my first new car

[rallynavvie]

Well after Mitsubishi kept jerking me around on a good price on an Evo RS (all they did was point at the window sticker) I finally decided to stay with my usual manufacturer and got a Subaru Legacy GT (aka the Liberty GT in OZ)



It's not as fast and sporty as the Evo but it's a lot faster than most other sedans its size (especially with an ECU reflash) and it has a lot more features than an Evo RS. The dealer had this car with exactly the color and features I wanted on one (no ugly spoiler or obnoxious perimeter alarm system) so I didn't even have to wait for it. And since I have plenty of contacts within Subaru I got this one for less than what most folks are paying for their WRXs. The only thing cosmetically I don't care for, and made even clearer by that picture, is that annoying chrome-look grille. It makes it look like a Chevy Malibu with a hood scoop from the front and that's just not going to do at all. There is a great black mesh OEM one that I'm hoping someone gets me for Christmas that would clean that up though.

Right now she isn't very pretty, so covered in salt residue from the roads that you'd think it were white. Unfortunately it's also -10°F for the next few days so no possibility of a car wash until the weekend perhaps.

Oh, and one of my car in GT4

[Guest]

Cool ,this was mine a ways back


Just got this

[Garibaldi]

Looks great!!! That's always fun to have a new toy and a new experience!! I guess you'll really get a test of how it handles now with the winter months here, I know there's plenty of snow here already in Wisconsin

[Cobra]

Nice one, Rally! Car to suit the username and all!

I bet that thing goes quick. Got a rave review from Top Gear, anyway.

Is it comfortable to drive? I would think that the suspension would be a bit stiff. Got to be better than my Almera - that's got about 180mm travel or something stupidly low like that...

[rallynavvie]

The ride is stiff, but nothing compared to what my Impreza was with its aftermarket suspension. I guess I got this one mostly because it was just as fast as my old 2.5 turbo Impreza (though the torque doesn't come on nearly as quick) but had a nicer interior and all that. I needed something more "grown up" since I sometimes shuttle execs and stuff in my current job. Although I'm thinking maybe I should be shuttling them around in a jalopy so they think they need to pay me more

[enstg8er]

very nice car. i've always liked subaru and the boxer engines. the drive system sould also be nice up north. i would have chosen it over the mitsu...

[Faustus]

Grats the first new car is always the best. It just feels good.

[lordsmurf]

Congrats.

[garman]

When getting a car do you lease or buy? Not a pole. Just wondering some of my friends and family pretend they do well by leasing a expesive car and profile down the road. -garman

[Faustus]

Thats gonna depend on alot of questions like how well you'll take care of the car and how far and how much you'll be driving it.

I for sure wouldn't suggest leasing your first car... but after that if you don't have to drive far and you take REALLY good care of a car both inside and out then it might be worth researching leasing options.

[rallynavvie]

I don't think I'd ever lease if you can get good rates on loans, at least then you could salvage some of your buying cost when you get rid of it. Otherwise leasing seems like a waste of money to me. And for some it ends up not being the cheaper option they expected since they have to put full insurance coverage on it while it's leased as opposed to whatever coverage you want if you own it outright. Rather than lease I'd just buy a used car I can afford.

[Guest]

I don't think I'd ever lease if you can get good rates on loans, at least then you could salvage some of your buying cost when you get rid of it. Otherwise leasing seems like a waste of money to me. And for some it ends up not being the cheaper option they expected since they have to put full insurance coverage on it while it's leased as opposed to whatever coverage you want if you own it outright. Rather than lease I'd just buy a used car I can afford.

You stand to lose more if you buy. A lease just pays financed depreciation.

Who cares if you pay $15k of a $25k that is worth $10K at the end of the laese vs. paying $25K for A $25K car and owning a car worth $10k (which you have the hassle of getting rid of). You tied up an extra $10k of your money and paid interest on it. You could have had it invested and made money on it.

The only reason I see to buy is if you are going to put a shitload of miles on it. My current situation. Just bought my first new car vs usually leasing.

[Guest]

I don't think I'd ever lease if you can get good rates on loans, at least then you could salvage some of your buying cost when you get rid of it. Otherwise leasing seems like a waste of money to me. And for some it ends up not being the cheaper option they expected since they have to put full insurance coverage on it while it's leased as opposed to whatever coverage you want if you own it outright. Rather than lease I'd just buy a used car I can afford.

Freedom of choice is great but would you really not want to have collision coverage on a new car?!

[ZAPPER]

Congrats on the new wheels! Can I be the first to spill a drink in it or drop a cigarette on the rug or get in it with a screwdriver sticking out of my back pocket? Juuuust kidding.

Go ahead and get that first dent over with, it is too stressful to worry about


Buying new or used or leasing is a topic in and of itself. There are so many variables that there can't be any one best solution for even one person. As long as you are happy with you buy, that is all that matters.

Happy trails!

[Guest]

As long as you are happy with you buy, that is all that matters.

That is the main thing.

[rallynavvie]

I already put the first scratch in it. Well I didn't, my dad did. I traded vehicles with him so I could use his truck to haul some stuff down to Chicago. Apparently as he was backing up and turning the left front caught an empty wheelbarrow and scraped the paint off. A good 6" long scrape that's about half inch wide. Not too noticeable right now with all the salt residue covering the car.

I'm sure he'll get around to sending me money to repair that someday, unless he pulls out one of his "if you had any idea how much stuff you kids have ruined of ours you wouldn't even care about that little scratch"

I also finally witnessed its awesome power yesterday on my way to work. I was running at high revs behind a slow-moving car who was holding up traffic. As soon as he turned off I dropped the hammer and spun all four on dry pavement at 40mph. I forgot this model has Subaru's version of variable valve control so in addition to the turbo at those RPMs it also has a more aggressive cam. But being able to spin all four tires at speed is impressive

[Guest]

What a bummer.My girl's new car is less than 2 months old. Already has a chipped windshield and been rear ended.

[garman]

I don't think I'd ever lease if you can get good rates on loans, at least then you could salvage some of your buying cost when you get rid of it. Otherwise leasing seems like a waste of money to me. And for some it ends up not being the cheaper option they expected since they have to put full insurance coverage on it while it's leased as opposed to whatever coverage you want if you own it outright. Rather than lease I'd just buy a used car I can afford.

You stand to lose more if you buy. A lease just pays financed depreciation.

Who cares if you pay $15k of a $25k that is worth $10K at the end of the laese vs. paying $25K for A $25K car and owning a car worth $10k (which you have the hassle of getting rid of). You tied up an extra $10k of your money and paid interest on it. You could have had it invested and made money on it.

The only reason I see to buy is if you are going to put a shitload of miles on it. My current situation. Just bought my first new car vs usually leasing.

This is not the case for me, my last new car was purchased. Had it for 11 years.. Don't think I spent much money on repairs over the ten years. No mileage to worry about scratches, Insurance is also higher on a lease. I currently have a 2002 vehicle, oil cahnges, regular maintenance is alway done. I paln to keep this guy for ten years. I think it's cheaper in my long run -garman

BTW if you plan to buy a out the lease, I think that's where it hurts

[ZAPPER]

There are alot of lease options out there, and not all of them advertised or even available to everyone. Corporate rates and high milage deals, multi car deals and short term deals. You almost have to be a lawyer to figure them out and a scam artist to even find them!