New (used) car advice please?

[new2bmw]

Looking for new used car. Love my e30 and keeping her, but i need something to replace the saab 9000. Here is whats on my list. Please feel free to flame it, rag on my choices whatever, thats what i am hoping for. Wife says 4 doors and good on gas. I say It has to be sporty and decently quick. Here is my list, please help me out.
BMW E36 (no idea which)
Audi B5 A4
Saab 9000 Aero
Subaru Legacy GT (1990's)

If you can think of anything else please feel free to add it. I do like 4cyl turbo's but whatever, just as long as mileage is good.
Cheers guys
Oh ya , I have 3 kids to fit in the rear, they are skinny lol.

[MR 325]

The E36 is going to be the most reliable car, I would NEVER own any of the others listed.

If it fits your budget, go with a E36 328i 4 door. They're not bad at all.

[Anony Mouse]

e36 is the obvious choice. I'd prefer a kick in the dick to a SAAB Assuming the A4 is a quattro and a VR6...meh, 96-98 Legacy GT is a hoot and a damn good car, boxers are fun, that being said any newer then 98 they progressively get heavier and uglier, they're almost all slushboxes and not a huge aftermarket. You should consider an e34/e39.

[flyboyx]

i think you should get a prius, a pontiac aztec, a dodge neon, or a yugo. now those are manly cars. they make your penis bigger and chick's panties fly off. 8)

[TurboJake]

i think you should get a prius, a pontiac aztec, a dodge neon, or a yugo. now those are manly cars. they make your penis bigger and chick's panties fly off. 8)

Geo metro's too. Especially the OG 3 cyl egg.

[new2bmw]

great stuff

Thanks for the help, great stuff guys. Seriously, I am trying to make an informed decision here, its just shit trying to find out about every engine made for these cars and which ones have which issues. I was hoping that I could get some info from guys who maybe know these cars or a bit about them. I know everybody cuts up SAAB, but that car was great, it had room, great interior and it hauled ass when needed, its amazing what those engines can do. I thought they were shit till i owned one.

[beanerguitarist]

get an e34 or an e39... i owned an e34 and while it was short a short ownership... i loved it. it had power very comfortable and it looks awesome with a drop a wheels.... ive heard e39's have a lot of suspension issues... dont quite me on it, but its what i have read. o and e36s are really nice to, ive driven a friends 325i and his e36 m3, lots of fun but not the same as an e30

[new2bmw]

bmw

I am really steering towards another BMW. The one thing thats getting me is i want something that not everybody where i live drives, part of the reason I bought a SAAB. I Don't like driving a cookie cutter car. I know all of these cars are all over in Toronto, london, pretty much anywhere that has more then 1 movie theater, but not here. I really want something quick, sporty and good on gas, but the practical side of me is saying wow, when the kids were small and we had the little civic, $20 of gas would go forever. It seems pretty much every sedan i am looking at gets around 18/26 for gas mileage, I looked at diesels and wow, almost double that, but it seems the only ones out there are all VW and i really don't like that look or lack of performance. AHHH this sucks lol.

[KenC]

E39

I get 25mpg combined in mine. '03 525iT.

[new2bmw]

not bad

wow, pretty nice. So is the E30 the only one with the major rust issues or is it pretty much all years? obviously i understand old cars get rust, i just know e30 gets it in very specific areas. I have heard, don't quote me, that Audi B5 A4 etc are very rust resistant, someone even said audi uses thicker steel???? i have no idea, just hate the rust.

[2mAn]

the A4 is a quattro and a VR6... meh

A4 never came with the VR6. they had 30v V6, totally different motor

I voted for the A4. You have a RWD car already. with the wife driving and the chance that it snows annually (canada eh?) youll want something AWD. a 1.8T quattro isnt a bad car, decent mpg and good potential for big power, or just get a chip.

my.02

[race2win]

A4 never came with the VR6. they had 30v V6, totally different motor

I voted for the A4. You have a RWD car already. with the wife driving and the chance that it snows annually (canada eh?) youll want something AWD. a 1.8T quattro isnt a bad car, decent mpg and good potential for big power, or just get a chip.

my.02

+1 A late 90s A4 1.8TQ with a 5-speed would do all you are looking for...Room for 5, pretty quick (VERY quick with chip), good gas mileage, good sleek looks, fairly reliable (just make sure the timing chain maintenance is up to date), & pretty cheap now days.

Another Subaru option would be the 99-01 Impreza 2.5 RS...smaller than the Legacy, but a lot more fun to drive.

Or, you can do what I did several years ago when I was searching for a fun fast 90's 4-door with turbo power...

[tH16]

I've got an e36 328i sedan. I'm getting around 28mpg and it moves when I need it to move. It's a northern car so it's rusty around the rear arches. Currently it's my dd and the only thing it's needed is routine wear items.

[kalib0y]

e36 fosho

[tH16]

Oh and I forgot I've driven at least 1600 miles every month or a year driving to ny from nc.