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November, 2024

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So I've got $5,000 for a Subaru...

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Wall_Nut
Posts: 629 - Karma: 113
...and I need help finding one within 500 miles of Albany, NY.

I've done my research on the different Subaru models and engines, and I need your help.

The EJ22 was Subaru's most reliable engine,
it was featured in the 1993-98 Impreza
also in the 1990-99 Legacy, but a much heavier car

I've looked at some sites, but these cars are hard to find in good condition.
If you could point me in a good direction, I would be very grateful.

Aug 24 2011 1:15AM
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.AR6rider.
Posts: 15976 - Karma: 8,799
You could probably buy something better than an old, beat up Subaru with that $5000.
Aug 24 2011 1:19AM
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RICK_ROSS
Posts: 6983 - Karma: 3,343
02-03 WRX? im sure you can find one for that cheap with a ton of miles.

...if not an early 2000's legacy is totally within your reach
Aug 24 2011 1:21AM
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TACO-DOG.exe
Posts: 11989 - Karma: 12,264
whatever you do don't let ElGato drive it...
Aug 24 2011 1:21AM
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ski.the.yeast
Posts: 1007 - Karma: 33
Ya seriously i bought my 1996 legacy outback for 2,500. You could get a much new one
Aug 24 2011 1:22AM
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-emile-
Posts: 6613 - Karma: 8,592
that article , was it really elgato ?
Aug 24 2011 1:38AM
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NickCage
Posts: 111 - Karma: 33
Fun fact: used 4wd Audis are cheaper than used Subarus. I bought my 2001 A6 for $4000
Aug 24 2011 1:39AM
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.AR6rider.
Posts: 15976 - Karma: 8,799
Fuck off.
Aug 24 2011 1:40AM
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pelle_munch
Posts: 4110 - Karma: 503
True fact: Subaru's do far better in snow than audi's, or any other car for that matter.
Aug 24 2011 1:55AM
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.AR6rider.
Posts: 15976 - Karma: 8,799
No. You're an idiot.
Aug 24 2011 2:03AM
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bakedpow
Posts: 8770 - Karma: 10,467
They do pretty damn well.

Fact: Subarus are generally cheaper to fix than Audis.
Aug 24 2011 2:07AM
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b.dwyre
Posts: 95 - Karma: 10
http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail.jsp?tracktype=usedcc&csDlId=&csDgId=&listingId=72097575&listingRecNum=0&criteria=prMx%3D5000%26sf1Dir%3DASC%26prMn%3D0%26mkId%3D20041%26stkTyp%3DU%26rd%3D500%26crSrtFlds%3DstkTypId-feedSegId-mkId-pseudoPrice%26zc%3D12201%26rn%3D0%26PMmt%3D1-0-0%26stkTypId%3D28881%26sf2Dir%3DDESC%26sf1Nm%3Dmiles%26sf2Nm%3Dprice%26isDealerGrouping%3Dfalse%26rpp%3D50%26feedSegId%3D28705&aff=gogsema

Aug 24 2011 2:16AM
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.AR6rider.
Posts: 15976 - Karma: 8,799
I'm not denying that Subarus are good in the snow (with the right tires), but to say that they're better than any car in the snow is straight up batshit retarded.
Aug 24 2011 2:21AM
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Chubz.
Posts: 13918 - Karma: 25,663
yeah i found an 04 audi a4 for 4500.
Aug 24 2011 2:23AM
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bakedpow
Posts: 8770 - Karma: 10,467
True dat.
Aug 24 2011 2:24AM
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pelle_munch
Posts: 4110 - Karma: 503
Ok let me correct myself: They are some of the best. Which car do you prefer/think is the best in the snow?
Aug 24 2011 2:38AM
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MACAQUE
Posts: 2811 - Karma: 696
Any SUV's with 4 wheel drive and locking diffs
Aug 24 2011 3:45AM
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*Bird
Posts: 1895 - Karma: 316
dude any r.w.d car will suck the nuts in snow. doesn't matter if it an audi or nissan z. audis awd i hear is good in snow though
Aug 24 2011 3:50AM
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ReetsAdeets
Posts: 1531 - Karma: 611
Since whatever car you get is most likely going to have a fair amount of miles, steer away from anything with a turbo, as they put a lot of stress on the engine. Something like a WRX with 160xxx miles is just asking for trouble in not too distant future.
Aug 24 2011 4:20AM
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dreadyboy
Posts: 2306 - Karma: 34
Pretty sure subies are actually more to repair than audis. I mean your general maintenance crap would prolly be a bit more on the audi, but if something breaks and needs replacing I'd be glad I got an audi and not a subaru.
Aug 24 2011 4:29AM
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uosdwiSrjewoH
Posts: 4220 - Karma: 122
Click for larger image

what's a subaru?
Aug 24 2011 5:29AM
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Willgum
Posts: 3254 - Karma: 3,066
Another fun fact: subarus are infinitely more reliable than audis, especially used
Aug 24 2011 6:40AM
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I_Am_Mod
Posts: 13214 - Karma: 3,753
do you guys really need to go through so much rough roads in winter that 4wd is a must if you want to go skiing ?

i drive a peugeot partner van, yes, one of those clunky little euro vans with frontwheel drive, and i've never once had trouble on a skitrip...

only investment i've made is good winter tires and chains, i've gotten anywhere i needed to be with that little thing !

so in short: 4wd is overrated and i bet 90% of you kids won't even need it ..
Aug 24 2011 6:57AM
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I_Am_Mod
Posts: 13214 - Karma: 3,753
^^not saying 4wd isn't a nice thing to have, but it's not necessary if you're looking for a ski-mobile :)

my dad has a grand cherokee with individual power distrubution over the 4 tires and that thing is a beast on ice/snow :) so i know what 4wd does, but i personally would go for a cheaper car and spend the remaining money on gas/skitrips .....
Aug 24 2011 6:59AM
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Huck_Norris
Posts: 11487 - Karma: 18,627
buy my '99 legacy for $2500 and spend the other $2500 on hookers and blow. 
Aug 24 2011 8:33AM
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Mike-O
Posts: 14593 - Karma: 1,089
What the fuck, that's amazingly cheap. Mileage?
Aug 24 2011 8:35AM
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Huck_Norris
Posts: 11487 - Karma: 18,627

Not just mileage, accident history and title condition.  Always be sure to ask if it's a salvage title when the price is crazy low. 

Aug 24 2011 8:53AM
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Mike-O
Posts: 14593 - Karma: 1,089
Had to google title condition, but still no clue, what does it mean? I would never buy a car that's been in accidents. I'm just saying for comparison that my friend just bought a 1999 Accord with not too much on the road for €3000 and we all thought it was a steal.
Aug 24 2011 9:15AM
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Wall_Nut
Posts: 629 - Karma: 113
A couple helpful suggestions here, but my mind is pretty much made up on the car. I need your help to find it, though.

The EJ22 engine is found in 93-98 imprezas

It is a tank of an engine, arguably the most solidly engineered that Subaru has made

I need to find one within 300 miles of zip: 12037, and I'm enlisting your help if you've got a few minutes to spare.

If you can't help at the moment, could you at least rattle off some used car sites? I'd appreciate it.

This is the only possibility I've found, so far: http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail/photos/multiPhotoPopup.jsp?paId=412667324&tracktype=usedcc&aff=national#1
Aug 24 2011 9:40AM
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bakedpow
Posts: 8770 - Karma: 10,467
Where i live 4wd is a must, there are some days where it's just to harry with a vw jetta and studded tires. So i take a subaru with good tires and dominate the shit out a that snow.
Aug 24 2011 1:59PM
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SkierX
Posts: 16253 - Karma: 538
I'd go late '90s, lower mileage Impreza Outback. It'll have the 2.2l engine, which is a tank.

I'm running a '97 that I got last year for $1200 (older '96 Legacy outback 2.2l 5sp. with 140k on the clock was deemed totalled when someone pulled in front of me. Mechanically it runs - needs a new heater core though, and a balljoint. Cosmetically she needs work. Selling for $700 if anyone's interested, haha) It's the anti-thesis of low-mileage with 185k on the clock, but the engine is purring like a kitten at this point. I do however need to get the struts replaced as they are completely shot.

As with every Subie, check the rear fender where the bumper joins for bubbling and signs of rusting. That is a prone spot on the cars.

For $5k, you should be able to get yourself into something that will have a lot of life left.
Aug 24 2011 2:16PM
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SkierX
Posts: 16253 - Karma: 538
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=u&car_id=298792488&dealer_id=64014887&car_year=1999&systime=&doors=&model=IMPREZ&search_lang=en&start_year=1981&keywordsfyc=&keywordsrep=&highlightFirstMakeModel=&search_type=used&distance=300&min_price=&rdm=1314210107719&drive=&marketZipError=false&advanced=&fuel=&keywords_display=&lastBeginningStartYear=1981&end_year=2012&showZipError=y&make2=&certified=&engine=&dma=BURLINGTON-PLATTSBURGH&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&body_code=0&transmission=&default_sort=priceDESC&max_mileage=&color=&address=05763&sort_type=priceDESC&max_price=5000&make=SUB&seller_type=b&num_records=25&cardist=204&standard=false

I'd look into that one.

It's a Dealer in NJ it looks like. 'Roos aren't as in demand there. You may be able to haggle the price some too.
Aug 24 2011 2:27PM
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JRyder
Posts: 461 - Karma: 29
SHOW ME THE CARFAX.
Aug 24 2011 2:33PM
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Huck_Norris
Posts: 11487 - Karma: 18,627

Well if you total a car, it's salvaged and the title is badged as so with a big fkn red stamp.  

Some people and dealers cruise the salvage auctions for suitable fix-ups, do so, and sell them as reconditioned cars, but the title will always say "salvage" on it, denoting it had been deemed a total loss at some point.  A few years back there was a russian scheme to dilute the ink in the salvage stamp, etc. but that only lasted until carfax really took off. 

Besides that, if you see a price that sounds too good to be true ask the seller if it's a clean title or a salvage title.  Follow up with carfax once you see it and can get the VIN# just to make sure.   

Aug 24 2011 2:36PM
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SkierX
Posts: 16253 - Karma: 538
That Impreza L Wagon looks like a stellar option as well. Looks stupid well taken care of in addition to low mileage.

As with any 5 sp., find out the clutch history, if it's ever been serviced.
Aug 24 2011 2:37PM
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CBROOKS
Posts: 4979 - Karma: 10,708
Great way to buy a $5,000 car and pay another $5,000 in repairs over the next year
Aug 24 2011 2:51PM
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PacificRimJob
Posts: 24725 - Karma: 29,948
Absolutely THIS

I'm currently running a 1996 Subaru Impreza L sedan (has the 2.2). Got it with 170k. Now its up to 225504 (just checked the Odo today haha) Enginewise? Pretty much perfect. Yeah, it's not as powerful as it was, perhaps... but the thing is still plenty powerful enough. The only thing wrong with it is it needs a new alignment and I need to install my new set of struts (exactly like you, they are COMPLETELY shot to shit hahaha), but the thing's good for another 2 years after that I believe. Maybe longer depending on how I drive it (I'm hard as FUCK on my cars and rally them haha)

My brother has a 1997 Subaru Impreza Outback sport (again, the 2.2). It has 289k... actually, probably more now... but the thing's in BETTER condition than my car, drives like it has half the mileage, and it's still looking fantastic.

Our previous car, was a 1990 Legacy with the 2.2 and that thing is still running. My dad still uses it. It probably has upwards 350k on it and wont die anytime soon. We call it 'THE WHITE BEAST' for a fucking reason.


I highly HIGHLY (cant really stress that enough) suggest something like one of these, or a 1999-2003 model with a 2.5L that has had the headgasket replaced, and all the other nuances changed out.
Aug 24 2011 6:56PM
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XtRemE11
Posts: 5680 - Karma: 246
haha subarus are decent in snow for an AWD car, but audis AWD system is much better than subaru's. theres no question that Audis torsen diff is better than the viscous coupling in subarus. ive got a lot of first hand experience in subaru's and audis in snow, and its a very noticeable difference.

as for cars you should look at, well you can get a very good car for 5 grand. if you want a tough reliable snow car, subarus are a good choice, but it wouldnt be my first choice, subarus seem to be somewhat underbuilt and weak. they do fine if you baby them.

audi's are tough because some are absolute tanks that will last you forever, while some like their early 2000's turbo motors will just give you constant problems.

personally if i were looking for something under 5 grand thats good in snow and reliable, i would go with an audi 90, a 91-94 s4, a 94 to 97 s6 avant if you want a wagon. basically any early 90's audi is going to be amazingly reliable. the closer to 2000 they get the more careful you need to be with what you pick.
dont even consider anything from 2000+

that or an e30 325ix. also extremely reliable, overbuilt, you see them running like champs with over 300,000 miles all the time. and they drive extremely well.
Aug 24 2011 7:25PM
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PacificRimJob
Posts: 24725 - Karma: 29,948
I had one of these too. Was my first car I bought in high school. Worked my ass off for 2 years to save up for one. Then totaled it 2 months later because I was a dumbass 17 year old and didnt know what I was doing behind the wheel yet.


Still. Amaaaazing car.
Aug 24 2011 7:41PM
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wintersway
Posts: 5115 - Karma: 128
try looking up auctions, my roommate got his '02 wrx for right around $6,000
Aug 24 2011 8:03PM
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Joebin
Posts: 1664 - Karma: 867
And when they break they are a expensive to get fixed.

For $5000 you could probably get an 02-03 WRX with 150k+ miles on it. There awesome (I love mine) and the turbo is gonna make you spray your seed everywhere. Or you can get an outback/legacy with much lower miles. You cant really go wrong with subbies, there just amazing cars. Go to http://forums.nasioc.com/ to get schooled on subbies.
Aug 24 2011 8:17PM
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B.Aussie
Posts: 5852 - Karma: 4,531
haha I just imagined you saying that like the little go on that Eminem song.

... was pretty funny in my head.
Aug 24 2011 8:25PM
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pelle_munch
Posts: 4110 - Karma: 503
Thats probably true, i just see A LOT more subarus where i live than audis, driving in the snow. whether that's reliability, or just that people like the car, i don't know
Aug 24 2011 8:59PM
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Anathema
Posts: 21048 - Karma: 5,061
get a mazda 3 or a golf gti

THEYRE SO SEXY, AND SO PRACTICAL!!
Aug 24 2011 9:00PM
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nkmo.
Posts: 3994 - Karma: 285
I love the look of Mazda 3's, but no AWD and a shitty back seat makes it a no go in my book.
Aug 24 2011 9:12PM
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XtRemE11
Posts: 5680 - Karma: 246
probably because there are just way more subaru's. not a whole lot of audis sold here in the 90's and they still dont sell a whole lot compared to a company like subaru, they are a bit more expensive new and id guess thats the biggest reason why. the cheapest audi's are about the same price as some of the most expensive subarus.

Aug 24 2011 9:15PM
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bakedpow
Posts: 8770 - Karma: 10,467
Thats debatable haha.

but Audi parts are also muuuucchh more expensive than subaru parts so generally Audis will cost you a lot more to maintain
Aug 24 2011 9:51PM
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dreadyboy
Posts: 2306 - Karma: 34
http://boston.ebayclassifieds.com/cars/middleton/1996-subaru-impreza-lx-awd/?ad=11830644&msg=OUT_OF_AREA
Aug 24 2011 10:14PM
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PacificRimJob
Posts: 24725 - Karma: 29,948
Holy deal. 3999 for this with just over 100k

Click for larger image
Aug 24 2011 10:42PM
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Deluge
Posts: 4401 - Karma: 805
http://albany.craigslist.org/ctd/2555711843.html


Aug 25 2011 8:05AM
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XtRemE11
Posts: 5680 - Karma: 246
read my other post. subaru parts arent cheap, and they sure arent super reliable, id choose an audi over a subaru any day for reliability. it just has to be the right audi. i had a friend go through 2 trannies in 30 thousand miles on his outback, ive been around a shop that services imports, and subarus were some of the most common cars you would see in for repairs. they just dont take abuse well.
Aug 25 2011 2:20PM
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