I was just curious because, obviously, everyone is going to have different reasons for buying what they did - be it an RS, Legacy, Outback, Forester, SVX, etc..And what were everyone's prospect cars they had to pick their current car from?

I fell in love with the RS when i first saw it in SCC about 2 years ago (the rally blue "2.5RX"). At the time i owned an '86 MR2 so I figured i would check out some cars and weigh my options. Only the '98 model was available and no dealer had any in stock. I didn't have the $$ to order one so I decided to wait a bit. Come August '99 I finally had enough money to buy a car. I had driven several cars and i knew exactly what I wanted. I had my sights on the RS and the RS only. I went to the local dealership (White Flint Fitzgerald's Auto Mall) and they conveniently just received a couple RS'. I had aspen white and silverthorn to choose from. It was definitely white, hands down. I drove it and it was everything and more I expected. I did the paper work and jumped through the proverbial hoops and the next week I drove off with my brand new aspen white '00 RS coupe.
justin

This has been covered before...but oh well.

Our dealership is a BMW/Dodge/Subaru/VW (its a HUGE place). I was looking at jettas at first, but got hooked on the VR6 golf after a test drive. Had a price sheet made up, and was going home to think about it. When i walked out the back door, i saw the impreza. I didnt know that subaru even made the car. I walked back in, got the salesmen and test drove it. I loved it, and ended up buying it.

Other Choices:
VR6 Golf - No deal mainly because it was ALL leather, and that shiits hot in the summer!

VW Jetta VR6 - Ugly.

Toy Celica GTS - great, can i get out of my driveway in the snow.....?

I was first introduced to the RS in Nov 97 @ the Moscone Center Auto show (SF Bay) and they had a Rally blue 98 there...Love @ first sight! http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/biggrin.gif Plus, Subaru had a 5'x7' (feet) TV screen playing rally footage! I bought my 99RS January 4th 1999 http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/cool.gif

...I couldn't think about any other car...

I always Loved the eclipse GSX or GST.. *drool*

I loved the car.. and wanted the AWD.

BUT.
By the time I was able to buy a new car.. mitsu decided to dumb down the once great car.. consider me dissapointed.

and I was hung up on AWD.. so the A4 was a strong consideration.. but cost was a little more than I wanted to deal with..

I had an Audi turbo which unfortunately died on me after 170,000 miles. The quattro was unparalled and put real confidence in the car. I then got a Volkswagon GTI and loved the performance of the car, but really missed the all-wheel drive. I needed a four door and saw a Legacy 2.5GT. I researched the upgrades, test drove a five speed and I was sold. I love the legacy for its performance and its practicality for me.

A4 ..couldn't afford it
RS- loved it from day one ..the A4 was really always #2
GTS-i just didn't like it

Please don't write your topic subjects like that anymore.

I was in exactly the same situation as Fishguy, but with a talon. I'd always wanted a Talon TSi, but likewise, when I could afford to buy a car, they stopped making them!

My own comparisons with my own conclusions based on my own opinions:

I looked to trade my 94 Sentra XE 2dr manual for:

1. Audi A4 - Nice but I didn't like the price
2. BMW 323 - Nice, but I really didn't like the price
3. Infiniti G20 - Very nice (and the best dealer by far) but the price was still kind of high. I almost bought one. Would be probably easier to turbo than an Impreza, too
4. VW Golf/Jetta - Something just creeped me out about the interiors. Illogical fear.
5. Civic Si - My head went into the sunroof
6. Nissan Sentra SE-R - They don't make them any more
7. Nissan Sentra SE (2000) - Not as fun as an SE-R, even with the SR20 motor
8. Nissan Maxima SE - Too big
9. Ford Contour V6 manual- Not too impressive, and I couldn't find an SVT
10. SAAB 9^3 - Not impressive and a lot of $$
11. Subaru Legacy - Still $$$, and the engine could be gotten in a smaller car, and I'm not afraid of small cars if they look good.

So the RS was the only logical choice!

[Edit: more detail]

[This message has been edited by Yotsuya (edited October 31, 2000).]

A4 1.8t- too much $$$, not just purchase price, but maintenance and gas (turbo)

Jeep Cherokee- I was really close to getting one. My first car was a Jeep and I really wanted another one. When it came down to it though it didn't really make sense. I need a vehicle to drive me to school and back (NV to MI) and the Jeep wasn't very good for it.

Eclipse- I wanted a GSX, but they stopped making them. My mom wasn't too keen on buying a used car, soooo it was no go. (My car was my graduation present from her) Plus, they're small inside too.

Camaro- I really wanted an SS. One it was too much money and it didn't have AWD. On top of that my mom's first car was a '67 Camaro that broke down all the time and her second car was a 70s Camaro which didn't really care for.

3000GT- I decided they where ugly and not I didn't really want a touring type car.

RX7- Used, no AWD, and only two seats.

Galant VR4- I wasn't able to find one. Let alone one with low enough mileage to convince my mom to buy it.

Legacy Turbo- Same as the Galant.

New Legacy- I couldn't shift without my knee hitting the steering wheel. Go figure.

OBS- As lame as it sounds I wanted a sunroof and refused to buy a car without one. I really wanted a wagon though.

RS- My previous car was a Legacy, which was my mom's, and we had an old GL Coupe before that. My mom was really hooked on Subaru's and I loved the RS and that was that.

Saw it, drove it, bought it. That simple. Although it took 5 months to get it after I ordered it. And NOW I'm looking to upgrade so there may be a slightly modified 99 Silver RS for sale in the Spring! Still LOVE the car though!

My family's driven Subarus for 20 years, so its just natural progression. It all started with a 1980 GL wagon. I've got a 1995 L and I'm picking up a 2001 RS on Friday. I thought about a Legacy wagon, but it was a tough choice. I found the right car with the right options for the right price.

Soon to be RS owner,
Matt

I was first interested because it looked so unique. I had a truck and my girlfriend at the time had a Civic EX. We drove the honda more because of gas milage. I liked the SI but it just looked too plain, like every other Honda. I saw the RS at an auto show on a large slanted platform. It looked sooooo cool!! I test drove one about 2 months later and bought one shortly after that, and nobody is going to get it unless they have to drag my cold dead body from it!!!! http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smile.gif

I just bought MY01 Impreza RS about two weeks ago. I think of all the car I've seen, it has the best style and performance, AWD! http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smile.gif

Believe it or not, I used to have a Sunbird SE MY89!! bwahahahah....had about 90hp. It was quite reliable for a GM car. So upon graduation I was thinking of getting a similar replacement. Yup. Either a Sunfire GT or Z24 or an Integra. Don't really care abuot cars. To me they are another appliance like my super duper oven toaster!
Then my roomate who is obsessed with the WRX start telling me about the Impreza.
"Subaru? err.... ok"
Then saw the TS. It's all I can afford. Meanwhile my roomate drooled over the RS. Then nex tto it was this funny looking hatcback. I can't stop staring at it.
After weeks of testing the RS, TS and then this funny wagon....decided to pick up the funny wagon instead. The big wing totally lost me with the RS as during that time I was fresh after reading *******page.com..... So... anyhoo. If I bought say a cavalier, I'd be less broke. Damn Subaru! errghh.... curse this stupid bbs too! http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smile.gif Imprezer and Robert (back in June 99 then) really made me poor. http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/frown.gif

Fun to drive

AWD Capability for New England Weather

Decent Gas Milage (I was getting about 14mi/gal with my old FWD Automatic Turbo Talon)

I needed something that was also good handling as an auto-x car. Back in early 99, there weren't many scoobs auto-xing, but the stock handling on this car is (was in my case now) amazing.

WARRANTEE

Other Cars: GSX (Fishguy beat me to it...) A4, Volvo, would never buy a Honduh or VW...to many of them.

--KC

[This message has been edited by KC (edited October 31, 2000).]

My choices were:

Audi A4 - too pricey, even for a base 1.8 (no turbo). Nice leather though. Same for VW Passat.

Audi A3 - yawn. An exquisitely hand-crafted sensory deprivation cell.

VW Golf 1.8 - as above, just in a different colour.

BMW 318i - 60 grand for that? No way.

Holden Commodore Gen III 5.7l V8 - Now you're talking. A family car with a near 6 litre engine and 12 mpg. Half-throttle from standstill could boil the hides. Great fun in the straightest of lines, but possibly the worst-built car on the roads today, and that includes decade-old Eastern European offerings.

Andy T

I hate to say it. But GT was what introduced me to Subarus. Did some research, and decided to buy the Impreza. It was either that, or nothing.

I actually had my heart set on a silver Turbo Beetle. This was last summer so availability was extremely scarce. I tracked one down but asking price was 26k. Ouch. Then test drove the standard beetle and hated it (weird driving position, tiny trunk).

I then started looking at Subarus completely by accident (the VW dealer also sold Subarus). I knew all about the WRX and the Turbos and (naively) assumed that the RS was the same, after all it looks the same. By the time i found out the RS specs i was already seduced and didn't care anymore http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smile.gif

Reasons I chose my SVX LSI:

1. Distinctive windows
2. Curvacious body penned by G.G. of Italdesign
3. All-Wheel-Drive
4. 230 Horsepower, Horizontal 6
5. Cd and tape player, Climate control, Electric leater seats, projection lows, 16 inch rims, suede dash/door trim, etc.
6. great handling
7.limited production run = rare
8. great price (a fraction of the $33k original sticker price)
9. Good gas milage (average 25mpg)
10. Service manager at my dealership is a personal friend who takes special care of me and my SVX
11. The amount of stares and thumbs-up that you get while driving http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smile.gif
12. Because Subaru SVX drivers are the best http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/biggrin.gif

Other cars considered:

1. Audi A4 -- Audi dealership had a stick up there butt so I passed it up
2. Another Saab 9000 CD -- would have loved to buy another newer one but...Too pricey!!!
3. Mitsubishi 3000 GT -- Build quality was very poor / little noise/sound insulation
4. Bimmer M3 -- Great car but RWD not a very wise choice for the amount of snow we get here in the area http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/frown.gif Long live AWD http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smile.gif

http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/biggrin.gif B.C. http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/biggrin.gif

A4 2.8Q - too expensive and unreliable
VW Jetta VR6 - unreliable
VW Golf VR6 - unreliable
Mitsu Eclipse - ugly now that they've changed
Honda Civic Si - everyone had one
Toyota Celica GTS - couldn't decide if I loved or hated it
Hyundai Tiburon - not enough power, and it's a Hyundai no matter what you do with it!

Impreza 2.5RS:
Reliable: AWD, ABS , dual airbags, Subaru rep
Sporty, Fun, Easy to mod
Good gas milegae
Nice power for its engine size
Flat 4 vs V-shape - easy to work on. http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smile.gif (Timing belt excluded !)
Nice color!
And hardly anyone has one.
Besides, when I got in it, I fell in love with the recaro-shaped seats, the leather, the shifter, the drive, the sunroof - need I go on?

Used to drive a 90 Legacy Lsi. Awesome car!! I could pass any SUV in whatever weather. I was hooked on the Subaru product. My mom owned a 92 SVX LS but that was totalled during a front end collision. I wish I could've been gifted that car!! Low end grunt was unbelieveable. That's when I saw the first pictures of the Legacy GT. I think it was the 96 model that first caught my eye. Ever since then I had been aspiring to obtain one. Finally found a used 97 GT a year and a half ago and picked it up that day!! I just wish I could have pulled the 3.3 out of the SVX before it was scrapped.

I traded in my 88 pulsar for my rs. got it because of the awd. the only other car I wanted was the integra type-R

Oh boy. Sold My VW for a BMW M3, loan fell apart so I wanted a new Golf lV GTi Vr6, drove it and a New Celica 6spd, saw the scooby which I though was out of my price range(I'm stupid), drove it and bought it within 24 hours. I have never looked back with a sad eye. Now Im getting a WRX wagon.

I'll try to keep this short and not get much into my logic or lack thereof:

Previous car: '86 VW Jetta Carat (totaled http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/frown.gif; bought mom's '93 Buick LeSabre http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/redface.gif as stopgap - okay, you can stop laughing now); hobby car: '63 Studebaker Lark

Wanted: moderate cargo capacity, fair fuel economy, good foul weather roadability, a little sportiness, good reliability and build quality

Looked at:

Nissan Xterra - off-road strength doesn't offset crudeness and poor fuel economy; dealers wouldn't budge and kept trying to move me into a Pathfinder 'cause I'm over 30 http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/rolleyes.gif

Audi A4 Avant - 2.8 too expensive, 1.8T felt like it had to work too hard to make power, notorious VW/Audi parts/service after the sale (from personal experience)

Legacy GT/Outback: Outback cladding/2-toning too cheesy; GT better-looking and better-handling; both needed more power

Outback (Impreza) Sport: slightly underpowered; rear hatch compromises cargo room (why no 2.5 RS wagon? Next generation?)

Impreza 2.5 RS: Come on, I'm married. Rear seats don;t fold down in coupe or sedan. Best handling 'ru hands down.

Forester S: Better power-weight ratio than GT/Outback; handles (subjectively) better than Outback, worse than GT (I call it a 2.5 RS still in its shipping crate); cladding/ 2-toning less cheesy than Outback (maybe shoulda waited for '01s); cheaper than either; more exclusive than Outback, less than GT

So that's where I ended up: '00 Forester S http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/cool.gif. I hope to have it for at least 5 years, maybe more. That said I want to test drive an H6 Outback and would seriously consider an H6 GT wagon.

Well I seem to have this personality quirk of always wanting things that are a bit different or rare. When I was looking for cars back in '98, the RS was foremost in my mind. I am/was a rally fan, and I knew about the lineage of the car. And compared with the Civic, Golf, and Integra GS, the Subaru was so much more appealing. AWD was a nice bonus, but not a huge factor (I've lived with FWD before). The styling and rarity really appealed to me though. I bought the first Black RS in the area I think (and barely got it too, a guy was going to come in about an hour after me to get it!)

So now the car bug is getting to me again. I don't feel "special" anymore, seeing 3 RS's in my parking garage at work. It's a sickness, I know. I guess that's why I ordered a 2001 Integra Type-R. I never see those on the road, and I just want to be different. http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smile.gif It'll also make a great race car someday when I get an S4 or something...

I think that's the first time I heard someone say they bought an Integra to be different. http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smile.gif

In 98, I was looking for an econo-wagon: Golf (no TDI at that time), Civic, Saturn, Neon (lol), Escort (rofl).

Scoobie was pretty much tops on safety and reliability, but the inclement weather ability really clinched it, especially when I realized you could get an OBS for invoice. I thought the OBS was the ugliest of the bunch.

The day after I totalled the MY98 OBS, the Raceline wheels arrived at my door (the UPS man did not deserve that kind of language from me!). Since they'd only fit a Scoobie, the MY00 choice was easy: L wagon, OBS or RS. Too bad I really need a hatchback, or it'd have been an RS. The L wagon in white came with the most hideous interior ever. btw, the white MY00 OBS is far better looking - amazing what a couple spoilers, a slightly different paint scheme, and pinstripes can do. Whatever, it's still about the best car in the rain around.

I needed a car to replace my Horomni (a Frankenstein Plymouth Horizon / Dodge Omni). I set out on a mission of finding the best car for me with four doors and a stick shift. I tested everything under $30K. I went to the Subaru dealer last as I was only trying to be complete in my efforts and had heard about something sporty available with a stick there.

Man, oh man! It was love at first sight! We were engaged to be engaged on the first test drive. http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/biggrin.gif It would be mine, oh yes, it would be mine.

I convinced the wife that the GT Wagon would be the best choice by far, and we took ownership of our little red wagon within a week.

Wow. In less than three weeks, the Radio Flyer will have been mine for three years already! http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smile.gif

The top three choices in my search (this was in Nov. 1998):
<ol type="1">
2.5 GT Wagon I've always been partial to wagons. Great grunt. Great suspension. Cool wheels! The AWD wasn't even an original consideration, it just turned out to be an awesome bonus!
VW Passat Pretty cool car. VR6 engine is great. Just not as cool as the GT. http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/cool.gif
Ford Contour SVT I looked at the car because it is essentially the European Mondeo with a hot-rod engine. The wife flat-out refused as it is a Ford. Turns out that she was wise on that call...
[/list=a]
If the four-door RS was available at the time... Hmmm. No, I'd probably still take the wagon. http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smile.gif

&nbsp;&nbsp;- Eric
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;'98 2.5 GT Wagon - <a href="http://208.9.184.110/MembersList/ViewMemberPics.cfm?MemberID=143" target="_blank">Pics</a> - <a href="http://www.jeneric.ws/eric/radioflyer.htm" target="_blank">Page</a> -

I currently own a '98 VW Beetle and it has alot of minor problems. I want to get a Outback H6-VDC-3.0 next year but I may get an RS for my wife before the end of this year M because A my T friend T is a I maniac N and said F he L would kill me if I didn't get one. He asks me every day if my loan application went through. I've only sat in an RS and I've ridden in a '95 Impreza L. I have to get out to the dealership and try one out.

Chariot - The Chump
looc era segassem lanimilbus

I also looked at Suzuki Gran Vitaras cause I had a Suzuki.

A4-not cool enough
GTS- too slow
Infinity G20- almost bought it but...
Alfa Romeo 156- not sold in States...I still want it!!!
RX-7-not enough room inside
2.5 RS-not enough power but always can modify!!!!!

My brother had a 87 (i think) GL wagon with 250k in the odo and 4 tens in the back.

It came from my granpa and he owned one of the first 4WD'z that came out. (and has had like 6 sube'z since)
The GL was beat to hell, by him and me.

I'ld say it has bout 300-350k on the odo now, even though he doesn't own it anymore.

It sat for 6months and 2feet of snow fell, he went out put some oil in it,started it, proceded to shovel a reverse path for it and let it warm up..... Backed up and took off....snow comming up over the hood n all, just waved at all the TRUCKS not moving.


Oh....is there any other cars out there..??!!

wanted a car that stood out. wanted power. wanted a good looker even without bodykit. wanted to make te honda/acura kids sh%t their pants wanted an impreza and ended up getting a 2001..........

When I decided to blow $ on a new car, the RS was the only car that interested me. I wanted a usable car (4dr) fun car (AWD, handling, decent performing) and a car with some character (not every other car on the road in this price bracket). Audi's are cool, but I couldn't see romping in the dirt with it. I seriously would have bought another used beater car and saved my money. I couldn't see paying 20k and driving a hum-drum car that you see 30 a day of. Plus, I've always opted for the less popular things amongst the masses.

Had a 84 nissan/datsun sentra wagon. Loved the space, but the carburator always needed draining. Bought GranTurismo, and fell in love with the legacy sedan. Wanted one really bad.
My car blew up and I happened to see a used OBS, so I bought it. Didn't know it was a 1.8L though, so I hunger for way more power, but beyond that, I'm happy.

I was into rally racing and had to have the impreza of course.

Had a '99 Jeep Wrangler. Lots of fun but impractical. I drive too far to make it work well. Looked at a VR6 Jetta but decided I couldn't get it out of the driveway in the winter. A4 too expensive. Enter Subaru. Only affordable sports car with AWD. Biggest problem was choosing between sedan and coupe. I decided on the coupe because I liked its looks better. But will consider the 5 dr WRX when it arrives.

I was going to get the orange 2 door yugo but decided I need something that seated 4 comfortably.So I got the RS

I was looking for an AWD or 4WD car at that point cause my Accord just died on me. I was thinking about the Wrangler Sahara edition but the gas mileage was terrible. I really wanted something I would enjoy driving and going place in. Then a friend showed me the Legacy GT in black and I was impressed. It was a pretty sweet looking 98 model. Then I found the RS and end of story. I bought it and began autocrossing and discovered a new driving pleasure. I will trade in for the new WRX too.