Car Shopping

Just wanted to touch bases with you guys, I'll probably be buying a car soon as I am almost done with graduate school. We finally got rid of the 1983 Accord, which has been a complete joy to drive. It was fairly underpowered, but it sprung a power steering fluid leak and was becoming unsafe to keep on the road. My dad wants to keep it, but we don't have a garage. I would have kept it if we did.

So right now I'm looking at any Subaru with a stick, preferably an Impreza or a even better, an Impreza hatchback, as I want the 4WD. I also really like the new Civic hatchback though. I feel semi-obligated to get one just because of the Honda lineage in the family.

Also, my dad plans to retire from the garage, so that's new too.

Hope everything is going well with you guys, and once I get a car I'll do the egg nogg test.

[img]http://www.garagehrs.com/hotparts/exterior/voltex/evo-wagon.jpg[/img]
[img]http://images.honestjohn.co.uk/imagecache/file/fit/730x700/media/5249928/Nissan~NV200~(6).jpg[/img]
[img]http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4142/4906825450_f55b015210_b.jpg[/img]
[img]http://noticias.autosusados.cl/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/Optra2.jpg[/img]
[img]https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/69/2007ChevroletHHR-001.jpg/280px-2007ChevroletHHR-001.jpg[/img]
[img]http://www.ford.ca/resources/ford/transitconnect/2017/highlights/ctc17_highlight_lg_workcapability.jpg[/img]

true pussymobiles, gets em so wet hmmmm, the panel vans for extra creepy sexy

Are you planning to buy new?

The '03-'09 Legacy Wagon is a really sharp-looking car to this day and seems right up your alley. I believe it could only be had with a manual in '03 and '04, though.

+1 for 4th Gen Legacy, mine's pretty great. There were certainly manuals available here through the whole product life, but not sure about USDM.

[quote=f6fhellcat13;1015994]Are you planning to buy new?

The '03-'09 Legacy Wagon is a really sharp-looking car to this day and seems right up your alley. I believe it could only be had with a manual in '03 and '04, though.[/quote]

I am definitely not planning to buy new unless it's the new Civic hatchback. I have a definite soft spot for the Legacy, especially the wagons.

[quote=pimento;1015995]+1 for 4th Gen Legacy, mine's pretty great. There were certainly manuals available here through the whole product life, but not sure about USDM.[/quote]

I love the Legacy. I've always said if I had an unlimited budget, I'd do an engine swap from a Porsche 911 GT3 4.0 into a Legacy.

I'm just really looking for any Subaru with a stick honestly, as I'd like to learn.

Pimento, the Lancer wagon is a very sharp looking car. Too bad from the factory it's so underpowered here, they never came as an Evolution variant.

What did you end up buying?

[quote=Merlin68;1016299]What did you end up buying?[/quote]

Unfortunately, nothing. :(

Plans changed, I still got into a job, but I'm not moving far from home. My salary is meager, so it'll be a while before I have my own car.

On the upside, if you do go looking again, the sheer number of cheap stick Subie Legacy and Forester wagons is staggering, at least in Texas. Then again, we don't have the salt problems you guys up there curiously don't seem to object to :)

[quote=jcp123;1016467]On the upside, if you do go looking again, the sheer number of cheap stick Subie Legacy and Forester wagons is staggering, at least in Texas. Then again, we don't have the salt problems you guys up there curiously don't seem to object to :)[/quote]

I would love to grab a Subaru wagon anything from Texas like you said, no rust!

The only consolation is that this job is paying me more than what I was expecting, and if anything I can expect a raise once I'm done with it in 3 years. At that point I hope I can grab something I want.

Okay!

Let's try this again! Clearly I didn't buy a car as things didn't work out.

We have very old, old cars in our lineup. We have a 1995 TL and a 2001 Subaru Forester. Likely the TL is going to go.

My choices are as follows, all stick as it would be my preference to actually learn.

Honda Fit
Honda Civic
Honda Accord

Subaru WRX
Subaru Impreza wagon

Any other thoughts? I'm partial towards Japanese cars of course.

Subies are gonna be more fun but be ready with that $$$. And in NYC I assume you don't drive too much?

I like the Accord. Boring, gets the work done. Civic is fine, but ugly. Fit is similar; but very usable. Sowing engine motor.

EDIT: This has been kitdy's capsule car reviews.

[QUOTE=Kitdy;1022171]Subies are gonna be more fun but be ready with that $$$. And in NYC I assume you don't drive too much?

I like the Accord. Boring, gets the work done. Civic is fine, but ugly. Fit is similar; but very usable. Sowing engine motor.

EDIT: This has been kitdy's capsule car reviews.[/QUOTE]

Haha, thanks for the input.

Subarus are expensive in what way? Gas and upkeep?

[QUOTE=NSXType-R;1022176]Haha, thanks for the input.

Subarus are expensive in what way? Gas and upkeep?[/QUOTE]

Gas, upkeep, insurance... Mods, when you get addicted. Friend has a 450 hp at the wheels Hawkeye... Not cheap to keep running.

[QUOTE=Kitdy;1022179]Gas, upkeep, insurance... Mods, when you get addicted. Friend has a 450 hp at the wheels Hawkeye... Not cheap to keep running.[/QUOTE]

That's fair.

I'm probably going to lease with the option to buy, but we'll see.

Budget?

GT86?

[QUOTE=Kitdy;1022171][B]Subies are gonna be more fun but be ready with that $$$. [/B] And in NYC I assume you don't drive too much?

I like the Accord. Boring, gets the work done. Civic is fine, but ugly. Fit is similar; but very usable. Sowing engine motor.

EDIT: This has been kitdy's capsule car reviews.[/QUOTE]

I read this as follows:
[QUOTE=Kitdy;1022171]Sables are gonna be more fun but be ready with that $$$.[/QUOTE]

My man out here acting like a Mercury chauvinist.


I like the Fit: it has the proportions of a computer mouse or some other small rodent and I hear it's good fun to drive. Its price, space, and thrift with fuel only sweeten the deal.

[QUOTE=Ferrer;1022204]Budget?

GT86?[/QUOTE]

Maybe $30k to $35? I'm aiming as low as possible- economy is bad, I'm starting a new job, I don't care for too many luxury features. If anything, I just need Android Auto, cloth seats, and a stick shift.

GT86 was a consideration, but I do need to carry stuff/passengers occasionally, so a sedan at a minimum unfortunately.

Buddy has a new Civic. An impressive car I feel. A shame it's a bit ugly.

I think Honda appeals to me intrinsically.

[QUOTE=f6fhellcat13;1022209]My man out here acting like a Mercury chauvinist.[/QUOTE]
A Marauder may be interesting...
[QUOTE=f6fhellcat13;1022209]I like the Fit: [B]it has the proportions of a computer mouse or some other small rodent[/B] and I hear it's good fun to drive. Its price, space, and thrift with fuel only sweeten the deal.[/QUOTE]
Since when is that a good thing?
[QUOTE=NSXType-R;1022214]Maybe $30k to $35? I'm aiming as low as possible- economy is bad, I'm starting a new job, I don't care for too many luxury features. If anything, I just need Android Auto, cloth seats, and a stick shift.

GT86 was a consideration, but I do need to carry stuff/passengers occasionally, so a sedan at a minimum unfortunately.[/QUOTE]
320i?

Failing that, whatever the latest semi-lux Japanese saloon car is called. Lexiniti QIS45h, something or other.

[QUOTE=Ferrer;1022218]Since when is that a good thing?[/QUOTE]

Mice, electronic or otherwise, are pretty well-optimized creatures with good proportions (the dilettante in me wants to say [I]golden[/I] proportions, though that is obviously nonsense) and charming features, except for their tails. Honda Fits do not have tails; this is good.

I think it suits the nature of the car well; not everything has to be lithe and graceful like a Jaguar or confused and inbred like a Jeep Cherokee. It suits the [I]kawaii[/I]ness that the Japanese are so fond of and conveys the robustness and practicality

I understand the benefits you describe of mice-related shapes. Nevertheless I'm firmly in the [I]leaping animals[/I] camp, or at least I was until their cars started looking like nondescript designs from massive faceless corporations.

On the other hand, I like 90's German designs which may be considered a bit featureless by some so perhaps I'm contradicting myself and my opinion is worthless.

[QUOTE=NSXType-R;1022214]Maybe $30k to $35? I'm aiming as low as possible- economy is bad, I'm starting a new job, I don't care for too many luxury features. If anything, I just need Android Auto, cloth seats, and a stick shift.

GT86 was a consideration, but I do need to carry stuff/passengers occasionally, so a sedan at a minimum unfortunately.[/QUOTE]

You are first saying : Honda Fit of Civic
And then you say 30 to 35K
The question is: Are you okay with spending 30 or 35K ? Or more like 16 to 22K (Hond Fit money)

If you ask me personally, buying new before you've got a stable income is stupid (don't take this as an offense)

I would buy a nice second hand for 10K max, not too old, not too expensive too insure.
And it won't depreciate that much anymore, :)


But don't look at my car, its getting too old and getting more expensive every year. But I'm a sucker for old Volvo's.

[QUOTE=Duell;1022410]You are first saying : Honda Fit of Civic
And then you say 30 to 35K
The question is: Are you okay with spending 30 or 35K ? Or more like 16 to 22K (Hond Fit money)

If you ask me personally, buying new before you've got a stable income is stupid (don't take this as an offense)

I would buy a nice second hand for 10K max, not too old, not too expensive too insure.
And it won't depreciate that much anymore, :)


But don't look at my car, its getting too old and getting more expensive every year. But I'm a sucker for old Volvo's.[/QUOTE]

No offense taken! I'm just looking at my options. I don't drive that much, and we still have 2 working (but very old) cars that are paid off. So like you said, no need to add more costs.

So we're sticking with the Forester and TL for now.

Make sure that you will purchase it from a reputable dealer. I've been reading a lot of scam complaints lately.

Life's too short to drive bad cars[URL="https://aboutautomotive.net/get-an-insight-of-the-most-popular-japanese-car-brands/"].[/URL]

[QUOTE=Pendelton;1023328]Life's too short to drive bad cars[/QUOTE]

I agree, which car do you drive?

[QUOTE=NSXType-R;1022418]No offense taken! I'm just looking at my options. I don't drive that much, and we still have 2 working (but very old) cars that are paid off. So like you said, no need to add more costs.

So we're sticking with the Forester and TL for now.[/QUOTE]

Great decision.

[QUOTE=Merlin68;1023880]Great decision.[/QUOTE]

Well, a bit of an update.

Went to the dealer on Memorial Day to see if they had any deals on a WRX. No deals, and the prices are astronomical.

For a base cloth interior WRX their price was $29k at $398 a month with $2500 down for 12,000 miles. I think that's a high price, so I moved on. The Forester still works, although I really want to replace the TL.

It's a seller's market though, I'm just surprised prices are so high on a WRX.

Yeah, craigslist and other such sites popular with bottom-feeders like me have gone nuts in the last year. Those who've kept their jobs seem to have more discretionary income without the distractions of the outside world to spend it on. The new car market is also being yanked back-and-forth by the rental-car companies; they dumped a bunch of stock at the beginning and are now scrambling to build up their fleets again, even being so desperate as to buy used. Add on to all of that that there's a microchip shortage because of industrial disruptions (COVID, again) both in terms of raw materials and manufacturing.

So, yeah, buyer's market indeed...

WRXes tend to hold their value pretty well even when the market isn't nuts. My roommate has the final year of the hatch (in the range-topping Limited trim) and despite having 80,000 miles and being on its third engine, it's still worth around $20,000. If you're wondering and worried about the whole [i]third-engine[/i] thing; remember to change and check your oil regularly!

I hope you get a good deal, soon.

[QUOTE=f6fhellcat13;1023892]Yeah, craigslist and other such sites popular with bottom-feeders like me have gone nuts in the last year. Those who've kept their jobs seem to have more discretionary income without the distractions of the outside world to spend it on. The new car market is also being yanked back-and-forth by the rental-car companies; they dumped a bunch of stock at the beginning and are now scrambling to build up their fleets again, even being so desperate as to buy used. Add on to all of that that there's a microchip shortage because of industrial disruptions (COVID, again) both in terms of raw materials and manufacturing.

So, yeah, buyer's market indeed...

WRXes tend to hold their value pretty well even when the market isn't nuts. My roommate has the final year of the hatch (in the range-topping Limited trim) and despite having 80,000 miles and being on its third engine, it's still worth around $20,000. If you're wondering and worried about the whole [i]third-engine[/i] thing; remember to change and check your oil regularly![/QUOTE]

*seller's market* I think you mean.

Yeah, I think Subaru is stupid for not making a wagon WRX. They already make a wagon Impreza, dump a turbo motor in there, ditch the CVT and add a hood scoop.

The WRX is an enthusiast's car, they're pretty much the last manual transmission sedan out there not in FWD so there's going to be some demand. Some dealers had a manual Crosstrek and a manual wagon Impreza for maybe 20k, but too far from me to check out.

Oh yes, flat 4 Subarus love eating head gaskets haha.

[QUOTE=Merlin68;1023893]I hope you get a good deal, soon.[/QUOTE]

Until this chip shortage gets sorted out, I don't think so haha. But thanks.

Yep, definitely meant a seller's market but my fingers were, once again, insubordinate to my brain.

I believe this is the first generation of the WRX to not be soley offered with a manual transmission; a pretty impressive feat these days... If only all their cars didn't look like dogshit.

Yup, totally not buying a car this year.

[url]https://jalopnik.com/you-will-not-believe-the-markups-this-dealer-is-putting-1847291708[/url]

I mean, I'm not in the market for a 4Runner but the prices the dealers are asking for are insane!

This is the first model of the WRX that isn't solely available with a manual transmission.

[QUOTE=Johndick;1023950]This is the first model of the WRX that isn't solely available with a manual transmission.[/QUOTE]

You mean STI? The WRX has a CVT version too.

[QUOTE=NSXType-R;1023943]Yup, totally not buying a car this year.

[url]https://jalopnik.com/you-will-not-believe-the-markups-this-dealer-is-putting-1847291708[/url]

I mean, I'm not in the market for a 4Runner but the prices the dealers are asking for are insane![/QUOTE]

Yes, the prices have gone crazy!

Well, just an update, I decided to get the most boring option... basically an appliance.

Ended up settling on a Honda HR-V. The Subaru Forester actually started firing on 3 cylinders once, I'm pretty desperate for something somewhat modern.

And I don't think anyone's done an Eggnog test in at least 4-5 years on this forum, so just for old time's sake, I've done one.

This is only a lease, so I can go for something more interesting later on. The car/chip crunch has been pretty brutal and it's a seller's market right now. Ended up being $6800 with taxes down, around $249 a month for a 3 year lease. Not a screaming deal, but fair for the market price.

Kinda disappointed about how boring my first car is, but heck, I need to get to work as a first priority.

Not bad man gets the job done! Congratulations!

Boring for a first car? Well I think you have done very well. Congratulations!

Thank you! It's nice to have a modern car with Android Auto.