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From a reliability and safety perspective, definitely avoid a turbo.
Subarus tend to hold their value especially well, so used car prices do tend to be higher than one would expect. For 8 grand you’re probably looking at something about 10 years old at this point. At that age reliability starts to get a bit iffy. I don’t know where Subaru got the reputation of being reliable, but in my experience its undeserved. I’d be much more comfortable with a Honda of that age.
Out of that list, the Legacy will be by far the cheapest. For that money I'd get one with the base 4 cylinder and a MT if you can find it. They're pretty reliable unless you're getting into the turbo models.
Impreza hatch or Crosstrek. Lower power for a 16 yr old, smaller & easier to maneuver than a Legacy/OB.
Had an Impreza Sport for a couple days in CA & was pretty impressed with it, but a bit small for my current needs (and a bit low on the power side, for me).
I wasn't overall impressed with the Forester. Would take an Impreza/Crosstrek or Outback over it.
Spending $8k on an Accord should get you one that will far outlast your family's desire to keep it around.
Unless you're concerned about its crash safety, I would go Impreza from your list of Subarus. It's probably close to a wash reliability-wise, and it should be the cheapest and most fuel-efficient of the lineup. No point paying for extra space/features if they won't be used.
My first car was an '82 Mercedes 240D
Loved that car & in hindsight, was perfect for a heavy-footed 16 yr old. As it had all of 64hp when new, and had >300k on it when I got it. Slowest car I've ever driven, but I loved it & wish I could find a clean one again.
It was a tank & took a major hit to the rear. I was slowing for a light on a misty day & the F150 behind me was towing a trailer, hit the brakes & slid into me. I was doing ~10-15mph & he was doing something like 40-50mph. The rear doors still would open/close without issue. Unfortunately, it did >$7k in damage to a $2k car & it was gone.
From a reliability perspective, I would say a 2008 Legacy 3.0. You don't have the head gasket issues the 4 cylinder cars have, and he can get the thought of modding the car out of his head: It is ungodly expensive to mod the H6 motor. I looked into it with my JDM 3.0 Spec B years ago, and only one person on the planet (that inhabit LegacyGT.com anyway) did and it was a $7K supercharger plus all the other bits. Well over $10 K.
The car comes optioned very well in the USA. and insurance should be low. Gas mileage is OK. The flat 6 is reliable, and only really requires oil (5000 Miles) and spark plug changes (25-35K Miles)
If not that, then the utility of an Imprezza. But to keep the price down, find a manual. They sell for less because millennials can't drive them.
When we were in high school, my cousin had a big ass Volvo, was a big white brick. Must have weighed 10 tons and had 100 horsepower. Not at all the most exciting car to get around in but definitely one of the safest
Congrats! A solid choice that's a little under the radar these days, I think. And it hits on all the major points you were looking for. Should be a trouble-free machine for years.
Thanks. Yeah wanted reliability first. It's a 3rd car for us so doesn't have to fit every wish list. My biggest requirement however was not having to take out a loan.
life got in the way since 1999 when I created my profile. I also grew wisdom.
2 homes (primary and vacation home)
3 practical vehicles
3 kids college funds
Retirement/LTC funding
.
.
.
Depreciating assets
life got in the way since 1999 when I created my profile. I also grew wisdom.
2 homes (primary and vacation home)
3 practical vehicles
3 kids college funds
Retirement/LTC funding
.
.
.
Depreciating assets
My first car was an '82 Mercedes 240D
Loved that car & in hindsight, was perfect for a heavy-footed 16 yr old. As it had all of 64hp when new, and had >300k on it when I got it. Slowest car I've ever driven, but I loved it & wish I could find a clean one again.
It was a tank & took a major hit to the rear. I was slowing for a light on a misty day & the F150 behind me was towing a trailer, hit the brakes & slid into me. I was doing ~10-15mph & he was doing something like 40-50mph. The rear doors still would open/close without issue. Unfortunately, it did >$7k in damage to a $2k car & it was gone.
For someone that just got his Audi totaled, I feel your past pain.
I had a brown/brown Buick Century between the above totalled 240D & the subsequent 300SD. The Century made it 1 day. Passenger side axle kept popping out. Drove our '87 Suburban instead, in the interim.
11-30-2020, 10:20 AM
reliability perspective we've narrowed down to a Subaru.
Congrats! A solid choice that's a little under the radar these days, I think. And it hits on all the major points you were looking for. Should be a trouble-free machine for years.
life got in the way since 1999 when I created my profile. I also grew wisdom.
