Learn me Protege5 and other hatches?

I am slowly realizing that while a WRX wagon is the best car, finding one is a total PITA. Every one I have looked at has some combination of questionable mods, body damage, salvage title, idiot owner, "rally" damage, ricer mods, or all of the above.

Maybe it's time to look at other 5-doors? On my honeymoon in BC I saw about eleventy billion standard Mazda 3's, but I suspect I would craze a MS3 every day and cry myself to sleep. There were quite a few Protege5's though, which are a very good looking car.

I also got to drive a new Fiesta. Sweet car, get the stick (the autotragic hunts for gears something fierce).

Here's my demands:

5-doors (hatchback) Fun Stick Can be found within a few hundred miles of Portland, OR for under $8K Reliable

Extra points for boost, awd, and both.

We've had a P5 for 6 years, and have no complaints. It does eat headlight bulbs on a regular basis, and the rear calipers are prone to seizing (we've replaced three). Swaybar endlinks are also problematic.

Good on gas, useful space, excellent handling. The engine is a bit bland, but the chassis is brilliant. They do seem a little rust-prone, and the paint (especially the yellow that we have) isn't too durable.. The car has over 100 thousand miles on it, and still feels tight and responsive.

Can non-WRX Impreza wagons be found without the "all the above" mods?
Sure it will not be as quick as a WRX but really will not be slower than a Protege5.
From a base Impreza you can then add your own "all the above" mods.

Edit: Also maybe you could substitute Forester for Impreza.

jrw1621 wrote: Can non-WRX Impreza wagons be found without the "all the above" mods? Sure it will not be as quick as a WRX but really will not be slower than a Protege5. From a base Impreza you can then add your own "all the above" mods.

Good point -- the naturally-aspirated motor in Imprezas (T5 Sportwagons, as they were called in Canada) is really torquey. I have a few friends who autox them quite successfully. All the WRX and STi stuff fits, should you be so inclined.

We have a P5 and a WRX Wagon. While the fine folks at KBB may consider them to be in the same family, they are not. The P5 is a decent enough car, but it is painfully slow. The WRX is more roomy, handles way better, and of course has POWA! Neither is as easy to work on as my Civic, but the Protege is hateful to work on. The WRX is average.

What is your budget for an unmodified, unwrecked, clean titled non-idiot owned bugeye WRX wagon in 8/10 shape? I like mine, but it's not the Mustang I'm lusting after either.

Focus SVT maybe?

DILYSI Dave wrote: What is your budget for an unmodified, unwrecked, clean titled non-idiot owned bugeye WRX wagon in 8/10 shape? I like mine, but it's not the Mustang I'm lusting after either.

I can go up to $10,000 but I am much happier at $8,000.

I know that everything else will be slow compared to the WRX, but I also realize this is supposed to be my DD/don't race car. I tried going sensible with the P71 and y'all saw how well that worked out. (BTW, it might be in the Challenge parking lot as a spectator, it moved to Florida last week).

Up here the 2.5RS's are just as destroyed as the WRX's. I have to jump to the shudder Outback Sport to get any non-molested ones, but they are too flipping ugly for me to drive (yes, coming from an AMC enthusiast).

I am starting to look at Legacy Wagon's (non-Outback), Mazda 3's (why oh why can I not afford a MS3?), and the Protege 5 (holy cow, they are all totaled/riced too!). The Forestfire is an SUV, and therefor unacceptable to me.

Forester with STi suspension makes it much more appealing :)

Forester Turbo is faster than an STi to sixty -- lower gearing.

Mazda3s are really neutral and nimble.

Fletch1 wrote: Focus SVT maybe?

+2

Similar to the P5 with more power.

Kinda biased toward mazda (if you put a 1 in front of the 8 you can buy my MS3) but older (pre97) legacy's are great vehicles.

If you want the trifecta you should look toward audi as well (watch the maintenance costs though)

6spd Matrix XRS?

2006 Saab 9-3 Aero SportCombi (Posted 9/28/2010)

Color: Steel Gray Metallic Trans: Automatic Mileage: 119,XXX Price: $10,995 6 speed automatic with manual mode, has the 2.8L V6 Turbo engine, 17" wheels, Two tone leather interior, dual digital climate control, sunroof, ABS brakes, traction control, side airbags. Purchased new at the end of 2007, dealer serviced, excellent condition inside and out The car runs and drives like new, has recent Pirelli tires, brand new Saab battery. Contact: Bespoke Auto, Braintree MA Email: Click Here Phone: 781 848 2868

Only issue is the auto, but the price is really nice.

Nitroracer wrote:

Fletch1 wrote: Focus SVT maybe?

+2 Similar to the P5 with more power.

+4 (I have two!) Cheaper than a P5 (at least around here), more HP.

Pontiac Vibe. Not the most exciting car on the road, but mine pulls down 36mpg, with Toyota Reliability and Pontiac Depreciation. 5-speeds can be difficult to find but they are out their and usually cheaper than an automatic. The 180hp GT version I've heard is nice.

The Mazda 6 Wagon is the best looking recent wagon IMHO. I think you can get a stick, but you could never get the Mazdaspeed package, so no pining for it.

pinchvalve wrote: The Mazda 6 Wagon is the best looking recent wagon IMHO. I think you can get a stick, but you could never get the Mazdaspeed package, so no pining for it.

Hard to find is the issue with these.

Hard to find on the Mazda wagon and even harder to find is the V6/manual combo, but it was available.

In reply to jrw1621: Had one in my bay an hour ago. V6 stick. I lust after it.

I suggest you drive a Mazda 3 hatch. If it's too underpowered you'll need a car with boost and you'll need more money.

Another AWD, turbo wagon/hatch (minus reliable) would be the A4 1.8t Avant. Seductive, but possibly dangerous for your wallet.

We really like our 2009 Mazda 3 hatch. Event the automatic has decent get up and go. I would suppose the Speed 3 would be awesome.

No?

In all seriousness, when I was lot boy at a Mazda/Nissan/Suzuki/GMC dealership the mazda6s were one of my favorites, amongst 350zs, rx8s, cool used stuff.

My gonzo attorney just picked up a 2001 legacy wagon that only had 30k original miles for under 8K, also a great car. literally old lady that only drove it to church.

Find one of these:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=150495285147&viewitem=#ht_24561wt_1165

Wagon? AWD? Hmmmm...I feel a Wagon Attack coming!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7ZzqBPz4sY

I've never liked many hondas but that changed my perspective a little bit.