Support NeoGAF

[R0GX]

Don't forget to test drive the new 2005 Subaru Legacy. When I bought my new car 3 months ago I cross shopped the Saab 9-3, Volvo S40 T5, Acura TSX, and Legacy.

My rank was: Legacy > 9-3 > TSX > s40 T5

Saab- I love the look and the feel of the car. Interior is nice but there were cheap feeling pastics here and there. I love the ignition on the center console (very cool). Engine response was good but not holy shit fast like the subaru. The biggest turn off on this car was that once I started adding the features on that I really wanted (Moon roof and heated seats) I couldn't get the dealer to come down below 31,000.

TSX- I loved the NAV system in this car, and the handling was great too. Standard features are awesome. Power was just lacking though. 166 lbs of torque just doesn't cut it. This car is the best value though if you don't require speed.

S40 T- This was the car I thought I was going to buy before I started test driving. I love the look, and its my opinion the best looking of the bunch. The car is cramped though, and once you are inside, its evident its based off the Mazda 3 platform. I couldnt really get into the interior either. High quality, but it seemed drab and sparten to me. I thought I'd like the floating center stack more than I did. It was fun to drive though, and the second fastest in this group. But the size of it was really a deal breaker for me... I felt like I was driving my cousins 3.

Legacy- Last car I test drove, and I did so based on some posts I'd read at Edmunds. I was looking for a luxury nameplate so I hadn't really considered Subaru and I was totally surprised by its quality. Ride quality, cabin noise, materials was up to or very close to the standards of the other cars. Interior fit and finish is awesome and design is very Audi-like. Biggest turn offs I had with this car originally was the lack of Xenons (comes with projectors though which are very good), and the lack of a NAV. But the limited edition which I picked up comes standard with every feature you could want sans those two. The Xenons didn't really matter once I drove it 250 lbs of torque and AWD= 0-60 in 5.6 secs. Handling and road feel is great too, and while its not a sports car, its a great compromise. I was also able to get it at close to invoice as well which was really the icing on the cake.

Leg stats:
Horsepower @ RPM250@6000
Torque @ RPM250@3600

 

[AlphaSnake]

Oh fuck...I totally forgot about the new Legacy. That's another car I'll have to test drive.

 

[AlphaSnake]

I recently finished my 1999 Civic Si, I ran a 177mph, 10.102 quarter at Fontana on the 19th of November.

Stock car was stripped to the metal, almond sanded with a walnut finish, repainted Nissan 350z metallica blue.

HONDA/ACURA B18 GSR Motar straight from the factory in japan, No miles.
Eagle Connecting rods
Skunk 2 High Compression Valves
Skunk 2 Titanium Retainers
Skunk 2 Valve Springs
Skunk 2 Stage 2 s/d cams
Enjo Engine Mounts
Skunk 2 Intake Manifold
Edlebrock Throttle Body
RC Injectors
Walbro Fuel Pump
AEM Fuel Rail
Greddy Timing Belt
AEM Aluminum Sprockets and Pullys
Fluidyne Radiator and Greddy Oil Cooler
Greddy TD05H-18G Turbo
Greddy Blowoff Valve
Greddy PRofec E-01 Boost Controller
Greddy Intercooler Type 24r
Tial Wastegate
DC Stainless Steel 4-2-1 header
MSD 6BTM Ingition with Boost Controler and Rev Limiter
AEM Engine Management System
Apexi VTEC Controller
ACT Xtream Pressure Clutch w/ hybrid street disc, 220mm
ACT Streetlight Flywheel
Fidanza Drive Shaft
DC Short Shift Kit
DC Rear Lower Tie Bar
DC Rear Upper Tie Bar
DC Front Strut bar
TIEN SS Coilovers
Bride Maxis III Racing seats, 2x
19"X10" Racing Hart CR Mulipiece w/22mm offset
AEM Big Break Kit, w/ 4 Piston Calipers, Front and Back w/ Porsche Boxter S Pads
Wing West Advenger Kit, shaved with custom fiberglass 2piece kitkat bumber
Custom Fiberglass boz with 4 Kicker CVR 12" with 2 Kicker 1250 AMPs
Alpine 9815 head with custom DVD/ 9 " Greddy perfromace monitor
All of this rolling on Nittos 555 Extreme Performance Tires 235/35/19

Dyno'd at 439.128 HP @7400rpm, with 348.11 Ftb Torque @6200rpm. It redlines at 9400rpm. Car only weighs with me in it 2480-2500 lbs. Boost was set at 8psi, 2-3 more months and Ill be running 14 psi at a projected 540/415~ Hp/Torque

Im having a custom rollcage built for it and powder coated the same color.

On top of that the whole undercarrage of the car is powder coated the same color except for the oil pan, sway bars, and gas tank which I had triple chromed, also the wheels didn't fit, so i had to have 5/16" titanium spacers made, at $800 a wheel plus 200 for the tires, I didnt want to have to settle for something else when they tied the car together beautifully. Im having professional pictures taken of it. Most magazines won't publish it because I wont put sponsor logos on it.

It only has 1 Honda logo on the trunk. No Si markings, nor does it have any of the DOHC Vtec markings like most SI's.

The only real downfall to the car is the amount of player hating I recieve when i actually drive it. So many punks in VW's and accords think they actually have a chance in hell to take me.

My Brother in the navy, stationed in Japan is in negotiations to ship me a 2005 S2000 minus the import tax. Im thinking Mastercare Widebody with a Comptech 22 psi Boost warrentied turbo on that project.

You my friend are hardcore. Beyond hardcore, even. You iz crazy! Damn that's one quick car. Got any time slips or dyno charts you can post? I'd love to see them.

 

[Tarazet]

Oh fuck...I totally forgot about the new Legacy. That's another car I'll have to test drive.

On my recommendation, my dad bought a '96 Subaru SVX (over his other choices, RX-7 or Miata). At the time, it seemed like a great deal, a flat-six powered, all-wheel drive luxury coupe for $26K. It was still running strong at 160K miles when he got rid of it for an RX-8, and for the most part, it was very reliable. We donated it and it went on Ebay for over $3000, even though the dealer was honest about all of the problems and the (rather serious) dents and dings. I saw it driving around two weeks ago.

Unfortunately, the car had a problem with squeaking wheel bearings that Subaru was NEVER able to fix. I'm talking 7-8 attempts, it got to the point that the Subaru dealer just said, bring it here when it starts squeaking again and we'll try to fix it, again. I've heard about the same thing happening to the previous-gen Legacy, so just beware if you decide to go that route. There was also an underhood oil leak, and the auto trans would stall the car after about 140K if you shifted from R to D too fast.

 

[fart]

I recently finished my 1999 Civic Si, I ran a 177mph, 10.102 quarter at Fontana on the 19th of November.

Stock car was stripped to the metal, almond sanded with a walnut finish, repainted Nissan 350z metallica blue.

HONDA/ACURA B18 GSR Motar straight from the factory in japan, No miles.
Eagle Connecting rods
Skunk 2 High Compression Valves
Skunk 2 Titanium Retainers
Skunk 2 Valve Springs
Skunk 2 Stage 2 s/d cams
Enjo Engine Mounts
Skunk 2 Intake Manifold
Edlebrock Throttle Body
RC Injectors
Walbro Fuel Pump
AEM Fuel Rail
Greddy Timing Belt
AEM Aluminum Sprockets and Pullys
Fluidyne Radiator and Greddy Oil Cooler
Greddy TD05H-18G Turbo
Greddy Blowoff Valve
Greddy PRofec E-01 Boost Controller
Greddy Intercooler Type 24r
Tial Wastegate
DC Stainless Steel 4-2-1 header
MSD 6BTM Ingition with Boost Controler and Rev Limiter
AEM Engine Management System
Apexi VTEC Controller
ACT Xtream Pressure Clutch w/ hybrid street disc, 220mm
ACT Streetlight Flywheel
Fidanza Drive Shaft
DC Short Shift Kit
DC Rear Lower Tie Bar
DC Rear Upper Tie Bar
DC Front Strut bar
TIEN SS Coilovers
Bride Maxis III Racing seats, 2x
19"X10" Racing Hart CR Mulipiece w/22mm offset
AEM Big Break Kit, w/ 4 Piston Calipers, Front and Back w/ Porsche Boxter S Pads
Wing West Advenger Kit, shaved with custom fiberglass 2piece kitkat bumber
Custom Fiberglass boz with 4 Kicker CVR 12" with 2 Kicker 1250 AMPs
Alpine 9815 head with custom DVD/ 9 " Greddy perfromace monitor
All of this rolling on Nittos 555 Extreme Performance Tires 235/35/19

Dyno'd at 439.128 HP @7400rpm, with 348.11 Ftb Torque @6200rpm. It redlines at 9400rpm. Car only weighs with me in it 2480-2500 lbs. Boost was set at 8psi, 2-3 more months and Ill be running 14 psi at a projected 540/415~ Hp/Torque

Im having a custom rollcage built for it and powder coated the same color.

On top of that the whole undercarrage of the car is powder coated the same color except for the oil pan, sway bars, and gas tank which I had triple chromed, also the wheels didn't fit, so i had to have 5/16" titanium spacers made, at $800 a wheel plus 200 for the tires, I didnt want to have to settle for something else when they tied the car together beautifully. Im having professional pictures taken of it. Most magazines won't publish it because I wont put sponsor logos on it.

It only has 1 Honda logo on the trunk. No Si markings, nor does it have any of the DOHC Vtec markings like most SI's.

The only real downfall to the car is the amount of player hating I recieve when i actually drive it. So many punks in VW's and accords think they actually have a chance in hell to take me.

My Brother in the navy, stationed in Japan is in negotiations to ship me a 2005 S2000 minus the import tax. Im thinking Mastercare Widebody with a Comptech 22 psi Boost warrentied turbo on that project.

holy wheel hop batman

question: why did you start with an Si coupe for that? an EK hatch would have been lighter. hell, an HX would have been lighter and cheaper.

please don't ruin a perfectly good s2000 with a body kit, and unless you have a lot of experience with high strung rwd roadsters, learn to drive the s2000 before you boost it.

 

[R0GX]

Unfortunately, the car had a problem with squeaking wheel bearings that Subaru was NEVER able to fix. I'm talking 7-8 attempts, it got to the point that the Subaru dealer just said, bring it here when it starts squeaking again and we'll try to fix it, again. I've heard about the same thing happening to the previous-gen Legacy, so just beware if you decide to go that route. There was also an underhood oil leak, and the auto trans would stall the car after about 140K if we shifted from R to D.

So far I've put nearly 10,000 miles on mine and have no problems at all. The only early issue I had was that the clutch is very sensitive and burns easily, but that went away after about 600 miles. This is a totally redesigned car, so I guess one would hope those older problems were done away with. Of course that means that new issues can crop up, but so far everything has been perfect. I'm really in love with this car

btw... it was Japan's car of the year for 2003.

 

[AlphaSnake]

Yeah, I really don't see the need to bring up problems on a lousy car like an SVX or a previous gen Legacy when talking about the 2004 Legacies.

 

[fart]

i saw an svx last night! man those things are weird.

 

[AlphaSnake]

And ugly.

 

[Doth Togo]

Ever consider a VW Passat 1.8 4motion? Drop an ECM chip into the engine and boost yourself to 210+hp. With AWD, it's a nice ride. I have the V6 GLX 4motion and love it.

 

[AlphaSnake]

Seeing as how lousy Volkswagen's reputation is at the moment in terms of build-quality, I'd never consider buying one. Not to mention they're such feminine looking vehicles.

 

[fart]

don't tell anyone but mr car smart himself is in the middle of buying a car (not really). you are a masochistic rich man, alpha, because this is a load of bullshit.

on the upside i found a great, clean, stock s14 i don't have time to check out. :/

 

[AlphaSnake]

don't tell anyone but mr car smart himself is in the middle of buying a car (not really). you are a masochistic rich man, alpha, because this is a load of bullshit.

on the upside i found a great, clean, stock s14 i don't have time to check out. :/

I'm not rich. If I were rich, I'd drive a Lexus or Infiniti. I just work and it's about as simple as that.

Work = money = shiny car.

 

[fart]

uh-huh


CAN YOU SEE THEM ROLLING?

 

[AlphaSnake]

See what rolling?

Pimpin ain't easy.

 

[fart]

shit, those are some dubs

 

[AlphaSnake]

I'm trying to figure out if that's a photoshop or not.

 

[djtiesto]

How are you liking that TL? I still drool over them...

Fantastic! XM Satellite Radio... I can't live without it. It's comfortable and smooth, but can totally overtake most LIE traffic whenever need be Unfortunately, some kid smashed into me when I was stopped at a light last week So I need to take it into the auto body and fix up my bumper.

 

[Gek54]

I still cant see past all the homosexual hairstylust at my wife's hair salon all purchasing SAABs. Its made it too much of a chick/gay car in my eyes. I got my eye on the new Evo MR and STi and I really want to try the new 276hp AWD Mazda 6.

 

[AlphaSnake]

I still cant see past all the homosexual hairstylust at my wife's hair salon all purchasing SAABs. Its made it too much of a chick/gay car in my eyes. I got my eye on the new Evo MR and STi and I really want to try the new 276hp AWD Mazda 6.

WTF!? Shut up, shut up, shut up! Don't taint it for me! Come on, man...Jerry Seinfeld had a Saab. SEINFELD!

 

[mrklaw]

saabs are for old men. You ain't old enough for a 9-3 surely Alpha? Same with the legacy. Nice car ,but why you want luxury when you could have fun? Saab are stealing the WRX chassis and engine for their upcoming wagon, and the Legacy already uses it. So why not just get the proper deal in the first place?

Perfectly practical - I have two child seats in the back of mine - front and side airbags, ISOFIX child seat restraints, ABS blah blah.

 

[Poody]

I had a WRX two years ago however I crashed it like an idiot on the shoulder of the freeway. My parents wont let me have subaru cars for as long as I live while they're paying for it. So now i drive a Mazda 3 hatch instead.

 

[AlphaSnake]

saabs are for old men. You ain't old enough for a 9-3 surely Alpha? Same with the legacy. Nice car ,but why you want luxury when you could have fun? Saab are stealing the WRX chassis and engine for their upcoming wagon, and the Legacy already uses it. So why not just get the proper deal in the first place?

Perfectly practical - I have two child seats in the back of mine - front and side airbags, ISOFIX child seat restraints, ABS blah blah.

I test drove a WRX (not an STi, though). And if I bought a Scooby, I'd have to get it in stick. But I can't. I live in NYC and the traffic jams I encounter everyday will wreck havoc on my left foot. The new 9-3s are definitely not for old men. The styling's way too aggressive, unlike the older grandpa Saabs.

 

[Pimpwerx]

Having competed in an autox a couple weeks ago, lemme say that the Saab is nice, but it's got nothing on a Lancer Evolution. You may not get the leather and trim features, but you'll get a much better car overall. Man, those Evos are fucking sweet. However, the 9-3 is just a WRX in different clothing IIRC. The power looks to be down, so maybe I'm thinking of the 9-3S.

Given my druthers, I'd get a Evo or STi over that Saab. You can make one of those look regal for cheaper than you could make that Saab shake a leg. PEACE.

 

[Tarazet]

Having competed in an autox a couple weeks ago, lemme say that the Saab is nice, but it's got nothing on a Lancer Evolution. You may not get the leather and trim features, but you'll get a much better car overall. Man, those Evos are fucking sweet. However, the 9-3 is just a WRX in different clothing IIRC. The power looks to be down, so maybe I'm thinking of the 9-3S.

Given my druthers, I'd get a Evo or STi over that Saab. You can make one of those look regal for cheaper than you could make that Saab shake a leg. PEACE.

It's the 9-2 that is the WRX in Saab duds. The 9-3 is a corporate GM chassis.

 

[AlphaSnake]

Yeah, Duane: you got it the other way around. Like I said, I actually test drove an Evo VIII but it's not a car I'd want to caddy my friends around in and drive to school.

NYC = hell.

 

[DaCocoBrova]

Do Saabs still have those funky sideways engines?

Maintenance should factor in heavily when it comes to purchasing a car IMO.

 

[Kiriku]

Both SAAB and Volvo mentioned in the very same thread?? I salute you, Sweden! Now we only need some Koenigsegg love!

 

[AlphaSnake]

Both SAAB and Volvo mentioned in the very same thread?? I salute you, Sweden! Now we only need some Koenigsegg love!

Everytime I read Koenigsegg I think of two things: an omelet. And the assholes who cheated to use that car in PGR2.

 

[Tarazet]

Oh man, the Koenigsegg.

"If four headlights are good, SIX MUST BE BETTER!"

 

[NohWun]

Do Saabs still have those funky sideways engines?

Maintenance should factor in heavily when it comes to purchasing a car IMO.

What sideways engine? My old Saab 99 had a longitudinally-mounted engine, though the output shaft came out the front side, and some gears turned the power around to the transmission, which was mounted under the engine (FWD). Made working on the clutch real easy.

Subarus still have "flat" (or "pancake" or "boxer") engines, just like the old VW's. Only they're water-cooled and don't break down as much.

 

[Socreges]

Oh man, the Koenigsegg.

"If four headlights are good, SIX MUST BE BETTER!"

If you ask me, they stopped short. Sure, six is better than four. But eight is better than six. Some might suggest ten, but that would just be silly.

 

[Fresh Prince]

Oh man, the Koenigsegg.

"If four headlights are good, SIX MUST BE BETTER!"

I remember seeing Gumball 3000 that car always broke down :lol The guy who was driving it though was a laugh though.

 

[AlphaSnake]

Umm...one headlight is low-beam, one is high beam, and one is the parking light/turn signal. The new Corvettes have the same setup.

 

[SteveMeister]

Thank you for posting a picture of my next car, AlphaSnake:

Except a convertible and in black. In a little over 4 years. It will be mine. Oh, yes -- it will be mine...

 

[Folder]

Getting this thread back into reality...
The few issues with the Saab are under-steer and chronic turbolag.
Stiffened and (slightly - 30 front, 20 back) springs will help, as will a sub-frame locking kit.
A Garrett T28 with actuater will cheaply negate lag. Also, bigger FMIC are easy to fit. Check those available from older Volve T5 models.

 

[SteveMeister]

Getting this thread back into reality...

Hey, I have every intention of replacing my bug convertible with a Corvette in 2009. It'll be my 45th birthday present to myself.

 

[Kleegamefan]

SteveMeister, I have a deposit on a 2006 Corvette Z06:

427cid motor
512BHP
200+mph
black on black
mine in October


PS '06 Vette Z06=the *REAL* Snake Eater (as in the viper)

 

[McLesterolBeast]

How much is the '06 vette?

 

[SteveMeister]

SteveMeister, I have a deposit on a 2006 Corvette Z06:
PS '06 Vette Z06=the *REAL* Snake Eater (as in the viper)

Sweet! Congrats in advance

 

[SteveMeister]

How much is the '06 vette?

Well, for the '05's, the Coupe starts at $44,510, and the Convertible starts at $52,245. Not sure how much the Z06's will go for -- I'd guess anywhere from $5K to $10K more than a Coupe.

 

[Kleegamefan]

A base 2005 C6 runs about $44K

Although pricing info for the 2006 Z06 is still at least a month away (perhaps @ the Detroit Auto Show) I put a $7000 deposit on the car, which should represent ~10% of the final price.....

 

[Kleegamefan]

Here are some more Z06 specs:

0 -60 in <3.8 sec.

Top Speed 200+ MPH

2,900 lbs

5.7:1 HP to weight ratio

Chassis & Suspension development by Pratt & Miller,
Aluminum Hydroformed frame produced by DANA
- 345/30x19 Rears
- 6 piston Front, 4 piston Rear Brake Calipers
- Cross Drilled (cast and camfered) Rotors (possibly Brembo)

Engine Development by KaTech
To be hand built by new HP Engine Plant

LS7 427ci/ 7.0L. 500HP/500 Ft Lbs (512 HP derated to 500HP)
- 2 OHV (3 OHV not necessary for target HP)
- Raced based CNC ported Aluminum Head with 70cc chambers
- 11.0:1 CR
- 46 mm (1.81") Titanium Intake valve
- 41 mm (1.61") Na filled Exhaust Valve
- 104.8 mm Bore (4.125") , 101.6 mm Stroke (4.0") Aluminum block
- Forgrd Crank
- Forged 6 bolt main Bearing Caps
- Titanium Rods
- Cast Aluminum Flat Top Pistons
- 0.591" Lift Cam (15 mm)
- Dry Sump
- 90 mm Throttle Body on Composite manifold
- Ram Air
.

 

[Tarazet]

A base 2005 C6 runs about $44K

Although pricing info for the 2006 Z06 is still at least a month away (perhaps @ the Detroit Auto Show) I put a $7000 deposit on the car, which should represent ~10% of the final price.....

Around here, the '05 Corvettes are ALL carrying a $10,000 markup. For that matter, so are the '05 Mustangs, Caddy XLRs, STSes, and even the Toyota Solara convertible is commanding $5000 over sticker...

 

[Kleegamefan]

Yes, I know.....I was just quoting MSRP

 

[Malleymal]

It's a nice car, only prob i've heard is that the packaging of it is really crap. IE: Interior room is lousy for the size of car it is.

True indeed, That is one of the cars I have.. and its rather the small on the inside, I am going to get the new grand cherokee... will go find pics

 

[SteveMeister]

Around here, the '05 Corvettes are ALL carrying a $10,000 markup. For that matter, so are the '05 Mustangs, Caddy XLRs, STSes, and even the Toyota Solara convertible is commanding $5000 over sticker...

Yeah, that's the second reason why I'm waiting until '09. The first is because I just bought a new car this past May

 

[Pimpwerx]

Are Vettes still stuck with shitty pushrod engines? I swear, it's the only thing that keeps me from respecting that car. That engine is garbage. I fucking hate pushrod designs. PEACE.

 

[TheQueen'sOwn]

yo alpha, we'll have this to cruise in come e3 2005. i'm getting it in feb/march.

I love that car so much.... I'm so lucky my dad does too :lol. Seeing as how he can't drive anymore (and is getting tired of riding with my mom :lol), he's buying one for me.

 

[neptunes]

are you guys rich?