Used v. New WRX wagon and other q's

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Sep 22, 2003 | 08:29 PM

BrianD

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Used v. New WRX wagon and other q's

Howdy,
I'm new here. Trying to ween myself off Saabnet (fantastic site). I'm a ways off from buying, 6-12 months, but I like the WRX a lot. I'm a big Suby fan. Had '87 and '88 GL wagons, my mom has had Legacies since they came out, and now drives an SUS.

1. Looking at pricing for off lease/used WRX wagons in the Denver, CO area. They only seem to be a couple grand cheaper than new. I guess they don't depreciate quite like Saabs? In general, I think buying new is a waste of money, but for only a couple grand more, it seems that one might as well go for a new WRX instead of used. Any thoughts?

2. Also, are used WRXs a bad idea, given the "spirited" nature with which they are sometimes driven? I really wouldn't want one that has been through a lot of 0-60 track testing or autocrossing etc.

3. The WRX is a tad small for us - how long until the turbo legacy arrives in the States? I don't like the Forester that much - too boxy, and crappy MPG in the turbo.

4. Finally, what are people getting for MPG in the WRX, driving conservatively. For example, on long highway trips. Subaru states 21/28 i think.

Thanks,
Brian

Sep 23, 2003 | 02:24 AM

NewShockerGuy

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iTrader: (1)

Joined: Mar 2003

Posts: 660

From: PA

Car Info: TXS tbe, perrin goodies, v7 sti struts...bla bla bla lots of stuff!

I can answer number 4 for you.

When I bought my car in 6/30/03
I got 18mpg.

8 days later I removed the snorkleous.

I then was getting 21 miles per gallon.

Now I am getting around 23, maybe more if I am lucky.

Most of it is highway with driving into city and getting stuck in rush hour traffic a couple times a week.

I usually get abou 300 miles and I am at 1/4th of a tank then fill up.

-Nigel

Sep 23, 2003 | 08:08 AM

nachomc

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iTrader: (7)

Joined: Jun 2003

Posts: 25,095

From: Funtown

Car Info: A limousine with a chauffer

1. I'd go new. A lot of WRXs have been abused by their owners and unless you're sure of its treatment, you might be better off going new.

2. See #1

3. I think next year (spring) as an '05 model.

4. My weekly driving is a mix of highway and city. A lot of traffic generally. My best MPG there so far has been 23.9. Highway I get about 27.

Sep 24, 2003 | 09:27 AM

Benjamin Tang

Registered User

iTrader: (1)

Joined: Nov 2002

Posts: 249

From: GVRD

Car Info: 2003 subaru forester xs

i bought my 02 wrx wagon from an early lease cancellation from a salesperson working there. it was 1 year old with 12k mi on the odo. before they sold it to me they replaced the clutch/flywheel for the defective clutch issue that was common on the early models without me asking for it. 2 weeks into ownership the driver's side window got stuck (common problem) and the rear hatch strut failed on me and the hatch bonked me on the head (LAWSUIT... haha i wish

).

otherwise that's been pretty much it. i've had zero problems with it. i saved a huge amount of cash which i used on gratuitous go-fast mods

as for defecting from saab... can u wait for the upcoming 9-2? it might be the best of both worlds for u... a subaru in swedish designer duds

Sep 24, 2003 | 01:26 PM

BrianD

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Saab 9-2 and WRX

Yeah, we'll be looking at the 9-2. I think its due in Saab showrooms in May 2004. I suspect that the Saabaru interior will be a bit nicer than the Subaru WRX. I really like Saab interiors. However, I also suspect that the _turbo_ 9-2 will be a couple/few grand more than a Subaru WRX. I beleive the base model 9-2 will come with the standard 2.5 H4 naturally aspirated engine. We live in Colorado, and turbo is nice to have when you are driving at altitude. So, we'll see if its worth it to pay a premium for what is essentially a Subaru with a Saab badge and some styling changes. Although I bet the WRX based 9-2 will be cheaper to service than traditional Saabs!

It's all speculation at this point...wait and see.

Thanks,
Brian

Sep 25, 2003 | 05:02 PM

X-VWGLX

Registered User

Joined: Dec 2002

Posts: 30

From: up in my hizzy

Car Info: Blue sedan WRX

Dont believe the hype

Dealers will try to sell you a used WRX for what you could basically get a new one for (if you know how to bargain). a used WRX can be hadfor less than $18000, which is worth the discount. get one with the factory warranty still in tact, you cant go wrong.
too small? Nonsense. Thats American dogma. Unless you have 3 children it is plenty big. We justify minivans and SUVs size with plenty of excuses, then we spend 99% of our time ALONE, driving me, myself, and I.
MPG ~23 per tank. the turbo drinks like a fish, so this 2.0L acts like a V6
BUY IT
ITS FUN

Sep 25, 2003 | 06:14 PM

BrianD

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re: size and mileage

We currently drive a saab 900, which is just about the perfect size. We have three dogs (two were inherited), so we need a little bit of space. The WRX is a little smaller than the Saab, but hey, I can deal with it.

Modern Saab turbos can acheive highway mileage in the 30+mpg range (highway only, and keeping it mellow), and average in the low to mid twenties depending on driving style. I am curious as to why the WRX gets worse mileage - probably more drivetrain resistance with the AWD?

Sep 26, 2003 | 08:49 PM

X-VWGLX

Registered User

Joined: Dec 2002

Posts: 30

From: up in my hizzy

Car Info: Blue sedan WRX

drivein like ya stole it

you could get 28 mpg if you tried, but i have never found enough restraint to do it. the WRX is not very aerodynamic, and begs to be goosed all the time. if you have 3 dogs get the wagon - the rear seat of the sedan will not fold down. this is not a car for those who think about gas milage, it is too hungry to be enviornmentally friendly.