What should I get for under $6000?

Hey this is my first post. I'm 17 and in love with Subaru's but don't own one. I have 2 cars (hate both): '98 Explorer and '98 Mustang V6 5-spd (beaten up by me alot)

 

I'm selling both and getting a Subaru. I have no more than $6k to spend. I was thinking about a '00 - up Legacy GT (preferably manual). I saw a clean black one but it was auto and it didn't have leather seats which kinda bothered me. I can deal with the auto though. I drive fast (of course) and was wondering if I would save more money with manual or auto. I'm actually trying to stay away from manual so that I won't keep going through clutches every so often. I was interested in 2.5 RS's but I like LGT's more (same engine right?) I need it to be a 4-door car and I don't want a wagon. What can you guys suggest? And does that $5500 LGT auto w/ 110k miles sound good or rip-off?

the 2.5rs seems to be nearly impossible to find. also, i'd much rather replace a worn clutch then a worn out slush box. if driven correctly you should get well over 100k on a stock clutch. Im not sure what the older legacy's are going for but I think you should be able to find something in your price range. goodluck!

the 2.5rs seems to be nearly impossible to find. also, i'd much rather replace a worn clutch then a worn out slush box. if driven correctly you should get well over 100k on a stock clutch. Im not sure what the older legacy's are going for but I think you should be able to find something in your price range. goodluck!

 

They don't seem to be that hard to find in my areas. I know 3 for sale right now. All for under $6k and all have 100-120k miles on them but 2 are auto.

 

I have found a 2000 Subaru Legacy GT with 110k miles and it is auto. It is $5500. It is black and looks very nice to me. Is this a good deal? And how fast are auto '00 lgt's? (I don't want a car slower than my '98 manual v6 mustang.)

And how fast are auto '00 lgt's? (I don't want a car slower than my '98 manual v6 mustang.)

 

No offense ManviRRR, What are your plans for the car? daily driver? At 17 years old you shouldn't be concerned with how fast a car is.

I have a '96 MT legacy with 92k miles, I had that thing wound up to 120ish the other day. Subarus go fast... I have the factory clutch still, and its still going strong. One thing to watch out for with the 97 to 99 2.5l engines is that the head gaskets blow. So if the head gasket has not blown factor in about $1000 to get it fixed. Also if the timing belt and water pump have not been done you should do that immediately. My water pump seized the other day and broke the timing belt, if I didn't have the 1996 2.2l non-interference engine I would be looking at a rebuild. Go for the MT, clutches last a long time, and the MT is a lot cheaper to fix than the AT if it breaks. If you are burning out clutches you need to learn how to drive a stick...

Good luck with the search.

And how fast are auto '00 lgt's? (I don't want a car slower than my '98 manual v6 mustang.)

 

I know someone who has a 2004 AT turbo baja, he said it goes about 115 tops. So its probably gonna be about the same for the 00 LGT. The older ATs only have 4 gears, so that is really limiting you. Don't drive fast though... Unless you have a nice long straight stretch of road where there are no cops or traffic...

A buddy of mine just picked up a 2005 Saab 9-2x (essentially a wrx hatch) for 6900 bucks...It's a lot more car then a 2000+ LGT, and only 900 bucks more then what you want to spend (save for a couple months - it's worth it)

 

KBB lists a 2005 9-2x Aero (low value, with 100,000 miles) just above 6k FWIW

I know someone who has a 2004 AT turbo baja, he said it goes about 115 tops. So its probably gonna be about the same for the 00 LGT. The older ATs only have 4 gears, so that is really limiting you. Don't drive fast though... Unless you have a nice long straight stretch of road where there are no cops or traffic...

 

 

Baja's had a turbo option - Last generation LGTs did NOT offer turbos...they're much slower then even a v6 mustang.

No offense ManviRRR, What are your plans for the car? daily driver? At 17 years old you shouldn't be concerned with how fast a car is.

 

17 + Fast car = bad idea.

this thread fails

IP check?

clean. be nice

wow, no response yet. must've found somehthing faster to buy:rolleyes:

You should get hookers and blow.

I don't care about top speed. And my intentions aren't bad. I've done enough bad things with my v6 mustang. I just need fast acceleration upto 60mph.

I really want a MT '00 - up LGT but it's hard to find for under $6000 (in black). So basically my question is: are AT non-turbo LGT's good cars or should I wait for a MT?

An 00 LGT is a very heavy car, without a ton of power. It has good low-end grunt for driving around, and can be made to handle decently well, but it is never going to be a fast car. Your better option if you want an older Legacy that is decently fast is to go back more in the 1994 era and get a Legacy Sport Turbo, but good luck finding one of those.

 

For 6k, you're better off looking at a very used '02 WRX if you want something 'fast' -- but you won't find much in good condition for that price.

I don't care about top speed. And my intentions aren't bad. I've done enough bad things with my v6 mustang. I just need fast acceleration upto 60mph.

 

quick story.

 

I was driving home last weekend from my parents. 35mph zone. so of course i'm doing 40mph on cruise. (11pm or so)

 

I and one other truck are on the road, and i see this truck parked kinda funny... get closer, yep sure enough... State trooper in a ford explorer.

 

he pulls out... ahh crap.... and gets behind me...!@#!#

 

It was right at the On ramp for the freeway and we both turn to get on. (left turn) there are two lanes to get on the freeway, the truck in front of me takes the far left lane, i tuck in behind him. I normaly take the outside lane if it's open, the right lane has a much longer "acceleration lane" about 3/4 mile.the left lane dumps into the freeway fairly quick.

 

anyway we are all stopped at the light for maybe 30 seconds... i see a truck pull behind the Trooper. light turns green, and the slow ass truck in front of me takes off and we no more than get up to 25mph... some guy comes screaming around us all in the right lane. no where near 60mph, the posted limit... Trooper pulls out to right lane, pulls him over.

 

Remember, hard acceleration can get you in just as much trouble as going fast. it's the things you learn with age.

at 16, i got nailed doing 20mph over in a work vehicle... 5 miles back i was doing 130mph.

you may not want to be going "fast" but it's not always the fast stuff that nails ya.

For $6K, a used Impreza manual will be more available. They have surprisingly good performance and there are a bazillion WRX parts available. Carbon fiber turn signal stalks. JDM mirrors. Immense hood scoops and spoilers. Then mind boggles at the possibilities.....

I don't care about top speed. And my intentions aren't bad. I've done enough bad things with my v6 mustang. I just need fast acceleration upto 60mph.

 

Need...uh?

 

Truth be told, a 17 year old will get in as much trouble with a 911 Turbo than an Escort station wagon... It does help that little spark of evilness when you know you can go fast, but the majority of bad accidents I've seen involving teens and speed (no alcohol) have included sharp or long sweeping turns and a wooden monolithic structure of some sort (be it a tree or a pole). I'd rather hear you're worried about 0 to 60 MPH acceleration than cornering performance... The latter, you see, would make me cringe at the thought of a bad case of driver's (not vehicle's) limits.

 

Enjoy your long road ahead into earning true experience in life as a mature adult. Remember, enthusiasm is an integral part of learning, but only time will bring you the necessary knowledge.

 

Stay safe and enjoy whatever sub-$6k vehicle you finally get to call your own (okay, your dad's since you can't legally register a vehicle until 18).

if you dont need awd how about an e36 m3?

Stay safe and enjoy whatever sub-$6k vehicle you finally get to call your own (okay, your dad's since you can't legally register a vehicle until 18).

you can't register one till 18? law change?

could have sworn my cars were in my name pre-18...

you can't register one till 18? law change?

could have sworn my cars were in my name pre-18...

 

I could be wrong but I was under the impression you are unable to hold the title of a vehicle in WA state unless you're 18. Could also be only legal owner, but registered owners/drivers can be 16+.

 

Who knows...

In Maine I am pretty sure you can own a vehicle pre-18. Although I didn't get a car until I was 18. But since I live within 200 miles of my parents its in both my name and my dad's name because I get an insurance break.

Well thanks for trying to make me not get a fast car and stuff. You guys are kind of acting like I don't have a car. I have 2 cars already. My mustang is just too slow and shitty (ford.. duh). Ok, about handling, will an '00 lgt handle better than a '98 mustang?