Most Interesting AWD Slushbox

[dodint]

My wife's E60 535xi is starting to annoy me and I'm not sure it's going to last in our household until she graduates from her doctorate program in three years. I'm thinking of pushing her into leasing because all she really wants is a nice car that's under warranty. I prefer interesting cars myself but I'll be damned if I can think of a car that meets her requirements and is cool enough for my liking. She already shot down the AWD Challenger, telling me "buy one if YOU want one." :lol:

Needs:
AWD
Slushbox
Nav
Bluetooth phone and audio. (E60 is phone only, buh)
Heated Seats, heated wheel is a nice bonus.

What I *wanted* for her was a Z4 Coupe but it's seemingly the only BMW that doesn't come in x-drive and is only offered as a roadster right now, hnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggg.

So what's out there? I'm almost completely blind on this segment. Lease would realistically have to fall in the $500-700 a month range so no crazy G-Wagens or anything. When she got t-boned in December we were looking at Focii for a bit, but they got the car fixed.

Sell me something interesting.

[Kchrpm]

Porsche Macan, $699 lease deal: http://porschedealer.com/pfs/details.php?id=7

Jaguar XE 35t AWD, $399 lease deal: http://www.jaguarusa.com/current-offers/xe-offers.html

Audi A5 2.0T Quattro, $399 lease deal, $750 for BMW owners: http://www.theaudiconnection.com/global-incentives-search/2016-Audi-A5-Coupe-Offers-US2016AUD07f6567cb3e2fd3c5f17629.htm

[balki]

The Volvo XC90 is supposedly really nice, as the Subaru VX (maybe too cheap for your budget? [WTF!?!])

[dodint]

The Volvo XC90 is supposedly really nice, as the Subaru VX (maybe too cheap for your budget? [WTF!?!])

Budget doesn't have a floor. She's paying less than $400 for her loan right now. I just didn't want to handcuff suggestions by being too cheap with the ceiling.

Keith comes in with a great suggestion that tickles the ceiling, go figure.

[Cam]

Subaru Crosstrek or WRX? STi or VW Golf R if you're feeling rich?

[dodint]

I have driven and like the WRX STI. She doesn't fit the, err, profile for that car by any stretch though.

She's been kicking the tires on the idea of moving to an Audi, and I don't blame her.

[Kchrpm]

Also, Cadillac ATS Coupe can be had with AWD and the lease prices are around $350.

[dodint]

Also, Cadillac ATS Coupe can be had with AWD and the lease prices are around $350.

This was where my mind went first, I just can't remember what her hangup with Cadillac is. I think we both assumed she hated them but I talked to her about that exact thing about a month ago. I just can't remember what was said.

I'm certain if I took her to a Cadillac dealer, put her in an ATS, and had her test drive it she would love it. Especially if it means a drop in payment.

Nice thing about Cadillac is there is a dealer less than 20 miles away. Porsche/BMW are in Minnesota.

[Cam]

Nissan Juke Nismo RS?

[dodint]

Sure.

http://roa.h-cdn.co/assets/15/05/980x490/landscape_nrm_1422569253-trax_010.jpg

[Cam]

1928

[dodint]

In poking around with Keith the two strongest contenders have been the Cadillac ATS AWD I4 and the Audi A5. Both are about $45K. Head to head I think the Audi would win. Win in the sense that this is a totally subjective brainstorming session.

[speedpimp]

Subaru Crosstrek or WRX? STi or VW Golf R if you're feeling rich?

Keep your hands to yourself, good sir.

[TheBenior]

I've driven a Subaru Crosstrek. It drives... in a competent, car-like fashion like the tall Impreza that it is. A Mazda CX-5 2.5 is a more exciting drive. The Crosstrek would also have a mediocre-to-bad interior for somebody used to a BMW (or, in my case, a loaded up 1st gen Mazda3).

[Yw-slayer]

I wouldn't switch to a Crosstrek. Something like a Golf R would be fun, but all of he first 3 options Keith posted are certainly interesting. The Jag is a great car.

[KillerB]

The links are a pain to parse, but with these parameters, I like (of things that haven't already been mentioned):

2016 BMW M235i xDrive - $459/mo
2016 BMW 328d or 328i xDrive Sedan- $329/mo
2016 BMW 328d or 328i xDrive Sports Wagon - $369/mo
2016 BMW 435i xDrive Gran Coupe - $469/mo
2016 BMW 428i xDrive Convertible - $469/mo
2016 BMW 535d or 535i xDrive - $579/mo

2016 Mercedes-Benz C300 4MATIC - $389/mo

I'd also look at Lexus offers on the RC, if coupes really are in play. I didn't see anything specific on the all-wheel drive versions when it comes to lease offers, but it may be the ZIP I put in (not a lot of demand for AWD coupes and sedans here in SoCal :lol:)

[TheBenior]

I didn't see anything specific on the all-wheel drive versions when it comes to lease offers, but it may be the ZIP I put in (not a lot of demand for AWD coupes and sedans here in SoCal :lol:)
My brother in law drives a 2014 3.5EB AWD F-150 and lives in Irvine, CA.

Naturally, he bought it while they still lived in northern New Jersey.

[Godson]

I'd also recommend Volvo.

It off all the cars I saw at our car show in February, Volvo impressed me the most. Especially the xc90.

The v90 polestar was the tits though. That's be another to look into.

[KillerB]

I'd also make a distinction between something AWD and a true 4WD vehicle. Lots of opportunities to go off-roading here, and 4WD trucks are everywhere.

[dodint]

2016 BMW 435i xDrive Gran Coupe - $469/mo


Russ and Keith are awaiting my imminent stroke.

;)

[Cam]

I see a few Bentley Conti GTs on ebay for under $50,000. :p

[dodint]

She's a big Ferrari fan. I'm certain you can dig around and find a 308 or something for under $50K, though she'd have to hold onto the E60 for the AWD bit...

If I were to be completely selfish I'd buy myself a 3000GT VR-4 like I always wanted, then give it to her if she agreed to sell the BMW. :lol:

[Yw-slayer]

There is a 2005 Cayenne S on sale here for USD4.5K.

[Freude am Fahren]

The F-Type comes in AWD/AT. :D Lease deal is $729 (http://www.jaguarusa.com/current-offers/f-type-offers.html) though your trade may bring that down quite a bit.

Outback 3.6R?

[KillerB]

Sadly, 308 prices, like air cooled 911 prices, are through the roof. The classic car bubble continues...

[dodint]

No kidding? Huh.

I always wanted the F430 for her. Maybe in 5-10 years there will be a nice soft window to snag one up.

[KillerB]

Yeah, search BaT for Ferrari 308s. The BaT Auctions all had selling prices from $53k to $77k on 308s in the past year. :(

[Godson]

They were like 30k from ferrari dealers 3 years ago.


What the hell. Testarossa could be had for 40-60 on a regular basis. Now they are 90k +

Same for the 355s. My all time favorite Ferrari.

I should set money aside for the next big fallout to load up on some nice exotics.

[dodint]

Was poking around on eBay last night and was surprised to see F430s in six figures.

[dodint]

Oh, and speaking to my original scenario. I looked it up yesterday and each turbo on the E60 is about $850. And since it's an AWD I'll have to remove the front axle on that side to get to it. Luckily I have access to a lift and a real garage, but I figure that job is going to cost at minimum $1800 if I do it myself and close to $3K if I get a mechanic to do it. Couple that with the CCC that needs replaced soon and I'm starting to creep towards $4K in immediate needs over the next six months. I'd rather put that towards a lease d/p and move onto something with a warranty.

I'm hoping by tax return time she's fed up with the CCC being terrible. The D hunt starts in late April and it would be nice to get her squared away first.

[dodint]

Porsche Macan, $699 lease deal


Just wanted to commend you again on this recommendation. We went this weekend and checked one out. We declined the test drive because we knew we weren't buying, but we got to crawl in and around one and Ashley was really, really impressed. The pictures don't give it's presence any justice, honestly. She wants to look at the Audi and the ATS and some other stuff before we start talking about getting her an upgrade but this was a really nice start.

My personal take: We added it to the short list because it's shorter than the E60. When we got there I discovered that it feels like a YUGE vehicle. I thought, having never seen one in person, that it was going to be an X1 sized tarted up 911. It turns out it's more like a slightly smaller Cayenne. It's 4 inches wider than the E60 BMW. Also a very tall vehicle.

Not sure it will be the one, the idea was to go smaller than the E60 to get around in city life better and it's such a wide vehicle. She got her car accident check this week and put $8K of it towards the E60 loan so that car will be paid off this winter and we'll start making real decisions when our 'moving to Pittsburgh' situation settles down.

[Kchrpm]

Thanks for the update :up:

[dodint]

Thank you, sir. Was a fun day. The dealer was around the corner from the Carmax. Was fun going from the Abarth to the Macan. Different worlds.

[KillerB]

I am really impressed with the new Lincoln Continental.

[Godson]

Are they building it?

[thesameguy]

Already built!

[Godson]

Well no shit...


I really liked the one I saw at the auto show. I thought it was just a concept.

[Yw-slayer]

I thought, having never seen one in person, that it was going to be an X1 sized tarted up 911. It turns out it's more like a slightly smaller Cayenne. It's 4 inches wider than the E60 BMW. Also a very tall vehicle.

Not sure it will be the one, the idea was to go smaller than the E60 to get around in city life better and it's such a wide vehicle.

I'm quite surprised given that it's only got 5 seats, and is based on the Q5.

I don't know if Porsche's "extensive re-engineering" of the Q5 platform has fixed it, but my 2 friends with Q5s hate theirs (constant random noises/problems that cost a shitload and require several visits to fix) and will never buy an Audi again.

[dodint]

I didn't know that about the Q5 specifically, but the guy at the Porsche dealer had completely drank the Porsche kool-aid (which is good, at least he cares) and was going on and on about how the Macan was engineered to be special and the factory tolerances are so tight and blah blah blah. I wanted to just stop him and say "It's a VAG product, it's probably just slapped together from the parts bin and fitted with body panels that have bumps in all the right places" but he seemed so sincere. :lol:

[Cam]

http://myaudittsucks.com/

[Godson]

I love when people are so pissed they do stuff like that

[Yw-slayer]

I didn't know that about the Q5 specifically, but the guy at the Porsche dealer had completely drank the Porsche kool-aid (which is good, at least he cares) and was going on and on about how the Macan was engineered to be special and the factory tolerances are so tight and blah blah blah. I wanted to just stop him and say "It's a VAG product, it's probably just slapped together from the parts bin and fitted with body panels that have bumps in all the right places" but he seemed so sincere. :lol:

It is epobbaly better than the Q5, but that's not saying too much I guess.

That website is hilarious. Must show it to my friends. :D

[dodint]

I *completely* forgot that I made this thread.

Ash really likes the MINI. And the E60 is starting to have some hiccups. We're thinking of giving her the MINI until she graduates from school and I would take over the E60 to trade on something this summer.

Problem is we still need two automatics in case the MINI dies, as it does.

I just can't think of anything at all that I want. Doesn't have to be AWD for me. It can be from any era.

The only good idea I've had is that I should buy the F-series tow vehicle I'll need in a few years, get it out of the way now. Trucks are lamesauce, though. I could also pick up a 5-10 year old Challenger as I imagine they're not really enjoyable as a manual.

TL;DR: What's the best automatic available for an enthusiast owner, under $20k?

[Godson]

I love my lamesauce f150 platinum

[dodint]

Yeah, but you're *literally* lame.

[Godson]

Not according to my surgeon...

[dodint]

Pfft, Doctors. What do they know?

As mentioned in chat, I'm not confident that F150 is capable of towing an enclosed car trailer with tools and spare sets of wheels over the mountains between Pittsburgh and VIR. So I'd be looking at F250s.

I could be wrong. I know very little about trucks. Every time I try to educate myself on them I fall asleep.

[thesameguy]

As mentioned in chat, I'm not confident that F150 is capable of towing an enclosed car trailer with tools and spare sets of wheels over the mountains between Pittsburgh and VIR.

Pretty much any reasonably modern [real] truck should be able to do that assuming the correct options package. Your tow setup is likely going to be 7000-9000lbs (depending on how much you spend on the trailer), not a big deal... that's within the scope of my $1500 '99 Suburban (either 7800lbs or 8700lbs, can't remember - my tow setup is about 6600lbs, easily covered either way). It's always been fine over the Grapevine and even the Sierras.

[dodint]

I worry more about braking than getting the trailer up the hill. But again, trucks might as well be space shuttles to me.

[thesameguy]

If you're going to get a real trailer it'll have brakes. :)

[Fogelhund]

Ex has a 2017 S3.... it is underwhelming, despite what the stats say.

[thesameguy]

Coworker agrees with your ex. Sold her M3 for an S3 when she had a kid. All regrets.

[Yw-slayer]

Wow, talk about bad life decisions.

[thesameguy]

Srsly.

[dodint]

Update: She took the MINI from me, ending the original purpose of the thread. I took her car and traded it for some other cars and now drive an E46. I have an E350 Super Duty and it does tow over the mountains very well.

ANYWAY.

I'm looking to cage the E46 in January which means it won't be a DD anymore. Looking for a fun sub-$10k car I can buy to replace it. Hoping to settle on a slushbox so as to make managing the household fleet easier, as we've been stuck in situations (like now) where Ash has to drive the van if the MINI is not available.

So far I've been looking at '01-05 BMW Z4s and first gen 3000GT VR-4s. Even mid-tier Challengers are too expensive and I don't have any other good ideas. We've never owned a roadster/convertible before which is why the Z4 is in the lead.

Other cars I want but are manual include the Corvette C5Z, Dodge SRT-4, and the Porsche 944. But that doesn't solve my fleet management issue. The 944 did come in automatic but they're tough to come by.

[Cam]

Look hard enough and you can find an older, base-model Boxster for $10K. When Lori and I were shopping for a roadster back in the California days, the Boxster was THE best car for us tall people. It was a great and fun car. A bit pricey to fix though.

[George]

first gen 3000GT VR-4s

From the Denver craigslist:

1991 3000GT VR4 - $10450 (https://denver.craigslist.org/cto/d/littleton-gt-vr4/6920533547.html)

https://images.craigslist.org/01010_72NpcwHILZc_600x450.jpg

Ultra Rare 3000GT VR-4. Twin Turbo AWD - $15599 (https://denver.craigslist.org/cto/d/corrales-ultra-rare-3000gt-vr-4-twin/6904946969.html)

This one is near Albuquerque.

https://images.craigslist.org/00j0j_hc4CfOsarP4_600x450.jpg

[dodint]

That's some fantastic photography for Craigslist. :lol:

Cam, yeah, I noticed Boxsters when looking at 944s. I know nothing about them, maybe it's time to learn.

When Ash is done with school she is trading the MINI on a Cayman which is basically the same car. Fun stuff to consider.