Need Help - Used Car 10-15k

[majin]

Alright I'm in the market for a used car somewhere in the 10-15k price range. Mainly I'm looking for an awesome driving experience, good handling is key and speed is secondary though still important. Another issue is that I live in Pittsburgh where it does snow some part of the year though not a ton. Some cars I have been looking at so far:

90's BMW 328is - Heard maintenence is costly after 100k. RWD awful in snow.

90's BMW M3 - Similar to above and slightly above price range but if it is alot better than the 328is....

Audi A4 Quattro - AWD but I heard its not the same driving experience as the BMW.

Saab 9-3 - FWD but I love the styling.

Those are the main 4 some others I'm considering:

Subaru WRX - AWD, Quick, Ugly (could get past that if it really outperforms)

Eclipse GSX - AWD, heard they encounter alot of mechanical problems though, decent styling

BTW this is a stock comparison, I most likely will not be modifying these cars in any way unless they are bought that way. Also I'm not limited to these cars so if you think theres something better please enlighten me

[christophv]

About the 328 maintenance - The M3 will have engine problems a lot earlier. From what I heard, people here with 90s M3s are past their second engine

The A4 won't be as much fun as the BMWs, but it has a much better reliability.

The GSX is good if you're after big performance with less reliability.

I'd take the WRX, but that may be a matter of taste. It's rarer, I like it, I'd put it between the A4 and M3 (fun and AWD)

[kman10587]

90's BMW 328is - Heard maintenence is costly after 100k. RWD awful in snow.

RWD is not awful in snow, as long as you're not a stupid driver. Get a set of snow tires and you're good to go.

Saab 9-3 - RWD again but I love the styling.

The 9-3 is front-wheel-drive, and it has been for as long as I can remember.

My top choice would be the Subaru WRX. The styling is a bit polarizing, but I personally think it's one of the best looking sports cars on the market. Though RWD isn't "awful" in the snow like you seem to think it is, AWD will help, as long as you use it properly. The handling is the best of all the cars you've listed there (except maybe the M3), the speed is also quite good, and the reliability, aside from a few minor recalls on the transmission, is rock solid.

[illegal_eagle187]

the handling would go to BMW, comfort and reliability go with the audi, wrx, performance and awd, eclipse gsx, im not so sure, ive heard both good and bad things, but i think the eclipse would be the fastest depending on what year wrx is

[majin]

Sorry typo on the Saab should be FWD not RWD fixed now.

Also I've never actually driven a RWD in the snow so I wouldn't know how it handles just repeating what I've heard.

Anyway thanks for the posts so far looks like the WRX is leading atm

[SuperHighOutput]

Out of your choices I like the Saab 9-3, if you want something unique and stylish with decent performance it's my choice.

What I would get with for the money though is get an LS1 f-body (Camaros and Firebirds). If you want an awesome driving experience you will get one with one of those.

[NISSANSPDR]

I'd take the M3...if it's 95 and up...