Hypothetically Speaking...

Just wondering what a 06 B might return if put on the market.This specimen has a tad over 26K of miles on it and I'm the original owner and it's been meticulously cared for.

 

Problem is I still want a manual transmission and almost all other machines in or near it's class range appear to be automatic transmissions.Enormous improvements have been made in these types including paddles but I still demand a manual because it requires your attention to road speed and conditions as opposed to any automatic and by that alone it makes you a better driver or at the very least a more aware one.

 

I looked at some Audi A-4's and A-6's but was not overly impressed especially considering their prices,they exude German engineering but in these eyes not worth the cost.

 

What I'm ineptly trying to impart is....should I hold on to a young in legs 06 B whom I still love or find something new .

 

I've seen other such being offered at 16-18 $K dollars but had more miles on them.Just calling upon the infinite knowledge and opinions available here.

Well....personally, if you could find a B 07-09 with low miles I'd go for those because of the 6spd trans...unless you don't care for adding a lot of power, then a 5spd is just as good.

Only 26k! That's amazingly low, especially for that year. Congrats!

I would not recommend any German vehicles just because of maintenance costs alone and how often you will have to put money into them to keep them running good. Don't get me wrong, I love the styles of the audis and bimmers...just too pricey and pain in the ass to work on.

I feel ya on the manual tranny...can't stand automatics because I always catch my self unintentionally speeding and its easy to distract oneself from the road...and manuals are faster ...among many various other reasons.

Until you figure out what it is that you really want to go for, I would just stay with the B. and definitely i would overrule German cars (personally)...the only other cars I am considering eventually possibly switching to or upgrading my leggy to is either an STI or an Infiniti G35, or a spec B 07-09...

Your choice. This is Just my $.02

Appreciate the response..

What I don't understand these days are the limited variety of these so called "Performance" cars that sometimes are Only available with automatics.How can you possibly enjoy a car without going through its gearbox is beyond me especially when it's labeled Performance.

 

Thanks again for the insight and it confirms my thinking all along,,enjoy and keep what you have when those offered don't even match what you have.

Yours being so low in the count, and low in miles means you'll likely be able to start the bidding at 27.5k and count down from there. Give it a good detail and you'll have people banging down your doors almost immediately.

 

But, as-is, you're sitting on at least 20k -- Don't trade it in at a dealership for anything less.

I wouldn't trade it in to a dealership at all. They don't give you dick for a trade value, especially with how bad the used car market is right now (just bought the wife a Rogue, I know). If you are wanting to sell it, sell it private party and get a lot more for it. Though like you said, there is so much shit out there right now for "sports cars" with their auto gearbox with an option of manual paddle shifters...it wouldn't be worth it to me. Even the new subarus look like garbage. I'm really starting to dig the Evo X these days....and I normally don't like Mitsubishi. In fact, I think I want my next car to be an EVO X lol

And the way things are going, manual trans. Is being phased out of existence. Ether keep the one you have or get the one you want before its too late.

Road & Track

 

Did at least one piece concerning AWD Sedans ,one February 21,2006. Concerning :

 

Subaru Spec B

 

Audi A -4

BMW 325 XI

Infiniti 35 X

Mazda Speed 6

Lexus 250 AWD

Volvo S-40 T-5

 

After multiple tests and evaluations including price ,,performance and other considerations this car won the hearts of the testers of whom there were 4 or 5

 

I think a later issue they gave track times,,cabin appearance and other parameters.

 

Sometimes you just don't realize what "Good You Got"

^+1

A point about the reviews,,

 

Road & Track is an organ I trust it's far removed from the shills like Car & Driver or even worse Motor Trend..who continue to laud domestic products unabated.Their recent recalls speaks volumes about design and reliability issues.

 

They are true journalists and only Consumer Reports are allowed to sniff that rarified atmosphere with them.

 

Tomorrow is a day for all to watch motors sports at its finest from F-1 ,,Indy Cars,and finally my favorite NASCAR.

 

Never could understand the F-1 crowd,,the machines themselves are extraordinary but they never Race.The real race is qualifying and getting the lead for their courses are so narrow passing is impossible.Maybe I can catch some women wearing thongs on the beach at monoco but as far as racing I've seen more in Bumper Cars.

I believe it, every time I pick up a motor trend while waiting at the doc, dentist, or even barber they focus on American junk. Or junk that no enthusiast would ever buy, or anyone with half a brain would buy out of self respect.

I don't like F1, and in the past I would have to be bored to watch NASCAR...but I don't really watch TV for anything anymore.

Acquired Tastes...in no order

 

Whether it be Johnny Walker Green,NASCAR ,or the extensive modifications of a perfectly new vehicle I stand Not in judgement of any.

 

I am a fan of Top Gear a BBC production showcasing three men Jeremy Clarkson,James May and Richard (my favorite ) Hammond.Not too long ago they did a show about our west and brought with them three supercars and were asked to race against some American vehicles..they turned out to be pickup trucks which destroyed their worships.it was not close in any race.

 

Point I'm attempting to make is that across the pond and elsewhere the people purchasers are content where we are not.Modifications will be made ,required or in most cases otherwise.

 

Posts are problem specific here and it gathers seekers regardless of a blown turbo or the hinge on the 04 outback glove box and it's fine by me.Short attention is given to generalities like this one and it's only on occasion I commit to them.

 

I'll end by simply acknowledging fellow veterans this day and this evening watch Matt Kenseth #20 at the Coca Cola 600 .

Top Gear BBC is probably my most favorite show. Though, where we differ is I like Jeremy the best. Guy cracks me up. Only time I watch it is on Netflix on my own time because I'm usually too busy lately. :/

There knowledge is almost strictly high end European types and Jeremy in love with the Aston Martins,anything range rover....Richard is almost American,,like Jeremy said he likes cheese on everything,,owns mustangs and went to a NASCAR event ..Texas motor Speedway.

 

They are very entertaining..it's Jay Leno's favorite to.

 

Most of what they show is way beyond their standup studio audience in that dilapidated airfield,,,it looks like something out of "12 O'Clock High"

 

Matt Kenseth almost pulled it off Sunday with an inferior car...wonder what Danica would do if given a jimmy Johnson car..

 

Hope all is standard,or better

i dunno, chief. you've got a rare car with incredibly low miles. it would be hard to find another like yours and they really don't make anything comparable any more, at least not in my opinion. manual, turbo, AWD, excellent styling. that is hard to come by these days. sure you can look to euro, but i'd never own an audi or bmw out of warranty. and audi's (basically) all look the same... while i like understated, they just don't do it for me. and the stigma of bmw would be too much for me.

 

if you're stock why don't you look into a downpipe and a tune? for less than a grand, you'll fall in love with your call all over again. and it'd be ideal to get off that shitty stock map anyhow.

I do appreciate that insight.I almost mentioned it earlier about performance then coupled with a not great but decent 5 speed manual,,something only dreams will provide for..start with its 2nd gear.

 

What is the reason for this transition to auto transmissions,,I don't get it.There must be a cost factor involved..either eliminating clutch mechanics??I jest not when I needed to replace the clutch there was only one certified capable one in Town Motors.

 

It bewilders me.Ill drive a manual to my hallowed burial site..Woodlawn Cemetary ,Bronx N.Y.

 

If I'm out of tune or favor from the masses it won't be the first or last time,however I don't know the reasoning behind it which disturbs me...

 

I'm all ears here....

 

Would the transition prove the mindset..that's the question...the car is stock save a stick on believe it or not dash kit..I detested the brushed aluminum look..

Toad, (MrToad is actually my family's nickname for me -- If you're familiar with the literary character of Disney fame)

 

You've reached the peak of your performance satisfaction with your car, is what it sounds like.

 

go here:

 

cobbtuning.com

 

then select your model from the drop-down (err, sidebar?) bar.

 

Add the catted stainless Downpipe, UpPipe, and a V2 or V3 AccessPort to your cart.

 

Put in your credit card number and shipping address.

 

Find a local shop (AZP Installs?) to install the parts for you, if you're not ready to put them in yourself. (You can install the AP by yourself -- very easy to do!)

 

Get in, drive, and enjoy your new ride!

^ that. really. but buy your AP/downpipe from underdog. he'll get you a better price and ship faster. and he's an awesome guy so you should support him.

 

not sure that anybody can tell you why the manual is dying. americans are lazy and don't generally know how to drive stick? given that, it's probably just cheaper to produce everything with a slushy. that way the cogs are all doing the same thing... so to speak.

Point Made..

 

I was not kidding about able mechanics in this Subaru dealership,,,,they had about 20 lifts ,one mechanic able to install the clutch.

 

It's either Lambos,Ferrari' and maybe Porsches you'll be able to find with manuals.

 

I learned to drive on a army 3/4 ton truck..very long transmission stick...that was 3 lifetimes ago in 1970 ...I will drive them till time ends.

 

Thanks for the support.

 

Yes,,anything you say Here..will be well received....

 

Be aware..in those years graduated to 5 and 10 ton trucks ,,,,but my favorite driving was the deuce and a half up V.C. Hill in vung Tau...or as the French colonials called it Cape St. Jacque. On the south china sea....

^ that. really. but buy your AP/downpipe from underdog. he'll get you a better price and ship faster. and he's an awesome guy so you should support him.

 

not sure that anybody can tell you why the manual is dying. americans are lazy and don't generally know how to drive stick? given that, it's probably just cheaper to produce everything with a slushy. that way the cogs are all doing the same thing... so to speak.

 

Manuals are a lost art form in the motoring world, I'm afraid. That said, you'll find that with newer performance (and regular) cars, automatics get better gas mileage, shift faster, and perform better than their manual counterparts. The only thing that's lost is the 'connected' feeling to the car.

 

If you had a choice between a chainsaw and a woodsaw, would you still pick the hard way to cut down a tree?

Ooh...That was a nasty ,,albeit true dropping.

Well, on the plus side, though, true driving enthusiasts will always reach for a manual over an automatic any day of the week. Carmakers are making it easy for the rest of us to gauge who really drives their cars, and who's just talk - the proof is in the gearbox.

Carmakers are making it easy for the rest of us to gauge who really drives their cars, and who's just talk - the proof is in the gearbox.

So how's that 5EAT treating you?

If you're satisfied with the size and power of your Spec B, you might want to give a 2015 WRX a shot. Interior and Exterior dimensions are near identical, and it has a lot of benefits, including a 6-speed transmission, direct injection that can run on 87 octane, timing chain, Garret Ball Bearing Turbo, and can easily achieve 28+ MPG. Give one a test drive, something I've yet to do. At the very least, look one over in person, because they look a whole lot different then their pictures. Just my $.02.

END GAME....you will know it when...

 

You pull into a place like a Casino ..Valet Parking..and when the attendant looks inside and does A "Ralph Kramden ." Honeymooner...Humina...HUMINNA ROUTINE while looking at the Stick.....it's Over.....

^this has me rolling right now hahaha visuals....

I've heard the '15 STi (Launch Edition) is "just right" and that SOA has "fixed it in all the right places". Worth looking into if you've got about 50k to throw down.