Revised thoughts on my next car. Anyone have experience with these models?

"Noah - Now with more boost." (antriebverliebt)
03/16/2016 at 12:45 • Filed to: None

It’s been a couple weeks since the Infiniti techs tried to scare me into making unnecessary repairs. I’m certain that they were bullshitting me, or at the very least, exaggerating the severity of the issues they warned me about. That said, I’m still thinking about buying something in the near future. I’ve narrowed my search down to a few candidates.

1. Barely used 2015+ WRX. People drive these for like 10-15K miles, decide they don’t like them (probably because they’re crazy), and then trade them in. This knocks $5,000 of the price tag instantaneously, and BAM they’re in my price range all of a sudden. I’ve driven multiple generations of WRX and I liked every one; I can only assume that this is even better. I’ve been into Subarus since I learned to drive on my parents’ 2001 5 speed Outback, so I know there’s a WRX in my future at some point.

2. A 3.0T A6 (2008-2011). These are a great deal, and the 3.0T has a reputation for reliability. These can be had with under 75K miles for well under 20k, so it would be much cheaper than the Subaru too. That said - it’d be out of warranty, unlike the Subaru. And we all know how expensive modern German luxury car maintenance can get.

3. A first gen Z4. Light, manual, and naturally aspirated. I’m sure this would be a lot of fun, but also deeply impractical. Do I care though? Not really... and I miss driving a BMW. This would be the least expensive option too, at around 15k for a nice 3.0si. Hard to resist... despite the fact that I would look SO douchey in one of these. Whatever.

DISCUSSION (65)

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > Noah - Now with more boost.
03/16/2016 at 12:50

My bias says A6. True, it will be more of a chore to work on than the Subaru, but not by as much as you think. It’s the one I’d go for, but the Subaru is an excellent combo-compromise between the two.

TheOnelectronic > Noah - Now with more boost.
03/16/2016 at 12:50

I don’t know about where you are, but here a WRX with 10k on it sells for basically MSRP.

The 3.0T has issues. Specifically the water pump. When I had mine it was a case of waiting 'til it failed then replacing it with the same part because they didn't know how to fix the problem.

Noah - Now with more boost. > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
03/16/2016 at 12:51

Plus the interior is much, much better than the Subaru’s. And I’m a stickler about that.

Autohaus Derp > TheOnelectronic
03/16/2016 at 12:54

I’ve seen the same up here, and STIs usually get marked up plenty too.

Noah - Now with more boost. > TheOnelectronic
03/16/2016 at 12:55

Whoops yeah didn’t realize WRXs were 26k to begin with - I’ll edit that, thanks. Re the water pump: yeah that’s a known issue that will ideally have been taken care of already on the car I buy

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > Noah - Now with more boost.
03/16/2016 at 12:55

Agreed. I’m a spoilt little shit, and for me a car that I’m going to be DDing should be a luxury car.

Phyzxmajor > Noah - Now with more boost.
03/16/2016 at 12:56

Honestly, i will be buying a ‘used’ subaru one of these days. I like the hatches better though.

Noah - Now with more boost. > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
03/16/2016 at 12:56

My general attitude is: No plastic wood? No leather? NO DEAL lol

TheRealBicycleBuck > Noah - Now with more boost.
03/16/2016 at 12:56

You have two sedans and a coupe. Do you need a back seat or trunk space? If yes, eliminate the Z4.

Between the coupes, the WRX will be faster and less expensive. If speed and money are priorities, choose the WRX. If looks/prestige are priorities, get the Audi.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > Noah - Now with more boost.
03/16/2016 at 12:57

Yup. There’s a reason I looked very heavily into a Q45 before I got my car. Bottom line was I couldn’t find a clean, low mileage example near me.

FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem > Noah - Now with more boost.
03/16/2016 at 12:58

The A6 is the best all around car of the three. I recently rode shotgun in one and I loved the interior. The costs of ownership would be relatively high though.

OPPOsaurus WRX > Noah - Now with more boost.
03/16/2016 at 12:59

yea, I sold my 2014 in 2015 for a $2000 difference with 20k miles. Good luck finding one thats $10 less. Those thing hold their value like nothing else. To get one with $10 off purchase price your looking at something like a 2010. however That’s the one I’d recommend. I loved that car every second.

Steve in Manhattan > Noah - Now with more boost.
03/16/2016 at 13:02

Subaru = warranty = peace of mind. Nothing more to add, really.

Noah - Now with more boost. > TheRealBicycleBuck
03/16/2016 at 13:04

Practicality isn’t a concern, but I like fast sedans.

Noah - Now with more boost. > Steve in Manhattan
03/16/2016 at 13:04

ugh this responsible dad advice is so hard to ignore... I think you’re right.

Noah - Now with more boost. > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
03/16/2016 at 13:06

Yeah they are very odd cars, definitely few and far between - so are clean D2 A8s like yours though!

Saracen > Noah - Now with more boost.
03/16/2016 at 13:06

Never driven an A6, but that is probably the last A6 that has decent steering feedback.

I got to drive a Z4 3.0 6MT a few years ago. It was SO MUCH FUN. i also drove a Z4 M Coupe, and it sounds crazy but I think I actually preferred the 3.0. It was more fun.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > Noah - Now with more boost.
03/16/2016 at 13:08

Yeah, it was pure dumb luck that I found that car.

I was at a gentleman’s house a few days ago who has, among other things, a belt-buckle ‘93 Q45. I all but asked him if I could have it.

Noah - Now with more boost. > OPPOsaurus WRX
03/16/2016 at 13:08

Yeah they’re like 21-22gs with around 20K miles, epic value + a warranty + subarus are awesome. And aftermarket support too...

Noah - Now with more boost. > Saracen
03/16/2016 at 13:09

The Z4M would be way too much car for me lol. I agree, 3.0 all the way. Preferably the si

PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power > Noah - Now with more boost.
03/16/2016 at 13:11

The A6 would be my pic. it’s a safe choice yes, but with a tune that’s a 400+hp executive sedan (that’s quite reliable) for $20-ish K. It'd be a comfy, quick, refined, classy DD that would also do a great job in the winter with the Quattro AWD

Brian Silvestro > Noah - Now with more boost.
03/16/2016 at 13:12

Here are better options:

Defender

E46 M3

Z4 M Coupe

996

STi

Evo

BRZ/FRS

AZ-1

Skyline

RX-7 (FD)

E34 M5

240sx with a V8

190E Cosworth

986

Cappuccino

E30 Wagon

S2000

280Z

E30

2002

500E

Crown

Noah - Now with more boost. > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
03/16/2016 at 13:12

Those are SO UGLY lol and I love them for it. Faster than my car too ironically

Noah - Now with more boost. > Brian Silvestro
03/16/2016 at 13:14

lol how can you define “better” for another person!? It’s all subjective! Many cool cars on your list though.

Brian Silvestro > Noah - Now with more boost.
03/16/2016 at 13:14

So... the wrx and A6 (???) are better than all of these??

Noah - Now with more boost. > PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power
03/16/2016 at 13:15

That would be fun! I don’t think I’d tune it though, I’d want to keep the drivetrain as low stress as possible

Steve in Manhattan > Noah - Now with more boost.
03/16/2016 at 13:16

No kids, 2 cats, so the dad advice has to go somewhere ....

Noah - Now with more boost. > Brian Silvestro
03/16/2016 at 13:17

I’m not going to argue with you? We all like different things... this is about what I personally would enjoy the most, not what you’d buy with my budget :) that said, many of these don’t have airbags and are therefore an automatic no go. If I didn’t care about that, I’d just buy another 635csi

PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power > Noah - Now with more boost.
03/16/2016 at 13:18

your car your call, but if you need any more convincing; my GLI (uses a 2L TSI) has been tuned for 20K miles with no issues.
My buddies A3 (same engine) has been tuned for 120,000 miles, and it's got no issues. look in to the APR software, seriously. they do good work!

Noah - Now with more boost. > Steve in Manhattan
03/16/2016 at 13:18

hey man your responsible perspective is always appreciated! it’s definitely needed around here lol

Noah - Now with more boost. > PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power
03/16/2016 at 13:19

ok well maybe a *light* tune if I go with the A6 lol

Tripper > Noah - Now with more boost.
03/16/2016 at 13:21

The A6 is too big for my taste.

Z4 if you’re single, and or like paying in frustration for having an inconveniently small yet super fun car.

WRX if you have any sense of practicality. You’re not sacrificing much, every time I get behind the wheel of one, I’m like “Oh yea I forgot, these are so fun to drive!”

Noah - Now with more boost. > Tripper
03/16/2016 at 13:24

The A6 would actually be smaller than my current car LOL. So it’s still a big car to me, but not fucking massive.

Steve in Manhattan > Noah - Now with more boost.
03/16/2016 at 13:26

Advice from someone who drives two or three times a year and, until last week, had not driven a manual in 15 years.

Noah - Now with more boost. > Steve in Manhattan
03/16/2016 at 13:26

RIP that clutch lol

Tripper > Noah - Now with more boost.
03/16/2016 at 13:38

Whatcha driving?

To be perfectly honest I’ve been on the German kool-aid since my first M3. So I would have a hard time talking myself out of the Z4 and into the WRX. Not that the WRX isn’t a fantastic car, (former owner, 05WRX, 04/STi).

It’s just that N/A straight six, it’s so good! Those Z4's are so tight too. A friend has an M roadster of the same vintage, going around corners feels like an amusement park ride!

It is small, I don’t think I could have it as my only car. I’m 31 though when I was 21...no problem.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > Noah - Now with more boost.
03/16/2016 at 13:42

I know, we talked a bit about that when I enquired about it.

Noah - Now with more boost. > Tripper
03/16/2016 at 13:45

1999 Q45 - 199 inches long to the A6's 194 - I will never take small cars for granted ever again.

Yeah I studied German in college so I’m also sipping plenty of the kool aid lol. My first car was a 635csi. I’m leaning towards the Z4 right now since it’d be the most dramatic change, and also the least expensive.

Noah - Now with more boost. > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
03/16/2016 at 13:46

I suspect your A8 would definitely win in a drag race.

Steve in Manhattan > Noah - Now with more boost.
03/16/2016 at 13:57

New clutch - car hadn’t been driven since October. I stalled it once during the first few minutes, but then it all came back - hill starts and everything. Spent most of the time in 4th. I think I did just fine, although you don’t want to lend me your S2000 or Z4 just yet ....

Noah - Now with more boost. > Steve in Manhattan
03/16/2016 at 14:01

Just like riding a bike! I miss having a third pedal, that’s for sure

The Dummy Gummy > Noah - Now with more boost.
03/16/2016 at 14:01

Subaru (not saying because of a Subaru bias). I have an A6 and the thing is boring to drive and for a luxury car, very rough on the road. Plus paying for anything on it is painful. (I will use my bias on BMW) Ever since my issue with them and their entire team I will never recommend a BMW to someone as they do not know how to treat their customers.

[sidenote: this is the stragnest cross shop ever]

marshknute > Noah - Now with more boost.
03/16/2016 at 14:08

1). Had a new 15' WRX. It was a fantastic daily driver and dominated at autocross. Unfortunately, it was useless as a track car. The single turbo overboosts on straightaways after 2 laps and engages the fuel cutoff for 10-15 seconds. Subaru wouldn’t even acknowledge it had a problem, so I sold it (just 5 months after buying it). Ad long as you don’t use it for HPDE, you won’t have any issues.

2). No experience

3). Owned an E46 330xi, which is the same generation and same engine/gearbox. Absolute worst POS I’ve ever owned. Required $1400 in repairs every 2 months. Avoid non-warrantied BMW’s like the plague. And as far as the driving experience is concerned, the E46 was never the God people make it out to be. It’s pretty mediocre by today’s standards. Mr Regular’s review was pretty spot on.

Steve in Manhattan > Noah - Now with more boost.
03/16/2016 at 14:09

I miss having any pedals.

There is an S2000 on offer at Relay Rides (or whatever it changed its name to ...). I’m sure there are a few other manuals there as well, but I don’t want to put excessive wear on someone’s clutch when it’s my first time in that model car. With the Civic, I’ve driven lots of them with manuals, so it’s easy. And those are easy cars to drive - very forgiving. But if I’m behind the wheel of your SRT Viper? Well, let’s just say I’d drive you around the block for your approval before I took it for a few days. I love the idea of 3 pedals, but if an automatic is my sentence, I’m willing to serve my time, your honor.

Bytemite > Noah - Now with more boost.
03/16/2016 at 14:13

Why do you want airbags? They are heavy.

Bytemite > Noah - Now with more boost.
03/16/2016 at 14:17

The new WRX lost its way.

The FA engine sounds like a vacuum cleaner. There is no more EJ boxer rumble.

It has gotten too big and long and heavy.

It looks like ass. The hood is way too high. The front end looks like it belongs on a much bigger car. Just look at it, it looks like two different sized cars welded together. If you follow the design from the back to the front, the front should taper off and be much smaller, and probably would have made a better handling, lighter car. But nope, the clean line suddenly stops at the front fender and it looks like it adopted the front end of a crossover.

Montalvo > Noah - Now with more boost.
03/16/2016 at 14:18

*Cough* E92 335i *cough* RWD/AWD *cough* MT/AT *cough* CPOs still in warranty *cough whooo man I had something stuck in my throat....

PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power > Noah - Now with more boost.
03/16/2016 at 14:19

now you're thinking right :D

Noah - Now with more boost. > The Dummy Gummy
03/16/2016 at 14:26

lol I have very strange tastes. I like too many different things. Good to know re audi/bmw maintenance, I’m not surprised about the shitty dealer networks. They pretty much don’t give a fuck about any of their customers who aren’t in a 2-3 year old car within warranty

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > Noah - Now with more boost.
03/16/2016 at 14:26

I’m not so sure.

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > Noah - Now with more boost.
03/16/2016 at 14:27

People abuse these for like 10-15K miles, decide they don’t like them (probably because they’re crazy), and then trade them in. This knocks $5 of the price tag instantaneously,...

FTFY, based on what I’ve seen when looking at cars. Subarus hardly depreciate, because there’s insane fanboy hype that causes people to sell and buy used models for nearly as much as a brand new one.

If you’re getting a WRX, I’d just look for any dealers with a new ‘15 still on the lot and talk them down.

uofime-2 > Noah - Now with more boost.
03/16/2016 at 14:40

Just spend the last 40 minutes hooning my 15 wrx over my lunch break, It was very hard to remove the grin from my face after walking back to my desk at work. AMA

V12 Jake- Hittin' Switches > Noah - Now with more boost.
03/16/2016 at 14:52

Go for a W220 S600 ! What could possibly

Kinja'd!!!

go wrong?(hint:everything)

Kinja'd!!!

cazzyodo > Noah - Now with more boost.
03/16/2016 at 15:31

The WRX in my future comes with a fifth door.

Kinja'd!!!

The Dummy Gummy > Noah - Now with more boost.
03/16/2016 at 15:35

To clarify Audi isn’t terrible. The BMW issue extended all the way back to their corporate office of pure mistreatment. Also, the BMW issue I’m talking about was on a brand new car 3 months old (if that) bought outright.

asindhidude > Noah - Now with more boost.
03/16/2016 at 16:06

Have a WRX. Bought it new. Have paid 0 dollars on maint and repairs so far, 2 years and 22K. Had an Audi before. Don’t wanna talk about maintenance or repairs from that time.

WRXerFish - WRX-Wing pilot > Noah - Now with more boost.
03/16/2016 at 16:10

I love my ‘15 WRX. Got 16k miles on it since mid 2014. Lots of fun to drive. Great at Autocross.

I have two kids so practicality was a must. Seating is great in the WRX. My brother and dad can sit behind the drivers seat, in my position (6ft tall), comfortably with plenty of leg room (brother and dad are both taller). You can fit a set of wheels and tires in the car, with the rear seats down. And there is still room for tools, helmet, etc.

Unfortunately I don't have experience with the other models you are looking at so I won't comment.

Textured Soy Protein > Noah - Now with more boost.
03/16/2016 at 17:14

I’ve driven a few first gen Z4s. The 3.0si is pretty good, the M even better. The other ones are pretty meh.

B_dol > Noah - Now with more boost.
03/16/2016 at 18:00

Z4 coupes are already starting to climb in value (Z3 coupes a few years back). I highly recommend getting into one! Definitely more a tried and true sports car than the other options you listed.

mikethebike > Noah - Now with more boost.
03/17/2016 at 11:03

SN550 Mustang?

Noah - Now with more boost. > mikethebike
03/17/2016 at 11:34

maybe!

Roadster Man > Noah - Now with more boost.
03/18/2016 at 11:08

Out of those, I vote Z4. Always go roadster when possible.

You could be a real badass and use the same money to get a Z3M, and if you do your research you get the S54 engine. Nothing douchey about a Z3 with 320HP from the factory....

Noah - Now with more boost. > Roadster Man
03/18/2016 at 11:12

Unpopular BMW guy opinion: I hate clown shoes lol. I’m sorry!! :( Anyway as much as I want the WRX I can see myself in the roadster, it’s way cheaper and probably just as fun, if not more so

Roadster Man > Noah - Now with more boost.
03/18/2016 at 11:18

I’m not even talking clown shoes- they made some Z3M roadster versions. They had quad tailpipes, so badass. If you got the ones with the S54, it was a monster. Even the S52 wasn’t exactly a slouch. But such high powered roadsters are bound to get wrapped around trees, so they are tough to find these days.

And clown shoes rule! Boooooooo.

Noah - Now with more boost. > Roadster Man
03/18/2016 at 11:28

Yeah the Z3M would be hilarious as a daily driver, but probably too much car for me at this point lol