Winter Car (Subaru Edition)

"ArmadaExpress drives a turbo outback" (armadaexpress)
10/30/2015 at 14:56 • Filed to: subaru, winter, beater, opinion

So my DD is an FX50 and I wanted an excuse to pick up a fun Subaru for under $10k, preferably under $8k though.

My main criteria is a Turbo and a Manual Transmission. I’d like to keep it between ‘03 and ‘08, (although there were no manual XT’s after ‘08 anyway) and my ideal choice would be a Forester.

I’m familiar with my options and I have a reputable re-seller/ Subaru shop in my area looking at auctions for me.

Tell me what issues I need to be aware of, other than headgaskets and timing belts. Also, I am open to options outside of Subaru that I hadn’t thought of but I need something AWD, Manual, and Turbo. I don’t want this to be a beater, but I do expect that it will need maintenance over the years.

DISCUSSION (18)

Aaron M - MasoFiST > ArmadaExpress drives a turbo outback
10/30/2015 at 15:01

Any interest in a WRX Wagon with 160,000 miles, minor street parking damage, a 16G, and weeping valve cover gaskets?

bob and john > ArmadaExpress drives a turbo outback
10/30/2015 at 15:02

there was the Saab 9-2X, a re badged subaru wagon with a nicer interior.

Alex Urbanik > ArmadaExpress drives a turbo outback
10/30/2015 at 15:02

I think you may be hard pressed to find something nice at that price point. I picked up a ‘07 Outback XT about year ago from Carmax for $16k. around 60k miles on it.

You may be able to find an older WRX closer to $10k but I would imagine the miles would be well over 100k and it might be closer to the “beater” category that you’d like to avoid.

Subies hold their value really well which is a little annoying when trying to find them used.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > Aaron M - MasoFiST
10/30/2015 at 15:03

Head gasket still has another 45k miles.

Aaron M - MasoFiST > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie
10/30/2015 at 15:07

In all seriousness the car has good bones, there’s just a bunch of little stuff that makes it tiring as an only car. I know I’d make more money selling it to another enthusiast versus trading it in, but my Craigslist experience selling my motorcycle was just so exhausting.

BobintheMtns > ArmadaExpress drives a turbo outback
10/30/2015 at 15:16

I have trouble imagining how beat up an $8 grand wrx would be.... if you’re a glutton for punishment, at least get a cool car that hasn’t been beat to shit by a flat-biller. This doesn’t have a turbo, but it should be fine acceleration-wise. You’re welcome:

2003 VW Passat W8 with manual

Future next gen S2000 owner > ArmadaExpress drives a turbo outback
10/30/2015 at 15:22

A4 is an option depending on the miles.

ArmadaExpress drives a turbo outback > Aaron M - MasoFiST
10/30/2015 at 15:25

Where are you located? I’d consider it after a PPI so I knew what I was getting into, if you’re in my area-ish.

ArmadaExpress drives a turbo outback > bob and john
10/30/2015 at 15:26

Ooh, I forgot about that. I see them all the time, but forgot I should actually search for them. Thanks for the reminder.

ArmadaExpress drives a turbo outback > Future next gen S2000 owner
10/30/2015 at 15:27

I don’t know if I’d buy a german car again. Not for awhile at least. I want something semi-reliable that won’t outrageous to fix when it breaks. I traded in my E60 535 this summer.

ArmadaExpress drives a turbo outback > Alex Urbanik
10/30/2015 at 15:29

Yeah I agree. Definitely tough to find a decent one for a reasonable price. But as long as their is no, or very little rust, I’m not super stringent on the mechanical work that has to be done. Although I don’t want to buy a car that I have to do much to before I can use it this winter.

Aaron M - MasoFiST > ArmadaExpress drives a turbo outback
10/30/2015 at 15:29

I’m in the Boston, MA area. I can go over the mod list now, the car makes somewhere between 280-300whp. As such, it’s both going to get hammered at trade-in and be a bit problematic to sell.

ArmadaExpress drives a turbo outback > Alex Urbanik
10/30/2015 at 15:30

Also, mileage doesn’t scare me as long as it’s under 150 ish and the timing belt was done. At that rate I’d likely expect I’d have to replace the headgasket soon, if it wasn’t already necessary. I’d be checking the oil and coolant for that milky froth right out of the gate though.

ArmadaExpress drives a turbo outback > Aaron M - MasoFiST
10/30/2015 at 15:35

what’s your email address? I’d be willing to discuss it. I’ll be honest, the distance is more than I was hoping for, but it’s worth talking about. Always like dealing with an enthusiast.

Aaron M - MasoFiST > ArmadaExpress drives a turbo outback
10/30/2015 at 15:38

amarks563@gmail.com. If it doesn’t work out, no hard feelings; I’m not going to be officially looking for a new car for a few months but being opportunistic never hurts.

PowderHound > ArmadaExpress drives a turbo outback
10/30/2015 at 15:39

Head gaskets aren't really an issue in the turbo cars. Mostly the 95-99 ish non turbos

ArmadaExpress drives a turbo outback > BobintheMtns
10/30/2015 at 15:52

I’ll take a look at it, but I’ve only heard terrible things about the electronics on the Passat of that era. Have you had much experience with them? A W8 would be swell though, and I know my wife would love having another 8 Cylinder beast in the line-up. She used to DD the FX50 that I DD now.

BobintheMtns > ArmadaExpress drives a turbo outback
10/30/2015 at 16:40

I had a vw of that era. And while it had a couple of small electrical gremlins, there was never anything that left me stranded. And I’ve heard the only mechanical problem of those w8’s were the ones hooked up to automatic transmissions. But honestly, any sub $10K car isn’t going to be perfect, like you said, you anticpate having to do maintenence... But a manual 270 hp W8 with all wheel drive in a station wagon... how fucking epic would that be?!!!