Choosing a new car...

[jedi_sol]

Originally Posted by JFortner5

.. My other wants are 4 doors, manual transmission, and somewhat fun to drive. Budget is $10-12k.

Subaru Wrx

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Subaru is cool, but AWD decreases fuel-savings, and replacing a timing belt is a torture...

[jedi_sol]

Originally Posted by cRiPpLe_rOoStEr

Subaru is cool, but AWD decreases fuel-savings, and replacing a timing belt is a torture...

Timing belt change doesn't seem all that hard on a Subaru. Since its a boxer engine...the timing belt is literally front and center looking right at you.

I've seen timing belt changes on Hondas...in which the timing belt is all the way to right (or left...depending which model you have) of the engine. Mechanics had to unbolt the engine from the chassis to gain access to the timing belt.

To OP,
how about a 4 door civic si? EPA is 29mpg HIGHWAY...however, since you're an ecomodder, im sure you can achieve 35mpg highway

[Xist]

A Civic Si should be great fun, but how difficult would fifth-gear swap be?

[UltArc]

Originally Posted by jedi_sol

Subaru Wrx

I found 0 under 14k on autotrader: Subaru WRXs for Sale in Rocky River, OH 44116: cars under 14000 - AutoTrader.com

Inspection of the Impreza list shows two, both bug eyes. I thought one could pick up a WRX in that range, did I do something wrong? lol

Subaru Imprezas for Sale in Rocky River, OH 44116: cars under 14000 - AutoTrader.com

[jedi_sol]

Try now

AutoTrader.com Mobile

[UltArc]

Originally Posted by jedi_sol

Try now

AutoTrader.com Mobile

OHHHHHHHHHH BABY, do I love an 07 STi! (06 is sharp, too)


(We can do away with the stance and stickers, though)

(That link worked, by the way )

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by jedi_sol

Timing belt change doesn't seem all that hard on a Subaru. Since its a boxer engine...the timing belt is literally front and center looking right at you.

I've seen timing belt changes on Hondas...in which the timing belt is all the way to right (or left...depending which model you have) of the engine. Mechanics had to unbolt the engine from the chassis to gain access to the timing belt.

I wasn't considering the Civic, but the Corolla. Anyway, my dad has a '10 Impreza and I still never had to replace its timing belt but wouldn't really want to do so...

[UltArc]

When I was in high school this was my fantasy daily driver. Not as an STi since I could never afford it, but the 06-07 body style is my personal favorite (clearly alone in that regard since they only did it for two years). New Imprezas still get great mileage with the AWD, not sure about the later years.

[jedi_sol]

Originally Posted by UltArc

When I was in high school this was my fantasy daily driver. Not as an STi since I could never afford it, but the 06-07 body style is my personal favorite (clearly alone in that regard since they only did it for two years). New Imprezas still get great mileage with the AWD, not sure about the later years.

Yeah, '06-07 was my favorite too..."hawkeye" headlights, biggest hood scoop, that rear window spoiler....however, tacky "blue" interior

I lost faith in WRX's in '08-'10 because Subaru made the car "soft and blobulous" to try to appeal to broader audience


New "regular" impreza's achieve better mileage now because of CVT...however, they are the SLOWEST compact car in the segment.

The brand new 2015 WRX gets better MPG because Subaru FINALLY introduces DIRECT INJECTION and they decreased the displacement back down to 2.0L. The 2.0L motor still creates just as much power as last gen because Subaru incorporates a more efficient "twin scroll turbo." However, it uses "equal length headers" therefore, it looses the trademark Subaru "rumble."



The new 2015 WRX STI, simply uses the same carry over engine from the 2008 sti model ...so it's still a honking gas guzzler (except for when im at the wheel ). Hopefully Subaru will eventually put the new WRX motor into the the Sti, bump up the the displacement back up to 2.5L, twin scroll turbo, direct injection and create a 27mpg monster!