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the spyder posted:Well, I had a good friend of mine stop by for a visit and smack some car sense in to me. I'm also after something with the same requirements and I'd add the VW GTI to the list. Its nearly the same car as the A3 but seems more affordable on the used market. The Impreza hatch is also worth a look but between the head gasket issues on the NA Subaru's and the fuel economy I'm getting a bit gun shy even though they're great to drive.
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Jan 20, 2014 07:01
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| # ? May 15, 2024 11:49 |
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I'm struggling over the idea of buying something used that's just plain boring. Every time I find something I really like, like a 09 Audi A4 Avant wagon, I look at the $24k price tag and go NO. I started to search for 30mpg AWD cars, and there's just not much out there under that. I hate to say, a 08 Ford Escape Hybrid for $11,5k is looking tempting due to the 32mpg (28~ real world), ample space, easy drive, and $200/m payment. I added it up today- my drat 135i was costing me $748/m after payment/insurance/gas! Even if I spend $500/m total on the Escape, I'm still saving $250/m I can use towards savings, travel, or car projects. I hate to say it, but if I'm any bit responsible, I should stay around 10k. This has given me a great excuse to make the list of cars that I would love to own for a year: Subaru WRX STI Cadillac CTS-V Evo X C63 AMG RS4 09+ M3 Now I'm just depressing myself... the spyder fucked around with this message at 08:17 on Jan 20, 2014 |
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Jan 20, 2014 08:13
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You know you'll be unhappy if you buy something boring even if you're being practical.
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Jan 20, 2014 08:22
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A 2004 Forester XT however isnt boring and is a dead easy (and cheap) thing to wind the wick up on. They are hilariously fast for a mommy mobile and a pretty good thing to punt around at the same time even if you keep it in stock form. Oh and it sure is practical too. Tows well. It can if you light foot it go 9litres per 100km. Just that if you decide to, it will LAUNCH and you can have a poo poo eating grin at the surprised person in the other car. I doubt you will hear a bad thing said about the 04 by previous owers, they really are a good thing.
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Jan 20, 2014 09:30
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So I started drooling over a B8 A4 Avant Quattro wagon last night... http://portland.craigslist.org/clc/cto/4287936571.html
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Jan 20, 2014 18:39
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You might be too harsh on the boring car. When I made my big car moves last year (sold the FD, started commuting in the volt instead of the WRX) I was surprised at how little I missed it. Cruising on the freeway or in traffic is a terrible way to appreciate a car. Get a boring car. It will be cheap, comfortable, and reliable. Put your money into the FDs. It will make driving them all that much more special.
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Jan 21, 2014 03:40
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Friend of mine has an 08 AWD Mariner which is basically the same thing as an escape and he seems to like it a lot v v
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Jan 21, 2014 03:50
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1/2 wants fun, like the 2012 Audi A4 Avant S-Line wagon I found down in Cali. 1/2 wants this and would be perfectly fine daily driving it: http://portland.craigslist.org/wsc/cto/4290721413.html the spyder fucked around with this message at 04:04 on Jan 21, 2014 |
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Jan 21, 2014 04:00
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Never an accident but both bumpers don't match and the rear one is aligned weird on the right side. Hm.
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Jan 21, 2014 04:42
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"Clean title, never has any accident, well take care" That should tell me everything I need to know about the PO/Seller.
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Jan 21, 2014 04:49
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Ask for a VIN, see if any accidents show up on CF or AC. If they do see what he says to that.
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Jan 21, 2014 04:55
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I don't know, based on your not wanting to get the 1 dirty and wanting something that you can get dirty and be ok with it being a commuter an Audi doesn't seem like the best idea. Despite not really being into the Hybrid stuff I think the Escape might be the better bet. Besides, if you don't already have an SUV or truck the utility will make it more worthwhile.
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Jan 21, 2014 06:25
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Have you research those hybrids? IIRC the transmissions in them are poo poo. Might as well just get a prius and throw a roof rack/cargo box on it if you need the extra space. Might as well go full boring and reap the mpg benefits 
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Jan 21, 2014 06:37
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Jetta TDI Sportwagen? Although those are probably way too expensive, now that I think about it.
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Jan 21, 2014 06:40
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Why not a mazda 3 hatch? It's not AWD, but it fits all the other criteria and they are at least engaging to drive for a regular car
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Jan 21, 2014 06:49
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why are you so set on AWD for your practical car?
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Jan 21, 2014 07:02
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Mat_Drinks posted:I don't know, based on your not wanting to get the 1 dirty and wanting something that you can get dirty and be ok with it being a commuter an Audi doesn't seem like the best idea. Despite not really being into the Hybrid stuff I think the Escape might be the better bet. Besides, if you don't already have an SUV or truck the utility will make it more worthwhile. There's something nice about a dirty vw/audi though (and the quattro/4motion handles dirt, gravel, and even solid ice really well) 
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Jan 21, 2014 07:42
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Let me clarify a few things: 1) We have a F150 4x4 truck (that also will be replaced- 310k original everything) and my wife drives a Mini Cooper S 2) AWD is not necessary for my commute in any way- but I would like it to head to the mountains/eastern oregon/the coast during the winter. 3) I've owned a Mazda3 hatch and have been keeping my eye out for one, but nothing's caught my eye. My mom has a 08 Escape Hybrid with no problems and 150k. I'm planning on buying a 01-03 F2/350 7.3 Turbo Diesel 2wd to replace the truck, because it's mainly a tow rig. It seems to make sense to get a AWD vehicle, but the issue there is, something like the Escape is not a very good AWD vehicle. I don't mind getting something dirty- as long as I plan to keep it. I never planned on keeping the 135i for very long. Part of this is, I don't want to have to by another "family" car for 5~6 years.
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Jan 21, 2014 18:28
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Having gotten stuck on flat ground with my Ram 2500 van (even with a fuckton of stuff in the back for a long trip) because of a couple inches of snow, I strongly recommend either getting that pickup in 4x4 or at least with a limited slip rear. That sucked, I had to quite literally unload the offroad toy off the tow dolly, use it to unstick the tow rig, drive them both to the street where I could reload everything, then reload them. After replacing the axleshaft that I exploded while getting the tow rig unstuck, that is.
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Jan 21, 2014 18:58
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That brings up another option: Buy a 2wd, high MPG commuter car and wait for the truck to die/replacing it with a 4wd diesel. My single complain is I can't park a F2/350 where I work without paying for street parking. Our F150 barely fits in the parking garage as-is. I miss my 135i, but I'm looking forward to something larger. Who knows what I will end up with, I certainly can't decide one way or the other right now. (That might be the headcold I've had for the last week though.)
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Jan 21, 2014 19:32
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the spyder posted:That brings up another option: If you're doing mostly highway miles the Nissan maxima can't be beat for a cheap beater sedan. They go really cheap around here.
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Jan 21, 2014 20:11
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My wife has been looking at Volvos with the T5 engine, seems like they strike a good fun/practicality balance. She also likes the Nissan Juke and will probably buy an AWD turbo model for like $15,000.
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Jan 21, 2014 20:13
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I'm stuck 20 miles each way going an average of 40mph on a "express" way type road. Speeds go from 55 to 30 depending what city I pass through.
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Jan 21, 2014 20:15
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Not new car related: Paperwork for the lifts went through. I'm bloody excited!
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Jan 22, 2014 03:57
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I think given how many vehicles you already have you should either: a. Say gently caress practicality and get the STI/Evo b. Get a pure, but fun form of a good mpg vehicle like a fit/versa/xa/fiat 500
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Jan 22, 2014 05:19
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There's a fun form of the Versa?
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Jan 22, 2014 05:20
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Mat_Drinks posted:I think given how many vehicles you already have you should either: B is where I'm thinking myself; once I get my truck running I hope it satisfies my need to go fast in something that shouldn't go that fast, and that I'd be more willing to deal with a regular 500 / Fiesta 3cyl or something like that. Maybe.
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Jan 22, 2014 05:28
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Rhyno posted:There's a fun form of the Versa? Fiat 
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Jan 22, 2014 06:21
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the spyder posted:I miss my 135i, but I'm looking forward to something larger. Who knows what I will end up with, I certainly can't decide one way or the other right now. (That might be the headcold I've had for the last week though.) 
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Jan 22, 2014 06:27
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I like my Sonic hatchback, it might be worth having a look. The little turbo engine is decent and being a turbo engine you can always get more power pretty easily if you want it. 32mpg driving like an rear end in a top hat (in winter), too.
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Jan 22, 2014 14:10
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Split the difference and get an 06-07 wrx or forester XT. It'll have some balls, be reliable, and not murder MPG-wise, but not 30 large like an STi or Evo.
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Jan 22, 2014 14:57
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Those subarus get poo poo mileage for what you get IMO. You can almost get the same MPG in a first gen CTS-V.
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Jan 22, 2014 17:46
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For a moment I thought that was a 
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Jan 22, 2014 20:44
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Terrible Robot posted:Jetta TDI Sportwagen? I was thinking the same thing. Basically the same car as a A3 without the awd and audi tax, but in the PNW(portland area is pretty similar car market as seattle from what ive seen) the JSW tdi do not really show up on the used market for decent prices, unless they have insane miles on them. For being the "boring" commuter car, it is pretty drat entertaining to drive even without the manual.
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Jan 22, 2014 20:55
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I keep looking at TDI's- A3/Sportswagons. There's a ton on CL right now. I'm also tossing the idea of a older A4 wagon around still in my head. These have me decently interested, http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/ctd/4289603530.html http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/ctd/4294733473.html I'm going to do the sane thing and walk away from car buying for a good week or two- I'm just fine driving our truck or the white FD until I figure out what I want.
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Jan 22, 2014 21:21
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Does your part of the world have newer Saab's?
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Jan 23, 2014 16:40
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I finally have working garage doors!   
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Jan 26, 2014 18:46
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New garage? FD owner? You bet there's cardboard under them.
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Jan 26, 2014 18:59
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I haven't had the chance to seal the floor yet  . The white one, despite being resealed twice is still leaking and it's time for a new pan. The black one split the oil return on the turbo. Gotta love FD's....
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Jan 26, 2014 19:26
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Stupid car find of the day: http://portland.craigslist.org/clc/ctd/4299809064.html Two problems: 1) KBB says it's worth $8-9k... which I would pay happily. 2) No idea on service records.
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Jan 26, 2014 20:22
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