Help me choose my next car

[Spooler]

So, my wife and I have decided to get rid of our 07 highlander and buy an (ideally) AWD car. We both dislike SUVs and are looking to spend up $30k (the less the better). We are thinking of the following cars a year or so old with less than 20k miles. Anyone care to comment on these cars or add any others we should consider?

WRX, Mini Paceman or countryman, Audi A4 (surprisingly we've seen a few towards the top of our price range). A few dark horses: a final model year Infiniti G37x, Mazda CX-5, Subaru crosstrek, Subaru Legacy (although I don't think they look so good post 2008), VW Tiguan. Any comments or suggestions? Thanks!

[black]

[Chippertheripper]

A cx5 would certainly fit into your budget.
I just got one. So far no regrets.
Mine is a grand touring without either the nav or super tech package. It's easily the nicest vehicle I've owned, and it's pretty nice to drive too. Better than my Impreza and obviously better than my element.

[Degsy]

I just bought a car from these people. They definitely have G37xs in stock, plenty of audis and mercedes etc. They are awesome and would very well be worth your trip if you like what they have. Check out their online inventory.

Bourne's Auto Center | Used dealership in South Easton, MA 02375

[Danz19899]

WRX is a fun practical car but they can lack the refinements of luxury cars. they are a little louder (road noise) but probably the most fun on your list. The hatchback actually fits quite a few things. Not sure about the new ones but the 2012 I used to drive got around 20MPG and had a small tank which got annoying.

The Audi A4's can be nice cars but expect higher maintenence and repair costs with any german vehicle. They do however driver a lot nicer and will get pretty decent mileage. Cruise controled at 80 I got around 28 MPG when I took one on a trip. If you value ride quality, noise, refinement they are great cars. Just as long as you can accept and maintain them correctly.

Dont really know to much about the others but i'd stay away from the Tiguan, I just cant stand how they drive and repair bills would be similiar to the audi without all the positives.

[sedanman]

I want a Crosstrek. ........so you should buy one.

[Spooler]

I hadn't even considered the CX-5 until I saw your thread, Chip. It sounds nice, but may be a little more SUV/crossover than my heart desires... But I think I'll need to drive one. Can they be had with a manual transmission?

The crosstrek seems to have very mixed reviews, and I feel like there might not be much that distinguishes it from an Impreza...

The WRX is the car I think I would enjoy the most while maintaining a high degree of utility, and my wife surprised me by saying she likes the looks. We both really like the looks of the Mini Paceman, but it also has very mixed reviews. Which is a shame because I loved my old mini hardtop.

All the others listed are just cars that seem like they'd be nice and broadly fit our criteria. The AWD requirement is limiting our selection a lot more than I expected, I thought it was a more common option these days.

[Spooler]

Has anyone driven a Honda Crosstour? As boring as it looks?

[Chippertheripper]

It can, but not in awd.

[loudbeard]

Have you considered a front wheel drive sedan with snow tires?

[GingahNinjah]

I absolutely love my 2013 crosstrek. the premium trim has available 5 speed trans. the limited has more available features but no 5 speed and a bigger price tag. only down fall is that the crosstrek only has a 2.0L engine w 143hp this means ~30mpg on the highway tho. but the AWD and traction control are great. not a great vehicle for towing but i am towing my 5x10 trailer with it and it is doing well albiet sluggish on uphills.

[butcher bergs]

My mom had a G37x. Not a car I'd personally want to live with every day but it went like stink and was reasonably comfortable to drive.
Winter manners were uninspiring and I'm not sure it'd be much better with snows. Car is too much on the sport side for good snow traction, IMO.

I'm a sucker for Subies and suggest you find a clean Legacy GT.

[DucDave]

I have an AWD Ford Flex with the EcoBoost (365 hp) motor. I like it....

[e30addict]

I absolutely love my 2013 crosstrek. the premium trim has available 5 speed trans. the limited has more available features but no 5 speed and a bigger price tag. only down fall is that the crosstrek only has a 2.0L engine w 143hp this means ~30mpg on the highway tho. but the AWD and traction control are great. not a great vehicle for towing but i am towing my 5x10 trailer with it and it is doing well albiet sluggish on uphills.

A turbo Crosstrek with a 6 speed that has a super tall 6th would be a great dd car. Are you listening Subie!!!!

[Spooler]

Have you considered a front wheel drive sedan with snow tires?

No. It would really open up the options and there are a lot of FWD cars I like, but after having AWD for the first time last winter we're not willing to go back. Our other car will continue to be FWD (Fiat 500).

I'm a sucker for Subies and suggest you find a clean Legacy GT.

I had an 06 Legacy GT Limited and it was one of my all-time favorites. It's very hard to find one of that generation with low miles and not beat, and I find future generations to be unattractive. But I am looking.

[SteveM]

I just bought a car from these people. They definitely have G37xs in stock, plenty of audis and mercedes etc. They are awesome and would very well be worth your trip if you like what they have. Check out their online inventory.

Bourne's Auto Center | Used dealership in South Easton, MA 02375

Drive by them 100 times always saw nice cars but wondered if they were good and honest or typical and sleazy. Nice to hear you had a good experience.

[Garandman]

I haz WRX but would lean towards CrossTrek.

Audi builds nice looking, nice performing cars with beautiful interiors but the A4 is much less reliable after a few years than the top Japanese and domestic brands. Subaru now sells 3X as many cars as Audi in America.

[Spooler]

I haz WRX but would lean towards CrossTrek.

What is it about the Crosstrek you prefer? I was thinking pretty seriously about one until I read a slew of luke warm reviews. Now I don't know.

[tsorfas]

I wouldn't buy any Audi, especially the A4 no matter what.
My friend is a mechanic for Mazda he had told me to stay away from the CX7 when I was looking for a car for my mom. I am not sure how different the CX5 is.
The Infiniti is a great option and on the luxury end of your list.
The Subarus are solid cars and I personally like them a lot. They should be decent to maintain. The legacy is clearly more of a family car where the WRX is more of a fun/sport vehicle.

Personal preference stay away from Audi and VW.
G37 is pretty sweet but can you find a BMW or Mercedes in that price range too?(if you want luxury/style).

If you drive a lot and based on what you looking for be Legacy will save you most money upfront and in the long run and it is a very decent car.

[Garandman]

What is it about the Crosstrek you prefer? I was thinking pretty seriously about one until I read a slew of luke warm reviews. Now I don't know.

The Crosstrek is a roomy form factor without being an SUV.

You really have to check them out in person. The Forester, Impreza, CrossTrek share a lot f same parts but in different form factors.

The WRX is great fun but you don't use the performance in daily driving, they burn regular vs. Premium on the WRX, and they cost more.

I wouldn't buy any Audi, especially the A4 no matter what.
My friend is a mechanic for Mazda he had told me to stay away from the CX7 when I was looking for a car for my mom. I am not sure how different the CX5 is.
The Infiniti is a great option and on the luxury end of your list.
The Subarus are solid cars and I personally like them a lot. They should be decent to maintain. The legacy is clearly more of a family car where the WRX is more of a fun/sport vehicle.

Personal preference stay away from Audi and VW.
G37 is pretty sweet but can you find a BMW or Mercedes in that price range too?(if you want luxury/style).

If you drive a lot and based on what you looking for be Legacy will save you most money upfront and in the long run and it is a very decent car.

I'd like to know if there is even one of the vehicles you mention that you've owned personally.

[Chippertheripper]

He owns a Mazda 3. Which is essentially a cx5 without the height or awd.

[Spooler]

The Crosstrek is a roomy form factor without being an SUV.

You really have to check them out in person. The Forester, Impreza, CrossTrek share a lot f same parts but in different form factors.

Hm, I was under the impression it was an Impreza with higher ground clearance and some body cladding. I'll have to drive one at some point.

[tsorfas]

I had a legacy GT. Have driven several G37s.
I would never own an Audi. My mom currently owns a VW Jetta.

Do you disagree with something I said or our you sour because you are who you are?

[MHenry600]

No. It would really open up the options and there are a lot of FWD cars I like, but after having AWD for the first time last winter we're not willing to go back. Our other car will continue to be FWD (Fiat 500).

Have you ever had snow tires?

[Chippertheripper]

Hm, I was under the impression it was an Impreza with higher ground clearance and some body cladding. I'll have to drive one at some point.

It is. But the Impreza and the forester share a lot of the same parts. Like wheel bearings, which are useless if you ever want to tow a dirtbike...let alone motorcycle.