[OT] Shopping for a new ride, opinions?

[marc_scirocco at sympatico.ca (Mtl-Marc)]

Thumbs up for an A4, especially if you live in snow country.

Cheers.

Marc
'83 Scirocco
'97 A4 Q 

> -----Message d'origine-----
> De : Nate Mellom [mailto:doubt@inwave.com] 
> Envoy? : 9 janvier 2007 00:22
> ? : Scirocco list
> Objet : [OT] Shopping for a new ride, opinions?
> 
> I'm sorta kinda in the market for a new(er) car.  I've been 
> contemplating the decision for a while now, since my son was 
> born (Dec 05).  It pretty much comes down to the fact that 
> I'm sick of driving $500 cars for primary transportation (my 
> '81 and my Quantum I picked up for $500/ea, my '88 16v for 
> $800).  I'm looking to probably replace the
> '81 and the QSW with something newer, keeping the '88 as my 
> 'fun' car. 
> The '81 is very rusty, especially underneath where all the 
> important bits are, but it runs great.  Eventually I'll get 
> myself a nice Mk1 (I'm partial to 'em, actually).  The QSW is 
> a good car, rare, and in fairly good shape, but it got 
> rear-ended a while back, and I never got anything out of the 
> lady that hit me.  I don't have the time, money, or energy to 
> put into it right now, and it's my current winter car.  Still 
> drivable, but I'd like something newer, more reliable, maybe 
> with working A/C, etc, etc, etc.
> I've been contemplating options.  I'm looking for something 
> in the $4000-$5000 range (I'm on a pretty tight budget, but 
> if we get a nice tax return that'll help tremendously).  Late 
> '90s, early 2000's.  I'm looking for 4 (or 5) doors (wagons 
> are on the list), it MUST be a manual, as I refuse to own an 
> automatic.  It'll be my daily driver, primary transportation, 
> and it must be able to haul a kid in a car seat, me, my wife, 
> and stuff. Preferably European, I haven't  had much 
> experience with Japanese or American cars for a LOOOOONG 
> time, and as such, I own mostly metric tools.  Most other 
> options are open at this point.
> Cars I've been pondering:
> 
> VW:
> B3/B4/B5 Passat. I'm open to the TDI, but I'd prefer gas 
> (VR6, V6, 1.8t) Jetta. Preferably something a little sportier 
> (GLX, GLI, Wolfie)
> 
> Audi:
> A4/A6. I'd love quattro, but unless I can shop older, I think 
> it'll be priced out of my budget.
> 
> Volvo:
> 850.  I drove an 850 Turbo Wagon, VERY nice car, quick, with 
> all the cool Volvo creature comforts.  It was an automatic, 
> unfortunately.
> 
> Subaru:
> Legacy.  Always liked 'em, and I do like the idea of AWD.
> Impreza.  Same as the Legacy, but I think it'll be a little small.
> 
> I haven't given much thought to anything else, but since I'm 
> in the beginning stages of shopping, I'm open to options.  
> Looking for recommendations, positives, negatives, BTDT's, 
> and of course, if anyone has anything for sale, let me know.
> 
> Thanks,
> Nate
> 
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