You need to take a serious look at A Subaru Legacy GT. The car is a bargain. You get a lot for your money. They start at about 28k and loded with nav leather, sunroof ect... they are about 32k. Its a very Solid, safe fast all weather car. Plus they are very light for a awd sedan. 3300 pounds for a awd car isnt bad at all. They out run the new 300 hp V6 lexus.

 

You'll be fine unless you get into a fender bender.

http://web.camaross.com/forums/showthread.php?t=406154

 

New 274hp turbocharged AWD 6spd Mazdaspeed6 is nice too and starts out @ 28k as well.

Both it and the Legacy 2.5T GT are great values in an affordable sports sedan.

 

I like the Mazda as well. I found the legacy to be more of a drivers car. I would go for the Legacy over the Mazdaspeed 6. Plus the Mazdaspeed 6 is listed at 3600 pounds thats 300 pounds more than the legacy GT.

 

Yeah, those are pretty cool. Have you driven one? If so, what did you think?

 

I recently talked a friend into one. When I drove it I thought to myself that this is how BMWs used to feel before they went soft. It seemed to be a very well put together car. It handles like a dream and has better low end grunt than the Infiniti G35 I drove. Some of the best published 1/4 mile times for the car are at 14.0s at 98-99 mph. Just go drive one. The other thing i like about them...... You dont see them on every block.

BTW- I see your in Chicago, I would have loved the AWD in thoes Chicago winters I dont miss.

 

I've driven the Legacies quite a bit. I do really like the 5MT turbo cars. They are great to drive (nearly 50/50 on the weight). When you hustle around turns the whole car drifts out, rather than plow like a front driver or kick the rear out like a rear driver. Add in the AWD and better reliability, and it's at least worth a look.

Other considerations: You won't get any kind of "status" and there aren't 5,000 electronic doodads that are optional. You'll also probably burn a bit more gas than you would in some comparable cars because turbo = fun.

 

It's a cool car, Lew. Why wouldn't I post it?

 

I haven't driven either of these, but I am a big fan. . . G35 sedan 6mt & Legacy GT.

Basically, the 6spd G35 is rated @ 298hp, and gets the performance susp/brake setup for a base price of $31k.

I haven't seen any comparisons betwen this and the latest E90 3 series, but w/ the previous generation they were always close enough.

So to get a car that handles nearly as well, and to smoke it in a straight line, and probably for cheaper when you compare similarly equipped, I'll take the G35.

I like the Legacy alot, but I won't touch it until it gets a 6spd from the WRX STI.

Mike

 

BTW, since others have mentioned that the ride is kinda rough (since it's sporty & firm), why would you even rule out a WRX STI?

I mean, the rear seat is not that small when compared to these smaller sedans. Yeah, it is a bit boy racy, but it doesn't take much to find someone to swap trunk lids to either eliminate the big spoiler & get the smaller spoiler, or none altogether.

Not to mention, the STI will handle better and and way out accelerate the 3 series.

Oh, and I meant to mention in my other reply. . . the 3 series interior does nothing for me. G35 is way nicer. . . heck, even the subies with less features appeal to me way more than the 3 series. They're simple & clean.

Mike
5'10, 220lbs and fit very comfortably in the back seat of an STI.
:-)

 

I've never driven a WRX, but have always wanted to. But you're right, it may be abit boy racer for me. Too bad you can't get all the STI stuff on a lower key (non-STI) WRX.

Also - and this without driving an STI- I'd have a hard time believing the WRX could outhandle the sport 325i I drove today.

 

The STI has been know to show its tail lights to the M3 at the ring. But the STI is still Suby's entry level car with a really exspensive motor/trans/awd set up. The Legacy is near luxuray while the STI is economy car with huge *****. The interiors of the wrx did get a good update when saab needed a better interior.

The Legacy is really a nice classy car with decent styling. If I had to live with a car thru winters and a Chicago commute I would take the Legacy GT. Its a great performer and a comfy ride.

 

Are you kidding? C&D got a 325i through the 1/4 mile in 14.7@94mph, which matches up well against the 14.8@97 they got the previous month in a 330i. Now maybe the dragstrip they tested the 325i on was particularly sticky, but even the trap speed is quite impressive.

Taking 0-100 minus 0-60 time usually gives a pretty good idea of top end power while taking launch traction out of the equation. The 325i got 10.7 seconds, which is faster than an Audi A4 3.2 (11.7), and right there with a CTS 3.6 (10.4). The 330i, Acura TL, G35, and Volvo S60R were 9.8, 9.5, 9.1, and 10 seconds respectively; a bit faster, but hardly walking away from it.

The 325i seems to me to do just fine. And the C&D test model had an MSRP of $33190.

The 325i is most definitely not marketed as a drag racer; I don't see how you can call it underpowered. I think maybe you're focusing too much on the spec sheet, which seems to be a bit pessimistic. Especially on the torque rating (185 lb ft @ 2750, but is that the torque peak?
)

 

I know, but I still have to give you a hard time!

 

Tell her to wait for the G6 vert, hardtop = good. Or look at the SAAB 9-3 vert with the 2.8 turbo. I know it will probably top $35 k though.