New Car Shopping *UPDATED* I sold out and it feels GREAT!

[555BCTurbo]

I traded my T-wgn on a used '05 about 6 wks ago.

Didn't you buy your TW new?!?!

[ciper]

I am having a hell of a time getting my friends Isuzu truck to pass smog because the parts cost 20-30x the normal amount since they have to be special ordered from japan. Even Mitsubishi had parts shortages a couple years back and thats damn scary. I would trust Suzuki even less than those two.

Unless you only plan to keep the car for 30k miles stay away from the no names and stick with Toyota, Honda and Nissan.

if you're having trouble finding those parts, you aren't looking in the right places.
Isuzu = GM
I sell parts for a living and rarely have an issue getting any part.

I dont think that is the case for the later trucks. Only the earlier ones. Either way can you help me find the compatible 2.6 fuel injected GM engine from late 80s or early 90s?

[tonflo]

I traded my T-wgn on a used '05 about 6 wks ago.

Didn't you buy your TW new?!?!

yes, Aug. 29, 1995 as a leftover. It was hard to let it go. I tneeded some work & as far as I know there are no good Subaru mechanics around here (Greensboro, NC). I couldn't have down time & even if I fixed everything, I was still going to get 18-19mpg and with the recent spike in gas it would be bad. I don't need AWD down here either.

[TheSubaruJunkie]

The things turning me away from the Forester are this:

- Like I said, I'm honestly Subaru'ed out. The only reason I'm keeping my Legacy is because of its sentimental value, not necessarily because it's a Subaru.
- Yes, it's a turbo. I've bitched and moaned for years about sucking air, and now I finally have the opportunity to have it force-fed to me. But if it's a turbo, I'm going to drive it like it's a turbo. And that's going to cost me a lot of money in gas (not only because gas is $3 a gallon, but because EJ255s require premium), and means I risk getting speeding tickets. I will probably also catch a slight case of the mod-bug with the Forester too, which is something I honestly need to avoid right now.

Quit being a fucking pussy and BUY THE SUBARU! Quit your job and find a girl who drives a honda.

You are forgetting one very valuable piece of information here... The FXT is BEAUTIFUL!! And its fast. I went from EA subarus all my life, and now I have the EJ22T. You think I wasn't concerned about speeding tickets and spending my lifes savings on gas??? Well, no, i really wasnt. Cause i'm responsable enough to know when to keep my foot out of it. And gas is only going to increase in price. Soon the cost of 87 will match the cost of 91 so you will be selling your soul for gas no matter what you buy.

And last but not least, do you really wanna become a honda owner? I mean really?? I dont think I can forgive you for that. True the have the greatest engine technology on the planet and get 300mpg... but where are your roots man???

Get the Forester. you know you want it!!
-Brian

[internetautomart]

I am having a hell of a time getting my friends Isuzu truck to pass smog because the parts cost 20-30x the normal amount since they have to be special ordered from japan. Even Mitsubishi had parts shortages a couple years back and thats damn scary. I would trust Suzuki even less than those two.

Unless you only plan to keep the car for 30k miles stay away from the no names and stick with Toyota, Honda and Nissan.

if you're having trouble finding those parts, you aren't looking in the right places.
Isuzu = GM
I sell parts for a living and rarely have an issue getting any part.

I dont think that is the case for the later trucks. Only the earlier ones. Either way can you help me find the compatible 2.6 fuel injected GM engine from late 80s or early 90s?

you need a complete motor?
the 4ze1 to which I am assuming you are referring was only used in hondas and the isuzu trucks. BUT you can swap in a 60* GM V6 fairly easily in most cases. I had considered it for my old Impulse turbo (4ZC1T) but sold the car instead because of a needed tune up.
the external sensors and crapola usually were shared in typical GM style, though not 100% of the time. If you wan tto tell me what sensors it needs I'll see what I can find.

[evolutionmovement]

Subaru's cut their own roots. He's not a dog - why remain loyal to something that doesn't care about you? All they want are Toyota's customers and crooked hatters now. I'd have bought a Subaru myself if they still made them. And gas cost is a big factor. I drive a minimum of 35k a year and even a couple mpgs makes a big difference. He's graduated so who knows how far he'll be driving. I know with me it matters little how fast the car is as I'll always be stuck behind slower people so why not suck less gas doing it? Plus he has little need for AWD in FL.

[internetautomart]

Subaru's cut their own roots. He's not a dog - why remain loyal to something that doesn't care about you? All they want are Toyota's customers and crooked hatters now. I'd have bought a Subaru myself if they still made them. And gas cost is a big factor. I drive a minimum of 35k a year and even a couple mpgs makes a big difference. He's graduated so who knows how far he'll be driving. I know with me it matters little how fast the car is as I'll always be stuck behind slower people so why not suck less gas doing it? Plus he has little need for AWD in FL.

Doesn't toyota own part of subaru now anyhow?

[SubaruNation]

The things turning me away from the Forester are this:

- Like I said, I'm honestly Subaru'ed out.

Quit being a fucking pussy and BUY THE SUBARU!

\

ah ha ha there's nothing as funny as peer pressure.

[SubaruNation]

Doesn't toyota own part of subaru now anyhow?

oh yes!
complete bs, the legacy has become a camry and the impreza is a glorified corolla.
thanks toyubaru!

[internetautomart]

Doesn't toyota own part of subaru now anyhow?

oh yes!
complete bs, the legacy has become a camry and the impreza is a glorified corolla.
thanks toyubaru!

Did you prefer GMaabaru?

[SubaruNation]

i dont like saab either, every auto maker made airlplane parts at one time, why brag about it so much. subaru even makes/made airplanes. look on their corporate webpage. all automakers that had a had a history with making airplanes switched to making cars when they realized that not everyone can afford airplanes and that they wont make any money.
Gm gave up it's shares in subaru a while ago.

Me?
i like cars that reflect the individual, not the company or the corporation or the ties between either, like the new legacy...wait...camry? wait..no, it's a legacy.

[TheSubaruJunkie]

subaru even makes/made airplanes.

Fuji Heavy Industries actually made Airplanes before they made Subaru's. Their 1st vehicle (the FHI Rabbit) was made from spare aircraft parts.

But yeah, thats not here nor there... what it really boils down to is what you really want to drive for the next 10-15 years. I wouldn't take any comments posted on this forum seriously because we're going to be biased (or should be, if we're true subaru lovers).

And who sais you have to buy a brand new one? I definatly wouldnt buy any brand new car's. they are all over priced made of plastic. Why not go for a good ole '03 2.5 GT?

Oh yeah, the gas thing

[Arctic Assassian]

His grandparents are buying him a NEW car. He tried to get a gently used one, but they want a NEW car for him. If someone else is buying it, then what they say goes. I have alwasy loved the FXT. I love the way they drive, you can fit so much in them, and on them, and towed behind them, and they look killer. Honestly though, right now, the highlander hybrid is looking pretty attractive.

I have one question, why not a new wrx. They get better mpg because they are lighter, can still fit things like a 42inch plasma in them, and its a subaru.

[evolutionmovement]

One of the stars in the Subaru constellation is for Nakajima Aircraft. They made one of the best fighters of WWII, but it was likely a Mitsubishi that torpedoed my grandfather's LSD. Must have been revenge for the one they shot down the same month.

[entirelyturbo]

Bingo Arctic. I am essentially the beggar, and beggars can't be choosers. If my grandparents don't approve it, I don't get it. They're being extremely generous for the offer, and I'm not going to argue terms with them.

However, Arctic, read my review on the new WRX. I'm actually infuriated at it because, to me anyway, it is the death of the Subaru I once knew and loved. Basically, it has no soul or personality to it, it's like driving a turbo Corolla. One of my friends is absolutely incapable of understanding how I could possibly think the Sprinter work van has more character and is more entertaining to drive than the new WRX, but that's exactly what I told him.

Anyway, back to my point. If I were going to be doing the exact same things I'm doing now, minus school now that I'm officially done (last final was last night, I walk Friday), here's how my week would go:

Every day I would get up, drive my car to work, drive the Sprinter van around making deliveries all day, get back, move some more car parts around, be it selling them, stocking them, chucking them if they're old warranty parts, I would get home, and either play video games which would consist of Gran Turismo or Grand Theft Auto, or I would whore the Internet, which would largely amount to posting on car forums. Wednesday nights, I would go to the car meets, and Saturday and Sunday, I'd probably see my friends, who are almost all car guys, and you know what we'd mostly talk about? Cars.

I'm truthfully not just getting burned out on Subarus, I'm getting burned out on cars in general. That's all my life ever consists of, and I'm boring myself because of it, and what's worse, I'm boring other people because of it. Hence my recent and still-painful single status.

There's other stuff out there besides cars, and for the next year at least (current plan is to go back to college January 2009, provided I have the money), I plan on doing stuff that's something else besides car-related stuff.

How does this all tie in to the subject at hand? I want a car that, first and foremost, I don't have to worry about.

Patti has been a trooper like I've never seen; I've put 21k miles on her this year, and they've been her most abusive miles yet as I've taken out much of my aggression on her, and all she needed was a starter in January. And what's even more amazing is that she still has the same power and carves the corners just as well as she did when she had half her current mileage. But... that current mileage is now 181k miles, and she's over 17 years old. I can't overlook that.

It's cliché and rather unbecoming of a hardcore car enthusiast, but it's the truth. I'm literally to the point where I just want to get in it and go where I need to go. I haven't gone so far that I'm willing to buy something like a Camry or Cobalt or some other sleep-inducing conform-mobile, nor do I want an automatic. But aside from that, I'm mostly focusing on reliability. And even if the new car isn't as reliable (which, sad to say, wouldn't surprise me) I at least have one of those "warranty" things.

Yes, I'm concerned about gas mileage. Those 21k miles of driving cost me a fortune in gas bills, even with Patti getting 26-27mpg. Thanks to that, I now fully comprehend the value of a fuel-efficient car and how important that can be when money's tight. I might be able to behave myself in the Forester, but as someone once told me, "If you're an alcoholic, don't go to the liquor store."

I'm getting verbose again (damn this writing major!), but suffice it to say that I'm mostly just looking for reliable transportation right now. I'm still considering Subaru. In fact, I think I'm gonna talk to the sales guys at work next week and see how far down they can go on the 07 Spec-Bs that are peculiarly not moving, even though they're a bargain at $35,000. I'm still considering skipping the leftover 06 FXT and special-ordering the 08 FXT-S like I originally wanted. But these are just considerations.

I'm not saying I hate cars or will never again look at cars as more than transportation. Cars are still a big part of my life, and they always will be. But, at least for now, I'd like for them to take the back burner and in the process, I'd still like a car that I can depend on to take me to whatever things non-car-related that I decide to do.

[evolutionmovement]

All out car guys are very boring people. One of the reasons I was going to concentrate on Industrial Design (were I able to finish school) rather than transportation as I had always wanted, was because of all the self-obsessed, boorish people that were in transportation design. Industrial Design involves so many more things and encourages, really forces, someone to be aware of new trends and technology in everything, not just cars.

I think a big problem with the designs of cars today is the inbred design inspiration from semi-talented people with the single interest of cars. The great cars weren't designed by someone looking at other cars - they were designed by guys looking at women and speed boats, fighter planes, architecture, furniture, and art movements.

Plus I hate drawing anything more involved than sketches, but I like making models and Industrial design involves more model making. But I can talk to people about sports, new technology, history, writing, weird shit, quantum physics, whatever. I don't know how people who are only interested in one thing don't get bored with themselves.

Most pathetic of all are the guys who only like one marque or type of car. They're on the same level as sci-fi and dragon geeks.

[beatersubi]

Sounds like you've sold yourself on the Fit. Its reliable, affordable, economical, and isn't a complete bore. You can always have project cars or Sunday drivers, but for daily transpotation, a Fit ain't so bad.

[Fkyx]

The great cars weren't designed by someone looking at other cars - they were designed by guys looking at women and speed boats, fighter planes, architecture, furniture, and art movements.

So true.

I'd roll with the Fit if you're just looking for a simple daily driver. Honda has a good road rep.

[BXSS]

+1 on the Fit
The Fit does look like fun small car with a better suspension (d-Wishbone) than Civics / RSX's.

I've seen pics of K series engines in Fits too, so when you get tired of its 100ish HP, you can upgrade in big ways.

K's are supposedly easily capable of over 200WHP N/A with bolt ons, & 250-300WHP N/A with ECU, ITB's, & cams making for a Freaking Fast FIT.
Turbo+K = insane power, but having had a Vtec Turbo Integra in tha past I can tell you wheelspin gets old fast....

[entirelyturbo]

Yeesh... I just got back from test-driving the SX4.

Not impressed. Sorry. I complained about the Fit not having power, but at least it has a reason. This SX4 has 500cc more displacement and 34 more hp. Yet it doesn't really feel any faster. Perhaps that's because it's AWD, but I was in FWD for the whole test drive.

Oh, and did I mention the tire pressure light was on and the gas cap wouldn't stay shut? On a brand-new car? I've heard stuff like that about Suzuki. That's why I was never that crazy about it to begin with.

Also, I have inside information that the 7yr/100k warranty doesn't apply to certain parts of the drivetrain.

Not to mention that the only SX4 5spds they had were leftover 07's and the sales manager didn't want to come down. He wanted to give me a $1000 Suzuki rebate (he wouldn't even give me the $500 college grad rebate because I wasn't financing). I'm not buying a year-old car at $1000 below MSRP. Sorry.

So, scratch that.

It looks like the Fit is it. By the way, a friend of mine used to own an 03 Civic Si EP hatch and now he has an 05 Accord V6, and he said both cars gained a noticeable amount of power once they were broken in. So I think I can expect the Fit to become a little more driveable once a few k miles are on it. I'm still drawn to it, despite its drawbacks, and I don't think I'm going to ignore that.

I've got a few hours to kill today, I might go test-drive the Yaris just for the hell of it. I could probably get a really good deal on any Toyota seeing as how I used to work there and still know everybody there. But the Yaris has never done anything for me. I seriously doubt it will convince me out of the Fit.

[vrg3]

You should try the Yaris out. Then you can feel sure about the Fit once you see that you don't like the Yaris.

Unless you fall in love with the Yaris. It's so awesome.

[SubaruNation]

However, Arctic, read my review on the new WRX.

i'd like to, i just searched for it and couldn't find it

[evolutionmovement]

My Mazda also got faster after a few thousand miles and got better gas mileage. My first tank was 23, then 26-27 but now (after 60k) I consistently get 27-29. I think that's pretty good now, but it will be laughable if they ever sell the Aptera in New England.

[entirelyturbo]

SubaruNation, here you go:

http://bbs.legacycentral.org/viewtopic. ... 535#222535

I just got back from test-driving a Yaris. I initially thought to myself that the Yaris does indeed have more power than the Fit. But I drove an absolute stripped-to-the-bone 3-door hatch.... I mean, it had no radio it was so stripped! They only wanted $11k for it, but I at least have a higher budget than that.

I noticed that they also had a 5spd Matrix there for $14,995 (MSRP was $17,995, but it was marked down). I discussed that with the sales manager, who recognized me from when I used to work there (as did the product specialist). Too bad he didn't want to make a deal with me, or he must have not heard the part about me graduating college, or he must have forgotten that I've worked in that car dealership before.

He told me $17,180 out the door. Sad that people actually just sign up for that without doing their math.

Anyway, the Yaris, yeah it has more power, and it's downright SCARY how much room the interior has. But that stripped one was the only 5spd, and I don't want to wait for them to get a better-equipped one in stock. Furthermore, I cannot stand that whole gauges-in-the-center-of-the-dash thing. I don't care which interior designer says what about it being more ergonomically correct and actually allowing the driver to keep his/her eyes on the road, it takes my eyes off the road longer, because I look down right in front of me expecting to see gauges, then I remember where they are and look over there, and then have to compute the information.

So, I drove the Suzuki, no thanks. Now I drove the Yaris, and while it comes in a close second, I still think I like the Fit over it. And I'm not going to wait for the Astra.

I should add that as a whole, I like where Honda is going. They're doing everything right IMO, because they're paying homage to their roots while still looking forward. They're pretty much leading the world in emissions reduction, and providing cheap honest transportation while still making cars that have some performance (I still love the S2000) and have something at least resembling a personality. I think the Fit has it and that's why I'm gravitating towards it. I think the new Accord looks sweet (except for the chrome grill) and the interior is extremely nice, yet it's still decently priced.

If Subaru paid homage to their roots like Honda is, then I'd still be buying a Subaru.

[evolutionmovement]

I hate center gauges! Another reason I didn't get a Mini - they charge you extra to buy an option package to get gauges where they f'n belong. They are probably the same clueless out-of-touch designers that came up with i-drive. I think they have relatives in politics.

What's next?
Hey, Topher, wouldn't it be, like, so off the hook if we got rid of those stupid windows on the next car and do, like, some carbon fiber?

Yeaaaaaah. Dude, that'd be sweeeeet! And, and, we should, like so totally get rid of doors.