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Registered
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Anywhere but there
Posts: 668
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Good Value In A used Car
I am looking for a car primarily for my 16 year old daughter and am considering either a 2006 Ford Focus ZX4 ST with 59K miles for $6,995 (Kelly Blue Book retail Value is $10,695 in excellent condition) or a 2002 Subaru Impreza 2.5 RS with 104K miles for $6,695 (Kelly Blue Book retail Value is $9,345 in excellent condition). I’ve driven the Subaru and think it looks solid. Both cars are for sale at a local Subaru dealer (they get some credit for having a sales manager that is a serious Porsche guy) Any thoughts about either of these cars, i.e. true cost of ownership, reliability of either, or alternate suggestions, etc?
Thanks. Mike |
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Registered
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Colorado Springs, Co.
Posts: 952
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Get the fire extinguishers out. Here goes, I purchased a 94 Jetta (5sp) to drive back and forth to work knowing that the oldest daughter would be driving soon. Excellent shape, and prior to her "purchasing' the car from me it was perfect. Really ran excellent, and in fact my last ticket was in it. (90 in a 75). Lasted about 1.5 years (for her) until it was totaled (speed? carelessness? lack of attention?) pick one. Insurance was high(she was paying), and maintenance seemed to be constant.
Her replacement..2001 Saturn SL2 AUTO. (she and the Ins. Co. paid) Still going strong with no problems after 4 years, with no leaks, no oil usage, or huge problems. 85000 miles. The second and third daughters also got 1999 SL2's with Auto's. Maybe I'm just lucky or picky, but no problems with them either. One of the daughter's wanted the ION, found a 2004 with just 37,000 miles. Again, picky or just lucky? No problems to date. (8 months) Mom and Dad bought the first cars for all the kids. They (girls and the boy. but that's another story) had to pay ALL maintenance, insurance, fuel, tire, and any other cost. These Saturn's are certainly not the best cars in the world, but they have proven (so far) to be cheap to operate and insure, and have been very dependable. There safety rating is average to good, and after selling one of them (99 SL2) the return on investment wasn't terrible. (Paid 6k, got 4.5k three years later, and even in this market a sign in the window was all it took. Less that two weeks) My .02 Karl 88 targa Last edited by KarlCarrera; 04-29-2009 at 06:35 PM.. |
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Non Compos Mentis
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Off the grid- Almost
Posts: 10,598
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While my 14-year-old daughter was strapping into the 911's 5-point harness the other day, she told me she should have the hooliganized 911 when she starts driving.
She thinks it would be a great car for Driver's Ed. |
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Run smooth, run fast
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: South Carolina
Posts: 13,447
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Mike, those might end up being reliable and inexpensive to maintain, but if I were you, I would go with "history" if you want reliable, etc. ... look at some used Camrys and Accords.
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- John "We had a band powerful enough to turn goat piss into gasoline." |
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Registered
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: NOR*CAL
Posts: 617
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the subaru is one of the safest cars you can get, the A pillars are indestructible.
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'78 SC |
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Registered
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Anywhere but there
Posts: 668
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I am leaning towards the Subaru although the miles are a concern for my wife. I am inclined to think that 100K on a Subaru, assuming it has been well maintained, is not much wear at all. Regarding the maintenance, it is current with most having been done at the dealer.
Mike |
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19 years and 17k posts...
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We just bought our 17yr old son a 2002 Ford Focus ZX3 with the Zetec engine, Summit Racing ss exhaust, SVT spoilers, etc... Very well maintained and a very nice looking car (for what it is) for $3250. The insurance is cheaper for him to drive this car than for him to be a driver on our cars...Check the insurance costs, as they are significant!
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Art Zasadny 1974 Porsche 911 Targa "Helga" (Sold, back home in Germany) Learning the bass guitar Driving Ford company cars now... www.ford.com |
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Cogito Ergo Sum
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Just don't buy a 911s. Er 912e I mean.
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Monkey Wrench
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: CA
Posts: 919
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I got an 02 Subie Impreza wagon when I decided to get a daily driver. Had to get a wagon to haul kids soccer, karate, and stuff around. AWD rocks! Oh, I got my Impreza Outback Sport for $5k with 100k on it.
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Registered
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Minneapolis
Posts: 7,482
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Quote:
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Registered
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Anywhere but there
Posts: 668
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Banned
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: South of Heaven
Posts: 21,159
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Quote:
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Registered
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Minneapolis
Posts: 7,482
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Quote:
http://www.subaruheadgasket.com/ http://users.sisna.com/ignatius/subaru/headgasket.html http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=488157 |
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Registered
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Anywhere but there
Posts: 668
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We looked at a 2000 Honda CR-V with 82K a 2001 CR-V with 95K and a 1999 Subarus Forester with 95K. The 2000 CR-V ran smoothly; the 1 cosmetic flaw I found was a dent in the fender which was starting to show some rust. The dealer agreed to remove the rust and paint, but not remove the dent. The 2001 CR-V was no where near as nice as the 2000. The Subaru was about as nice as the 2000 CR-V for about $3K less. Comments about the 2.5 head gasket issue are causing me to back away from the Subaru and go for the Honda. We are not talking a huge amount of money: $8.5K for the Honda; $5.5K for the Subaru. I just don't want to end up with a big @ss lawn ornament no matter what I spend. Am I over worrying the head gasket issue and how can I best address my concern?
Thanks. Mike |
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Quality
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Philadelphia area and Morristown NJ
Posts: 951
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Quote:
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85.5 944 NA 5spd - Sold but not forgotten 89 951 Turbo S - Revival in progress... ![]() |
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