Looking at a Subaru Impreza or Honda Accord. Both Wagons
Sub 150k km
Post 1996
Needs to be capable of towing...
Which would you go for and why? Alternatives?
Hardcore Biker
Looking at a Subaru Impreza or Honda Accord. Both Wagons
Sub 150k km
Post 1996
Needs to be capable of towing...
Which would you go for and why? Alternatives?
black cat
Yes. A Caldina. Comes in an AWD variant if you are towing too.
Originally Posted by James Deuce
Forum whore
Wot he sed!
You don't get to be an old dog without learning a few tricks.
Shorai Powersports batteries are very trick!
Forum whore
How much do you intend to spend?
What sort of weight are you towing?
Is the Accord 2.2l? 1.8? Auto? (never seen a wagon in manual)
Is the Impreza a 1.5? 1.8? 2.0l? FWD or 4WD? Auto or manual?
Hardcore Biker
I suppose a Legacy wagon is also on the cards, something like thisHow much do you intend to spend? To be honest, probably only around 4-4.5k
What sort of weight are you towing? Only a bike or two on a light trailer, no boats
Is the Accord 2.2l? 1.8? Auto? (never seen a wagon in manual) I've so far been looking at 2.2 Autos, haven't seen any manual wagons either
Is the Impreza a 1.5? 1.8? 2.0l? FWD or 4WD? Auto or manual? Any at the moment, will a 1.5 Auto be gutless? Leaning towards a manual if I can find a nice one. Not fussed on FWD vs 4WD, most seem to be 4WD. Also not after a turbo or anything that goes "psssh" / sounds faster than it is.
black cat
That would be a good wagon for $2500.
Don't forget to bring a towel
Buy a diesel Laurel or diesel Corolla or Corona.
They tend to be pretty cheap to run if the speedo mysteriously stops working, which is a common "problem" with old diesels.
Forum whore
That Legacy is worth more than $2500, cambelt etc has been done and at least one wof at franchise dealer (with someone's name and address to boot!), it's the TSR spec so it has the quad cam engine, which is the better choice than the twin cam model (except for changing plugs and doing belts). It's got a tow bar already so there's money saved, and it's a good clean looking example.
It is in fact a better choice than the Accord (prone to doing transmissions) and to be honest the Impreza (which is quite a good car in itself but the 1.5-1.8 versions drive and feel cheap, the 2.0l not much better, except it finally has some life (not talking the WRX turbo either, just the HX20 and SRX models).
The fuel economy will be a bit higher than the Impreza and the Accord, but overall I still think it's the better choice. Like anything though, it's buyer beware. Especially private sales.
Que?
Believe it or not, Hyundai Lantra wagons are bloody good workhorses. I'd buy an older Corolla.
Sir Cumference
Yep, I'd second that.
My opinion - avoid the Mazda 626 (Capella) wagons - I've had two as work wagons, they chewed up three engines between them.
Currently got a Mondeo wagon, which goes well.
Of the two mentioned in the first post, I'd go for the Subaru. The Accord is a nice car, but I've heard that they can have a few mechanical issues.
Can I believe the magic of your size... (The Shirelles)
Highway Biker
I had an older 2nd hand 626 wagon that just kept on going. I drove it for about 6 years and probably put more than 70,000 ks on it(only 6 ks to work) without a problem. I used to just top the oil up when it got low and near the end of the time I had it, I did the cvs, a new radiator and the front brakes. Apart from one battery and some tyres that was all I ever did.
Great car, pity some toerag stole it just after I did all the above work.
Even my lady liked to drive it and she is used to v8s.
Hardcore Biker
A bit fugly but i'll keep them in mind. Honda that caught my eye initially was this one.
Have driven a caldina before and quite liked it, only they seem to hold their value a bit better than the other options.
How good are the non-turbo subaru engines? (Reliability wise) I know cambelt replacement is expensive
Forum whore
Non turbo engines are fine.
Jam and tarts....
The 2.0 models are great (3SFE/GE) strong, go well. Avoid the 1.8 7AFE lean burn motor, it's horrid.
Great cars.
I had a Lantra, was an excellent car
The early Hyundai made 1.6s tended to drop the skirts off the pistons at high milage and the gearbox won't take abuse, I'd own another though, very quiet and comfy for a car of the type
I'd go for the Caldina over the lot, I like how they drive. Or a legacy 250T B-spec, great suspension.A bit fugly but i'll keep them in mind. Honda that caught my eye initially was this one.
Have driven a caldina before and quite liked it, only they seem to hold their value a bit better than the other options.
How good are the non-turbo subaru engines? (Reliability wise) I know cambelt replacement is expensive
The cambelt really shouldn't cost much, they're piss easy on the Legacy.
Alloy, stainless and Ti polishing.
Bling your bike out!
PM me
ArseBiscuit
Purely from own observation, an accord is likely to give you less mechanical woes..... But maybe all the subby owners I know have been unlucky....
One drawback of owning a honda is that every time you watch topgear you get reminded that your a bland nigel no-mates.
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