need a list of reliable cars to buy (DD) : read inside

[.RJ]

can someone help me find an se-r NOW?

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[Feersty]

as some of you know... I'm being kicked off my car insurance because of my record. i havent had an accident or moving violation in a year.. they just now got around to givin me the boot.

Because you were tracking your car and didn't tell them about it?

[Mike]

as some of you know... I'm being kicked off my car insurance because of my record. i havent had an accident or moving violation in a year.. they just now got around to givin me the boot.

Because you were tracking your car and didn't tell them about it?

i think it's probably because of

my record.

[kcook]

just got home from west palm and key west for a week

jake you got that info for me?

[Jake]

And I quote:

Oh yea. I don't think I want to sell it anymore. I found some miata hook-ups. So I'm going to garage it at my dad's house since a lot of cars have been jacked and stripped around my neighborhood lately and it should be more safe with my dad since he works for the FBI, or at least I hope so haha. I plan to upgrade some parts when I get the chance. It should be interesting how things turn out. To be honest about that craigslist ad, a lot of people that said they were interested either turned out to just want a free ride or low balled me like crazy. I know I priced it high, but I wasn't expecting a price offer of $1,500. So I'm not sure if your friend would have really wanted to buy it either since it's old. Hopefully he/she finds something else.

There's this one on CL in Maryland. Looks legit and certainly a good price for the amount of maintenance and upkeep that's been put in. The top has been replaced, FYI. Original '91 BRGs had a black top even with the tan leather. Not a bad upgrade though, and it appears to have a glass window now.

[Maengelito]

Kyle, granted I dont know you well but you dont really seem like a Miata kinda guy. I bet a 240 would suit you well. preferably S14 but there are lots of nice looking S13s out there too. Also dirt cheap and you can find any part for it.

[kcook]

ive gotten more interested in miatas since i started tracking, but yes i am def a 240 guy. id perfer a s14. im still looking for a 2.5RS , id like to stay with subaru but if i got an s14 and swapped it id be a happy man. def would not be drifting. i hate it.


thanks jake for helpin me out. ill keep it in mind

[Jake]

Not a problem... 2.5RSessss are sweet. I have no idea how well that would work with your budget (did you mention what it is, even?) but if you could find one in good shape, it would be worth a shot.

[xvxax]

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[kcook]

thanks all, i think ive made my decision and ill be getting a 2.5rs, ive been lookin at 2 for a little while. both around 100k miles, but thats as low as i can find for a good price.

i was kidding myself when i told myself to find a fwd civic or miata or 240. i cant leave subaru and the awd yet... im not ready too and if i got a rwd car id prob get in more trouble.

[ScottyB]

cool...are they SOHC or DOHC? i love that body style and down the road you could always swap it.

[kcook]

dohc , im just scared to buy a car with high milage. i know 100k isnt A LOT , but its more than what my car has (56k).

my friends 01 2.5 rs went through all of this before 100k

At 108k miles:

New RS longblock with 20k on it
Delta mild cams

At 102k miles:
Rebuilt RS tranny with WRX gears (I broke 2nd).
Wrapped TWE Equal Length Headers

All before 95k miles:
New valve cover gaskets/oil galley gaskets/etc.
New coolant with additive
New alternator and A/C belts
New spark plugs (gapped correctly)
New F&R o2 sensors

All before 85k miles:
New head gaskets
New Exedy Stage 1 clutch
New timing belt
New spark plug wires

[.RJ]

All before 95k miles:
New valve cover gaskets/oil galley gaskets/etc.
New coolant with additive
New alternator and A/C belts
New spark plugs (gapped correctly)
New F&R o2 sensors

All before 85k miles:
New head gaskets
New Exedy Stage 1 clutch
New timing belt
New spark plug wires

This is all normal maintenance for a higher mileage vehicle, except for the clutch and headgaskets - but thats a subaru issue :dunno:

[ScottyB]

the reason i asked is because the Phase 1 DOHC engines are prone to head gasket failure. it's actually better if its high milage because its almost a garuntee they've been replaced at some point earlier on.

if you friend is replacing longblocks, gears, and clutches at only 100k its pretty clear that thing is getting beat on. what happened to the original engine (i'm guessing a spun bearing, seems common).

the bottom line is an RS will be alot less maintenance and hassle than a turbo subaru, relatively speaking.

[kcook]

there are a ton of wrxs in the 100k range with 0 problems vs the amount of RS's ive heard with problems...

im still getting one, i just want mine to last for a while before i have to do any real major work. the parts are much cheaper

[.RJ]

there are a ton of wrxs in the 100k range with 0 problems vs the amount of RS's ive heard with problems...

Because the infamous WRX 'glass transmission' isnt all over the intertubes?

Its all in how the car is maintained and driven. Anything beat on for 100k miles and neglected is going to have problems. Those cars are plenty reliable if you take care of them, and there isnt anything special about them.

[ScottyB]

there are a ton of wrxs in the 100k range with 0 problems vs the amount of RS's ive heard with problems...

FWIW i've heard the oppposite. but again, it's really a toss up depending on what/where you read your info. good luck with the hunt!

[kcook]

well RJ yes i forgot about that, but i have my original stock tranny with 56k on it and those arent easy miles. its seen ~20 passes at a drag strip, ~ 2 seasons of autox and only 14 days on the track. when driving on the street im not easy on it , but i dont go WOT ever. just normal driving.

[flintster55]

Lots of good info Kyle. FWIW im up to 108k on my 02 WRX right now. I was worried about buying a higher mileage WRX myself, but it's been very reliable. No problems to date at all. I just did the timing belt, water pump and those goodies over the summer because the book calls for that 105k. Other than that I've had no big costs, just random things like belts, and pullies that start to show age on a higher mileage car.

My car also had the extra glass transmission because it was an early 02 car. They changed to a slightly wider gear mid 02 and into 03 I think. Nonetheless, it got its fair share of abuse. 30+ launches at autox and at the strip and probably 15 passes down the strip. The clutch even held up strong and wasn't even completely worn when I did my tranny upgrade a few weeks ago.

I'm kinda with Scotty though, I would tend to say an RS would be more reliable/less problems and have a much less chance of a harsh previous life.

Keep us updated tho and let me know if you might happen to be parting with that 16g if you end up selling the WRX :wink:

[kcook]

well i have a guy going to the bank tomorrow. if he gets approved for the loan its his im def selling the wrx whether its sold in a few weeks or a few months

im going to look at this 2.5rs this weekend

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