Waiting a year for the 86. What would you recommend for the mean time?

[Avatar_Ko]

Originally Posted by OrbitalEllipses

Fair enough on the first point, my apologies.

I'm going to be harsher on your second point. It's only a fiscally irresponsible decision to buy the 86 IF you can't afford it. I assume you'd be making payments rather than buying outright, but that doesn't mean you can't afford it...that just means you'll pay more for it over time than you would at once. Most people do that, it's not the smartest, but I understand. Since you've more or less committed to buying it and your current car is on its way out, why don't you get a beater? A sub $2K car to carry you over in the mean time and sell for the same price or dispose of. Another Corolla, Civic, or something of that nature that has already lost its value. It makes no sense to buy a car for $10K and then take a hit on the trade in. That isn't being fiscally irresponsible, it's being dumb!

Save up the money and make a larger down payment. Don't waste money in the meantime, that's dumb.

I already have a beater. What I'm looking for is something more fun to drive. And do you think it's likely that I would take more than a $2k hit by buying a $8k car and selling it a year later?

I've thought about all the things I could spend my extra cash on and I want to get a fun car.

[Avatar_Ko]

Originally Posted by MiguelAE86

Subaru 2.5RS? It's got 4 doors, it'll be fine in the winter, it's (i've heard) pretty reliable, and i'm sure they're fun as well as cheap!

An Impreza? That's on my list to look for too.

[OrbitalEllipses]

Originally Posted by Mr.Jay

buy any cheap beater and wait the year?

+1

Originally Posted by MiguelAE86

Subaru 2.5RS? It's got 4 doors, it'll be fine in the winter, it's (i've heard) pretty reliable, and i'm sure they're fun as well as cheap!

Those retain their value pretty well if in good condition. Things to watch out for include headgaskets, timing belt, and rust on the rear fenders. The 2.5 SOHC engine had problems with blowing headgaskets that there was never really a fix for besides for an engine coolant additive. Beyond that, a timing belt job will run you ~$300+ in parts (belt, water pump, idlers, tensioner, add a t-stat for $15 too) and another $300 in labor (figures taken from DOHC timing belt job, prices may vary). You want one that's had the timing belt job and had the headgaskets replaced as it is likely it also had the coolant additive mixed in at that time (if the work was done by a Subaru dealership).

Originally Posted by Avatar_Ko

I already have a beater. What I'm looking for is something more fun to drive. And do you think it's likely that I would take more than a $2k hit by buying a $8k car and selling it a year later?

I've thought about all the things I could spend my extra cash on and I want to get a fun car.

Replace beater with another beater (in better condition and not likely to break), save money for fun time. If you don't get it you don't get it...

[Mr.Jay]

Originally Posted by Avatar_Ko

I already have a beater. What I'm looking for is something more fun to drive. And do you think it's likely that I would take more than a $2k hit by buying a $8k car and selling it a year later?

I've thought about all the things I could spend my extra cash on and I want to get a fun car.

This could very well happen if something occured (accident, repairs etc)

I myself would rather not risk buying a 8K car if I plan to replace it one year later seems like a massive waste as in that 1 year I'm gonna waste gas, insurance money and who knows what else on a decent fun car and have less money to go towards the FRS/BRZ

buying another better beater and sucking it up for 1 year makes the most sense

buy a barbie jeep (chevy/geo tracker) they are dirt cheap and very easy to work on.

[Exage]

Originally Posted by Avatar_Ko

Hadn't heard of the Matrix XRS, thanks! There's some around in that price range so I'll make sure I stop and see one. I've been sort of thinking about the Mazda 3 too, I've heard a lot of good things about it.

And yeah, I'm looking forward to driving up to random dealerships and seeing what they have. I'd be doing it today but I'm leaving on a trip tomorrow.

I will note that the 2ZZ-GE power-train is a rather acquired taste. The clutch and throttle are like on/off switches. Shifter isn't the smoothest either. It performs like a slug under 4000rpm, and the throttle doesn't have a wide dead spot to keep a constant speed, In the city I find it's either engine braking (3 cars lengths back) or trying to go 10-15mph faster then the car in front (tailgating) depending on my mood. But with nothing in front of you, boy can you have some fun!

I test drove a 2005 Mazda 3 last summer because I was board. It's a decent car. 2.3L MZR engine has decent power down low and you never have to cane it past 3000rpm. The shifter was smoother but rubbery as heck leading to vagueness. Steering and throttle were heavier, and the brakes required a decent effort for normal stopping (, I have USA TRD pads all round so that might contribute to the sensation).

[viper_driver]

S2K

[Avatar_Ko]

Originally Posted by Mr.Jay

This could very well happen if something occured (accident, repairs etc)

I myself would rather not risk buying a 8K car if I plan to replace it one year later seems like a massive waste as in that 1 year I'm gonna waste gas, insurance money and who knows what else on a decent fun car and have less money to go towards the FRS/BRZ

buying another better beater and sucking it up for 1 year makes the most sense

buy a barbie jeep (chevy/geo tracker) they are dirt cheap and very easy to work on.

Well, I'd be spending the gas and insurance money on the Corolla anyways. I don't know, I talked with an older friend for a while today and I'm leaning towards just getting the BRZ. He's kind of cooled my concerns about getting a first year version of a car and I really can comfortably afford it now.

[Sparkplug]

Older VW GTI? They've had the same power forever...

[SteelReign]

Acura RSX Type-S or maybe a Civic Si (I'm partial to the 2002-2005). Its hard to find one in nice shape in my area though. And they get stolen often. But they'll keep their value now that they're under 10k.

But if its just a year, why not wait it out? Just one more year. It'll be easier than trying to buy 2 cars and sell 2 cars in the span of 2 years. I'm also using your excuse to wait it out. When mass production starts, who knows what things people will find!

[Lonewolf]

Originally Posted by #87

Can someone please explain to me this "I'm going to wait a year to let the kinks get worked out"? You know this car has been in development for YEARS already right? It is not in any companies interest to release a car with issues. Have you heard of any other toyota or subaru mainstream models that have had a serious issue in their first year of production?

So basically you are willing to sacrifice a year of being able to own the car you truly want because of the fear of having to take it in for maybe 1 day of warranty work to fix a rattle or get a ECU update?

First year car models are jokingly referred to as "rolling test beds" within the industry for a reason. Though serious issues are few and far between for most new Toyotas, there can be many nagging issues that do take away owner enjoyment, and can waste your time with multiple service visits (not to mention potentially being stranded).

First year models also suffer from untold assembly "quirks," suspect part tolerances, and a host of other nagging issues there are quietly addressed with tsb's, minor upgrades, and part number changes over the years.

With all that said, the FR-S will be the first car that I am willing to deal with in it's first model year...just because I don't think I can wait to enjoy driving again.