Next Car Purchase of a Car will be a Car

"moarpowerr" (moarpowerr)
08/23/2013 at 09:16 • Filed to: None

My Cirrus is getting old, worn out, and I don't think it is worth putting money into it anymore. It costed me $500 and I have had it for 2 years. It is time for something else. I need something with more space because my son is growing and I have many things to carry so a wagon would be ideal, and I want awd for the winter because I will be commuting over 100km one way to go to school in the snowy canadian winters. I am thinking about a '98-2000 Subaru Impreza Outback Sport that I have seen on the market for about $3-5k for a decent one with under 150,000 km on it. The ones I have seen have the 2.2L H4 and have a 5 speed manual. if anyone can tell me, how reliable are these cars? Are they good as DD's?

Also, are there any other cars you guys suggest?

DISCUSSION (20)

Nibby > moarpowerr
08/23/2013 at 09:19

95-96 Camry.

GROUNDED TO THE GROUND

moarpowerr > Nibby
08/23/2013 at 09:27

A grounded to the ground camry beater is exactly what a long-distance commuting, car-enthusiast father needs in the winter. If you have one, may I suggest you shut up and take my money?

Goshen, formerly Darkcode > moarpowerr
08/23/2013 at 09:28

Your next purchase of a car will be a car? I expected your next purchase of a car to be a window.
Jokes aside, the Outback would be the second car I'd recommend based on your needs. The first would be a late 90s Volvo V70 XC, but then again I'm not sure if that was sold in North America. If you can find one on your budget go for it, 850s/V70s are basically indestructible. Don't know too much about the Outback reliabilitywise.

Nibby > moarpowerr
08/23/2013 at 09:33

I do not, sorry.

moarpowerr > Goshen, formerly Darkcode
08/23/2013 at 09:34

I believe that they were sold in NA, however I forgot to mention I will be occasionally Autocrossing the car and correct me if I am wrong, but I don't think that Volvo's have too many aftermarket parts for it. I am not planning to mod the car too crazy, but I would like to beef up the suspension parts if I will be autocrossing it in the summer. I believe impreza outback sport fits most, if not all, regular impreza parts from the same era.

moarpowerr > Nibby
08/23/2013 at 09:35

darn it, I was really hoping that you would be able to take my money :(

Kugelblitz > moarpowerr
08/23/2013 at 09:37

Actually, a friend/tuner of mine stumbled into one at a Carmax lot, of all places. It is one of his DDs now.

Goshen, formerly Darkcode > moarpowerr
08/23/2013 at 09:39

Actually there's a fair share of aftermarket support for Volvos, but nothing really comparable to Imprezas.
Also, isn't the Outback's suspension taller?

moarpowerr > Goshen, formerly Darkcode
08/23/2013 at 09:43

Is there? I am going to have to research that, as truth be told, I wouldn't mind a volvo. Parts might be expensive though.

And it is taller stock, but I believe that most impreza suspension will bolt right in. I would probably have a lower suspension set up in summer and a taller one during the winter.

ZeroOrDie - Powered By MZR > moarpowerr
08/23/2013 at 09:44

Subarus are like legos. Volvos are for people who want to go turbo nuts. However autocrossing a volvo will get you all the grins you could possibly want.

However I advise getting a mazda 3 wagon or mazda 6 wagon if you need more room. Really easy to work on and parts are cheap. Bought a coil pack for my 6i on the web. $28 with free shipping.

moarpowerr > Kugelblitz
08/23/2013 at 09:44

sorry, to be more clear, which car are you referring to ?

moarpowerr > ZeroOrDie - Powered By MZR
08/23/2013 at 09:47

Yeah I was looking at them too, they are also pretty high on my list. A decent Mazda 3 wagon is about $5 grand, however it is hard to find one that isn't too abused at that price point. I have looked at some and I have only come across 2 or 3 of them that dont have rust around the wheel wells or big dents in the bumpers.

Goshen, formerly Darkcode > moarpowerr
08/23/2013 at 09:50

Yeah that's the problem. Most parts for these cars have to come straight from Sweden. I found some American company called IPD in the webernetz that might kind of solve that though, if you're interested.
Regardless, if you're really going to use your car both for winter travel and autocross, I think you will need suspension airbags, then set two (or maybe three) airbag heights to avoid ruining your chassis.

Kugelblitz > moarpowerr
08/23/2013 at 09:56

V70XC, sorry. He had to explain to me why the hell he bought a Volvo wagon. Then again he has had a variety of odd and interesting vehicles.

ZeroOrDie - Powered By MZR > moarpowerr
08/23/2013 at 09:57

Internals over cosmetics. Make sure it runs and drives smooth. I test drove a mazda 3 with low low miles. Couldnt understand why it was on a used car lot. It was beautiful. Couldnt get it into fourth. Ah ha found the reason.

moarpowerr > Goshen, formerly Darkcode
08/23/2013 at 10:00

Forgive me of my ignorance, but what benefit do the airbags have over just switching suspension setups? It would surely be more expensive

Goshen, formerly Darkcode > moarpowerr
08/23/2013 at 10:04

It'd allow you to change the set up directly from the cabin, and that's pretty much it.
Since you're going to autocross it in a region known for tough winters, it'd be far more practical on the long run.

moarpowerr > ZeroOrDie - Powered By MZR
08/23/2013 at 10:04

oh yeah, I am in that same mindset, however rust can become a problem, especially with all the moisture and salt that happens during the winters here in canada. My current car is definitely a cosmetic beater with scrapes, dents and a mismatched colour hood, but i never cared. But now its starting to break slowly and surely mechanically, starting with the suspension. I would like a mazda 3 wagon, the only reason I would get the outback sport over the mazda 3 is for individuality though. you see mazda 3's everywhere, but not man outback sports. I also think the outback is cooler

moarpowerr > Goshen, formerly Darkcode
08/23/2013 at 10:05

That is true, I have never thought about it. I am ging to have to look into that.

ZeroOrDie - Powered By MZR > moarpowerr
08/23/2013 at 10:47

Yea sure it is cool. I have saved myself hundreds by being able to work on my own car. Just a thought. I'm sure you will appreciate the AWD too. Make sure the head gaskets on that 2.2 have been changed if you go for the outback sport.