Looking for a new vehicle

[Pikeman12]

Hey guys, 

 

So i have been searching craigslist for used vehicles that I can drive in the snow, carry my fishing equipment in, and has a good amount of aftermarket for me to make a project if i want to. Looking to find something under 5 grand. I was eyeing some of those subaru outbacks, i figured the wagon would be good for holding rods, awd for the snow and mud, but not sure if there is a good amount of aftermarket for those naturally aspirated motors. Anyone have any input on vehicles i could be looking at? Most will suggest trucks, but thought I would check out the cars first. 

[NorcalBassin]

There is a huge Subaru following up in my neck of the woods where we get plenty of winter snow and even have a ski resort nearby. They all swear by the quality build of the car and reliability of the engines. I'm a truck guy but for what you're looking for that Outback would likely suit you well.

[Pikeman12]

9 hours ago, NorcalBassin said:

There is a huge Subaru following up in my neck of the woods where we get plenty of winter snow and even have a ski resort nearby. They all swear by the quality build of the car and reliability of the engines. I'm a truck guy but for what you're looking for that Outback would likely suit you well.

Thanks for the reply NorcalBassin!I am a truck guy as well but finding a truck that isnt completely beat to **** in my price range is a little rough around here. I'm in chicago, so the winters are either very mild or very bad lol. Now I know I am not looking at the WRX or STI model of these cars, but it seems to me like there is still plenty of aftermarket and modifications available to these engines. I love my Isuzu rodeo, but because isuzu doesn't make trucks here anymore in the US, there is nothing I can do to my motor. 

[Jtrout]

Late 90s 4 runner 

[bigbill]

I've owned subarus since 1997. Great cars, awesome quality. Good in snow too. The gas mileage is good too. Just bought a new one in 2016. My 2010 legacy has 100k on it now. It's the dog car or dog mobile to take him to the vet and for walks at the park. In 2020 it gets traded in.

 

My plan with cars cars works great. I buy a new car, example in 2010. I pay it off in five years, 2015. I drive it with no car payments another five years, 2020. When it's ten years old in 2020 before the repairs start I trade it in for a new car.

i stagger my two car payments by five years. I'll always have  one car payment but never a repair bill. 

 

After a car is ten years old were throwing money down a well. Example we waited with my 99 Jeep Wrangler instead of trading it in when it was ten years old in 2009. First the brake lines rotted, now the frame is rotted. I lose. I was going to plow snow with it, I purchased all the hd options. Now I need to fix the frame. It should of been long gone.

[Pikeman12]

On 9/9/2017 at 4:21 PM, bigbill said:

I've owned subarus since 1997. Great cars, awesome quality. Good in snow too. The gas mileage is good too. Just bought a new one in 2016. My 2010 legacy has 100k on it now. It's the dog car or dog mobile to take him to the vet and for walks at the park. In 2020 it gets traded in.

 

My plan with cars cars works great. I buy a new car, example in 2010. I pay it off in five years, 2015. I drive it with no car payments another five years, 2020. When it's ten years old in 2020 before the repairs start I trade it in for a new car.

i stagger my two car payments by five years. I'll always have  one car payment but never a repair bill. 

 

After a car is ten years old were throwing money down a well. Example we waited with my 99 Jeep Wrangler instead of trading it in when it was ten years old in 2009. First the brake lines rotted, now the frame is rotted. I lose. I was going to plow snow with it, I purchased all the hd options. Now I need to fix the frame. It should of been long gone.

I appreciate the response, but I do not purchase new cars. Simply because you cannot work on them. I am looking for something i can modify. Camming, bigger injectors, tune, exhaust, intake. You can't do that to any of this newer stuff so the latest year i will really purchase is 2004. Been looking for roadmaster wagons but none around here.

[tipptruck1]

What do you mean you cant mod modern cars? Gm and ford will sell you crate motors, cams, super chargers, lsd, coilovers, etc. And will have a warnty. The after market world is huge. If you cant find after market parts for modern cars. You drive a toyota prius, a car or truck that wasn't very common, or your not looking online. 

 

Even the new or newer turbo 4 bangers. Have a huge aftermarket support. I have at least 4 bookmarks on my pc. Of sites that just sell aftermarket parts for the wrx, sti, golf, and the new focus rs.

[bigbill]

I use a homemaker company for driving me to doctor visits. I get to ride in different brands of cars some new and some not too old. The cars from Japan and South Korea seem to ride rougher. I rode in a new Buick yesterday and I was impressed on how smooth it rode. I'm looking for a new car for down the road to plan ahead. I just seen an older Chevy pickup one I owned in the past. I can fix it. I wish I could go older to the trucks with point ignitions. Simple stuff nothing electronic.   Being an ex car, truck mechanic I worked for amc Jeep. The older j20 Jeep pickup gets my vote. Good luck finding one, I have a 55 Willis for plowing snow.

[DogBone_384]

Too bad you weren't near Boston. I just searched CL for Outbacks and piles of them around '05 for $3-5K.

 

I'm a truck guy and just bought a '17 Tundra so I'm set for at least the next 12-15 years.

 

Good luck in your search.

[Boomstick]

I drive a '92 Cadillac Brougham. It's cheap compared to a newer car, repairs are insanely cheap (although there has been a few of them), it has enough space for all of my rods and camping equipments and most importantly which I cannot stress enough, it has enough space I do not hit my head on the ceiling or my legs on the dash.

 

I actually got it after going through all the newer cars and SUVs (wasn't shopping pickups at the time) under $30k in a 50 mile radius because the Acura RL I was driving was too small for me and crouching down gave me a headache after a while, I only found two models I did not hit my knees on the dash or my head on the ceiling without slouching down, and then hitting my knees. After going through every car on one dealer's lot, I said well crap I might as well just get an 80s Buick or Cadillac Fleetwood. A few dealer's later, that seemed like a better idea.

 

I will probably end up picking up a GMC Sierra if I ever get a boat. I didn't initially shop pickups because I wanted something that at least got me 20mpg.