thinking about buying

[illusion123a]

I recently got a new job and am looking to purchase a new, or used car to
replace my 2002 Hyundai accent. I am looking for something good on gas (I
will be driving about 1 hour each way), and some with good crash test
ratings. I was thinking a Jetta TDI or some type of Subaru. I also want
my
car to handle well in the snow and be reliable. I would like to find a
nice
newer used, but am leery of purchasing a newer used (afraid i'll get a
lemon)

 

[Stoneman]

I recently got a new job and am looking to purchase a new, or used car to
replace my 2002 Hyundai accent. I am looking for something good on gas (I
will be driving about 1 hour each way), and some with good crash test
ratings. I was thinking a Jetta TDI or some type of Subaru. I also want
my
car to handle well in the snow and be reliable. I would like to find a
nice
newer used, but am leery of purchasing a newer used (afraid i'll get a
lemon)

Your last sentence didn't make much sense, but I think I know what you
are trying to say. Don't expect better gas mileage if you're looking
for a Subaru. If you want superior handling, function, AWD, and
performance, then, by God, go out and get an Impreza, Outback, or
Legacy. Forget the WRX, you'll just hate spending money on premium
gas. If you want a driver's car, get an Impreza. It's not made for
passengers behind the seat (too small). But I didn't buy my car for
rear passenger comfort. If you do decide to get the Subaru, you will
not be disappointed. The AWD is tremendous; you will be amazed how far
you can take the car in extreme weather. Considering what you're
moving from (Accent), I think you'll be astonished at how much
horsepower is available to the wheels. A TDI will get you 1,000 km per
tank; Subaru will lucky to get 60% of that value. You can't compare
Jetta to Impreza; it's two different types of cars. One is a boring
passenger car and the other is an exciting drivers car, built from the
same Rally-inspired heritage it came from.

My 2c.

Stoneman

 

[Todd H.]

I recently got a new job and am looking to purchase a new, or used car to
replace my 2002 Hyundai accent. I am looking for something good on gas (I
will be driving about 1 hour each way), and some with good crash test
ratings. I was thinking a Jetta TDI or some type of Subaru. I also want
my
car to handle well in the snow and be reliable. I would like to find a
nice
newer used, but am leery of purchasing a newer used (afraid i'll get a
lemon)

If your experience was as mine was in shopping for a late model used
Subaru, you may find newer used ones hard to find as Subaru owners
tend to be a "cradle to grave" lot that drive the living crap out of
them until they're too embarassing looking to drive, and then hand
them down to a family member.

Given how little they seemed to depreciate relative to other vehicles
in their first years, the ones I could find were still damned
expensive.

So I bit the bullet, did th feel good math on a cost/year or ownership
and purchased my first new vehicle ever. So far so good!

The Suabarus's do very well in crash tests and once you feel the sure
footedness of AWD in the snow, you won't go back.

According to Consumer Reports, the years to avoid in recent Subie
Outbacks are 2000 and 2001 given the head gasket issues of the 2.5L H4
engine. My car knock on wood has been very reliable, however. ABout
the only trouble spot has been the timing belt tensioner which is loud
and has been replaced on my car about 5 or 6 times (only one of which
was outside of warranty however). I'm am keeping an eye on my
coolant consumption though.

Enjoy the hunt!

 

[isquat]

I recently got a new job and am looking to purchase a new, or used car to
replace my 2002 Hyundai accent. I am looking for something good on gas (I
will be driving about 1 hour each way), and some with good crash test
ratings. I was thinking a Jetta TDI or some type of Subaru. I also want
my
car to handle well in the snow and be reliable. I would like to find a
nice
newer used, but am leery of purchasing a newer used (afraid i'll get a
lemon)

Yep. You don't want a used subaru. As far as fun is concerned
07 rex placed in the 5th place in the recent $20k-$25k c&d funster
comparo. So you can't have a cake and eat it too.
What's more important, fun on snow and locomotive motor?
Then rex is for you. If you can forego awd there there
are plenty of far better choices for all around fun
(including dry summer fun).
If good fuel consumption is very important take a good hard
look at honda fit. If you can guzzle a bit mazdaspeed 3
and GTI should fit the bill. Civic Si is sandwiched somewhere
in the middle of the fuel thriftiness / outright hooliganism
spectrum.
If you can wait for 08 rex maybe FHI has managed to put their crap
together. Who knows.

 

[Todd H.]

I glossed over this first criteria in my original response.

I don't think you'll be happy with any Subaru if this is a top
priority. While the full time viscous coupled AWD is a treat in the
snow, it, as well as the boxer engines come at a fuel efficiency
penalty. If you're lucky, from an Outback you may see 28MPG now and
again on the highway.

Gas mileage is one of my few gripes with my Outback.

Best Regards,

 

[glycine]

I bought my used Outback from a dealer. It was a promotional car. It
has very few extras, which is okay by me. Also, do not accept the firt
price, wait until they are reduced. I bought a 1 year old well
maintained clean car for $20,000 when the new were 26,000. Dealer
also tend to load up on options you do not need and I did not have
time to wait for a special order, so this worked well for me.
Check out consumer reports at you local library if you want the real
scoop on gas mileage. Consider the toyota RAV4 also.
Glycine

 

[Body Roll]

maintained clean car for $20,000 when the new were 26,000. Dealer

You bought a used outback for a price of new one

scoop on gas mileage. Consider the toyota RAV4 also.

He wanted somwthing that handles well. He also probably
wants something with awd that works (the latter
is purely a speculation on my part)

 

[Mk IV]

(e-mail address removed) scribbled:

Yep. You don't want a used subaru.
Nonsense.

As far as fun is concerned
07 rex placed in the 5th place in the recent $20k-$25k c&d funster
comparo.

Man, if you're relying on Car&Driver to form an opinion on a car...

So you can't have a cake and eat it too.

Sure you can.

What's more important, fun on snow and locomotive motor?
Then rex is for you. If you can forego awd there there
are plenty of far better choices for all around fun
(including dry summer fun).

Like what?

If good fuel consumption is very important take a good hard
look at honda fit.

For fuel savings personally I'd go with a turbo diesel...

 

[isquat]

(e-mail address removed) scribbled:

Nonsense.

Don't even get me started for I'll light up like a christmas tree.
You haven't been screwed and I was.

Man, if you're relying on Car&Driver to form an opinion on a car...

Exactly. Won't buy another car without consulting them first.
cause i don't wanna end up with another ultra reliable boring piece of
shit on wheels. i don't mind the ultra reliable part just don't want
the boring piece of shit part

Sure you can.

Uhu. In a $30k evo you can. For $20-25k i don't think so.

Like what?

I should add RX-8 to the list of mazdaspeed 3, gti and civic si
already listed in the post you have replied to.

For fuel savings personally I'd go with a turbo diesel...

Hmm, last time I checked bmw 1 was not imported into
the states. Dunno how jetta tdi compares to fit funwise so
you just maybe right. fit has short gearing so it just
could be more fun around the city.

 

[Mk IV]

(e-mail address removed) scribbled:

Don't even get me started for I'll light up like a christmas tree.
You haven't been screwed and I was.

Bought a used Subie that gave you trouble? What'd you get? How did you
get screwed?

Exactly. Won't buy another car without consulting them first.
cause i don't wanna end up with another ultra reliable boring piece of
shit on wheels. i don't mind the ultra reliable part just don't want
the boring piece of shit part

Explain "boring piece of shit"?

Uhu. In a $30k evo you can. For $20-25k i don't think so.

Used Evo?

I should add RX-8 to the list of mazdaspeed 3, gti and civic si
already listed in the post you have replied to.

List? What list? But you're right, with a good set of tires, all of them
above are fun cars.

Hmm, last time I checked bmw 1 was not imported into
the states. Dunno how jetta tdi compares to fit funwise so
you just maybe right. fit has short gearing so it just
could be more fun around the city.

You should define what's "fun" for you. If it's being fast off a street
corner and between two traffic lights while not spending too much on
gas, try a Kawasaki...

 

[isquat]

(e-mail address removed) scribbled:



Bought a used Subie that gave you trouble? What'd you get? How did you
get screwed?

92 legacy. bought in 99 at 92k miles. by 166k miles put $10k into it
including transmission rebuild and ended up with a blown motor.
I loved the thing though. Now I have a perfectly reliable
replacement that i hate to drive regularly. wife has it.
poor girl asks me all the time: why did you buy an old fart's car?
i just look away. maybe a new wife would cure the situation?
i could use some relationship advice

Explain "boring piece of shit"?

A car that flexes rolls squats and dives without any provocation.
a set of tires that squeal at the minor hint of spirited cornering
an engine that takes forever to wind up, an uncommunicative steering
and a scyscraper taaaaaaaaall fifth gear. Mediocre brakes round
off the package. Despite all that fun to drive on snow and gravel
though
only due to the awd that works and works and works and works

Used Evo?

They depreciate agonizingly slow and given how mitsubishi
reportedly handles the warranty claims for them i would not dare
even though on paper the warranty looks better than that for sti.

List? What list? But you're right, with a good set of tires, all of them

I listed all three save for rx-8 in the very first response to this
thread.

above are fun cars.

Yes. Civic si comes with an option of decent rubber.
Something that rex and base impreza does not so you have to live thru
a set of the RE92 crap. perfectly good for snowbelters i guess

You should define what's "fun" for you. If it's being fast off a street
corner and between two traffic lights while not spending too much on
gas, try a Kawasaki...

been there tried that screwed up my hearing over not a whole lot of
riding:
under 40k miles in less than 4 years. won't go there again want
a completely enclosed motorcycle on 4 wheels pref light and with awd
and a/c.
i see a convertible and just chuckle from the wind insulated comfort
of my cocoon

 

[Mk IV]

(e-mail address removed) scribbled:

92 legacy. bought in 99 at 92k miles. by 166k miles put $10k into it
including transmission rebuild and ended up with a blown motor.
I loved the thing though.

So, your assessment of the WRX is based on your previous ownership of
a... used 1992 Legacy and some article in Car&Driver (probably sponsored
by the Ford Motor Co.)?

Now I have a perfectly reliable
replacement that i hate to drive regularly. wife has it.

What is it?

poor girl asks me all the time: why did you buy an old fart's car?
i just look away. maybe a new wife would cure the situation?
i could use some relationship advice

Perhaps your wife has better taste in cars than you do...

A car that flexes rolls squats and dives without any provocation.
a set of tires that squeal at the minor hint of spirited cornering
an engine that takes forever to wind up, an uncommunicative steering
and a scyscraper taaaaaaaaall fifth gear. Mediocre brakes round
off the package. Despite all that fun to drive on snow and gravel
though
only due to the awd that works and works and works and works

Yet, as it is, given a comparable good set of tires, on a race track
(not to mention on a proper rally course) a stock WRX will handily blow
the doors off any of the cars you mention, save perhaps the Evo which is
not available in Canada anyway since Mitsubishi is too damn unconcerned
about their Canadian customers to have it passed by Transport Canada.

For your education, this is the kind of fun a WRX can give a good driver
on dry pavement:

Yes. Civic si comes with an option of decent rubber.
Something that rex and base impreza does not so you have to live thru
a set of the RE92 crap. perfectly good for snowbelters i guess

No, they're crap on snow, ice, dirt, wet, pretty much anything except
they give improved grip on dry pavement once the tread wears out. I did
get close to 60 000 km out of them though.

As for the Civic Si, there's 100 of them for maybe every five WRX on the
road. I'm very happy to be one of the five and I'm willing to bet that
more than a few Civic owners would love to drive my car instead.

 

[isquat]

(e-mail address removed) scribbled:



So, your assessment of the WRX is based on your previous ownership of
a... used 1992 Legacy and some article in Car&Driver (probably sponsored
by the Ford Motor Co.)?


What is it?

2005 outback zerosport

Perhaps your wife has better taste in cars than you do...
probably


Yet, as it is, given a comparable good set of tires, on a race track
(not to mention on a proper rally course) a stock WRX will handily blow
the doors off any of the cars you mention, save perhaps the Evo which is

yes, it will blow the doors on all of them and yes, it's faster,
but depite that all the cars mentioned are more fun to drive because
they are a balanced package as opposed to an awd muscle car with an
engine lifted of a locomotive

not available in Canada anyway since Mitsubishi is too damn unconcerned
about their Canadian customers to have it passed by Transport Canada.

well, i feel sorry for you up there. maybe new sti won't be that much
worse
than the new heavier evo X packed to the roof with the electronics

For your education, this is the kind of fun a WRX can give a good driver
on dry pavement:

No, they're crap on snow, ice, dirt, wet, pretty much anything except
they give improved grip on dry pavement once the tread wears out. I did
get close to 60 000 km out of them though.

As for the Civic Si, there's 100 of them for maybe every five WRX on the
road. I'm very happy to be one of the five and I'm willing to bet that
more than a few Civic owners would love to drive my car instead.

they are within $1-2k in the US so it's almost entirely up to them
what to drive:
capable chassis, tranny and wimpy motor -> get an Si
capable motor and sucky chassis, tranny -> get a rex

 

[isquat]

(e-mail address removed) scribbled:

not available in Canada anyway since Mitsubishi is too damn unconcerned
about their Canadian customers to have it passed by Transport Canada.

yes, wrx is a very appropriate car for Canada.

For your education, this is the kind of fun a WRX can give a good driver
on dry pavement:

ok, i need to find a track like that to finish off the crap that came
with the car
thanks