by "Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)" (rduncan5678)
Published 08/23/2017 at 08:27
by "Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)" (rduncan5678)
Published 08/23/2017 at 08:27
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STARS: 0
I have created an Autotrader search that incorporates all of the vehicles that were on my list of things I want for a daily driver in the near future. So far this has turned up some fun results. I still have a couple of months before I am really shopping and have the money saved up so these links right now are irellevant. But its fun to explore anyways.
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I have temporarily removed Mini Coopers just because they literally double the amount of results that come up. And nearly all of them end up being early 2000s models that I wouldnt touch with a 39 and a half foot pole. I’ve also tried eliminating all grey/silver cars since I hate that “color” but that skewed the results since not all listings accurately list the color. Anyways, here are my favorites so far:
2005 SAAB 9-2x Aero
in tan with 91k miles listed for $8750
2004 Subaru WRX Wagon in red with 133k miles listed for $8950
2008 Honda Civic Si in black with 81k miles listed for $9000
2004 Acura RSX Type S in red with 120k miles listed for $6973
2007 Mazdaspeed3 in red with 91k miles listed for $8980
Now of course this is just Autotrader so I need to look more at Craigslist and cars.com (cars is where I bought my Miata from). But I am really liking the 9-2x Aero. Its like a WRX but better in every way! I only saw one listing but it was low mileage and fairly priced. I think if I was buying today, that would be my choice!
I’m also thinking about waiting longer, expanding my budget, and going after a nice lightly used Focus ST for like $15k. There were quite a few of those on AT.
"Mini Guy- Now has a 4Runner" (gavinharter30)
08/23/2017 at 08:35, STARS: 1
For more in depth information on all these cars, go to my column at autotrader dot com slash oversteer
"Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)" (rduncan5678)
08/23/2017 at 08:40, STARS: 0
You know its funny, I probably use Autotrader more because of watching Doug’s videos and hearing him say that all the time.
"Nibby" (nibby68)
08/23/2017 at 08:47, STARS: 0
just buy a new S550 and call it a day
"Highlander-Datsuns are Forever" (jamesbowland)
08/23/2017 at 09:02, STARS: 1
Saabarou is the best of the ones you have found so far.
"Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)" (rduncan5678)
08/23/2017 at 09:06, STARS: 0
Definitely! I just want to find more than one link out there. Each of the others had at least 2 or 3 other comparable ones. I like the better interior and the reviews of seen on the Saabaru make it seem quite good to me. Would get me the WRX I want and it would still be unique enough to be interesting.
"Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)" (rduncan5678)
08/23/2017 at 09:07, STARS: 0
Ahh yes budget smudget. If new, I would still hands down go for a FoST.
"thejustache" (thejustache)
08/23/2017 at 09:15, STARS: 1
I miss my (NA) Saabaru still. I’m sure it’s even better with a turbo. I’ve got a turbo Subaru now (Outback XT) but with a longer wheelbase and more weight and while it’s a lot of fun I miss how nimble the Saabaru felt. That’s a good looking example you’ve found, but bear in mind it’s only 9k miles away from needing the timing belt/100k service. Also check for signs of head gasket leakage of course! Good luck. It’s always fun trolling both Saab and Subaru guys with one of those, a lot of people know about them but a lot more still don’t!
"Supreme Chancellor and Glorious Leader SaveTheIntegras" (jegoingout)
08/23/2017 at 09:30, STARS: 0
BUY THE SI!!!!!!!!!!
"Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)" (rduncan5678)
08/23/2017 at 09:31, STARS: 0
Yeah, I kind of prefer to find a car with the timing belt stuff recently done already, but it could be a good negotiating point when determining price. Any idea if timing belt jobs are particularly difficult on these? And are they interference motors? I recently did mine on the Miata and it wasnt so bad but I imagine other motors could be a lot harder.
"Schaef_Camaero Z/28" (schaefz28)
08/23/2017 at 09:32, STARS: 1
If you go searching for a saabaru, make sure to check the saab92x forum FS section. If you inquire about the one in your link, make sure the timing belt has been replaced - or at least factor that into your price - and have it changed ASAP.
"Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)" (rduncan5678)
08/23/2017 at 09:52, STARS: 0
How difficult is a timing belt on those? And thanks for the forum suggestion, I will start perusing through there.
"Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)" (rduncan5678)
08/23/2017 at 10:07, STARS: 0
Could you explain the absurd obsession with meat and feet though? I thought it was just a weird post until I saw this on every single posting...
"thejustache" (thejustache)
08/23/2017 at 10:22, STARS: 1
I don’t think they’re particularly more difficult to do then on other cars, the belt is right behind the plastic cover you can see clearly on the front of the motor. They are interference motors, so obviously getting it right is key. That said I’ve only watched a couple youtube tutorials on it - when I got my Outback XT I bought it at 101k just after being serviced so I avoided having to do it. It looks like you’re on the west coast, but I got mine at a small shop in Maine that handles mostly turbo Subarus and they always do the timing belt and water pump and possibly even head gaskets before selling at a very reasonable price. Maybe there’s a place like that in CA?
"Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)" (rduncan5678)
08/23/2017 at 10:37, STARS: 0
Yeah ideally I’d buy one with it done but I would plan to do it myself if need be. Especially with having a second functioning car (the Miata) I could take my time and get it right without too much issue. But yeah Id like to at least not have to immediately do work on it after purchase.
These seem to be hard-ish to find. I still gotta drive one to see if I would even like it. I imagine I could test drive a WRX to get an idea as well. Since there are A LOT more of those out there.
"Schaef_Camaero Z/28" (schaefz28)
08/23/2017 at 10:58, STARS: 1
Hah, they are a bit fanatical with the whole feet & meat thing. Some forums want to see a written note with the users name/date/forum name in the pictures so buyers know the seller legitimately has the parts / vehicle in question, and they’re not a scammer - on that forum they like to see feet/meet. It’s kind of an oddball request, but I guess it does the job.
I haven’t had to change the timing belt on one, so I’m not much help there. I bought mine last June with 102k on it for $8500 and the timing belt service was already done.
I’m currently at about 122k & recently replaced the spark plugs, which I didn’t think was as bad of a job as a lot of people make it out to be. The only other maintenance I’ve had to do is replace the front axles, because of a torn boot, and replace the rear pads/rotors. Both were pretty straight forward repairs.
Also, you probably don’t have to worry about this being out in California, but this generation of subie wagons are prone to rusting out the rear shock towers, where the rear seat latches. You have to remove the interior to find out how bad it actually is.
There are also 2 recalls out on these cars. 1) Takata passenger airbag inflator. 2) Rust on front lower control arms - which only applies to cars sold/owned in certain states, so you likely don’t apply.
"Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)" (rduncan5678)
08/23/2017 at 11:02, STARS: 0
Thats good to note then that I dont really want to source one from back East where I currently live. But that applies to most cars since rust kills all.
"thejustache" (thejustache)
08/23/2017 at 11:11, STARS: 0
Yeah, I’ve driven a 2004 wrx but only my NA Saabaru so I can’t give a real comparison. On paper they’re basically the same car, but I have read that the Saabaru actually got the STI steering rack so the steering might be a little different than a standard WRX. I think the Saabaru might have slightly more sound deadening as well.
"Schaef_Camaero Z/28" (schaefz28)
08/23/2017 at 11:15, STARS: 1
Yep, you’re better off getting a car from the southwest than any other part of the country, really. My car lived in WI, IN and now IL.. it had the shock tower rust pretty bad. I didn’t know this was a common problem until AFTER I bought it. On the flip side, I had a Festiva that sat in the DFW area for 20 years and didn’t have a speck of rust on it!
"Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)" (rduncan5678)
08/23/2017 at 11:59, STARS: 1
Well yeah those are the main improvements of the SAABARU vs the SUBARU. So that means if I found those to be the things I didnt like about the WRX but liked everything else, I would know for sure which way to go. If I can deal with the spartan interior of the Subie, it may just be easier to find one.