Helping a car-clueless friend replace their car.

"Pixel" (Improbcat)
02/28/2014 at 11:32 • Filed to: None

I friend had his '06 Forester shortened by about a third by another driver, so now he needs to replace it.

His budget is $10K tax & tag included as he basically has the check from the insurance company and nothing else(been unemployed for a few years now). Needs something wagon-like to haul his LARP gear, hated the minivan he used to have, can't drive stick and values comfort & toys over driving dynamics, etc. He thought the Forester was just about perfect.

Going to be buying through a dealership as the better quality cars that have already been serviced are worth the cost trade-off. Also means not dealing with terrible craigslist sellers and other hassles as he needs wheels sooner than later.

Stuff I have been looking at:

http://www.longsubaru.com/used/Subaru/20…

!!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! (I'm fairly sure I can get this down around $9k for a cash sale)

He's up in the Boston area, but I have found bugger all around there under 10K that is worth looking at.

Thoughts? Ideas? Non-crap way to search multiple dealer inventories at once?

DISCUSSION (28)

Nick, Drives a Cobalt LT > Pixel
02/28/2014 at 11:35

There is a wholesale place in Hampton area.

NH.

I can look for the number if you would like.

Nick, Drives a Cobalt LT > Pixel
02/28/2014 at 11:36

http://www.seacoastusedcars.com/detail.aspx?id…

kdsfja;ldkjgskljladkfsjkljskljdfk;lgj I FUCKING WANT GOD DAMMIT. And it is Auto.

IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK > Pixel
02/28/2014 at 11:37

If he's been unemployed for a few years wouldn't it make more sense to not spend the entire $10k check on a new car and get something cheaper?

Demon-Xanth knows how to operate a street. > Pixel
02/28/2014 at 11:39

$10k should be able to get a pretty nice Corvair.

Pixel > IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK
02/28/2014 at 11:40

The trade off is more reliable lower-mileage car vs lower price. So it is going to depend on what we find. Two of the three cars I posted are under $7K, only one is at the top of his budget.

He is completely car-clueless, so any repairs would have to be taken to a mechanic, meaning he's better off getting something in better shape at the start.

E30Joe drives a Subaru > Pixel
02/28/2014 at 11:40

Why no forester XT?

The Dummy Gummy > Pixel
02/28/2014 at 11:41

I would definitely put him in another forester. But not a turbo version. Premium is expensive.

Nick, Drives a Cobalt LT > E30Joe drives a Subaru
02/28/2014 at 11:42

Because that means turbo would have to be replaced every 70k miles.

IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK > Pixel
02/28/2014 at 11:43

These things go forever with no oil and coolant in them. If it breaks down the repairs are simple, or he can sell it non-running for half what he bought it for and go get another one.
http://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/ctd/435376…

JEM > Pixel
02/28/2014 at 11:44

Another Forester would be a good choice, pretty appropriate for a LARPer too ;-)

(I went to WPI, I can make fun of LARPers)

Maybe a Jeep Grand Cherokee? There are hundreds of used ones around Mass. and they are definitely comfortable and dependable, with room to haul stuff.

Osiris - I can haz Euro spec? > Nick, Drives a Cobalt LT
02/28/2014 at 11:45

Alright. This next comment will probably make me a Pariah among Oppo. I've never really liked wagons. There are a few here and there, but nothing to make me love wagons. Wait! There's more! I also have never liked Saab's. I think they're just plain ugly. Have I been shunned yet? Are you still reading this? Have you left the computer to bleach your eyes over the travesty you have just witnessed? Well if you've made it this far then here's my redemption. I. Fucking. Love. That. Saab. Wagon. I want it. I have never seen something that took two things I've never liked and turned them into an automotive wet dream. I am now even more angry over the fact that I probably can't get farther away from that car and still be in the states. And now I'm going to go cry in the corner.

Nick, Drives a Cobalt LT > Osiris - I can haz Euro spec?
02/28/2014 at 11:51

We won't shun you, we will convert you.

But yes that Saab is a beautiful creation..

And you can call them, and I will drive it to you xD

E30Joe drives a Subaru > Nick, Drives a Cobalt LT
02/28/2014 at 11:53

Buy STI Turbo, problem solved. No yucky TD-04. I'm getting a VF48 soon for mine!

Osiris - I can haz Euro spec? > Nick, Drives a Cobalt LT
02/28/2014 at 11:54

Ha ha so you're telling me that you're willing to drive from New Hampshire to Anchorage, Alaska for me? Damn. I might have to take you up on that!

Nick, Drives a Cobalt LT > E30Joe drives a Subaru
02/28/2014 at 11:54

I think its more than just swapping Turbos, we had this discussion at the dealer yesterday when a WRX puked a turbo.

E30Joe drives a Subaru > Nick, Drives a Cobalt LT
02/28/2014 at 11:56

To put a VF48 into an FXT it's recommended you get the top mount intercooler from an STI or a more efficient one, and an access port. That's all you need, it's a direct bolt on.

Nick, Drives a Cobalt LT > Osiris - I can haz Euro spec?
02/28/2014 at 11:56

If you just pay for the Gas, and a plane ticket home, I can do that xD

Nick, Drives a Cobalt LT > E30Joe drives a Subaru
02/28/2014 at 11:57

Ahh, thats not too bad then.

But for the money I feel the better option is to upgrade with an aftermarket one.

E30Joe drives a Subaru > Nick, Drives a Cobalt LT
02/28/2014 at 11:58

An after market intercooler? Or turbo? I like the VF48, good for a very stable 18-20psi and the STI TMIC from 2008+ is larger than the 2007 and down but it's not as big as a grimmspeed one.

Osiris - I can haz Euro spec? > Nick, Drives a Cobalt LT
02/28/2014 at 11:59

Ha ha makes perfect sense!

Nick, Drives a Cobalt LT > E30Joe drives a Subaru
02/28/2014 at 12:00

The Turbo

E30Joe drives a Subaru > Nick, Drives a Cobalt LT
02/28/2014 at 12:03

Then you have to go rotated and that means $$$. A coworker of mine is running mid 20's and at that point anything higher requires a lot of supporting mods, FMIC, forged internals, injectors, lots of protuning, etc. etc.

If you're just looking for a little more kick a VF48 with the STI intercooler and a cobb access port is all you need to get a little more out of your car without protuning (which I recommend anyways since cobbs maps are OTS)

Pixel > IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK
02/28/2014 at 12:06

Trying to convince someone who doesn't know anything about cars and does none of his own repairs to buy a 15 year old, 150K miles jeep with rotted out rocker panels?

As like the guy who tried to invent the poo powered plane once said. "This shit isn't going to fly."

IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK > Pixel
02/28/2014 at 12:10

I bet the maintenance would be lower than on a 160k subaru. But whatever, he's free to make whatever decisions he wants.

jariten1781 > Pixel
02/28/2014 at 12:16

Mazda 5 would be perfect. There should be a few around on autotrader/cars.com for that price with decent miles at dealers.

Übel > Demon-Xanth knows how to operate a street.
02/28/2014 at 12:29

Even better, he could probably get a pretty solid Greenbrier for that price.

Übel > Pixel
02/28/2014 at 12:36

I'm going to echo what others are saying and suggest another Forester, since he liked his last one. If he wants something different, Volvo XC70 is the only other thing I can think of that would be similar.

Drakkon- Most Glorious and Upright Person of Genius > Pixel
03/02/2014 at 22:46

'can't drive a stick' is something that can be remedied.

I have a 2005 FXT (stick) Love it. Love. It.

I think if I was less a 'car guy' that Outback Wagon would be a bigger draw. Much nicer inside.