I was looking into the WRX after someone posted it above and noticed the CVT as well.. as someone who has never actually driven ANY CVT, what makes a CVT good or bad? since they don't actually "shift" anyway, to my knowledge?

Thought only the 4 banger Accords had CVT?

never driven a cvt wrx but the few other ones i've driven with cvt's are just howling misery to me :(

The CVT gearbox was designed for the purpose of improving fuel economy, since it has an infinitely variable gear ratio, it is able to keep the engine at its optimum rev range.

The general complaint about cvt's is that they feel "unnatural" and trying to modulate the throttle to speed up a bit can cause the gearbox to spike up the revs unwantingly making you accelerate more than intended and then letting off the throttle will drop the revs immediately.

Some manufacturers have programmed in "shift points" that jumps the cvt to set gear ratios to mimic a traditional gearbox with fixed gear ratios, but in doing so, reduces the cvt gearbox useless for its primary function which is to have infinitely variable gear ratios

I looked at S4's in detail and was close to pulling trigger on one. They are fantastic and actually quite reliable with the supercharged v6, motor is proven and it's a great car to drive. 30k is a little low for a decent one tho, 35 and you could find a great buy on one.

I was in the same scenario with my SO and traded my STI in for an Acura ZDX. Absolutely love it, sporty, feels like a car to drive, quick for its size and weight, and very comfortable and luxurious interior ....I'll get another toy sooner or later :(

lmk

I gotta post this because it fits your criteria and it's different. Quick and nimble with no torque steer thanks to hiper-strut technology.

2015 BUICK REGAL GS AWD

Based on the mileage, I doubt this car has ever been owned and depreciation already hit it so you don't have to worry about that.

I spent a lot of time driving WRXs with CVT and 6 speed around, bottom line is that I would say it is car people friendly. Obviously if you can get the 6 speed then by all means its the one to get, but the CVT is a very good alternative.

Put the CVT into Sport Sharp (S#) mode and it becomes (pretty much) an 8spd automatic. Feels like an auto without that rubber bandy cvt you get in other cars (cough Nissan cough)

id get one of these

~~? 2010 AUDI S4 3.0T PREMIUM QUATTRO, LOW KMs, EXCELLENT CONDITION

^ i was literally just looking at that one.
also this one:
Audi Canada Certified Pre-Owned > Vehicle Details > 2012 Audi S4 at Capilano Audi

oh god, people used to hate automatic and now cvt

Here's something to consider.

Acura ILX
http://blog.caranddriver.com/wp-cont...30-626x382.jpg
http://media.caranddriver.com/images...s-original.jpg

Get the B8 S4.

At your price point, you can get a 2010 to 2012 B8 S4 pre B8.5 facelift.

Been on Audi forums and groups for a while, and I don't remember ever hearing about an issue about 2010+ S4s.

I only have heard about issues on the B5 and B6 platforms.

B7s and B8s are fine, and you are looking at around 50,000kms, so that should be good as well.

I feel that a supercharged engine has more ooomph (and instant gratification) than a turbocharged one.

Go test drive one.

Good luck.

is haulin oats still here? i remember he had an s4. i only recall him mentioning something about the plastic water pump having a meltdown, but i don't know the specifics. also stay away from the ones with the older MMI setup because it had issues.

I was in the same boat a year ago. I was looking for a used $30Kish car that was fun to drive and somewhat reliable. I didn't mind auto or manual, but edged towards manual. Only criteria was that it had to have 4 seats for daycare duty.

I test drove:
Acura TL SH - Nice AWD, but the automatic was too boring.
Lexus ISF - drove two different ones for over an hour. Jekyll and Hyde once the exhaust flap opens up. Loved it.
'13 BMW 330i touring - 6 spd. Also loved it, felt solid. But too scared about it being out of warranty.


I also TRIED to testdrive :
'12 to '15 WRX STI

I'm super busy and just found that there were too many flakers on craigslist "selling" cars, but not actually. I must have contacted every private STI seller on craigslist but there seemed to be a reluctance to meet up with me or even return my calls. I also had people outright lie about accidents/ICBC claims. I ran carproof on a "claim-free" car to find a huge claim on it. Used car dealerships were actually better, but still too many lies. I test drove at a reputable dealer and they had put electrical tape over the CEL. lol.

The final thing about used cars locally is that I find the prices are a bit inflated. I was having trouble justifying how much 2 year old STIs went for compared to new ones.

...I ended up buying a new car (2015 GTI) and couldn't be happier. I think if I had more time, I would have found my dream used ISF or something, but it was just too much of a hassle.

2008 Lexus IS F ISF *ON SALE* for $34,800 in Richmond | autoTRADER.ca

I think this one my be out of province, but I'm not sure.

I was looking religiously for a while. ISF are rare, but they pop up on craigslist and autotrader from time to time.

Jim Pattison Toyota had a local, no accidents 08 for $35K in December of 2014.

I saw some threads on Audizine about DSGs failing on B8 S4s, supposedly fixed with B8.5.. have you heard anything about that? Thats the one thing holding me back really. I am gonna go test drive one probably tomorrow though

ive heard bad things about b7 s4 timimng chain, a quick google search confirms this.

a b8 would be my choice though

Nothing I read about specifically.

Here you go

2012 GTI, white, $24,500 - http://vancouver.craigslist.ca/rds/cto/5398269911.html

Here's another - 2013 Wolfsburg GTI, Black, $24,900 http://vancouver.craigslist.ca/pml/ctd/5386307720.html

Or, if you prefer something little on the wild side - 2012, GTI, on air suspension, $23,700 with APR Stage 2 - http://vancouver.craigslist.ca/pml/cto/5425658407.html

save the remaining $5K for toys, tune, etc.

So your gf needs you to have a car that's auto and more friendly for the future?

http://local-car-finder.com/images/t...5_Sienna_1.png

:troll: :lawl:

best suggestion yet

make sure you get the 2013 used sienna's. those would fall in your price range. mad savings!

I've had my B8 S4 for 4 years and will most likely upgrade to the B8.5/B9 depending on release date. I, too, came from a '04 G35 coupe and had to opt for DSG due to my wife being unable to drive stick. As Marshall said, you'd be hard pressed to find a decent one for 30-33k though.

I have seen some DSGs failing on Audizine, but it looks pretty rare. The only major thing to look out for with the B8/B8.5s would be thermostat failures. I had to change mine under warranty, but it wasn't a huge ordeal and I don't think it's that expensive.

https://www.ecstuning.com/Audi-B8_S4....0T/ES2763706/

All in all, a great car.

***edit: Found a post relating to bad mechatronics/transmissions. Most of the problems seem to stem from 2010/early 2011 vehicles.

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...ase-post/page5

oh what...all this time i thought IS-F had MT as an option...fake quad tips and auto :(