he is right

 

In your opinion would you rather have a clean, stock, well taken care of STi with 80-90k or a WRX with 40-50k of the same year, condition, etc.? I'm a little wary of purchasing a higher mileage STi even if it is a clean vehicle.

 

You want bigger and more reliable power within your price-range on something that won't splode, get an '04-'06 GTO.

Other than that, keep your car like others have said. I miss my Bugeye all the time and moreso when Matt stops by.

 

I took a look at a super clean 05 STi, it runs/looks great and is stock. The only issues are that it has 89k and 4 previous owners. The mileage doesn't worry me too much as long as I get a good inspection. The number of owners, however, seems quite high for a relatively late model car. Would you pass on these car based on the number of owners, and a lack of complete records?

 

That's exactly my thought. Not really a point to change to basically the same car. It would make sense going from a sedan to a wagon or the other way around. But not sedan to sedan. If the bugeye is treating you well, just stick with it.

Maybe you can start putting money aside for a future swap or for a down on a brand new car or close to new.

Buying any turbo car with 90k on it and not expecting to have to start replacing stuff is like thinking you can drink a bottle of whiskey and not get drunk. That's when they start breaking down.



My advice... either get like an 07 wagon or forester xt or stay with the bugeye and put money aside for an sti swap.

 

I do expect to have to change over a few items (timing belt, etc.), but I have read about 2004 STi's going to 140k and have seen a few WRX's with 200k on them. Seems to be if the car is well taken care of, they tend to last.

 

My WRX has 176k on it and it's unraveling quick... and it's a major major minority. Not many make it this far.

I can only remember hearing about a couple wrx's with more miles than I have that were on the original motor.

Pete's got like 250 or 300k on his but it's 3 motors I believe.

 

My bugeye had 143k on it, original motor. Ran it "Stage 2" from 60k-143k I did a lot of driving hah. New owner is still driving it daily without issue last I heard. But I would agree it is a novelty.

That being said I'd steer clear from a used STi. Most likely it's been modded/beat to hell even if it is in stock form when you purchase it. I like the new Forester XT's a lot, have you considered a forester? Just my .02

 

4EAT only If you want a Forester XT, you can get an '04-'08 for 16K or less. Cars I would trade my FXT for would be a Legacy GT wagon, Spec B or new 6MT Legacy sedan or the '08+ STi. They are all bigger and should ride nicer, except maybe for the STi which is pretty small inside. I also really like Audis and BMWs, but I can't commit to the maintenance, although I'll probably end up with one eventually since nothing else comes in a manual wagon anymore.

IS300 is a good looking car if you are into Lexus.

Stan

 

Any input on a GTI? I wish I could grab a 2011 with the new body style but I've found a few 06-07 GTI's for reasonable prices. Plus they have a 6speed! I'm not sure about the reliability of these cars though.

 

I decided to get a new car at the end of '09 and was set on a '10 GTI, black, 6spd, 4door, plaid seats and all. They won lots of awards and Automobile magazine's long term test was great. On the way to do the deal in San Jose, I bought a 2010 Camaro SS 6spd though so unfortunately I cannot comment.