Thinking of a good second car.

So First off I love driving my 996 but sometimes I want something else to drive. I was dreaming of a nice A3 2.0l 6-spd with AWD for some fun and the ability to haul more stuff then the 996 can but this is where I learned that Audi USA think all Americans are morons or they just plain hate us. It seems that if you want something sporty with a stick they don't want you to get it. if you want a A3 with a 2.0l no AWD drive for you and if you get the V6 with AWD then no manual for you! My friend here at work says they pull the same junk with a twist with the TT if you want a manual you have to get the V6 if you like the 2.0l then it is no stick for you. Sometimes I think these people are trying to not sell cars. There that is the end of my rant.

Joel, what you need is a perfect 2008 S4 with less than 1000 miles!! Oh yeah, custom color, too!! I just might know someone who has one!!

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Yeah I think that is out of my range. If I had that cash laying around I might just upgrade the 996 .

I'm looking for a mini myself, anyone here have any input

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Mini's are great little cars. the money there is small enough that a Cooper S would be great. I also like the VW GTI for a FWD both really good for the cash.

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Yeh a hot hatch is another option.

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My daughter has 2004 Mini Cooper S. It is a really nice little car. The only thing that bothers me is that the run flat tires cost as much if not more than the tires on my Porsche and they don't seem to have much grip. Of course they are all seasons and that probably explains it.

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Definitely a negative - but if I was to go with one it'd have to modded fairly well, seems like www.northamericanmotoring.com has a lot of decent info.

A SUV is the way I went. Puts you above the traffic and if you buy a 4runner or the such, you can take it off road.

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Dinan does some great Mini stuff now. Worth a look, and much better value than the JCW kit Mini sells. We've got performance run-flats on ours. They ride like they're made of stone, and when things freeze over they handle like it, too.

BMW X5 or even the X3....50K miles or 4 years no maintenance...can't beat that..I got the X5 3.0i with sport package (corners like a sport sedan!!) and premium package (panoramic moonroof etc) so you have the best of both world: a P with rear seats and a SAV (not SUV) with great handling, sporty luxury and you can bring the whole family + lugage.... No I am not affiliated with BMW in anyway.. I just love the brand.

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My wife already has a X5 it is fine but I don't want a SUV. I was thinking a nice wagon or hatch would make a great second to the 996.

For pure fun and some practical use too, consider a Honda Si 4 door. Big enough for 4 adults, and a total blast to drive. Not too expensive and carves corners like a sports car.

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Agreed, I've been contemplating a bunch of cars recently and this is relatively cheap and fun!

OK...I'll chime in with what I just got...Lexus IS350...WAY more reliable than an Audi, and MORE fun! I drove a few similar A4s and ughhh...they seemed like they were gonna break down on the test drive, shakes and rattles on a NEW car! You can get a used IS350 for less than a Mini S...and you get 306 HP, RWD, 6 speed (auto), LOTS of amenities, and oh...RELIABILITY...Plus its a 4 door with a HUGE trunk...

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Guess you just had bad Audi's I use to have a A4 and it was great and never rode in a bad one as for the IS350 it fails on 2 counts . 1: it is a Auto. 2: If I wanted a car that tried to be a BMW I would buy a BMW. If you like the car that is fine but for me I don't like followers.

Subaru WRX, I bought mine in 2001, right after 9/11. Bought it new, it now has 128000+ miles on it, never a problem had. Oil changed routinely, new tires when i need them, new brakes 1 or 2 times, original clutch though it is going out, new battery and i think that is all that has been done. Very reliable, AWD + Turbo.

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I did forget about the WRX. I'll have to look into that option there must still be some stock ones out there :-D.

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Not many. Oh yeah, don't forget about the EVO.

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Same boat a few months ago, and was shopping from the S4 to a 997 C4 (needed AWD for winter use, and figured if nothing excited me I'd go whole hog and drive the Porsche all year). At the Audi store I drove an S5. Wonderful car but "boulevard" rather than track feel. And at the price point I'd rather go the extra money for the 997 (because I'd trade/sell the 996 and with the S5 sticker plus the equity it was close...). Tested the A3 on a lark for the price point with the sport suspension and DSG. All the press on DSG was so interesting. And I loved it. But the car was "ehhh". Bouncy suspension. Marginal seats. Ran into the VW R32 by accident when looking to try an A3. Sat in it. Great seats. Looked, great price point. Drove it and in 5 minutes was hooked. Had it now for 2 months and couldn't be happier. Still planning on selling the 996 BECAUSE it's such a wonderful and fun car. The DSG? Well, don't knock it 'til you try it. And for $31K I get to truly see for myself how I feel and if my next $100K car will be a manual or DSG from a long term test. Market is soft in the car now, too. People are getting them for invoice and below.... Good luck.

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I hate Minis. I have yet to drive the turbo Cooper S but the supercharged one was, well, gutless. The car was just so disappointing. Horrible body roll, disconnected steering, cramped and uncomfortable. They do handle fairly well but you just don't feel comfortable to throw them about at their limits. My knee also constantly hit the center plastic and I'm only 5'10". With regards to the R32: It's an OK car. But, at that price point the Evo and the STI have it beat on every level (including reliability). Looks? That's subjective.... I've owned an Evo since their launch here in 2003. I am on my 2nd one right now and I just can't get rid of it. I HAVE to sell the Evo, but I can't. I drive the Evo more than I drive the Porsche not because it's cheaper but because it's more fun. People will tell you they make horrible daily drivers but they're full of it. The fun factor alone makes them great daily drivers. Yeah, I'm a little biased but you really have to test drive one to see what I'm talking about.

i love the WRX... 1 friend has the old 2.0 wrx wagon for everyday use. my brother has an 06 2.5L STI and another 2 friends have '05 STIs... i have to say that they are GREAT cars for the price... AND if you wanted to go on a tighter budget, you can get a standard WRX turbo (~230 bhp) for cheap (non-STI)... drawbacks are: not the most comfortable ride in the world (stripped down car = lotsa noise and creaks) not the best gas mileage (you WILL be tempted) you WILL be tempted to upgrade i personally don't like the new redesign... makes the car look like a mazda 3....

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The Mini does feel gutless if you don't drive the hell out of it. There's a 19hp parasitic loss to the supercharger when it's off boost. I think if you really drove it, you'd find it quite fun. But I chose a normal Cooper for an urban commuter specifically because it was a hoot in city traffic, where the S felt breathless. As for the steering and body roll comments, there must have been something wrong with yours. Not everything about a Cooper S is to love, but those are definitely NOT two of its faults, at least in that class of car.

Funny...I've been thinking about the same thing. Regrettably I don't have the driveway space at this point. You should check out...used S4 Avant (04 was my favorite), 3 series BMW wagon (how come we never get the 330?!), or Mini S (including the new Clubman). Good luck! -- M

VW GTI 5-door with SMG

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To date myself, 50. Important because my 996 love affair is NOT because of it's performance per se. It's that the seats are great, the steering is tight and direct, the suspension has a suppleness that lets me "read" the road surface while not being harsh.... Because it's perfect to live in day to day while being fun the whole time. And THAT's exactly what surprised me about the R32. The seats are solid and supportive (though not power). The steering is almost exactly 996 like with a steering wheel that is solid and meaty great to hold. Quiet cabin, good sound system. Great back seats. Even the switchgear for the turn signals and wipers have that satisfying "thunk". The non-driving parts of the car show the price point a bit (rattly light switches on the sound system, minimal contours to the dash, etc.). But who cares about those when it's about the drive. And I even have all season tires..... Didn't wait for the Evo and STI because I am pretty confident they won't measure up in the "refinement" category. I might be wrong, but hey, they weren't even out yet and I needed the car, too.....

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The first one I drove was a month old car on paper plates, hard, at an autocross. There was nothing wrong with it . I'm obviously nitpicking. The car felt OK but I just expected so much more. I was 6 seconds slower in the Mini than my car on a slow, tight, 50 second circuit. The seats in the Evo are amazing: they're the best thing about the interior along with the steering wheel. The only better stock seats I've sat in were in an Escort Cosworth and a Sierra Cosworth. Yeah, the interior is very basic but it is a somewhat comfortable car even if the ride can beat your kidneys to death on a very bumpy road. Fat people like me, with man ****, can also be the receiver of chafed nipples . It's certainly not a car you pick a date up in and she goes 'wow' but, then again, neither's the 996. I have never bought a car because the interior pleased me as, as long as I'm comfortable, flashy lights and aesthetically pleasing curves just aren't that important. As long as stuff doesn't fall off I'm good . The steering is so tight and responsive in the Evo that it's almost like having a direct connection with the road. Being almost 40 I probably look somewhat strange driving a car that looks like the Evo does (which is a big reason I bought the 996) and I've certainly received some strange looks when I get out of the car; they probably think it's my Son's .

I picked up a 2008 GTI for my daughter, what a fun car to drive, fast, responsive and CHEAP. I paid 19K with it nicely loaded. I would highly reccomend you check this baby out. It really is that good, not sure if you can get a better car for the money.

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Well....I used to own an A4...always in the shop...and Audi is not exactly KNOWN for reliability...if you think an IS wants to be a BMW...what does an Audi want to be???? If you drive one...and I DRIVE all my car choices to compare....not just READ an article...you will see the STOCK IS350 is better than the BMW in just about EVERY way and less expensive...and more reliable, and more comfortable, and better electronics, and better economy and better ergonomics, and better ride, and yadda yadda yadda....there was NOTHING a comparable 3 series gave me that the IS350 didnt...steering feel, braking, acceleration, all awesome...If you dont lik ethe car cool...although you may look into a WRX??? which is KNOWN for having build quality issues, marginal looks, etc...but hey its your dime...shop wisely...

WRX

Yeah, Audi offers more choices for our Canadian hosers, er friends. =) Do you really need awd? Man, when I test drove the A3 (Sport suspension) with DSG blipping off shifts, perfectly rev-matching downshifts, I *had* to have it. Have had it for about 18 months and have had 0 problems, great car. Might chip it someday, but I got it for my wife (except when I steal it). Plus Audi dealers take pretty good care of you. If you've never driven a DSG, go try it and see what you think, might win you over.

I have two "beaters" as daily drivers - 05 BMW X3 for the winter, and 07 Mini Cooper S for the summer. The X3 is a great car (not an SUV) as it is a 3-series chassis. With the right snow tires here in Park City (3rd set was the charm - Michelin X-Ice) it is a beast in snow & on ice. The Mini has snow tires too (Blizzaks) but spends more time in the garage as it is juts too light to be a good snow car. Now in the summer, I completely love the Mini. It is a fun go-kart, and is a blast to throw around on the twisties. My wife calls it the "disposable car". My buddy across the street has an Evo, and I know a few WRX owners. Those are great AWD carss that are a blast on the track.... Good luck! -Blake

I have a SAAB 9-2X which is like the WRX but a little nicer and different. They only made them for 2 years but I love driving mine in the winter.

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You know I was going to write a long reply to point out why I find your reply insulting and point out that your dog must been run over by a BMW for you to have such an unwarranted dislike for BMW's but hey if that is how you feel that is fine. I will buy the cars I like and you can buy the cars you like and the world will keep moving.