Hi all,

I haven't been around here much lately but I'm a new dad and my son Charlie is keeping me busy!

As a result, I'm thinking about possibly selling my AP2 ('04, 45k miles) and replacing it with something that gives me as sporting a drive as possible but has 5 seats. I like to buy gently used cars with low miles and I would REALLY prefer to stay with rear-wheel drive if possible. And I must have a manual gearbox.

I figured this crowd is the best one to ask about this. I've never owned a car with a fixed roof, or a car that wasn't downright loud on the interstate (S2K included). I'd like to spend less than $20k on something with less than 30,000 miles on it.

I have a few ideas of my own but I'd rather hear your thoughts. Any ideas?

Thanks,

Bill

 

STI or EVO!! the best of both worlds, teach your child how to handle the G force at an early age. It's called male bonding..... there will be no roller coaster ride he can't handle in the future plus you never know, he may become a test pilot as an adult although we do have a problem "Charley" is the name we used on the Viet Con...

 

VW GTi 4 door hatch or a VW GTi sedan, or pick up one of the remaining VW R32s. The build quality of either surpasses any Japanese brand, and the R32 is a better built car and a better value than a 1 Series or 3 Series. Try an Audi A3 with the luxury and sport packages and a 6 speed manual.

 

M3

 

Smart man a evo or Sti is cheap right now 4 doors and can make fast for so cheap. $2000 u can make a Evo have 300AWHP try and beat that

 

This is probably the #1 question all of us late teens early to mid 20's males will (unfortunately) have to answer soon.

Me personally would go with an is300, is350, 3 series, or STI.

Hope it all pans out well for you and let us know what you end up getting.

 

Evo for a sporting drive closer to the s2k. The STi feels a bit big...and gear shift is mushy.

 

The GTi, R32 and A3 look urbane. The Evo and STI look profane.

 

take the family truckster.. ya think you hate it now.. wait til you drive it...

 

love german performance, but do not like part quality. Be prepared to pay out the butt with the german market. i was going to get an m3 instead of the S, but u just cant compare prices if something does occur.

I would stick to the sti. i had one before the S and loved it. jap>german anyday. I am a vw person at heart, but 2 in 2.5 years.....never again.