Help jlee's noob roommate pick a (first!) car!

[Pandasaurus]

So, yeah. Hi there, I'm jlee's noob roommate. Whether I like it or not (I don't), I need a car. That being said, I'm always looking for second (or fifth, or tenth) opinions on what to do, so here I am.

Right now, my top candidates are:

'02 Impreza 2.5TS Wagon - 204K miles, seller claims 100% dealer maintained with clean CarFax (and possible maintenance records), no obvious exterior defects (several fairly high quality pics in the ad), no known mechanical issues. Plus, it's a bugeye. Seller is asking $3,650.

'04 Impreza 2.5TS Wagon - As of yet unknown mileage, no known mechanical issues. Seller claims clean title, but body damage is evident in pictures. (links to pics in question below) Seller is asking somewhere between $4,900-3,900 depending on which ad you read and where you look. More than $3,900 is possibly more than I can spend, so the decision does partly depend on price.

I haven't personally seen either of them yet, I'm going to try to see if I can check out both of them this weekend before work and get some more info.


So... Get the super-high-miles '02 because it's inherently more awesome (bugeye) and has zero body damage (and is slightly cheaper), or the newer, potentially much-lower-miles with body damage and possible mechanical damage (which will be determined with an inspection before purchase)?

Personally, I'm leaning towards the '02, and not just because it's a bugeye (though, I will admit that's a good reason). jlee's vote goes to the '04 regardless of mileage, but I don't recall if the body damage was a factor in that (I didn't even notice it the first couple times I looked at the pics).

Available pics of body damage (passenger front quarter):

http://images.craigslist.org/3m43F43...650cae106c.jpg
http://images.craigslist.org/3Kf3La3...41d9801853.jpg


So... What do the experts (or at least, more knowledgeable than I) say?

[thedarkwolf]

The subaru 2.5l engine is known for headgasket issues so on either make sure they have been replaced already. It is hard to tell how much damage there really is to that car with out a frontend pic. You can tell the fender and hood at least are damaged but I'd guess the nose and headlight area are also damaged some. If it is just sheetmetal damage it wouldn't bother me much other than I'd want it cheap but I wouldn't want to deal with chassis, fender mounts, radiator support, and headlight mount damage.

Which one has a manual trans? That would be a big plus.

[JulesMaximus]

Tell JLee I said hi (although, I'm sure he'll see this). Hope he's doing well.

And welcome to the forums!

[exdeath]

I hear JLee might be selling a completed V6 MR2...

[JCH13]

Originally Posted by exdeath

I hear JLee might be selling a completed V6 MR2...

Yeah, to me

[JCH13]

OP, either one looks like a viable option. Get the one with better records and replaced head gaskets. Though I have to ask: why a Subaru when you live in AZ? AWD won't really be a benefit unless you plan on making routine trips to snowy areas or off-roading.

[Demo24]

Originally Posted by thedarkwolf

The subaru 2.5l engine is known for headgasket issues so on either make sure they have been replaced already.

Should have been fixed prior to this model going out and shouldn't be an issue on that car.

[manimal]

low ball them both and see if anyone bites.


I prefer the look of the 02. Miles dont really scare me either so go with the ones thats cheapest. The one with body damage I would offer 3300 cash since those blemishes should offset the price any more.


3k right now buys a ton of car. Expect prices to go up a little when tax time hits though prices should stay low a little longer since peeps taxes are probably going to be delayed because of the cliff crap.


Welcome to the forums!!

btw 3-4k buys so many other great cars. Why 4wd in the heat?

[exdeath]

Cuz AWD = ~/god mode

[JCH13]

Originally Posted by exdeath

Cuz AWD = ~/god mode

I need god mode with 165hp on warm, dry, pavement!

[Phanuel]

Like anything will stay 165hp around Jlee...

[exdeath]

Originally Posted by Phanuel

Like anything with a turbo will stay 165hp around Jlee...

[Phanuel]

I wasn't aware a turbo was a pre-requisite for Jlee to add MOAR horsePOWAH to it. I always figured he just welded a turbo to it if it didn't already.

[Black2na]

http://phoenix.craigslist.org/wvl/cto/3426319779.html

Much more fun same useable space and cheap to upkeep oh yeah and fun.

http://phoenix.craigslist.org/cph/cto/3470656159.html

Less use full but could have the black car mafia in the driveway. Make your brother mad and not horrible on upkeep cost.

http://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/cto/3442169368.html
I like these parts can be found and turbo for that jlee turbo fun

Out of all these they are good I'd choose the SVT focus because suit you best all around (pricerepair cost,fun and bringing crap places.

[nitrous9200]

Originally Posted by Black2na

http://phoenix.craigslist.org/wvl/cto/3426319779.html

Much more fun same useable space and cheap to upkeep oh yeah and fun.

This looks really nice for all of the reasons mentioned above, and can't go wrong at that price. I would definitely buy this if it wasn't 2500 miles away.

[jlee]

needs moar boost.

n/a Subarus make baby jeebus cry.

[z1ggy]

Originally Posted by jlee

needs moar boost.

n/a Subarus make baby jeebus cry.

[Cookie]

There will soon be not enough room in the neighborhood to park all the vehicles the three of you own.

[jlee]

Originally Posted by Cookie

There will soon be not enough room in the neighborhood to park all the vehicles the three of you own.

hush, you.

[CraigRT]

Looks are subjective but that 04 Subaru is one of the most hideous cars I have ever seen. I hate most recent Subarus save the last Legacy GT wagon. (until 2008)

[Pandasaurus]

Since nobody screamed "NOOOOO DON'T DO IT!!!!" except Jlee because it's an N/A + Auto + 200K miles, I went ahead with it. I will have an '02 Impreza Wagon (Sad Edition)... Somewhere in the vicinity of our house sometime this week. Not really sure where we can park it what with 6 other cars in front of the house. lol

[nerp]

A rusty VW Karmann Ghia.

[Black2na]

Originally Posted by Pandasaurus

Since nobody screamed "NOOOOO DON'T DO IT!!!!" except Jlee because it's an N/A + Auto + 200K miles, I went ahead with it. I will have an '02 Impreza Wagon (Sad Edition)... Somewhere in the vicinity of our house sometime this week. Not really sure where we can park it what with 6 other cars in front of the house. lol

I DID AND I SHOWED YOU OTHER CARS TO BUY!!!! your making a horrid mistake....poor MPG. fickle cars. plagued HG issues....and stupid high miles....expect to dump a bunch of money into it...

[Black2na]

if you read most of the post....they all have a no vibe to them....gosh your no good at this

[Pandasaurus]

I did say I'm a noob at this. :p