looking for a used AWD Car, >$6500... suggestions?

[Johnny248]

Looking for a car. Requirements are that it is AWD, preferably not a station wagon (or a suv) and looking to spend no more than $6000. I'm drawing a blank for awd cars other than Subarus or Eclipse/Talon.

I know there are a lot of Subaru guys on here, and I'm sure everyone has only good things to say about them, but I have no experience, nor do I know anyone who has one.

So far I'm looking at

95-99 Talon/Eclipse AWD Turbo
late 90's early 00's Subaru Impreza or WRX or even a Legacy.
Audi A4 - Don't really want a European Audi/VW though just due to high costs of maint and repair.

Is there anything else out there that may be in the price range I'm look for??

 

[subiedriver]

Out of the choices you list, Subaru all the way. The old talon's are unreliable and the Audi's will kill you in repair cost, plus their reliability is average at best. I have a 2004 Legacy sedan and its been the best car I've ever owned. Its needed nothing other than typical maintenance items, gets 30-33 mpg highway, I like this car!

 

[dtt004]

Hi.

In that price range you are really only looking at Subaru and Mitsubishi, since it looks like you are trending towards Japanese makes. Both have excellent AWD designs, and both have a racing pedigree built on those designs. Both have excellent engines, with Subaru using the boxer engine and Mitsubishi using an inline 4. I prefer an inline 4 mainly because it's easier to maintain because of a less cluttered engine bay. Keep in mind that even though Subaru advertises their boxer-4 as a balanced configuration, that's not true. It still suffers from uneven acceleration of two pistons like the inline 4.

Both are good manufacturers, but I personally believe that Mitsubishi really puts their heart into the Lancer Evolution, and doesn't really care about the other models. I'm probably wrong, but I just feel it that way. Driving an Evolution, and then hopping over to drive their other sedans...the other stuff is simply not in the same league. Probably unfair to compare, but that's how I feel.

Subaru tends to have a more balanced lineup. I also feel like their quality of assembly is a little higher, but that's up to you to decide.

Audi also has a history in AWD. Their Quattro is nothing to scoff at. It's very similar in design to the AWD system in Subaru's mainstream line. The STi is above and beyond. The AWD system on the STi, upon examination, is very advanced in terms of control and power distribution. It should be compared to the Evolution's.

Anyways, I've driven a 95-99 Eclipse. Not a very exciting car compared to the Subaru WRX. However, the WRX will cost more. The Impreza is more fun to drive than the Eclipse, if you are into that. I guarantee it. I have never driven a Legacy.

I have driven a variant of the A4, the RS4. One of my friend's at work has one. However, probably due to his driving habits (haha) he pays a lot of money to keep it in top shape. The engine is marvelous. It is a heavy car, but the AWD system makes up for it's weight when in the turns.

I don't have anything for or against Audi. Many people like them. I have never owned one.

 

[IndyIan]

Matrix/Vibe had an AWD version, Suzuki Aerio too.
There are all sorts of rare 80's cars with AWD too, but do you want an 88 AWD Camry, or Mercury Topaz?
I think even Dodge has an AWD avenger, but I don't think they are that cheap yet.

 

[Spazdog]

It out accelerates Mustang turbo in loose dirt!

 

[simple_gifts]

Some Subarus have a head gasket issue, I believe Forester in the early 2000's; someone else can chime in with the details.

 

[daves87rs]

Seen a few AWD Vibes lately....

 

[wallyuwl]

Originally Posted By: Johnny248
Looking for a car. Requirements are that it is AWD, preferably not a station wagon (or a suv) and looking to spend no more than $6000.


Looks like a Vibe/Matrix is a perfect vehicle for you. Most of the Subarus might be a bit too station wagoony for you. Might need to pay a bit more than $6k for AWD, depending on year.

We have a 2003 (FWD) Vibe that has served us well. No major issues except a catalytic converter (replaced today) that could have been avoided if the intake manifold gasket had been replaced earlier (long story why it wasn't). Those OEM gaskets go bad easily and should be updated (Toyota has an updated one) in any of these vehicles that see temps below 40 degrees. Has 122k miles now. Just did a bunch of "every 100k" type things to it this weekend and it runs as well as it ever has since we've had it (got it in 2005 with 21k miles). I'll warn that the paint is bad on them, though (we got ours repainted a year ago).

 

[NYSteve]

Suburu is the only one on your list you will find any decent cars. Talons have been modded and beaten to death. Older Audi's is a roll of the dice.

You might want to check out some of the older Volvo's that had AWD. They have huge followings so you can find well maintained examples. Some even have some nice go fast upgrades to boot!

 

[Johnny248]

lol Love the Eagle ad. growing up we always had AMC's. My old man worked for American Motors up until they were purchased by Chrysler, where he stayed until he retired. We always had Eagles, Jeeps, Feuegos, Aliiances, etc.

I am leaning towards the Mitsu's simply because I've had expereice with them. They are not too difficult to work on, and seem to be pretty reliable. The 4g63 engine is solid.

I'm a little scared of the Subaru's only because I'm not familiar with them.

 

[meep]

legacy sedan. neat car. Great engine. I'm surprised when folks complain about the subaru hood being hard to work on - i've had an accord, civic, pathfinder, town and country, 2 jeeps.... the legacy was the easiest to work on. well, the 1957 chevy was easy to work on, but hard in other ways (crude machining, poor tolerances, etc.). I never found a bad wrench angle in the 97 legacy 5spd I had, and it's AWD was amazing. the 5spd AWD is a different beast than the AWD in the ATs-- purely mechanical with no electronics, and was predictable in snow, rain, and a 50 mph drift on skinny tires (once I put on fat rubber I didn't have the skills to put the car to its limit, it was that good-- I knew my limits).

The audi may have more testosterone in the go pedal, and if that's appealing then I'd consider it.

I really like some volvos but they are a different animal to work on. And the AWD did not seem to be as capable to the rear end-- limited in how much torque it could xfer.

there's enuf subaru modding out there that even the AT AWD can be rewired if one is hoping for a more "locked up" mode of operation.

Disadvantages to subaru-- interior is spartan, which displeases some. even the OB versions seem to have the driver's butt close to the ground. The styling is accord-ish... drab... but if you like sleepers then it's certainly for you.

When gas goes up, and i finish driving the tires off the jeep, I will perhaps consider a subie again, if it's a diesel.

M

 

[rjundi]

On Subaru.

The 1996-2004(non-turbo 2.5L engine) are prone to head gasket failure at an above average rate vs other brands. Cars using this motor are all Outback, Legacy 2000-2004, Forester, Impreza 2002-2002/a few older ones.

The 2.2L Subaru (used 1990-1999) is a very solid motor. IMHO it has Honda and Toyota like reliability.

The WRX 2.0L turbo engine is very reliable also.

Subaru AWD is top tier alongside Audi. However Subaru AWD requires not only you but past owners to keep sets of 4 tires matched in tread depth/size/make/model. If not it can lead to premature failure.


Subaru is very popular in my area. Mechanics finds them very easy to work on.

I have no idea of knowledgebase in Detroit area. Last time I drove through Flint I felt like a Communist driving my Legacy turbo wagon. I just saw old tired domestics running around.

Good luck with your search.

 

[addyguy]

Suzuki SX-4. Excellent car that comes with AWD.

Vibe/Matrix AWD's are great as well - buddy has a 2010 Vibe, and it is un-stoppable in the snow/ice.

Love the AMC add - classic!

 

[The_Jeff]

If you like mitsus then by all means keep your eye peeled. They say the top shelf lancer/evo AWD system is more "rear heavy" on the power split so they handle sportier.

They also made a pontiac 6000 AWD sedan in 1990 ish. Just what the A-body series needed, LOL.

 

[Thermo1223]

Boxer engines are balanced without the need for counter balance shafts like I4's.

If you want completely balanced you need to look at an I6. Boxers are also IMO more refined in the high rpms than an I4. The forces in a flat 4 do oppose each other and balance out.

 

[subiedriver]

According to subaruheadgasket.com, 1996-2003 Subie's were affected by the HG failures. I'd look for a 2004, you should be good to go, my '04 has had zero problems related to the HG, approaching 120,000 miles now.

 

[meep]

you can find occassional 3-series bimmers with AWD under 10k. but be prepared to do a lot of front suspension R&R. they seem to eat bushings and b-joints.

 

[kkreit01]

I too was thinking SX4 -- if you can find them that cheap. I'd stay way clear of the DSMs (and I had 2 back in the day). There's very few of them left on the road. They are typically beat to " ".

 

[artificialist]

Originally Posted By: Johnny248

I am leaning towards the Mitsu's simply because I've had expereice with them. They are not too difficult to work on, and seem to be pretty reliable. The 4g63 engine is solid.

I always heard of engine problems of the turbocharged second generation Eclipse.

Anyway, there is another AWD cars that might be a good deal. Toyota Celica All Trac.

 

[Eddie]

My 2000 Forester was sold at 127,000 miles without any HG issues. Point being that is was not as widespread as talked about. Howevery, it is one area that I would check carefully before purchasing.