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3 Posts
I just graduated college, and I'm looking to get a daily driver so I can start doing some major work on my C4 Corvette. I want something practical but fun, and I think a wagon checks those boxes best. Here are my specific criteria:
I'm budgeting $8k total, including any up-front repairs and maintenance (I’ll be driving it across the country at the end of the summer, so it must be able to withstand the trip). The purpose of this car is to complement my Corvette, so a few characteristics are important:
• Fairly reliable
• Reasonable cost of ownership
• Able to comfortably seat 4 and haul a decent amount of cargo
• Relatively quiet highway ride
I’m still looking for something sporty though. I’d like to be able to reliably make ~400hp at the crank on my DD without spending a fortune on mods (I would do all the work myself except machining, welding, etc.).
I work on my own cars, so something easy to work on would be a plus.
I'm considering a few different models:
• 2002-2005 Lexus IS300 SportCross
• 2005-2006 Saab 92X Aero
• 2006-2011 Saab 9-3 Aero Sportcombi
• 2003-2009 Subaru Legacy GT
I’m having a hard time narrowing it down, so I’m posting on a few forums to get advice.
I know everyone here is going to be somewhat biased toward the 92x and the 9-3 (as I’m biased toward Corvettes), but I would love to hear your advice.
I was initially all-in for the 92x or Legacy GT because I wanted AWD and think boxers are cool. However, the IS300 went from an afterthought to my number one choice for a few reasons:
• I'm a little wary of headgasket/ring issues with a boxer engine.
• While I love the boxer rumble, I think I want something sounding a little more "refined" than my Corvette.
• I'd like to tinker with my DD eventually, and the 2JZ could support more power a lot more comfortably than the EJ205/EJ250. And it’s just so cool.
• I prefer the look to the 92x or Legacy.
Unfortunately, the posting I was looking at on Craigslist expired before I could contact the seller, and I am having a really hard time finding any others that appeal to me. I’m beginning to reconsider the 92x or Legacy GT, and I’m looking at other options as well.
Obviously, I’m most interested in your thoughts on the two Saabs, but I’m also curious to hear your opinions on the other models I listed or anything else you think would fit well.
Thanks in advance!
I'm budgeting $8k total, including any up-front repairs and maintenance (I’ll be driving it across the country at the end of the summer, so it must be able to withstand the trip). The purpose of this car is to complement my Corvette, so a few characteristics are important:
• Fairly reliable
• Reasonable cost of ownership
• Able to comfortably seat 4 and haul a decent amount of cargo
• Relatively quiet highway ride
I’m still looking for something sporty though. I’d like to be able to reliably make ~400hp at the crank on my DD without spending a fortune on mods (I would do all the work myself except machining, welding, etc.).
I work on my own cars, so something easy to work on would be a plus.
I'm considering a few different models:
• 2002-2005 Lexus IS300 SportCross
• 2005-2006 Saab 92X Aero
• 2006-2011 Saab 9-3 Aero Sportcombi
• 2003-2009 Subaru Legacy GT
I’m having a hard time narrowing it down, so I’m posting on a few forums to get advice.
I know everyone here is going to be somewhat biased toward the 92x and the 9-3 (as I’m biased toward Corvettes), but I would love to hear your advice.
I was initially all-in for the 92x or Legacy GT because I wanted AWD and think boxers are cool. However, the IS300 went from an afterthought to my number one choice for a few reasons:
• I'm a little wary of headgasket/ring issues with a boxer engine.
• While I love the boxer rumble, I think I want something sounding a little more "refined" than my Corvette.
• I'd like to tinker with my DD eventually, and the 2JZ could support more power a lot more comfortably than the EJ205/EJ250. And it’s just so cool.
• I prefer the look to the 92x or Legacy.
Unfortunately, the posting I was looking at on Craigslist expired before I could contact the seller, and I am having a really hard time finding any others that appeal to me. I’m beginning to reconsider the 92x or Legacy GT, and I’m looking at other options as well.
Obviously, I’m most interested in your thoughts on the two Saabs, but I’m also curious to hear your opinions on the other models I listed or anything else you think would fit well.
Thanks in advance!