decent size bac seat, wider than the TL




Pretty big trunk


All the goodies AND AWD! Yahooo


Acceptable looking wheels

dcdude

No thanks on the RL, GS, LS, Q, 7, S or Volvo.

All great values used, indeed, but manual trans is a mandatory.

Canyon56

fwiw, the Volvo that somebody already posted about (V70R wagon or the S60R sedan) is absolutely available in a manual tranny. Fun to drive, fast, and safe. And comfortable. Pretty much a cult car especially in certain color combos. Only caveat are the issues that I mentioned in my earlier post. Otherwise worth a look if you can find one. It's a much better driver's car than the Saab, imho. Except that they are closer to $23k for a clean one. But still a lot of car for that price.
http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/...t_drive_review