What if you were to lose your Kizashi?

[murcod]

Haven't thought about it much because I'm happy with the Kiz, but probably a Subaru 4x4 with a manual trans. I'm kind of limited in choices here in the USA because I like a manual transmission. I've read that in Europe manual trans vehicles outnumber automatics.

Hate to break it to you but Subaru is ditching manuals in some models much like the others in the industry. The new Legacy and Outback will be exclusively CVT from now on.

http://www.subaru.com/vehicles/outback/ ... specs.html

6 spd manual is available in the 2.5i and 2.5i premium MY2014 models.

[redmed]

There are still 3 petal cars in the US! Even when most in the US can only count to 2.

[KuroNekko]

R34 is now outside the age limit and there are no special restrictions to import one - just buy it and have it brought over.

You're thinking the older R32. The R34 was from 1999 to 2002 so it would not meet the 25 year rule.
More on it here:
http://jalopnik.com/this-is-the-first-r ... 1493127416

6 spd manual is available in the 2.5i and 2.5i premium MY2014 models.

Same here, but the MY 2014 is still the old model. There is a new model coming out and I've read that, much like the new Legacy, it will only be offered in CVT. Not sure if other markets like Australia will be affected. Where are Aussie Outbacks made? The USDM Legacy and Outbacks are made in the USA while the Impreza and Forester are made in Japan. There is talk of making the Impreza and Forester in the US as Subaru continues to grow in the US.

Here's the upcoming Outback:

[bootymac]

There are still 3 petal cars in the US! Even when most in the US can only count to 2.

Oh the irony

[cocos3]

Now our kids are driving their own cars and heading off to University soon...My first choice would be a Renault Megane Sport RS 265...But being a slightly more practical person the Megane Sport GT 220 wagon is pretty hot too, so I'd def have one of those...(fully specced(?), of course).

[murcod]

But being a slightly more practical person the Megane Sport GT 220 wagon is pretty hot too, so I'd def have one of those...(fully specced(?), of course).

Yes.... They're the only manual version of the Megane wagon too. Just be wary that Renault engines tend to use timing belts and they're very expensive to get the belts changed on with short change intervals (3-4yrs from memory?) I previously had a Renault Sport Clio 182 Cup - it was over $1500 just to get the timing belt done! They specify time or distance, so even if you don't drive much you still need to get it done.

Apart from that, they're awesome vehicles.

[KuroNekko]

We don't even get any French cars in the US. No Peugeot, no Renault, no Citroen.

[murcod]

Some people would say you're not missing much- always the people who have never owned a French vehicle.

Peugeot did make some of the best handling hot hatches/ sedans (years ago, late 1980-s through to late 1990's?) Cars like the 205GTi, 405Mi16 and 306GTi/ S16 were renowned for their handling. They lost it big time after the introduction of the 307 model and are only just starting to get their mojo back (from what I've read). Pininfarina used to do a lot of design work for them. I owned a 1995 model 306 S16, identical to the one below:


Renault have built many hot hatches over the years. Their Renault Sport range is very "hard core" both in handling and engine performance. I think they have also "outdone" Volvo over the years with the safety levels of their cars?

Citroen, well they're just a bit "left field" . Their DS range is the enthusiast's line and they get really good reviews. I've never owned one. In the past their models have always been styled differently and had many innovative features (particularly suspension designs.) These days, they're more main stream and share a lot of their engines/ drive trains with Peugeot.

[paininthenuts]

Some people would say you're not missing much- always the people who have never owned a French vehicle.

Peugeot did make some of the best handling hot hatches/ sedans (years ago, late 1980-s through to late 1990's?) Cars like the 205GTi, 405Mi16 and 306GTi/ S16 were renowned for their handling. They lost it big time after the introduction of the 307 model and are only just starting to get their mojo back (from what I've read). Pininfarina used to do a lot of design work for them. I owned a 1995 model 306 S16, identical to the one below:


Renault have built many hot hatches over the years. Their Renault Sport range is very "hard core" both in handling and engine performance. I think they have also "outdone" Volvo over the years with the safety levels of their cars?

Citroen, well they're just a bit "left field" . Their DS range is the enthusiast's line and they get really good reviews. I've never owned one. In the past their models have always been styled differently and had many innovative features (particularly suspension designs.) These days, they're more main stream and share a lot of their engines/ drive trains with Peugeot.

I hate French cars. The Peugeot was the best. The Citroen was horrible, and the Renault very unreliable. However, it should be noted that coming from the UK, and don't like anything French, including the people.

[murcod]

Yes, older Renaults were certainly unreliable. Anything built in the last 10 years should be vastly superior. My Peugeot was a big pile of poo as far as reliability went (bought it new too)- I don't know if they've improved much either from what I've heard. I'd buy another Renault, it's just the timing belt issue/ expense that put me off owning it. The lack of specialist mechanics in my area didn't help - the timing belt change on them is very difficult to do.