my son wants to buy a subaru
Discussion
as title says.
many years ago i knew what to be looking for in a car and what car but that was too many years ago.
my son 24 will have about £7000 to spend i would just like some hints and advice if possible.
in truth ive tried to talk him out of it for all the usual old fart reasons but if he insists it would nice to be able to tell him to stay away from this or that.
theres no point asking me why a subaru as i aint got a clue, maybe you guys can suggest something else i can point him at.
he is strapping his self to a 5 year loan for this which i also think is bonkers but there you go.
im not really a sports car fan too be honest but as having been 20 odd years back a salvage trader having repairs done etc ive owned plenty of top ish sporty cars albeit for short periods of time, they were just a source of income to me.
performance cars were always easy to sell but the repairs etc were always big bucks and the profits were really always in sensible cars.
anyway im now woffling on but a bit of advice would just be helpful.
oh he has 5 years no claims but the under 25 kills him a bit although he is 25 in august.
thanks in advance.
many years ago i knew what to be looking for in a car and what car but that was too many years ago.
my son 24 will have about £7000 to spend i would just like some hints and advice if possible.
in truth ive tried to talk him out of it for all the usual old fart reasons but if he insists it would nice to be able to tell him to stay away from this or that.
theres no point asking me why a subaru as i aint got a clue, maybe you guys can suggest something else i can point him at.
he is strapping his self to a 5 year loan for this which i also think is bonkers but there you go.
im not really a sports car fan too be honest but as having been 20 odd years back a salvage trader having repairs done etc ive owned plenty of top ish sporty cars albeit for short periods of time, they were just a source of income to me.
performance cars were always easy to sell but the repairs etc were always big bucks and the profits were really always in sensible cars.
anyway im now woffling on but a bit of advice would just be helpful.
oh he has 5 years no claims but the under 25 kills him a bit although he is 25 in august.
thanks in advance.
He's got £7k to spend but he's taking out a 5 year loan?
He hasn't got £7k to spend then, has he?
You can get good "Classic" Imprezas for about £2000 or less, I'd suggest that he saves and finds the best one of those he can actually afford. And he should be mindful of insurance and running costs as a younger person, because with the best will in the world they aren't cheap to run.
They are reliable and fun though!
Don't try and put him off, you won't win. Just try and get him to enjoy his cars in a financially responsible way.
He hasn't got £7k to spend then, has he?
You can get good "Classic" Imprezas for about £2000 or less, I'd suggest that he saves and finds the best one of those he can actually afford. And he should be mindful of insurance and running costs as a younger person, because with the best will in the world they aren't cheap to run.
They are reliable and fun though!
Don't try and put him off, you won't win. Just try and get him to enjoy his cars in a financially responsible way.
Dave Hedgehog said:
i doubt he can afford to run one if hes having to borrow 5k over 5 years
there pretty sturdy (providing it does not get oil locked on service which can trash the boxer engine) but there very uneconomical and the tyres are not cheap
+1, Dad used to have one and they were great cars, not too big on the economy, high 20's at best really.there pretty sturdy (providing it does not get oil locked on service which can trash the boxer engine) but there very uneconomical and the tyres are not cheap
Chances are your son cannot afford to run this car given the loan and the length of time he is borrowing for so i feel he is being ambitious but stupid.
I've had a couple. They're reliable, and surprisingly cheap to service, but spendy to run.
The faster versions are performance cars (well higher performance than the average family car anyway) and that tends to mean a thirst for fuel (I averaged about 26mpg all told, but managed single figures a couple of times...), expensive tyres, brakes, ins etc.
The biggest thing to check is that it's straight, unmolested and doesn't have piston slap - rag them from cold or not change the oil, and they start slapping.
The faster versions are performance cars (well higher performance than the average family car anyway) and that tends to mean a thirst for fuel (I averaged about 26mpg all told, but managed single figures a couple of times...), expensive tyres, brakes, ins etc.
The biggest thing to check is that it's straight, unmolested and doesn't have piston slap - rag them from cold or not change the oil, and they start slapping.
Nothing wrong with a car loan. I never understand the snobbery on that subject on here.
As already mentioned, insurance will be the main expense, but I'm sure your son is well aware of this. I know where he's coming from though, I HAD to scratch that Impreza itch from the moment I saw or rather heard Colin McCrae throwing one through a forest.
I got to own a couple and I don't regret the experience one bit! They do eat tyres though.
As already mentioned, insurance will be the main expense, but I'm sure your son is well aware of this. I know where he's coming from though, I HAD to scratch that Impreza itch from the moment I saw or rather heard Colin McCrae throwing one through a forest.
I got to own a couple and I don't regret the experience one bit! They do eat tyres though.
I had a 2006 STI a few years back. He'll be lucky to see 20 MPG in a STI. When I first got mine I used a whole tank in less 120 miles. Don't forget super unleaded too. I was lucky enough to buy mine without a loan, and then they are still bloody expensive to run.
Try a Mazda 3 MPS, not as quick, not in your face but very good at upsetting people with, GTI's, ST's. Oh and white Audi A4's which sit 1mm away from your ass on any road (usually 2.0tdi) They are cheaper to buy, insure but they can be very thirsty.
For me I wouldn't buy another Subaru. (maybe)
Try a Mazda 3 MPS, not as quick, not in your face but very good at upsetting people with, GTI's, ST's. Oh and white Audi A4's which sit 1mm away from your ass on any road (usually 2.0tdi) They are cheaper to buy, insure but they can be very thirsty.
For me I wouldn't buy another Subaru. (maybe)
An excellent decision if he buys well.
You don't need to get them serviced at Subaru dealerships - anyone can change the cambelt (a major cost service item). Try to get one that hasn't had any modifications at all. The Subaru "wagons" tend to be least molested although not necessarily the sexiest if you're a 20-somthing.
Despite what the people "who have a mate with one" say, they are - if properly serviced and not buggered about with - as bomb-proof a car as you can get. For £7K (however he funds it), he'll be looking at a decent one. There are thousands for sale - DO NOT BUY THE FIRST ONE YOU SEE. In fact, join a proper Subaru-specialist forum and talk to them. They might even have some specific recommendations, owned by one of the enthusiasts.
They need regular servicing - between 7500 and 10K miles (depends on year and model). Fuel economy is not something often discussed with Subaru owners - except to brag about how they are helping out with the whole global warming effort.
Keep it standard, put some winter/all-year tyres on it, and enjoy the fact that you can go anywhere, any time, in any weather, with no problems whatsoever.
You don't need to get them serviced at Subaru dealerships - anyone can change the cambelt (a major cost service item). Try to get one that hasn't had any modifications at all. The Subaru "wagons" tend to be least molested although not necessarily the sexiest if you're a 20-somthing.
Despite what the people "who have a mate with one" say, they are - if properly serviced and not buggered about with - as bomb-proof a car as you can get. For £7K (however he funds it), he'll be looking at a decent one. There are thousands for sale - DO NOT BUY THE FIRST ONE YOU SEE. In fact, join a proper Subaru-specialist forum and talk to them. They might even have some specific recommendations, owned by one of the enthusiasts.
They need regular servicing - between 7500 and 10K miles (depends on year and model). Fuel economy is not something often discussed with Subaru owners - except to brag about how they are helping out with the whole global warming effort.
Keep it standard, put some winter/all-year tyres on it, and enjoy the fact that you can go anywhere, any time, in any weather, with no problems whatsoever.
Baz Tench said:
Nothing wrong with a car loan. I never understand the snobbery on that subject on here.
As already mentioned, insurance will be the main expense, but I'm sure your son is well aware of this. I know where he's coming from though, I HAD to scratch that Impreza itch from the moment I saw or rather heard Colin McCrae throwing one through a forest.
I got to own a couple and I don't regret the experience one bit! They do eat tyres though.
Its not the fact that he has a loan its the fact that is a 5k loan spread over 5 years, which implies he is a bit short up on money for repayments etc and therefore may find it hard to fork out for insurance, service, tyres, petrol and what not. I was looking at them when i was getting a car for my 21st but had to think again when i looked at the running costs so i know it is a hard and frustrating decision to have to make. As already mentioned, insurance will be the main expense, but I'm sure your son is well aware of this. I know where he's coming from though, I HAD to scratch that Impreza itch from the moment I saw or rather heard Colin McCrae throwing one through a forest.
I got to own a couple and I don't regret the experience one bit! They do eat tyres though.
thanks guys,
your right he hasnt got 7k, he was borrowing 5k now its 7k or so he thinks, personally i think loaning him this money is stupid.
his take is only 15k and he has only been in full employment for about 6mths, after being in various building trades since leaving school.
i wouldnt say his job is 100% safe but it seems fairly sound.
he has a long term girl and they "TALK" about getting a place for themselves, i cant begin to see that myself.
ref insurance he has had a few old beemers and at present pays around £700 pa, he reckons another £200 pa covers a subaru.
he is a i want i have youngster as many of them are, me im the opposite if i want i save and buy it.
i dont really see him not paying the loan providing he remains in his job.
he dont look after nothing and to get any decent car and not treat it well after paying good money for it is just criminal but i know thats what he will do.
as i said he has had few cars all about the 1k mark personally i would keep doing that for the time being, clapem out if he wants and get another one a year later but NO he seems transfixed on a money pit the way i see it.
i know you have to let them make there own mistakes but i cant see myself agreeing that this is a good idea, far from it.
your right he hasnt got 7k, he was borrowing 5k now its 7k or so he thinks, personally i think loaning him this money is stupid.
his take is only 15k and he has only been in full employment for about 6mths, after being in various building trades since leaving school.
i wouldnt say his job is 100% safe but it seems fairly sound.
he has a long term girl and they "TALK" about getting a place for themselves, i cant begin to see that myself.
ref insurance he has had a few old beemers and at present pays around £700 pa, he reckons another £200 pa covers a subaru.
he is a i want i have youngster as many of them are, me im the opposite if i want i save and buy it.
i dont really see him not paying the loan providing he remains in his job.
he dont look after nothing and to get any decent car and not treat it well after paying good money for it is just criminal but i know thats what he will do.
as i said he has had few cars all about the 1k mark personally i would keep doing that for the time being, clapem out if he wants and get another one a year later but NO he seems transfixed on a money pit the way i see it.
i know you have to let them make there own mistakes but i cant see myself agreeing that this is a good idea, far from it.
Edited by al bebak on Sunday 29th January 13:24
As mentioned before I would get him to check and re check the insurance. I had a 997 that was full comp including track days and unlimited milage for £480, I also have a turbo 2000 5 door classic impreza and it costs £580 3rd party.
So I think £200 more than an old BM is optimistic..
But I do love the impreza,
Tim
So I think £200 more than an old BM is optimistic..
But I do love the impreza,
Tim
I would be very very suprised if at 24 he can get insured on an Impreza for £900, maybe add another digit but unlikely to be less than a grand. I own a Celica GT4 with 356hp and for a standard wagon with about 230hp my insurers wouldn't touch me, the only quote I managed to get was about 2.5 times what I was paying on the Celica.
al bebak said:
ref insurance he has had a few old beemers and at present pays around £700 pa, he reckons another £200 pa covers a subaru.
what type of old beemers, because there are 'old' beemers and then there are old beemers. Unless they are of the older M variety then he will be in for a shock when he gets a quote for a subaru. With 7k I assume he is getting a higher spec one aswell. Nothing wrong with him taking out a loan if he can afford the repayments, I severely doubt he would be able to afford the fuel and servicing costs though, unless he does 300 miles a month or something. I'm 25, I currently earn less than £20k but my 528 is decent enough on fuel, cheap to insure and not terribly expensive to service/source parts for, but then I do 7-8k a year and don't depend on the car. If it were to break I could sorn it for a while. Does he need a car for work? The Subaru will be the opposite, fuel economy in particular doesn't really get past mid 20's and that's on a run, I get nearly 40. Plus if he's a year into a £7000 loan and it fails the MOT or the gearbox explodes to the tune of say £2000, will he be able to afford to fix it?
Edited by sparks_E39 on Sunday 29th January 11:06
Edited by sparks_E39 on Sunday 29th January 11:08
llywelyn111 said:
I had a 2006 STI a few years back. He'll be lucky to see 20 MPG in a STI. When I first got mine I used a whole tank in less 120 miles. Don't forget super unleaded too. I was lucky enough to buy mine without a loan, and then they are still bloody expensive to run.
I've got an 05 STI with PPP and on a run I can get about 270 miles. They are expensive to run, but if you want to run a performance car then you have to be prepared to shell out for the pleasure. In my opinion, one of the main draws of the Impreza is the amount of bang you get for your buck. In terms of versatility, you get a lot of car for your money.Gassing Station | Subaru | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff