SAABARU is a NOOOO

"Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)" (rduncan5678)
10/25/2017 at 16:05 • Filed to: None

Well its settled, the SAABARU is no more! The deal has fallen apart and I am not getting the car. When I talked to the guy he seemed confident that the car has been babied and the issues are “minor”. While he may be correct about his ownership of it, the many red flags combined make this too much of a risk for me. I even expanded my final offer to $7500 and he said he didnt want to budge much from our original “8600". Like I doubt he even would have taken $8k!

At least he is paying for half of my fee for the inspection so that was cool of him. While this could have been an adventure, I am not committed enough yet to the idea of a car with potentional major issues. Maybe I am missing an opportunity? But Ive had enough people tell me I am CRAZY to spend that much so I will listen to my better judgement.

I kind of like the WRX in LA I am looking at currently, its the same thing but with much higher mileage and everything repaired. But also a price to reflect the repairs. So maybe I hold out, consider other cars, and bide my time. Sucks, but such is life.

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Just a good lesson in dont count your chickens before the eggs hatch!

DISCUSSION (39)

Roadster Man > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
10/25/2017 at 16:08

Just don’t EVER buy a WRX with a rebuilt engine.

theloudmouth > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
10/25/2017 at 16:08

Sorry to hear it didn’t work out. Would’ve been great for Oppo to have another 9-2x owner. Wise move moving on for no budging given the price. Without a doubt with all that is needed you are not crazy.

CaptDale - is secretly British > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
10/25/2017 at 16:13

Wagon seems alright. Never been a fan of the body though. #Sedanlyfe!

diplodicus > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
10/25/2017 at 16:15

Sounds like project e28 is a go.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
10/25/2017 at 16:16

I think you made the right decision, a bent sub frame? Car was not babied. One day I will document the tail of my purchase of a 1991 Subaru XT6 and the disaster that ensued.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
10/25/2017 at 16:16

Sorry to hear that! They are cool cars, and that one sure seemed like a helluva buy. I’m sure you’ll find something else cool.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
10/25/2017 at 16:19

I would have gladly still bought it if the price reflected the condition. I just couldnt accept the risk! Thankfully I hadnt driven it, because I think I would have changed my mind from an emotional response lol.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > theloudmouth
10/25/2017 at 16:20

Well yeah. I was willing to eat some cost and come up to $7500. It still would have been a bad deal but maybe it would have worked out. Anything beyond that is crack pipe!

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > Roadster Man
10/25/2017 at 16:20

Why is that? Is the one I linked rebuilt?

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
10/25/2017 at 16:21

Yeah it would have been cool and it would have been a good buy at 7k. And maybe a decent buy at 7500. I would have MAAAAYBE thought about 8k if he offered it but he seemed set on our original 8600. CRACK PIPE.

CobraJoe > Roadster Man
10/25/2017 at 16:23

I’d say to generally avoid ones with significant mods.

The 2005 LGT I bought had aftermarket springs that broke, aftermarket exhaust with the mufflers hacked off, some mods that aren’t recommended without a tune, and a turbo from a different year. Basically, everything that the PO changed, I had to fix or tweak.

theloudmouth > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
10/25/2017 at 16:23

Location is a funny thing, for a 9-2x that immaculate ready for an STI swap in the rust belt it might be looked at completely different. That being said, anyone who takes that good of cars here means they not only don’t get driven in winter but are maintained to a fastidious standard so you wouldn’t have the mechanical issues this one has.... I’m just jealous and need to buy my next used car from the south west.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
10/25/2017 at 16:25

True, the best cars buying decisions I’ve made were not emotional.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
10/25/2017 at 16:29

No doubt. A good PPI is worth every penny, and problems which need addressing only work with a lowered price.

Any thoughts on what else you might look at?

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
10/25/2017 at 16:32

I havent the slightest idea. I gotta figure out canceling the insurance I set up (thankfully not paid for yet) and how to get to LA first. Right now I am looking at renting a car one way as my cheapest option. And then maybe try and look at some cars. But I probably wouldnt buy until after I drive out in the Miata.

Im trying to check out the linked Subaru on Saturday. But I dont think im willing to pay the Subaru tax honestly. Might just need to look for something cheaper to get into.

SPAMBot - Horse Doctor > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
10/25/2017 at 16:34

Never be afraid to walk. If the deal is a dud or you get a bad feeling, run away. I think I looked at 6 or 7 Miatas before I bought my last one. A big purchase needs to satisfy both the brain and the heart. It sounds like you made the right call.

Roadster Man > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
10/25/2017 at 16:45

No, it’s just a HUGE red flag. Lots of the time it’s a couple idiots in their garage “rebuilding” the engine and it’s a ticking time bomb... Like in the case of the WRX I used to drive.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > SPAMBot - Horse Doctor
10/25/2017 at 16:45

Yeah, I am pretty sure this wouldnt have ended badly. But I need the car to be a daily driver first and foremost. I dont absolutely need anything since I have my Miata anyways. It would just be very nice to have something like that to go with it. Now I get to broaden my horizons and find something else.

BobintheMtns > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
10/25/2017 at 16:45

Looking at your next choice... yikes....

$11K for a wrx with 150K miles..... no way....

There’s only ONE demographic that buys wrx’s.... people who beat the shit out of them. I’d be very skeptical of any used wrx...

gettingoldercarguy > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
10/25/2017 at 16:49

There were some things that hinted at it being hooned. The clutch, head gasket, header wrap, scraped chassis and relatively new tires suggest a rough life.

Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
10/25/2017 at 16:55

Good call! Plenty of fish and all that.

Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
10/25/2017 at 17:02

I’m not saying you have no choice but to buy this but...

Manual - Check

Plenty of ponies - Check

RWD - Check

In SF Area - Check

https://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/cto/d/2006-cadillac-cts-6-speed/6344957162.html

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > gettingoldercarguy
10/25/2017 at 17:03

Agreed. It was something that without those issues, I would have been happy at the price. And then with the issues, I would have been happy at a lower price. Like I said, $7500 was still a risk but it was one I wanted to take a leap of faith on. Beyond that is crazy talk, I didnt have to think about saying no.

Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
10/25/2017 at 17:04

Ok upon further consideration that price is too low to not be suspicious. Also Oakland...

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
10/25/2017 at 17:05

See the thing is, RWD is not a requirement. But damn CTSV thats awesome! If I had the money Id definitely think about it. Its a stretch to get anywhere close to $10k even.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > CobraJoe
10/25/2017 at 17:07

Oh I agree, the one I linked doesnt have any mods which is why it seemed interesting to me. I mean brake rotors and aftermarket wheels dont really count. And even exhaust stuff is fine if its quality equipment.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > Roadster Man
10/25/2017 at 17:07

Of course, makes sense. I wouldnt dare unless I was looking for a project. Major repairs are fine if documented

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > BobintheMtns
10/25/2017 at 17:09

well the only reason i was considering it is because its had the head gaskets and all of the major stuff done. I dont think its worth the money he is asking but thats problem with all of these.

merged-5876237249235911857-hrw8uc > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
10/25/2017 at 17:11

Those are super fun cars. I had an ‘05 for a few years and loved it. I would pick up another in the future for a toy track car.

CobraJoe > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
10/25/2017 at 17:15

Just make sure the aftermarket wheels are in good condition and preferably a recognizable brand. I had some no-name 18in wheels on a Mazda that cracked.

Quality exhaust is ok, but in my situation, they hacked off the mufflers, then bird-poop welded on some straight pipes in their place with some horrible blued chrome tips. Too loud, too proud, too ugly, and poor quality work to boot.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > CobraJoe
10/25/2017 at 17:18

Yeah he said he has the stock wheels, so I would take those since the tires look like crap and the wheels look like crap off brand even in the pictures. I think for an exhaust it has to be either professionally installed or an easy bolt on from a well known manufacturer. And yeah if its ricer loud, im not interested. Preferably I want stock but if its of no cost, I am gonna put an exhaust on it anyways. Might as well get a free mod!

CobraJoe > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
10/25/2017 at 17:21

Always take the stock parts if they’re offering. Maybe you can undo the mod, maybe you can sell them for more than what the mod would sell for.

Plus it’s always helpful to have an extra set of wheels around, maybe the ugly ones could be dedicated for snow tires?

AestheticsInMotion > CobraJoe
10/25/2017 at 18:39

Avoid mods that are low quality and/or poorly done at least. Which goes for any vehicle really

AestheticsInMotion > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
10/25/2017 at 18:39

Please do

SPAMBot - Horse Doctor > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
10/25/2017 at 19:06

For sure. And with two cars, you can get away with one needing work. It would have been cool, but definitely not worth it at his price. Keep looking, that’s half the fun!

shop-teacher > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
10/25/2017 at 19:24

Bide your time, don’t buy either of those.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
10/25/2017 at 20:40

Update: Oppo was still in need of a 9-2x, so I answered the call.

http://oppositelock.kinja.com/i-present-to-you-the-new-sm70mobile-1819850777

random001 > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
10/25/2017 at 21:01

I mean, the real question is how much DO you want to have?

https://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/cto/d/2002-corvette-c5/6360693579.html

https://monterey.craigslist.org/cto/d/corvette-ccoupe/6305257926.html

https://modesto.craigslist.org/cto/d/convertible-corvette-trade/6332840386.html

https://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/ctd/d/2008-pontiac-solstice-gxp/6343610834.html

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > theloudmouth
10/25/2017 at 21:07

This is the ONLY reason I was still considering paying 7500-8000 for it, I’m from the east coast. I know rust. My Miata knows rust!