Hello Guys,

 

I am in search of a new (will a little old, 2000 to 2003) Subaru. I have several cars such as a 1968 Porsche 912 Targa, an 1991 Acura Integra, and my Favorite (don't let the Porsche here this) my 1882 Subaru Brat. My son turns 17 today and I am giving him the Brat to drive.

 

I am planning on selling the Acura, which has been a perfect town car, and buying something I can go fly fishing in. I rented a 2004 Outback in the Titon this summer and loved it. I took that Outback places ATVs had a hard time with, but it could use just a little more zip on the highway. So my question is, what pre scratched Subaru would you guys recommend.

 

Thanks

Steve

Hello Guys,

 

I am in search of a new (will a little old, 2000 to 2003) Subaru. I have several cars such as a 1968 Porsche 912 Targa, an 1991 Acura Integra, and my Favorite (don't let the Porsche here this) my 1882 Subaru Brat. My son turns 17 today and I am giving him the Brat to drive.

 

I am planning on selling the Acura, which has been a perfect town car, and buying something I can go fly fishing in. I rented a 2004 Outback in the Titon this summer and loved it. I took that Outback places ATVs had a hard time with, but it could use just a little more zip on the highway. So my question is, what pre scratched Subaru would you guys recommend.

 

Thanks

Steve

A 1882 Brat, wow that is a rare one!!

Not any really big changes from 00-03, 03 has bigger brakes but other wise same vehicle.

The external head gasket leaking problems were supposedly fixed by '03 IIRC, so that could be an advantage of an '03. Have you considered a new '05? They made some significant changes with the new ones, including lowering the weight and changing the gearing to improve acceleration.

 

OTOH you could get a better deal on the older ones, and there should be cars coming off lease that fit your age parameters. Another option (sticking to pre '05's) would be the H6 3.0 engine as it would give you better passing power on the highway.

 

Just curious, where is the "Titon"? You don't mean the mountains near the ID/WY border, do you?

 

Steve

Are you looking for a wagon or a sedan? Cause seriously like someone said, if I could afford it I would buy an 05. When I was still tinting for a subaru dealership I got to drive an 05 legacy gt, and an 05 outback sedan. I thought both were really awesome.

 

P.S. Don't feel bad about the acura thing...lol I have a 1990 acura in front of my house right now.

Just curious, where is the "Titon"? You don't mean the mountains near the ID/WY border, do you?

 

Yes, and Yellowstone too. Drove in from Salt Lake. I thought the Outback was great on the highway too.

Steve

P.S. Don't feel bad about the acura thing...lol I have a 1990 acura in front of my house right now.

It's the best Civic ever built.

Yeah, the Tetons are beautiful... Yellowstone too. We've camped up there before, it's not a bad drive from SLC for a long weekend trip.

 

Another thing I thought of (you probably already know this) is that the normally aspirated engines will lose more power at altitude than the turbo ones. If you felt the power was a little low at say 8,000 feet when you drove in the mountains on your trip, it might be fine for you if you normally drive closer to sea level. Just a thought. Our n/a 2.5's are fine for us in the Utah mountains as we rarely have more than 2 people in the car, sometimes a lot of camping gear though.

 

Steve

If you can get your hands on one, I'd recommend an OBS.

 

Same engine as the bigger cars, but in a smaller package means good zip.

I have a 200 OBS and my wife a 2004 Legacy WGN, I really prefer driving mine.

Agreed on the power loss at altitude for N/A cars

I have a 5.0 (mustang) that can easily rip 2nd gear loose here in the bay area... but on a trip to Tahoe I could barely spin the tires in first... It felt like I was making 50% of normal power.

Another thing I thought of (you probably already know this) is that the normally aspirated engines will lose more power at altitude than the turbo ones.

Turbo or non-turbo motors lose the same percentage of power.

The turbo's just have more to begin with so the effects are not as evident.

Not to get off topic, but... are you sure about this? Just asking, since I've always heard otherwise Note that I own no turbo'ed cars, just n/a ones, so it's not first hand experience on my part, just parroting what I've read and heard from owners of turbo cars.

 

Steve

Not to get off topic, but... are you sure about this? Just asking, since I've always heard otherwise Note that I own no turbo'ed cars, just n/a ones, so it's not first hand experience on my part, just parroting what I've read and heard from owners of turbo cars.

 

Steve

I am Positive; it is a matter of physics. Both need oxygen to run, higher altitude has less oxygen for motors to run on. This is also why professional drag racers in Colorado run slower than at sea level. But you will lose the same percentage of horse power no matter what type of engine you run, turbo, super charged, etc.