"Transmarobird" (transmarobird)
07/30/2014 at 13:23 • Filed to: usedcarbuying, usedcars
0
36|
"Transmarobird" (transmarobird)
07/30/2014 at 13:23 • Filed to: usedcarbuying, usedcars | 0
| 36 |
Copy/pasted this from my post on Reddit. I hope the formatting stays!
First off, I am a gearhead who enjoys all things cars and motorcycles. For the last five years, I have daily driven a bolt on LT1 Firebird with a 6 speed. I still love driving that car, but it is to the point where one small thing after another is breaking on it (as will happen on 20 year old cars). I have plans to start a three year grad school program next June, so I am looking to sell the Firebird and get a newer, reliable, and more practical car for commuting that I won't have to worry about fixing every other month. A car easy to work on for a driveway mechanic would also be nice, although anything will feel easy after working on the Firebird for the last five years.
My grandma's recent passing left me with some money to put toward a car, and since I know nothing about buying a car built in this decade, I'm coming here for help!
My preferences:
New or used under $20k
Reliable
Standard Transmission
Wagon (next best would be a hatchback)
Has the ability to tow a small trailer with a motorcycle.
Under 50k miles
The car will see snow, but I made it through a couple winters in the Firebird so I'd be fine with RWD.
Cars that have caught my eye:
Fourth/fifth gen (03+) Subaru Legacy Wagon:
Pros: Wagon, AWD, can find some with a manual transmission, I believe it could do light towing fairly easily.
Cons: Difficult to find with low mileage, difficult to find a manual transmission wagon, head gasket issues (?)
Subaru Outback/Impreza/Forester: Seem like they could fit the bill, but I need someone to explain the differences between these cars to me.
Mazda 3 hatch:
Pros: Fun to drive, reliable, MPG.
Cons: Not as much cargo space as a wagon, I'm not sure if it could tow a motorcycle
Please, Oppo, grace me with your car buying knowledge! I'm sure there are a few good car options that I'm not even considering right now. This is a huge sum of money to me, so I want a car that I will be satisfied with for the next 100k miles!
Nibbles
> Transmarobird
07/30/2014 at 13:26 |
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Too bad you stated under $20k, CarMax has a couple Cadillac CTS wagons for just over $20k.
cabarne4
> Transmarobird
07/30/2014 at 13:27 |
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Difference between Subarus: What size lego brick do you want?
The Impreza is the small one, the Legacy is the big one. The Forester is "well it's bigger than a wagon but smaller than an SUV". "Outback" is just Subaru's fancy way of saying "Wagon". So an Impreza Outback is an Impreza wagon, and a Legacy Outback is a Legacy wagon. Newer Imprezas dropped the "Outback", so in later years "Outback" almost exclusively infers the Legacy wagon.
I'd go for a Forester though. It's boxy and a bit awesome. It'll tow 3,500 lbs. And, because it's a Subaru, all the STi parts bolt right on. Meaning you can have your boxy mommy wagon, and track it too.
HammerheadFistpunch
> Transmarobird
07/30/2014 at 13:27 |
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I wont give you car advice, because everyone just ignores it and buys what they think is best anyway, but I can help you with the distinction between the outback, impreza and forester:
Outback is legacy wagon with taller springs and different appearance features
Impreza is a small car platform ranging from the lowely base to the wrx sti, very modular, but a little tight if you plan on carting people around
Forester is based on the impreza floorpan and uses the same running gear and suspension...mostly...there are some changes to the forester that make it more suitable for towing (SF and SG generations)
WRXforScience
> Transmarobird
07/30/2014 at 13:28 |
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Miata work a trailer hitch and a couple of harbor freight trailers. One for tires and track/autocross stuff, another for hauling bulk groceries and other stuff, and a third with some seats for the ultimate Miata van.
All in you could do a NA for $5-7k, a NB for about $10-$15k, and a good condition NC for around $20k including trailers.
505Turbeaux
> Transmarobird
07/30/2014 at 13:30 |
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3 can haul almost any bike no problem! Pretty decent cars too
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Transmarobird
> HammerheadFistpunch
07/30/2014 at 13:30 |
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Thanks! I'd take your advice, since I'm at a loss shopping for cars built this decade. My Craigslist time is typically spent lusting after 25 year old BMWs and Supras.
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HammerheadFistpunch
> Transmarobird
07/30/2014 at 13:33 |
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I had a 2005 SG forester XT 5 speed and it could tow 2400 lbs like it was 100 lbs. fast as hell and fun to drive, I bought mine with 60k on the clock for 17 grand. you could probably find a 2006-2007 with those miles now for a decent price. Fun little things.
DancesWithRotors - Driving Insightfully
> Transmarobird
07/30/2014 at 13:33 |
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As a Mazda 3 owner, I'm incredibly fond of my '13 Skyactiv, and it is /very/ fun to drive. Of course, I'm biased... I bought mine new, and I've put 42000 miles on it, since I picked it up on 27 August 2013.
As for cargo room... I got the entire contents of my apartment into it, when I moved to Kansas. I've also, at various points, hauled multiple Fiat transmissions, a Fiat 124 rear end, seven BMW bottlecaps... My point is made.
Picture below of mine, in front of the house.
PelicanHazard
> Transmarobird
07/30/2014 at 13:33 |
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Trouble with towing is that a lot of small wagons/hatchbacks in the US specifically void the warranty if you tow anything than a token load (my Dart, because it has the 1.4L engine, is not rated for towing; the other two engines have a stated max of 1000 lbs. Similar deal with my brother's Focus).
That said, read this . Super-informative about how to go about towing with small cars. And may I recommend a Suzuki SX4? Apparently reliable and can tow about 1500 lbs pretty well (no experience with one, so take it with a grain of salt), just the small negative of the brand being dead in the US so long-term support and parts acquisition could be a pain.
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DancesWithRotors - Driving Insightfully
> PelicanHazard
07/30/2014 at 13:36 |
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My mother had an SX4, until my brother faceplanted it into a ditch doing 50+, and walked out unscathed... Also, my sister currently drives one, and they are pretty decent cars, at least in AWD trim.
jariten1781
> Transmarobird
07/30/2014 at 13:48 |
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First gen Mazda 6 wagon fits the bill if you can find a low mileage one with a manual. It doesn't technically have a tow rating in the US but the EU/Aus models have limits of 1000 braked, 3000 unbraked and I've seen a number here with receivers towing just fine.
Something that would also work is an X3. If you don't like the CUV ride height there are plenty of suspension options that turn it into a more traditional wagon ride. Might be hard to hit the price/mileage goals you have but it's worth a look.
OPPOsaurus WRX
> Transmarobird
07/30/2014 at 13:52 |
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Go look for a 09/10 WRX. As always, a WRX from me.
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Transmarobird
> Nibbles
07/30/2014 at 14:09 |
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$20k is probably more than I'd like to spend as it is. The CTS wagon did cross my mind. I've driven an '08 sedan and really liked the ride quality. That sucker felt planted on the freeway.
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Transmarobird
> OPPOsaurus WRX
07/30/2014 at 14:10 |
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I'd LOVE a WRX, but I don't want to pay the insurance premiums as a 23 year old male.
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Transmarobird
> WRXforScience
07/30/2014 at 14:13 |
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I know Miata is always the answer, but not to this question, unfortunately. I'll probably want to keep this car for a long time, so having more than two seats is preferable. Plus, there's no way I'd want to use a trailer every time I wanted to move a large quantity of items. I have my motorcycle to get my hooning fix, anyway ;)
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OPPOsaurus WRX
> Transmarobird
07/30/2014 at 14:14 |
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the hatch is cheaper to insure than the sedan
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Transmarobird
> DancesWithRotors - Driving Insightfully
07/30/2014 at 14:14 |
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Nice 3! I do really like these cars. Does towing void the warranty?
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Transmarobird
> Nibbles
07/30/2014 at 14:16 |
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Plus, finding a manual base model CTS wagon would be next to impossible.
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Nibbles
> Transmarobird
07/30/2014 at 14:17 |
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True on the transmission, but CTS Wagon.
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Transmarobird
> cabarne4
07/30/2014 at 14:21 |
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This is the explanation I was looking for. Thank you!
Two Drink Minimum
> cabarne4
07/30/2014 at 14:25 |
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I don't know if that Outback is a wagon anymore. The thing is freakin' huge!
m2m, apex detective
> Transmarobird
07/30/2014 at 14:28 |
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If a hatchback would be a viable option, why not check out a Mazda 3 5dr? It's a lot bigger than I expected, the 3 being a competitor to VW's Golf.
Shame you don't get the 6 wagon ... that's what I thought of first.
If you can deal with the seating position, a CX-5 should be good, too; it's not much different from a lower car in the way it handles and should give plenty room. Starts just over 21k, though, but then it's probably plenty of car for the money.
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Two Drink Minimum
> Transmarobird
07/30/2014 at 14:29 |
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What about a VW Jetta SportWagen? The TDI models will give you 45+ MPG on the highway. They drive very well, and you might even be able to find one in brown!
A used Passat wagon (which, sadly, VW know longer sells here) would be an option if you wanted more space, particularly in the rear seat.
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cabarne4
> Two Drink Minimum
07/30/2014 at 14:30 |
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And the Forester is huge, and the Impreza is huge (compared to the GC8). Welcome to 2014!
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Two Drink Minimum
> cabarne4
07/30/2014 at 14:44 |
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I know, I know. But seriously, the rear-end on the Outback is like something out of a Sir Mix-A-Lot video.
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Two Drink Minimum
> PelicanHazard
07/30/2014 at 14:45 |
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Decent car, for sure. But definitely smaller than what he's looking for.
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cabarne4
> Two Drink Minimum
07/30/2014 at 14:48 |
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Dat ass.
Seriously, though. Acquire 2nd Gen Forester Wagon XT with 5 speed. Add 1 part STi turbo, 1 part Front mount intercooler, and 1 part chip tune. Lower.
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Transmarobird
> cabarne4
07/30/2014 at 16:40 |
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I've seen one just like this around Madison, WI. Blue with gold wheels.
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Transmarobird
> Nibbles
07/30/2014 at 16:41 |
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I searched for CTS wagons after reading your comment. I was shocked to find an AWD 3.0 with 30k miles for $21k in that beautiful Cadillac white. I'm surprised at how cheap they've become.
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Nibbles
> Transmarobird
07/30/2014 at 16:43 |
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Me too, me too. I just gotta convince the wife it's a better purchase decision than a 2015 Mustang
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cabarne4
> Transmarobird
07/30/2014 at 21:18 |
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I was at a track day once and two STi converted Foresters showed up. The track day was hosted by an S2000 group so just about every car there was an S2K. The Fozzies looked hilarious going around the track, and absolutely demolished the S2Ks.
samssun
> Transmarobird
07/31/2014 at 07:08 |
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Forester is a class smaller than the Outback.
A Legacy GT, wagon or not, would be a fun car. The Spec B would be the ideal choice, if you can find one (06-09, I think). Mazdaspeed 6 is another responsibly-fun choice (AWD + turbo 4 + manual). Both of these in sedan form would offer you the room of a smaller wagon.
And of course there's the boring but correct choice of a G35: good balance of performance, space, interior, reliability, and cost.
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Transmarobird
> Nibbles
07/31/2014 at 12:16 |
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Are you cross shopping 2015 models of the CTS and Mustang?
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Transmarobird
> samssun
07/31/2014 at 12:17 |
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That's a gorgeous LGT. Yours?
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Nibbles
> Transmarobird
07/31/2014 at 12:25 |
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Wife wants a Mustang. While I want a Mustang too, I want something that will be comfortable from Denver to Florida and back
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samssun
> Transmarobird
07/31/2014 at 15:29 |
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No, but I've always liked them as a more subtle WRX. They were actually available with both the turbo 4 and NA flat 6, with the same 250/250ish specs. Imagine if they'd offered a forced induction flat 6...