Looking for a car AGAIN! XD

[skicrush]

How can you hate yourself when you get to ride in a C6 Z06 around a race track with a test driver? I think you're head is just spinning still--that's all. By the way--you just might be growing up a little, which is only a bad thing sometimes.

 

[Takumi Fujiwara]

It's not a Saab, though, it's really a Subaru with a saab bumper and taillights.

However, it's proving VERY difficult to find. I may just go with a low-mileage WRX.

 

[retsmah]

The SAAB would be sweet

 

[1X83Z]

The Saab version is close to 7k cheaper than its WRX cousin, and has an improved interior, steering and suspension, and an attractive redesign.

Besides, how is the Saab a poser?

I'm going to let you in on a little secret:

165-horsepower 2.5-liter flat-four:
- Saab: $23000
- Subaru: $18100

227-horsepower 2-liter turbocharged flat-four:
- Saab: $27000
- Subaru: $24400

I realise you're getting a discount, but everyone will think you paid $3000 more for a different grille and a slightly (and I stress slightly) better interior (and a badge). The 9-2X is the car for people who want good looks, while the WRX is the car for the people who actually want performance.

 

[Takumi Fujiwara]

Well, it seemed like it was gonna be 19 base, but it really does come to 27 when all is said and done.

I've found an '02 WRX Wagon at a dealer, 21k on it, asking 18-something, I'll get it down to probably 17. It's got some aftermarket rims with nice tires (Azenis RT-215) and the factory boost gauge, but appears unmodded, and it's in really good shape. I think I'll go get it tomorrow.

 

[1X83Z]

Manual? Stay away from autos - I could run faster.

 

[Takumi Fujiwara]

What kind of idiot would buy an auto WRX?

Anyway, didn't get that silver wagon....

I got this instead!

'02, 48k on it, beatutiful condition in and out. Rota rims w/ Pirelli P Zero tires, boost gauge, possibly a short shifter, might be stock though.

 

[1X83Z]

How can your argue with 227 horsepower?

Nice car - get Yosemite plates. Great buy! For the record, what did you pay? You can PM me if you want (or just not say); I think it's interesting to keep track of what those go for. By the way - blue sedan is way better than silver wagon. Wider front track, better color.

 

[Takumi Fujiwara]

Price, after all the fees and taxes, registration, etc, was just below 18k, IIRC. Sticker was 19,500 or so, and the actual price we paid for the car was, I believe, something like 18. A bit high, but worth it to go to a dealer instead of dealing with financing a private party sale. We got him as low as he'd go. I know my payment is just under $340 on a 48 month, with 5500 down.

I just realized, by the way, that I have an STi rear strut bar! Didn't even notice it before, but discovered it a few minutes ago.

There is one blemish, some chipping on the front of the hood. I just gotta go pick up the touch up paint (they're gonna give it to me at the dealer, but service dept. was closed), and fix them. Very minor, though. Aside from that, it's in excelent condition. The seats and interior seem brand new.

 

[Takumi Fujiwara]

It seems to have some kind of suspension mods, shocks and springs, but I have no idea what kind. I'll need to get it in the air and find out.

 

[neanderthal]

congrats i guess (ive never liked the bugeyed look!)

 

[Emohawk]

I think Car and Driver said something like "If the WRX looked good on top of everything else, it'd be too good to be true."
👍

 

[Takumi Fujiwara]

The springs turn out to be Hotchkis.

So mod list is:
Rota wheels / Pirelli P-Zero Nero tires. (225/45/17)
Hotchkis springs
STi rear strut bar
Stainless steel lines
upgraded pads
short shifter
boost gauge.

Personally, I think they're actually a really good looking car. I'm not in love with the bugeyes, but I don't mind them, and I think the whole rest of the car looks really cool, agressive, and very well proportioned. The absolutely beautiful paint helps a lot, too.

 

[skicrush]

Congrats--that's a great looking car. Plus, assuming you want to keep it for while, its not the kind of car your GF/wife can make you get rid of when you start having kids (4 doors!!).

 

[Takumi Fujiwara]

.... I wish I had a girlfriend to make that an issue.......

 

[Ev0]

Congrats on the WRX; they're great cars! Good thing you didn't go for the Saab; you'd be kicking your own ass for buying a car with gobs and gobs of throttle induced understeer (Especially after your Nissan which is a polar opposite in terms of handling!).

 

[rollazn]

In this case, priority goes to performance. I'd like something that is reasonably light and handles great. Power is an important, but secondary, concern. Obviously, though, it's got to be something that's livable as a daily driver. I want something that'll be fun on a twisty road or a tight track.

Ha-ha. I find it pretty funny that you were looking for a car - along the line of a Miata. And end up with a heavier AWD Subaru Impreza WRX.

Congrats on the WRX. They are great cars - do you have any plan on what you're going to do with it?

Nice buy!

 

[Takumi Fujiwara]

Well, the reason I ended up with the WRX is that my new job requires a car with a decent amount of space to carry stuff around in, and I need to do a lot of driving, so I needed something more comfortable than a Miata.

I'm not planning a lot at the minute. In the immediate future, I'm going to get an aftermarket panel filter and take out the snorkel and silencer. I'm also gonna get some mudflaps, an oil pressure gauge (always a must), and possibly some of the mesh STi-style foglight protectors. Long term, I'm thinking of the Prodrive Stage 3 power package, and an STi suspension setup. Internally, harnesses and an STi rollcage. (Pink, of course!) This car will remain a daily driver, though, so it will retain a full interior, even with the cage.

I'm posting some more pics in the "what do you drive" thread, check them out there.

 

[eliseracer]

You're allowed to do all of that under a lease? Wouldn't it hurt to see it leave after 4 years? What about yearly allowed mileage?

 

[skicrush]

Lease? I thought he bought it.

 

[Takumi Fujiwara]

Yeah, I own it, it's not a lease. (Well, technically, the bank owns it until I finish making payments, but that's how it always is.)

 

[eliseracer]

Oh damn. I coulda swore you said it was a lease. My mistake. I understand the lending business though.

 

[Mopar]

Whoa, congrats man awesome car. So, are you gonna buy one now in GT4? 👍

 

[neanderthal]

before you change that suspension out for the associated name brand version give it a go. some people are just brand snobs and for them only a "prodrive" suspension will do. the one you have right now might be well sorted already.