I saw these wheels on a 2.5X and thought they looked great.

Does anyone know who makes them?

 

BTW, I'm not buying the car pictured above. It's a 2.5X.

I want the 224hp XT with a 5MT. AWD and 0-60 in under 6 seconds.

 

I would get an FX35 Sport with the nice tails, just like bigsmth1.

Just saying.

 

Looks like a Motegi Wheel based on the center cap. Can't find it on their site though so may be its an older style.

 

Can't say I approve of where you're going

 

Hmm... I don't know.

I love a Forester, I really do, but don't know about getting rid of your S4..

Forester STi conversion should be a very fun project though!

 

I didn't know the op was a lesbian

 

ROFL, nice

I have no choice. My student loans are kicking my ass and I took a 15% paycut this year.

I need to be responsible and unfortunately that means selling the Audi while it still has value and isn't bleeding me dry on repairs.

 

A lady..errrrrr mans gotta do what a mans gotta do.

 

Haha, I know ... But I have two dogs too.

If it was just me, I'd definitely get something different.

 

def a sleeper. you gotta do what any straight male would do.

 

I've found a couple 2007s where people have put STi bits on already.

One's in Cali and the guy wants $17k for it with 43k miles. Has a STi Intercooler, COBB DP, etc. That's a pretty good deal. If it's still available when I sell my car, I may see what I can do about it.

Since I want AWD and a MT that will fit my dogs for under $20k, my options are limited. Since I'm looking to keep it a while (I have to this time since I'm jacking up my student loan payments every month to pay them off sooner)

Not much in that range with those features.

If I go auto then I have more options but they become less interesting to me.

If I don't go Forester, I'm looking at a FX35 (2005).

Any other suggestions are appreciated. Nothing German as the point is to find something less expensive to maintain than what I already have.

Would like:

AWD, MT, room for my dogs, under $20k used.

 

The new TSX wagon should be nice as well as the CTS wagon. I couldn't drive a Forrester on principle!


*edit* You and I posted at the same time Charlie. Obviously my suggestions do not meet your criteria. Still nice though!

 

NP ... Believe me, if I could afford a $45k car I definitely wouldn't buy a Forester.

But a 2.5XT 5MT does 0-60 in about 5.8 seconds, has AWD, and I can throw the dogs in the back and not worry about them barfing all over my seats.

So, while yes, I guess it's a lesbianmobile there's not a whole lot out there as an alternative.

Even if I decided to get an Audi Avant, I'm looking at a 2005 2.0T at best and I'm back to the $125/hr labor rates and stupid shit failing

Really, a 6MT Avant would be the perfect solution here. I could pull out my RNS-E and I already have the wheels for it.

It's just A4s of that vintage have issues.

 

You're not thinking wrong for wanting the top lesbaru model that can do what you ask. I own a Subaru, I'm just trapped in a man's body.

Just find the turbo, and slowly purchase the go fast bits later, or go this route: 2004 Forester 5MT

It may not be a turbo, but you get the rest and it's very affordable. And in your spot, affordable may be what you need.

 

Hey, at least it will get the chicks!

I actually like the Forester STi/JDM look. I'd pimp it.

 

Correction "Hey, at least it will get the lesbian chicks".

Wife's aunt and uncle have two Sub's, great cars alot of fun to drive in the PA snow and hills.

 

That's not a bad idea but I'm trying to be responsible and yet buy something I'll actually want to keep. That's why I'm thinking about the XT.

If you guys saw what my Springer Spaniel does to my Audi, you'd probably give me less grief about the Lesbaru

 

I wonder about some of the people in ramblings

 

edit: offtopic

 

Fixed. And agreed!

 

Volvo V70R???? or an S4 Avant

 

Both are expensive to fix/maintain.

Japanese cars are boring but they stay on the road for a long, long time.

 

Very similar situations...I recently got rid of my B7 A4 and got an '07 FXT. Guess you could call it coming out of the closet





What I like:

Space (fit 4 dogs with the seats down)
AWD
Versatility
Gigantic Moonroof
Cheaper insurance
Mod Potential (It's basically a high WRX)

Dislike:

Gas hog
Fabric interior (terrible with dog hair)
Turbo lag
4 speed Auto tranny (5 MT's were very hard to find)
Rattles

I'm getting married this month and got a mortgage earlier this year, so we had to cut costs. I did a lot of research before deciding on the Subie and to me it was a good compromise from the Audi. I eventually mod my cars in some way or form and the Forester is a great platform for that sick habit.

 

Dude, that's awesome. Thank you for posting that. I am getting about 19-20mpg right now with my S4. I would imagine the Subie isn't worse, is it?

I'm going to hold out for the 5MT FXT if I can ... Has anyone done a 5MT -> 6MT swap?

 

fast SUV-ish cars with oversized moonroofs are amazing for road trips.

 

That Forester is hot taitando!

 

19-20 combined? Yeah, you're not going to get much better fuel savings going to an XT Forester. It uses premium fuel and most owners report anywhere from 20-24mpg combined driving (City/Fwy). Not much of an improvement over the S4's V8.

But, you would definitely save on insurance cost, especially for 2008 or older models. It's funny, my insurance classifies my 2007 as a station wagon, but it classifies the '09+ models as an SUV.

As for 6 speed swaps, I heard it's been done before, but it's expensive and can be problematic. Most people are satisfied with the 5MT.

Besides a 5MT, were you looking at Sports XT or Limited XT models? There are big cosmetic differences between the two.

 

Thanks. I hope to one day make it similar to an STI, but I have other priorities at the moment

 

I think probably a Limited XT but if I could only get a Sports XT with a 5MT (because that's all that's around) then I'll take it.

If I could buy this guy's car right now and carry two until my S4 sold I'd do it:

2007 FXT 5MT with STI and Cobb upgrades - 43k miles for $17k

 

NICE. That's a great Forester and the price is right with all those upgrades. Plus he's swapped his turbo for a VF43 from an '07 STi. Not the biggest or best, but a good step up from stock and good for longevity. I wonder what numbers he's putting down? Nice sleeper for sure with very tasteful upgrades/mods.

Plus, if it makes a difference, it's an '07 which means it has butt warmers/heated seats. Subaru deleted from the 2008 XT sports...I love my seat warmers.

 

Curious, why not a Legacy GT Spec B?

 

He has dogs.

 

Very Very HAWT!

 

Ahhh.

Legacy Wagon?

 

Legacy Wagon is fking hawt too.

 

can't believe I totally forgot about the LGT wagon!

I would approve of that but same thing, good luck finding an LGT 5MT wagon, I think they discontinued the LGT wagon in the US altogether in 2007. It's one of my favorite wagons of all-time



and obligatory dog pics:

 

I would have said Legacy GT specB wagon too, but you can't get those there. I see them here, and they are quite cool, with only a 200lb. (roughly) penalty over the sedan.

 

 

FXT's are cool. I have pics of an '09 with a FULL STi swap. brb