Moving to the western slope!

[87-325ic]

i saw several solid looking ~120k miles subaru wagons, for around 3-5k

this seems pretty possible. are these things generally bombproof up to around 200k ?? what major problems will i need to address if i get one with over 100k miles on it?

[downforce22]

Subarus are beast, and a dime a dozen out here.

Jeeps are way overpriced out here, I'd suggest finding one in texas, new mexico, or arizona where prices aren't always retardedly inflated.

an ix would kick ass. wherever you can find one cheap with no rust (hahaha) is a good place to find one. Also if you find one, let me know and i'll go look at it for you. ;) lol

+1
lots of subarus and jeeps and suburbans out here.

people are surprised when you fly past them in awd coupe ;)

[blefevre]

Jeeps are not overpriced here, imo. There are just as many Jeeps as subarus. Just wait for a week or so and you will find one. My friend got his selec-trac XJ for 1500 and runs like a tank on and off road.

[Bimmerman325i]

i will spend most of my time in grand junction. i think its pretty flat there, BUT, i will always want to be able to go into the mountains for a free weekend.

Just to clear it up, I am in no way getting rid of my e30 vert. that will stay here at home, in a garage hopefully. so the fun, summer e30 is always there.
i just dont think it would suit me well in CO.


Now for a second car.
i need something to drive while there. great subaru info up there. it seems like that or a jeep, or a cheap ix, is the way to go..

do you all recommend buying one there, or getting something and driving it there?

For a Subaru, buy here, you won't believe how many there are around here.

[monkeytaco]

Subarus are beast, and a dime a dozen out here.

Jeeps are way overpriced out here, I'd suggest finding one in texas, new mexico, or arizona where prices aren't always retardedly inflated.

an ix would kick ass. wherever you can find one cheap with no rust (hahaha) is a good place to find one. Also if you find one, let me know and i'll go look at it for you. ;) lol

[87-325ic]

i will spend most of my time in grand junction. i think its pretty flat there, BUT, i will always want to be able to go into the mountains for a free weekend.

Just to clear it up, I am in no way getting rid of my e30 vert. that will stay here at home, in a garage hopefully. so the fun, summer e30 is always there.
i just dont think it would suit me well in CO.


Now for a second car.
i need something to drive while there. great subaru info up there. it seems like that or a jeep, or a cheap ix, is the way to go..

do you all recommend buying one there, or getting something and driving it there?

[iamsam]

yeah i guess if you are up in the mountains, you may want ground clearance, suspension travel, and AWD.

[monkeytaco]

3 cars is the answer.

Jeep. Obvious reasons.

Subaru. Winter.

e30. Summer/fun.

[Bimmerman325i]

I see we are back to the engineers bickering.....for the 49 bajillionth time.

Nah, this is pretty tame discussion comparatively.

[blefevre]

You guys forgot a few things. He is moving to a place in the mountains, which are big hills. That is different then driving in Boulder, Loveland, and Denver. You will get stuck eventually with RWD and snows.

Also he said he is an outdoors person and wants to go to the trails. I would never dream of taking my E30 to 95% of the trailheads I go to. It would get destroyed.

OP, if you can only get ONE car get an outback or Jeep. If you stay in the city and such, get any car you want and get snows.

[clarkkey594]

I see we are back to the engineers bickering.....for the 49 bajillionth time.

[Bimmerman325i]

fuck yeah, great info here. thanks.


so its agreed ill get an older something, beater, but reliable. this points to:
A) an e30 with good tires.
B) and old jeep cherokee or something similar
C) an oldish subaru (what's some good mileage and yrs/price to look for)

I'm not even going to pretend I'm not a huge subaru fan.

It really depends on how big of a car you want. I love my 95 Legacy wagon because it's big enough to carry bikes, skis/boards, backpacking gear, camping stuff, musical instruments, car parts, tires, etc, but still very small-feeling on the road. I doubt you'd buy one and mod it, but there are some nice mods that really improve the feel of the car.

95-99 Legacies are great and very reliable, though not honda/toyota status. Avoid any 2.5L engine unless the head gaskets have been replaced. The slower 2.2L engine is a tank and you cannot kill one (I've tried for 5 years, to justify a swap).

92-01 Imprezas are much smaller and lighter, but not able to carry as much stuff. They're great for a commuter car, but I'd pick the Legacy wagon myself if you want to use it as a do-anything car.

00-04 Legacies and Outbacks are much bigger, both physically and to drive. I'm not a fan of this generation, but you can get a 6cyl model that is vastly better than the 4cyl, if you're ok with auto. The interiors are much better as well, and towards the end of the model generation the 2.5L engines no longer popped headgaskets.

05-09 L/OBs are bigger still. The outbacks especially are mini-SUVs at this point, lifted and very un-car like in their behavior. The Legacies are much better, with quality interior and finally a 2.5L turbo motor (detuned STi).

I and my parents have had one of every generation of legacy or outback listed above, and I greatly prefer my 95. It feels most like an E30-sized car in terms of size and handling. The outbacks do have much better off-road prowess, but I'm just not a fan of them.

Imprezas from 02-07 are bigger and heavier, and are the WRX generation as well. I don't have first hand experience with them, but these cars are everywhere here.

Mileage on a 2.2L isn't an issue, nor on a 2.5 if the HG is good. These cars routinely run forever, so find the best condition car you can. 95-99 Legacies are generally $3-7k depending on model/year/condition.

[iamsam]

Also, don't do a throttle body heater delete like I did. Your TB will ice up in the winter.

an old 325e 5-speed beater would be awesome. In fact, one sold here recently for $600, in running/driving shape, which I missed out on. (grrrr)

[87-325ic]

fuck yeah, great info here. thanks.


so its agreed ill get an older something, beater, but reliable. this points to:
A) an e30 with good tires.
B) and old jeep cherokee or something similar
C) an oldish subaru (what's some good mileage and yrs/price to look for)

[Bimmerman325i]

EDIT: I think next winter I am gonna rock 185/70/14s like David has. Skinny is good in the snow.

They are badass.