What Car to Buy?

Corax · Post by **Corax** » Fri Aug 13, 2010 6:38 pm

Hey Suba-Dudes,

Time for a new car and am looking at 2 options. These are...

1. A 1990 Legacy GT wagon with 235000km's on it. Have talked to the bloke that owns it and it sounds a bit rough and it needs a new gearbox.

2. A 1999 Forester GT with 275000km's on it. Haven't talked to the owner yet but if the pictures are anything to go by it looks in good nick. The only thing (apart from the amount of kms on it) is of course the price. The legacy I could buy with cash, the forester would involve me going and talking to the bank:(

If anyone could give me their opinion on my conundrum, or opinion on either of these cars I would be grateful.

Cheers,
Corax.

RSR 555 · Post by **RSR 555** » Fri Aug 13, 2010 6:53 pm

Hey Dave.. I wouldn't trust that 1990 Legacy kms.. sounds not right (for the age and condition) looks like it's been abused a tad. I'd go the Foz but without seeing them or knowning the prices it's hard to give advise. It will all depend on what you're looking to get out of the car? Take them both for a test drive and drop into a mechanic (trusted one) and get their opinion

Hope this helps a little.

Paul

Corax · Post by **Corax** » Fri Aug 13, 2010 10:29 pm

Hey Paul,

Yeah the legacy does sound a bit sus, but at least the guy was honest when he described it to me. I think it was the fact he knew that I had to drive 2 hours to have a look at it. Thats my main problem I think. Basically any car that I want to have a look at is up in Perth ie 2 hours away and I don't know any mechanics up there.
I think the main thing I want from the next car I buy is mainly the abillity to just jump in it, turn the key and not have to worry about anything going wrong or actually making it to my destination! Don't get me wrong I love my old subi's, I just need something thats reliable.
By the way the prices were 3600 for the legacy and 11500 for the Foz.

Cheers,
Dave.

olddog642 · Post by **olddog642** » Fri Aug 13, 2010 10:49 pm

G'day Dave,
perhaps you could check out this link as it has a number of pre-purchase examiners
http://www.hotfrog.com.au/Products/Vehi ... pection/WA
Hylton:twisted:

RSR 555 · Post by **RSR 555** » Fri Aug 13, 2010 11:40 pm

No probs Dave.. That is a big difference in car prices.. I think the GT Foz is a little over priced for the high kms. If you're looking for a reliable car then definately stick to the EFI models from 90 onwards. I'd go with what Hylton has mentioned with regards to inspection places but if you're thinking of sticking to Subies and you find one in Perth that you're interested in.. then just PM me and I'll go and check it out for you (a thanks for the EJ25) I also have a couple of hoists at my workshop.. so I can always bring them back there and give them the full monty

Corax · Post by **Corax** » Sat Aug 14, 2010 2:15 am

Cheers Paul, thanks for the offer,might just take you up on that one:D and yeah will definately be sticking with the subi's, can't picture myself owning anything else.

RSR 555 · Post by **RSR 555** » Sat Aug 14, 2010 2:44 am

No probs bud

as long as I'm not at work or away fishing I'll be happy to do that for ya

Are looking something for just on road? auto or manual? wagon or sedan? Just incase I see something that you might be interested in

AlpineRaven · Post by **AlpineRaven** » Sat Aug 14, 2010 8:00 am

Legacy - if the guy said gearbox needs replacing then its a suss story behind it! the truth lies in the engine! It might cost you more than what you think! (after you buy it)
Foz - kms is high but again depends on service history...
I was gonna say - keep looking.. sorry..
Cheers
AP

Corax · Post by **Corax** » Sat Aug 14, 2010 10:40 pm

Yeah have decided to give the legacy a miss, got the feeling (like you guys) that I would be buying a world of pain or at the least a car that needs a lot of work.

Paul, not entirely sure what I am after. Would prefer an AWD wagon, manual, that would be doing mainly on road work with the occasional soft road trip (dont find digging bogged cars out much fun these days). But I think the thing I need the most is a car that I can just get in and drive and not have to worry about. Basically got a friend in Perth who is not well and at the moment and I have to borrow my parents car if I want to go see her. Yep thats embarrassing!

Ps - If it had a turbo that would be cool:):):)

Thanks for your thoughts guys,

Corax.

RSR 555 · Post by **RSR 555** » Sun Aug 15, 2010 2:55 am

Hey Dave.. I wouldn't look for turbo if your wanting to keep it reliable.. the trusty EJ18 or EJ20 in the early Impreza's are a good start.. they still look quiet modern and get good fuel economy (stick to manual tho) and currently they are fairly well priced. They are also available in what they called the "Sportswagon" which came with a dual range awd gearbox. Nice for that occasional offroad drive

Corax · Post by **Corax** » Sun Aug 15, 2010 2:33 pm

Yeah I know if I buy something with a turbo there is a 95% chance that its been flogged within an inch of its life no matter what model it is. Would be nice though:). Something that has been owned by a nanna for the last 15 years would be good.EJ20 would be the better of the 2 options? A lot more common and easier to get parts for?

d_generate · Post by **d_generate** » Sun Aug 15, 2010 3:13 pm

Have a look at this, Black 98 GT Foz, 250k $7,500 in Katanning..........0402992004

http://perth.gumtree.com.au/c-Cars-Vehi ... Z223628627

Corax · Post by **Corax** » Sun Aug 15, 2010 11:08 pm

Cheers d generate, have talked to the guy and am going to have a look at it this weekend. Now all you subaru genius's, what are some sure fire ways to detect if this car has had 7 colours of s**t flogged out of it? We all know how most punters lie through through their teeth if they think they can get away with it.

RSR 555 · Post by **RSR 555** » Mon Aug 16, 2010 12:18 am

Compression check

but for the roadside check.. have a look for blowby on the breather system. Smell the oil.. make sure it's not burnt. Look at the brake discs.. make sure they aren't worn badly. Take it for a drive up a hill.. make sure it doesn't hesitate.

But I'm home the weekend after if you want to put it up on the hoist?

d_generate · Post by **d_generate** » Mon Aug 16, 2010 2:39 am

Take it for a decent drive and give it some curry whilst keeping an eye on the temp gauge, if it goes up fairly quickly it's more than likely got head problems (but not always) Listen for any unusual rattles in the motor, make sure the gears change without crunching, take a fridge magnet and run it over the paint as it won't stick to bog but remembering most things apart from a motor out job on Subi's are reasonably cheaply replaced and fixed, if you join a forum like http://ozfoz.com/forum/index.php?sid=41 ... e8b1ca8c30. you'll get a lot of help.
Also REVS check and any faults are a reason to negotiate the price down but it's a pretty cheap car even if it does have a few minor faults and everything mechanically underneath is the same as a WRX. Good luck.

P.S. $100 finders fee. (^_^)

Corax · Post by **Corax** » Tue Aug 17, 2010 12:29 am

Thanks for the instructions on flogged car detection guys, will employ those techniques this weekend and see what happens. Thanks as well for the hoist offer Paul but its down in Katanning which I think is about 3 hours from Perth. He might get a bit upset if I disappear with his car for the day:)

RSR 555 · Post by **RSR 555** » Tue Aug 17, 2010 12:51 am

Damn.. long way to go.. I guess if he's that far away then he has not much choice in letting you take the car but that's up to him and how keen he is to sell the car. Good luck with it Dave and let us know how it turns out

Corax · Post by **Corax** » Tue Aug 17, 2010 10:56 pm

Cheers Paul will do. Emailed him a list of questions in regards to the mechanical condition, history, interior etc. The last question I asked him was 'has it been flogged?'. Funnily enough haven't heard back from him. D generate, don't think I can afford your finders fee

, still if you ever need a favor in my neck of the woods just ask dude I owe you one.

Corax · Post by **Corax** » Wed Aug 18, 2010 6:47 pm

The guy that owns it messaged me this arvo and told me some bloke from Perth has bought it sight unseen and has already put money down on it. Wow, who buys a car without looking at it first?

RSR 555 · Post by **RSR 555** » Wed Aug 18, 2010 6:59 pm

Damn.. I hate that.. I went and done a deal (over the phone) to buy this damaged B4 from Bunbury and the guy calls me back the next day to tell me he's not able to sell because of some stupid insurance thing (which I know was shit because he told me earlier that his insurance wouldn't pay because he was drunk) and then 1 week later I see another guy advertizing a wanted shell for a B4.