I'm in the market for a new vehicle.

 

Right now I've got 3 vehicles on my list:

 

00-04 Outback Limited Manual

 

01-04 Outback LL Bean or VDC

 

05 Saab 92x

 

I received an offer on the 92x that's virtually too good to pass up. 14600 for a linear model with heated seats and a sunroof and automatic and 7400 miles it was a saab employee car. There's two catches: a) it's 200 miles away and I drove one and liked it except I'm not so much of an enthusiast that I like a sports car feel; I enjoy a somewhat cushy ride (I currently have an Audi a4 which seemed to balance both sides quite well). I thought the 92x was a little too sporty feeling for me. Because it's so far away and because of my future schedule, this weekend is the best time for me to get it unfortunately, which makes this a somewhat urgent matter (more so than I'd like). One last thing to mention is that almost seems too good to be true, but it's a dealership that dropped its saab franchise so that seems like a plausible explanation for the price (I think it's gone somewhat unnoticed by the salespeople). Not only is it a low sale price but it'll have a warranty and free maintenance till 24k miles.

 

The catch on the limited manual is that I haven't driven one yet because I can't drive stick. I drove a base model, which I thought was pretty decent, I just didn't like the way it shifted, which leads me to believe I'd enjoy the stick. Also I've heard head gasket problems on pre-03's are existant.

 

I really liked the vdc but of course its more money and it requires premium fuel and doesn't get as good gas mileage. I thought it rode considerably nicer than the base model. Not exactly sure why.

 

I think the operating costs of any of these vehicles should be fairly low (particularly compared to my Audi) so even though I'm looking at overall cost, I guess it mostly comes down to up-front cost.

 

I guess maybe what I'm trying to ask is, can I get an outback that's going to not much more hassle than the saab, for not much more.

For those of us who dont speak Saab... is the linear the turbo or the non turbo? (2.5 RS or WRX basically)

The Saab will be quite a bit smaller too I think.

 

Carl

For those of us who dont speak Saab... is the linear the turbo or the non turbo? (2.5 RS or WRX basically)

 

Sorry [saab speak] 2.5 RS [/saab speak]

The Saab will be quite a bit smaller too I think.

 

Carl

 

Yes, my friends aren't my main priority in buying a car. That being said I do care about them to some extent and I'm sure they'll be much more comfortable in the backseat of an outback vs a 92x (an impreza).

Why buy a saab with a subaru engine when you can get the real thing. Also I think GM has swam in the saab gene pool longer than subaru so...

 

For what it's worth I will NEVER by a car with an ej25...a truly horrific engine.

Well, our 'horrific' 2000 Legacy has 165,000 miles on it with no problems to date, and none pending.