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um excuse me posted:
I'm not really concerned about the price brackets at this point. In fact, I would almost be tempted by an STI even in sedan form if they replaced that lump under the hood while force feeding it some Viagra. Drop a 330-350hp STI out there that's not into self harm and I will stand on my head to justify settling with a sedan. Maybe I should just dump some money into the WRX to make it interesting again. The BRZ just broke something fundamental in my mind about the way a vehicle is supposed to respond to driver input to the point where I almost find the WRX a slog to drive. Dull throttle response, mushy wallowing suspension, and over-amped imprecise steering. I miss my '02 
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Aug 10, 2016 02:22
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I have never been able to fit a bike in my hatch without removing the front wheel, which is why I have a roof rack with the bike carrier that doesn't require wheel removal. I also considered which way to put it in to keep from getting chain grease on the fabric. That being said, I don't want a sedan. I might end up with one, but I don't want it. I really just want a Crosstrek XT (so, the 250 HP config from the Forester), with a 6 speed. Or a Forester XT with a 6 speed. Either of those would be fine.
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Aug 10, 2016 05:29
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Mr. Powers posted:That being said, I don't want a sedan. I might end up with one, but I don't want it. I really just want a Crosstrek XT (so, the 250 HP config from the Forester), with a 6 speed. I think that's also what I may truly want as well. There's no way I'm going to get an Impreza to handle and steer like the BRZ, so I might as well take the extra ground clearance for the winter. I also can't fit my bike in without taking off the front wheel (XL 29er), but I doubt I could pull off the jenga necessary to fit it in a sedan at all. The first time I really felt I made the right choice with a hatch is when my lawnmower terminally died halfway through cutting the grass and I ran out to Home Depot that afternoon, bought a new one, and finished up the grass that day. With a sedan, I would have had to have the thing delivered. Barring that, I would have had to go rent a truck to pick it up. Either one probably would have precluded me from finishing up the grass that day and would have cost more. Not a huge deal in the grand scheme of things, but it was nice getting it done without having any dependencies.
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Aug 10, 2016 05:39
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If only there was a simple and inexpensive way to get 350hp out of an sti. And if anything, a decent tune makes you less likely to blow up ringlands.
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Aug 10, 2016 05:41
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Sedan/hatch/wagon chat makes me think Bajaha made the best choice.
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Aug 10, 2016 09:52
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Cakefool posted:Sedan/hatch/wagon chat makes me think Bajaha made the best choice. I would probably consider a Baja XT with a 6 speed.
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Aug 10, 2016 12:57
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bull3964 posted:The BRZ just broke something fundamental in my mind about the way a vehicle is supposed to respond to driver input to the point where I almost find the WRX a slog to drive. Dull throttle response, mushy wallowing suspension, and over-amped imprecise steering. Don't ever drive a Miata then. Particularly not the NC, because the BR-Z feels like a slow gimp-mobile in the same rpm band that the MZR in the miata is hitting it's stride. I know it's not the NA or NB that guys on here tend to favor, but it sure feels a lot sharper and more responsive than the BRZ and has the option of driving top down that the BRZ can never match.
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Aug 10, 2016 17:50
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So does anyone know off hand which way the differential bushings go into the rear subframe? The longer part towards the front or back of the car? The rubber is longer on one side and of course I didn't realize that until I got the old bushings out and opened the package of new ones. They're whiteline if that makes any difference. It's a 99 Forester.
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Aug 10, 2016 19:56
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BloodBag posted:Don't ever drive a Miata then. Particularly not the NC, because the BR-Z feels like a slow gimp-mobile in the same rpm band that the MZR in the miata is hitting it's stride. I know it's not the NA or NB that guys on here tend to favor, but it sure feels a lot sharper and more responsive than the BRZ and has the option of driving top down that the BRZ can never match. There's no worry there because I don't know if I can contort my body to the point where I could have a functional seating position to drive one.
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Aug 10, 2016 22:53
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Getting my 2000 Outback from the shop next week. Hooray EJ25 head gaskets! Next up I'll be replacing my struts. Any reccomendations on brand? Not a rally car; mostly logging roads and boat ramps.
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Aug 10, 2016 23:31
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KYB are the go to affordable oem replacement from what I hear.
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Aug 10, 2016 23:39
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I think excel-g/gr2s are about the only decent option. The 05-09 stuff does fit and they make bilsteins for them, but not taller outback versions.
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Aug 11, 2016 00:01
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bull3964 posted:I'm not really concerned about the price brackets at this point. In fact, I would almost be tempted by an STI even in sedan form if they replaced that lump under the hood while force feeding it some Viagra. Have you considered an M3 sedan? Maybe im biased, but I have the same complaints with my 04 WRX, only reason I have it is it's fun off road. Ive had a 95 miata for a long time and it ruined me (about the same way it sounds like the BRZ ruined you) , I hate how most cars drive these days. That said I love my 03 M3. Its a loving blast, and so drat easy to drive fast, it just begs for more corners. As for the KYBs, I put the GR2s on my WRX and it was a huge difference. I love it now (180k miles and a lot of rallycross had made my old shocks useless). I have yet to take them to a rallycross, but I drove a buddys car with GR2s at a rallycross and liked how they felt. Friends do complain that the ride is harsh with the GR2s now though. Lastly, I did change my throttle position sensor. Car runs a trick now, stable AFRs, no roving idle, no backfires going down hills, MPG back to normal, and no more rev hang. Due to the law of conservation of mechanical problems, my exhaust leak has gotten worse, the turbo seems to be losing its oil seals, and it just started clicking in a way that sounds very much like a CV joint going out.
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Aug 11, 2016 13:42
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Sadi posted:Have you considered an M3 sedan? Not really. I mean, if I was ok with buying a sedan, I would just get a new WRX since its driving manners are a lot better than my '11. The WRX is also my winter driving vehicle and I really don't want to go back to 2wd (especially RWD) for winters in hilly Pittsburgh no matter what rubber you may put on the car.
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Aug 11, 2016 13:49
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Not Nipsy Russell posted:Getting my 2000 Outback from the shop next week. Hooray EJ25 head gaskets! What did that run you if you don't mind me asking? It's a job I don't really want to do myself.
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Aug 11, 2016 13:58
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$2100, including the "while we're in there" stuff like timing belt, water pump, coolant flush, et al. The other bid I got was $1800, but I wasn't confident it would get done right. The guy I went to is almost exclusively a Subie repair guy. edit:might as well point out that Eddie's Automotive is awesome. If you drive a Subaru in the Olympia, WA area, especially and older one, he's the guy. Very honest, knows his stuff and his last name's Blood, so there's that. Not Nipsy Russell fucked around with this message at 15:34 on Aug 11, 2016 |
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Aug 11, 2016 14:30
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I ended up doing one myself for around that cost. I bought all the tools I would need to do it again, though. So it could be cheaper next time. I've also heard, likely front this thread, that trading the old motor in for a used rebuilt one costs considerably less. Like in the neighborhood of $800 or so.
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Aug 11, 2016 14:38
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I'd like to see where those numbers come from. $800 sounds dirt cheap. Probably get one with the same lovely gaskets, though. 
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Aug 11, 2016 15:22
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It's installing it yourself not including consumables or tools, I think. Like you give a Subaru engine rebuilder your old engine +$800 and you get a rebuilt one. I haven't done it myself, only heard of it as a solution. Machining the heads alone cost $300 to get a shop to do. Plus a rebuilt engine should have a new pump, timing belt, gaskets and seals. I don't think it's a steal, but it's not $1000 of labor.
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Aug 11, 2016 18:29
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Larrymer posted:I'd like to see where those numbers come from. $800 sounds dirt cheap. Probably get one with the same lovely gaskets, though. The local guy around here does this with long blocks for $1800, not $800. A machine shop is going to charge around $800 just to bore the cylinders and rebuild the heads.
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Aug 11, 2016 18:53
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um excuse me posted:It's installing it yourself not including consumables or tools, I think. Like you give a Subaru engine rebuilder your old engine +$800 and you get a rebuilt one. I haven't done it myself, only heard of it as a solution. What's the name of this mythical shop? Every other one will do the same for 2-3k minimum. $800 for a rebuilt engine (even using all Chinese parts) would be surprising still. daslog posted:The local guy around here does this with long blocks for $1800, not $800. A machine shop is going to charge around $800 just to bore the cylinders and rebuild the heads. I know you aren't local, but what's the shop?
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Aug 11, 2016 19:03
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Larrymer posted:I know you aren't local, but what's the shop? Kinglsey Automotive in Nashua NH is where I had my heads and block done for my current project. The guy who sells the longblocks does it out of his garage.
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Aug 11, 2016 19:14
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daslog posted:Kinglsey Automotive in Nashua NH is where I had my heads and block done for my current project. The guy who sells the longblocks does it out of his garage. Do you have a recommendation for an independent Subaru shop? Does Kingsley do bit work or just big jobs like rebuilds? I'm in Merrimack and have struggled to find a place I like. E: also your avatar reminds me of my old RS. It was a white sedan with the coupe spoiler. I kind of miss it, but I don't miss the problems I had with it.
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Aug 11, 2016 22:40
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So I'm looking for a first car and Subaru seems like a good way to go. Thing is, everything in my price range has 100k+ miles. What are maintenance costs like on early to mid 00s Subarus? I found a Baja with 120k that had a recent engine rebuild and a new transmission, what should I be looking for with it?
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Aug 12, 2016 09:41
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Mr. Powers posted:Do you have a recommendation for an independent Subaru shop? Does Kingsley do bit work or just big jobs like rebuilds? I'm in Merrimack and have struggled to find a place I like. Kinglsey is just a machine shop. Kinetic Motorworks in Hampstead is where I bring my WRX for tuning, and they are trustworthy enough to try out for regular Subaru repairs as well.
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Aug 12, 2016 11:15
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TheLawinator posted:So I'm looking for a first car and Subaru seems like a good way to go. Thing is, everything in my price range has 100k+ miles. What are maintenance costs like on early to mid 00s Subarus? I found a Baja with 120k that had a recent engine rebuild and a new transmission, what should I be looking for with it? I'm in the same boat though I am waiting a year and have been looking at getting a Legacy. I'm in Eastern Massachusetts (NW suburbs of Boston) for what it's worth.
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Aug 13, 2016 01:48
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daslog posted:Kinglsey is just a machine shop. Kinetic Motorworks in Hampstead is where I bring my WRX for tuning, and they are trustworthy enough to try out for regular Subaru repairs as well. ive also been using Kinetic for my track car maitence when i have no time or am feeling lazy, id recommend them as well. rotard fucked around with this message at 02:11 on Aug 13, 2016 |
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Aug 13, 2016 02:09
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Kilonum posted:I'm in the same boat though I am waiting a year and have been looking at getting a Legacy. I'm in Eastern Massachusetts (NW suburbs of Boston) for what it's worth. I'm down in Jersey although my range extends into CT. Good luck on your search. I found a 2005 legacy gt limited nearby but I don't know dick about the legacy. Looks nice, but just doesn't look distinct enough to get me goin like other subarus.
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Aug 13, 2016 02:38
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Get an Impreza or Legacy wagon. Wagons are where it's at. That's my two cents, now I'm gonna head over to Home Depot and fill 'er up with lumber without using the roof rack. 
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Aug 13, 2016 15:47
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Naked Bear posted:Get an Impreza or Legacy wagon. Wagons are where it's at. I was at Home Depot once, loaded three boxed toilets into my Impreza, and closed the hatch to see a dude with an Avalanche staring in confusion about where the toilets went.
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Aug 13, 2016 16:41
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Yea I was actually looking at impreza and legacy wagons last night. There's a 2000 impreza wagon with only 50k miles nearby. That mileage is so low it actually makes me suspicious. Question, how necessary do you guys think turbo is? Do those wagons feel a bit anemic without them? How does a turbo affect maintenance?
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Aug 13, 2016 19:20
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I liked mine. It depends what you want to do. My 97 with a non turbo 2.2 got entered into more events than my WRX and both Miatas combined. Maintenance on most turbo Subarus isn't so bad once you're over the "fixing what the previous owner neglected" hump. Of course that depends on what the PO broke/"improved" and what problems the model you're looking at started life with.
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Aug 13, 2016 20:09
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A turbo definitely isn't necessary. The older Imprezas are pretty spunky even without. I had an '02 2.5TS a few years before I bought my '02 WRX. It was red and beautiful with those big bug eyes. I still miss that car; it was a champ. Wherever you are, I hope they're taking care of you. Good little wagon. 
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Aug 13, 2016 21:21
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Oh man I found the Saab nameplate version locally, are there any mechanical differences? Edit: so I did some more research and they're the same mechanically. What do we think about an 06 Saab 92-x aero (aka an 05 WRX with an 06 STI steering rack) with 130k miles for 5k? Worthy of running a Carfax? TheLawinator fucked around with this message at 13:45 on Aug 14, 2016 |
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Aug 14, 2016 12:30
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TheLawinator posted:Oh man I found the Saab nameplate version locally, are there any mechanical differences? Just be prepared for the engine to get the knocks at any moment.
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Aug 14, 2016 16:39
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The 06 is a unicorn. It does have all of the ej255 foibles, though
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Aug 14, 2016 16:42
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New Subaru day! 2014 Limited; it's 100% stock and flawless.  Quite an upgrade from our 2004...
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Aug 15, 2016 04:12
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I have one of those in black. It's super nice and fun to drive. Enjoy! If you don't mind answering, how much did you pay? If not no big deal, mostly just curious.
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Aug 15, 2016 05:58
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TheLawinator posted:Yea I was actually looking at impreza and legacy wagons last night. There's a 2000 impreza wagon with only 50k miles nearby. That mileage is so low it actually makes me suspicious. Question, how necessary do you guys think turbo is? Do those wagons feel a bit anemic without them? How does a turbo affect maintenance? Late 90s Legacy wagons will take 2-3 pieces of standard 4x8 sheet goods. Always impresses the lumberyard guys to slide a whole plywood sheet in the back, even if I do have to tie the hatch shut.. MDF is too big though - the clearance is exactly 48".
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Aug 15, 2016 13:38
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Internet Explorer posted:I have one of those in black. It's super nice and fun to drive. Enjoy! If you don't mind answering, how much did you pay? If not no big deal, mostly just curious. Just under $25k. They're really hard to find so I was okay paying the ~$2k over KBB. I guess since the new ones are sedan only no one is selling the last hatches...
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Aug 15, 2016 14:39
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