Evaluate A Car Purchase , Subaru WRX.....

..................Thanks for your input . , fordy

Subarus are far from extremely reliable cars. They have a recent history of wheel bearing failures, head issues, frequent strut replacements, water pumps falling apart inside the motor and other problems.They also have a well deserve reputation for consuming a lot of tires and fuel. This particular model is extremely high performance, has much higher insurance rates (for some buyers) and hardly a bargain.

I spend time on another forum where a member owns an independent repair shop in Vermont, where Subarus are a cult car. He marvels at the fact that many of his customers will spend $4,000 on repairs by the time the car has 150K on the odometer, yet still remain fiercely loyal to a brand that really isn't too impressive. (but rewards him with a steady source of income)

We currently have a newer CRV in our small fleet of vehicles. It had a minor computer glitch when it was new, and needed a light bulb replaced at the end of the warranty period. Like every other Honda we owned ,I fully expect it to provide ten years and 250,000 miles of service with little more than thoughful maintenance. We drove a new Forester at the time we purchased the CRV. I was shocked to say the least. The interior was real current, assuming it was 1985, and we were sitting in a $5000 base model car. Add a rough ride and the trademark tractor sound of the boxer motor, and the wife had zero interest in a Subaru.

On the issue of ANY car with a turbo. There is no way that it will be as reliable as a non-turbo car. Ask any independent mechanic with some experience. They have nothing in common with a big truck turbo. They are a tiny fraction of the size, and spin twice as fast. They stress the other engine components, require additional, complex control systems, create a lot of damaging heat in the engine compartment, and require the owner to be very dedicated to a rigid schedule of oil changes with high dollar synthetic.

We currently have five vehicles on the road, and log 80-90K a year total, so there is a bit of experience behind my opinion. We have been through a few Subarus, a few turbos and well over a million miles so far.

There are far better choices available in new vehicles at this time. A WRX is basically a street legal road rally race car, and a particularly poor choice given the general mindset of the members here.

I just gotta ask too fordy, feel free to ignore this.. but you're buying a Subaru WRX, and looking at a 1999 Ford tractor.... where'd you get 40,000 to buy all this stuff lol?

...................The WRX was an impulse I had because I've have always heard that the Sub's was an exceptional vehicle . I won't be buying one at all , although I did enjoy my two test drives !
.................... The owner of the 445 has been letting it sit on a vacant lot across from a busy intersection for the last month or so between his jobs and it still hasn't sold . I owned a Ford 340A for 10 years which is the little brother to this model and I know how much work these small commercial tractors can do . I could make some $$ by doing lot cleanup and such on my off days from my job . , fordy

................Your input is appreciated , thanks ! , fordy