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Ultimate AWD Sports Sedans

820 messages,  Last post on Jun 02, 2009 at 7:45 PM

You are in the Sedans Forum. Your Hosts are pat & karens

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


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#739 of 820
Re: What else should we look at? [ateixeira] by roadburner
Aug 28, 2008 (1:06 pm)
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Replying to: ateixeira (Aug 28, 2008 7:00 am)

I'd add a few others to your list - the 2009 TL-S will have SH-AWD. Also, the G35x from Infiniti. Finally, for a budget buy, check out a Subaru Legacy GT Limited, or even a spec.B model.
 
If my choices were limited to AWD cars I would also look at the Evo MR as well as the STi. The Spec B is another excellent pick. I found a very clean 2005 Audi CPO S4 for just $31900, but unfortunately it was a slushbox...
#740 of 820
Re: What else should we look at? [roadburner] by ateixeira
Aug 28, 2008 (1:54 pm)
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Replying to: roadburner (Aug 28, 2008 1:06 pm)

EVO and STI may fall a bit short on comfort, which the OP specifically asked for.
 
Try them out, though. Can't hurt, plus it'll be fun.
#741 of 820
Re: What else should we look at? [ateixeira] by roadburner
Aug 28, 2008 (3:27 pm)
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Replying to: ateixeira (Aug 28, 2008 1:54 pm)

Try them out, though. Can't hurt, plus it'll be fun.
 
If they're TOO sporty, then he's TOO old.
#742 of 820
Re: What else should we look at? [roadburner] by waygrabow
Aug 28, 2008 (5:08 pm)
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Replying to: roadburner (Aug 28, 2008 3:27 pm)

Thanks for the laugh. Just got my first speeding ticket in my MazdaSpeed6; damn, there goes the insurance rates (again). I don't need the HP of an EVO or STi in order to go fast enough. When I mentioned handling, I meant cornering, braking, and steering on uneven/slippery road surfaces NOT brute acceleration. Colorado has a winter and snow storms and mountain roads to deal with Remember also that my wife will share this car. I figure that about 200 hp is enough; beyond that, I'd like to devote engine efficiency toward good gas mileage. Would anyone recommend a Volvo or Saab? I have no experience with either one, so I was wondering. I always like to shop a car in comparison to others to help determine its relative value.
#743 of 820
Re: What else should we look at? [waygrabow] by ateixeira
Aug 29, 2008 (8:55 am)
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Replying to: waygrabow (Aug 28, 2008 5:08 pm)

I would have recommended that as well if Mazda had not discontinued it.
 
The MazdaSpeed3 is very nice, but no AWD. IMHO that's too much power for the front wheels alone, so much that early models had engines shaking out of their cradles due to wheel hop on acceleration.
 
Doesn't Mazda even limit boost in 1st and 2nd gear?
 
Give it AWD, Mazda!
#744 of 820
Re: What else should we look at? [ateixeira] by roadburner
Aug 29, 2008 (11:07 am)
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Replying to: ateixeira (Aug 29, 2008 8:55 am)

The MazdaSpeed3 is very nice, but no AWD. IMHO that's too much power for the front wheels alone, so much that early models had engines shaking out of their cradles due to wheel hop on acceleration.
 
No, the problem was a motor mount. A revised one was issued and the problem has only resurfaced with heavily modded cars and/cars that are drag raced.
 
Doesn't Mazda even limit boost in 1st and 2nd gear?
 
Yes, and boost is also dependent on the steering angle.
 
Give it AWD, Mazda!
 
I much prefer RWD cars; I bought a Mazdaspeed3 because I thought a little FWD experience would be helpful when I instruct students who have FWD cars at HPDEs. It's been kind of fun learning how to drive a FWD car properly, but I'll probably flip it for an E46 M3 in the near future. AWD is fine but it's not my first choice- unless it's a really, REALLY performance/track oriented sled like the Evo or STi.
#745 of 820
Re: What else should we look at? [roadburner] by ateixeira
Aug 29, 2008 (5:58 pm)
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Replying to: roadburner (Aug 29, 2008 11:07 am)

Well, IMHO the motor mount was the symptom, not the problem itself. Nothing some thread sealer can't fix, I suppose.
 
So how would you rate your preference? RWD, then AWD, then FWD? Depends?
 
I prefer AWD, then RWD, then FWD, in that order
 
Funny thing is I own one of each!
#746 of 820
Re: What else should we look at? [waygrabow] by djdj
Aug 30, 2008 (4:30 pm)
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Replying to: waygrabow (Aug 27, 2008 8:46 pm)

I also have a 2003 A4 1.8T; mine is Front-Trak with CVT. Great seats, incredible gas mileage, paint looks like brand new, fantastic stereo. Now has 80,000 miles. Rides as solid as when it was new.
However, I just put $2,300 into the computer control module for the CVT; mechanically should be okay. (I hope). I'm going to bet that that A4 lasts a lot longer and will keep it and replace the timing belt chain at 100K miles.
However, I will be giving it to my daughters to drive because the resale value isn't anything worthwhile and I'd rather the kids drive it then spend even more money for an unknown used car.
 
For me, I will consider the new A4 2.0T but I have already spent a day with the new 2009 Acura TSX. It was a loaner I got when my wife's MDX was being serviced. I really like the TSX. Roomier than the current A4, drove nice, roomy. It is much smoother, quieter and has better gas mileage than the last TSX. It is also A LOT less than the A4. I am definitely considering getting one. I'd recommend test driving one.
 
The sticker is thousands less than the A4 sticker, just one of the dealers in Cleveland has a lot in stock and the Internet price was much less than MSRP.
 
Its worth a look.
 
Hertz gave me a Volvo S80 for 3 days on a recent trip. I really liked that too; very different from the Audi. I think the CTS is worth a look too.
 
Let us know what you get.
#747 of 820
Re: What else should we look at? [ateixeira] by roadburner
Aug 31, 2008 (7:55 pm)
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Replying to: ateixeira (Aug 29, 2008 5:58 pm)

So how would you rate your preference? RWD, then AWD, then FWD? Depends?
 
I prefer RWD- with no electronic nannies designed to save incompetent drivers from themselves. I love my 318ti Club Sport; all it needs is another 100 bhp, and a stroker motor will fix that.
AWD only works for me when I'm in a lazy mood and I'm not trying to set high cross country speed averages. When that's the case, my wife's X3 slushbox does the job quite well.
When I'm facing serious winter weather or muddy roads(I live on a small farm with a 2800 ft gravel driveway) I take my Jeep TJ. Funny thing: we had a fairly heavy snowfall last winter and I drove the thing around the county for the better part of the day before I noticed that I had never put in four wheel drive.
And FWD? Well, like I said, I bought the Mazdaspeed to hone a skill set I don't often use. It was kind of entertaining to learn how to drive it, but now I'm just flat-out bored with it- though I now think I'd feel that way about anything that isn't RWD and packing at least 300 hp. I ventured off the Munich reservation in order to try something different. I'll be paying the price for my abject stupidity for a few years- purchase in haste, detest at leisure...

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