New to me daily driver suggestions please?
 

I'm currently driving my 2009 John Cooper Works 6speed 70miles per day, 4 days/week to work. It's fun to drive and I don't mind the tinkering too much (3 limp modes home + 1 tow in the last 5years; you can spell "Peugeot" with Umlauts, but that doesn't make it German) With 170k miles, it's becoming a 'driving on egg shells' experience.
I'm looking for another fun car with AWD for snowy driveway scenarios, and a 5-6speed manual. We have an 11 year old daughter, so passenger room is not a big concern. I'd like to keep the price below $25k

I was considering:
Audi S4 or S5 with the 4.2l V8
Some boring Subaru
Or maybe a high milage 996 Carrera 4
Anything else I should be looking into?

There was an RS4 for sale here in the Bay Area for about $28k.

I was where you are at with my 2010 MCS. Love driving that car but, at 137k, new head work/valves and a new turbo felt it was time to change it up. Bought a friend's 2012 STI Hatch (one owner). Ticks all of my boxes except the gas mileage, LOL.

I didn't mind the torque/bump steer of the MCS.. It was predictable (at least for me) and a great trade off for the laser like steering but, after a couple months of driving the STI, can't say that I miss that.:D The AWD of the STI is a little heavier feel but, is precise. I do love the extra ponies and a STI would meet your price point for a nice one that hasn't been at the mercy of some street Bro.

The 4.2l V8 in the S4 is a nightmare. However, the RS4's engine is supposedly much better.

My extremely biased suggestion is an E90 328i xdrive. The 328i's non-turbo engine (N52) is reliable and the chassis is fun to drive. This would be well under your $25k budget.

I'm not sure that you're getting a good 996 for under $25k anymore. At least I'm not seeing any/many in my searches.

decent used golf R could be had for 25k in more sane times, maybe a bit more now.

The new one coming to US soon is crazy fast for a 4cyl

Not a ton of options with awd, manual, and reasonably priced. Brand new WRX for a bit more is a pretty fun car for a sedan.

I'd get a Tesla Model 3 Performance.

Where are these available for $25k?!

I bought one of these two years ago, a VW Golf Alltrack made from 2017-2019. I was looking for manual trans (6 Speed) AWD and fun to drive. A VW Sportwagen is also an option but the Alltrack has a bit more ground clearance and some GTI suspension bits and pieces. Fit and finish inside is very Audi-like.
Many who cross shop a Subaru product say the Alltrack is the more fun to drive and it is.
Love mine with zero issues. I put some slightly wider Audi wheels and stickier tires on it and it handles even better (stock tires are crap). Photo shows factory 18" wheels.
Edit: There have been reports of the panorama sunroof leaking so I made sure to buy one without (the S model). http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1628015790.jpg

Miata. The answer is always Miata. lol

I got me as TTRS. Fun and fast when needed

Lexus RX-350. Good ride, quiet, visible, big enough and lots of airbags to protect you in a crash, decent gas mileage and a good stereo.

Audi or Subi....

My son had a 2016 Golf R prior to kids and dogs taking over his life, happily :-)

I got quite a bit of seat time in it and a 2010 GTI I had. Also a great car but not AWD.

I'd go Golf R in a hot minute.

I daily a 996 C4S but not 70 miles per day. Mine has 105k on it and I just put a ton of work into it to take care of aging suspension, rebuilt gearbox, etc. It's not a cheap car to own as it ages, but is fun! I will say the interior quality of the turbo and C4S or any 996 with full leather is very good, paint quality good. It is very solid. No rattles, etc. They were well built in general.