About 8 months ago, my brother wrecked and totaled my 2006 Subaru Impreza wagon 2.5i 5spd in Aspen white....it was a great car. Nice stereo I put in it, great AWD and MPG...a little ugly, but still a good car. I miss it. Right now, I'm driving my Dad's old 1998 1500 z71, which is great. I'm sure all of you can appreciate it as a great 4wd, but it gets less than desirable MPG, around 11-12 in town, about 15 on the road. Gas is cheap FOR NOW, but will go up in the future I am sure. I'm 23 and about to graduate, and don't want to have a car payment...just don't feel the need to be locked down with one right now.
So here's my question, I have the chance to pick up a rust-free 1982 Subaru GL wagon 4spd that's in pretty good shape for 1500$. Needs carb rebuilt, but the guy says he'll throw in the kit to do it. Should I pick it up? 162,000 miles, no rust, decent for such an old car. Has the Hi/LO range gearbox. What should I do? Thanks
This comment should be raising some red flags. Whenever I see a car that only needs xxxxxx (new battery, oil change, carb rebuild, tune-up, etc.) that's always a warning sign that there's a lot more to be done. Why? Because if the problem was something simple, and they already have the parts to do it, why wouldn't they just fix it and sell the car without any issues? What it really means the car has a lot of problems and they're sick of throwing money at it, that's why they're selling it.
If it were me, for another thousand or so, you could be getting something half the age, even if it has more miles. Sound like a lot of money at first, but you'll either spend that money up front on a newer car, or spend it in repairs. Even though the mileage is low on that Subaru, it's still a 30+ year old car, things are still going to break due to old age.
You need to have your handy ad translator when looking at used cars
Needs tuneup = Needs new engine
needs carb rebuild = Can't figure out why it's running like crap, probably just needs a tuneup (see above)
Just needs a battery = Electrical problem, kills batteries. needs new alternator as well
radiator recently replaced = overheated and didn't notice until the steam obstructed my view. Changed the radiator but don't want to spend the money to fixed the warped head
minor rust = the huge rust holes are less than 18 years old
Highway miles = really high mileage
low miles = because it hasn't run in 15 years, was recently fixed just enough to get it running and to sell it
One owner = but not one driver. Thrashed by the son, uncle, wife's brother, and anyone else who needed to borrow a car
needs minor work = not worth fixing, or I would have fixed it
