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After the recent rash of snow around here, we've been thinking about going with another AWD for our next car. Since the missus killed any notion of a 997 C4 or Turbo (darn), I guess I need to come back down to earth.

Seriously, the only limits we're setting is that it WON'T be a frickin' SUV or a crossover, and that we won't spend over $50k (hopefully). And that we won't consider a Volkswagen anything, PERIOD (though I admit I rather liked my test drive of the new CC in FWD form). The WRX STi and the Evo are also not part of the equation; we need practical over samurai road warrior...plus I already have a 911 for those times, anyways.

Open to any suggestions (would appreciate your reasons for your recommendation, though). Looked at only the Subie Legacy so far, but thinking Volvo S60 as well. Also open to wagons, but I suspect a sedan will win out. Anyways, I'd appreciate any FB, especially from actual owners.  

The Subaru is a good boy racer, it comes with that boy racer crudeness too though.  If refinement is on the bottom of your list though, you'll be happy with the Subaru.  

If you're looking for something more refined since you already have 1 German car may I suggest a BMW 335xi which can be had for under $50,000.  

Mercedes C300 4Matic can probably be had for even less than the Bimmer.  It won't smoke the WRX but I'm more impressed with the bank vault feel of the Benz than I am with the feel of any Subaru I've ever been in.

I can't forget about the new A4 3.2L Quattro Sedan too.  I'm a sucker for the LED treatment Audi gave the front end of it.  I've always been impressed with their refinement too.

 
Austin Cooper

1 other alternative that came to mind too is the new G37 which can be had with AWD. You'll get more HP to play with too than the 3 German cars mentioned.  I've only been so impressed in the Infiniti's I've been in but I did get the chance years ago to drive a 350Z which is built on the same platform as the G.  It felt more refined than other Nissans or Infinitis I've experienced. You'll probably be getting what you paid for, but the Infiniti G37 can still be considered an alternative here.  
Austin Cooper

Thanks for the suggestions.

I tried the RWD G35 a couple or so years ago; thought it was pretty nice but I really didn't care for the G sedan's rather bland appearance (my opinion). The coupe, OTOH, is pretty sweet (both G35 and G37, though I think the earlier design is more cohesive, but I digress).

I'd forgotten about the 4matic C-Class; not really my cup of tea but my wife would like it...since she's a Benz fan.

I haven't been much of a fan of BMWs since the heydays of yuppies...sometimes that image thing really gets in my way. Frankly, despite how homely that the 1-series is, I rather kind of prefer that car to the 3xx BMWs...and they ARE fun to drive, based on my test drive last summer. Shame that car doesn't come in AWD form...and four doors (at least here in the U.S.). But it seems so much like the true descendant of the 2002, a lot more than any recent 3-series does nowadays. The other thing I don't like about BMWs...the way many of their seemingly no-brainer packages and options can really bloat up the price--though I suppose the same could be said about my beloved Porsches. But having to spend an extra 10% (for the Premium package) just to get power seats?

Audis...I had a love/hate relationship with my B5-series S4. Like Volkswagen, we're not sure we want to go back there (mostly it's with my wife, but I have some very distinct foul memories as well) but I've also heard that they've improved their QC as well. Can't hurt to test drive one, anyways.

One car I want to try is the AWD CTS. I had been looking seriously at the RWD version (and was VERY impressed by it, btw). The big, BIG drawback there however is GM themselves. Who knows what the future will hold for them given how bloody shaky they look right now, bailout money notwithstanding.

As for Subaru...the Legacy has actually become a really nicely done platform. It's much more refined than any of the Imprezas, including the latest STi. And they don't look half bad, either...plus in this crowd they're relatively cheap. If I can save $15k-$20k...why not?  

OK, so much for the Mercedes.  I've been impressed with them for a long time now.  They've always had that bank vault feel, direct steering and predictable enough handling too.  They're no light weights though but at least you can get more MPG with a diesel under the hood.  Although since diesel fuel seems to remain a lot more expensive than unleaded that only helps so much.  But than again many high perf cars require premium fuel too.

My last thought unless I'm missing something is the more expensive Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution.  I believe it's Subaru's closest competitor in this category, especially since it's from Japan. It comes with more HP than the Subaru does too.  Since the WRX is such a rocket already though, I don't know if that matters much.  There's a lot more to living with any motor vehicle than straight line acceleration alone.  I like acceleration but I put more weight on other things too.  Most cars aren't hurting too bad now in the acceleration department like they were back in the 70's, 80's and some of the 90's either.  
Austin Cooper

Sorry, both the WRX/WRX STi and the Evo are out; said so in my first post. This next AWD car has to be more practical than pocket rocket.

Almost bought the last gen Evo a couple or so years ago, but went Mazdaspeed6 instead. The Mitsu didn't impress the wife (or even me) in terms of interior quality, and I already had the Porsche for the fun stuff. But it's such a great drive that I almost bought it anyways. Just wish I hadn't sold the Speed6 so soon (thinking that I was going to buy the RWD Caddy CTS a couple of months back...then GM tanks big time). But I never was all that satisfied w/ the Mazda's AWD system, or even the quality of materials (better than the Evo, but still on the cheap side).

Since I have this week off, I think I'll go out and try the Benz, A4 and the AWD CTS anyways...maybe for the heck of it, I'll even look at the Bimmer and perhaps even one of those soft Lexus AWD sedans. And since they're just down the block from the BMW store, I'll even stop by the Jaguar store and look at the XF. Not AWD, but it sure looks sweet. A bit above our price range (after any goodies get added). Didn't like some of the comments in the January issue long-term test article, though. But I'm always a sucker for a pretty face...  

I can't blame you for staying away from the Evo.  I still think the WRX is a crude machine too but I heard it can get to 60 now in just 4.7 seconds.  And that's the base WRX, not the more expensive STi version.

I forgot about the CTS AWD.  With the way GM is doing now, a Caddy dealer just might cut you a good deal on one if you care to take your chances with them or better yet the more desirable CTS-V. 556 HP from a 6.2L V8 is almost insane.  Mercedes has a 6.2L V8 too under the hood of their S63 AMG that falls shy of that with 518 HP. That's not to say HP is everything, though from what I read the CTS is improving in all areas now too.  I'd still be afraid to get near any of these animals when gas shoots back up to $4 or $5  

Seems like everybody has their eyes on the new Jag XF including a brother of mine too.  I still haven't seen one in the flesh yet.  From what I've seen in the motor mags though, it doesn't blow me away as far a looks go.  The only 4 doors out now that are lookers in my book are the CLS and Quattroporte.  And I know somebody else is ripping Mercedes' CLS styling soon too.  Either way it's tough to make a 4 door that's a looker.  I do wonder how the XF will do in the reliability department too, especially since Jaguar's new owner is base in India plus reliability has always been a sore point with Jags.  
Austin Cooper

I HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY recomend the often overlooked Volvo S80 T6...that car is a great highway cruiser, and the T6 engine keeps things interesting enough around town.
I saw you tried the S60, which is a fine choice as well, the only downside being that it is a little outdated.
The S80 offers more room and power, and is not too big.
also, the 2009 model offers 3 years of no charge maintenance, and starts under $43,000....ON TOP OF THAT, you could do overseas delivery and pay NOTHING for a quick European vacation...volvo pays for your flight, hotel stay, and lets you tour the factory...
CHECK IT OUT! AND THANK ME LATER!  

I'm not sure the S80 will keep the car guy in you happy. The hotter Legacy models are quite good. What about a used Audi RS4? Not sure what they're worth right now. I see your point about the EVO and STI.  

youde be surprised...check out what heico did:

 

And how much does a Heico car cost?  

P_Floraday:
And how much does a Heico car cost?

Forbes quotes it here http://www.forbesautos.com/advice/toptens/most-extreme-tuner-cars-slideshow_5.html?thisSpeed=13000at $225,000   which makes me wanna ask since that's the case do I really wanna pass up the Quattroporte, CLS, M7, Panamera, XF, S8, M5, CTS-V, etc?  
Austin Cooper

CTS is a beautiful car, and with the money the gov't has already injected into GM as well as what future policy makes seem to indicate, I don't think GM will be allowed to fail, so you should have no issues with service and support for your Cadillac.  

I briefly had a Subaru Legacy 2.5 GT during our coverage of the LA auto show.  I found it to be a nice car, but it felt a bit doggish for my tastes.

I've not driven one with the 3.0-liter six-cylinder; perhaps the extra power would have made me happier, but I think the car really needed a stick.

One note: skip Subie's nav system should you pick one up.  The interface is an outdated nightmare, and you'll have better luck (and a thicker wallet) just using a stick-on Garmin/TomTom/whatever instead.  

Yes, for the price of a Ferrari F430, the Heico S80 should be good...