xpsychox Posted September 18, 2014 Share Posted September 18, 2014 Ok, I am new to this site, long story short. I don't own a Subaru...yet... I'm looking at getting one. I've looked at a lot of them, I don't want to get a new one. Simply because I'm a firm beliver in keep the tech out of my vehicle (more stuf to go wrong). I don't mind having some, but the biggest challenge to me is i'm use to the suv size.. I own a 99 isuzu amigo. Like I said I've looked at alot of vehicles one of them that cought my eye was a '04 Subaru Impreza WRX STI. But I don't like the look of the wing.. or the 15k price tag. Here's a link that I LOVE the look of the vehicle but I don't know what it is please point me in the right direction!! (I'm also thinking of in the furture doing mods to it for more HP but it's gotta have some get up and go!) Here's the link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=49tIqdNzUPw Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1 Lucky Texan Posted September 18, 2014 Share Posted September 18, 2014 people used to do trunk swaps - guys with STis that didn't want the wing, would swap with WRX guys that wanted it. probably still a thread about doing that at NASIOC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gbhrps Posted September 18, 2014 Share Posted September 18, 2014 xpsychox, You want to " keep the tech out of my vehicle", and yet you are considering purchasing the one Subaru with the most tech, and a turbo one at that? You have a decision to make, a lot of tech with the STI, or another car devoid of the turbo, the variable center differential, and on and on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xpsychox Posted September 18, 2014 Author Share Posted September 18, 2014 xpsychox, You want to " keep the tech out of my vehicle", and yet you are considering purchasing the one Subaru with the most tech, and a turbo one at that? You have a decision to make, a lot of tech with the STI, or another car devoid of the turbo, the variable center differential, and on and on. OK...guess u didn't under stand what I was talking about...let me clarify.. I don't want the full GPS back up camera all that spoob inside if the vehicle turbo etc is fine.. Trying to find something that looks like the car in the video I think it looks great but I cannot find what kind of car it is.. I did see it showed the name but it looks like thats only a euro car..trying to find something similar fr the USA version.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sumoco Posted September 18, 2014 Share Posted September 18, 2014 (edited) if you already have an amigo, why not go for its subaru brother the brat? obviously not what you're looking for though Edited September 18, 2014 by sumoco Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xpsychox Posted September 18, 2014 Author Share Posted September 18, 2014 Gotta b a family car.. Have a 7 month old. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1 Lucky Texan Posted September 19, 2014 Share Posted September 19, 2014 (edited) It's the new-ish hatch body.(I have an 06 WRX wagon) 07 was the last of the wagons and old style sedans, then came the hatch body. - then the hatch went away in 2013 i think for the STI - research them here; http://www.cars101.com/subaru/wrxsti/wrxsti2012.html Go to a dealership and test drive some cars! 3142plateless by alckytxn, on Flickr Edited September 19, 2014 by 1 Lucky Texan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xpsychox Posted September 19, 2014 Author Share Posted September 19, 2014 So if I understand correctly.. Its the impreza 07-2012? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1 Lucky Texan Posted September 19, 2014 Share Posted September 19, 2014 (edited) So if I understand correctly.. Its the impreza 07-2012? Well, not certain about the video, but you can research all the model years there at cars101 . Other markets model years don't always line-up with the US. And some models or engine-chassis combinations are not offered in the US. For instance, we have no model with the flat diesel engine. I think the hatch STIs are from 08 to 12(maybe up to 14?) but, not positive. Edited September 19, 2014 by 1 Lucky Texan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xpsychox Posted September 19, 2014 Author Share Posted September 19, 2014 I'd LOVE to get a diesel.. Soo much better mog and more options..I think.. Hell if I had the $$ I'd import it.. And thanks for the site I'll look it up I haven't found anything to point me in the right direction everything I was finding kept pointing me back to the sedan.. I'm not saying its bad..just not for me..too use to SUVs and trucks. Main reason I'm looking is cuz I live in Indiana and don't want to give up 4x4 but need better mpg I drive 50iles a day for work and I'm getting between 14.5-15.8 mpg (have a tire that keeps leaking) even put on manual locking hubs and it helped a bit was around 12-13 but still.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MilesFox Posted September 19, 2014 Share Posted September 19, 2014 Consider a 2005 legacy GT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1 Lucky Texan Posted September 19, 2014 Share Posted September 19, 2014 or a turbo Forrester Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xpsychox Posted September 19, 2014 Author Share Posted September 19, 2014 I'd love to find something around 04-05 simply because its a bit cheaper..can I get a 05 turbo forester? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1 Lucky Texan Posted September 19, 2014 Share Posted September 19, 2014 (edited) turbos from 2004 up I think? someone else may know - or check that link to cars101.com , all the Subaru models are there. Edited September 19, 2014 by 1 Lucky Texan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xpsychox Posted September 19, 2014 Author Share Posted September 19, 2014 OK thanks.. At least its a point in the right direction.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MilesFox Posted September 19, 2014 Share Posted September 19, 2014 (edited) I'll give you my opinion being a fellow hoosier native myself. Sure you are used to trucks and SUV's but if yo unever experienced any kind of subaru before, i can see where you may contemplate what you may end up with compared to what you are familiar with. But it is my opinion that, once you experience a subaru, you might not go back to your old platforms! I used to be aFWD GM guy as this is what i learned to drive on and work on cars....then i found subaru. Don't let no one give you hell for driving 'Jap Crap' as the legacy is built in LAfayette, and most of your fords and chevy's are builtin mexico and canada. Good luck with your searching. Anyway, the Subaru is quite capable. Don't be afraid to load it down or get it dirty. And a Subaru with winter tires in the snow and ice will put trucks and SUV's to shame. Really to compare a 4x4 truck to a subaru is you only need the truck if you are towing a trailer in the woods, although the subaru is happy to eat up some ATV trails. I am only speaking from my own experience and opinions, as i can relate to Indiana and the demographic there and the preference for domestic vehicles. Edited September 19, 2014 by MilesFox Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
forester2002s Posted September 19, 2014 Share Posted September 19, 2014 (edited) MilesFox: I agree with what you say about Subaru AWD. But just a couple of caveats: - Ground clearance isn't great for off-road driving, compared to a pick-up truck; - 1st gear in the 5MT manual isn't very low. That means slipping the clutch a lot on very rough and rocky trails. All in all though, I love my Subaru. Edited September 19, 2014 by forester2002s Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xpsychox Posted September 19, 2014 Author Share Posted September 19, 2014 (edited) Thanks for the imput..if u don't mind me asking what part of Indiana? My main thing is I don't want to spend 12k + on a vehicle simply because I ride my motorcycle most of the time..unless I have my daughter (pick up from baby sitter or quick errands)..but I've also got to think if I get a new vehicle I'm probably looking at $170-200 car payment plus insurance AND gas..lol I'd love to have one been thinking of it for a while.. I may get one and just leave snow tires on it..I'll only b driving it when snow/rain/ welcome to Indiana its effin cold.. Lol And if you don't mind me asking what do you have? Edited September 19, 2014 by xpsychox 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MilesFox Posted September 20, 2014 Share Posted September 20, 2014 I am from northeast indiana. I have had no problems with ATV trails and riverbanks in the area, glacial remain and kettle lake type geography. Most of my experience is 80's subarus with 90 hp and 13" wheels. Although these rigs had low range. But before i was into subarus, i was all about that pontiac grand am. I will never do another grand am ever. And now i live in Wisconsin, whhere it averages 10 degrees colder and 10 inches more snow per year. For subaru models, i have had the following on average: 86-88 GL wagons, 5mt, dual range, a handful of 83-84 ea81 wagons 90-94 and 95-98 legacy wagons both 5mt and 4spd automatic. I currently have: 96 impreza wagon with forester struts 96 legacy with outback struts 98 forester with 2.2 swap and impreza struts(lowered) 98 legacy outback 86 gl coupe with 01 impreza motor swapped in and full time 4wd dual range with limited slip rear. In the farmers field and woods the subaru would walk out where the ford truck with swampers dug ruts so deep in the mud it got stuck hard and no room to maneuver between the trees. The subaru would walk a 60 dgree incline laterally. And up that incline as well with a rolling start. It would eat up bean fields at 60 mph sideways. A subaru with snow tires is absolutely unstoppable in snow. Even a lifted truck is limited by its differentials for ground clearance. A subaru averages 9 and 11 inches at the diffs. You just have to experience a subaru to believe in them if all you ever had was gmc trucks and ford explorers. wheelspin is your firend with these if you get stuck; wind it up and bang out 5500 rpms with no sweat. I suppose you could consider a $1000 mid 90's legacy or impreza to get familiar. If you wrench on your own cars you wil find the subaru is absolutely a breeze to work on, but throw out gradmpa's car wisdom when it comes to these. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MilesFox Posted September 20, 2014 Share Posted September 20, 2014 Here is an example of what a subaru can do off road. This video was made 10 years ago in zanesville, ohio. The car that is struggling in the mud hole got its ignition wet. The moral of the story is that subaru AWD is quite capable, and you really only need a 4x4 truck with locking diffs if you are towing trailers in the woods or rock crawling. The Subaru is loads better for normal street driving, winter driving, 'all road' conditions which include ATV trails and river banks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xpsychox Posted September 20, 2014 Author Share Posted September 20, 2014 Wow...awesome.. Makes me want one even more... But that also brings up another question (and I appricate everyones answered so far) is the new systems (like what I'm looking for 05-08ish as good?! Or are they better/worse? Just wanting to know reliability of new vrs old cuz I like the looks of the newer stuff better lol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xpsychox Posted September 20, 2014 Author Share Posted September 20, 2014 Wow...awesome.. Makes me want one even more... But that also brings up another question (and I appricate everyones answered so far) is the new systems (like what I'm looking for 05-08ish as good?! Or are they better/worse? Just wanting to know reliability of new vrs old cuz I like the looks of the newer stuff better lol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1 Lucky Texan Posted September 20, 2014 Share Posted September 20, 2014 the older a used car is, the less important the brand's reliability is, and the more important the individual car's past care and present condition are. Go slow, look at a lot of cars, choose wisely. Then, just deal with whatever comes up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heartless Posted September 20, 2014 Share Posted September 20, 2014 Like Miles, most of my experience is with the older versions - late 80s to mid 90s. My significant other has a 2006 Outback wagon, L.L.Bean edition that, so far, is a great car (only had it since May). Ground clearance is good, drivability is very good - could use a little bit stiffer springs imho, as it has more body movement than my Forester strut lifted 95 Legacy does, but otherwise a very comfortable car to ride in and drive. The newer cars have more electronic controls than the older stuff does, but they are still quite reliable and durable cars when given proper care and maintenance. to add to the capabilities stories - some years ago I had spent the day with my mother in the hospital after her heart attack - it started snowing around mid morning and kept it up all day with high winds, too... by the time I headed home (around 5 pm) even the main roads were a mess, the plows couldnt keep up with the amount of snow coming down and the all blowing & drifting. When I turned off the main road, and got out of the little town there, the road looked like no one had been down it for hours! (I live in the boonies in Northcentral Wisconsin - mostly farm fields - nothing to stop blowing snow) a couple of miles outside of town, even I wondered if we were going to make it home - still had about 7 miles to go. The snow was drifted and wind packed across the road, so deep in some places that I had to drive on the wrong side to get through - the only thing that kept me on the road was the fence posts sticking up through the snow in places and the power poles - you couldnt even tell where the ditches were anymore. I was plowing with the front bumper & dragging the undercarriage almost the entire way, but we made it home. This was driving my stock height 1990 Legacy wagon with stock 14" wheels/tires - and all season tires at that - I didnt have snow tires. This was my first 4spd automatic, AWD Subaru, too - I did drop the gear selector to 3rd, and kept an even throttle the whole way - except when we had to turn corners - but the car performed beautifully - beyond anything I had expected or anticipated. If I hadnt already been a fan of Subaru capabilities, that drive home would have made me a believer. The car never faltered, never spun a wheel, just kept pushing thru that hard, wind packed snow like it wasnt even there. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xpsychox Posted September 21, 2014 Author Share Posted September 21, 2014 Well, thanks for all the info..I've got a lot of thinking to do I'll probably have to go with a bit newer simply cuz I'll have to take a loan.. But its good to know I'm choosing the right maufature! Lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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