What used Subaru to buy?

[chip]

I'm looking to buy a an inexpensive second vehicle for a commuter ride. Any
suggestions on what model Subaru gets the best mileage of the bunch? I
make a 36 round trip commute each day. TIA

 

[Cam Penner]

I'm looking to buy a an inexpensive second vehicle for a commuter ride. Any
suggestions on what model Subaru gets the best mileage of the bunch? I
make a 36 round trip commute each day. TIA

Justy.

 

[lkreh]

honda civic.

 

[nothermark]

I'm looking to buy a an inexpensive second vehicle for a commuter ride. Any
suggestions on what model Subaru gets the best mileage of the bunch? I
make a 36 round trip commute each day. TIA

new Hyundai - cheap, relaible, and fairly economical. ;-)

 

[chip]

new Hyundai - cheap, relaible, and fairly economical. ;-)

You know, I actually considered the the Hyudai. But, I'm looking for AWD.
I live in a snowy area.

 

[lkreh]

Well, living in a snowy area changes things. In that case, I'd look at
the base Impreza 2.5i sedan or wagon. I'd get the wagon because it
could pull double-duty if you want to go skiing, etc. Given the avg
vehicle price lately, the Impreza would be considered inexpensive at
about $17K new. It's also about a 29 mpg highway vehicle.

 

[NYTRA]

Late 90's Impreza/Legacy with a 2.2 liter engine. Mid to upper 20's mpg.

Walt

 

[Cam Penner]

Well, living in a snowy area changes things. In that case, I'd look at
the base Impreza 2.5i sedan or wagon. I'd get the wagon because it
could pull double-duty if you want to go skiing, etc. Given the avg
vehicle price lately, the Impreza would be considered inexpensive at
about $17K new. It's also about a 29 mpg highway vehicle.

Depending on how many people go skiing with you, the sedan
may be a better choice. With the wagon, if you fold one
seat down to get skiis in, you only have seating for 3. If
you put the skiis through the pass through in the sedan,
you've got seating for 4.

 

[Mike Lloyd]

Or you can put them on the roof of either car and still have more room in
the wagon... plus the wagon comes with the roof rails...the sedan needs to
have them added on.

 

[Kyle]

Depending on how many people go skiing with you, the sedan

may be a better choice. With the wagon, if you fold one
seat down to get skiis in, you only have seating for 3. If
you put the skiis through the pass through in the sedan,
you've got seating for 4.

Also consider the equipment. Although I haven't actually tried using
it, I can't imagine you can get 4 pairs of skis through the pass
through in the sedan, the opening is rather small. I would recommend
the wagon for overall versatility.

 

[j]

<Late 90's Impreza/Legacy with a 2.2 liter engine. Mid to upper 20's
mpg.>

I agree. I had a 97 Legacy L wagon automatic that averaged 27 mpg. No
frills, just great transportation.

 

[chip]

<Late 90's Impreza/Legacy with a 2.2 liter engine. Mid to upper 20's
mpg.>

I agree. I had a 97 Legacy L wagon automatic that averaged 27 mpg. No
frills, just great transportation.

We used to own and old Legacy wagon. I would have to be and older model.
Because we are still making payments on the '05 FXT. It has to be cheap.

 

[j]

I had a 92 Legacy L sedan prior to the 97 wagon. The sedan was a
manual, and also got high 20's mpg. The only problem with the first
generation Legacy's, in my experience as well with most higer
mileagevehicles, is that they tend to require more frequent
maintenance. Of course, I picked my 92 up when it had almost 100k on
the clock. All things being equal, I would still pick another first
generation legacy as solid commuter transportation. For whatever
that's worth.

 

[Michael Pardee]

Well, living in a snowy area changes things. In that case, I'd look at
the base Impreza 2.5i sedan or wagon. I'd get the wagon because it
could pull double-duty if you want to go skiing, etc. Given the avg
vehicle price lately, the Impreza would be considered inexpensive at
about $17K new. It's also about a 29 mpg highway vehicle.

Not to hijack the thread, but that's what I'm looking for: an older car for
a new driver - he's 22! - in a snowy area. Important considerations are
ability to get through snowy roads (that's why the Subaru interest),
maintainability by a well-equipped DIYer (me), and about 10 years old - I
believe new drivers should have old cars. Fuel economy is important but not
the most important consideration, and it will be a two passenger second car
for the newlyweds for a while. First car is a 1993 Accord, which gets around
okay in snow but needs cables fairly often.

Mike

 

[lkreh]

Repeated repair costs on a 10-year old car vs. higher capital
investment on newer car will make it a wash. I'd buy a 5-year old or
less Subaru for the kid. It's going to be more reliable and safer
(think air bags) for him. Plus, a 5-year old Subaru ain't going any
faster than a 10-year old if both have the same 4 cyl. engine.

 

[Michael Pardee]

Repeated repair costs on a 10-year old car vs. higher capital
investment on newer car will make it a wash. I'd buy a 5-year old or
less Subaru for the kid. It's going to be more reliable and safer
(think air bags) for him. Plus, a 5-year old Subaru ain't going any
faster than a 10-year old if both have the same 4 cyl. engine.

As a DIYer, I much prefer cars with at least 80K miles, preferably at least
100K. At 50K miles it is hard to tell how they have been treated; at 100K it
is hard to hide. I get some great deals on cars that need things like timing
belt changes and axle replacements. Then I have a fresh timing belt / water
pump / front side seals and axles My car now has over 230K miles, and my
daughter's '93 Honda is about 210K IIRC.

Only once in recent years have I let car lust interfere with my most
important guidelines: no trace of rust in the radiator and no sludge visible
through the oil filler cap. I bought a Nissan 300ZX that had radiator rust
and regretted it at leisure. At 150K miles the car was no longer worth the
trouble.

I am uncertain about the status of possible head gasket failure, though.
Obviously, if the car has signs of head gasket problems I won't buy it if
the seller isn't pricing accordingly. But I don't know how much of a job it
is on a Subie. On my Volvo the manifold nuts would have to be heated cherry
red to get them off, and even at that broken studs are reportedly common.

Mike

 

[k. ote]

honda civic.

AWESOME!

Fantastic answer.. Love it. I've never give up my STi for anything, but I
do pay the price in gas. Whew.