Help with value of an old Subaru

[Brandon]

Hi everyone. I recently bought a new Legacy GT and am trying to sell
my 1993 Impreza LS but am having a hard time putting a price on it.
Normally I would just look it up on Kelly Blue Book and be done with it
but I have put a fair amount of work into it. Hopefully someone could
give me some suggestions - what do you think a reasonable number would
be?

Features from the factory:
- 1.8L boxer
- 5-speed manual transmission
- All wheel drive (not all Subarus were AWD in 1993)
- Power windows and locks
- A/C
- Cruise control
- Trunk and gas door open from inside
- Front driver side air bag

Added after purchase:
- 1998 RS front bumper with fog lights (bought new from Subaru, not
aftermarket)
- 1998 RS rear spoiler (bought new from Subaru, not aftermarket)
- Front strut tower brace
- K&N air filter
- JVC MP3 CD player with 3 sets of 4-volt outputs for external amps
- Infinity Reference series speakers
- Dynamat Xtreme sound dampening
- Custom built subwoofer enclosure with 2 10" Infinity Kappa subwoofers
and 760 watt Pioneer amp (not currently in the car but willing to sell)
- High-end car alarm with multiple sensors and two sirens (allows
remote entry)

The car has just over 170,000 miles but mechanically it is very sound.
It has always had the oil changed regularly and passes Colorado
emissions testing without any trouble. A couple summers ago, I brought
it in and had some major maintenance taken care of (replaced some dried
engine seals and the rear struts) so I would expect it to be fairly
trouble free for quite a while. The tires also have a very reasonable
amount of tread left.

So, with all those features, the only thing that would give me doubts
about the price of the car is the condition of the hood. There is a
long (but fairly thin and unnoticeable) scratch on the hood and there
is a dent where the paint has chipped away a little. I used touch-up
paint from Subaru when it happened to try to seal it up a bit but it
didn't work very well. It's not horrible but it's not exactly what you
would want to see on a car either. Pictures of the car can be seen at
http://spaaarky21.home.comcast.net/ls/ So, that's it. Any thoughts?

-Brandon

 

[Body Roll]

Hi everyone. I recently bought a new Legacy GT and am trying to sell
my 1993 Impreza LS but am having a hard time putting a price on it.
Normally I would just look it up on Kelly Blue Book and be done with it
but I have put a fair amount of work into it. Hopefully someone could
give me some suggestions - what do you think a reasonable number would
be?

Features from the factory:
- 1.8L boxer
- 5-speed manual transmission
- All wheel drive (not all Subarus were AWD in 1993)

But it is now. And on kbb.com you should be able to specify that you
have it
for appraisal. I think 1993 is just about when FHI stopped making fwd
cars.
For the US market anyway.

- Power windows and locks
- A/C
- Cruise control
- Trunk and gas door open from inside
- Front driver side air bag

These depend on the buyer. To me real spoiler would cancel out
the addition of fog lights. But you might fine a rice kid for whom it
will be a plus.

Added after purchase:
- 1998 RS front bumper with fog lights (bought new from Subaru, not
aftermarket)
- 1998 RS rear spoiler (bought new from Subaru, not aftermarket)
- Front strut tower brace
- K&N air filter

^^^^^^^^^^^^^ increased wear and tear on the engine.
I'd probably not buy something with K&N.
But, then someone may not even open the filter
case to check what's there.

- JVC MP3 CD player with 3 sets of 4-volt outputs for external amps
- Infinity Reference series speakers
- Dynamat Xtreme sound dampening

Dynamat is low grade sound deadener:
http://sounddeadenershowdown.com/

But still might be a plus for
an audiofile who does not want to spend hours applying this stuff
himself.

Good luck selling it. Probably the buyers will lineup as the winter
gets closer.

 

[Brandon]

- All wheel drive (not all Subarus were AWD in 1993)

But it is now. And on kbb.com you should be able to specify that you
have it
for appraisal. I think 1993 is just about when FHI stopped making fwd
cars.
For the US market anyway.

My point was that it is a selling point, not that KBB wouldn't take
that into account.

These depend on the buyer. To me real spoiler would cancel out
the addition of fog lights. But you might fine a rice kid for whom it
will be a plus.

Obviously it's not my thing anymore either but that isn't the question.
There is definitely a market for the 2.5 RS look so the question is
how does the value of these additions compare to the defects that exist
(ie: the hood.)

Dynamat is low grade sound deadener:
http://sounddeadenershowdown.com/

But it's sound deadener none the less and has eliminated pretty much
all the raddles.

Does anyone ELSE have any input?

 

[Carl 1 Lucky Texan]

My point was that it is a selling point, not that KBB wouldn't take
that into account.




Obviously it's not my thing anymore either but that isn't the question.
There is definitely a market for the 2.5 RS look so the question is
how does the value of these additions compare to the defects that exist
(ie: the hood.)




But it's sound deadener none the less and has eliminated pretty much
all the raddles.

Does anyone ELSE have any input?

I think the mods and the damage you list, on this age vehicle, might be
a 'wash'. Of course, it may mean the car sells more quickly at the same
price than similar vehicles, but you also may have limited your
'audience'. I think your best bet is a male college/HS student. The
audio stuff is no positive for a retired couple or a secretary for instance.

I dunno, I just wouldn't expect the mods listed to help much.


Carl

 

[Brandon]

I think the mods and the damage you list, on this age vehicle, might be

a 'wash'.

...

I was kind of afriad of that. I am really hoping to get a little more
out of it but I could see how that might be true. Thanks for the input
Carl.

 

[S]

Hi Brandon!

Added after purchase:
- 1998 RS front bumper with fog lights (bought new from Subaru, not
aftermarket)
- 1998 RS rear spoiler (bought new from Subaru, not aftermarket)
- Front strut tower brace
- K&N air filter
- JVC MP3 CD player with 3 sets of 4-volt outputs for external amps
- Infinity Reference series speakers
- Dynamat Xtreme sound dampening
- Custom built subwoofer enclosure with 2 10" Infinity Kappa subwoofers
and 760 watt Pioneer amp (not currently in the car but willing to sell)
- High-end car alarm with multiple sensors and two sirens (allows
remote entry)

In my experience, unless you can find "just the right" buyer, these
items won't add much, if anything to the value of the car.
I'd advise that you pull the audio stuff (except for the Reference
speakers; too much trouble to get at 'em) and put the OEM cassette
back in. If you didn' keep it, find one at a scrap yard, or contact me
and I'll see if I can't get one for you. Probably cost <$50. Also pull
the strut tower brace, and see if it won't fit your new Legacy, or put
it on ebay, rather than "donating" it to the next owner. Way too much
trouble to un-install the alarm system, but don't expect it to be a
real selling point.

Other than that, the car is probably worth ~$2000-$2500, given it's
age and mileage, at least along the front range. Maybe a bit more in
selected locations; Boulder, or the mountain communities west of
Denver.

Wish I could offer better news, but, alas . . .

BTW, when you go to do the speakers in your Legacy, opt for the Kappa
series. They're significantly better sounding than the Reference
speakers (particularly the tweeters); well worth the extra coin IMO.

ByeBye! S.

Steve Jernigan KG0MB
Laboratory Manager
Microelectronics Research
University of Colorado
(719) 262-3101

 

[BARRY DONOVAN]

I personally would give 1700 tops -- if everything like cv boots and fluid
changes (were routine?) and good. rear end noisy yet? hows the struts?
keep the radio. looks alone gave me a price to shout and for the impreza 1.8
liters. That year was the last 2wd EA82 (1.8L @ 38mpg )loyales as well (I
absolutely loved that engine and 2wd 5spd -- my 93 Loyale is still passing
the 2.2 automatics) So... if to find a loyale in equal shape for less money
same year.. I would walk by your Impreza.