What should I go test drive?

[SlimKlim]

i love the 2.0T. its a big step up from the 1.8. its a pretty stout, economical engine that makes nice power stock and has a good ceiling if you want to push it further. there are 2 versions - the early FSI (MKV cars) and the later TSI (MKVI cars) engines. they are similar in numbers but the TSI is completely redesigned, and better. the FSI engines have a reputation for wearing down the cam follower that controls the direct injection, and both of them can be susceptible to carbon'ing up if you pussyfoot around in them due to the direct injection, although i think its signifcantly reduced in the TSI. my guess is that the only ones that will probably fall into your price range are the FSI engines.

Mike, Jay, and John at GetFast here all have MKVI 6-speeds and love them. my dad has a MK2 TT with the FSI/DSG combo and its fun, and feels quicker than numbers suggest.

don't get me wrong, A4's drive nice, but they're heavy, complex German cars. if that's your bag, you'll probably enjoy it. i'm just saying that they are needy cars and it sounds like the M3 has worn you down from that already.

tell you what, if you wanted an automatic, an IS300 would be perfect. autos are everywhere, they're anvil reliable, comfy, and not too big but still spacious enough for 4 people + luggage. plus they look hot and are RWD.

WRX's are "analog" cars for lack of a better word - simple, utilitarian, loud, and by some measures crude. its just how subaru does things. but if you want to get around in any weather and like a bit of good old fashioned turbo lag they're the most entertaining thing on the used market right now in that price range.

Awesome, thanks for the tips. If I end up having a bit more to work with in my budget I'm going to test drive both the A4 and MKV. I'd probably end up going for an MKV with the DSG, that combo has always really appealed to me for a DD.

That's kind of what I don't like about the WRX, but you can't always have your cake and eat it too. Also, a stock, lowish mileage WRX (if I can find the last one out there) can't be nearly as loud and rattly as my 180k mile M3 with a droney exhaust.

My wife had an 05 TL for a couple years; what a sweetheart of an engine. I think the tranny problems are overblown, internet gibberish. The prior gen TL had issues, but I think they worked that out by the time the 04-07s came out (I'm sure you can find cases if you look, but that is going to happen no matter what). We piled the miles on and it ran buttery smooth right up until we traded it in to get her Leggy.

Don't underestimate the idea of having a cheap, efficient econocar for tooling around and then something fun at home. I loooove driving the WRX, but I have a hoot of a time thrashing my 18yo, 130hp Accord and still getting 30+ mpgs constantly. Course, I cruise down the interstate with virtually no traffic compared to the hellhole that is DC, so you might feel the need for something else.

Thanks, that's good to know. Sounds like the "no reverse" issue on the E46 automatics. According to the internet every car ever blows out its reverse drum at 100k, when in reality its a relatively small percentage of the early production cars. I'll definitely test drive the TL and a 330i.

That's kind of my hesitation about going for a straight econobox. If I was living out near my parents, my commute would be a twisty country road, then a blast down an empty highway to wherever I was going. If that was my "commute" I'd have no problem rocking a 160hp fuel-sipper because I could get it wound up and never lose momentum. But up here in this shithole, I can't get 12 feet without someone slamming on their brakes from 60-25 and then flooring it up to 70 again in their 350hp Mercedes SUV. I feel like more often than not I'm forced to crawl down an on-ramp at 30 mph, then either floor it to get out into an open lane, or get stuck in the fustercluck in the right lane.

That's why I like the idea of something with more torque, but I'm sure I could adapt my driving style to deal with less power, its not like 160hp with a manual trans is *that* bad.

The IS300 doesn't hold a whole lot of appeal for me, if I was going to have a straight-6 and RWD (stick or automatic) I'd rather have an E46.