Hey guys, I'm new to these forums and all.... so don't be too harsh. Here's the deal. I've recently fallen in love with Subaru's after I drove a relative's Legacy. Ever since I've been infatuated with Imprezas and Legacys. I have one major problem, I'm 16 years old. I've been working for over a year now and I've banked about $2000 cash for a downpayment on a car. I could swing a $200-$300 montly payment after insurance. My question to you all is this.. What year/model Subaru's do you think I should look at for my price range? What should I look for in older model Impreza/Legacys since I can't afford anything too new? Also, if anyone knows any decent sites/forums I can check out with cars for sale it'd help as well....I only know of 1 Subaru dealer in the area. I'd really appreciate any help you guys can give. Thanks.

If I were you, Id look around for some used L's I found some around here for like $5k try www.autotrader.com www.classifieds2000.com and yahoo classifieds.

Seriously if you're young, dont kill yourself with the payment.

You'll end up with a lighter car that takes nearly all the RS mods, and still have money left to add suspension and stuff without too much worry.

I was definitely looking in the 5-9k range, depending on what my monthly payment will be when I finance. Thanks for the help, I'll be doing alot of searching test-driving real soon....I just hope I can find something in my price range. Thanks again.

im 20 and in the same predicment, althoug when I do buy I will have a 92 accord fore trade in, hopefully 5k of cash, so hopefully around 8k down paymetn so ill have mid 200 payments for a new RS =)

bah! I'm trying as hard as I can, By the time I start seriously looking I could have about 3-4k, but who knows. I'd be happy with a 95-96 L, we'll see what happens.

Hey good news for ya !

With an 8% apr Loan here's how you'll fair per $1000 financed

36 months - $31.34
48 months - $24.41
60 months - $20.28

ie if you buy a 13k car with 3k down over 5 years you pay only $202.80 per month...! of course this does not include maintenance, TTLD, or any other finance charges ...

Brad

ba_feitl, that's a huge help man, thanks alot. At that rate I might be able to swing a '98 RS, I'll just have to wait and see. Woohoo, I'd kill for an RS. Thanks alot you guys, it helps knowing it's possible.

anything is possible if you wanna put your mind to it, and it's all in what you are willing to do. if you want a nice ride, you gotta work for it.

in the next month or two, i'm going to probably be purchasing a wrecked MY01 for about 6500 (hopefully lower) that's my method of low-buck, buy something wrecked and do all the repair work myself ;o)

Caino

Here's what I should have done... now I'm stuck w/ 330/mo payments on a MY00 RS...
Get a used 95-96 L model for a few thousand and pay cash if you can. Then, every month, you'll have a couple hundred that would have gone to payments to add on what you like... since it's an L, the first thing I would try to source is a Turbo Legacy engine/drivetrain(or maybe an import). That will cost a few thousand more, but you'll still be ahead on what you paid for the car initially. Then a suspension will cost a few hundred. Carbon Fiber or Aluminum hood for a few more hundred. RS/WRX bumpers for a couple hundred and you're pretty much there. You could get seats, a short shifter, etc... breaks down like this:
95 Impreza: ~$4k
Turbo Legacy drivetrain: $2k(I'm guessing)
v5 suspension: $400
CF hood: $400
Bumpers: $400
extras I'm sure you'll need, but I'm not aware of: $1000
and you're at $8200
That's about $4k less than you could get a 98 RS for and w/ the legacy turbo motor, I'm sure it'll make upgrades in the future easier.
I haven't done this tho, so I don't know how easily it could be done or if this is feasable, but good luck

I never really looked at it that way. Hmmm.... that'd also allow me to be alot more flexible with what and when I upgrade. I don't know how difficult it would be though, I don't know how to do any of that stuff on my own and Erie, PA isn't really a big city for customizing as far as I know. That's an awesome idea though, I'm going to look into that.

Thanks.

the key is the downpayment, the more you make the better

330 $ a month dude they are killing you.
My my02 is only costing me 220$ a month and its new!!:eek:

Well, if it helps, just about any shop should be able to do any of that... if you've got some tools, you can probably do most of it yourself. I did the suspension on my car, but a pass-thru wratchet would have been VERY nice... also I needed a 22mm socket(not part of my set) and a long STRONG breaker bar... the hood should be easy, but you'll have to get it painted. Tho, if you're going that far you might just want the whole car repainted. The bumpers probably won't be much trouble to change. The engine would probably be the hardest part, but I think any shop should be able to do it. If you don't end up w/ an AWD Impreza to begin w/ the drivetrain might take some work, and a little more money... I guess the best thing would be to get an AWD Impreza to begin w/, tho you might end up changing the axels and diff and driveshaft anyway, at least all the parts will be there to begin with...

How's this idea- find someone (hint hint) with a 01 RS, who is leasing it, but wants to get out of his lease, you take over the lease, and you drive a brand new car!!! Whatta you think? Also, my opinion as far as get an old L and upgrade it is- "You can take the girl out of the ghetto, but you cant take the ghetto out of the girl". In other words- new is new. If you have any questions as to how to accomplish the above idea, feel free to PM or e-mail me.

Danny

Shoot if you've got 2K saved already just save a couple of hundred more and buy my wife's "95 Impreza L from us! :D

These forums are so helpful, I can't wait until I get an Impreza and need real help.. hehehe. Seriously thanks for all the help guys, I really appreciate it.

Opie, if you weren't in Florida I'd be more interested, thanks though.

Howdy Blitz,
Have you tested drive all the Impreza or Legacy models yet? Engine consideration is another matter, unless you will upgrade the motor in the future (if so, never mind what I'll say) :)

Anyway, I don't know about the others, but when I first test drove the 2.2L, I turned on the A/C during a hot day (around 3pm)...and hmmm, didn't like the loss of power there.

Then finally took the RS, did the same thing. Yeah, some power loss but not as much. I know the displacement difference is obvious, but just something you should consider. That's why I went for the RS and even now I just keep my A/C off to get max power :D (stereo off too)

If you are really running tight on budget, I think the Legacy is a good choice too (displacement is higher I believed).

Whatever your decision is, I wish you good luck!

-Alan (Another MY98 owner)

Try looking for a late '95 or early '96 Impreza LX.

They were the first models with the 2.2L and AWD. They came equipped to the max and are the only base model-non OBS/RS to come with ABS. Most of the Imprezas I've seen in that range are very affordable and can be a sleeper.

Just about any post '96 model has a 2.2L except for the Brighton, which has a 1.8L. Be sure to contact your insurance agent to see what model will be most insurance friendly.

I didn't have any tickets for almost 5 years and I was still charged $1800/year for my '95 1.8L. Not cool, but once you get a few more years under your belt, insurance drops as you probably know.

Hope this helps.
Matt