RallyJon

Over the past decade, I’ve settled into a fun and repeatable car ownership rhythm: I buy a car for $30-35k, drive it for three years, sell it for a few $k less than I paid, add a few $k to the pot and buy another car. I started with a 2004 Subaru STI (bought new in 2003), replaced it in 2006 with a 1995 993 C4, then replaced that in 2009 with my 2002 996 C4S.

Coming up on three years later, I can’t think of any other cars that are as great a performance, style, car-guy-feel-good value than my C4S so maybe I’ll just keep it.

Take a look at my priorities and let me know what’s out there.

• Budget of $30-35k. Can go a bit higher, but must be worth 80% of purchase price in +3 years, +25k miles.
• Small (<3500lbs, <180” long, <72” wide) but must have at least “+2” rear seating suitable for children.
• All-wheel-drive as this is a year ‘round car and will be driven in snow, slush and freezing rain, etc.
• Decent power: 0-60 in 5ish. Good torque curve so it’s reasonably quick feeling in the midrange.
• Exceptional feel: well-weighted, accurate, and quick-ratio steering with excellent road feel; precise, short shifting; high, hard brake pedal that isn’t overboosted; sharp throttle response with no drive-by-wire lag (even if it is dbw).
• Great handling with acceptable ride. Well-tuned, non-intrusive stability management if any. A large and fully-exploitable handling/traction envelope.
• High performance brakes with fixed piston calipers, large enough that I never even have to think about them. ABS tuned for fast driving so it doesn’t kill the brakes when I’m on the edge of lockup.
• Nice interior with lots of leather. Doesn’t have to be super stylish, just good quality and well laid out. Supportive sport seats.
• A few luxury/convenience features are nice but not essential: HID headlights, multi-adjustable/heated/ventilated seats, seat/mirror memory, good stereo/nav/bluetooth.

Dennis C

I've had the same thoughts... and I concluded that I won't find anything else I like. If I decide to sell my C4S, I'd want another C4S or perhaps a turbo, probably with the same color combination! Maybe a 997 C4S would be nice, but I own my C4S outright and I don't like the idea of a new car payment. I'm keeping mine...

ClickClickBoom

I don't think you will find something that meets all your criteria, but how about an Audi RS4.

Zookie

997 C2 or C2S or 996 TT

sun_dance

having driven a new Audi S4, I'd say it's a beast of a car. Not only a great engine, but the interior is far superior to the RS4.

francars

I love my RS4! I also agree with sun_dance - The new S4 has superior interior than my B7 RS4, but not sure if you can get the new S4 at the $30k range, yet...

RallyJon

Lots of cool cars out there for more money up front + more depreciation. I thought I'd hit a real sweet spot with great performance from low-miles, heavily depreciated cars, but the tight used car market means it's hard to find great values.

For a few more bucks, a 997 turbo (still in the $60s++) or Nissan GT-R ($50s and up) have potential. The B8 S4s look great on paper, but Audis get bigger and numb-er every year. In my current price range, it's slim pickings.

1985mb

AWD is required per the OP so that would have to be c4 or c4s

pl

tt

Barn996

I'd suggest keeping your current Porsche until the bug to be in something different REALLY bites you.

soverystout

+1