Hi, I'm back, though don't feel bad if you don't know me. I only went to a single event over 2 years ago and was really too shy to talk to anyone. Long story short I bought a 2003 WRX in 2012 and it had engine issues. I fixed it up and sold it and bought a more reasonable family car for a single car family with only one job worker. 2+ years passed and we are much more financially stable and I would like to get back into a WRX. I have been lurking for the last 2 months or so, looking at cars and doing my best to not buy the first one I see. It would be a second car, replacing the 2004 intrepid my grandmother used to drive. I have had it for about 5 months and put on ~400 miles, so I don't need a second car ofter, but it would be nice. My first car was a 85 GL wagon, and I have had a lot of different types of cars since then. From Grand AMs to Fieros to a 3000 GT VR4. I don't have a Subrau yet, but I am keeping my eye on a few. Trying to find a decent one for under $10k so I can have a little money left over for maintenance and mods.
Thanks. I was originally looking at 2004-2007 STis, then I realized I just didn't have the money. Unless someone finds a decent low mileage one for $12k. (probably not going to happen) Now I am looking at 2004-2006 WRX sedans. But I could easily be talked into a newer model for a decent price. I enjoyed my wagon, but would rather have a non-wagon.
Welcome back! I've been in the market for one as well (either WRX wagon or Legacy GT), been looking for one for about the last 4 months. The ones that are low price/mileage do not stay very long, so you have to kind of move fast on one. Most in that price range are going to be 100k miles or more. Never owned one, but from what I've read on here and on other sites, STi's suspensions will beat you to hell if it's your daily, and those are pretty non-existent in the 12-14k price range unless they're 150k miles plus, or salvage or rebuilt titled. But like I said, they do pop up from time to time. There's probably going to be some work that needs to be done, since you're looking at purchasing a 9-11 year old car, so factor that into your purchase price as well. I may be wrong on a few things here, this is just what I have observed in my quest for a new car. Just be patient, and one that you like will pop up for the price and mileage you're looking at. Good luck!
Thank you. Yes, my wife and I spent 3 years in Japan teaching English as a second language. So many cheap cars to buy there, but I would never be able to afford the taxes and fees. Oh well. Thank you. I agree, so many cars seem to filter through, and I am finding it tough to not just snap one up that "looks good enough". Patience is not one of my strong suits. I am not looking for a daily driver, as I ride the bus to and from work, we don't even really need a second car except for once or twice a month it would be nice to have two cars. But the desire to buy something fun to drive on the weekends is really strong. (it doesn't help that our family car is a hybrid) And it is my turn to pick the next car, as my wife choose the last one. (why she didn't choose the Lamborghini kit car is beyond me) Thank you for the advice, and good luck to you as well!
I was thinking the same thing about you being the person in Japan. Anyways, since you aren't looking for a DD, maybe consider a higher mileage car to get the price down. I would think that an STi with 140-160k would be obtainable with that budget. I've been looking at 08-09 STi hatches with slightly higher mileage and have seen some for $16-20k. I would think that 4 years older with similar mileage would be in the $10-14k range?
So many ppl wanting low mileage wrx and sti makes me want to sell mine now. Jobless atm due to moving, id have to talk to the woman again, we've been meaning to get a newer forester once i got a job.
Yeah, I would say that $14k is at the high end of my price range, and would not leave anything left over for maintenance. Which is one of the things that bit me in the first place. I keep drooling on this Craigslist add. 2005 STi $12,500 http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/hnp/cto/4923177108.html But I figure if it has been around for 26 days without being snapped up, then smarter people than I know things I don't. (Salvaged title is probably why it is still for sale, maybe?) I would be surprised if I put on more than 300 miles a month on the second car, I just don't' get out much. But maybe I would if I could?
I'd suspect major frame damage from this one...carfax report on crash Accident reported Vehicle involved in crash It hit an object It hit a fixed object Airbags did not deploy
Thanks Skubi1, that is pretty much what I feared. I have seen so many people for and against getting a salvaged title. I just don't know if it would be worth it to me. On another note, I spoke with the dealer about this one yesterday. 2004 WRX $8995 http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-...t=[SUB[IMPWRX[]][]]&listingId=396534069&Log=0 I think the price is pretty high, even for the 140k miles, but the dealer said they were just working on replacing the headgaskests, which was one of my main concerns with that amount of mileage. I was told I would hear more back from them on Monday about the price.
**** subarus, find an S2000 or something that you can really enjoy on the weekends. -guy who mods his subaru
Yeah, still tempted to call and ask what happened, but figure it might be a waste of time. Not going to lie, I did look into it, but I almost never need a truck bed. But it sure does look nice. Yeah, i've owned 3 Preludes over the years, but never got into the S2000.
My advice would be if you are looking for an 04-06 WRX for around 12k you should try for the 06. It has the 2.5L engine, and much better imo.
Yeah, I am leaning towards the 2.5l, but it all depends on what shows up and when. I would love to have a 05 STi, or potentially a 04 for the right price. I drove the 04 WRX at Jim Lupient, but it just didn't feel quite right. Not sure if I just haven't drive a stick in a while. It's been almost 10 months. But 10 of my last 16 cars have been manuels. I don't know how to describe it, but it felt really used. 11 year old car with 140k miles is used, but still.
As I was reading this I was also thinking I was going to try and persuade you to get a miata instead of a subaru, if its going to be your second car. You can get a very clean one for under $5,000, I had one for last summer and I drove my wrx about twice, Its also nice getting 28mpg
Hi Eric, I have driven a Miata for a short time a while back, and not really my cup of tea. Due to this being a second car, I am not overly worries about the MPG. Thanks though.
04 STi could also be a possibility. Just be sure it hasn't been modded in any case. If it has make sure they took the correct steps. If anything other than cat back exhaust has been done with some kind of engine management you should walk away.
I am sure this has been answered before, but just in case you or anyone else feels like rehashing. The reason most people shy away from modded cars is not that mods are bad, but that people might not have taken care of the cars? I know shortcuts in cars are not the best idea, but could it occasionally work out where you find a car you want with the mods you would add, and it would be worth it at that price? Saving you from adding the mods yourself. On a side note, does anyone have anything good or bad to say about http://dealerplatform.com/minnetonkaimports/ With this car in particular. http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/hnp/ctd/4968357716.html Thank you.
Carfax said that it was a total loss from damage, and this popped up also. Hold on, it looks like the salvage and rebuilt titles from Oregon didn't get transferred to California when this vehicle was sold. This may be a case of Title Washing. Get an inspection before you buy. I'd definately get a very thorough inspection if you plan on purchasing it.
Thanks, sounds super interesting. I definitely don't have my heart set on it, just trying to shop around and actually get out and see cars, instead of sitting behind my keyboard. I figured it could not be good. I saw it a few weeks back on CL and it didn't mention the engine fix up, but it was the same price. Just sounds sketchy, but I love white cars. (Thought I bet this one is originally black with the white parts plasti dipped. Thank you skubi1!
I would in a heart beat, looks really nice, but it is quite a ways outside my current budget. Thank you. Yeah, the add says Plasti-dip paintjob. I might go check it out tonight, just to see it. Thank you.
The reasoning behind not having it modded would be because some people don't care if they hurt the car, they just want it to sound cool. The one you posted about I would stay away from, if the owner dumped all that money on a fresh rebuild they probably wouldn't have sold it. What Skubi said makes sense, this was most likely a car that was totaled, and fixed. The roof was plastidipped black. Not sure why, but it looks ok. That Eden Imports has other WRX'S there ad well. I would steer clear of the white one, but would keep looking. In the case of shortcuts, the only mod I would be ok with is cat back or axle back exhaust. If they do have anything more and no engine management I would walk away.
Yeah, I was already at the shop when I saw your message. I can see that as an issue. I just have to be patient. Decided to drive it, and actually it handled really well.Way nicer than the previous one I drove. The car is originally white, black painted roof, and then plastic-diped white, but then it started to peel, so they took 90% of it off, leaving it around the edges, and it looked really bad. Inside the car it was surprisingly clean and nice.I rove by the cops in the super dark tint, and they were watching us but didn't follow. Underside actually looked good as well, I could not find any run on the car. Told the guy I liked it but just not the car for me. So I will keep searching.
I have not dealt with them first hand. But I would stay away from Eden Imports. lately many stories have been expressed on various Facebook pages of people being screwed over there. Id never trust them. Everything they sell seems to be poorly pieced together salvage cars that rarely last that long after leaving the lot. Just a fair warning.
What he said! Also, I disagree with all of the "don't buy a modded Subaru OMG!" comments. I would not have a problem buying a modded Subaru...just make sure that you don't buy the wrong one! Maintenence records, request them. Anyone that has taken care of their car will more than likely have them for you. Modded doesn't mean danger. Lead footed flatbrimmerz does tho!
Fair enough. On a side note while I was there I was shown a white RHD STi, looked like a 1998 or so import from Japan. Looked pretty interesting.
I miss driving with a right hand wheel, shifting with my left hand. But I know if I got a RHD in the states I would end up driving on the wrong side of the road for sure. I only drove in the wrong lane once in Japan, and that was because the road was empty. Driving autopilot. Does this seem like the bad idea I think it would be? (or maybe it's a great deal?) 2008 Hatch 230k miles $9,341 http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-...t=[SUB[IMPWRX[]][]]&listingId=393351961&Log=0
this dude eliot might be selling his white legacy gt has a couple mods and looks nice. He just posted on mnsubiez on facebook
RHD one i don't think that you'd be able to license it here if it was in one piece, due to it being a Japan or EU spec one, without all the added collision crap that the US puts on theirs. I may be wrong, but yeah. The ones that are all STI spec here, are usually the ones pieced together on an old LS or RS hull and they use the VIN number from that to bypass legalities.
Thanks MinnesotaFTW. What are you looking for? Yeah, skubi1, I would not buy the RHD car even if it was 1000% sound, I would spend to much time worrying about what side of the road to drive on that I would actually mist on driving. It looks rather taken apart.
It wouldn't be that hard to train your brain to drive a RHD car-look at it this way...mail carriers for the USPS do it every day, switching their brains from driving RHD to LHD. Just have to retrain to hug the other line on the road. That, and shifting with your left hand. Emissions and safety are the killers for getting foreign cars legalized here in the states, unless you're looking to only track it or show it.
Well my problem would be that I drove a right hand drive car for three years, but on the other side of the road. With a stick that I shifted with my left hand. First real sun burn on my right arm that sat on the window sill. I would worry about putting my brain in auto pilot and drive the rhd car where it should be, the wrong side of the road.
