I would say a slightly used STI.

 

you can get very nice WRX gagons for around 10k. so that would be an inexpensive route with AWD.

or if you look hard for some one that needs to get out of thier contract i am sure that you could fing an 08 sti for around 25k. or you could find depending on the year a used evo. but these are just going off of your claim to want AWD which is very smart if your winter is anything but socal...

if you want rwd look at 350z, mustangs with better suspention like the 03 cobra, used m3, or anything else that new would have been between 30 and 40 grand new.

if you want a little more luxury you can get the old cts-v for around 20k.

and there is the viper truck with the srt-10 that can be had for under 20k, but no 4x4 on those.

there are so many cars that can be had under 25k, but you don't seem clear on what you want, so its hard to help.

in this economy i would tel you to go for an 03-06 either wrx or sti, cause they fit your AWD and with mods can be very fast, even stock they have the power to do dumb things...

 

get a new base wrx ... sub 5 sec 0-60...AWD.. as long as you don't mind the looks you're golden

 

awd would go to a WRX and legacy hands down.

as for a rwd car, id get an e46 m3 over a s2000. not only is it quicker in every aspect but it looks better (IMO). of course, youd have to pay to play if anything went wrong with it.

 

Agree with many others on here; get a base WRX and you can modify it as much as you want.

That said, if you're into modifying heavily, a WRX STi or Mitsu Evo are probably a better STARTING point since you have a car that's already somewhat beefed up for the extra power and speed.

 

Wait another 2 years. Every car around today will probably be available for 25k short of ferrari's etc.

 

^^but by the time that happens, houses that use to cost 500k will cost about 100k

 

DD=Daily Driver.
A car you drive on a daily basis.

Dan

 

Ok well first off I was quite pleasantly surprised that I have had so many replys in such short time, looks like I will be making a decision quite rapidly

Thank You everyone for providing great responses to my questions, also if one more question is permitted hah how expensive would a subaru be to maintain and tinker with myself as compared to s2k ?

Honestly I lust after e46's they are my dream but much to expensive for me to take care of and as I don't exactly have time to baby such vehicles. They are reserved for a mid life crisis.

 

You can find very low mileage 2003 AP1s for a song now. I would go that route and call it a day and use the money saved to put into mods if that is the route you planned on going.