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Wealthy had a 2009 Subaru Legacy GT that he put his coronary heart into. Sadly, the Subie has expired so now he’s on the lookout for one thing dependable and sporty-ish with 4 doorways for round $35,000. What automotive ought to he purchase?
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Right here is the state of affairs –
All good issues come to an finish gents and my 2009 Subaru Legacy GT has reached that finish. After extensively modifying it and making it the automotive Subaru ought to have constructed, she’s lastly given up the ghost. I like her and she or he’ll all the time be in my coronary heart, however I’m pondering it’s time to maneuver onto the following heartbreak.
Anyway, I’ve PCS orders to a brand new AFB in SC and my household will likely be staying the place I presently am situated in NC attributable to the truth that my spouse has a way more superior job than I, the youngsters are set of their colleges, and I solely have 3yrs till retirement. I want one thing dependable, considerably gasoline environment friendly attributable to driving again residence (225mi a method) on the weekends, snug, and can be not an entire canine. I don’t want a loud/obnoxious automotive, however don’t need a full soul-sucking commuter. What’s the following evolution of a Legacy GT for a 36yr outdated?
My spouse stated one thing concerning the subsequent automotive being no less than a household succesful automotive, blah blah blah.
I’ve a finances as much as $35,000
Table of Contents
Finances: as much as $35,000
Every day Driver: Sure
Location: North and South Carolina
Desires: Enjoyable, 4 Doorways, Reliability
Doesn’t need: One thing too thirsty or costly to repair
Wealthy, once I was wanting over the potential matters for this week’s column you had me at Subaru Legacy GT. I as soon as owned an ‘05 GT wagon that additionally discovered its limits of reliability however will nonetheless stay one among my favourite vehicles that I’ve owned.
The Legacy GT had four-cylinder turbo energy with AWD and was simply sporty sufficient to be enjoyable but in addition actually livable. There aren’t too many vehicles that use the identical components, but when you are able to do with out the AWD, one comes fairly shut. The Mazda6 sedan is understood for having a few of the finest dynamics within the non-luxury midsize four-door section. It additionally feels a bit extra “upscale” in comparison with the choices from Honda and Toyota. Beginning in 2018 Mazda provided a turbo possibility with an output of 250 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque. This motor additionally returned a decent 31 mpg on the freeway.
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If you search for Mazda6 sedans starting in the 2019 model year all trims at Grand Touring and up had the 2.5-liter turbo motor as standard equipment. A $35,000 budget will give you a lot of options to choose from many of which have lower miles. Here is a Licensed 2020 instance in Mazda’s signature Soul Purple paint with solely 17k miles. This automotive is a Reserve trim that gives some good luxurious upgrades.
I desperately wished to search out you a Lincoln Continental with its excellent suicide doors that might match into your finances, however alas it was to not be. So as a substitute, right here’s one other enjoyable Japanese sedan. Wealthy, what a few Civic SI?
It’d look like an apparent alternative, however typically the apparent choices are that means for a cause. The Civic SI is flipping wonderful.
For effectively underneath 35 grand, you will get your arms on a stunning compact sedan from the wizards over at Honda. It’d be an ideal alternative for the outgoing Subaru because it comes with the practicalities of 5 seats, 4 doorways and a decent-sized trunk. However, with the SI badge stuck up front and at the rear, you additionally get Honda’s beautiful 1.5-liter engine and six-speed guide gearbox. That’s the very definition of enjoyable, proper?
Fortunately, you’ve obtained a number of completely different choices to take with this automotive. In case you can wait, a new Civic SI starts well under budget at $27,700, and meaning you may order it within the beautiful blazing Ovary Pearl end. By the time supplier charges are added, that may doubtless put the value up within the 30s. If you’d like it proper now, then this metallic blue, 2020 model close to you’d be a peach.
The one draw back I see right here is that you simply’ll lose the all-wheel drive you had within the Subaru. However, you get to switch that with heaps of Honda excellence.
In the case of sensible enjoyable for a automotive fan with a household, it’s just about inconceivable to do higher than a sizzling hatch. However what if there was one thing higher? There may be and it’s a good hotter hatch, aka the Ford Focus RS.
Certain, it appears to be like just like the world’s angriest vacuum cleaner and it had some issues with head gaskets, however in comparison with that Subie life, it’s in all probability nothing. In addition to, in case you get one with some miles on it, that stuff is prone to have been dealt with already.
The Focus RS’ efficiency figures are fairly foolish. It makes 350 horsepower and 350 lb-ft of torque from a 2.3-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder. It’s obtained a six-speed guide and torque-vectoring all-wheel drive. It’s additionally obtained room for teenagers and groceries and no matter else you may consider within the again.
Certain, you can telephone it in and get a Focus ST and sure be completely joyful, however why take half measures when this example of the gnarliest hatch that anyone has ever brought to the US just squeaks under your budget?
Stay your finest life, Wealthy. Stay RS.
I is perhaps a little bit of a fanboy, however proper now I don’t suppose there’s a brand new automobile in the marketplace that matches the efficiency per greenback that you simply’ll get in case you bought a Hyundai Elantra N. Look previous the options you get for the cash and simply think about the intense efficiency: 275 horsepower turbocharged I4 with an overboost perform that takes it to 286 hp, paired to a six-pace guide (or an eight pace twin clutch transmission). Then there’s improbable dealing with, nice throttle response, and possibly one among, if not the best-sounding inventory exhaust you’ll ever hear. And it’s environment friendly. EPA ranking sits at 22/31 freeway. And I’ve learn even in case you drive it with a heavy foot you’ll nonetheless get round 25 mpg.
The Elantra N received’t break the financial institution both. Additionally, you will profit from Hyundai’s improbable guarantee. If the guarantee runs out it’s nonetheless an Elantra, so most components will likely be low cost. You’re additionally in place to purchase one as you reside on the east coast and there are sellers which might be truly promoting them at or close to sticker value. I found one in Springfield, VA going for $34,645, effectively inside your finances.
Wealthy, the very first thing I considered for a family-friendly automotive that’d be enjoyable to drive between North and South Carolina was a BMW wagon. The perfect of these could be an E46 3-Series wagon, however since these are older, they might not be as dependable.
Given your willingness to work in your vehicles, like along with your Legacy GT, bringing an outdated straight-six BMW wagon on top of things may not be laborious. However as a substitute of placing you thru the trials of proudly owning an outdated BMW, I like to recommend this 2018 Buick Regal TourX wagon, which is able to go away a bit wiggle room within the finances.
The Regal TourX is commonly missed due to its Buick badge, which is a rattling disgrace. The TourX wagon has attractiveness, a fantastic inside with higher match and end than a comparable Subaru and all of the room your loved ones might have.
Its 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine received’t be as thrilling as that of a WRX, the following step to a Legacy GT. However will probably be thrifty on these lengthy stints within the Carolinas, getting as much as 29 miles per gallon. I can virtually promise you that you simply’ll be the one one on-base with a Regal TourX, and also you’ll look the a part of a accountable younger grownup with a household within the fashionable, good-looking wagon.
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