so guys,,,, ya'll know i have my heart pretty much set on an used 03 corolla type S ^_________^
but what if today u were in my shoes and suddenly u got a spared $5000 bux to kick around.

would you-

get an used subaru wrx (oh that turbo sound!)
OR
else>>>




(despite the gas milage thing i was mostly concerned with,)
THIS IS PRETTY EXCITING NEWS FOR ME, COME ON AND EGG ME TO GET THE SUBBY!!

so would u would u would u?

 

I would!!

 

Depends on what kind of condition the used WRX is in and how many miles it has. Is this a private owner or a dealer-lot used car? Used WRX's are likely to have been driven hard, and the manual-transmission versions have had rather rapid transmission and clutch wear....and a lot of clutch parts are considered normal wear items and are usually not covered by warranty. Second-hand turbos can also be troublesome....but in most cases the warranty will cover them. However, both WRX's and STi's have both been somewhat more reliable than the Evos.

If the Corolla S you mention is the same one you posted last week and is still available, I think....especially if it is in good shape...... that it would probably be a less risky buy than either a used WRX or that Corolla CE you also posted that was selling at way under market value....that one really looked questionable. From what you have told us before, I think you would be reasonably happy with a Corolla S.

 

woah u r quick mr. mmrashall.
man...... so i have no better reason to spend that extra 5 grand? :P all rite all rite, be that way .... (hehe)

 

forgot to mention, it would be an automatic wrx...., if at all.

 

Yes...a used slushbox ( slang for automatic ) WRX is probably a less risky buy than a manual....and it would be better suited for the dense traffic in the L.A. area where you live. Have the transmision fluid checked for viscosity and contaminants....in most cases it should be a clear, pinkish-red color. If it is not, the tranny may need new fluid, flushing, or repairs. Also, remember that Subarus have more differentials than regular two-wheel-drive cars...and more fluids to check. If this is a dealer car from a reputable dealer, the chances are these will have been inspected and dealt with.

 

i think its about risk vs reward...

Toyota:

Risk:

None.

Reward:

Very light driving excitement, 5,000$

Subaru:

Risk:

Could Break Down
You Could Wreck Or Find Yourself With Lots Of Tickets - Its Tempting As Hell Belive Me I Know
Need To Spend Money On Maintenance

Reward:

Faster, hotter car, way more driving excitement, faster learning curve of driving skill

Now its up to you to decide. If you are willing to wait to find a good WRX from a dealership that will warentee it and even garentee the clutch brakes and turbine are good, and you're willing to accept driving slow and taking it easy then I say go with the WRX.

What about a Sentra SE-R?

 

Isn't the gas milage of the wrx about the same as the GS?
Why not keep the GS then and invest all the money you saved. That would be my choice.

 

I drive a current-generation Sentra - so I feel as though I should opine here.

First - the new Sentras are built (most - if not all) in Mexico.

This being the case - build-quality has suffered quite a bit. I have several minor rattles in the interior and one major rattle that I ended up having to fix myself. (The power window assymbly wasn't fastened properly to the brace on the driver's side).

Second - the 2.5 liter now found in the SE-R/Spec-V is a largely unremarkable powerplant. The output is unremarkable, the gas mileage is unremarkable - but the weight is certainly considerable.

Third - Begining in 2003, these cars took a styling turn completing the shift_hell (if you're familiar with Nissan's "shift" marketing campaign - you'll get it ...)

So ... basically the cars look like crap, do not perform, have serious quality issues, feature lackluster support from the dealerships and cost too much.

Drive the Corolla XRS and see how you like it. Save yourself several thousand dollars over the Subbie (unless it really grabs you) and bypass the Sentra SE-R/Spec-Vs entirely.

M.

 

I'm projecting an annual fuel cost for my Subaru turbo to be around $1200. Considering this is my daily driver, I could have made a much better choice as far as economy is concerned (and probably should have) but other than that, you'll have no significant problems with the Subaru.

I would be wary of early manual WRX, though, because of weak trannys. I drive my stick in rush-hour stop-n-go traffic every day. If you love the drive (not talking about a physical route here) and want an unparalleled connection between man and machine, they only way to go is manual.

 

i would i would i would

 

I could have made a much better choice as far as economy is concerned


hmmmm,,,,, ur honesty is greatly appreciated


Could Break Down
You Could Wreck Or Find Yourself With Lots Of Tickets - Its Tempting As Hell Belive Me I Know
Need To Spend Money On Maintenance

Thank You For Your Enthuisasim Ha Ha. How Come You Cap'ed Every Word? For Dramatic Effect?
Tickets And Breaking Down Would Be Very Big Head Aches...


Drive the Corolla XRS and see how you like it. Save yourself several thousand dollars over the Subbie (unless it really grabs you) and bypass the Sentra SE-R/Spec-Vs entirely.

thanx for the strong advice. xrs would be a bit over budget. and the only reason to look into a subbie is the turbo factor now, would any body suggest me with the turbo vw?? :P

 

I'm actually getting about 21.25MPG now, which is better than last week, but it's probably not going to get much better. My car has about 1300 miles on it, and Subaru engines are not fully broken-in until about 10,000mi+, so I'm hoping maybe I will see another 1- or 2MPG out of it in the future.

I guess I'm kinda luck in that 93 gas here is $1.84. If I lived in a part of the country that regularly has premium at $2.00+, I would not have even considered the turbo.

It's an awesome car, maybe too awesome for my purpose. I'm not exactly regretting it and I'm planning to keep my Subaru for a looooong time, but I now see I could have been perfectly happy with "less," like a regular 2.5 Impreza Sport, Corolla XRS, Mazda3, Mazda6 hatchback (4cyl.), or even a VW Jetta TDi Wagon.

By the way, I would stay away from those VW turbos unless it's a diesel. Those VW 1.8L have had numerous problems recently, including coil packs and, most recently, oil sludging.

I've finally realized my dream of having a Japanese turbo...And it's just that: a reality. Once the glamour of the honeymoon starts to fade, you have to be willing and able to be prepared for whatever lies ahead...

 

thanx so much ...
i think i'll stay with rolla....

 

Have you considered an Altima 3.5 SE? Smooth, comfortable car which can do 0-60 right up there with a WRX (not quite, but too far off, and certainly faster than a corrolla S)