Auto or manual

[ivwarrior]

Ok folks, what should I do? I've been wanting to get another Suby, but I can't seem to find a manual (non-wagon) in the price range I'm looking (dirt cheap). Should I:

a) break down and buy an autotragic? (cheap)
b) hold out for a manual (cheap)
c) increase the price range I'm looking in, by trading my Outback and get a "not as cheap" manual car.

I'd kinda like to keep the Outback for a winter car, and have something different for a summer car. Then, I think about the fact that it uses a good bit of oil, has 150,000+ miles, probably (most likely) needs struts, etc. That sorta has me feeling I should just trade it now and get a better car for the "summer car" and in the fall maybe look for a winter beater.....

[sheepdog]

It's really your call. Personally, I would stick with a manual either way.

I would trade the outback and get something nice. If its starting to show signs of problems like you're saying, you might want to not deal with that if you're on a budget. Also, buying a second budget car gets you twice the repair costs, while consolidating to one newer vehicle, you have only one to fix, which won't break as often.

Just my .02, but really its what you want!

[shazapple]

Test drive an automatic car see if you like it. Ive never driven a manual legacy so I can't say how different it is.

Depends on what you want the car for anyway. city country, work play, etc

[Huffer]

I have both, and I like the manual more.

I think sheepdog is on the money though - if the outback is starting to give you problems, you really only have two choices - fix it, or sell it.

I did find a 98 Outback wagon in manual for $5000. 120k on the clock, ran pretty good.

I have also seen some GT's in the IL, OH, PA and NJ areas for $5-7k, in 5spd flavor.

[Sarra]

Get the 5 speed. :cool:

Comparing my BE to my parent's BH, my BE being manual and the BH being automatic, I'd definatly take a 5 speed over an auto any day.

[ivwarrior]

I've had both, and would prefer a manual. Problem being, I'm not finding any in the "cheap enough to buy as a third vehicle" category. So, it's looking like I either have to go auto, or trade the Outback, and still be at just 2 vehicles for the wife and I. Most of the time that's fine, and when we had 3 before, the third rarely got driven, but now that it's gone we'd kinda like having a "back-up" vehicle again.

Of course, I suppose I could trade the Outback now, and later, when I have some more money, I could start looking for something else for a backup/winter/forest roads vehicle. Currently I'm wanting something I can lower, put wheels, tires, etc on and have fun on pavement. But once I do that, it wouldn't be good to take it down the forest roads around here, and wouldn't do as well in snow as the Outback does.

[peugoby]

I've owned both. Definetely go with the manual, its loads better. I've only had the 2.2, but I bet the 2.5 w/ a stick is even better.

With that said, the automatic I had shifted very well for what it was :cool:

If I were you, I'd sell your Outback, and get the nicest BD Legacy GT stick you can afford :smile:

[Huffer]

Easy option. Sell/trade the Outback for a newer Outback, and save up for a set of Tein Flex dampers.

There you go, winter & summer configurations on the same car. ;)

[markv]

i think from my experience, if your gonna be driving in city habitat get the auto, i've found it to be very stressful shifting to 1st and neutral every 2-5 seconds in heavy traffic, but in the end the 5 speed is a lot more fun

[ivwarrior]

Nah, no routine city driving. And the wife just did our taxes, and we're getting a bigger refund that I expected. I try to keep it near a break even thing, since I don't like giving the gov't an interest free loan, but she had extra taken out of hers....anyway, maybe I can pry some of that out of her hands and have a little more to spend. :)

[d1giPhux]

Just wait it out man.. i was in the same position. Dont rush yourself into buying a car.. since you already have one.. there shouldnt be much of a rush. Also, expand your resources of looking, and look into the possibility of travel to get a car as well. As ive told people before.. i only got mine because i drove 16 hours to bring it back! lol.

I have driven in the city, and i love my manual in the city.. not a big deal to me at all..5spd all the way!

[scottzg]

you want to get an automatic subaru for a summer car???

miatas are cheap and can be had in manual.... and automatics in any car are dreadful.

[ivwarrior]

Well, I don't really WANT to, but I'm having trouble finding a manual. I think I'm just gonna keep looking and wait it out.

Oh, and I've been in a Miata before. Too tiny. Maybe if I was a dainty, short little chick, but I'm too big a boy for a little toy car like that.

[scottzg]

im 6'2 and 225 and i fit good.