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Comments
Ken: the L gets the same cup holder. I'm trying to talk her into stepping up to a GT.
Colin: there are some incentives, too. Somehow Fitz is offering them for $800-900 under invoice, so my guess is they have a $500 or even $750 cash back offer for the dealer. I could "round down" to $20k. :-)
If we get a Forester, we'll likely break the budget and get a Premium for that wonderfully huge moonroof. Plus I'd want it to be as different as possible from mine, for kicks.
Mods don't count. I buy those slowly as I can afford them, and have fun doing them, so that doesn't play into the budget limit. Same for accessories.
So far I have a GT for less than $21k with a CD changer, vs. a few alternatives:
Camry SE plus moonroof, keyless, power seat, ABS, alloys for $20,335 invoice, about $20,800 street price. But no AWD, no LSD, and just 1 CD.
Accord: ruled out because you can't get a 5 speed with ABS. You believe that?
Passat: pricey. $21k before you even look at aftermarket alloys and moonroof. So $23k, plus they want premium fuel. Plus dealer profit. Traction control is a bonus, and they're nice, but it blows our price limit, big time.
Altima S: with ABS, convenience, fogs, moonroof, and side sills it's $20,412 invoice, plus dealer profit. But poor side crash tests scare me off. Wife doesn't like the clear tails.
Not to mention, all of the above have a serious disease called "front wheel drive". ;-)
Man, what will a 2003 2.5 GT cost? The wife actually wants leather and heat. The price is creeping up, but it does so with all the competition. I basically found that with the same equipment, the Legacy just throws in AWD for free.
-juice
Steve
Ed
Go for the GT as opposed to the legacy, whats another couple of grand spread over the seven or eight years that you keep your vehicles.
Besides the GT will also be easier to sell when the time comes.
BTW. Subaru are selling a special edition legacy in Canada at the moment, gets the GT alloy rims and tires,body coloured mirrors and door handles, GT fog lights, and I think the rocker panel extensions, But no moonroofs.
I think it adds less than a $thousand Canadian to the legcay L.
Cheers Pat. PS, all Canadian Subarus get the heated seats and mirrors standard.
We are moving up to lake on the weekend for the summer, no internet up there, we wiil come in one day a week to do chores at the house.
Will try to keep up with the posts but time being limited it will be catchup.
Juice hope to hear you have bought a GT sooner rather than later
Cheers Pat.
What'll I do without anyone to chide me for buying a black Subaru? ;-)
Ed
I bought the silver SE wagon about a month ago. I appreciated your feedback on the spoiler you have on your GT wagon. I ended up putting on the acrylic rear deflector. Seems to help deflect the crud and looks good and was $200 cheaper than the spoiler. Also added the black rear bumper pad (as the '03 GT will have standard) and splash guards. We rarely use the sunroof on our '92 LS wagon (other than having to get it resealed for water leaks for lots of $) and wanted the extra headroom for my 6'4" son.
Enjoy your summer... we're still experiencing snow showers!
Jon
Patti
Now, you have a name pretty much set for your son, but you're going to have to work on a name for Sandy's sibling now also. You are going to be a busy guy!
Patti
No news on WRX?
-Dave
How about a '03 Mazda6? 6 pot with a 5 speed, moonroof, etc. A quantum (or even Passat) leap forward in design and build quality, good styling (although it will sport Altezza tails, blech), great driving dynamics.....
just a thought. Dunno when it is released offhand
-mike
Patti - Don't get up so early. We don't want you snoozing in the juror box. :-)
-Dennis
I really look forward to the hats and the camaradrie on the boards.
Patti hope that jury duty is soon over, those early hours will soon take a toll.
Cheers Pat.
I'm not even sure if we'll wait until August, when the 2003 Legacy arrives. Plus, the current incentives are what's putting the GT near our price range to begin with.
Pat: drop in when you can, you'll be missed.
That SE model seems like a good compromise and an excellent value. Why does Canada get cool models we don't? Like the Forester Dynastar edition and Sport? Plus heated seats on the GT wagon and the WRX.
We saw a GT wagon in the parking lot, and she had to admit it - she liked it. She still doesn't see herself driving a wagon, and my philosophy is never buy a car you don't love, so the test drives will tell all. We'll probably sample an L sedan, a GT wagon, and maybe an AWP Outback. Probably a new Forester, too, if we wait that long.
I told her we'll test drive a Camry and maybe an Altima first, on the same day, so she can compare them back to back.
-juice
I think I'll get one this time around regardless. We just organized the paper work for the 626, and found that in 7 years/74k miles we've spent $2300 on repairs, or well over twice the cost of an extended warranty. Plus, and this is the worst part, if we had gotten a 10 year/100k warranty, it would still be valid for another 3 years!
Our cars are long-term keepers, so I'm leaning towards getting one this time around.
-juice
You will be missed!
KarenS
Host
Owners Clubs
-juice
Greg
Have your wife test drive the wagon. When we bought our first Legacy wagon in '90, my wife was leaning towards a sedan, however after test driving and then owning it for awhile, her comment was "it handles as well as a sport sedan; the only time when you know you're in a wagon is when you glance over your shoulder".
She is totally sold on wagons now. Better visibility out the rear window when raining or snowing due to the wiper and washer (on rentals, we've noticed the difference on a sedan rear window) as well as the space versatility. She loves having the space to quickly put her bike in the back with the seats flipped forward. We only use the hitch bike rack when we're carrying more than one bike. Besides, the sedan doesn't have the folding seat backs, only a small opening for skis or whatever. We all have found backing up is safer too, because one doesn't have to estimate where the end of the vehicle is. We continue to have 3 Subie wagons in the family.
Jon
;-)
-Colin
I got a feeling the handling of the GT is what is going to sell her on it, at least that is my hope. Her idea of a wagon is one of those 70s barges her parents drove, so she's in for a nice surprise.
I can add to your list - wagons gets struts instead of gooseneck hinges, there is more head room in the rear seat, and even the door opening is wider because of the squared off windows. The seats split/fold, too. And don't forget the roof rack and the 2nd moonroof for the kids.
-juice
you could 'cahoot' with the dealer i.e. "Oh, we don't have the sedan for test drive today, but we do have the wagon ready for test drive" plan =D
-Dave
Greg
I had the opportunity to test drive a 2001 GT Wagon 5-speed last year. From what I can remember, it was a a good experience. Quieter and more refined than our Forester, but managed to keep it fun in the turns. What struck me most was how the engine seemed more eager to rev (maybe it was the Phase I vs. II difference) and the smoother feel of the shifter/clutch.
I remember leaving the test drive thinking, I could go for one of these.
Ken
he he, I feel evil, tempting her.
-juice
EX 4dr Sedan w/Leather (2.3L 4cyl 5M) for around same price as the GT--and it does have ABS. Everything is standard on the EX model. Of course, it is FWD and does not have Subaru's AWD system. And, it does not come with a Patti!!!!!
Jim
Don,t know what the hell I was thinking about I said I would be on the chat tonight, but this is only Wednesday, must be anxious to get to the lake, I will make the chat tomorrow night.
KarenS, I intend to spend most of my time just lying around.
Cheers Pat.
There has been trouble with the Forester rear wheel bearings,if you cannot get any joy with the dealership contact Subaru and get a case file started.
Cheers Pat.
-Colin
-Dennis
who's driving?
-Dave
My '99 "S" came misaligned, and wasn't fixed correctly until aligned by a good suspension/ tire/alignment specialty shop. Many dealers are not really skilled or careful about alignment. The OEM tires got noisier, creating an increasing dull roar from the rear. When I rotated the tires at 25K or so, the noise quieted - then came back. I got the first skilled alignment at around 55K. - The new snow tires stayed fairly quiet. When I got new summer tires this spring at 94K, I got the alignment checked again, they adjusted it some, but not that much. The Forester seems to hold its alignments well with highway driving. Alignment issues have been posted on these boards fairly often, and are worth checking - perhaps before going into the rear bearings. IIRC, most of the rear bearing failures occurred in earlier Foresters. (My '99's rear bearings have been OK. Good luck.) This could be a fairly easy fix to one of the few nagging problems on a wonderful vehicle.
Cruising at 95,000 miles,
John
I have two potential buyers looking at the 626 today. Cleaned it up nicely yesterday, she's lookin' good so fingers are crossed.
Donna: I'd guess wheel bearing, too. Should be under warranty, so if the dealer drags his feet call 800-SUBARU3 and then we'll get Patti on their backs.
The bearing and hub on our 626 went out a few months ago, and it made a "chunk chunk chunk" sound, speed dependent. Ask the service advisor to go along for a drive with you, and point it out.
-juice
As a matter of fact, we have a weekly chat and it's tonight - 9pm eastern time. Use the link above and please join us!
-juice
From someone who has owned a multitude of Honda,s from 1976 until 2001, this sounds like heresy but Hondas are starting to slip, they are riding a lot now on past reputation.
Also a friend of mine who has been a long time Toyota lover says that his present Camry will be his last Toyota. Its a 99 Model and he has not been happy. I let him have a drive in the Titan, and come fall when the 2003s are in he will be buying a GT wagon.
Cheers Pat.
Cheers Pat.
The bottom line will be the size of the smile on her face. I have a feeling it would take a V6 in the Camry and Accord and maybe sportier trim lines, but those push prices up.
I called SoA just FWIW, and they said end of May for Forester, maybe July for the 2003 Legacy. July? Hmm, maybe we could wait. Or order one in advance. 5 speeds GTs are not very common around here, especially wagons.
-juice
No word for the 2003 WRX?
-Dave
May, June, July. So 3 months. Let's see how she likes the 2002s.
-juice
Ed