6 months and still can't decide...

[dada21]

Ok, this is really getting to be a mess for me. My wife and I have been debating getting new cars now for 6 months. We have the money, we can get the financing, and we have the desire, we just need REAL advice.

I own a 97 OBS with over 85,000 miles on it. It's been driven HARD, maintained poorly [oil changes have been frequent, other maintenance has not been done as well as it should *shrug*]... I've been so happy with the car, but so sad with the performance, and I've been waiting for the WRX now for almost 4 years. I was a WRX fan way before the RS was a twinkle in the eyes of many current drivers

The WRX may come out in March. I want a wagon. My wife has a 1999 Mercury Mystique with 35,000 miles, and she's ready for a trade. She loves the RS 4 door, but wants automatic and leather. This is where the dilemma is.

Should I trade my OBS now and get a 2001 RS for my wife, but drive it myself until we can trade her car in March for the WRX wagon? Or maybe trade HER car in now for a 2001 RS and I'll drive it while she drives my car and then we trade my car for the WRX wagon?

I do probably 130 miles per day average in my car. She does probably 45 miles per day average. My car will be pushing 100,000 miles if I drive it until March, and I know [or have heard at least] that trade-in value decreases greatly @ 100,000. I'm also afraid that my car won't make it to 100,000 because I was very late on maintaining other than oil-fluids, so who knows what kind of condition the car will be in. I drive horribly hard on all my cars, and the Subaru still feels great, so maybe it will last to 100,000 +.

Ugh. I need to be pushed here people! Someone give me some advice, so I can finally get some sleep. Two subarus in one household would be great. If I could afford it, I would keep my OBS also and turn it into a weekend fun-car, but we're trying to buy a second home and the OBS doesn't figure into the budget, unless I'd get less than $5k for it in trade.

Ideas?

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[Gambit]

Do either one bud. As long as you get the WRX. But think about it... why spend so much for and RS now if you can get the WRX in a few months? Keep one of the cars. I can tell however that your Mystique is hardly driven and to trade it in u'd be facing massive depreciation. Not worth it. Wait a little. If you have self control, then keep both cars for another year or 2. By that time the WRx would've been settled in and the initial pricing and other areas of the car would've been much more stabilised. Then trade one of your cars out for a newer WRX.

[dada21]

Well, my wife wants the RS as it is. She HATES the new look, and I know how she is, she never gets over stuff like that. So the 2001 RS is definitely in our gameplan. Although I heard that they're going to stop taking orders possibly for it as the MY02 will be out 'soon enough.' Who knows.

The Mystique's value is squat, but we do own it clear, and we paid $7000 below invoice for it [don't ask, longtime lemon purchased from a dealer that got scared]. So we're not losing anything on the value of the car as it is. If I can get $7k-$8k for the car I'd be happy, and it would let me put down over 50% on the RS. But if I trade my 97OBS, I doubt I'd get even $8k for it [who knows though], so I'd have to finance more. It's all a juggling of numbers and gambling on if the OBS will last and be of any value when the WRX comes out.

[Snoopy]

I can't blame your wife. My girlfriend feels the same way about the new Impreza. But I heard that it doesn't look as bad in wagon form.

Like some people have said : nice headlights, nice fender flares, nice front bumper.....they just don't look good together.

[T-WRX]

You should trade the higher value car for the lower value 2.5 RS. That way you have a very low payment on at least one car. Short term tax benefit, and maybe rates will drop between now and March/April.

I used to live in Gurnee - Pembroke apt's about 5 years ago. I could hear the screams from sixflags early weekend mornings.

[omahasubaru]

I recommend you trade the subaru for the RS now and the mercury later for the WRX, this being that once a face change takes place and they offer this turbo wagons, not very many dealers with want to trade in a older style wagon since the new ones (impreza based) will have the AVCS.

Just my 2 cents.

[omahasubaru]

oops double post.

[This message has been edited by omahasubaru (edited November 13, 2000).]

[dada21]

I think it might be better to trade the Mystique [higher value right now].

Here's my reasoning behind it:

#1, the Mystique will depreciate MORE in terms of dollar value between now and March than the OBS will, I am assuming. This means I will save a few bucks here or there.

#2, my business has never decreased month-to-month, only increased. It is more likely that I will have more money than expected by March than have less money than expected, which could end up giving me enough to keep my OBS and do what I want to it.

#3, If I get rid of the Mercury, we will be a 2 Subaru household. If I make enough bills by the time the WRX Wagon comes out to save my OBS, we'll be a 3 Subaru household. If I get rid of the OBS, we'll be back to a 1 Subaru household until the WRX Wagon comes out, and then we can be a max 2 Subaru household. I think there's tax incentives for Subaru ownership. Err, I mean, there will be tax incentives, once I run for Congress on the AWD party ticket

#4, I hate the Mystique. So does my wife. We call it the Mercury Mistake. Actually, its a decent enough car, acceleration is good [170hp], traction isn't bad [FWD], leather is decent, stereo is OK for OEM, etc etc. But its just such a boring car.

Thanks for your input people.

[Overtime]

Trade the Mystique. Buy a 2000 RS or maybe a used 2000 RS. Take a deep breath, and hand the keys to your wife. That way she'll be happy for you when you trade the OBS for the WRX.

Just my opinion.