So I've decided to park the B5 for at least the winter and get a new toy. I have about $10k to play around with, don't want to go over that. For some reason, I've almost fallen for the allroad. I found a couple of 6-speed 2.7ts, and they've been serviced (timing included, paperwork to prove). Just wondering what some peoples' opinions are. I'd like to go a bit newer than the B5 (mine's a 2001.5 1.8TQ tip), and definitely to a manual.
I know the 4.2s are more reliable motor-wise (oil), but they are considerably harder to find in my area, especially a stick.
But I do need the extra space of the allroad (or an avant, for that matter) for work, so a sedan is almost out of the question.
I'll be looking this afternoon and tomorrow at vehicles, hopefully to purchase by next week.
Thoughts?

 

If it wasn't for the space requirement, I'd say get a 300ZX. I'll praise those cars til the day I die. Loved mine. 500hp and even more durable than my 2.8 B5.

 

If you need the space and are willing to look outside of the Audi family the Subaru Forester 2.5XT is pretty sweet. Uses the same engine as the WRX so you have good aftermarket, and you can get them with a manual.

Found one on ebay: Link

 

That is a good call. I've been researching prices on the FX35 for a next car, to join the family along with the A4 and Odyssey. I also need more room (kids are growing), and I'll keep the A4 so I'll still have my manual.

 

allroads are ******* awesome, but the air suspension on them is a known issue. It's not a matter of IF it will go bad, but WHEN. The air bladders rot, the tanks and compressors leak, you'd be better off buying an S4 avant and putting AirRide on it.

 

wrx - ej20 - 2.0l
forester ej205 2.5l

Its kind of like a mini STI. The cool thing about the forester is if you buy an XT and swap the sti turbo, injectors, ect, you have a fast *** wolf in sheep's clothing with unlimited modding capabilities.

OP I like the allroad idea but remember its a pain in the dick of an engine.

 

If you're willing to budge on the tranny, the AllRoad can be had with a 4.2 V8...

 

Or you can find a giant s8 for under 10k, but they only came tip.

 

If you wanna stick with an Audi, I'd just get an A6 Avant.

 

I actually think I'm just gonna go for a 03 a6 sedan. The trunk is bigger than I thought (looks to be almost the same size as the avant, with less headroom obviously), with pretty much all the same options.
Don't think I want to go NA tho, I've fallen in love with boost haha... There's one locally with 125k on it, 6speed, 2.7t quattro, sport & cold packages. One owner, factory maintained for $8700. I think I'm going to pull the trigger on that one. It drove like a dream (first time I've ever hit 6th gear) and everything worked so. The timing was done around 75k, but I feel fairly comfortable tackling that myself when the time comes.
(It's the same silver on black leather as my B5 as a bonus too haha).
I've fallen in love with Audis in general too, but if I did go with another make, it'd most likely be another jeep wrangler (I've had a few and loved them). But those have zero space (which is a need at the moment, for all my work tools), without removing the rear seats, which I wouldn't want to do.