So i'm thinking about buying a wrx or a LGT...

[1gcrazy]

First, I'm somewhat familiar with the wrx, i'm a huge DSM guy, so I sort of have to...

Im selling my 3kgt vr4 because my fiance is prego. I'll have about 4k to put down on a 4 door car. This is my first real car payment.

I keep looking for a nice WRX from the dealerships but I guess i got stuck in the best subaru demographic in the nation, because prices are rediculous.
It's so good I guess, they're offering 150/mo lease on a new 08 wrx. I know... cheap cheap.

Heres the deal, I need an SR22 on my insurance but i've found pretty decent rates...
225 a month for an 05 wrx
180 a month for an 08 wrx

Anyway, i'm torn.
I found a decent 05 with new brakes, a new control arm(a rally sticker on the back, yes its been rallied. Doesn't show it otherwise) has a bunch of other new items.
My payment with 4k down would be around 300 since my interest rate is so high(10.99) then my insurance so i'm workin on a 550/mo payment. They want 14,750 + taxes and D&H.

If I can get this 08 lease with a cosigner i'll be workin on maybe 150/mo with that much down and then my insurance is actually cheaper...

OR....

I could just find a cheaper 04/05 Legacy 2.5 GT 5 speed.

My questions are:
Will the WRX STi aftermarket parts fit the LGT? Same engine... Same layout? Please explain...

Then, are there really big differences between the two? I mean it all seems the same.


Then again, I could always scratch all of this, pay 88/mo on my 91 galant vr4, throw the head back on and stitch her up and drive that. Then put 2k into the galant... Or I could sell it and put it into an STi

Not sure. Help me out here... i'm freakin goin crazy over this.

BTW, this car may get basic mods...exhaust, intake boostgauge... thats it.

[mosc]

well, first there is no 04 turbo LGT... that didn't hit until 2005. As for what's under the hood, it's most similar to a 2008 WRX I'd say. There are lots of parts that are compatible and some that aren't between all the recent turbo subarus.

The Galant VR4's a rare ride. Something like 2000 of those hit the states? Nice car. Course, it's 17 years old...

[1gcrazy]

Originally Posted by mosc

well, first there is no 04 turbo LGT... that didn't hit until 2005. As for what's under the hood, it's most similar to a 2008 WRX I'd say. There are lots of parts that are compatible and some that aren't between all the recent turbo subarus.

The Galant VR4's a rare ride. Something like 2000 of those hit the states? Nice car. Course, it's 17 years old...

Ok, so an 05 LGT... got it.

Yeah the galant is pretty nice, its just a 1g dsm in a 4 door trim which is STILL going to be unreliable. Driving my lady to the hospitol...reliability is KEY. I'll probably keep the galant just as fun toy buy i do still need to decide what rex i'm gonna do with only 4k down. I guess the sti is out, it needs to be an 04 or 05 rex or an 05 LGT for around 200 a month.

[SuBeast]

You could look into a WRX wagon. They are considerably cheaper than the sedan. Plus they are more practical for some.

[nagyhead]

the wagons aren't that much cheaper. But a better choice then the sedan IMO.

[Robby1989]

The wagon is much cheaper on insurance! And people wont expect a wagon to fly pass them!

[1gcrazy]

You know whats funny is I was JUST telling my g/f how badass a Black tinted wagon with an exhaust looked.... I was droolin over this thing. She said she'd never be caught dead in it but I beg to differ... I did find an 04 rex sedan with 105k for considerably less than the dealerships are asking. I guess it just has a lot of miles. I'll be fine toothing this one pretty carefully.
Theyre asking 10,900. I'll be looking it over tomorrow hopefully.
It looks like a nice ride. Guy says its got a 3 finger scratch on the rear bumper but not bad otherwise.
Thats about as cheap as I can find at this point....

[ulfric1]

i would stick with the rex sedan or wagon. The wagons are still real fun to drive and a lot more practical

[awd4life]

Actually, for whatever reason, when I was shopping for my first REX, I found that the wagons were a little more expensive than the sedan in CO. I dont know what it is about the demographic up there, but the wagons were more available and a little (a couple hundred dollars) more expensive.

[1gcrazy]

Ok guys, i'm at work so i'm gonna try and make this short and sweet.

I've found two cars and i'm torn.

First car: 05 WRX darker silver with gunmetal rims and snow tires, no sunroof, 5 speed, 100k miles exactly. Has new brakes, new bov, new shift knob and a new control arm, all from the stealership. Clutch feels strong and brakes feel GREAT. I dont know if the timing belt has been changed. Has the newer version dash for 05 and i've fallen in love with it. Has a hail dent here and there, nothing major and a small discrepancy on the rear spoiler that might wet sand out. I've already been approved to buy the car I just need to go sign.
Price is 13,998 plus taxes and dealer fees.

Second car: 04 WRX silver with the twin 5 spoke wheels you see on every 02 and 03 rex with great all season tires. Has a sunroof, brakes are hardly as nice as the 05 but stop the car well enough. The dash is the older 02-04 version which I hate. It has a goofy squeeking noice coming from the engine thats heard better from the cabin than sticking your head in the engine bay. It follows the engines revs and is very faint but noticable. Not associated with the a/c and its not a belt.
It has a muffler delete with a cat, nice and throaty but still sounds good. 105k miles, no accidents. Needs the timing belt and stuff done. Has an STi shift knob and a goofy filter stuck on the end of the intake in place of the box.
I havn't been able to make it to the bank to get approved for it but its kind of a 60/40 chance i'll get approved since the mileage...
Price is 10,900.

Both great deals but I'm having a hard time justifying 3000 more for a dash layout. Help me figure this out. PLEASE!

[mosc]

take em to a mechanic who knows subarus. I wish I had taken that advice recently...

[9d2TSi]

No, and no. Control arm means it was more than likely wrecked at some point. The other car sounds janky anyways.

I'd tell you to carfax both of them and then go from there.

[1gcrazy]

Well If a carfax doesn't report it, it doesn't look wrecked, all the paint is original... I dont much care if its been wrecked. It looks damn good.

The second one is in good shape, its not the best but it IS nice car. It seems like its been sti'd out...cheaply... by a little old lady that moved to italy.........yeah.

I dunno I'm actually considering paying a few more bucks a month and getting an sti... I'd be MUCH happier and the lady says I can have it so...
I'll keep yall updated.

[1gcrazy]

Ok, were back on the 08...

My 3000gt sale has backed out once again. My down payment was going to be from the 3000.

I went into the dealer pretty much mind made up about the 05.

I get in there and they can only do 2000 down no less. So I brought my trade in and they took a look at it.

They basically have my deal set up like this...

08 wrx base, 4 door. SPT exhaust and sport grill, black on black. 309/mo.

05 wrx 100k, 4 door, stock. silver on black, with 2000 down 305/mo.

I have til tomorrow to decide.

[newtothegame]

I hate to say it (not a fan of the 08) but for only $4 more a month I would go for it knowing that you will run into less problems with the newer car. Is there a difference between the years with insurance?