MartinezA92

iTrader: (4)

I guess I'm fucked

pdexta

iTrader: (17)

335's have been catching my eye lately. I'm seeing 07/08's with 80k+ miles in the mid-teens now. I'm sure you could find a really nice one in the $25k range.

hornetball

iTrader: (4)

It's been my experience that German cars don't age well. YMMV.

supercooper

WHA?!?!? lol


If i were in that situation... as much as i hate dsm's, i would probably get a low mileage, STOCK Lancer Evo8. Damn good cars... solid... and they run forever.
OR a bug eye STI.
The Evo is a little more indestructible it seems though. Club EVOSTI in Springfield missouri argues constantly among themselves, but the cars themselves prove this point.
Im not too biased, ive never owned either, but WOULD own both if i could

MartinezA92

iTrader: (4)

Some local guy told me to get an Evo 8. Meh. I just can't really get excited about an Evo. Maybe driving one will change my mind.

Been reading up on +11 WRX's and lots of guys dealing with destroyed ringlands due to the shitty stock tune that warranty may or may not cover (SOA tries their hardest to get out of replacing engines if they find anything at all different from stock). Kinda scares me away a bit, but I still plan on test driving one today. All I would really do if I got one is a catback exhaust and a tune to fix the dangerously lean stock tune.

Scrappy Jack

iTrader: (2)

No one can really answer this (other than by dumb luck) without more background information.

1. You say "not looking for a project car." Does that mean it must stay stock?
2. If so, do you realistically have the self discipline to get a "tuner car" and NOT modify it? Or to stop at just a few bolt-ons?
3. What type of driving do you do most often? Describe your normal commute: short or long distance, all highway, all stop-and-go shitty California highways, mostly awesome California canyons, etc.
4. You mention that a reasonable level of power is important - what other characteristics do you prioritize? Does weight matter? If so, what do you consider "too heavy?"
5. What about practicality? How many seats does it *have* to have? What about cargo capacity?

I have owned well over a dozen cars. The one I regret selling the most was my Evo8. I still toy with selling my E92 M3 and buying a pristine Evo9 SSL.

Just sayin'.

pdexta

iTrader: (17)

Yeah, that's why you're getting a $50,000 car that's 5 years old for $15,000! It's a hell of a car for that money, even if it does break down 5 minutes later.

MartinezA92

iTrader: (4)

eek. kinda wrote this thread in a hurry, i realize i didnt provide enough details.

-Car does not have to stay stock, but I'm definitely not going the path of "oh im putting a bigger turbo so I might as well put rods so I might as well do pistons blah blah blah". I'm probably going to limit myself to exhaust, maybe some coilovers, wheels and tires, etc. Simple things.
-Yes I have the self discipline. I've only put a catback on my 04 WRX.
-My commute is pretty much all of those things. Around town for random errands, freeway for school, mountain runs when I'm bored.
-Weight does matter sort of. I don't want a giant 2 ton pig, but I don't need to have something as light as a Miata.
-4 seats is preferred, but the backseats don't have to fit linebackers. Cargo capacity is whatever.

MartinezA92

iTrader: (4)

So I was looking for a blue WRX, preferably Limited trim. The only available WRX hatch in the area happened to be exactly that. After going to 4 different dealerships (which had no hatchback WRXs at all)I found this one and I'm first in line to test drive it tomorrow. Theres a high probability that I will drive away in it.

Full_Tilt_Boogie

iTrader: (1)

A low mileage, stock Evo 8 would be fantastic. Unfortunately they are quiet rare at this point.

18psi

iTrader: (76)

I much prefer the 9's, but wouldn't daily drive an evo either way. And finding a low mileage un-abused one will set you back 20+ if you could even find one.

Scrappy Jack

iTrader: (2)

Given his stated budget, a clean and potentially tastefully modified Evo doesn't seem unreasonable.


That said, based on the criteria and the OP's clear enjoyment of Subarus, I don't see any real reason to try and talk him out of a newer WRX. Especially given that it sounds like he works at a Subaru dealership, he can probably get deals on parts and any service he doesn't want to perform himself, as well as potentially more lenient warranty coverage.

jbresee

Perhaps you could talk this guy down:

Other Makes : ETV 2 door in Other Makes | eBay Motors

Fireindc

iTrader: (13)

That things slammed, yo.

MartinezA92

iTrader: (4)

Bought a 2014 WRX.

BTMiata

iTrader: (5)

Nice! It dosen't feel all that long ago that I was driving off the dealership in my brand new 2008 WRX. My brother now has a 2011 and love's it!

I do miss mine, but there are a lot of things I like about the miata better. If I could have the wrx as a daily, and the miata as a 2nd car... I'd do it in a heartbeat! Had to ditch the wrx payment when I bought my house in 2011.

You will definitely want to upgrade some bushings, especially the shifter because stock is awful. Kartboy bushings are cheap. Downpipe and a tune will make the powerband wayyy smoother

18psi

iTrader: (76)

Oh snap, congrats

So they're essentially unchanged for '14 right? I'm only up to date til '13 on these cars lol

MartinezA92

iTrader: (4)

From what I can tell, yes. My co worker has a 2013 and I can't spot any differences.

needs catback badly. I can't even hear the engine unless the radio is off.

18psi

iTrader: (76)

Nice. Too bad I don't think there are any ecu definitions out for those things yet, they need a tune desperately, and what a difference even a simple "stg1" map makes. Its truly impressive.

Oh well, I'm sure its only a matter of months for that to get worked out.

As for exhaust, I've installed a couple of these:


Was impressed. Would get one for myself if I get the new wrx

MartinezA92

iTrader: (4)

I honestly might wait until warranty is over to reflash anyway. I've done research into how bad the stock tune is. Even if the engine blows at least its not on me at that point. I read horror stories of reflashed cars blowing engines before 5/60 and Subaru refusing to pay for it.

What exhaust is that?