Help choosing a used car

[JoshParsons84]

I've got a 96 Saturn that I've put too much money in and now it's time to move on. I've got some money coming in and I wanna get something at least a little newer with not as many miles as my Saturn has (173,000). 5-speed is A MUST and AWD and Sedan are preferable with potential of modification possibilities and $6,000 - $7,000 as a budget. With that being said what do you guys suggest?

[drdisque]

The only AWD sedan offered with a manual in your price range is the mid-late 90's Subaru Impreza or Legacy and not many Legacies came with 5-speeds.

[sickcallawayc12]

I would pick up a Legacy GT wagon or sedan if you want something sporty. At that price range you will probably get cars around 130k-140k miles, at least here. I am in the market for one of these actually. Try to look for ones who have proof of service put into it within the year, especially ones who have fixed the heads and such. I think that was a big thing with the second gen Legacy engines. Subarus are pretty good cars overall, better than Saturns anyway. Just like Saturns, they benefit a lot from upgraded suspension components. Look at the Impreza if you are thinking about turboing later.

[JoshParsons84]

Totally straying from everything I said but I seen a 2001 Monte Carlo SS parked at the local Walmart for sale for $6,500 negotiable and I'm thinking very hard about that. But tell me something can you make them handle pretty good with all upgraded trailing arms and tubular arms and strut braces and tires and springs and good KYB struts?

[drdisque]

It depends what you define "handling good"

With those mods it will certainly hold a line really well and not wallow or lean in sharp cornering, however, due to the car's size and weight, it will never really be an "agile" or "nimble" handler.

[G-man422]

you want handling? get a miata or an rx-7. You want 4wd for 7K? Maybe an eclipse.