jmacman12
Active member
I was in your place like 7 years ago with a sunfire and wanted something like what you want, you won't get it, 3500 is not enough for anything like what your looking for, I ended up with a 99 civic coupe which I spent 3 years modding and turboing etc. was a really fun car I miss it a lot, I suggest something similar because at 3500 the rwd/awd options will be a falling apart POS that will cost money and you won't have fond memories of, later on in a couple years or something get yourself 7-8k maybe more maybe a bit less and go for the next step
qft
when i was first purchasing a car I had the same mentality as OP but quickly realized how impractical it was.
For 3500, you can a decent fwd car and as unattractive as that may be, it is highly practical. Rwd is super fun but impractical in the winter unless its like post 2001 with some form of traction control and 2 way diff and awd costs a lot to operate and maintain.
All I'm saying is don't rule out the fwd option!
Anyways forester is probably best bet or impreza brighton with the 2.2 (less hg issues)