Winter/DD for under 12k?

Jamesons Viggen · 07-29-2016, 05:06 PM

LOVE LOVE LOVE my '06 9-5 wagon. It's FWD so I rock snow tires in the winter.

Its been crazy reliable and much friendlier to work on and keep running than the other euros.

It's a blast with 245mm Pilot Super Sports, full bolt ons and soon to be LSD. No one expects a gray Saab wagon to be quick. 5spds are rare though, mine is 1 of 14.

BEM-S4 · 08-01-2016, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jamesons Viggen

LOVE LOVE LOVE my '06 9-5 wagon. It's FWD so I rock snow tires in the winter.

Its been crazy reliable and much friendlier to work on and keep running than the other euros.

It's a blast with 245mm Pilot Super Sports, full bolt ons and soon to be LSD. No one expects a gray Saab wagon to be quick. 5spds are rare though, mine is 1 of 14.

If anyone is looking for Saab's there are some diehard independent mechanics out there who do great work and the cars themselves are cheap to maintain. Get a good one and they'll go forever. If you can't find a good mechanic by you though I'd skip it. If you can settle for wagon-ish a 9-3 5-door circa 2002 can haul a lot of stuff and is super safe. I rolled one 2x after hitting a large tree log (like 4 feet across) head on and my only "injury" was when I climbed out of it in the middle of a horse pasture I cut my ankle on a thorn bush.

bodega_cat · 08-01-2016, 10:46 AM

Another vote for the wrx. I miss mine dearly. Hands down the best car I've ever owned. Minimal maintenance...just kept up with routine things and on top of that, I had it stage 2 from 30k miles all the way to 145k miles when I sold it to get the 135. It still ran fantastic.
However, I'd seriously probably recommend an outback for more utility.

Buddy628 · 08-02-2016, 10:54 AM

Subaru's are great Ive owned 2 and they where rock solid and fun to drive. So much fun that I gave up my 2013 WRX hatchback because it made me act like a 20 year old plus the resale values are hard to beat.

BEM-S4 · 08-05-2016, 10:03 AM

Just saw an Acura TSX wagon today and it looked REALLY sharp. May be a bit high for your price point and it's FWD, but perhaps worth a look. I know literally nothing about them other than seeing one today and doing a bit of a double take.

maldoror · 08-08-2016, 01:05 AM

So I just put down a deposit on a sweet car. A 2011 328i xdrive wagon, 6 speed, clean carfax, and single owner.

I hope I'm not making a total blunder as this is clearly past my original 12k budget for a DD/winter driver.

lowbudgethero · 08-08-2016, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maldoror

So I just put down a deposit on a sweet car. A 2011 328i xdrive wagon, 6 speed, clean carfax, and single owner.

I hope I'm not making a total blunder as this is clearly past my original 12k budget for a DD/winter driver.

lol, that's a really nice winter car, but you probably won't regret it

TBN54 · 08-08-2016, 08:56 AM

I actually picked up an 2.0T 02' WRX with 153k two months ago and that thing still moves.

Keeping the BMW parked for the winter and using the Suburu for runnings and winter.

BRING ON THE SNOW.

jpdchicago · 08-08-2016, 09:35 AM

Just cannot imagine leaving the M3 in the garage in the winter. Now 12 years of driving M3s in the winter in Chicago as a DD. I enjoy driving it too much to leave it behind.
Get a good set of wheels and tires. Much cheaper and way more fun!

Naz24 · 08-08-2016, 05:07 PM

I paid 11k for a 2007 X3 M Sport. Thing is a beast and its still sporty/comfortable enough.

I just can't jump on the subaru train....

Draper · 08-09-2016, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jpdchicago

Just cannot imagine leaving the M3 in the garage in the winter. Now 12 years of driving M3s in the winter in Chicago as a DD. I enjoy driving it too much to leave it behind.
Get a good set of wheels and tires. Much cheaper and way more fun!

This.

After 3 winters full of numerous mountain runs, I've found the M3 is more than capable with a good set of winter tires.

Spend your money on Xpel if you're worried about winter wear. A full front + rear rocker wrap will put you back a hair over $2k...probably less than what a beater would cost to maintain and insure over a few years.

FotiosF90M5 · 08-09-2016, 05:47 PM

I bought a 2011 GTI with about 64k on it for 10k wholesale. I work at a bmw dealer. Makes a good beater car and it's pretty fun to drive. Good tires and FWD do the trick just fine. The car is a manual too

07-29-2016, 05:06 PM	#23
Jamesons Viggen Brigadier General 195 Rep 3,780 Posts Drives: '98 M Roadster stg 2+ S/C Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Rochester Hills MI iTrader: (3)	LOVE LOVE LOVE my '06 9-5 wagon. It's FWD so I rock snow tires in the winter. Its been crazy reliable and much friendlier to work on and keep running than the other euros. It's a blast with 245mm Pilot Super Sports, full bolt ons and soon to be LSD. No one expects a gray Saab wagon to be quick. 5spds are rare though, mine is 1 of 14. __________________ '98 Dinan/RMS stage 2+(VAC cams, CES Cutring etc) '15 Buick Regal "T"(wife) '06 Saab 9-5 Combi 5mt (full suspension, LSD, clipped turbo etc)
	Appreciate 1 saaltonen111.50 Quote

08-01-2016, 10:46 AM	#25
bodega_cat Lieutenant 155 Rep 438 Posts Drives: 2015 M4 Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: In the moutains iTrader: (1)	Another vote for the wrx. I miss mine dearly. Hands down the best car I've ever owned. Minimal maintenance...just kept up with routine things and on top of that, I had it stage 2 from 30k miles all the way to 145k miles when I sold it to get the 135. It still ran fantastic. However, I'd seriously probably recommend an outback for more utility.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-02-2016, 10:54 AM	#26
Buddy628 Enlisted Member 12 Rep 33 Posts Drives: 2015 X5 Msport, MB GLK250 Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: NC iTrader: (0)	Subaru's are great Ive owned 2 and they where rock solid and fun to drive. So much fun that I gave up my 2013 WRX hatchback because it made me act like a 20 year old plus the resale values are hard to beat.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-05-2016, 10:03 AM	#27
BEM-S4 Major General 4535 Rep 8,942 Posts Drives: Dinan M235, Dinan Sport Wagon Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Philadelphia iTrader: (5)	Just saw an Acura TSX wagon today and it looked REALLY sharp. May be a bit high for your price point and it's FWD, but perhaps worth a look. I know literally nothing about them other than seeing one today and doing a bit of a double take.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-08-2016, 01:05 AM	#28
maldoror Private 39 Rep 87 Posts Drives: '16 F80 M3 ZCP, '16 F31 Join Date: May 2010 Location: Seattle, WA iTrader: (0)	So I just put down a deposit on a sweet car. A 2011 328i xdrive wagon, 6 speed, clean carfax, and single owner. I hope I'm not making a total blunder as this is clearly past my original 12k budget for a DD/winter driver. Last edited by maldoror; 08-08-2016 at 01:12 AM..
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08-08-2016, 08:56 AM	#30
TBN54 Captain 425 Rep 793 Posts Drives: 08' E92 335 -> 17' F30 340i Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Upstate NY iTrader: (0)	I actually picked up an 2.0T 02' WRX with 153k two months ago and that thing still moves. Keeping the BMW parked for the winter and using the Suburu for runnings and winter. BRING ON THE SNOW.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-08-2016, 09:35 AM	#31
jpdchicago Major 1373 Rep 1,404 Posts Drives: M4 CSL, X3MC Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Chicago area iTrader: (0)	Just cannot imagine leaving the M3 in the garage in the winter. Now 12 years of driving M3s in the winter in Chicago as a DD. I enjoy driving it too much to leave it behind. Get a good set of wheels and tires. Much cheaper and way more fun!
	Appreciate 3 Draper3497.00 David701755.00 Bbb34730.50 Quote

08-08-2016, 05:07 PM	#32
Naz24 Lieutenant Colonel 1644 Rep 1,726 Posts Drives: W205 AMG C63 / E70 X5M Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: North/Central NJ iTrader: (1)	I paid 11k for a 2007 X3 M Sport. Thing is a beast and its still sporty/comfortable enough. I just can't jump on the subaru train.... __________________ 2017 C63 2012 X5M SOLD: 2015 M3; 2007 X3 M Sport; 2014 X3 M Sport 35i; 2004 X5 4.4i; 1994 325i
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08-09-2016, 05:47 PM	#34
FotiosF90M5 ///M Specialist South Shore BMW 800 Rep 7,109 Posts Drives: 2021 M5 Comp BHG/Silverstone Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: South Shore, MA iTrader: (62)	I bought a 2011 GTI with about 64k on it for 10k wholesale. I work at a bmw dealer. Makes a good beater car and it's pretty fun to drive. Good tires and FWD do the trick just fine. The car is a manual too __________________ 2021 M5 COMPETITION LCI Brands Hatch Gray on SIlverstone, carbon roof, comp wheels, Mperf splitter, carbon pro spoiler, carbon diffuser , carbon paddles, executive pkg. Dinan HAS, RaceChip, dinan spacers, FC stud kit, etc
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