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Car shopping and a tempting choice...

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Sherlock

Sherlock

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Alright, just looked at my first car in the search to replace my stolen car, an interesting one...

1994 Subaru Legacy sedan at a local Subaru repair shop (independent garage)

... Started life as the 2.2 Turbo engine and automatic transmission with the AWD

... Once the owners son got hold of it, he swapped out the 2.2 engine for a special 2.0 Subaru engine, a new turbo charger was installed, and it was also changed over to a 5-speed

... The car also has custom exhaust and a hard racing suspension, and according to the shop will require premium fuel (ie. more expensive gas costs), and it is a sleeper save the bigger exhaust which is a definite plus in my books

The price is right in my range of what I'm willing to spend (~ $3K Canadian), but this car is a rather specialized beast, I did a quick test drive on side roads around the shop but being rush hour I was limited, I'm planning to go to the shop on Saturday morning for a longer driver under lighter traffic conditions, including a highway run

I'm very tempted to purchase it as it's certain to be a very fun car, but also has potential to more trouble than what it's worth... When I could just pick up an older Mazda Protoge 5-speed for the same price... The Subaru is effectively an unadvertised car that will likely be there in the future, so I probably don't have to rush it...

On the plus side, I'd be the envy of all the guys at work with this car... :thumbsup:
 
Envy of everyone at work, and best friend of your mechanic when you have to find and pay for all the special parts to fix it when it breaks.
Still..... It would be a cool car. A verrry cool car.
 
Banjo said:
...and best friend of your mechanic when you have to find and pay for all the special parts to fix it when it breaks.
Still..... It would be a cool car. A verrry cool car.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I've thought of that :smirk: Risk vs. reward syndrome
 
when I was looking for my car, I test drove a "customized" Mitsubishi Lancer - I'll be honest, unless I see the receipts for the mods or do them myself I'm not interested - the one I drove was just WAY to dodgy. Also, the big muffler would have made my head hurt constantly in no time at all.

In terms of bang for the buck, I'm still a big fan of Saab. Other than Jags they have (I think) the steepest depreciation of anything on the road (short of a Yugo) but they have a nice cachet. In other words, nice car nice price.
 
.........pictures......?? :laugh:
 
Sherlock said:
Yeah, I've thought of that :smirk: Risk vs. reward syndrome
Click to expand...
I admit that were I looking for an inexpensive driver I'd keep things really boring. I'd be thinking stock Japanese basic transport. Save the extra money for camera lenses and good stuff. :smile:
 
drooartz said:
Sherlock said:
Yeah, I've thought of that :smirk: Risk vs. reward syndrome
Click to expand...
I admit that were I looking for an inexpensive driver I'd keep things really boring. I'd be thinking stock Japanese basic transport. Save the extra money for camera lenses and good stuff. :smile:
Click to expand...

actually you can get some really nice Japanese basic transport that has just a bit more zip. As long as you don't go Toyota or Honda - the two priciest options. Mazda 6 and mazda 3 spring to mind.
 
It's still tempting though, I've never owned a really nice car and this Subaru certainly qualifies, and I don't think the car is that much of a <span style="font-style: italic">boy racer</span>, it looks rather sedate from the outside

I have priced out Mazda Protege's from the year's 2000 to 2003 (w/o making any phone calls) and their prices are equivalent to the Subaru I'm looking at, and the Subaru definitely has more bang for the buck performance-wise...

Just getting tired of being a week without a car and want something very soon! Getting desperate here... :wall: :hammer:
 
Since you are looking as far back as '94 - what about a Japanese Domestic Market car? very cool and very unique
 
JPSmit said:
Since you are looking as far back as '94 - what about a Japanese Domestic Market car? very cool and very unique
Click to expand...

A thought... But any of the funky ones are small engines and likely automatics, I just want to be mobile again and I can be rather impatient at times, maybe too much?
grin.gif
 
One obvious question is how many miles does it have on the altered drivetrain?? Unless you know the kid who did the work and are familiar with the quality of that work, I'd have to wonder if there are shortcuts or hard used components under the hood that could fail with regular use. Not to mention of it becomes known as a hot car, could be the next one you find missing.
 
MikeP said:
One obvious question is how many miles does it have on the altered drivetrain?? Unless you know the kid who did the work and are familiar with the quality of that work, I'd have to wonder if there are shortcuts or hard used components under the hood that could fail with regular use. Not to mention of it becomes known as a hot car, could be the next one you find missing.
Click to expand...

All the work was done by a reputable shop, not just some kid... And of course I will be adding extra security if I buy it, my old beater didn't even have a steering wheel club on it, didn't think I needed to...
 
If it were me I would be looking at a VW. Reasonably inexpensive and seem to hold their price and there are a lot of GOOD vw mechanics around without going to the stealership
 
weewillie said:
If it were me I would be looking at a VW. Reasonably inexpensive and seem to hold their price and there are a lot of GOOD vw mechanics around without going to the stealership
Click to expand...

I disagree - build quality - especially the generation he is looking at sucks. All brittle plastic
 
The Protege is the better bet, my son could not kill his 92 until he crashed it. I could not convince him of doing a little preventive maintenance. He drove it with no oil or coolant on more than one occasion. My other son, against my advice, bought an Audi A4 that some fool had lowered and screwed up. Took several days in my shop to get straightened out. I do not like diddled cars, unless I do the diddling.
 
Sold!

I did a further test drive this morning under varying conditions, with a knowledgeable friend along with me, and he thought it was an excellent purchase... The car isn't over-built, but thanks for all your thoughts, I did make sure that it wasn't just me offering an opinion on things...

Didn't take my camera along, not that there is much to photograph, it looks quite simply like a normal 1994 Subaru Legacy, although in excellent condition...
 
Well, hope it works out well for you. Congrats on the new ride. :cheers:
 
subtle or not - still need pics!
 
Didn't realize your car was stolen. That is not pleasant. Did you pick up the Subaru yet? Sounds like an interesting choice.
 
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