You have $10k and want an awd wagon with a manual transmission

What do you choose and why?

Obvious choices are the Audi A4/S4, Subaru/Saabaru WRX and ???

Saab 92X, Volvo V70R.

I'd choose the Volvo because it looks scary.

I think there might be a Saab 9-5 that would fit the bill as well.

Yeah GC Impreza wagon. It fits the bill, fun and cheap to maintain, why not?

Forester xt

BMW 328ix?

dyintorace wrote: BMW 328ix?

Finding one with a manual transmission is the hard part.

Mazda Protege 5 with MazdaSpeed Protege swap

1988-1992 Toyota All-Trac wagon... and put $8500 in the bank... OR into mods!!!

JohnyHachi6 wrote: Mazda Protege 5 with MazdaSpeed Protege swap

Not AWD, and the swap would only entail moving the crappy turbo setup on the crappy motor in the MSP to the crappy motor in the MP5.

E46. We got my mom a 2002 325xi wagon, 5 spd, with 140k for $6k a year and a half ago, needed a little deferred maintenance, otherwise in good shape.

Easier to find a 325ix manual than 325i manual....

I have a minty '90 Civic AWD wagon I'll sell you for a lot less than $10k....Maybe even $9k...

92CelicaHalfTrac wrote:

JohnyHachi6 wrote: Mazda Protege 5 with MazdaSpeed Protege swap

Not AWD, and the swap would only entail moving the crappy turbo setup on the crappy motor in the MSP to the crappy motor in the MP5.

How about Protege5 with MS6 swap?

EvanB wrote:

92CelicaHalfTrac wrote:

JohnyHachi6 wrote: Mazda Protege 5 with MazdaSpeed Protege swap

Not AWD, and the swap would only entail moving the crappy turbo setup on the crappy motor in the MSP to the crappy motor in the MP5.

How about Protege5 with MS6 swap?

Sounds complicated. Start with an MS3.

With the MP5, would be easier to use an earlier AWD Protege and a turbo BP.

Audi All-Road. 2.7 Bi-turbo 6 speed (wait, did they come manual or automatic only? My A6 was manual...)

You can get an Allroad in a 6 speed manual, but they're rare, hard to find. All roads are also one of the most complicated cars in the Audi line. I like the additional space, but not the mechanical problems they have.

bravenrace, thanks for the offer, but I need something that will go up a mtn pass without me having to get out and push it.

JohnyHachi6 wrote: Mazda Protege 5 with MazdaSpeed Protege swap

still only FWD

I'd go with a Jeep Cherokee, since around here an AWD wagon would probably be for mud and dirt, and the 4.0 is pretty bulletproof.

Legacy Wagon. Trade off vs Impreza on size but I think the Legacy interiors are nicer.

My brain says WRX.

My heart says B5 S4 Avant (and a spare car to drive...).

docwyte wrote: You can get an Allroad in a 6 speed manual, but they're rare, hard to find. All roads are also one of the most complicated cars in the Audi line. I like the additional space, but not the mechanical problems they have. bravenrace, thanks for the offer, but I need something that will go up a mtn pass without me having to get out and push it.

I've actually had it up in the Smokey Mountains a couple times. No problem, fully loaded with people and luggage. But whatever.

My son bought this Aero for $6500. 115k, all records, new badges, no rock ships, includes another set of wheels with snows.

Big enough to swallow junk, sporty due to the Aero package.

RossD wrote: Audi All-Road. 2.7 Bi-turbo 6 speed (wait, did they come manual or automatic only? My A6 was manual...)

I understand that the air suspension in those things is just a complete nightmare.

WRX Wagon or even better Legacy GT Wagon (rare in a 5 spd). I don't think the Outback XT came with a manual. If it did then that would be an option too.

B5 Passat/Audi variants are iffy (I owned one!)

Outback XT's did come with 5-speeds, and they aren't as rare as you'd think. When I'm window shopping I find more of them than I do manual Forester XT's (at least those that aren't priced like they're milled from unicorn horns.)

(edit - so much for block quotes...)

There can only be one...

V70R