Hi, Tomorrow I'm going to look at a 2005 FXT w/mods and also going to Carlsen's to look at a new 2008 STI. I know new 2008 STIs are being sold at big discounts of around 7-8K off mspr and a 2005 FXT is listed on craigslist with VF39(LIC installed). Should I save some my cash and finance a 2008 STi with low money down or will I be happy with this sleeper 2005 FXT? Here is link to the ad on craigslist: http://sfbay.craigslist.org/pen/cto/918173520.html What would you do? Thanks!

 

dont buy moddified cars...

just my $.02 since i made the mistake of doing it...

 

that is a great price on the fxt I would buy that in a minute but I own one already and It will whoop up on the sti. and cst about 1/3 as much esp insurance. and everybody knows wagons own....

 

Your comparing 2 different cars and not to mention the 15k price difference between the 2 lol.
Having personally driven the new 08 STi's I thought It was a really nice car, The seats and Interior was top notch and It had some descent power, + now they come as a wagon not a sedan.
But that FXT Looks like It could be pretty nice, And It Is alot cheaper. But as wrxisthebest said "don't buy modded cars" especially a Subaru.

 

then again, the guy is from Palo Alto which is MILES away from LIC...so thats saying something...

I'd go scope the owner out

when i buy camera equipment used, i alway look for the pictures against a granite countertop etc...because its most likely a responsible person and not a punk kid

 

Get a new STI. Sounds like you can afford it. With FXT, you'll end up wanting 6spd and STI ej25 SB when you get use to vf34. STI will be a great platform to modify.

 

and vishnu tuned???

thats a big

 

Now THAT is a scary thought.

 

i'd still take a look at it...family man, and no spelling errors..that's a green light for an email!

 

^but it shouldn't be a deciding matter... it depends though. you're getting a brand spankin new STi for a huge discount. you can always buy foresters for a low price. but yknow, in this economy, its all on you. can you take that hit to the wallet for the STI? if so, i would do it. if you can't, just get the forester i guess?

 

Thanks for all the advice! It turns out today wasn't meant to be a car buying/shopping day at all. My original plan was to go take a trip south to Palo Alto to see the XT and then go to Carlsen in Redwood City. After seeing other photos of the xt that the owner emailed me a few days earlier, it seemed to be good to check it out. This morning I emailed and called him to confirm time/address this morning, no replies! Darn change of plans! So I finish some house stuff and have lunch. After lunch I decided to clean my car and then go down to Carlsen. As I get to drying my car I notice a good cut on the sidewall near the tread edge of my driver's front tire. I must of run over something recently and now the cut doesn't look good to drive on it, RATS! So I go and empty out my car and load up my 4 spare re070 tires from my garage to get mounted & balanced. 90 minutes later and $93 the tires are done. It's 4:30pm and kind of late as dealer closes @ 6pm. Really today I feel lucky as that tire could of blown if it went unnoticed. It will have to be next week to go buy a sti and maybe with my luck the sti discounts will be more ! 2008 STI or Bust?

 

ouch sorry to hear about the tires. don't rush into buying. maybe the incident was a good thing

 

I went to Jensen Motor Center (Napa) in the rain today and picked up a STI. I was lucky to get a super deal and lucky the process took awhile. On the way back from Napa, there was a bad head on accident just before the race track that happened about 30 minutes earlier. My luck has held out to get the last silver STI w/bbs in the SF Bay Area. My car had shock sensor option and I also received full tank of gas, cargo tray, wheels locks, 0% x 63 Months. Total OTD was $33,009.49 after discounts and $500 auto show coupon. I got 25 mpg on the way home too.

 

nevermind...u got a car...

congrats

 

08 or 09?