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Ultimate AWD Sports Sedans

828 messages,  Last post on Oct 03, 2009 at 9:40 PM

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What is this discussion about? BMW 3 Series, Audi A4, Volvo S60 R, Subaru Legacy, Audi S4, Mazda MAZDASPEED MAZDA6, Sedan

#304 of 828 AWD vs. RWD by ateixeira May 11, 2006 (9:16 am)
I have both. A Miata and a Forester.   The Miata is more fun in the dry, but it's downright scary when it's wet, and I refuse to drive in the snow at all. Seriously, I'll park it and take the subway home, and have my wife pick me up in her Subaru Legacy.   Also, driving on the edge, it's a sharp edge, and you're more likely to exceed it. Lift the throttle in the middle of turn and the Miata will spin quicker than you can say "oops".   That's why they now tune RWD vehicles to understeer, that plus the electronic nannies like stability control jump in early and spoil the fun. And when you turn that off, well, you still have understeer, and you can still lose it driving at the limit.   Bottom line - over the limit you lose control.   With AWD, you still have control, even beyond the limit. You can control a slide, AWD will actually help you pull out of it.   Now, my Forester isn't a little roadster, but when it does snow, I can drift it and *CATCH* the slide, and control it. The Miata just cannot do this.   So basically I can exceed the limits and have more fun, all in a controllable manner. With RWD I risk spinning out and damaging something.   I realize every car is different, but I've owned both for several years and I have (surprise) gotten the Forester sideways a lot more often.   -juice
#305 of 828 Re: Sport vs. AWD [redsoxgirl] by ateixeira May 11, 2006 (9:28 am)
Replying to: redsoxgirl (May 11, 2006 8:31 am) Now, to try and answer your question, the two closest vehicles I can think of are the Subaru Impreza WRX STI ($33,620) and the EVO MR ($35,764). The EVO actually meets all the criteria.   The Subie is under your price range but an STI Limited arrives for 2007.   Now, are you gonna tell me an EVO is not more fun than a BMW 325i, even with RWD?   An M3, OK, I'll give you that, but that's almost twice the money. Plus it's not available any more (or yet).   -juice Replies to this message: redsoxgirl (May 11, 2006 1:53 pm) rsholland (May 11, 2006 2:47 pm) esf (May 20, 2006 10:37 am) redsoxgirl (May 20, 2006 11:29 am) dhanley (Sep 18, 2006 1:51 pm)
#306 of 828 Anyone else feel we need pics? by ateixeira May 11, 2006 (9:29 am)
#307 of 828 Does this look boring? by ateixeira May 11, 2006 (9:31 am)
#308 of 828 Re: Sport vs. AWD [ateixeira] by redsoxgirl May 11, 2006 (1:53 pm)
Replying to: ateixeira (May 11, 2006 9:28 am) Don't get me wrong, I am sure that the Mitsubishi and Subaru are fun cars to drive in an off-road rally.   But I need something for 12,000+/- miles a year of on-road driving that I can occassionally use to ferry around a client (i.e. senior corporate executives, Wall Street analysts, etc.). Being the youngest female partner in the firm already presents some challenges. Showing up to a business function in a an aerodynamically-eccentric testosterone-laced "boy racer" car would be professionally unadviseable. And frankly, I doubt it would be my cup of tea regardless of the professional image implications.   Yesterday, one of our clients offered me his 2003 M5 with only 19,000 miles, pristine condition for $50,000. It includes an extended (7/75) warranty that covers another 4 years and 56,000 miles of all maintenance. I happen to like the previous (i.e. smaller proportioned, pre-i-drive, real 6-speed manual) M5 better than the new one which feels absolutely enormous to me. I have never purchased a used car, but I'm going to check this one out.   Thanks for your suggestion. I would concede that the EVO is definitely not "boring", even if it's not for me. Replies to this message: rsholland (May 11, 2006 2:47 pm) esf (May 20, 2006 10:37 am) redsoxgirl (May 20, 2006 11:29 am)
#309 of 828 looks like fun but... by kurtamaxxxguy May 11, 2006 (2:19 pm)
ahh, the joys of what looks like desert race/drifting. That is __one__ place you can drift and slide all day in without burning up a zillion tires! I assume there are Heavy Duty dust filters for engine and driver?   Unfortunately, all the dirt in my areas's covered by rotting asphalt and concrete, thoroughly flooded in rains and sprouting potholes by the dozens (including the "free" ways).   AWD would be of help for that, but the extra weight and MPH hit are no fun.
#310 of 828 Re: Sport vs. AWD [redsoxgirl] by rsholland May 11, 2006 (2:47 pm)
Replying to: redsoxgirl (May 11, 2006 1:53 pm) But I need something for 12,000+/- miles a year of on-road driving that I can occassionally use to ferry around a client (i.e. senior corporate executives, Wall Street analysts, etc.). Being the youngest female partner in the firm already presents some challenges. Showing up to a business function in a an aerodynamically-eccentric testosterone-laced "boy racer" car would be professionally unadviseable. And frankly, I doubt it would be my cup of tea regardless of the professional image implications.   Don't have to. Check out the soon to be released '07 Legacy 2.5 GT spec.B. It's not a boy-racer by any means, but a very sporty "GT" with AWD (of course), a powerful 2.5L turbo, a standard 6-speed, navigation, etc. It's the top-of-the-line Legacy and only comes in Diamond Gray Metallic, a charcoal gray. There's nothing about this vehicle that would be considered a bad "career move" on your part. If anything, you just might impress your bosses and clients by making such an intelligent decision.   Follow the links here to the '07 spec.B for info and pics.   Bob
#311 of 828 I think by dhamilton May 11, 2006 (3:19 pm)
The S4 feels way more solid than the current M3 IMO. The M3 is probably faster around the track but I think the Audi would be right on it's butt. The Audi is supremely better on a day-to-day basis IMO. Not to mention the buzzy sound of that inline 6 cylinder in the bimmer is enough to make me hunt for a rope and a shower rod.
#312 of 828 Re: Sport vs. AWD [redsoxgirl] by themugster May 11, 2006 (3:43 pm)
Not a lot of chatter pro or con about it here, but my Volvo S60 R has met all the specs (including the clients) and overcome all the objections voiced above for me, and I live in a Boston-like climate (Albany, NY). If you're committed to using real summer tires (ultra) and switching to real winter tires (like Blizzaks), you probably won't be disappointed. It's a 6-speed 300hp, turbo, twin-intercooled, with 295 ft.-lbs. torque and AWD roughly $40K w/all packages except ground fx and stereo upgrade. Turning circle with the 18" wheels is a minor sore spot, not to mention a design flaw, but then I haven't run gymkhanas since my Big Healey days of yore...and the four-piston 13" Brembos are what you get as a trade-off.
#313 of 828 Used M5 by ateixeira May 12, 2006 (6:53 am)
Sounds great given it's under warranty. Have a mechanic check it out. It's a lot of money for a used car, but it's a special car that will always hold its value.   spec.B is a good sleeper, only the hood scoop gives it away. Heated two-tone leather, moonroof, and GPS NAV are all standard so your clients won't be disappointed.   S4 is also sweet. I drove with a buddy from DC to PA and back in a cabrio, I can't imagine any client not being impressed. The V8 really pulls.   S60 R would be fun, they're a little heavy IMO but again your clients won't notice. They might even find it feels very substantial. And you can't go wrong with the Safety First message.   There are a lot of sweet AWD cars out there. And you might end up chirping the tires less than you would with a RWD equivalent, something that might seem boy-racerish to your clients.   -juice

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