The Search Continues

"Caleb "If a rally car can do it, so can my Malibu" M. S." (calebms) 10/12/2015 at 10:45 • Filed to: None

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I am still in search of my first car, and once again reach out to you for your thoughts.

I would love to buy German, Audi to be precise, but also want something that would be easy to learn to wrench on. I am searching for AWD, manual, and I would love a wagon, but nearly anything will do.

I’ll start with the obvious Subie wagon. Not German, and hard to find in manual, but it would do nicely.

Have at it!

Nibby > Caleb "If a rally car can do it, so can my Malibu" M. S. 10/12/2015 at 10:58

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enjoy these

LongbowMkII > Caleb "If a rally car can do it, so can my Malibu" M. S. 10/12/2015 at 10:59

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I feel that if you can repair an Allroad you can repair anything. steep learning curve but everything else would seem like child’s play.

“you don’t have to remove the front bumper to change the thermostat? How simple!”

KatzManDu > Caleb "If a rally car can do it, so can my Malibu" M. S. 10/12/2015 at 11:00

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E39 5-series wagon, if you can find it.

As an owner of a few Audis in the past, and probably the ones in your price range, they are fun cars, but they weren’t the easiest to wrench on.

http://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/cto/522174…

http://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/…

dogisbadob > Caleb "If a rally car can do it, so can my Malibu" M. S. 10/12/2015 at 11:00

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ANY car is a good first car! Because you’re just happy to have a car.

The best running car you can get for $3000 (or less, whatever your budget is) will be wonders.

I’d suggest a Toyota because they make the best cars. You should be able to find a manual Echo at a good price. For a little more you can get an XA which is an Echo with a different body.

The best German car you’d be able to afford is a first-gen Focus (it was mostly designed over there but slightly tweaked for the US market). I’d suggest the ZX5, since they’re easier to find with a manual transmission than the wagon, although stick wagons do exist.

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > Caleb "If a rally car can do it, so can my Malibu" M. S. 10/12/2015 at 11:02

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You could try to find a Toyota 4runner or Tacoma with a manual. It’s going to be older, but 4wd ones are pretty easy to find.

KatzManDu > Caleb "If a rally car can do it, so can my Malibu" M. S. 10/12/2015 at 11:05

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Or, if you want something a little more different and badass that you can wrench on..

http://www.autorv.com/browse.aspx?Ad…

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > Caleb "If a rally car can do it, so can my Malibu" M. S. 10/12/2015 at 11:07

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I second the first-gen Focus. The ZX5 will have nearly wagon-like space, but is much easier to find with a stick. So long as you avoid the SOHC SP engine, you will be fine for reliability. The normal ZETEC is just fine. If you can find one, get the later 2005-2008 Duratec engined cars. That is much better engine, and it has more torque so it is more fun to drive.

Also, with the first gen Focus, the SVT suspension bolts right on, so you can have a cheap, economical, manual car that is a blast to toss around.

I would avoid the SVT. I have one, I adore it, but it is not for those who are learning to wrench, or cannot afford to maintain it. It also need premium, and I get about 20 on average in mine. That is below normal, but I can’t be bothered to spend the money to figure out why it’s running so rich.

Tripper > Caleb "If a rally car can do it, so can my Malibu" M. S. 10/12/2015 at 11:09

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I don’t know much about Audi’s even though I’m a new owner, but I think that you are on the right path with the Subaru wagon. My best friend has owned a half dozen or so Subaru’s and has had great luck with the ones that he has not smacked up ;)

I myself have had two Subaru’s (05 wrx, and an 04 STi) both were great cars.

My wrenching abilities stop at Motorcycles, so unfortunately I can’t be much help on DIY stuff.

If you do end up buying German, get a PPI from a reputable shop that specializes in whatever brand you are thinking of buying.

Grindintosecond > Caleb "If a rally car can do it, so can my Malibu" M. S. 10/12/2015 at 11:13

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Budget? And I know german is nice stuff but do you really want to learn how to wrench on electrical problems? (jk)

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Caleb "If a rally car can do it, so can my Malibu" M. S. 10/12/2015 at 11:32

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dogisbadob and ADapOfOppo...... are on the right path for you man.

Look for that ZX5. Reliable, cheap, easy to work on, will meet your requirements (except AWD)

Remember AWD is never cheap.

And Audi’s cost a fortune to maintain. I happen to hate Subaru’s because I don’t like the Boxer engine, but that’s commonly just me. When either Audi or Subaru engines go out - they tend to go out with a very big bill.

That Ford will have engine parts everywhere, like they said Suspension from the SVT is bolt on. It may not have the nameplate you sought out, but it’s a great little car.

Caleb "If a rally car can do it, so can my Malibu" M. S. > Grindintosecond 10/12/2015 at 11:46

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budget would be between 3-9k, and yeah you are right about the electrical, but I do have a thing for German cars, and of course I’d be happy with anything

Caleb "If a rally car can do it, so can my Malibu" M. S. > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner 10/12/2015 at 11:47

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good to know, I really shouldn’t be so particular with this purchase, I will be happy to have any car

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Caleb "If a rally car can do it, so can my Malibu" M. S. 10/12/2015 at 11:49

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If you’re stuck on Audi, A4s with the 2.8L V6 are apparently pretty reliable. Now if that’s by Audi owner standards or normal people standards, I don’t know. There’s a fellow Oppo (jkm) who had a 2.8 A4, he could probably tell you more.

I personally would recommend an E36 BMW if you want German, but they were never offered in AWD or wagon in the US. I’ve personally learned to wrench on mine and it’s been a great learning car in my eyes.

BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind > Caleb "If a rally car can do it, so can my Malibu" M. S. 10/12/2015 at 11:51

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Where do you live? It should easily be able to find a early 00s Outback for your price range, many in manual. Dead easy and cheap to work on, too.

Once you know what you're doing, then try the Germans.

jkm7680 > Caleb "If a rally car can do it, so can my Malibu" M. S. 10/12/2015 at 11:53

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I’m telling you, get a B5 A4! They’re super easy to work on.

Caleb "If a rally car can do it, so can my Malibu" M. S. > BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind 10/12/2015 at 11:53

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Northwest Iowa, we’ve got a bit of everything out here

Caleb "If a rally car can do it, so can my Malibu" M. S. > jkm7680 10/12/2015 at 11:58

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The A4 Avant is still my frontrunner by far. There is a beautiful 6-speed manual for sale near me, and I still hope that come next year its my DD.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Caleb "If a rally car can do it, so can my Malibu" M. S. 10/12/2015 at 12:05

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I say you stick to the low end of your budget. Like people have said it’ll be cool to have any car, but, if you stick to the low end, you can have a beginner car to play with. You’ll have money for repairs, modifications, etc. If you stretch to the top of your budget and an expensive repair pops up on an Audi, you’re pretty much screwed.

Another odd ball random thought - while unfortunately for your requirements, not a stick - the Malibu Maxx SS throws down a surprising 240hp/240torque. I’ve always had an unexplainable thing for them.

PotbellyJoe and 42 others > Caleb "If a rally car can do it, so can my Malibu" M. S. 10/12/2015 at 13:16

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http://www.ebay.com/itm/Toyota-Cor…

Go nuts.

IWouldAddai4U > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner 10/12/2015 at 13:39

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I’ve irrationally wanted a Malibu Maxx for a long time.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > IWouldAddai4U 10/12/2015 at 16:19

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I cannot justify it.

But I like it.

NO ONE KNOWS WHY

IWouldAddai4U > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner 10/12/2015 at 16:46

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It’s probably because it’s one of those cars that never made sense to make, and yet we got it anyway. I don’t think Chevy was exactly lighting it up with Malibu sales in the mid-2000’s, and I don’t know how they thought the Maxx would help...but I’m grateful for them giving it to us.

touring the brook - now with ZHP! > IWouldAddai4U 10/12/2015 at 16:55

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You are not the only one my friend. My World History teacher has one, he has an irrational love for it, even though he hates it.

touring the brook - now with ZHP! > Caleb "If a rally car can do it, so can my Malibu" M. S. 10/12/2015 at 16:59

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I’m a bit biased here, but an E46 wagon fits your requirements for German AWD wagon with con manuel. Not sure on the repairs front, but the 2.5 engine was pretty old by that time, so I imagine it would be reliable.

Caleb "If a rally car can do it, so can my Malibu" M. S. > touring the brook - now with ZHP! 10/12/2015 at 20:21

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I did come across this...

http://siouxcity.craigslist.org/cto/5244015300…

touring the brook - now with ZHP! > Caleb "If a rally car can do it, so can my Malibu" M. S. 10/12/2015 at 20:41

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Hmmm... tempting. But fuel economy, that V8 gonna be $$ at the pump. Besides that, and some maintenance, should be a fun car!

Grindintosecond > Caleb "If a rally car can do it, so can my Malibu" M. S. 10/13/2015 at 09:38

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I drive an ‘08 Mazda-3, 2.3 hatchback. Manual. It’s an absolute joy in handling. My choices were boiled down by a simmple formula. The absolute most reliable and absolute best handling hatch/wagon that can actually fit two kid-seats in the back seat. Mazda3 won as it always topped the handling tests and was extremely reliable. But why should you get it?

The Mazda3 is the 2nd generation ford focus we never got in the US. Over 50% of it’s parts are Ford based, like the engine block just with a Mazda head. It’s easy to work on if you follow the internet closely as well as the haynes manual. (Alyways get one for every car you own it’s a life saver) I recommend the hatch for that generation because honestly, I always thought it was a fantastic looking car in that configuration. It holds a fair ammmount of stuff as well. Besides, 2nd gear goes all the way to 60, 3rd 82, 4th 105+, and Ill probably never find out how far 5th goes, who really gets a chance to anyway but I estimate an easy 135 by how it pulled.

It’s FWD yes, but with good tires, you don’t need AWD unless you have steep slopes to contend with. I survived Buffalo, NY with a 2wd Chevy S-10 (low sport suspension), winter tires on steelies, and a few sand bags.