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Old 02-21-2013, 12:45 PM   #1
Garandman
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Join Date: Nov 2005
Chapter/Region: NESIC
Location: Dorchester MA / Sunapee NH
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2005 Outback 3.0R
Red

Default Post WRX life in New England

I've had my 2009 WRX for four years and 68,000 miles so far, and I'm starting to think it's time for a change, even if I keep it as a second car.

When I bought it I parked on the street in Boston and compact size and not being too expensive were plusse, since the car often got bumped/keyed etc. now we have a driveway.

Room for four for trips and five for short trips is required due to family. Being able to carry a couple of hockey bags, ditto.

I like good handling and decent response, but I'm willing to give up some acceleration for mpg. My two previous DD's were a V6 Accord and an 06 Outback 3.0R. I drive a lot all over New England but could deal with FWD due to the excellence of modern winter tires.

Compared to virtually all of you I'm an Old Guy. So I can actually tolerate the idea of some of the more, ahh "dignified" sedans like an Acura 3.5RL - which they don't seem to offer any more. If I could tolerate the styling of the Cadillacs, the CTS sedan would be just about perfect.

So what's fun to drive and not hideous? Believe it or not I've actually considered getting a 2007 3.0R sedan and building a US version of the Spec B 3.0R offered in Europe. The new Legacy 3.6R is capable but seems too dowdy / too Toyota for me.
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Old 02-21-2013, 12:50 PM   #2
BradX978
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The new Civic SI 4 doors are actually pretty roomy. Good size trunk for hockey gear, and they still pull pretty hard stock.

Of course there's always the forester. But those don't help your MPG's too much haha


Just my .02
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Old 02-21-2013, 01:04 PM   #3
suby2low
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Location: Claremont, nh
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Lexus GS AWD?

Acura TL type S?
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Old 02-21-2013, 01:08 PM   #4
Loyale93
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2012 Triumph 1050

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Nick has a CTS-V I believe.
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Old 02-21-2013, 02:25 PM   #5
Garandman
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I've driven the IS430 at Lime Rock - guess that would be a possibility. Buddy has an Acura TL S and it's underwhelming to me. Cadillac has great mechanicals but I just can't stomach the looks - also I'm only 60.
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Old 02-21-2013, 02:59 PM   #6
vision.dynamix
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Garandman View Post
I've driven the IS430 at Lime Rock - guess that would be a possibility.
You drove the swapped one built by RMM?
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Old 02-21-2013, 03:58 PM   #7
XplicitRacingDesign
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Price range?
And you thinking New or Used?
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Old 02-21-2013, 04:15 PM   #8
Down_Shift
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535xi.
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Old 02-21-2013, 06:39 PM   #9
nhmtns
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Garandman View Post
some of the more, ahh "dignified" sedans
Quote:
Originally Posted by BradX978 View Post
The new Civic SI 4 doors
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Old 02-21-2013, 06:42 PM   #10
avidworks
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Can't go wrong with a 5 series.
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Old 02-22-2013, 07:49 AM   #11
Garandman
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Quote:
Originally Posted by XplicitRacingDesign View Post
Price range?
And you thinking New or Used?
Not really any limit. I usually buy them a couple years old to minimize depreciation, but not always as I can make it a company car if need be.

I wish the Acura SportWagon was a little bigger and had a turbo or 6 cylinder. Swoopy wagons just don't hold much. The 06 3.0R wagon is almost the same size and probably holds more stuff.

Why couldn't Subaru have sold the Spec B 3.0R Legacy wagon in the US?
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Old 02-22-2013, 11:06 AM   #12
b1aze
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Looking for creature comforts? Leather? 4door/5door?

Cant really go wrong with the 3/5series bimmers or even the C300 MB. Both can be had 2-3years and 25k miles old for .65/$1 and still be really nice cars.
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Old 02-22-2013, 11:14 AM   #13
s2k11
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Mercedes 300C. Decent on gas, comfortable and pleanty of room. Plus they are affordable and look amazing IMO.
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Old 02-22-2013, 11:26 AM   #14
XplicitRacingDesign
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Quote:
Originally Posted by b1aze View Post
Looking for creature comforts? Leather? 4door/5door?

Cant really go wrong with the 3/5series bimmers or even the C300 MB. Both can be had 2-3years and 25k miles old for .65/$1 and still be really nice cars.
My brother in law was just looking into a year or 2 old AWD c-class. You can get well equipped 2011-2012's for like $33-35k
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Old 02-22-2013, 11:33 AM   #15
b1aze
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Quote:
Originally Posted by XplicitRacingDesign View Post

My brother in law was just looking into a year or 2 old AWD c-class. You can get well equipped 2011-2012's for like $33-35k
I got into my current 135i for 32k after 2years and 24k miles. Sticker price was above 43k and included another 1.75yrs and 26k miles of maintenance and warranty coverage. I couldn't pass the deal up.

German cars just don't maintain their value right off the lot. Depreciation slows after that though.
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Old 02-22-2013, 12:45 PM   #16
BradX978
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nhmtns View Post

Forgot we were on nasioc where anything Honda is looked down upon.
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Old 02-22-2013, 12:49 PM   #17
X JBM X
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How about a 2011 or 2012 Audi Avant? I love the look of those...
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Old 02-22-2013, 01:06 PM   #18
jay25RS
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& 2015 Legacy Ltd.

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E63 AMG. Choose sedan or wagon. Done.
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Old 02-22-2013, 01:14 PM   #19
redsoxwin
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Love my Tacoma double cab. Plenty of space in the cab, decent gas mileage, and a cap or tonneau cover would give you a huge trunk
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Old 02-22-2013, 01:33 PM   #20
06trackguy
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Audi s4 or even a low mileage rs4 will take care of all of your needs plus put a big smile on your face!!
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Old 02-22-2013, 02:38 PM   #21
MaSTi
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+1 RS4/RS6 would be on my list of "fun" for New England when price is irrelevant.
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Old 02-22-2013, 03:53 PM   #22
XplicitRacingDesign
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I personally (if i had money) wouldn't mind having an Audi A3 Wagon with a diesel and AWD. Would be a great winter car and get good fuel mileage.
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Old 02-22-2013, 03:57 PM   #23
tysonmcneely
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A lot of German luxury suggestions. Anybody have recent experience with reliability?

Slightly used may put you out of warranty, and I've heard horror stories about sensors and electronics, etc. It's what kept me from getting a 1 or 3 series and why I got the WRX instead.
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Old 02-22-2013, 03:59 PM   #24
BradX978
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tysonmcneely View Post
A lot of German luxury suggestions. Anybody have recent experience with reliability?

Slightly used may put you out of warranty, and I've heard horror stories about sensors and electronics, etc. It's what kept me from getting a 1 or 3 series and why I got the WRX instead.
Finally someone said it. Your power mirrors short out your whole car shuts off. Audi, yuck.
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Old 02-22-2013, 04:06 PM   #25
XplicitRacingDesign
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Originally Posted by BradX978 View Post

Finally someone said it. Your power mirrors short out your whole car shuts off. Audi, yuck.
Yeah, I've heard the horror stories, I'd prob think twice about buying one... but I couldn't afford one if I wanted one.. so, I'll cross that bridge if I ever get to it. Haha.
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