Subaru WRX STi as first car?

[ISHGoat]

Some background on me:

24 years old, living alone, public transit to work, around 2k monthly to spend on food and other things after mortgage + bills. I eat out every meal, every day, so I'm hoping that buying a car will reduce some of my food costs as I can then conveniently go grocery shopping and mass produce food on weekends to eat during the weekdays

I have been driving my parents' cars since I was 16. No accidents, 1 speeding conviction in the last 3 years. I would say I am mature for my age and a very steady driver.

Would you guys recommend that I buy a Subaru WRX or even an STi as my "first car"?

I am thinking of getting a used STi that is about 5-6 years old with 100,000-120,000 km on it for $20k. My dad has graciously offered to pay half of all my purchasing costs whether I purchase up front with a wad of cash, finance from the bank through an auto-loan likely with terrible rates, or borrow from him personally. I have to pay my own maintenance and repairs, but my car will probably be added under my parents' existing policies, so that cost might be taken care of as well.

Basically, my financial considerations are repairs, gas, parking, and (most likely) one-half of insurance payments & monthly payments/upfront cash.

Do you guys think I will be able to support this financially?

Also, I have never driven a manual car, but I was pretty good at Forza (on manual w/ clutch of course) and smoked most people with AWD cars such as Audi S5 or R8, so those skills translate right?

Is an STi "too much" of a performance car for a relatively young guy to own as his first? How about an WRX?

All input is appreciated.

[nathanjizzle]

daddy still needs to pay half for your car at 24 years old?

[HitandRun Reggie]

It's definitely not ideal as a first car, but you probably already knew that. 20k for a 6 year old car with 100,000+ miles. C'mon....Deep down inside you know it's a stupid thing to do. For that amount of money, better to get a nice newer 2-3 year old car preferably still with some powertrain warranty left on it.

But at the end of the day, do what makes you happy if you can afford. The worst that can happen is an expensive life lesson.

[ISHGoat]

daddy still needs to pay half for your car at 24 years old?

You jelly that I have good parents?

[ISHGoat]

It's definitely not ideal as a first car, but you probably already knew that. 20k for a 6 year old car with 100,000+ miles. C'mon....Deep down inside you know it's a stupid thing to do. For that amount of money, better to get a nice newer 2-3 year old car preferably still with some powertrain warranty left on it.

But at the end of the day, do what makes you happy if you can afford. The worst that can happen is an expensive life lesson.

Its 20k CAD for a car with 100-120 KM. So thats 15k USD for a car with 65k-75k miles. Does that change the picture for you?

[nathanjizzle]

You jelly that I have good parents?

you dont have good parents if they are supporting you at 24.

[ISHGoat]

you dont have good parents if they are supporting you at 24.

I can support myself just fine. He insisted that I take his help, so I plan to.

[HitandRun Reggie]

Its 20k CAD for a car with 100-120 KM. So thats 15k USD for a car with 65k-75k miles. Does that change the picture for you?

Slightly it does actually. :oldlol: I should have paid attention to the KM. But its still an out of warranty vehicle that targets young people, and there is a good chance it's been drove hard, possibly even modded. Do you know all the people that have owned this car? For $15k you can get a sporty newer car with less miles. Like I said, if you can afford it and it makes you happy then get it. Just leave out the bullsh!t about it reducing your grocery getting costs, because this type of car flies in the face of getting a car for cost and convenience savings.

[DukeDelonte13]

they suck ass as a daily driver.

heightened insurance and maint costs, don't last as long either.


They are fun cars to drive but the ride is so rough it's like riding in an amish buggy. You will feel every single pebble in the road. I couldn't handle driving a car like that on a daily commute.

EDIT: I'd almost rather have the plain WRX; performance isn't everything and I think the trade offs in comfort you make with the STI aren't worth the bit of extra performance you will almost never use.

[9erempiree]

Not a good idea considering that car is boosted and at one time a very popular car to street race in.

Most have been molested.

[DeuceWallaces]

Support yourself. Get something that's practical and you can afford.

[ISHGoat]

So maybe get an WRX instead? Those are like 3-5k cheaper and I would be looking in the 15k range.

I do support myself, are you guys saying i should turn down the help from my parents? They're going to Europe next month and wanted to bring me (free) but I had to turn that down because im studying hard for the gmat, so it's not like I'm an irresponsible prick.

Nonetheless, it feels weird to buy an expensive toy with money from my parents. If I'm going to take their handout maybe I shouldn't buy a racing car but instead a practical car?

[HitandRun Reggie]

Nonetheless, it feels weird to buy an expensive toy with money from my parents. If I'm going to take their handout maybe I shouldn't buy a racing car but instead a practical car?


http://www.willamette.edu/~sbasu/IDS101/F14IDS101Syllabus_files/image060.png

[DeuceWallaces]

Studying for the GMAT does not make you responsible or self sufficient.

[Dbrog]

You can literally get a brand new mazda 3 for like...18k. Or a civic for a little more...again brand new. What are you thinking? :lol

[HitandRun Reggie]

You can literally get a brand new mazda 3 for like...18k. Or a civic for a little more...again brand new. What are you thinking? :lol

The sucky thing about brand new cars is that they lose thousands of dollars in value the second you drive off the lot. IF you are looking at a car that tends to be reliable and not driven hard, or raced, the budget minded buyer would be better off buying a low mile 2 year old car with a lot of power train warranty left, maybe even some bumper to bumper.

[Dbrog]

The sucky thing about brand new cars is that they lose thousands of dollars in value the second you drive off the lot. IF you are looking at a car that tends to be reliable and not driven hard, or raced, the budget minded buyer would be better off buying a low mile 2 year old car with a lot of power train warranty left, maybe even some bumper to bumper.

Of course. You are basically paying for piece of mind. Not going to have to worry about anything on a new car for around 5 years. I personally don't think I will ever buy a new car cause I hate car payments and don't mind used cars. Love using that extra money on other things.

[ISHGoat]

Now that I have rationalized it, I'm basically buying this car as a "toy" to fulfill some wants. If I actually needed a car, I would just take one from my parents as they have offered to give me. But I aint driving around in a red ****ing prius, Id rather walk.

[gasolina]

Being in Canada I would recommend just a standard Impreza since it has the AWD. If you want to spice it up just get one of those hoods with the scoop. Embrace the fact that you actually have a legit excuse to get an Impreza.

Next thing you know you're painting it blue with gold rims.

[9erempiree]

I don't get the charm with Subaru.

[bdreason]

You can get a 2015 WRX for 20k.

Forget paying extra for the STI unless you're gonna race it.

[ISHGoat]

You can get a 2015 WRX for 20k.

Forget paying extra for the STI unless you're gonna race it.

Thats the way Im leaning as well. Unfortunately I live in canada and wages are poor and products expensive, so it is more like 30k.

[Nanners]

i would never buy my kid an STi :oldlol:

[bdreason]

Have you looked at the Subaru Crosstreks? I would think they are popular in Canada. You can pick up a Crosstrek for around 20k as well.

[DukeDelonte13]

I don't get the charm with Subaru.


they are good reliable cars that are nice in bad weather.

However the STI isn't reliable and isn't good in bad weather. It's still a sweet car, but it takes away some of the qualities that make subarus good sensible choices for a daily driver.

Living in Cleveland and dealing with those winters i'd love a subie but they are a little overpriced IMO. Its hard to get a good deal on one. You can get comparable hondas, mazdas, toyotas, etc. cheaper with less mileage.


Volvos are the GOAT winter cars though.

[Axe]

While i know this thread was from 5 years ago, the wrx sti is still a much better choice than its old and outdated solid rival the evo x but i wouldn't recommend it as a first car. A high-end trim civic would be a much better fit if you like that one but the type r is an ultimate.

[Nanners]

Unless you vape for a living and desperately want to overpay for a mediocre car, you should never buy a STI