lewdog Posted April 16, 2006 Share Posted April 16, 2006 Okay, so we're probably going to sell my wife's car and get a Subaru with the proceeds--about $12,000. I know that I want a wagon. Reliability and low miles are probably the biggest priorities. I had a '96 Legacy that had some pretty expensive problems that I have since sold--I really want to stay away from expensive problems... What would you recommend? At this point, I'm thinking that a newer, base-model Legacy or Impreza would fit the bill nicely. First post here--all right!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rodney7286 Posted April 16, 2006 Share Posted April 16, 2006 well...it kinda depends if you are shopping at dealers or from private owners, your money will go a lot further if you buy something that already has taken the megabuck hit of driving it off of the lot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lewdog Posted April 16, 2006 Author Share Posted April 16, 2006 Assuming private party as far as getting the best deal. But am open technically to both. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fnlyfnd Posted April 16, 2006 Share Posted April 16, 2006 Dont get a phase I 2.5L which i am assuming your 96 legacy had. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevinsUBARU Posted April 16, 2006 Share Posted April 16, 2006 I got a 2001 Legacy L wagon with 45k a little less than a year ago for about $12g. It's the base model with a 5-speed, power windows/locks, rear wiper, temp gauge, ect....really decent for a base model in my opinion. Quiet on the interstate at 70, and good manners for day to day driving...and it can handle some more "agressive" driving pretty ok as well:D Good luck with the hunt! Kevin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shortlid Posted April 17, 2006 Share Posted April 17, 2006 Okay, so we're probably going to sell my wife's car and get a Subaru with the proceeds--about $12,000. I know that I want a wagon. Reliability and low miles are probably the biggest priorities. I had a '96 ! What did she drive before? The Toyota Matrix wagon has been out for a few years in AWD but only comes in automatic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tbird Man Posted April 17, 2006 Share Posted April 17, 2006 you could get a 01 OBS with the 2.2 and put the extra money into upgrades or just things like replaceing brakes and shocks. or a 02-03 OBS with the 2.5. or you could go with a 98-02 Forester, again with a 2.5. basicly go to www.kbb.com and just try different options and see what you can afford. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowman Posted April 17, 2006 Share Posted April 17, 2006 Have you considered finding a gen 1 (90-94) Legacy with low miles (less than 100k)? You could get one for $3000, and with proper maintenance, it'll last another 150k-200k...and the purchase price plus all maintenance costs will be less than 12 grand. If you're worried about "expensive repairs", consider the cost of blowing a timing belt or a head gasket on one of the newer motors. The gen 1 EJ22 is not damaged by a blown timing belt, and is generally a lot less prone to headgasket failure than the newer motors. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lewdog Posted April 17, 2006 Author Share Posted April 17, 2006 I'd really like to get one of the later models (definitely 2000 or after), and I guess I'd like to not have to save the money for when the car needs repairs (I'm sure I'd blow the money before then ). Oh, and we're thinking we may now be able to go up to $15k. That would mean selling my car instead of hers. Man, finding just the used Subaru you want is a pain in the butt. I guess people are generally just so happy with them that they keep them... By the way--do people know what years the body style changes were for the various models (Legacy, Impreza, Forester)? Might be helpful to know that in my search. As a side note, the car that I am coming from is a 2006 Scion XB. We bought it because it was the most prudent choice financially. I bet that thing'll run forever and treat us great. It just seems to have no soul, however--that's why I want to go back to a Suby. It's what my father had, what my brother has, and what I've had most of my life. Kind of like a best friend--that's how it feels to me. Am I strange, or what? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SakoTGrimes Posted April 17, 2006 Share Posted April 17, 2006 Get: a Gen1 wagon, a full time 4WD turbo automatic EA81 GL-10, an EA82 d/r wagon, a Loyale, 3 Justy wagons and spend the rest making them even spiffier Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
misledxcracker Posted April 17, 2006 Share Posted April 17, 2006 Not strange at all... I cried when I had to give up mine. :-\ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tbird Man Posted April 17, 2006 Share Posted April 17, 2006 the impreza switched bodystyles in 01, and headlights in 03, legacy just got its makeover on 00 and another in 04. forester got its first makeover in 03. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lewdog Posted April 17, 2006 Author Share Posted April 17, 2006 So, in the $12-15k range, are there any out of the three base models (Legacy, Impreza, Forester) that stand out in terms of reliability or "unreliability?" Again, I'm looking for something that's definitely 2000 or after--more like 2003 or after if possible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MachineAgeVictim Posted April 17, 2006 Share Posted April 17, 2006 2000-2001 Impreza RS, you'll be very happy with it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tbird Man Posted April 17, 2006 Share Posted April 17, 2006 Yeah, I prefer the older style impreza, espcially for the 2dr option. as fas as reliabliy, they are all about the same, the legacy is bigger so tends to have a bit more wear&tear, but not too much, and the forester is a modified impreza chassis. FHI was one of the first companies to really adopt the idea of universal designs, the basic design of all their models is the same.even moreso the drivetrains are practicly identical on many. so a motor from a forester could go into a legacy or impreza and the other way around (except the EZ30). as far as i know, but for maybe fleet sales there is no more "base model" (L)Impreza. It is the 2.5rs sedan, 2.5ts wagon, OBS or WRX since 2002. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lewdog Posted April 17, 2006 Author Share Posted April 17, 2006 That looks pretty sexy, but I really want a four-door wagon. Camping trips and kids in the future and all that... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tbird Man Posted April 17, 2006 Share Posted April 17, 2006 well than a forester or legacy wagon might be a good bet, impreza wagon is a bit smaller but still has decent storage. Forester is more a tall wagon than the SUV they were going for. really 15k for a clean 2003 is gonna be hard to find. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fnlyfnd Posted April 18, 2006 Share Posted April 18, 2006 Get a rex wagon. they're sweet but i dunno how much they go for. 2002 is the first year Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ballitch Posted April 18, 2006 Share Posted April 18, 2006 oyu could score a wrx wagon (2002) for $12k, depending on your location, i know in oregon you can get them for that price or lower. but if you want to go camping, hiking, fishing, .......4 wheeling..... i would suggest a legacy outback. lots more room than an impreza model, save forester. and it has the phase II 2.5 litre. that dont blow HG's like the phase I's, at least not as often. plus, there are plenty of upgrades and aftermarket parts for it already available. but the 2000+ outback is going to set you back more than $16k, so you wouldnt have to finance too much. ~Josh~ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shortlid Posted April 18, 2006 Share Posted April 18, 2006 Just looked at the Suzuki Aerio SX wagon in AWD and it is $16,700. Where have all the cheap NEW AWD's gone? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idosubaru Posted April 18, 2006 Share Posted April 18, 2006 look at the latest model 2.2 you can find and see if you like it. see if you can tolerate the year/body style then you'll have an awesome car that will last just as long as any other used car you're going to end up with and they have fewer issues. cheaper and more reliable if that's what you want. type in "headgasket" on the search forum and see how many 2.5 head gasket threads you'll see. i'm not saying the 2.5 is terrible but i'd rather have the 2.2 since it has far fewer isses and awesome reliability back to the early 90's. the reliability aspect isn't confined to "models" as they all use same/similar engines and transmissions. reliability is more accurately split into 2.2 vs. 2.5 and automatics vs. manual transmission. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lewdog Posted April 18, 2006 Author Share Posted April 18, 2006 look at the latest model 2.2 you can find and see if you like it. see if you can tolerate the year/body style then you'll have an awesome car that will last just as long as any other used car you're going to end up with and they have fewer issues. cheaper and more reliable if that's what you want. type in "headgasket" on the search forum and see how many 2.5 head gasket threads you'll see. i'm not saying the 2.5 is terrible but i'd rather have the 2.2 since it has far fewer isses and awesome reliability back to the early 90's. the reliability aspect isn't confined to "models" as they all use same/similar engines and transmissions. reliability is more accurately split into 2.2 vs. 2.5 and automatics vs. manual transmission. Excellent information. How do I know if it's a 2.2? Is auto or manual more reliable? If I do get a 2.5, how do I know that it's the gen II or whatever is the right one? I'm not a mechanic or car guy, if you can't tell. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idosubaru Posted April 18, 2006 Share Posted April 18, 2006 even later 2.5's have HG issues. issue went from initially an internal head gasket then an external head gasket leak for which subaru dealers use the "conditioner", a coolant additive, to treat. not sure on the last year the 2.2's were available either. in general manual transmissions are much simpler by default and have fewer issues. auto's have the "torque bind" issue but are otherwise quite reliable as far as automatic transmissions go. get an aftermarket transmission cooler if you ever do get an auto trans...that goes for any vehicle not just subaru. at $30, it's great insurance. many transmission shops install them with new transmissions for just that reason. the 2.5's are great motors and not a bad choice at all, but they dont' carry the reputation of the 2.2's either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shortlid Posted April 18, 2006 Share Posted April 18, 2006 even later 2.5's have HG issues. issue went from initially an internal head gasket then an external head gasket leak for which subaru dealers use the "conditioner", a coolant additive, to treat. not sure on the last year the 2.2's were available either. in general manual transmissions are much simpler by default and have fewer issues. auto's have the "torque bind" issue but are otherwise quite reliable as far as automatic transmissions go. get an aftermarket transmission cooler if you ever do get an auto trans...that goes for any vehicle not just subaru. at $30, it's great insurance. many transmission shops install them with new transmissions for just that reason. the 2.5's are great motors and not a bad choice at all, but they dont' carry the reputation of the 2.2's either. Last year for the 2.2 in a Legacy was '98. I had a '98 Legacy L wagon with 4EAT it HAD tourque bind. but that engine was flawless at 150k. EJ22s stayed in Impreza's longer. Some 5-speeds had clutch chatter issues. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lewdog Posted April 22, 2006 Author Share Posted April 22, 2006 Okay, so I test drove an Impreza and a Forester with my bro (hutch85 here) tonight. Pretty fun. I really enjoyed the Forester. What's the rundown on Foresters--good years, bad years, what to watch for, etc.? Again, I'm thinking probably model year 2000 or newer and up to $15000 or so. Reliability is paramount. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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