Looking for car

[Oatmealman]

Alright my girlfriend is looking for a car.Here's the list,i've searched and searched and searched and can't find anything that she likes so i'm asking you nico


Here's the criteria list
awd
20mpg or better in city
preferable turbo 4 banger but it can just be a n/a 4 cylinder too.
It has to be "cute"
4 door,a wagon would be awesome
Comparable maintenance costs too a 97' nissan maxima
preferably a decent stock sound system
She's looking to spend about 8k at MAX

She refuses to drive a subaru since she doesn't wanna be associated with subaru drivers(these are her words not mine).I've tried to talk her into the subaru but she refuses.The only other thing i can think of is a volvo xc70 awd but the maintenance costs are fairly steep( i.e getting close to German car maintenance)

Thanks alot guys

[Urabus GodofTraction]

Slap her around a bit till she's ok with Subarus. Her requirements look like a spec sheet for them.

Galant VR4 would work, too. But good luck with that?
I think Elements are "cute."
Not recommending it, but I think it fits the requirements: Pacifica
The Vibe/Matrix can be found in AWD (good option).
A used SX4 may be in your price range already (good option here if so).
Lots of AWD Saabs, but reliability could be a problem.

Sadly, that's a pretty comprehensive list right there.

[574-240sx]

Early 2000 crv but I think they are pretty ugly until the latest body style and those are still expensive. Best pick would be a subaru if she liked them, you can pick up a higher mileagt 05 legacy gt for around 10k.

[Zydeco]

Slap her around a bit till she's ok with Subarus. Her requirements look like a spec sheet for them.


Lots of AWD Saabs, but reliability could be a problem.

or just get the rebadged WRX wagon and not tell her.

[Urabus GodofTraction]

Slap her around a bit till she's ok with Subarus. Her requirements look like a spec sheet for them.


Lots of AWD Saabs, but reliability could be a problem.

or just get the rebadged WRX wagon and not tell her.

Indeed. That was my first choice before the bugeye body style, but I couldn't find an 06 Aero is something that wasn't red or black.

Speaking of Subarus, you'll of course appreciate my change of username!

[Zydeco]

yeah it took me a few mins to figure it out. I used to know a guy and his plat was "urabus".

[Oatmealman]

I've thought about dumping her in a saabaru and not telling her but she's not stupid and would pick up.It's unfortunatley a short list.I recommended the cr-v and it was a no,i forgot to mention it has to be an automatic.She can drive my dime but the first gear is pretty low so it's easy to start off and getting past 2nd is a big stretch for her.

How bad are the 325xi bimmers to maintain? I don't want to put her in a german car but she really only likes the volvo xc70's and bimmers and fit the criteria she wants.

[Urabus GodofTraction]

I've thought about dumping her in a saabaru and not telling her but she's not stupid and would pick up.It's unfortunatley a short list.I recommended the cr-v and it was a no,i forgot to mention it has to be an automatic.She can drive my dime but the first gear is pretty low so it's easy to start off and getting past 2nd is a big stretch for her.

How bad are the 325xi bimmers to maintain? I don't want to put her in a german car but she really only likes the volvo xc70's and bimmers and fit the criteria she wants.

I thought about adding them to this list, but...
I don't know if you'll find a non e30 325ix/xi in your price range.

The e30ix's are inexpensive to maintain as long as you're not talking about an ix specific part. They're quite reliable, but getting up there in the years.

If she's looking for an XC70 sized vehicle, that opens your options up some. That's more "SUV" than wagon.

[AZ89two4Tsx]

Volvos are dead nuts reliable if maintained properly. The T-5s get good mpg and have plenty of power to get you around. The resale value on them sucks as well so you can get a lot more car for your money than any other German brand.

BMW's are going to be a bit more expensive parts/maintenance wise, but if you're a DIY-er, then it won't be TOO terrible.

S60 awd.
http://denver.craigslist.org/ctd/2012646245.html

[Oatmealman]

I am a diy'er but german cars are new to me and i know some of the stuff requires special tools.I think i'm gonna put her in a volvo most likely.

Thanks for all the help guys

[Jesda]

Saab 9-2x. Its a Subaru wagon with an nicer interior, smoother ride, and less noise. Resale might be lower than Subaru too, making it cheaper to buy.

Or punch her in the ear and tell her to get a Subaru.

[Dittoz7]

Forester with Ford badges.

[Rex]

Toyota Matrix XR AWD. Might be a touch outside of your price range, depending on mileage.

[jdansmith]

Volvo, can't go wrong. The Vibe/Matrix if the price is right.

[OriginalWheelman]

awd
20mpg or better in city
preferable turbo 4 banger but it can just be a n/a 4 cylinder too.
It has to be "cute"
4 door,a wagon would be awesome
Comparable maintenance costs too a 97' nissan maxima
preferably a decent stock sound system
She's looking to spend about 8k at MAX

+


That or tell her to be f*** reasonable.

[Bubba1]

Saab 9-2x. Its a Subaru wagon with an nicer interior, smoother ride, and less noise. Resale might be lower than Subaru too, making it cheaper to buy.

Or punch her in the ear and tell her to get a Subaru.

Since you require AWD, A Subie (or Saab 9-2X which is essentially a Subie) is your best choice. They are not the cutest cars, but they are competent and not that expensive to maintain/repair. Audis are better made and more sophisticated, but they also cost more when they break (which tends to be more often than a subaru).
Another thought is a small SUV like a RAV4 or CRV. Well made, versatile and AWD.

Afun AWD car, but I don;t think you can get one for $8K is a VW R32. Think AWD golf. Fun, fast.

[Oatmealman]

I've shown her pictures of the saabaru's and she dislikes them.She dislikes the matrix as well and suv's are kind of outta the question since she wants 20+ in the city.She wants a nicer car because she drives a 1997 Nissan maxima with 313k miles on it and the entire car is falling apart and I'm tired of putting money into it and constantly working on it.The rear main seal is just dumping oil,the timing belt is 20k over due for a change,the transmission's slipping, both her cv shafts need to be replaced,the rack and pinion needs to be replaced and the motor is burning oil,the starters bad,the fuel pump is on it's way out..No one took care of the car before she met me and now that i've gotten ahold of it and done front/rear wheel bearings,4 struts,balljoints,control arm bushings,timing belt,and tons of other crap I'm finally done with it.

I know what you guys are gonna say.I should just man up and replace all the crap that's wrong but it quite honestly isn't worth it in a car that's got that many miles and doesn't do very well in the snow.I'd rather just have her in a newer car than have to dump a week worth of work and a grand worth of parts into a nissan.

[Jesda]

Well, sounds like she's getting a horse-drawn buggy.

[Oatmealman]

Trust me if i could give her a horse-drawn buggy and keep her happy i would but "hell hath no fury like a scorned women".

[Speedy7_7]

I would like to warn you that a Volvo might be more expensive to fix than a BMW if you are a do it yourselfer. I have owned both a 1998 Volvo V70t all wheel drive turbo wagon, and I own a 1992 (older I know) BMW 325 IS. I have also had a bunch of Beamer parts go into other cars in my garage and I can safely say they are not any pricier, compared to most other car manufacturers.

Just to put it into perspective. I replaced a front CV shaft in my volvo, even junkyards wanted 300 bucks for it. It took me 2 months to get one for just under 200. Everything I had to replace was not easy to find. But other than front end parts that are made of broken glass held together with mud, the car is a tank, and the 5 cylinder turbo motors are incredible. It is a strange feeling to accelerate somewhat quickly in something that weighs as much as an aircraft carrier.

All and all though, she would probably prefer the volvo with the guidelines she has set forth. Other than the subaru thing, whats up with that?? She basically described a WRX wagon and then she worries about being a lesbian? come on.

[Dittoz7]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1999-Mit ... 53e46f738d

Can she really tell the different between FWD and AWD?

[Oatmealman]

Yes she can dittoz.I've taught her well.I think the reason for the hatred on suby's is because she hear's me scream at the old lady's in the
subaru forester's.as for the eclipse she wants a 4 door so she can haul her friends around when they hang out.

[horubeets]

Suzuki SX4 Crossover
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zyz5g-d9I7Y[/youtube]

[Mr1der]

Slap her around a bit till she's ok with Subarus. Her requirements look like a spec sheet for them.

yeah seriously, no Subaru?

that pretty much eliminates everything but maybe a Saab and Volvo.

Tell her to get an EP3 Civic and learn how to drive in the snow.