silent running

What would you buy for 10 grand to replace a WRX wagon? It needs to be fairly new, say 5 years or less, quick(ish) out of the box, or at least have some character to it, estate shape best, but a hatch would be OK. So far I've come up with an Alfa 156 GTA Sportwagon, a last-of-the-old-model Civic Type R or a MY04-05 WRX Wagon. Any other things I've not thought of? I did also consider a Bimmer but 3's seem so small inside and I'd probably end up with a 318 Touring with about as much charisma as a Proton.

ScoobyDriverWannabe

White JDM civic type R

Turbo2

I looked at GTA Sportwagons before buying the Scooby, but found out that the rear hatch was much narrower than either a Subaru saloon boot or wagon hatch, so not as practical as I hoped. Look/sound lovely and go reasonably well though. 10K should get you a reasonable one (12k best, 8k dog). I looked at an 8K one, but ran away. The poor owner had dozens of receipts for all sorts of annoying faults (mostly electrical). It was always away at the dealers being repaired. I also looked at a 12k one that was perfect, but the vendor had already agreed a sale (and I couldn't afford it!)

Having said all that if you get a good one (I think they only brought in 200 or so GTA Sportwagons), they're lovely cars. One technical point to look out for: early cars had inadequate front brake disks (305mm I think) that were prone to warping. They should really all have been upgraded (to 330mm I think) by now. So look out for that. Info available on their forum:

The site for Alfa Romeo Owners

MarkCSC

Forester Sti!!

silent running

Mmmm Forester, that's hardcore, I didn't think of that.

astraboy

monaro?
astraboy.

harry007

evo 6 gsr!!!!!

moneys

iTrader: (5)

Mondeo ST TDCI, that what im going for since my wagon was stolen, great car with loads of poke and loads of room, and in my opinion a very nice looking motor with loads of toys, oh and to top it off 40+mpg

51st state

how about a nissan 350z

2005 model with 20000miles in grey metallic

silent running

That WAS actually on my list. Until my wife clocked it and said that she wasn't going round in an ugly car with an ironing board on the back.

Eddie1980

Tank of fuel?