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Old 12-19-2012, 10:25 PM   #1
rudeboyevan
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Member#: 210150
Join Date: Apr 2009
OMGHi2U Opinions: A possible trade into the Scoob world. **noob content**

Hey guys, I'll try to make this short n' sweet.

The name's Evan, and I've been a VW guy for the majority of my licence'd life (8ish year). I'm a sucker for anything euro- down and out - with class and respect.

Truth is, I'm a post grad working 2 jobs and have ZERO time to work on an unreliable car on the drop of a dime...and my mk3 (97) gti likes to act up more than I'd like it too.

http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthrea...7#post80088297

I've had it up for trade for a few months now, and there has been a car or two that have gotten my attention, but one in particular has stuck in the back of my mind. It's a straight up trade, LOCAL (which is huge...one girl wanted to meet half way from RI to WI ), and my baby would go to a good home.

Here's the lowdown.





2001 Legacy GT Limited
181k on the clock <--big numbers scare me
"unmolested"
STOCK
New:
Waterpump
T-belt
drive bearings
radiator
thermo
coolie flush


My opions
Looks like a Memre car at the moment...the color is to me...could grow though
AWD is a huge selling point
Obviously too early to tell, but seems very well taken care of, looks clean
it's not another VW
It's gonna be a snail compared to my vr6

Noob time- questions:
What are people's opinions of the 3rd gen legacy? Good/bad reviews?
First thing i'd do is coilovers- a quick google search looks like theyr'e a pretty penny- what are the chances of finding them used?
What concerns should I have?
What should I look for if/when I test drive it (iE: typical rust spots)
I live in RI- does anyone know how easy it is to get oem/aftermarket parts for leggies around here?
What is the swapover look like from model to model...gen to gen? Example- say i wanted a hood with a scoop- would an imprez hood swap over? (my guess is no)
What would be some of the innitial mods you'd do? Suspension is top...maybe exhaust and intake?



Thanks so much for your time guys, I realize that wasn't so short and sweet, and sorry for all the scooby noob questions. Gotta start somewhere!

I'm hoping people won't just hate on me like they would on vortex- i know there are some nice guys/gals out there.



Enjoy your festivus!

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Old 12-19-2012, 10:50 PM   #2
leftbraned
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Location: N. Detroit
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this won't be a performance car - but it might be the best car you've ever owned if you can get past the high miles.

as long as maintainence has been done regularly it should run for a very long time - assuming you don't try anthing too silly in it.... remember to put in the clutch before you try an e-brake turn in winter time, lol.

great car, you should go for it.
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Old 12-19-2012, 10:58 PM   #3
boostdsuby8
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^I have to agree with this. It isn't that many more miles than the car you currently have, and it's a Subaru. If it's been well maintained it will far outlast your VW. That being said, it's not a performance car and performance parts for it will be limited. If you are looking for something to simply drive I'd say go for it. If you want something that you can tinker with and build, you may want to pass.
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Old 12-19-2012, 11:14 PM   #4
damonchoy
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Location: Sudbury, ON, Canada
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Just checked your thread on VWVortex.

Someone wanted to trade you a B5 Audi S4? Why didn't you take that?
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Old 12-19-2012, 11:24 PM   #5
rudeboyevan
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I really appreciate the quick responses guys.
I'm over performance (whp wise) honestly, my record is bad enough. I just want an aggressive look down the line...don't know how possible this is!

And the mileage won't bother me if I'm assured it won't bite me in the ass down the line.
Quote:
Originally Posted by damonchoy View Post
Just checked your thread on VWVortex.

Someone wanted to trade you a B5 Audi S4? Why didn't you take that?
It had like 205k on the clock...beat to crap. Trust me, my mouth watered when I first got the offer.

Cheers.
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Old 12-19-2012, 11:28 PM   #6
damonchoy
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rudeboyevan View Post
It had like 205k on the clock...beat to crap. Trust me, my mouth watered when I first got the offer.

Cheers.
Ahh, gotchya.

That sucks.

Good luck with whatever you do end up getting. I like the blue of your VW, by the way. I wish my BMW were blue instead of green.
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Old 12-19-2012, 11:33 PM   #7
rudeboyevan
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Quote:
Originally Posted by damonchoy View Post
Ahh, gotchya.

I like the blue of your VW, by the way.
thanks buddy, Jazz Blue. Only like 400 produced in mk3, then a limited amt in 20th anv edition. Love the car, but it's time for a change for sure.
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Old 12-20-2012, 12:23 AM   #8
mod maniac
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I have had alot of na subi's with over 300k on them. The miles wouldn't scare me any. Subaru makes a great car I would go for it.
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Old 12-20-2012, 12:53 AM   #9
tibug
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rudeboyevan View Post

Noob time- questions:
What are people's opinions of the 3rd gen legacy? Good/bad reviews?
I have a 2nd gen Outback, which falls in with the 3rd gen Legacy. It's my second car and I've had it for two years. It had the head gaskets done before I bought it but I needed to do them again because they were not done correctly. Other than that I think the car is great. It's slow as balls but I love driving it.

First thing i'd do is coilovers- a quick google search looks like theyr'e a pretty penny- what are the chances of finding them used?
Dunno bout that. I lifted mine using Subaru Baja springs.


What concerns should I have?
Check the head gaskets! Very carefully inspect as much of the gasket as you can, but especially the bottoms. You will probably need to drop the plastic undercover to look at the bottom of the head/block, but you should do that. The undercover comes off with a few 12mm bolts and a couple 10mm screws at the fenders. You should take it off and use a flashlight to look closely at the heads to see if you see any sign of oil or coolant leaking from the head gasket. See HERE to read about the common head gasket issues with the EJ251 SOHC that is in your car (and mine). Don't let the head gasket issue scare you away from the car-look at the car and make a decision based on that specific car. If you don't see any leaking, great! If it's a pretty substantial leak, you're going to have to get the gaskets done and that is something you want done by a person/shop who knows Subarus, preps the block and resurfaces the heads correctly and uses good gaskets.

What should I look for if/when I test drive it (iE: typical rust spots)
Rear quarter panels right where the bottom of the quarter panel meets the plastic bumper cover are the spots where body rust forms first, almost invariably. The undercarriage of my car is relatively clean and I don't really have any other rust points to note. Nothing else really comes to mind, except the normal used car things like testing the clutch, listening for odd noises, CELs, testing electronics, looking at the undercarriage...you know..

I live in RI- does anyone know how easy it is to get oem/aftermarket parts for leggies around here?
Dunno. I live in CT and I order from subarugenuineparts.com in Washington for OEM parts. They're a supporter of this forum and have good prices. I hardly ever buy stuff local.

What is the swapover look like from model to model...gen to gen? Example- say i wanted a hood with a scoop- would an imprez hood swap over? (my guess is no)
Yea I don't know about that.

What would be some of the innitial mods you'd do? Suspension is top...maybe exhaust and intake?
Good idea to start with suspension. 181k if it's original it's pretty well shot. An intake would honestly be pointless to do. The stock intake is very nonrestrictive and is already a cold air intake. You could do exhaust, but keep in mind you'd be doing it for the sound, not the performance. What I would do after suspension is get some Delta reground camshafts. I have 1500 regrinds (they make 1k, 1.5k, 2k, and 3k grinds from mild to hot order...) in my car and they're great...by far the cheapest power gain you can see from these N/A EJ25s. Still, you will probably be disappointed if you expect the same fun as your GTI.
Good luck.
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Old 12-20-2012, 07:19 AM   #10
rudeboyevan
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Huge help tibug, thanks a million.I'll be sure to keep everyone updated on which path I end up on. Bump.
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Old 12-20-2012, 08:59 AM   #11
Jack
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Sell your car and then take the money and buy a newer Honda Civic (newer than that Legacy). Far more reliable for the money than anything Subaru makes. When you're out of grad school and making decent money, buy a fun car.
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Old 12-20-2012, 09:23 AM   #12
tibug
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2005 Lexus
Grandpa

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That's probably good advice, honestly. You might be able to get a nice Civic in trade for your GTI even.
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Old 12-20-2012, 09:36 AM   #13
rudeboyevan
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jack ffr1846 View Post
grad school
I actually might be going to grad school in ME, so awd is ideal.
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Old 12-20-2012, 09:45 AM   #14
tibug
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Grandpa

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If you get some nice snow tires for a Civic it will outperform most Subarus with All-seasons. I dunno, my Outback has been pretty reliable except for the head gaskets, and I don't regret buying it. But if you need something that is known time and again for being reliable...you may need a Honda.
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Old 12-20-2012, 10:15 AM   #15
tunertype
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Dark Gray Metallic

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I dunno about Hondas. When I worked as a mechanic all I got was hondas with rusted out exhausts. And at around $500-$1000 for a replacement it's not a cheap deal. I guess the engine runs forever. Axles also wear out pretty often on them.
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Old 12-20-2012, 10:20 AM   #16
rudeboyevan
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I can tell you I won't end up doing the "right thing" haha. A step out of euro is a big one as it is, I still want a little fun in my life.
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Old 12-23-2012, 11:05 PM   #17
rudeboyevan
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Happy holidays erbody :beer:
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