I might buy an '05 Saabaru - somebody stop me

"Chairman Kaga" (mike-mckinnon) 05/26/2016 at 15:27 • Filed to: None

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68k miles. Sport Package (Sunroof and 17 inch alloys), Premium Package (Leather and Xenon headlights), 30% Window Tint, Custom Catted Turbo-back Exhaust, COBB Stage 2 93 Octane Tune, 2007 WRX Radio + OEM Aux, OEM Floors Mats + All-Weather Mats, Transmission Flush @ 65k-Differential Flush @ 65k-New Pads & Rotors @ 65K.

Asking $11k for it, thinking I could offer $10k.

It’s about 800 miles away, so I’m either having it shipped or I’m flying there and driving home.

Dissuade me.

I had an ‘05 Aero from new, then sold it two years later when I moved to Dublin. Now it’s on my list of $10k cars I’d daily drive. Also considering an ‘08 Volvo V70 with 90k miles. Couldn’t be more different. It’ssooooo comfortable, but soooo lazy that it’s almost an American 3-box sedan.

Leon711 > Chairman Kaga 05/26/2016 at 15:29

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10/10 would not dissuade.

iSureWilll > Chairman Kaga 05/26/2016 at 15:31

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10/10 also would not dissuade. I will be buying a different car soon and have been checking these out. $10-11k for one in great shape seems like the market rate.

FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem > Chairman Kaga 05/26/2016 at 15:32

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I won’t stop you, sorry.

CB > Chairman Kaga 05/26/2016 at 15:32

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You came to the wrong place if you wanted to be dissuaded.

Decay buys too many beaters > Chairman Kaga 05/26/2016 at 15:33

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It’s a 2L, real men drive at least 2.5L boxers engines...

yamahog > Chairman Kaga 05/26/2016 at 15:36

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They’re very desirable out here in Michigan.

ArmadaExpress drives a turbo outback > Chairman Kaga 05/26/2016 at 15:38

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As long as it’s not beat on (Cobb Tune might be a reason to believe it was) and it seems well maintained; then I think you’re good to go. Relatively low mileage for what it is, and I would probably personally go for it.

gawdzillla > Chairman Kaga 05/26/2016 at 15:40

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i had one of those, more miles, some very tasteful upgrade (i know ... i know the ‘upgrades’ shouldnt affect the value)

but i would offer 9k cash for that and go from there

i like that blue btw

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > yamahog 05/26/2016 at 15:47

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They’re perfect for the naive who want a “GM Brand” car.

Those same people buy Pontiac Vibe’s lol

Opposite Locksmith > Chairman Kaga 05/26/2016 at 15:47

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Buy it. Get a 20g and deatsch injectors. Call it a day

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Chairman Kaga 05/26/2016 at 15:48

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Chairman Kaga > ArmadaExpress drives a turbo outback 05/26/2016 at 15:49

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I talked with the owner pretty extensively and he said the tune was mostly just to give more low-end response for dealing with traffic. I had a Stage 1 on mine and I can affirm opening the ECU up a bit definitely improved basic driveability. He doesn’t sound like the kind of guy who beats on his cars. I’m scheduling a PPI, regardless. I want a leakdown test, check for shavings in the trans, check out the diffs, etc. in addition to the usual battery of tests.

yamahog > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner 05/26/2016 at 15:51

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Or the GM employees who want a Subaru but also want to park closer to their building, lmao

Chairman Kaga > gawdzillla 05/26/2016 at 15:51

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Mine was silver with cloth. I wanted blue with leather.

Yeah, I’ll start at $9k cash on the table. I won’t pay more than $10k though. That’s my hard ceiling since I’ll also need to handle sales tax (6.25% here in TX) and transport. It’s also the asking price for the V70, which in all honesty is a MUCH nicer car.

And I’m still not sure. Do I want absolute comfort, or do I want the best WRX Subaru never made?

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > yamahog 05/26/2016 at 15:52

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Hahahaha true. When I worked on Chevy advertising I even got to park closer with a GM (was when I was driving a Blazer)

CalzoneGolem > Chairman Kaga 05/26/2016 at 15:52

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No one here is going to stop you unless they buy it first.

For Sweden > Chairman Kaga 05/26/2016 at 15:55

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If they will take off the tint for free, NP

Ash78, voting early and often > Chairman Kaga 05/26/2016 at 15:56

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Dissuade, eh...hmm....how about “Who goes to all that trouble to do maintenance just to sell it?” You never recoup that cost. Well, maybe at that asking price, he’s trying to. Where’s the 30% tint? That looks clear. Also, price is a few grand on the high side, but if that’s exactly what you’re looking for, it could be solid. I love these things and since you had one already, you probably do, too.

ESSSIX GmbH - Accountant/Wagon Thumper > Chairman Kaga 05/26/2016 at 16:04

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I’ve done that for both my wagons, flown in and driven out. Went the furthest for the B5 S4, Missouri. And I got the S6 in South Carolina.

I would say If you want it, you want it. Just make sure that they understand you’re driving it 800 miles.

Also make sure you know the laws regarding temp plates etc. both times I went to the local DMV with the seller to get the temp documents.

Also, Keep you money separate. So keep your low ball offer in one pocket, the middle ground in another, and the asking price in another. This way you dont have to flip through money. If its not clear: the three pockets should add up to the total asking price..

Also learn the ins and outs of that car so when you hit the ground you know what to be looking for, you’ll miss a lot if you’re distracted by all the sexy the car has to offer. 30 min test drive minimum. All those can help you get a lower price if you point shit out, or intimidate them with you inspection know how.

Lastly: Be prepared to buy a ticket home if you arent happy. Just cause you flew out does not mean you need to take it home.

I will add that I like using also to start a new point, and that in both cases the cars were being sold by men; the PO of the B5 was in his 50s, and use to track it, as well as a ducati (life goals), and the PO of the S6 was in his 30s, who DD’d a Lexus is300, and a toureg, details like those tell you a fair amount about a person.

Long winded, I know, but hey more shit is better shit.

Cheers.

BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind > For Sweden 05/26/2016 at 16:09

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Whaaaaaaa? Tint is awesome.

gawdzillla > Chairman Kaga 05/26/2016 at 16:14

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remember to factor in the fact that the saabaru would be much easier to fix when stuff breaks ...
not too sure if i can say the same about the v70

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Chairman Kaga 05/26/2016 at 16:17

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Whait, what you haven’t bought a plane ticket yet? Hury up man, get that Saabaru in your garage ASAP.

AfromanGTO > Chairman Kaga 05/26/2016 at 16:24

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Get it now!

Sam > Chairman Kaga 05/26/2016 at 16:25

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Is that picture actually the car in question? (I'm guessing it isn't)

Because reverse GIS reveals the worst URL in the history of the Internet. http://usedmotorcity.com/citroen-for-sa…

Citroen for sale? Really Used Motor City? Really?

DeLM > Chairman Kaga 05/26/2016 at 16:26

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I’d say you are pretty safe with the Saaburu, I do NOT know any young people that bought these. Mostly responsible adults that have outgrown being a boy racer, but still like to drive spirited. I would def get one of these before a WRX. Plus if anything needs replacing you can just get the STI parts and it would still cost comparable to the Volvo to up keep. So if you do get it.... Enjoy! :)

Chairman Kaga > Sam 05/26/2016 at 16:31

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It is the car, but I’veseenthat”site” before and I’m pretty sure it’s just a bot managed eBay and Craigslist aggregator. The guy who owns the car now bought it from an investment banker who was moving to Chicago and wasn’t taking a car. I’m assuming that for whatever reason this was the original owner’s ad from several years ago.

Sam > Chairman Kaga 05/26/2016 at 16:32

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Ah. Makes sense. Still don't understand the point of sites like that. I guess they could run a scam with it, but you'd have to be an absolute moron to fall for it.

Chairman Kaga > For Sweden 05/26/2016 at 16:32

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Tint on those cars is actually pretty sweet. It wraps up the D-pillar glass nicely. Mine was even darker.

Chairman Kaga > Ash78, voting early and often 05/26/2016 at 16:35

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These pics were from when he bought the car. He did the tint shortly after they were taken. He’s sending me a new batch of pics.

I’m going to start at $9k. Not going higher than $10k. That’s not a lot of room to maneuver, but I won’t move on buying a plane ticket until we’ve settled on a price. Have to get the PPI done before anything else can happen.

Ash78, voting early and often > Chairman Kaga 05/26/2016 at 16:36

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Dumb question, but I'm assuming you've seen some current pics?

Chairman Kaga > Ash78, voting early and often 05/26/2016 at 16:38

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There were about 5 in the album he shared. He’s taking some details of the interior tonight.

uofime-2 > Opposite Locksmith 05/26/2016 at 17:23

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Then a sti 6 speed swap when you promptly lunch the 5speed

Opposite Locksmith > uofime-2 05/26/2016 at 17:50

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Yes. Indeed

E92M3 > Chairman Kaga 05/26/2016 at 18:34

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Headgasket @ 72k.

Just a prediction..

Dusty Ventures > Chairman Kaga 05/26/2016 at 20:48

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Buy one of these instead. Same engine in a better body. Wait, the Saabaru has the 2.0 not the 2.5, doesn’t it.

rockingthe2 > Chairman Kaga 05/26/2016 at 21:20

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Do it! Do it! Do it!

^Current 05 Aero Saabaru owner here. Black, sport package, auto and a crap ton of miles.

Chairman Kaga > E92M3 05/26/2016 at 23:05

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Already been done. Preemptive action while they were doing the turbo plumbing.

Chairman Kaga > Dusty Ventures 05/26/2016 at 23:06

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I was scared off the Legacy GT by LGT owners. That's originally what I was looking for, but they all seem to be offloaded right around the time they go terminal.

Dusty Ventures > Chairman Kaga 05/26/2016 at 23:43

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They only go terminal if they’re not adequately maintained. I have 165,000 miles on my Outback and it’s running as strong as ever. Monitor the oil levels and change it every 3,000 miles with synthetic oil, do the timing belt and head gaskets around 100,000 miles, and start periodically checking the turbo around 80,000 miles and you can make them last without any crazy issues. The turbo will eventually need to be replaced, and you’ll eventually have to replace an axle or three and the odd wheel bearing, (plus the clutch and, given enough time, a transmission rebuild. Mine isn’t there yet) but that’s about it. There’s all the talk about ringlands failure, of course, but it’s not as common as it’s made out to be.

I will say that some do get hit with a misfire issue in cylinder 4. Most can go their entire lives without this problem, but sometimes the god of Subaru points to one and goes “I choose you.” Based on my research this seems (according to other owners) to be an issue with the factory fuel mixture being on the lean side and it eventually resulting in a bad injector and, if not caught, burnt valves in the cylinder. I did get that misfire code, but fortunately it was in the injector phase. I replaced the injectors and did a slightly richer tune and that both solved the misfire and helped ensure it won’t happen again.

Schaef_Camaero Z/28 > Chairman Kaga 05/27/2016 at 12:38

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Funny seeing this on here. I have been looking for a saabaru for several months now. I’ve almost been trying to convince myself to go to the top of my budget and settle with the dark blue and lack of heated seats... but I think I’m going to hold out for a silver one with cold weather/premium/sport.. a unicorn, I know. I almost landed one in Knoxville a couple months ago. I was 2nd in line and it ended up selling the night before.. Oh well, luckily I’m a pretty patient guy. It’s kind of a shame, because this one is ‘local’ and looks really nice! I almost want to go check it out, just for the sake of seeing one up close in person, but I feel like I’d be wasting the guy’s time. Good luck with it!

Chairman Kaga > Schaef_Camaero Z/28 05/29/2016 at 15:27

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Well, if you change your mind I had to pass. My wife thought it was an automatic. She can’t drive stick and laid down a maxim that whatever I get must be automatic (or DSG). Once she realized this was a 5-speed (wed test driven an auto version here in town recently) she vetoed the plan.

You aren’t going to find a nicer one.