Quick car ideas - cheap - wagons! Suggestions needed

[blefevre]

Do they all run timing belts with interference engines? That's my main hate-on-used-cars. If I buy something with 150k and the owner "doesn't know" that means I pretty much have to change the belt. It's not the end of the world on any car, but I want to buy a car where I don't have to do maintenance as soon as I buy it.

[Roland H]

unfortunately, that is the case. :/

[Bimmerman325i]

I'm incredibly biased.

Subaru Outback or Legacy.

Ticks every single box, but have timing belts.

Family has had three. Awesome dependable cars.

[Roland H]

Yup. I'd actually go for the subie, since manuals are more available.

[Bimmerman325i]

Yup. I'd actually go for the subie, since manuals are more available.

Supposedly Flatirons Subaru sold the greatest number of Subaru manuals nationwide until corporate said their employees could only have autos for company cars.

Thank you, cell phones.

[blefevre]

I'm incredibly biased.

Subaru Outback or Legacy.

Ticks every single box, but have timing belts.

Family has had three. Awesome dependable cars.

Yeah, thanks for the PM reply, very helpful.

It really seems to be a 96-04 Outback wagon, manual, is my best bet. Even a short craigslist searched turned up a fair amount with recent timing belt and some with head gasket too. There are just so many around I should be able to find one with recent service. I should call a shop and see how much a head gasket usually runs just to see if it is worth holding out for one that just had it done.

[Bimmerman325i]

Yeah, thanks for the PM reply, very helpful.

It really seems to be a 96-04 Outback wagon, manual, is my best bet. Even a short craigslist searched turned up a fair amount with recent timing belt and some with head gasket too. There are just so many around I should be able to find one with recent service. I should call a shop and see how much a head gasket usually runs just to see if it is worth holding out for one that just had it done.

No worries man, glad to help.

Depending on your budget, an 04 would be my top pick since it doesn't have the HG issues, or an early 2.2L Outback.

Otherwise, just find one that has had it done, and all will be fine. The 2.5 is a noticeably more powerful motor, and not all have HG issues.

[Cloudbase]

If you are looking for something completely bullet proof I would go for an early 90's Toyota Camry All Track wagon. It's not as sporty as the outback, but more reliable, bigger, and built for crusing. My brother had one that got 30mpg. It has the V6, which unfortunately has a timing belt. But iirc it is non-interferance. Thr problem is people know the early camry's are the shit so they carry a high premium.

[iamsam]

That is all.

[iamsam]

or, (comes factory w/ LT1)


orrrr


or this: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...ht_1625wt_1169

[iamsam]

btw, what jeep? more info please...

[Bimmerman325i]

Sam.....I think you missed the... 1) cheap 2) awd 3) abs 4) low maintenance 5) cheap to maintain 6) manual 7) off road ability....aspects of the list.

[Roland H]

win.

btw, what jeep? more info please...

With the exception of the sunroof, it's pretty sweet. I wish I had the room for it.

[TopOfTheLine89]

240 wagon, camry wagon if your in a snow area. 940 wagon.

[iamsam]

Sam.....I think you missed the... 1) cheap 2) awd 3) abs 4) low maintenance 5) cheap to maintain 6) manual 7) off road ability....aspects of the list.

but it complies with 8.) balls to the walls fast 9.) cheap to maintain and 10.) sounds awesome with Borlas.

And the CTS-V is pretty sweet too.