It's official: My car is dead----trolling for advice

[Coventina]

My beautiful, beloved Suzuki Sidekick is going to the graveyard known as my boyfriend's brother's backyard.
I will be buying a new-used car in the next week or so through my credit union.

Budget-wise I have narrowed the field down to either a Suburu Forester or a Subaru Outback.
Can any of my fellow DUers advise me on what they think I should choose?
I have a preference for the Forester, but I'd like to hear what you guys think, especially if you've had experience with either vehicle.

[stevedeshazer]

1. My daughter just bought a used Forester

I prefer it over the Outback because it's got more headroom (we're tall), but you can't go wrong with either. Very reliable cars.

[Chef]

2. Subaru

Either is a good buy. The Legacy Outback has a better ride and is therefore my preference. Good luck.

[Red_Viking]

3. Drive both, then decide

That's the fair and balanced thing to do, after all. ;)

Seriously, if you drive them both, you'll know which one is right for you. I was in love with a certain kind of car a few years ago, until I had one as a rental. It was the most uncomfortable ride, ever!

Good luck--new cars, even used ones, are FUN! Enjoy.

:dem:

RV

[HEyHEY]

4. SUbaru's rock

You are making a wise choice in buying one. I would go with the forrester because it is a bit higher and if you are ever in snow that could be handy. PLus it has more room.

[XNASA]

5. Either Subaru would be a wise choice.

Personally, I have a thing for Honda's, Toyota (though I've never owned one) and Mazda's.

The only thing I don't like about Subaru's is the interior styling. I think they lack the correct ergonomics.

Honda's on the other hand are ergonomically perfect.

How about a Toyota Prius? If you buy a new one, you get a huge tax credit. It gets 60MPG, around town! And it's the Motor Trend Car of the Year. You might think that they're small, but this years model is classified as a mid-size.

[Coventina]

11. I like the idea of the Prius, but

It really is too small for my needs.

Since the boyfriend drives a Miata, we really need a vehicle that is capable of hauling gear for our frequent road trips.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

6. If you are going through your credit union why not get a new car?

Depending on what the used car runs, with the financing fees and interest rates, you might do better with a new car given the deals dealers are making?


You have the benefit of a warranty for most repairs in the first 36,000 miles.

How much can you afford for a monthly payment? Many new cars can be purchased for a couple hundred dollars a month.

[Coventina]

12. I'm just not comfortable with that level of debt

I want to get something aroung 12K, maybe up to 16K, but anymore than that and I start to get the shakes.

I know it's bizarre, but apparently it's who I am.

:shrug:

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

13. The only reason I would argue against that is

YOu are investing up to 16K in a product that is not new with a more limited warranty. Given the interest rates even through a credit union are going to be higher on a used car than a new car, you might NOT be incurring that much more debt to spend 20-25 on a new car financed up to five years. Do the math.

What is the interest rate the credit union gives you used versus the interest the dealer might give you new?

The difference may only end up being 2-4 thousand with greateer protections and less mystery as to previous ownership.

[Coventina]

15. You raise good points.

I promise to give them serious thought.

:thumbsup:

[Misinformed01]

14. Michael and I bought a 98 Outback

in August-

Great car, comfortable to ride in....looks better with him driving :)

Check your inbox

[mr_hat]

7. We have a Forester. Subies are great. >

Tough, inexepensive and (fairly) light on the land.

I think the Forester is a more practical design than the Outback.

[murphymom]

8. we have a 2000 Forester

Great car. Very comfortable for long trips, but not so big that you feel like you're driving your living room down the street. Local dealer has been super about whatever repairs and servicing we've needed.

[Fuzz]

9. If you are buying new, go with the Outback

I had a Forester, just got an Outback this year. I liked the Forester, but the new interior design is crappy and the Outback actually has more interior space.

My sister and her husband own a Subaru dealership in CT, so we've been getting Subaru's exclusively and have had no problems.

[mr_hat]

10. Hey, just had a thought: Get the WRX wagon. Miles of smiles!

[midnight armadillo]

16. I have a 98 Legacy L wagon

I love it. We just bought it for $5k in cash with 99k miles. It did very well this past weekend in the Boston snow even with the shitty OEM tires. I can't wait to add a set of real tires next winter. The car handles much nicer than any Honda or Toyotas I've driven over the years. The manual and automatic Subarus have completely different AWD systems and drive a bit differently if the transmission is important to you.

The trunk space on the Forester and Outback is similar in cubic feet, but the Forester is more squarish and the Outback more rectangular.
The Outback will have a little more back seat room too. Personally I like the Legacy wagons since they don't have all the extra Outback styling stuff which adds weight and I don't need the extra ground clearance.

Pre-2000 Outbacks with the Phase I 2.5 liter engine need head gasket replacements every 120k miles or so, which typically runs $2500. The boxer engine has 2 head gaskets, after all. This was fixed towards the end of the 99 model year with the Phase II engine. The L version I have is the 2.2L which is bulletproof, although lower in power.

Early Foresters have a habit of eating up rear wheel bearings at a distressing rate. This was fixed at some point and the redesigned models no longer suffer this problem.

Since Subarus are AWD, they react a little differently in slippery conditions, in particular they're prone to throttle-lift oversteer. This is where you have oversteer (the rear end swings out in a turn) and when you lift your foot of the gas (like you might in a FWD car) the Subaru goes sideways or can spin. I tried this last weekend in the snow. The proper fix is to keep on the gas a bit and fix the oversteer with steering...basically, you want to find a big empty parking lot and beat on the car a bit in the worst driving conditions you can to learn how to handle it. It'll outdrive FWD and RWD in inclement weather but it takes a bit of getting used to.

Try www.nasioc.com for a good Subaru forum. Welcome to the Subaru club, you can't go wrong with either, both are great cars!! :grouphug:

[JanMichael]

17. Good GAWD! Look at all of the Subaru's here!

Damn, must be a Liberal brand.

[Coventina]

18. No wonder I was drawn to them!

:party: