Sp0rAdiC

Ok, I'm 19 years old, just graduated high school, going to college next year, and I need a new car. Currently, I have a 1993 Nissan Pickup that looks like it's ready to fall apart. It's got 180,000 miles on it. I just got a lot of money for graduation (I definitely wasn't expecting it, my friends and family are so generous ) and I realize now that my truck probably won't last me through the summer, and if it does, definitely not through the winter. I live in Vermont, and the first 165k miles on the truck were by a logger, in and out of the woods, so that gives you a bit of an idea what the truck was used for.

I'm just editing a prior post, because it's the same subject. I need a new car for school next year. I would absolutely love the car below, but I don't know that I'll be able to find one of those in my area in time and in my budget. I've seen several for sale that I can afford, they're just all too far away.

I'll list the main points I'm interested in. I'd like it to be standard, a 2 door coupe or hatchback would be preferred over a sedan, and I'd like it to have some power. I don't need a racecar, but I want something that looks nice and can move if I need it to. A perfect example: the car below. I'd also like something that's got a good reputation, I'd like to get at least 50k more miles out of it without spending more than I paid for the car itself, if that's possible. I'm looking to spend around $6500. Anyone have any ideas?


Prior subject

Quote:

Now what I'm interested in is a 1999 Subaru Impreza 2.5RS, for several different reasons. It's a standard, which is a huge plus. It also has AWD, which I've never had, but I know having 4WD in my truck has gotten me out of some sticky situations in the winter, so hopefully it'll help. It's got 62,000 miles on it, some minor chips and scratches, but nothing compared to my truck , and looks pretty stock. They're asking $6200 for it, which is about $2400 less than blue book. It also has been for sale for quite a while, so I'm a bit wary. Is there anything that I should look for? I think I'm going to call tonight and see if I can take it for a test drive and bring it to my mechanic and have him give it a thorough check up. Any tips, opinions, ideas? The VIN is JF1GM6758XG401052, I checked on carfax, and all it said was that there were 20 records and that I'd have to pay to find out more, but I'd like know if it's worth it. Does anyone here have any experience with carfax, and is it reliable? Seems like it'd be easy not to report incidents. Thank you to anyone that has anything to say, I didn't mean to make such a long post, but I hope I can get some help Edit: Just saw the Carfax request thread, I'm gonna go post there and hope for some results Edit 2: I just paid for a month of carfax, and sadly, I don't think I'll be buying that car... I think it has closer to 120k miles on it, and it's been rebuilt. Here is the link to the actual report. Any thoughts?

syquestrd270

Sounds kinda hokey...

Rippley

Now, I'm no pro with Carfax, but I'd have to say: Run, run like the wind away from that car, and never look back!

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Sp0rAdiC

I found something even better, but it looks like the guy wants to have it sold by today

I think I'll give him a call after work and see if I can arrange something. I wouldn't be able to have my mechanic look at this though, because it is like 5+ hours away, but I'd definitely be willing to drive down one night after work and get it.

Whoops, forgot the link

Here it is
http://autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ca...81&cardist=200

braisler

Don't jump at the first thing that pops up. That '98 Impreza that you posted about above looks ok. Don't worry about the guy saying it must be sold by a certain date. That is just a trick to get you to act faster. I personally wouldn't drive 5+ hours to consider buying a car. It puts too much pressure on you. You might feel like, well, I've driven all this way... I should really consider this car. If the car was being sold by your neighbor down the street, you might look at it with a more critical eye.

One last note. The Impreza was only recently re-styled as a "sport" kind of car. They are pretty lightly built, meaning plenty of road noise and creaking, etc, plus low quality parts on the car like crappy seats and plastic parts where they should have metal. If that is not a problem for you, then you're good to go. I had a '95 Impreza and I couldn't wait to get rid of it.

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You do not really understand something unless you can explain it to your grandmother.
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braisler

Oh and the private party value on that car is closer to $4800 than $6500. Hell the dealer retail is only $6200! Don't pay more than $5000. Who cares if the guy is a used car dealer? He put the car on AutoTrader, then he deserves to be treated like everybody else on AutoTrader.

For the record, I sold my 1995 Impreza for $1600. Just so you know what your car will be worth in 3 years.

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You do not really understand something unless you can explain it to your grandmother.
- Albert Einstein
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Church

I like this part from your Carfax report...

CARFAX found no inconsistent odometer readings in the mileage history of this 1999 SUBARU IMPREZA RS AWD (JF1GM6758XG401052)

Date: Mileage:
03/16/1999 18
11/03/2000 42,923
12/15/2000 45,474
10/31/2001 63,278
01/30/2002 67,727
09/19/2002 81,727
10/29/2002 82,939
01/09/2003 88,080
02/21/2003 90,871
09/12/2003 102,064
08/26/2004 49,300

Um...

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Sp0rAdiC

yeah church, that's why i ditched the idea of that first one. i looked at several places today. the local subaru certified used car dealer is a joke, but i foudn one place where they were really helpful and had good prices. the owners are friends w/ my dad so i think he might be able to help me out. i suppose i'll wait and see if he can find anything for me, i thought about it a lot at work today. i want that car so bad(not necessarily that one, but an impreza rs) but i got a few months til i actually need it.

Ilow

I would never advocate anyone getting a pre-2000 Subaru with the 2.5 liter Phase one OHC engine. They have several inherent flaws that make them holes to throw money at. The most common is the blown head gaskets, which are pricey to repair. Google up "Subaru" and "head gasket" I imagine you'll find enough to dissuade you. The 2.2 liters are reliable, but not nearly as quick. As mentioned before the fit and finish is not up to European standards, and they didn't really wind tunnel test them until later so there's wind noise at highway speeds.

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Scorps

LOL carfax called it a lemon....don't buy it...keep looking lits of car out there man!