cartalk Thinkin about a new car

[Theodore]

I've been toying with getting a sport ute lately. For what I like to do, the 318 just isn't practical, and I'm most likely moving west in a year or so. The bimmer won't work out there at all, hell I got stuck in the A Basin parking lot last winter. I figured I could go back to the roundel in a few years when its a little more practical to do driver schools and such on a regular basis and when I could afford a second vehicle. I'm lookin at things like late 90's 4runners, Rodeo's ect. Anyone have any input on these? Def. need 4 wheel drive, and good space. For now, I've ruled out the Scooby/Evo route. Any thoughts/help is appreciated. I'm thinkin price range uner 15 or so.

Ted

[dubu]

if you want to stay with a lux sedan you can get latter 90's A4's for about 15k..

[mr_gyptian]

I've got an Exterra that'll fit that bill.

[Innominatus]

Originally posted by Theodore
For what I like to do, the 318 just isn't practical, and... I figured I could go back to the roundel in a few years when its a little more practical to do driver schools and such on a regular basis

Since you're an E30 fan, why not an E30 325iX with a good roof rack and rocket box? A set of Haakapelittas and you'd laugh at winter. You would also clean up at the local BMWCCA ice autocross they hold when Georgetown Lake freezes up, too...

Perfect po' boy Colorado vehicle when it comes to resolving ye olde pistonhead vs. outdoorsman conundrum. Clearance for trailheads or deep snowdrifts would be an obvious drawback, but for 95% of the time it would be cheaper, faster, and plenty good for drivers' schools and track days. They are prized out here by those in the know, so you can still find nicely preserved ones in the $6k-$7k range.

I kind of feel your bind -- five years ago I left a string of rear-drive older BMWs for the Toyota SUV route and always did regret it.

[Aldo]

Good points Innominatus, but I think he should buy this.

[Cornholio]

I've got a 98 a4 quattro that kills it in snow. Huge trunk, rack, and Michlelin Pilot XGTs on 17" rims with enbiggened rotors. Couple that with some low-budget exhaust and ECU upgrades and the stock Bose system, and you have a 200hp snowmobile that will get you anywhere and do it all stylee-like and none too slow.

137 reccomendations for the WRX will follow.

Good luck! Have fun!

[The AD]

Originally posted by Innominatus
Since you're an E30 fan, why not an E30 325iX with a good roof rack and rocket box?

After a few months where we've looked at and rejected about every other make and model, it looks like my wife has decided on the BMW 325xi sedan (new one). Of course she hasn't ACTUALLY driven it yet, but I'm confident she'll like it. The only stumbling block might be getting one equipped how she wants it. From looking at dealer inventories there aren't a lot of ix's to begin with, and the dealers like to throw on lots of options to jack up the price.

Anyway, I'm glad to hear someone heap praise on the all-wheel drive BMW, albeit an earlier incarnation.

[Aldo]

This would work.

[Cornholio]

Be wary of pre '97 A4s, methinks.

[Clack]

You'll always hear my support for the toyota landcruiser. The indestructable, go anywhere, mother of the SUV.

[funkendrenchman]

STI or an EVO perhaps

[AntiSoCalSkier]

My mouth is full of blood from biting my tongue all afternoon, and I just can't take it anymore.

You should check out a WRX Wagon (new or used). There's enough cargo space (especially if you throw on a roof rack), it's great in snow, fun to drive, and it actually has a surprising amount of ground clearance (you could steal some suspension bits from the Outback Sport if you want more ).

[CantDog]

Some reason I remember you saying your 318 was a E36(if its a 91 E30 318is I'll buy it from ya)

But the 325ix is a fun car. A couple guys in canada run it in the canadian rally series and do okay for their class. M20 is a good lil engine, but make sure you replace that timing belt when you get it.

Unfortunately, the transfer case isnt super strong, so I've heard bad things about autocrossing+mods to the car. R compounds are out of the question.

I think its a fixed 25front/75rear split. Some hakkas, a set of pella rally fogs, and a box on top and you'll be set.


Also, a little known fact: The skid plate from a dodge durango bolts on to the E30 325s with about 5 minutes of grinding

[pointedem]

<-----

love/hate relationship with 325 e30

why would r compunds be outta the question? TOO much grip?

Oh and DUH!


car of choice:

http://audiusa.com/common/images/200...ry7_s4a_lg.jpg

[img]
http://audiusa.com/common/images/200...y11_s4a_lg.jpg[/img]

[Theodore]

Thanks for all the responses. Cantdog, you are right. Its a '95, E36. Still fun though. I've heard the same things about the transfer cases in em, they just aren't made for real fun. I'd love na old Landcruiser, but hows the reliability. I'd rather get something newer, and have toyed with a WRX wagon, but well see how insurance likes it. Audi's are unfortunatly out, my love of all things Munich, keeps me from Ingolsdat. I like em, but they just aren't for me. Mr_gyptian, how do you like the Xterra?

[Theodore]

Originally posted by pointedem
<-----

love/hate relationship with 325 e30

why would r compunds be outta the question? TOO much grip?

Yeah, the transfer case can' quite handle the loads generated w/r-comps. RS4.... can you find one for under 15k? I'm lookin at Infinity QX4's now. Any insight on these/Pathfinders?

[Eldo]

Easy solution, buy my 1992 Honda Civic hatchback. Low, low, low 396,000 km! (About 200,000 k of that is going to and from the ski hills.) Car has only flown off the road into the ditch twice in 12 winters of driving. Several dented body panels, but pristine interior. Snazzy black vinyl seats for winter pucker and summer sizzle. (Note: Will replace muffler I lost last week running over the neighbour's cat.)

Cheap, $1,200 Cnd.

[Keoni]

Originally posted by Theodore
I'm lookin at Infinity QX4's now.

Buy mine.

[Clack]

Originally posted by Theodore
I'm lookin at Infinity QX4's now.

If you're looking at those, the landcrusher is definately not for you.

[Theodore]

Originally posted by monster dump.
If you're looking at those, the landcrusher is definately not for you.

Why do you say that? I'm not a car jong, I know how to work on em, have the tools ect. I'm not lookin for a ultra plush luxo-barge, but I'm also not really looking for a 30 year old car that has a shit-ton of little problems. I've been there and done that and it wasn't fun...

[CantDog]

Yeah, 4000rpm clutch drops with toyo R1s on a 325ix=broken parts. Lots of them.


Unless you find a real cherry of an E30, they can be a bitch to keep up(or at least they are when you are constantly ragging on them) My sister picked up an legacy wagon, leather interior veddy nice with under 100xxx miles on it for 6 grand.


And then there is always the Honda Accord Wagon route. Very tough to destroy, and I've been trying.


I like the landcruiser idea personally. Those cars have character.

[Theodore]

I know about the E30's. My dad used to have one when I had my '73 Bavaria.

[rtp]

Your taste is too high for me.. Just stick with a good old chevrolet blazer or Tahoe. My blazers got 120K on it and problems what so ever. All i do is change oil.

[CantDog]

bavaria? whoa you must really like working on cars instead of driving them

[freshie247]

If you've got the cash,get an Audi wagon,They rule!I dated a girl with a 1.8T A4,it rolled!I've driven 4 Subaru's over the past fourteen years,they don't hold up that well.They're functional,but constant grueling mtn driving gets to them.I didn't put my rocket box on this last one & it's really made a difference.A buddy of mine is a mechanic at the SUB dealership here & says the 2.2 Ltr engine is the only consistantly reliable one of the bunch.Any other is a mechanical nightmare in the long term.

I not much of a SUV fan.I like to drive fast through the canyons & SUV's high center of gravity is unstable while cornering.