Economical car with AWD and a manual transmission... does anyone make one anymore?

[exc911ence]

With gas sitting at an uncomfortable $1.26 a liter now, I've started rethinking my choice of daily driver. I currently drive a Jeep TJ Unlimited which I love (my fifth Jeep, by the way) but the gas mileage is seriously atrocious. I didn't care when unleaded was $0.50-0.80 a liter but these days a fill-up is $70.00 and it gets less than 300kms range to a tank.

I wouldn't be caught dead in any of the "sport-cutes" available these days so I'm considering a small hatchback or wagon with AWD and a manual transmission being must-haves.

The only manufacturer that seems to build a car like this is Subaru but since I have no experience with the brand, I'd be going in blind. Ideally, I'd love a VW Golf GTi (this was "the" car to have when I was a teenager back in the 80's) but they don't offer it in a Syncro which is a real shame. Imagine the fun you could have in an AWD GTi!

So besides the Subie, does anyone have any suggestions? It's been a long time since I've shopped outside of a Jeep showroom and honestly have no idea what's available out there.

[mossguy]

Jeep Patriot @ $17k
Jeep – 2011 Jeep Patriot – SUV, Sports Utility Vehicle

[jyl]

Subaru is a top notch make. I dont think I've met anyone who was even unhappy with their Subaru. If you have to try out a different brand "blind", it's a pretty safe one.

[Mark Henry]

Why are you stuck on AWD?
I've had several golfs and as long as you put winter tires on them they are little freaking tanks in the snow.

With Subaru's gas mileage is one of the only complaints owners do have. Full time AWD will always get lower mileage than a 2wd car.

[kaisen]

Suzuki SX4 Crossover AWD is available with a 6 speed manual

Just an alternative to a Subaru Impreza AWD 5 speed

My advice if you don't like those two? Ditch the manual transmission criteria and it opens up dozens of possibilities

[exc911ence]

Originally Posted by mossguy

Jeep Patriot @ $17k
Jeep – 2011 Jeep Patriot – SUV, Sports Utility Vehicle

See "sport cute" comment above.

Originally Posted by jyl

Subaru is a top notch make. I dont think I've met anyone who was even unhappy with their Subaru. If you have to try out a different brand "blind", it's a pretty safe one.

Glad to hear that, thanks!

Originally Posted by Mark Henry

Why are you stuck on AWD?
I've had several golfs and as long as you put winter tires on them they are little freaking tanks in the snow.

With Subaru's gas mileage is one of the only complaints owners do have. Full time AWD will always get lower mileage than a 2wd car.

Mostly because Ottawa gets a ridiculous crap-load of snow in the winter and I prefer the confidence of AWD in those conditions.

I have considered the Volvo C30 however and it's FWD only. A quick search on a C30 forum brought many, many issues to light which really surprised me. I always thought a Volvo was a safe, reliable car. Not so anymore it seems.

Originally Posted by kaisen

Suzuki SX4 Crossover AWD is available with a 6 speed manual

Just an alternative to a Subaru Impreza AWD 5 speed

My advice if you don't like those two? Ditch the manual transmission criteria and it opens up dozens of possibilities

I had considered the Suzuki (fan of the brand, well the motorcycle side of the brand) but the styling is too pre-teen for my 40+ tastes. I won't let go of the manual transmission though... I truly hate driving automatic cars, flappy paddles or otherwise.

[kaisen]

Sounds like if you desire a brand new car, you're getting a Subaru. Congrats!

[VincentVega]

I was tempted by a 'cheap' Land Cruiser on CL today.

What about an A4 or a 3 series?

[kaisen]

Originally Posted by VincentVega

I was tempted by a 'cheap' Land Cruiser on CL today.

What about an A4 or a 3 series?

A3 or A4 Avant Quattro isn't available with a manual transmission in 2011

You can get a new 328' XDrive Sportwagen with a 6spd, but that's not really an economy hatch at 17/25mpg or $40K+ USD

[notfarnow]

Originally Posted by kaisen

Suzuki SX4 Crossover AWD is available with a 6 speed manual

+1
That little wagon with a DOHC 2.0 is a fun, fun car. Can't remember the last time a newish car made me giggle like that

I would buy one tomorrow if I didn't have to drive clients around all the time. Tried talking my wife into one, to no avail.

[Oracle]

I have a 'bug-eye' 2003 2.5RS Manual (non-turbo) Subaru as a DD and I'm very happy. The AWD will take you anywhere. The feeling is very raw so you actually enjoy the driving (even at speed limit feels you're going way faster). The seats are sport by default and believe me that you need them if you drive it hard. This car probably outperforms my C2 in a tight track.
Gas mileage is mediocre for a 4 cyl.
My only complain is the transmission because the gears are stupidly short. Interior is mediocre as well, seems to me the designers put it together with whatever they had on the shelf, nothing seems to be in harmony, there is no theme...
In terms of safety is pretty good! IIHS-HLDI: Subaru Impreza


Here are a couple of pics to convince you the car is pretty nice.
The new generation is as plain as an old toyota corolla.. I hate the style.
Now the STi is a different animal.. but expensive.







And here are the records I have (I lost the rest of the receipts)





Now that I know more about Subaru, I would buy the same non-turbo but probably the hatchback. Many turbo (WRX) for sale have been abused by ricers and they're just ticking time bombs.. I would stay away from a turbo that didn't look stock unless is a well built performance car.
Run away from things like "stage-1,2 or 3". Many trannies in the turbos are shot because the ricers have no mercy with the clutch..


Funny that you're looking to buy something small like this cause I'm about to replace this with a gas guzzler F150 or similar



Good luck!

[Steve Carlton]

Are you looking for new or used? Volvo made a few AWD turbo sticks up until 2010 in the S40 and V50. Don't know about Canada, though.

[exc911ence]

Originally Posted by Steve Carlton

Are you looking for new or used? Volvo made a few AWD turbo sticks up until 2010 in the S40 and V50. Don't know about Canada, though.

I'm looking for something slightly used, maybe 2 years old max. Just old enough to have the steep depreciation behind it but still new enough to be (hopefully) reliable.

The little Subarus seem to tick all the right boxes, and even with "poor" four-cylinder gas mileage, it's still twice as good as my Jeep's 4.0L I-6 gets.

[Laneco]

I am a huge Jeep fan, but the Jeep Liberty should be pushed off the nearest available cliff. Cramped seating for a sport-ute, poor reliability. Really poor reliability. I just cringe whenever a repair order for my company comes up and the vehicle is a Jeep Liberty. I can count on it costing $$$$, or being a problem that the dealer cannot figure out at all.

Transmission troubles and timing cover/water pump failures are just about expected failures.

angela

[Porsche-O-Phile]

944. Seriously, they're not bad on gas and fun to drive.

My SLK isn't bad on mileage either (and don't call it "sport cute"). Decent car. I'd recommend the SLK-230 Kompressor since it's a 4 cyl and probably a little better on gas than my V6 320 model, so long as you can keep your foot off the fun pedal.

[exc911ence]

Originally Posted by Laneco

I am a huge Jeep fan, but the Jeep Liberty should be pushed off the nearest available cliff. Cramped seating for a sport-ute, poor reliability. Really poor reliability. I just cringe whenever a repair order for my company comes up and the vehicle is a Jeep Liberty. I can count on it costing $$$$, or being a problem that the dealer cannot figure out at all.

Transmission troubles and timing cover/water pump failures are just about expected failures.

angela

My wife bought a Liberty brand new in 2005 and it was 100% reliable up to and including the day she traded it in. She has the recalled ball joints replaced but the truck never let her down. Gas mileage was so-so with the 3.7L V6 and I found the 6-speed manual a little knotchy but otherwise, no troubles at all.

I've stuck with TJ's since they stopped building Cherokees and my Unlimited is great. Decent room inside and an actual tow rating which can't be said of the SWB Jeeps. If only it wasn't such a pig on fuel. Maybe I should invest in one of those Tornado things for the intake!

Originally Posted by Porsche-O-Phile

944. Seriously, they're not bad on gas and fun to drive.

My SLK isn't bad on mileage either (and don't call it "sport cute"). Decent car. I'd recommend the SLK-230 Kompressor since it's a 4 cyl and probably a little better on gas than my V6 320 model, so long as you can keep your foot off the fun pedal.

The SLK isn't a "sport cute", it's a chick's car.

Seriously though, a small convertible isn't on my radar. I need something that has room to carry the odd bulky item and if it can tow my small sportbike trailer, so much the better!

[1990C4S]

Originally Posted by Porsche-O-Phile

944. Seriously, they're not bad on gas and fun to drive.

when well set up, of course.

[1990C4S]

Gas prices aren't going down. Think about fuel consumption. AWD is not the way to go. Snow tires are.

That really opens up your options.

[jyl]

I'm disappointed you're not considering a 964 C4, lifted rally style . . .

[teenerted1]

almost 10 yrs with my iprezza ts and the only issue i have is with fuel economy
20mpg most of the time maybe 28 hwy.
when my folks finally got the equivalent this summer my dad wouldnt stop b1tching about the mpg difference from the toyota corollas they have had over the last 20yrs. then he drove in the snow this winter and hasnt said a thing. if you really have bad weather a large part of the winter you cant go wrong with subarus. but if you dont...just get a fwd in the size you need for a DD.