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Since NS is subaru experts, what should I look out for when buying a bugeye?

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MASkier
Posts: 657 - Karma: 704
I have a saabaru right now (92-x aero) but it is and auto and since I don't drive in traffic much anymore, I want a manual. The kbb for it is about 9300 and used bugeyes with a ton of mods are around 7500. So I have some money left over for the problems that come up, but what specifically should I lookout for.
Nov 4 2013 9:32AM
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.AR6rider.
Posts: 15976 - Karma: 8,799
Things to avoid:

Buying a car that has "tons of mods."
Nov 4 2013 9:43AM
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SKIINGISEASY
Posts: 1552 - Karma: 2,198
inb4 "subaru experts"
Nov 4 2013 9:57AM
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Kid.Kelley
Posts: 565 - Karma: 181
this
Nov 4 2013 9:59AM
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MASkier
Posts: 657 - Karma: 704
It us mostly small stuff that increases value. Not stupid stuff done by people who don't know what they are doing.
Nov 4 2013 10:24AM
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Wallisch_pl
Posts: 5260 - Karma: 1,022
no ns is dildos duh
Nov 4 2013 10:25AM
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BigScaryLarry
Posts: 1448 - Karma: 2,732
things to look for when buying a subaru:
- dont buy between 2000-2003. major headgasket issues
- timing and belt water pump
- headgasket
- tranny
- clutch
- struts
- engine swap
Nov 4 2013 10:30AM
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Charlie_Kelly
Posts: 11954 - Karma: 12,297
You forgot like one of the biggest subaru issues. Check for rusting along the frame and subframe. Suby's will rust out long before the motor dies.
Nov 4 2013 10:49AM
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MASkier
Posts: 657 - Karma: 704
Good to know. So you reccomend completely avoiding 2000 to 2003?
Nov 4 2013 11:05AM
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Joebin
Posts: 1664 - Karma: 867
Well usually I just look at http://Nasioc.com, but Im not sure if I trust a subaru forum...
Nov 4 2013 11:08AM
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cobra_commander
Posts: 16909 - Karma: 4,686
Don't buy a bugeye?

Purchasing used Subarus is stupid IMO. They are all way over valued ($7.5k for a 10 year old car that likely has 250k miles on it). But whatever, it is your money.

I also don't think a cop can watch a bugeye drive by without having a slight twitch to pull them over for something.
Nov 4 2013 11:53AM
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MASkier
Posts: 657 - Karma: 704
Yeah, I love subarus,but when you have that many people that live them together, it is kind of a huge circlejerk
Nov 4 2013 12:35PM
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MASkier
Posts: 657 - Karma: 704
I don't really like your opinion. there is not much in the same class as subarus. AWD, 4 seat ,reliable, and enjoyable to drive. You are right about cops though.
Nov 4 2013 12:47PM
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Laurent.
Posts: 10056 - Karma: 25,313
Why get a Subaru when you can get glorious Swedish automotive perfection for less in the form off the:

Click for larger image
Nov 4 2013 1:02PM
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Woodhouse
Posts: 390 - Karma: 160
If you can, dodge bugeyes. Gearboxes are made of glass. Other than that, you're pretty much looking at the usual EJ motor problems (headgaskets, knock, timing belt)

Don't buy one with mods, and if you do, MAKE SURE that it is tuned for them. A lot of people throw on a catless downpipe and have the car lean out and boom.
Nov 4 2013 1:05PM
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RimJobber
Posts: 3313 - Karma: 10,058
Every time a Subaru is mentioned, you never fail to put in a plug for the volvo
Nov 4 2013 1:05PM
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sivercartel4ever
Posts: 66 - Karma: 56
I've got a 2000 subaru at 215000 miles. No problems at all. Routine oil changes and basic maintenance thing runs like a gem.
Nov 4 2013 1:13PM
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penguiin
Posts: 1444 - Karma: 561
Simple, buy a stock one with low miles and no rust.
Nov 4 2013 1:14PM
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Lemuel
Posts: 14486 - Karma: 10,632
Wtf that can't be correct....
Nov 4 2013 1:15PM
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BigScaryLarry
Posts: 1448 - Karma: 2,732
yes if i were you i would completely avoid them. also some of the newer ones 2012-13 and so on are have some issues too.
Nov 4 2013 1:59PM
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MASkier
Posts: 657 - Karma: 704
06 92x 80xxx miles very good condition. Kbb is usually a little high but about right. Not a lot of them with miles below ,100k
Nov 4 2013 2:01PM
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MASkier
Posts: 657 - Karma: 704
Nov 4 2013 2:13PM
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HomieJon
Posts: 621 - Karma: 134
Yes, i have a 2003 forester and have blown 2 in 160k
Nov 4 2013 2:15PM
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MASkier
Posts: 657 - Karma: 704
As the son of an alfa and MG owner I know all about rust. Speaking of bugeyes...
Nov 4 2013 2:21PM
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XtRemE11
Posts: 5680 - Karma: 246
If you can't find a wrx that was owned by some old lady and left completely stock, avoid it. We see more Subarus coming into the shop I work at, with problems, than pretty much any other car. If you want good snow performance my best answer for anything under 10 is to find a well maintained, maintenance up to date, audi c4 s4 or s6. In terms of performance they will destroy any Subaru in snow. And as long as they haven't been neglected, they will be extremely reliable. We have a guy that uses our shop, he has over 300k miles on his s6. Stock tranny, 2nd clutch, and just now replaced the turbo. He's been coming to us for years any only getting the usual maintenance work done. We see a lot of Japanese and European cars, and those audis are the best combo of reliability, snow performance, and overall tank like build quality.

Other choice would be a mint e30 325ix. Not quite as quick but better balance and more fun in the dry, also insanely reliable when they're not neglected.
Nov 4 2013 2:34PM
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howlongcanausern
Posts: 4982 - Karma: 1,737
seriously doe....the only thing more overpriced are TDIs and eurovans
Nov 4 2013 2:44PM
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yelsel
Posts: 12967 - Karma: 3,451
I thought the same thing, then I had to have the tranny replaced. No bueno
Nov 4 2013 2:48PM
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emopoppins
Posts: 3996 - Karma: 269
c4 urs4's and urs6's youre completely right are the best car ever built. much easier to find parts for than the earlier typ44 i5t motored cars too. pick one up for 3, give someone 3 to do everything it needs no you own a car 15 years older and 3 times nicer than any subaru on the market today
Nov 4 2013 3:13PM
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Joebin
Posts: 1664 - Karma: 867
Cause 03 foresters definitely use EJ205's and all.
Nov 4 2013 3:17PM
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Joebin
Posts: 1664 - Karma: 867
Also, assuming youre talking about a WRX, ask how many times he's dumped the clutch or done a "hard launch". If he gives you any number other than 0 (assuming he seems honest about it), walk away. Some model 03's (and possibly some 02's, cant remember) came with the stronger RA gear transmission. You can look on nasioc for the tranny codes to find this out. When looking in the engine bay check the turbo inlet. Its on the passenger side of the engine engine. If the pipe closest to the front of the car coming off of the turbo has some black build up where it meets the turbo that means that it has bad seals and or shaft play. Another tell-tail sign that the car has been beat on. Just use your best judgement, dont get anxious and buy a car just cause you want one.
Nov 4 2013 3:58PM
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cobra_commander
Posts: 16909 - Karma: 4,686
I did not say avoid Subarus. I own one. I said used ones are over priced; at least in Seattle. I bought a brand new Subaru for over $2k under sticker. For a similar price I could have bought a 3 year old used model with 60k on it. Mine came with a warranty.

Mid 2000's subaru wrx's and outbacks with >100,000mi regularly sell for around $14k in these parts. Or for a1-3k more you could go get a late 2000s BMW 3series Xi, with less miles.

If you consider it a 5 year car (minimum time I plan to keep a car), factor in projected resale value, it is cheaper to buy a new model than a used one for Subaru.

Buying used subies is dumb dumb dumb, unless you find a hidden gem. There I said it. Fortunately a good chunk of subaru fans out there are idiots who have never seen a calculator. I'll likely be able to sell mine for ~75% of what I paid for mine in 5 to 7 years.
Nov 4 2013 4:35PM
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KANGAROOJACK
Posts: 361 - Karma: 59
I read this like Archer when he's on that old plane back to ISIS after Rip Reilly catches him on an island and he's like "sky captain of yester-year, look out for that Adolf Hitler, he's a bad egg." That was a long explaining for something that no one's going to understand.
Nov 4 2013 5:38PM
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Bassage.
Posts: 512 - Karma: 822
If you are dead set on buying any used wrx this guy is right, personally though i wouldn't buy any turbo subaru unless it was a forester or outback xt owned by a little old lady who drove it sparingly and stored in inside but thats just me, thats why i drive a little 2000 impreza wagon with the bombproof ej22 and a 5 speed, although its not fast at all i love it and its perfect for winters to get to and from the mountain no problem
Nov 4 2013 5:39PM
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MASkier
Posts: 657 - Karma: 704
I am pretty dead set on buying a manual version of the car I have now. I don't care which badge it has the whole experience has been awesome.
Nov 4 2013 5:45PM
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Bassage.
Posts: 512 - Karma: 822
Then your best bet is to buy a bone stock wrx with a 5 speed, and if the seller is younger than 21 then i would walk away because it is basically guaranteed it was beat on. Someone once said buying a used wrx is like marrying a prostitute and they are correct
Nov 4 2013 5:56PM
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howlongcanausern
Posts: 4982 - Karma: 1,737
for the record that was me
Nov 4 2013 5:57PM
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deepfriedtwinkie
Posts: 434 - Karma: 389
Came in here to say Inb4 joeswanson guy refers someone to nasoic forums
Nov 4 2013 5:59PM
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Static
Posts: 8553 - Karma: 4,085
Used wrxs are such a suckers deal these days. I drove my 02 wrx for 150k miles over 5 or 6 years before it was totaled out in a wreck, I only lost $5k in value from what I paid to what I got from insurance. And i didn't even shop around for a deal when I bought it. As much as I miss the car there's no way I would buy one used these days, they are just wayyyyyyy over priced.
Nov 4 2013 6:44PM
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Joebin
Posts: 1664 - Karma: 867
Glad I have a reputation. But seriously, nasioc is your best friend when it comes to scoobs.
Nov 4 2013 6:56PM
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daannnnieel
Posts: 5163 - Karma: 4,293
and you drive it like a bitch.
Nov 4 2013 7:11PM
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Rafiki
Posts: 3858 - Karma: 2,251
avoid bugeyes i general because they are hideous. get a forester instead
Nov 4 2013 8:37PM
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