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View Full Version : Amazing, but true - I'm getting rid of my Legacy (read on)



ryu_haneda
02-07-2007, 05:13 PM
Hey all,

I've had a blast owning my Legacy. It's been almost nothing but laughs (minus the engine blowing and other repairs necessary), and even with a stock exhaust and other bits and pieces, the car sounds great, it runs great, and is generally just a wee beastie to drive.

...but, an amazing opportunity came along that I am just not going to pass up.

A family friend came up to me recently with a proposition: they are already in the process of moving to a new place, and since their car is almost paid off and they won't really need something that big anymore, they are going to sell it to me once they pay it off.

The car is a 2005-2006 era Toyota Matrix with 4 wheel drive.

They're selling it to me for $1.00 USD.

(Go ahead... stop and pick up your jaw off the floor. I'm not kidding.)

The catch? I need to give my Subaru Legacy to another individual (but said individual will be taking over payments on the car loan, so it's almost like a car SALE. In fact, it really is.)

Here is where you come in. Once I buy the Matrix, it will be my wife's car, and I will want to get another car (since I would like to get rid of the old car I drive). I already know I want another Subaru. The question is:

Should I buy an Impreza, or should I buy a Legacy?

On the one hand, I want to buy a 2002 or 2003 Subaru Impreza TS wagon. If I do, I will most likely want to get custom headlights (not the authentic jdm bugeyes which cost a stupefyingly LARGE amount of dough, but a reasonably similar set of knock-offs). It will be a somewhat more compact car than the Leggy, but it will DEFINITELY be more nimble and tossable (sheesh, if I become a wrench hand, who says I can't put in strut braces and an STI suspension package?).

If I buy a Legacy, it will likewise be a similar era model. I will opt for a GT wagon, although I'll take a nice-looking Outback if I can. Very little customization will be done to it if it looks good enough, outside of possibly trying to fit a JDM front lip spoiler on the front.

My target date right now, I believe, is sometime this coming December or so. If that is, I should be able to swing those year autos for very good prices.

What's your opinion? I'd like to know.

-slippers2k

dplacencia
02-07-2007, 05:44 PM
Oh! Your getting rid of the subie. I think if I were to get rid of my subie I'll go for a manual trans and a turbo. So probably an impreza!

Wiscon_Mark
02-07-2007, 06:28 PM
Doesn't matter too much. It really depends on what you liked about your Legacy.

If you liked the sporty feel, you'll only get more with the impreza.

If you like the space, stick with the Legacy...

etc etc

Plays_with_Toys
02-07-2007, 07:48 PM
The newer imprezas aren't really much smaller than your current legacy... That's pretty awesome though. The matrix is a pretty nice car. My mom was considering one and I test drove it. If you want a manual tranny, it'd probably be easier to find in an impreza than in a legacy of the same year.

Reason
02-07-2007, 08:19 PM
Those TS wagons are a joke. Don't waste your money.

d1giPhux
02-07-2007, 08:21 PM
legacy > impreza anyday. The only impreza i would buy would be a WRX. Or you could sell the matrix and buy one of those ;)

Wiscon_Mark
02-07-2007, 08:28 PM
Those TS wagons are a joke. Don't waste your money.

huh? Please expand your statement.

PWT- backseat room (even in a new impreza) is still pretty tight. I would say the Legacy is still much more roomy than the Impreza.

Reason
02-07-2007, 08:36 PM
Too much money than it's worth......

ryu_haneda
02-07-2007, 09:22 PM
While the ultimate choice will still be mine, I have to admit I'm being swayed a little to buy a WRX wagon. I'm really split:

I could buy a WRX wagon and get a turbo, but I could also buy a Legacy GT wagon or Outback and not bother (I have to admit I like the ROOM that a Legacy has). I dunno if I'm more of a roller than a racer.

Ok, so let me think: buy a turbo (and the gas that goes with it), or buy a Leggy wagon or outback (and keep my money at the pump).

Let me hear it from the turbo people out there: is owning a turbo REALLY worth it? (Or, even though you're having a great time out there, do you secretly hate every fillup at the gas pump?)

-slippers2k

dplacencia
02-07-2007, 09:31 PM
At the end of the day Ramon you make the choice! Get what ever you think is right for you.

Wiscon_Mark
02-07-2007, 09:34 PM
I would think that a turbo is TOTALLY worth the extra gas...I wasn't slamming WRX wagons in any way - they're awesome.

I was just showing that the TS wagon isn't such a horrible vehicle as those sedan owners would have you think ;)

d1giPhux
02-07-2007, 10:35 PM
My roommate had a wrx sedan in college and i had a BD.. same year as i do now, same model.. same everything basically. Our gas prices were the same.. with him buying 93 and me buying 87 or 89. Somehow i always seemed to spend more on gas then him.. and he drove just as much as me.. and just as hard. but DAMN i wish i had his car. Thats right.. i was jealous! :lol:

Reason
02-08-2007, 12:29 AM
So Mark, when you were in the TS, tell me how it felt? Give us it's daily driver aspects. Give us a small write up on the car. That vs the Legacy so we know in the future what cars to buy.

Wiscon_Mark
02-08-2007, 12:34 AM
So Mark, when you were in the TS, tell me how it felt? Give us it's daily driver aspects. Give us a small write up on the car. That vs the Legacy so we know in the future what cars to buy.

Vs. Legacy:

Tighter suspension
Harsher highway ride (but managable)
Quicker (but not fast)
Not as spacious
Same old sloppy 5 speed
similar for interior fit & finish
nicer seats

That pretty much sums it up.

I would assume it's considerably quicker than a 3rd gen Legacy - I was comparing it to mine.

Huffer
02-08-2007, 12:57 AM
Ryu - given your historical posts, I just hope you are paying for the new car with cash, otherwise there's no point.

Also - though I don't doubt the honor your friends have, I do know human nature. And I would get both transactions in writing, signed and notarized. It's these kinds of deals that can ruin friendships when mechanical stuff breaks down. No warranty implied, etc.

ooberdoob
02-08-2007, 01:04 AM
http://www.siegelracing.com/ts/TSside.jpg

That beauty belongs to Slalom RS on nasioc.

beautiful car as you can see, he's really nice too, he purchased my WRX wheels.

only thing i'd do is swap in the WRX cluster.

badbasser98
02-08-2007, 08:18 AM
I love those wheels :grin:

oh, uh... and I think everyone else pretty much summed it up :razz:

I have been secretly thinking of getting a WRX this year... But as Shane once said to Doobie, my list of cars I don't want would be much shorter than the list of ones I want :eek:

d1giPhux
02-08-2007, 09:20 AM
I wish i could buy a wrx. I would in a heartbeat if i had the extra $9k. Ive seen them on ebay going pretty cheap.. and damn. Yea.. just damn.