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we put about $2500 into a car that was already over 10 years old, figuring if we got another 18 months out of it we were still ahead .... daughter drove it as her only car until about 2 years ago, and we are still using it as an occasional driver ...
but I agree ...
it's a tough decision ...
-mike
Totally on the fence here. The car is sound, ya know? it isn't beat up, it's pretty clean for 130K+ and it's a lifelong member of the family. Like Juice saying goodbye to SAndy
park it. Buy new car. Fix BG later, keep as winter beater
Buy new car. Sell BG for whatever we can get for it.
Cars under consideration?
Well, this would be Kirsten's ride, since I have the company Camry. She wants something no bigger than the BG. Must be efficient, must be MT. Must be an engaging drive. So far:
MINI Clubman (her current fave- big enough for one kid, even 2. Good EPA, hoot to drive, 6MT, loads of style)
Honda Fit (she doesn't like the cheapness of the interior)
Prius (hurt by no MT, no fun, and definitely no deals. Lucien sez, "and it's getting old")
Impreza (hurt by fuel economy, but is a compact package and has AWD. Must be 2009 to avoid bland driving experience of 2008. Keeps us in the Subie fold.)
Outback (also hurt by economy, blandest color choice in automobiledom)
I guess I should add Mazda3 wagon to this list. Haven't really looked at one in a while.
Bob
The Outback is not a bad car, bigger rear than the impreza.
On a side note, I test drove the G8 GT yesterday. AMAZING car. We are talking BMW 5-Series level. Can't wait for the G8 GXP w/6MT to be available. Unless the 2010 Legacy knocks my socks off, I believe the G8 GXP will be in my driveway next year.
-mike
Subaru Guru and Race Instructor
In fact, here's some info on deals to be had. Too bad you're not looking at an '08 STI, as the deals are INCREDIBLE—like $7K off & 0% financing for 60 months!
http://www.cars101.com/subaru/rebates.html
http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1630732
Bob
Bushings- At that age and milage, bushings start to break down.
Radiator- Again, milage.
AC System- Naggily things in there can come to high ticket items down the road.
Shocks- At 150k they should be shot.
Catalytic- If that wasn't done with the exhust.
Sensors- Start to become costly to hunt down and fix at that age.
Nothing major but after dumping $3500 you HAVE to chase down future problems which can get costly.
-mike
-mike
Subaru Guru and Track Instructor
Bob
Taking the BG back from the mechanic today, to mull it over.
Are any other posters able to direct me to previous threads regarding high mileage maintenance issues/items on a 98 Legacy, 2.2 liter with a 5 speed manual trans.? If this hasn't been talked about in a while, here is my dilemma - my Legacy sedan now has 152,000 miles. I am the original owner and except for about 30,000 that my son put on the car, I have driven it since new. It has had the head gasket replaced and a repair to the gas tank filler neck (was rotted and leaking air, giving off a check engine code). It had a short block replacement at 60,000 under warranty (cold engine piston slap) and at that time the dealer replaced the pilot bearing and 5th gear in the transmission. Trans fluid was replaced with synthetic at that time and hasn't been changed since. Except for replacing the bearing, the clutch is original, as is the exhaust, all pumps, etc. I take pretty good care of my cars, so oil changes and other routine maintenance have always been done. This is my daily driver and I put about 300 miles a week on it. Still gets over 32 MPG on the highway! My problem is that the clutch is on its way out (shudder that I can't get rid of by adjusting; fairly soft engagement and very occasional slipping). This is about a $900 repair. It is also time for timing belt, drive belts & hoses to be replaced, spark plugs, fuel filter, brake fluid replacement and some other maintenance items - figure these things will cost another $200-$300 or so depending on how much of it I do myself. Do the "experts" think it is worth replacing the clutch and other work to put the car back in good order, or it is time to move on.... I guess what I am worried about is that other things will start to go like water pump, fuel pump, exhaust, CV joints, etc. and it will become a money pit. The body is still decent and it still runs well generally. Any thoughts or advice? Thanks in advance!
-mike
Cheers Pat.
Having said that, we are going to look for a new car, and take the OB off front-line duty. We'll probably get something smaller and more economical for all the city driving and errand-running
Do you think a Dealer tech can build an build STi motor better than the factory? I was thinking maybe it would be more carefully rebuilt by hand and might be better than someone building them on an assembly line?
tom
You could limp in to Fitzmall and ask for $2000 for it else you'll walk. People are leasing Legacy Special Editions for $1000 down and $199 per month. You could probably do $2000 down and $159 or so per month.
That would buy you 2 years, and by then Subaru might have that diesel or something else you really want.
Subaru has these crazy residuals right now, some are 81% for a 2 year lease, nuts!
Having said that, buying a new car would run $400 per month or higher, so that $3500 would be amortized in just 9 months. In other words, if it will last longer than 9 months, it's worth fixing.
That seems very likely.
Sure.. it'll last 9 months... but, what's the chances that it might need more repair work within that time?
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RIM came out with the BlackBerry Bold for AT&T customers, and we don't get it. Supposedly we will get a similar model, blending the Curve and the Bold in March 2009, we'll see.
Then RIM comes out with the BlackBerry Storm but it's a Verizon exclusive.
That means T-Mobile only offers the Curve which came out in September 2007, and neither of the newer models. Bummer.
T-Mobile seems to have bet the farm on the Google phone, i.e. the HTC G1, running the Android operating system. The catch is no Enterprise E-mail, so no go for me at work, which stinks! I was also disappointed with the GPS - no voice commands for navigating, pretty lame given how good Google Maps is, and they'd even have traffic info at their disposal.
Still, for non-corporate e-mail, the G1 phone may be worth considering:
* touch screen like the iPhone, only slightly smaller
* adds a full 5-line keyboard, very nice
* still a good small size
* also has a track ball
* Google and YouTube works great
* it's 3G
I would probably get one if they added Enterpsrise E-mail. Dumb omission.
The iPhone is great but AT&T coverage near me is poor. At least their 3G network is good. Also I think is has no Bluetooth, at least Consumer Reports said that.
In any case, it's off to Andrewtech on Friday, they are going to go over the whole car and give us a comprehensive update.
http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-9963760-1.html
Bob
So it's Bluetooth light, if you will. The device is capable, but they block it, likely for security reasons.
The Storm is a lame attempt to compete with the IPhone, and this is coming from someone who has SWORN by BB for a long time (like since the B&W BB).
With that said, I'm not giving up my ever reliable VZ yet.
Juice, as for T-mobile, it's a second rate, lower cost wireless carrier, that's why they don't get the good stuff or the better networks. T-mobile here in NY/NNJ has the worst service ever.
-mike
Subaru Guru and Track Instructor
You will DEFINITELY want to donate some money toward the 48hrs of Tristate http://48hrs.info because Andrewtech just gave us a $250 gift certificate for Labor to raffle off in our raffle. For every $10 donated you will get a chance to win! Currently we are sitting at about $8,000 in prizes!
-mike
Subaru Guru and Track Instructor
-mike
Subaru Guru and Track Instructor
Bummer that you didn't like the Storm. I have not seen one.
At work we are stuck with T-Mo, they have an exclusive contract.
They used to be horrible, but to be honest they have improved a lot. CR just did a test and while Verizon was the best by far, T-Mo actually was better than AT&T or Sprint, so they are now #2.
We really need GSM phones for international use, so the only real choices for us are AT&T and T-Mobile.
T-Mobile has better coverage.
AT&T has better phones and is ahead with their 3G network compared to T-Mo.
Like you concluded, there is no perfect carrier. I would like to combine AT&T's iPhone, with Verizon's US coverage and T-Mobile's GSM coverage overseas.
I get a ten dollar phone card every month, automatically billed to my Visa, unused time accumulates, I have about 100 dollars in credits
This is only my opinion, you hear lots of grumbling about folks being stressed out, yet it appears that all around me, all I see are people with a cell phone glued to their ear. I see them all the time come out of the house get in the car, and before even starting the car they have a cell phone in their hand. I don't understand this need to be accessible every waking minute of the day.
Cheers Pat.
LOL well I have a little kid and a big mortgage. In this economy, I don't want my company thinking for one second they could live without me!
No, I am surrounded by people who have this idea that they are irreplaceable. That they are their position. It is foolishness to me. Sure, I would hate to lose my job, and I certainly feel that I can do it better than anyone else, but that does not mean my employer could not replace me were I suddenly no longer available.
Another 4 years, though, and job security will not be so big of a deal. I am very much looking forward to my last mortgage (or any debt) payment. :shades:
Have fun with it!
Did TC cause you problems? It shouldn't, so long as 1 wheel can get traction.
If all 4 wheels can't get traction, then the system is supposed to cut engine power.
I will admit anticipation waiting for the first snow/ice storm to face in Portland OR. with AWD and Nokians. Will they be enough? :surprise:
That had me ROTL.
My wife spent some time here at work with me and she said I pamper my users far too much. Hey - they're spoiled, but they're not getting rid of me any time soon, tell you that.
-mike
Maybe if I'd stayed with it, it would have been okay but the impression gained from never having a TC vehicle before was that it was bogging and I know that bogging is bad - keep moving at all cost!!! As soon as I hit the off button, it started moving quite nicely. I knew there was some wheel spin going on, but she accelerated. Once moving, I put the TC back on.
An inspection by a mechanic says the timing belt is fine. I hear all sorts of conflicting advice that says, but the belt is almost 8 years old, replace it, the mechanic says I am nuts, and have money to throw away, I can assure you being on a pension I don't. My question, what is the prevailing advice here?
Cheers Pat.