looking for a car for the wifey. Found!

[Exodus_2pt0]

The rules.

Manual
4 doors for more who... I mean babies
Prefer 250+HP. This can also include a tune to get there
Safe
<10k

We have her 05 loaded sunfire and 5k to work with. We don't want to finance, but I'm considering offering to take out a loan up to 5k to broaden our options. I would only do this if it would get me a decent warranty on top. This is going to be my week commuter and her car on the weekends. Baby will be primarily moved in this car too so it must be 4* plus rated.

She test drove an 06 9-5 the other day and loved it, but it would not go into 5th gear.

I really like the Saab's but a good condition manual isn't easy to come by. Been leaning towards a later BMW xi model.

Got ourselves an 06 Saab 9-3 Aero. 2.8T 6 speed manual.

[agent]

7th gen Honda Accord V6.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_Accord#Seventh_generation_.282003.E2.80.932007.29

[CorvallisBMW]

WRX or Saab 9-2X would get you the power, space, and usability you're after. Or maybe a Legacy GT wagon. All would be much cheaper to buy and maintain and a newer AWD BMW.

[Danny]

mk5 gti

[Poorboyz]

I just went with a buddy and picked up a 2003 E39 530i for $4800. Very clean and only a couple things wrong with it...cup holders broken and pass seat came off track or something like that. Only pic I have.

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[Mlarsen]

WRX or Saab 9-2X would get you the power, space, and usability you're after. Or maybe a Legacy GT wagon. All would be much cheaper to buy and maintain and a newer AWD BMW.

Subarus are great until about 100k when you have to replace headgaskets. Can't go wrong with a honda accord 4cyl. Especially the new ones with the K-series.

[henryki]

I 2nd the Subaru or Saab 9-2x idea. And also the GTI idea, but I'd say go MK6. My buddy has one, its a 4 door Wolfsburg edition and he gets the horsepower and customizability of a GTI but since its a 4 door, he can throw his toddler in the back seat with a car seat no problem. Don't know what the safety aspects look like though.

[Sea Aych]

Subarus are great until about 100k when you have to replace headgaskets. .

could you elaborate?

[Danny]

I 2nd the Subaru or Saab 9-2x idea. And also the GTI idea, but I'd say go MK6. My buddy has one, its a 4 door Wolfsburg edition and he gets the horsepower and customizability of a GTI but since its a 4 door, he can throw his toddler in the back seat with a car seat no problem. Don't know what the safety aspects look like though.

I have a mk6 as well. The Mk5 can be had for close to 10k and comes in four door trim also.

[shameson]

could you elaborate?

HG issues were a fairly common problem with the 4 cylinder motors, due to poor motor design. But the 6 cylinders from what I know didn't have that problem

[PorscheH6]

TSX
06+ Accord V6 J30A5 6MT

[Exodus_2pt0]

7th gen Honda Accord V6.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_A...2.80.932007.29

I didn't realize they came with a 6 speed option! If we find one, it will definitely be a possibility.

WRX or Saab 9-2X would get you the power, space, and usability you're after. Or maybe a Legacy GT wagon. All would be much cheaper to buy and maintain and a newer AWD BMW.

She loves WRX's but finding an unmolested one for a reasonable price is proving a hard thing to do. I'm not worried about maintenance costs, because labor is free. ;)

mk5 gti

I owned a MKV GLI for 4 years, eventually went BT and threw a forged rod through the block somewhere between 400 and 500whp.

That said, it is an option, as long as it's a TSI motor. I will never own another FSI motor. Even after having a Rev. B cam installed I was still replacing the fuel pump follower every 15k. This was before I installed the stage 2 pump and went to the gt30. No thanks.

I just went with a buddy and picked up a 2003 E39 530i for $4800. Very clean and only a couple things wrong with it...cup holders broken and pass seat came off track or something like that. Only pic I have.

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If we could find a 540i with a manual, this would be a serious possiblity.

TSX
06+ Accord V6 J30A5 6MT

Again, loving the sound of these.

Keep em coming people! Also anyone with personal experience please chime in. I do appreciate the heads up on head gaskets for the 4 cylinder Subies. I have done some work for a friend on his WRX and I would hate to have to do a headgasket on one.

[Hooffenstein HD]

E30 + s54.

[Exodus_2pt0]

I may have shot myself in the foot with the no more FSI comment..... Will update come Sunday.

[GT BMW E30]

E46 Touring.