I'm buying a car, and I've narrowed it down to two. HALP PLZS

[High-Test]

So,

I'be been looking at Subarus lately, as buying my outback was a dumb idea. I pay 447 monthly on a car with a transmission I don't care for. I'm looking to lower my payments from 447 to something at least 100,00 cheaper per month. I've been hospitalized twice due to psychiatric issues and will need to lower my monthly expenses by as much as possible. That way, I can pay doen my credit card and start paying off the two hospitals I stayed at. At 72 months, one car saves me $120 monthly, and it has less mileage than my 08 XT. The other saves 200 monthly at 72 months. I could pay off one hospital bill and 2 grand off my credit card in one year if I chose this one. With my current car, I'll have it paid off in 59 months without saving a penny.

I'm dead set on another subaru,

First, the 2008 - I could own it in 48 months if I made my current payment
Pros: Non-turbo motor requires less maintenance, better gas mileage than the turbo, Manual transmission, cloth interior. (I like cloth more, to be honest) low mileage, it's a wagon, and it's the color I've always wanted.
Cons: Expensive, I'll owe the same amount of money to the finance company
http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail.jsp?tab=finance&recnum=&actLog=&listingId=120526361&paId=525390964&listingRecNum=0&criteria=feedSegId=28705&rpp=50&transTypeId=28112&alMkId=20041&isDealerGrouping=false&sf2Nm=miles&sf1Nm=price&sf2Dir=ASC&stkTypId=28881&PMmt=1-1-0&rn=0&zc=66210&rd=500&crSrtFlds=stkTypId-feedSegId-mkId-mdId-pseudoPrice-transTypeId&mdId=21697&stkTyp=U&mkId=20041&alMdId=21697&prMn=8000&sf1Dir=DESC&prMx=15000&tracktype=usedcc&pageNumber=&numResultsPerPage=&largeNumResultsPerPage=0&sortorder=descending&sortfield=PRICE&certifiedOnly=false&&aff=national



Then, a 2008 Legacy GT, even though I'd prefer a wagon.
Pros: Black leather, exudes cool like few other cars can.
Cons: Expensive, same mediocre to bad fuel mileage. I wish we got the diesel here.

http://www.cars.com/go/search/detai...f1Dir=DESC&prMx=16000&aff=national&listType=1

So, GTP'ers, What should I do?


But financing is a problem. dealers banks turned me down, Wells Fargo, Chase, and Roadloans won't work with me, and one dealer suggested that I file for bankruptcy. I'm nowhere near too broke to make my payments. My credit score is 741.

I'm getting paid for my collection of 46 antique clocks soon, and I'll have 2500 to play with to buy a project car if the deals with the dealerships fall through.

Option 1: $900 1995 Legacy L AWD 5 speed manual, but the transmission is about to die. I'd have enough left over (1500 + shipping) to buy an EJ20T with transmission and ECU, and do a swap. I'd even leave it on its steelies, just to make it look that much more like a sleeper. Then of course, I'd sell the old engine and trans to pay for other things the car would need like a revamped exhaust and other such things. maybe wheels. not sure yet. But I've never attempted a swap before. I can figure out how to assemble a watch, I figure I can assemble a car.

Option 2: $2000 2001 Outback w/ 5 speed. new engine can come later.

Option 3: 2400 1998 Impreza wagon with custom wheels and other goodies. I'd have to wait on the engine.

 

[TheCracker]

I'd go with the lower milage version. My own Subaru now has 120,000 miles on it and maintenance has started to get expensive and more frequent. I'd also say that i imagine that the sort of person that buys a none-turbo Subaru is more likely to be the sort who gives his car an easier life.

 

[High-Test]

I'd go with the lower milage version. My own Subaru now has 120,000 miles on it and maintenance has started to get expensive and more frequent. I'd also say that i imagine that the sort of person that buys a none-turbo Subaru is more likely to be the sort who gives his car an easier life.

Thank you for your advice, Thecracker. I'd prefer the newer one - its closer to me. Still racing the Cortina?

 

[TheCracker]

Yeah, seasons finished for the year now. Will get round to creating a 2013 (and 2012!) season report at some point. Probably.

 

[High-Test]

Cool! Before I took a step back from GTP for several years, I always enjoyed reading your racve reports and photojournals.

 

[Beeblebrox237]

I've always loved the Legacy, and with more power and more bells and whistles I'd have it.

 

[MedigoFlame]

I can't really say my experience will be the same as my first car was a problematic 1997 Subaru Outback that was poorly taken care of and handed down to me... But I would agree TheCracker, for later model Subaru's, a lower mileage would be better. Personally though, I love the Legacy GT wagon and would kill to have one...especially if it was a B-Spec model. But I'd go with the Outback.

 

[High-Test]

The 2005 Legacy GT is no longer an option.



There's now the option of a 2008 Legacy GT with black leather and a 5 speed manual. Sedan, sadly. I still think I'll go for the outback.