Agent 00R Finds Himself In A Pickle: A Totaled Car, $25k, AWD And A NEED For Wheels

Yesterday while at the office I received a text message from my brother. It simply asked: "What year did Audi introduce those LED lights in the A4?"

"2009," I replied then I harmlessly asked "Why?"

Well, it turns out my brother had just gotten into an accident with his Infiniti G37X sedan on the commute into his office. Fortunately, he was not injured in any way. Unfortunately, the insurance company totaled the car due to a bent frame. This is the misfortune of running into a Lexus RX that has slammed on its brakes.

In need for a set of wheels before this upcoming Tuesday he turned to me to help him out. Although he had certain needs and expectations, I am curious to see what YOU think would be the BEST used car on the market meeting the following criteria:

- Certified pre-owned program
- Has navigation
- Has all-wheel drive
- Reliable
- Fun to drive
- Costs LESS THAN $25,000

What say YOU, Spies?

Sciros - 9/12/2014 11:19:50 PM

+2 Boost

Subaru WRX meets those criteria.

Sciros - 9/12/2014 11:22:02 PM

+1 Boost

3 seconds of search and Carmax has a 2013 WRX with 16000 miles and a no-haggle price of $25998. Still has a lot of its warranty left for that $1k over your criteria.
http://www.carmax.com/enus/view-car/default.html?id=10751150

Sciros - 9/12/2014 11:22:57 PM

+2 Boost

Crap. No navigation. Get him to use his phone or a $200 Garmin, it'll be better anyway.

MDarringer - 9/12/2014 11:33:58 PM

+2 Boost

Why is AWD needed? Is the vehicle being used in snow? My question is whether an FWD vehicle would work. A CPO Mini Cooper S could be fun and for that matter a CPO Mini Countryman would give the AWD. Minis are surprisingly reliable.

Agent00R - 9/12/2014 11:56:49 PM

+3 Boost

My brother is the kind of guy that needs to get around in any weather condition. In New York and Boston, he's accustomed to heading out with up to a foot of snow.

Car4Life - 9/13/2014 8:14:41 AM

+3 Boost

Let's not kid ourselves, your brother will be going after the established key players, Benz C 300,BMW 328i, Lexus is, a longer stretch the Cadillac ATS/CTS

Time will only tell, however Benz has some pretty sweet deals on C Class in order to make room for new, similar with the A4, unfortunately the A4 does not hold it's value as well or reliability

The 3 series is sooooo common now, I don't know

MDarringer - 9/13/2014 12:04:36 AM

+2 Boost

@Agent00R Why not just lease a new Escape or Cherokee? Ford and Jeep have them heavily incentivized behind the scenes? Does he drive more than 15K miles a year?

jeffgall - 9/13/2014 8:51:06 AM

+2 Boost

If leasing is an option, New G37s are leasing in the mid $250 range right now in the New York Metro area. Pretty good deal.

Agent00R - 9/13/2014 1:36:54 PM

+2 Boost

Personally I think the Grand Cherokee would be a good pick though it is thirsty for fuel.

But, I am not my brother. Can only bring a horse to water, can't make it drink.

Agent001 - 9/13/2014 12:19:45 AM

+1 Boost

Mazda CX-5 or Subara Crosstrek.

001

Agent001 - 9/13/2014 12:20:37 AM

+4 Boost

And his nav will be iPhone 6 Plus running Waze.

Agent00R - 9/13/2014 1:37:08 PM

+1 Boost

Not bad suggestions.

macdee23 - 9/13/2014 1:37:54 AM

+1 Boost

I would have to say a 2012 Acura TL.. you can find them and they will def make the price right for you and will be certified.. Fun to drive,, and tech pack

W208 - 9/13/2014 2:03:32 AM

+1 Boost

2013 Ford Edge Sport AWD with the 3.7L 305hp v6....should check all boxes.

I get a kick everytime I drive my 2010 Edge FWD SEL. I wish I had gone for a sport, but the wife needed cheap wheels fast. I'd like to think of it as my American BMW X6.....I know that's a stretch.

W208 - 9/13/2014 2:31:09 AM

+1 Boost

On second thought, if he's traipsing around Boston and NYC during inclement weather, who the hell wastes money on a ride that will get blasted by salt? This was a dilemma in Newfoundland, to which the response was always to purchase as close to new as possible because there was no telling what kind of rust issues a used car will have.

New York and New England are no exception to the rule. We used last gen Ford Escapes on our jobsite because they were relatively cheap to pull and replace rusty components and virtually any car part. Plus, the v6 with AWD was a beast in the snow.

Agent00R - 9/13/2014 1:41:50 PM

+1 Boost

Not a bad suggestion and great to hear about your experience.

Just that I've driven the Ford Edge Sport and the whole experience, end-to-end, was poor.

valhallakey - 9/13/2014 7:34:06 AM

+1 Boost

I just bought an Audi TT coupe for my daughter going to school in Colorado. I have never owned an Audi before but the TT had the features I was looking for, 4wd, fun to drive (want her to enjoy the journey) and at least a little practical. With back seats that can be used for children or in a pinch for short distances by an adult, also not bad storage under hatch.

jeffgall - 9/13/2014 8:49:21 AM

+3 Boost

My sister bought a used TT while in college. With the back seats down and the hatch it becomes more practical than most would think. She used it to move back and forth from school in Miami to New Jersey quite a few times.

Agent00R - 9/13/2014 1:38:13 PM

+1 Boost

Very cool! TY for the suggestion.

skytop - 9/13/2014 12:10:22 PM

0 Boost

Agent 00: Maybe you will now learn not to drink and text while you drive.

Agent00R - 9/13/2014 1:39:39 PM

+3 Boost

@Skytop

How did you draw that conclusion? I was at my office and my brother was commuting into work in the morning.

There was zero mention of drinking or texting while driving.

Please read the story before commenting like a fool.

valhallakey - 9/13/2014 1:26:27 PM

0 Boost

Or learn how to drink and txt while you drive. I think at least texting is tought on like the third driving lesson now.

Agent00R - 9/13/2014 1:40:52 PM

+3 Boost

My brother was simply communicating with me via text IN THE AFTERNOON. Keep in mind his accident was IN THE MORNING on the way to work.

trmckin - 9/14/2014 3:50:45 AM

+1 Boost

I'd have to 2nd the Acura TL with those parameters.