Next Ride

[geckoboy86]

Hello All,
I'm in the process of getting a new job and with that comes more money. The BD is getting a little old. It doesn't have the super high mileage but the rust is starting to win, the wheel bearing are starting to go, and who knows what'll be next. I'm looking at getting a 4th gen but I just can't place my mind on one model.

This car is gonna be a daily driver, so fuel economy is a bit more important. I'd love to have power but with gas prices going up and the GTs, XTs, needing premium, I don't think I could justify one unless the Cobb Accessport for them can get some amazing mileage in economy mode (Better then a N/A engine). Its the premium that more so kills it for me.

Space in the vehicle is important to me but as long as there is more then my BD, I'll be happy. I like wagons but the reverse light in the 4th gen is just in a bad place for me, it looks out of place. The sedans also can have a cosmetic issue too, after 07 they switched to a shorter taillight with chrome trim under it and a reflector in the bumper.

Now Im gonna get boos for this, but transmission is gonna be auto, I can drive stick but mostly every friend of mine can't. And some family members have knee issues. I want to make sure that other people can drive my car if need be.

So...What do you think I should get and Why.

Thanks in advance.

[Huffer]

Get the latest model SE (Special Edition) 2.5i you can afford, it comes with the 2.5L EJ25 SOHC engine so it's cheaper on gas, still gives decent pep with the modern interior.
The SE usually comes with 17" wheels.

Cars101.com gives a really good breakdown on the available models and colors for any given year.

[amgarrety]

Get the latest model SE (Special Edition) 2.5i you can afford, it comes with the 2.5L EJ25 SOHC engine so it's cheaper on gas, still gives decent pep with the modern interior.
The SE usually comes with 17" wheels.

Cars101.com gives a really good breakdown on the available models and colors for any given year.

Thats what both of my parents have, one 2006 and one 2008. They really are great vehicles. It definitely is peppy for being N/A.

[Garrison]

Buy a toyota or a honda. Those things eat up miles, sip fuel, and are relatively spacious depending on the model. Bonus? They almost all come in auto.

[Huffer]

Both Toyota & Honda are overpriced for their amenities and perceived reliability.

Personally speaking if he's going to get a new job with more money, I'd still rock the old BD until it's really time to let it go. In the meantime, let those benjamins build up in the phat bank.

[geckoboy86]

Lol. I should clear this up a bit. I still want a Subaru, I like my AWD. Already had a Honda once. Never again. This Subaru has been the best car I have owned and I really like it. It brings a lot of fun to the table.

As for the concern with mileage, I want better then what my rusty BD is getting me. It gets 17/26.

It's gonna start costing me to fix her up. Wheel bearings are going and the rust is just getting worse and will probably cost an arm and a leg to fix . This is why I want a newer car.

[iampetro]

lol...Gecko your me 2 weeks ago. Your post made me smile

I just traded in my BD for a shiny New (to me) 2006 Legacy Wagon 2.5i

Check a few posts down for mine on the same stuff as yours.

Sure i'm gonna miss my BD forever, sexiest Body ever and fun to drive but same as you I was at the point where promotions had led to alot of extra $$$ a month so I traded her in. It was about to start costing BIG BIG bucks to keep the BD as sexy as it was (low mileage and good body but needed everything else)

Same as you Im the only one around who drove stick(my BD) and my new wagon is auto, it had to be. I dont mind it now that i've been on the road for almost 10 years and got *most* of my racing out of me.

This car will most likely become my wifes in a year or 2 and I'll start lookin for something for me once i pay this new one off. We'll see how much I miss the stick at that point. Im hoping BRZ :)

I've been in my wagon a week and a half and I love it. its faster than my BD, better on gas and more luxurious. Apparently the base models in 2006 were some of the best equipped "base models" made... heated seats... GT 17" rims... amazing :)

Even though its way newer, nicer and I actually still owe Money on it, I'd still let other trusted ppl drive the new wagon. My BD was driven by NO ONE! no matter how trusted, It was my baby.

Good luck man, get yourself a 4th gen, they're the new 2nd Gen lol

[chuckthefuk]

Lets cover a few things...

BD/BK/BG:
- cheap on insurance when collision is dropped :-D
- cheap parts / abundance / parts cars / blown head gasket specials!
- daily beater.. less care.. less stress
- iffy gas mileage depending on age/mileage/mods
- less care in general

BL/BP
- High insurance rates since you need collision.
- Parts are expensive or rare
- Rear multi-link is annoying to work on.
- Owning a 2005+ vehicle cause one to care more and take less risks....

I am in the same boat... its a slow boat but the same situation..

I drive a 400,000km+ BG 5MT with a EJ22E and always overloaded.. I do not get the mileage I hope for but its a mule!! keeps going and going.. As a hauler and a daily driver my BG is practical for city driving / parking lots / etc..

My next purchase would be a BL GT 5MT and the mule aspect is thrown out the window... I've driven a few BL's and everytime I treat them with respect and make sure that they are driven properly....

Now BD/BK/BG's are the opposite.. beat the living sh*t out of them with no consideration for the what if's.. These are cheap cars.. and for that reason can be rebuilt/patched/maintained for decades to come.

Wheel bearings getting you down? Go swap brembos + hubs.. less then 50,000km from Japan and costs pretty much the same as OE bearing w/ labour in the end :-D

I say this to my friends... you don't want to put money into your car.. you don't care about perfect paint or standard car stress... drive a beaten down Subaru... do your standard maintenance and keep driving.. who cares that your rear quarters are rusting...

If you want class/style/modern ride then a BL is the way to go...

Driving a boosted Subaru can result in great MPG "if" you drive out of boost... Pretty easy to do with a boost controller and boost gauge.. Sure the COBB AP can adjust your fuel curve but its not necessary for the real world.

Buying an automatic so your friends can drive it is pure madness! F! your friends.. But family members with bad knees is valid and considerate.


If you have the means to keep the BD and buy a BL I would say that would be the better option.. Financial recovery from a pre-2000 Legacy is almost unheard of.

end result = BL 2005 2.5i auto :-|

[Dead91silvia]

You know, I wanted a Newer GT with a tubro for a while, till I drove one... I'll keep my 98 BD for a long time.

Just because you can "afford" to buy a newer car, does not mean you should. If you get a new car, know that you are getting a car you dont know the history of.

If you are dead set of getting something different to impress people, get a BE or a BH. They are still newer, and easy to work on. Parts are not all over the place, but there are some in the yards.

Rust... The new car will be rusty in no time if you drive it in the winter like this one.

Mileage... Only Subaru that will get "good" mileage is an Impreza. I had one as a rental (07 sedan) and got 30 hyw and trying for it! It's AWD, they are not built for mileage. You want that, get a Toyota or Honda... Facts of life.

I have to agree with Huffer, same your $$$$ and get one for cash and drive your old car till it dies. I have a 67 Chevy truck that has a ton of rust and have no plans to fix it. It will take another 20-30 years for it to be useless...

Chuk has some good insight also!

Insurance is gonna suck! If your making payments, it's mandatory full coverage at set limits. I pay $600 a year for my BD, $700 for my BH. I'm 30 with a perfect driving record. Not sure how old you are, but if your younger then 25, it's more.

I'm about to sell my BH because my BD feels more sturdy then my BH. As for room, they are about the same. My friends 05 XT Outback is a really nice car, but not much bigger at all then the older cars, inside that is.

2nd gen Leggys are cheap to own and fix. 3nd gen are a bit more, 4th gen is way more. I cant find any 4th gens in the yards and if I do they are hit by a fright train!

Also, food for thought. My friend/customer with the 05XT Outback has replaced 5 head light bulbs, 3 wheels bearings, 1 axle, and the front control arm bushings need replaced. Mind you he drives like an old lady! So if your worried about a wheels bearing on a BD your not going to avoid it with getting another car. His car has 130K on it. All the bearing where before 100K. Even Subaru says it's common with those cars.

Dont buy a car to impress your friends, or girls. Even more so the girls, it never works anyway. Be smart and save up for a newer car, drive rusty till you have the cash to buy a nice car and keep it as a back up when you do get one. The longer you can keep yourself out of debt, the better you will be.

Thats my 10 cents....

[geckoboy86]

Well, you guys have me thinking. Maybe it won't be so bad to fix up the BD. I'd still sorta like to treat myself with a newer vehicle. Technically this 95 Legacy of mine is the newest car I have own.

I do know one thing. If I keep the BD, I plan on changing my direction with my car. Not sure exactly what yet. The RS bumper might be on the chopping block.

[Dead91silvia]

I dated a girl that made about 6 figures. She loved my BD and thats when it was still a stock 1998 Legacy GT Limited. That was almost 2 years ago and she still drives a 01 Kia that is a POS, but she doesnt care about cars.

Clean your car up, make it one color, clean the inside and make it decent. The newest car I have owned was a 2004 Neon. My Bh is my next newest. I still like my BD and dont care what people think. I still have plans for maybe a BH H6 Outback someday, but I'm having fun with my BD right now and I dont really feel like 'growing up' yet.

[Huffer]

You could easily refresh your BD for way less the cost of monthly payments on a newer vehicle. The MPG is concerning, but if your wheel bearings are going, that's added friction that is causing your MPG drop.

Think about it - even at "say" $200 per month on a "new" car, that's $2400 per year on a vehicle that will STILL require maintenance and care. Plus you add on the higher insurance premiums, and overall greater expense of any mods you add on, then you're probably at $3000 easily. Assuming your BD is paid for, replacing the wheel bearings even by a shop would be less than $600.

Alternatively, you could hunt for another BD (personally I'd look for that BH H6 Outback you mentioned) and just buy that. Those would be around $7000 retail now. Drop some money into preventative maintenance and you're away laughing. That way you get the newer car, simpler engine, auto trans and extra cargo capacity. Insurance will be decent too. Still not a great deal of aftermarket support for the BH owners, but it's nothing you're not already used to with the BD.