Author Topic: Winter "beater" for IQ. (Read 9579 times)

rrocket · « **on:** September 18, 2018, 06:12:40 pm »

IQ is extremely dedicated to her job. And while our area isn't brutal for winter, there are occasions where traveling is much better in an AWD car. We had the Forester last year and I've since sent it to the scrap heap. Her IS300 is also getting on in years and mileage (365,000!!) but she will never sell it. In light of that, the plan is to give it a light visual resto at some point. You know, paint the bumpers, hood, etc. Nothing crazy.

So the idea is to get a "beater" (a better term might be "supplemental") car to split some road time with her IS and get her to work when the roads are dicey. She wants a nice/luxury interior, and some decent performance. She prefers a coupe and it must have a stick. So choices are few. The budget is $15k or so.

She's has interest in:

Audi TT (she was pissed when I sold the one I had to Angry Chicken)
Audi A5 S-Sportline (my preference of the two)

Wildcard:

Acura TL AWD with manual. She always liked this car and if she absolutely can't find a coupe within her budget, she'll strongly consider this car.

Little to no interest in:

Subaru
Most BMWs

I gotta tell ya, I'm not crazy about the Audi idea. But since I'm such a proponent of "it's her car, she can buy what she wants"...she'll be buying what she wants.

Are there any other cars that could be considered? Seems like she's darn near wanting a unicorn!

Fobroader · « **Reply #1 on:** September 18, 2018, 06:15:45 pm »

Me thinks the TL with a manual and AWD will fit the bill perfectly. Reliable, sporty-esque, and its a looker.

rrocket · « **Reply #2 on:** September 18, 2018, 06:18:39 pm »

Quote from: Fobroader on September 18, 2018, 06:15:45 pm

Me thinks the TL with a manual and AWD will fit the bill perfectly. Reliable, sporty-esque, and its a looker.

I agree.

But her first choice is a coupe. She already has a manual tranny sedan.

Ex-airbalancer · « **Reply #3 on:** September 18, 2018, 06:19:23 pm »

rrocket · « **Reply #4 on:** September 18, 2018, 06:20:23 pm »

Quote from: Airbalancer on September 18, 2018, 06:19:23 pm

ISF

That's for me.

Also, it's not a coupe and a manual.

Keep up!

Railton · « **Reply #5 on:** September 18, 2018, 06:32:10 pm »

Quote from: rrocket on September 18, 2018, 06:12:40 pm

IQ is extremely dedicated to her job. And while our area isn't brutal for winter, there are occasions where traveling is much better in an AWD car. We had the Forester last year and I've since sent it to the scrap heap. Her IS300 is also getting on in years and mileage (365,000!!) but she will never sell it. In light of that, the plan is to give it a light visual resto at some point. You know, paint the bumpers, hood, etc. Nothing crazy.

So the idea is to get a "beater" (a better term might be "supplemental") car to split some road time with her IS and get her to work when the roads are dicey. She wants a nice/luxury interior, and some decent performance. She prefers a coupe and it must have a stick. So choices are few. The budget is $15k or so.

She's has interest in:

Audi TT (she was pissed when I sold the one I had to Angry Chicken)
Audi A5 S-Sportline (my preference of the two)

Wildcard:

Acura TL AWD with manual. She always liked this car and if she absolutely can't find a coupe within her budget, she'll strongly consider this car.

Little to no interest in:

Subaru
Most BMWs

I gotta tell ya, I'm not crazy about the Audi idea. But since I'm such a proponent of "it's her car, she can buy what she wants"...she'll be buying what she wants.

Are there any other cars that could be considered? Seems like she's darn near wanting a unicorn!

I would say G37S Coupe but no AWD with stick. I could sell her mine as its getting on but its got no AWD.
Maybe there is an old Eclipse or Talon out there still?
Railton

Arthur Dent · « **Reply #6 on:** September 18, 2018, 06:45:17 pm »

'76 Camaro on slightly rust chrome Crager wheels.

rrocket · « **Reply #7 on:** September 18, 2018, 06:47:40 pm »

Quote from: Railton on September 18, 2018, 06:32:10 pm

Maybe there is an old Eclipse or Talon out there still?
Railton

There's a beauty online I saw yesterday.

https://www.kijiji.ca/v-autos-camions/levis/eagle-talon-tsi-awd-1997/1379202210?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true

There's also this: https://www.kijiji.ca/v-cars-trucks/calgary/dodge-stealth-r-t-twin-turbo/1362269352?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true

Weels · « **Reply #8 on:** September 18, 2018, 06:59:13 pm »

AWD. check
2 door. check
Manual. check
Nice interior. check
Reasonable performance/fun to drive. check
Not a Subaru. check
Not a BMW. 1/2 a check...

You didn't say anything about "reliable".
Bonus points for being local to you.

/threadover

http://www.autotrader.ca/a/mini/cooper%20paceman/windsor/ontario/5_39910477_20170524115855023/?showcpo=ShowCpo&ncse=no&orup=2_7_7&pc=N1H%202E8&sprx=-2

rrocket · « **Reply #9 on:** September 18, 2018, 07:01:04 pm »

^^I should have said "no garbage".

JohnnyMac · « **Reply #10 on:** September 18, 2018, 07:24:05 pm »

There are so few cars that meet the requirements of what your wife wants. Other than what you already listed all I can come up with is a older VW Golf R32. Something like this.

http://wwwa.autotrader.ca/a/volkswagen/golf%20r/halifax/nova%20scotia/19_10791480_/?showcpo=ShowCpo&ncse=no&orup=1_6_6&pc=J7V%202T5&sprx=-1

Not sure that's at all helpful. The benefit that I see of this is of course the great sounds that engine makes and the fact they are basically at the lowest price they'll probably get. I could see a nice one being driven for a few years and sold at little to no loss. Of course the downfall is reliability and all of the ones close to your price range will be getting higher in mileage, and none of them will have as nice of an interior as the Audis she is looking for.

Railton · « **Reply #11 on:** September 18, 2018, 07:25:46 pm »

The front apron and the wheels are not OEM but the rest might be OK.
Railton
https://www.kijiji.ca/v-classic-cars/city-of-toronto/1988-toyota-celica-all-trac-gt-four-st165-turbo-awd/1321690096?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true
also, a yellow RHD
https://www.kijiji.ca/v-cars-trucks/city-of-toronto/1994-toyota-celica-gt-four-st205-turbo-awd-jdm-rhd-pending/1371986599?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true

dkaz · « **Reply #12 on:** September 18, 2018, 07:30:47 pm »

Right hand drive Toyota Celica GT-Four

https://www.kijiji.ca/v-cars-trucks/strathcona-county/1994-celica-gt4-rhd/1378886989?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true

rrocket · « **Reply #13 on:** September 18, 2018, 07:30:51 pm »

No RHD garbage...

rrocket · « **Reply #14 on:** September 18, 2018, 07:31:40 pm »

Quote from: Railton on September 18, 2018, 07:25:46 pm

The front apron and the wheels are not OEM but the rest might be OK.
Railton
https://www.kijiji.ca/v-classic-cars/city-of-toronto/1988-toyota-celica-all-trac-gt-four-st165-turbo-awd/1321690096?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true
also, a yellow RHD
https://www.kijiji.ca/v-cars-trucks/city-of-toronto/1994-toyota-celica-gt-four-st205-turbo-awd-jdm-rhd-pending/1371986599?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true

Kinda fails the nice to drive/luxurious part IMO.

dkaz · « **Reply #15 on:** September 18, 2018, 07:32:38 pm »

Quote from: Railton on September 18, 2018, 07:25:46 pm

The front apron and the wheels are not OEM but the rest might be OK.
Railton
https://www.kijiji.ca/v-classic-cars/city-of-toronto/1988-toyota-celica-all-trac-gt-four-st165-turbo-awd/1321690096?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true
also, a yellow RHD
https://www.kijiji.ca/v-cars-trucks/city-of-toronto/1994-toyota-celica-gt-four-st205-turbo-awd-jdm-rhd-pending/1371986599?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true

Great minds think alike.

Quote from: rrocket on September 18, 2018, 07:31:40 pm

Kinda fails the nice to drive/luxurious part IMO.

Boo

tortoise · « **Reply #16 on:** September 18, 2018, 07:33:32 pm »

How dicey does it get? Would something with more ground clearance be useful?

And since it's only for inclement weather why bother getting something with sporting intentions?

To that end, I say Gen 1 Highlander Hybrid.

sailor723 · « **Reply #17 on:** September 18, 2018, 07:34:34 pm »

I know you are more of a Japanese car fan but our 328iXdrive will be 7 years old next week and has yet to have a repair other than routine maintenance (knocks on wood!)

A non turbo straight six bimmer might be worth a look.

Guy · « **Reply #18 on:** September 18, 2018, 07:34:42 pm »

Quote from: rrocket on September 18, 2018, 06:47:40 pm

Quote from: Railton on September 18, 2018, 06:32:10 pm

Maybe there is an old Eclipse or Talon out there still?
Railton

There's a beauty online I saw yesterday.

https://www.kijiji.ca/v-autos-camions/levis/eagle-talon-tsi-awd-1997/1379202210?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true

There's also this: https://www.kijiji.ca/v-cars-trucks/calgary/dodge-stealth-r-t-twin-turbo/1362269352?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true

The Talon is in my area. Let me know if you want me to go have a look.

rrocket · « **Reply #19 on:** September 18, 2018, 07:48:27 pm »

Quote from: tortoise on September 18, 2018, 07:33:32 pm

How dicey does it get? Would something with more ground clearance be useful?

And since it's only for inclement weather why bother getting something with sporting intentions?

To that end, I say Gen 1 Highlander Hybrid.

It's not only for inclement weather. I said it's for splitting drive time between her IS300 AND inclement weather.

No coma-inducing SUVs at this point in our lives....which is why the sporty part is important to her. It it wasn't, we'd have had an RX in our driveway long ago.