Best AWD Cars Under $5k?

"Tuned-Port-Injected-Rage" (Tuned-Port-Injected-Rage) 09/11/2015 at 21:04 • Filed to: Opinion Time

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Long story short, a friend if mine is looking for his first car. He has a budget of $5k, and his only two requirements are AWD and that it is NOT a truck (I dunno why). While I have plenty of ideas and answers in my head, I’d like to hear your opinions. So, if you were to buy an AWD car/wagon/SUV, what would you buy?

bob and john > Tuned-Port-Injected-Rage 09/11/2015 at 21:05

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for 5k and NOT going to give youy another 5k in repairs? a subaru

Supreme Chancellor and Glorious Leader SaveTheIntegras > Tuned-Port-Injected-Rage 09/11/2015 at 21:06

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something something WRX
something something Subaruuuuuuuuuuu

jkm7680 > bob and john 09/11/2015 at 21:09

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Until the head gasket goes!

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Tuned-Port-Injected-Rage 09/11/2015 at 21:13

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How about 4WD?

Tuned-Port-Injected-Rage > bob and john 09/11/2015 at 21:13

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With the exception of head gaskets, this was one of my first choices. The issue is that you can’t find many clean Subarus in Michigan. But I’m always looking.

Tuned-Port-Injected-Rage > Supreme Chancellor and Glorious Leader SaveTheIntegras 09/11/2015 at 21:15

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IMPOSSIBRU.

But, yeah, that was one of my options. As I said to Peter SV though, its tough to find a clean one in Michigan.

Tuned-Port-Injected-Rage > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 09/11/2015 at 21:16

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Nah, he firm on AWD, sadly. I think its a requirement from his parents.

Ej8gUy > Tuned-Port-Injected-Rage 09/11/2015 at 21:17

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Is it even possible to find a running WRX anywhere for 5k in the US?

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Tuned-Port-Injected-Rage 09/11/2015 at 21:18

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Is this a particularly icy area? Even so, you never really *need* AWD...

Tuned-Port-Injected-Rage > Ej8gUy 09/11/2015 at 21:21

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Yeah, but it’ll be rusty as fuck and have about 200k miles.

Tuned-Port-Injected-Rage > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 09/11/2015 at 21:23

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It’s Southeast Michigan. And, trust me, I know. I just think his parents are worried and think AWD is the cure-all.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Tuned-Port-Injected-Rage 09/11/2015 at 21:25

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Won’t that just make him behave more recklessly? Like when lifted Sierra weilded by a bro thinks 4WD = invincible, but succumbs to black ice on Interstate 5? (annual event here)

Tuned-Port-Injected-Rage > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 09/11/2015 at 21:29

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I’m not really sure what kind of driver he is (never ridden with him), but its quite possible. And LOL, I love watching those 4WD-bros slide into a snowbank.

MM54 > Tuned-Port-Injected-Rage 09/11/2015 at 21:30

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That’s tough. Around here (NE Ohio) a drivable subaru is at least 5k, unless you want a ‘98 legacy with 280k miles and half the sheetmetal (and frame) rusted out. I think for cheap A/4WD trucks and SUVs are still the go-to, unless you can find an old alltrac celica/tercel or whatever. As a first car I wouldn’t recommend an old Audi or whatever, maintenance might not be pretty.

I’ll let you know if I come up with any better answers (although I’ve been looking for something similar for a winter car, and have yet to figure any out)

boredalways > Tuned-Port-Injected-Rage 09/11/2015 at 21:31

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How about a Toyota Matrix AWD/Pontiac Vibe AWD?

Baeromez > Tuned-Port-Injected-Rage 09/11/2015 at 21:34

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Suzuki SX4.

Autofixation > Tuned-Port-Injected-Rage 09/11/2015 at 21:34

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Not everyone needs a truck.....

And the answer is Subaru.

Or maybe Suzuki SX4.

Then again you could go with a Vibe/Matrix.

Possibly Corolla.

http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2011/11/junkya…

If you dig deep, then rare 80’s Civic.

http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2014/04/junkya…

boredalways > Tuned-Port-Injected-Rage 09/11/2015 at 21:35

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For your friend’s parents (so they shut the hell up): http://www.tirerack.com/content/tirera…

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Tuned-Port-Injected-Rage 09/11/2015 at 21:37

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Back when it actually snowed here, I was still able to commute to work with a 2WD pickup, I just put weight in the back and drove cautiously... ditches would just be full of big SUVs and trucks who thought they could go 60 on the freeway. Shit my old civic shook off black ice like nothing. And I used chains on my Integra a few times.

Oh, going back to your question: a first gen Pontiac Vibe or Matrix with AWD will qualify.

Tuned-Port-Injected-Rage > MM54 09/11/2015 at 21:38

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Yeah, I know those feels. Its nearly the same here in SE Michigan. I can find a few Outbacks that are clean, but they are high mileage. I would agree that a truck is definitely the way to go, but for some reason he doesn’t want one. An Alltrac would be SWEET, but they’re basically nonexistent.

boredalways > Baeromez 09/11/2015 at 21:38

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not under $5k

Tuned-Port-Injected-Rage > boredalways 09/11/2015 at 21:40

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Ohhh, good call. Sadly, the only clean one I can find right now around here is an ‘03 with high miles.

Baeromez > boredalways 09/11/2015 at 21:41

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Wanna bet?

Tuned-Port-Injected-Rage > Baeromez 09/11/2015 at 21:41

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That would be a good call, but you really can’t find many in MI. Especially clean ones.

PowderHound > Tuned-Port-Injected-Rage 09/11/2015 at 21:45

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And multiple random bolt on mods with no tune.

Tuned-Port-Injected-Rage > Autofixation 09/11/2015 at 21:46

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I dunno, I guess I just tend to think that a truck is a fantastic vehicle to suit everyone’s needs. All of these are great suggestions but, sadly, all of them are pretty tough to find in clean condition in Michigan. I’m mostly leasing towards a Subaru right now, though.

Tuned-Port-Injected-Rage > boredalways 09/11/2015 at 21:49

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Yeah, I know. There’s really no persuading with parents though.

boxrocket > Tuned-Port-Injected-Rage 09/11/2015 at 21:50

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Suzuki SX4 and/or Kizashi.

For what they are, they’re a good value, and I don’t care that much that dealer support has practically evaporated. They’re a good size, good safety rating, have great visibility, the powertrains take well to mild tuning, and they’re a fair steal because of anonymity and that dealership issue.

Used Fusions and Milans (and their larger Volvo-based siblings the Five Hundred/Taurus and Montego/Sable) are also getting pretty cheap. Ditto the predecessor to the Flex/Explorer, the Freestyle/Taurus X.

Mazda MPV (before they were more minivan-like).

AMC Eagle SX-4.

Volvo V70 Cross Country or XC70 or an AWD S80. Any XC90 under $5K you probably don’t want.

Ford Escape/Mazda Tribute/Mercury Mariner.

Mazda CX-7, maybe.

Steve in Manhattan > bob and john 09/11/2015 at 21:51

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My thoughts exactly. The only thing with a measure of reliability. Or a Honda Element.

boredalways > Baeromez 09/11/2015 at 21:53

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Nice find! +1

Too bad they aren’t closer to SE Michigan.

Tuned-Port-Injected-Rage > PowderHound 09/11/2015 at 21:54

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TRUTH

HammerheadFistpunch > Tuned-Port-Injected-Rage 09/11/2015 at 22:02

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I bought my cruiser for about that, and its technically AWD

boredalways > Tuned-Port-Injected-Rage 09/11/2015 at 22:04

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2004 Suzuki Aerio

Halleck Auto Sales

$4,990

(866) 604-5712

http://atcm.co/S2PVDP/185b774…

Too bad a CUV isn’t an option. Could have the Pontiac Aztek’s better looking sister, the Buick Rendezvous:

2002 Buick Rendezvous

Don Wood Automotive Limited

$4,399

(877) 628-6788

http://atcm.co/S2PVDP/1865d92…

Baeromez > Tuned-Port-Injected-Rage 09/11/2015 at 22:05

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Sure you can. You just have to look harder.

Baeromez > boredalways 09/11/2015 at 22:07

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It can be done.

GUYMANDUDE > Tuned-Port-Injected-Rage 09/11/2015 at 22:16

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Subaru outback legacy. 2.5 ej25’s eat head gaskets though. Get one where both have already been changed. A4 Audi. 1.8turbo. It has engine sludge issues though. And it’s a vw so CEL will be on, even of its off. Or get the 3L if you can get one. You can get an alltrack tercell or Camry if you can find one but they are getting old and hard to find.

Tuned-Port-Injected-Rage > Baeromez 09/11/2015 at 22:37

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I’m really only checking CL, never really look at Auto trader. And the closest one anywhere near his price range is like 100 miles away.

marshknute > Tuned-Port-Injected-Rage 09/11/2015 at 23:02

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B6 Audi A4 (1.8T I4) Extremely well-equipped and extremely comfortable. Higher maintenance costs but more reliable than the German reputation leads you to believe. The timing belt needs to be replaced at $110K, and that’s a $1K repair. For that reason, you’re better off buying a 130K mile example instead of a 100K example so you don’t kill yourself in the first year of maintenance.

Subaru Outback (2.5 H4) The ultimate in practicality and durability. Head gaskets are a common problem, but also the ONLY problem (even on uber-high mileage examples). This is the correct answer, but it’s a boring/predictable correct answer.

Subaru Impreza 2.5RS (2.5 H4) See above, but without any of that practicality shit. It’s the Outback’s lighter, leaner, nimbler younger brother. You can’t get a good WRX for $5K. You just can’t, so don’t kid yourself. While the 2.5RS lacks a turbo, it has all the suspension and cosmetic goodies. And the awesome consolation prize is the ability to get it as a coupe.

Justin Hughes > Tuned-Port-Injected-Rage 09/11/2015 at 23:10

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leicester > Tuned-Port-Injected-Rage 09/11/2015 at 23:17

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AMGtech - now with more recalls! > Tuned-Port-Injected-Rage 09/12/2015 at 01:04

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Circa 2000 4matic E-class. Super safe, very reliable, good mileage, surprisingly DIY friendly, very comfortable. Any “major” issues won’t show up until close to 200k and those will still only be things like rattling catalytic converters, worn out suspension bushings and minor (usually not bad enough to require topping off between 10k oil changes) leaks from the valve covers and rear main. Over 200k carbon buildup in the air injection ports may throw a CEL. Engines are damn near impossible to kill and transmissions are usually fine if they’re serviced at least once every 100k (even though it’s supposed to be every 40k). Can be had in wagon or sedan form with a 220hp V6, or sedan form with a 275hp V8.

I bought a low mileage Subaru for my sister in law a couple years ago, with service records including recent head gasket replacement. Turns out it gets worse gas mileage than my wife’s R500, and it needs head gaskets again, and it doesn’t like to start when it is cold even though the fuel pump has been replaced twice, and it needs a radiator, and the seat belts have started to fray quite badly, and the center differential/transfer case clutch pack needs to be replaced, among other more minor annoyances. All in all, my old range rover was more reliable and got almost the same mileage with twice as many cylinders. IMO, Subaru’s aren’t all they’re cracked up to be.