A rant. Because I am at a loss.

Kinja'd!!! "Frosted" (frostedbuns)
03/02/2014 at 22:15 • Filed to: None

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I love Volvo, that's pretty obvious given my user name. I love my XC70. It's a great car. But at heart, I'm still a Japanese car fan. I love Subaru as some of you know. I also enjoy some older Mitsubishi (2008 and older). I even like Nissans. And Mazda. And many other makes that I am forgetting.

I also have an undying passion for rally and really want to start doing grassroots RallyCross. The XC70 is just no good for that being that going full oppo too much causes the power steering pump to explode. So every race would mean a new pump at least.

My XC70 is wonderful. But it needs constant attention. This isn't an issue with a warranty but that warranty is up in August. As a college student, I can't afford the parts on my own and I don't want to rely on mommy and daddy to keep my car maintained.

The more I think about this though, the more saddened I am. And the more unsure I become. I don't know whether I should extend my warranty and keep my XC or own it for a year and then trade it in for a Japanese car when the warranty is up. The XC needs a little work now as it is. The drive shaft boot is cracked (I caught air while pretending to rally it), the engine burns oil and needs new seals, the CV joint is starting to go and I'll need a whole new axle.

Have some various japanese cars that I'm considering -

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DISCUSSION (48)


Kinja'd!!! thedevilinside > Frosted
03/02/2014 at 22:17

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I had an 09 Lancer GTS similar to what you have posted. I liked it, not super fast but it handles well and isn't embarrassingly slow with mid 7's 0-60. Whatever you get, drive it a bit more softly and less will go wrong.


Kinja'd!!! With-a-G is back to not having anything written after his username > Frosted
03/02/2014 at 22:18

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Mazda 6 wagon is about the farthest from a rallycrosser out of that bunch, but dang if it doesn't speak to me the loudest.


Kinja'd!!! Dsscats > Frosted
03/02/2014 at 22:19

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Stock lancer=pretty shitty. Go for subis or mazdas


Kinja'd!!! Frosted > thedevilinside
03/02/2014 at 22:21

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I had an 08 Lancer GTS and loved the crap out of it. But the insurance was brutal and it had to go. If I got another, I'd probably switch companies.


Kinja'd!!! thedevilinside > Dsscats
03/02/2014 at 22:21

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I made an interesting decision to get a stock Lancer over a Mazda3 or Subie. (Actually those 3 are the ones I test drove and were my final 3) I think I woulda liked any of the 3, but the Lancer wasn't bad unless you expected good mileage.


Kinja'd!!! beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard > Frosted
03/02/2014 at 22:22

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Have you thought about getting a Lancia Stratos?
I hear they are pretty good at rallying.

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Kinja'd!!! thedevilinside > Frosted
03/02/2014 at 22:22

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I went from '09 GTS to '06 6.0 GTO and insurance went down.


Kinja'd!!! YSI-what can brown do for you > Frosted
03/02/2014 at 22:23

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I saw a Sentra Spec R the other day and wondered how good of a car it was, can't be bad can it?


Kinja'd!!! thedevilinside > Frosted
03/02/2014 at 22:23

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Also, I think the engine change 08 to 09 on would be pretty noticeable and a nice improvement.


Kinja'd!!! Frosted > With-a-G is back to not having anything written after his username
03/02/2014 at 22:25

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Yea I love the 6 wagon a lot, and I wouldn't rally it, just make a clean looking JDM styled wagon. I have an explainable love for Japan, Japanese cars and JDM stuff. Not like silly JDM kid in the civic with his stickers but really...idk how to explain it.

If someone asked me if I wanted to live in Japan, I'd go tomorrow.


Kinja'd!!! Nibby > Frosted
03/02/2014 at 22:26

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GET A LEGACY OR OUTBACK. Just... do it.


Kinja'd!!! Frosted > thedevilinside
03/02/2014 at 22:27

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Yea the 2.4 would be a happy improvement. The 2.0 took a full ten seconds to get from 0-60.


Kinja'd!!! Nibby > thedevilinside
03/02/2014 at 22:28

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7 seconds is "embarrassingly slow?"

7 seconds isn't slow unless you drive a 2 door sports car...


Kinja'd!!! Frosted > YSI-what can brown do for you
03/02/2014 at 22:28

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It could be. I've sat in a newer Sentra and it's not a good car at all. But this specific era Sentra is what I'd like.


Kinja'd!!! thedevilinside > Nibby
03/02/2014 at 22:28

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I said " isn't embarassingly slow"


Kinja'd!!! Frosted > beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard
03/02/2014 at 22:30

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I wish I had a hundred grand or so for a car :(


Kinja'd!!! Frosted > thedevilinside
03/02/2014 at 22:32

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The Lancer is what kids buy when they can't afford an Evo. Then they drive it like an Evo. So now insurance companies see a standard Lancer as an Evo.


Kinja'd!!! Frosted > Nibby
03/02/2014 at 22:32

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You're right. Prepping the for sale sign now.


Kinja'd!!! Tom McParland > Frosted
03/02/2014 at 22:33

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6 wagons are cool but damn near impossible to find...even rarer with 3 pedals. Go for the Subies.


Kinja'd!!! TheNeonDriver - Now with More BMW! > YSI-what can brown do for you
03/02/2014 at 22:37

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Don't do it! They eat engines! Unless you had an PO that removed the upper cat almost as soon as the car was new, they will destroy themselves.

The cars don't have a EGR valve, they use the the variable valve timing to keep the exhaust valve open after TDC, and pull some exhaust back into the cylinder. This is only a problem, as the catalytic converter sits very close to the engine, and with spirited driving can over heat. This leads to failure of the cat, which then degrades, and can be pulled into the motor, via the exhaust.

This then destroys the motor. The fix is to remove the upper cat, which then makes it hard to pass emissions regulations, and hard to register.

Wiki knows about it: Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec V

I know, it happened to me (girlfriend)


Kinja'd!!! Nibby > thedevilinside
03/02/2014 at 22:37

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LOLLLLLL

Sorry, my fault.


Kinja'd!!! Stupidru > Frosted
03/02/2014 at 22:39

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I would love to recommend the Legacy 3.0R. The H6 in that sounds absolutely beautiful at full tilt. Not to mention it's a GT underneath it all. You get the big brakes (baby brembos) without screaming for attention. The 5EAT is a decent transmission that can be even faster with the HexMods valve body upgrade; not to mention the R comes with paddle shifters. It comes with a nice in-dash navigation, SI drive, supportive heated and perforated leather seats, a nice sunroof, a pretty good sized trunk, and folding rear seats. Best of all, the 3.0R has the same power as the GT but doesn't require premium fuel, it has a timing chain instead of a belt, and is incredibly reliable. I'm actually considering one as my next car. It has all the pros of the GT except for the turbo, but has a handsome, but reserved look to it


Kinja'd!!! jvirgs drives a Subaru > YSI-what can brown do for you
03/02/2014 at 22:41

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I have an SE-R with the slush-box and its a great little car and I've enjoyed it for the 6 years I've owned it. Although, mine is becoming more of an expensive pain now that its getting older.

Note: SE-R and the Spec-V are basically the same car. The differences are the wheels, the transmission, and the brake package (some came with Brembos)


Kinja'd!!! Frosted > Stupidru
03/02/2014 at 22:46

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I saw one in person yesterday and REALLY liked the way it looked. Granted I'd probably get a big spoiler and paint the wheels bronze because I'm 8 years old still.

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Also this hoodscoop would probably happen. So the reserved look would be for naught.


Kinja'd!!! Telumektar > Frosted
03/02/2014 at 22:47

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The XC70 is a brilliant car but it's not built for speed or any sportiness. It was designed with practicality, safety, comfort and dependability above all else.

For STARTING Rallycross and general rallying I would get a light, CHEAP car. AWD would be best, but it really doesn't matter (FWD/RWD would be cheaper though). If you are going to do it for fun then keep it simple, at least while you learn, you don't want to learn to rallycross on an RS200... or any car that costs more than your monthly income.


Kinja'd!!! Frosted > Telumektar
03/02/2014 at 22:52

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My monthly income is basically what I can make selling stuff on eBay so I'm kinda stuck getting something for roughly 6 grand which is what the XC is worth. I'd hate to ask my parents to help me out but truthfully I may need to so I don't get a 2 thousand dollar lemon. Whatever car I get would need to be able to RX and be a DD simultaneously. Maybe I should get a nice Japanese DD that's reliable and save for a beater RallyX car. That might be the more responsible route.

I try to pretend that the XC is sportier than it is, hence why I put 17 inch wheels on it but it's just....not. And parts to make it fast and sporty are way too expensive. And that makes me sad.


Kinja'd!!! Frosted > Dsscats
03/02/2014 at 22:55

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As a previous Lancer owner, that era is by far the least shitty of all the standard Lancers. It was actually quite nice for a midsize family sedan.


Kinja'd!!! Frosted > Nibby
03/02/2014 at 22:57

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You're right. Prepping the for sale sign.

My other issue is not knowing what kind of build I'd want to do on a car. As much as I love rally, I'd still need a car to daily. I think owning a nice Japanese tuner car and a cheap beater Subaru would be ideal.


Kinja'd!!! Nibby > Frosted
03/02/2014 at 22:59

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I don't know much about tuner cars but I can definitely help with Subie advice. :D

Just make sure its been maintained well and doesn't have rust... and get the head gasket inspected.


Kinja'd!!! Telumektar > Frosted
03/02/2014 at 23:01

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I think it would be better to take the responsible route.

Go cheap on the Rallycrosser at first and don't use your DD for rallycross, if you depend on it it would be best to treat it with care.


Kinja'd!!! Brian Silvestro > Frosted
03/02/2014 at 23:02

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I'm going to also recommend one of the Subarus, they can defiantly handle your spirited driving and are meant to rallycross.


Kinja'd!!! Frosted > Nibby
03/02/2014 at 23:04

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I gotta ask, on an Outback or a Legacy, are the headgaskets constantly blowing up? Or is that result of an STI and too many boostssss?


Kinja'd!!! Frosted > Telumektar
03/02/2014 at 23:07

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Yea, I tried to rally the XC and broke tore an ABS sensor in half :X Never again. Most the issues remaining are just wear and tear at this point but I'm afraid to do anything other than baby it around.


Kinja'd!!! Frosted > Brian Silvestro
03/02/2014 at 23:07

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Haha I never really considered myself to be a spirited driver. I always obey the rules of the road. It's when the road ends that the rules go away for me.


Kinja'd!!! Nibby > Frosted
03/02/2014 at 23:10

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Not constantly. I think it's kinda like an overused joke that isn't as true as everyone says it is. Subarus are reliable vehicles though. You can't go wrong


Kinja'd!!! Stupidru > Frosted
03/02/2014 at 23:11

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I had an 06 LGT and while the hood scoop was cool, it definitely drew a little more attention... whether you want that or not is up to you. If you're in a small town, it's a little more noticeable and memerable if you like to have a little fun with your car. I live in a town with 10,000 people and I was always afraid that police officers might have remembered me because I was the only car with a hood scoop


Kinja'd!!! Brian Silvestro > Frosted
03/02/2014 at 23:13

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"FUCK YOUR RULES"
-You, offroad.
If you have rallycross in mind at your budget, then Subaru is your only option.


Kinja'd!!! Frosted > Stupidru
03/02/2014 at 23:13

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I live in a pretty sizeable area that's constantly growing. Cops don't care about general hoonage as long as it's not on a street. Did donuts in a field one day, cop drove by and gave me a thumbs up haha.


Kinja'd!!! Frosted > Nibby
03/02/2014 at 23:14

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How about the dreaded Baja? I always liked those and would get one but everyone seems to say they're crap.


Kinja'd!!! Nibby > Frosted
03/02/2014 at 23:17

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They're essentially Outbacks of the same era... people hate it cause it's a bit too quirky, even by Subaru standards. Here's our Forester... next to a Baja

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Kinja'd!!! Big Bubba Ray > Frosted
03/02/2014 at 23:19

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I second the Outback suggestion. I've got an 05 with a 5MT and I love it. If you want a little more speed, definitely get yourself a turbo. I don't have turbo but with a stick you can make the most of each gear when needed/wanted.

The head gasket thing isn't as true as it used to be. Mine are fine with 129,000 miles and my sister's are fine on her Forrester with just over 100,000 on the clock.


Kinja'd!!! Frosted > Nibby
03/02/2014 at 23:20

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I really like those model year Forresters as well. GAHHH I just freakin love Subaru. I think I need to take a drive to a dealership.


Kinja'd!!! Nibby > Frosted
03/02/2014 at 23:24

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Do it!


Kinja'd!!! Frosted > Nibby
03/02/2014 at 23:27

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I want to test drive one soon to make sure it is what I want but the decision won't happen till August. Gonna keep the Volvo for a full year. This is by far a tough choice.


Kinja'd!!! TheD0k_2many toys 2little time > Frosted
03/02/2014 at 23:52

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The answer is always Miata

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Kinja'd!!! Frosted > TheD0k_2many toys 2little time
03/02/2014 at 23:55

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Subaru to daily. Miata to rally. IT'S SETTLED.


Kinja'd!!! TheD0k_2many toys 2little time > Frosted
03/02/2014 at 23:59

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Shoot if it was me id just have Miata for everything


Kinja'd!!! Stef Schrader > Frosted
03/03/2014 at 00:37

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I would rallycross mine SO MUCH if I had a spare. Decent ground clearance. There's a lack of performance parts for the base '08+ models that's a tad disconcerting, though. Parts are more expensive than I'd like, too.

Rallycross? Get a beater for it. Srsly. Something with cheap parts. People rallycross everything from Legacy wagons to Miatas. DO IT!!!