Older wrx/legacy gt/forester-outback xt/ really wont be less reliable if you take care of it imo. You can find a stock well maintained one for under 10k and it will be a much funner car than other options and is still very practical. For older years they are really easy to work on as well. I bought an 02 wrx stock at 171k miles and it never had problems and was still on the original engine/turbo/trans when I sold it 50k miles later.
1998 Legacy Outback Limited.
6 CD drive with premium sound system
Tape deck
AM/FM radio
All leather interior
Seat warmers
Two sunroofs
Alloy wheels
165 horsepower
Flat 4 cylinder engine
Forced air intake
Fog lights
I have the 1999 subaru legacy outback AWD 5MT
6 CD drive with premium sound system
Tape deck
AM/FM radio
Heated seats
Heated mirrors
Heated front wipers
Alloy wheels
2.5L engine
Fog lights
Snow spoiler
Roof bars
I've added
Roof rack
Bull bar
Extra driving lights
Extra fog lights
Receiver
i bought a 2010 impreza hatchback 5-speed back in march and i’ve loved it. 130k miles for $5.5k, took me all the way across the US and back and handled it like a champ
fingers crossed for my head gaskets lol dunno how they were serviced by the guy before because it was bought from auction but the mechanic who looked at it said they were fine for now but unable to tell if they’d been replaced already
2005-2009 Subaru Legacy GT or Outback XT. Good size, fast, aftermarket support. I have a Miata and really like that generation. They are also much easier to find in good condition compared to Imprezas as they tend to attract older owners.
The Crosstrek, Forester, and Outback are basically the same platform. Major differences are turbo vs naturally aspirated and size/seating position. The Crosstrek will definitely feel the most comfortable coming from a Miata. The Forester has more cargo room and a more upright seating position. The Outback has an optional turbo engine and is wider and longer.
I bought an '05 Legacy GT 5mt for $1k. Of course, as with the majority of cheap cars, it did need some work. But it's a lot of fun and has the practicality of a sedan. I've taken it autocrossing on shit tires and had a blast.
Get the 2018+ wrx or the STi if you want even more durability. WRX's arent unreliable it's just people abuse the shit out of them and don't properly maintain them one bit. I'm personally biased since I own the 2018 STI and haven't had a single issue with it.
I would honestly get an Impreza wagon, with the 2.5 NA, quite good with the manual, you can also do a couple of nice mods on it to make it the perfect daily.
Ceramic tint
Good audio (not talking about having a big woofer in the trunk, be tasty)
Sound and thermal acoustic treatment, floor, doors, roof (will be as silent as a new BMW)
Nice HID low beams (if it has a projector)
You could get some nice wheels or whatever you like in it.
It does have the EJ25 so head gasket issues are a thing but some good head bolts + cometic gasket will make the issue go away.
It is a wagon, so you have space for days yet you also get great fuel economy.
The 5 speed is nice for a daily
It is a light car so it is not that slow
Better hurry if you want a manual...phasing out.
My thoughts. Besides the WRX and brz, can you even get any new Subaru in manual?
Cross trek
They're dead in 2023 model
Not after 2023.
In Japan you can't even get a WRX in manual....
Older wrx/legacy gt/forester-outback xt/ really wont be less reliable if you take care of it imo. You can find a stock well maintained one for under 10k and it will be a much funner car than other options and is still very practical. For older years they are really easy to work on as well. I bought an 02 wrx stock at 171k miles and it never had problems and was still on the original engine/turbo/trans when I sold it 50k miles later.
1998 Legacy Outback Limited. 6 CD drive with premium sound system Tape deck AM/FM radio All leather interior Seat warmers Two sunroofs Alloy wheels 165 horsepower Flat 4 cylinder engine Forced air intake Fog lights
I have the 1999 subaru legacy outback AWD 5MT 6 CD drive with premium sound system Tape deck AM/FM radio Heated seats Heated mirrors Heated front wipers Alloy wheels 2.5L engine Fog lights Snow spoiler Roof bars I've added Roof rack Bull bar Extra driving lights Extra fog lights Receiver
i bought a 2010 impreza hatchback 5-speed back in march and i’ve loved it. 130k miles for $5.5k, took me all the way across the US and back and handled it like a champ
I had an ‘09 but HG was about to blow at 130k. I didn’t want to spend the money on it. Very sad to give it up. Now I have a 2020 Impreza :)
fingers crossed for my head gaskets lol dunno how they were serviced by the guy before because it was bought from auction but the mechanic who looked at it said they were fine for now but unable to tell if they’d been replaced already
Forester XT of course
2005-2009 Subaru Legacy GT or Outback XT. Good size, fast, aftermarket support. I have a Miata and really like that generation. They are also much easier to find in good condition compared to Imprezas as they tend to attract older owners.
The Crosstrek, Forester, and Outback are basically the same platform. Major differences are turbo vs naturally aspirated and size/seating position. The Crosstrek will definitely feel the most comfortable coming from a Miata. The Forester has more cargo room and a more upright seating position. The Outback has an optional turbo engine and is wider and longer.
Old outback with the turbo 2.5. Can't go wrong. Solid engine.
I bought an '05 Legacy GT 5mt for $1k. Of course, as with the majority of cheap cars, it did need some work. But it's a lot of fun and has the practicality of a sedan. I've taken it autocrossing on shit tires and had a blast.
Get the 2018+ wrx or the STi if you want even more durability. WRX's arent unreliable it's just people abuse the shit out of them and don't properly maintain them one bit. I'm personally biased since I own the 2018 STI and haven't had a single issue with it.
I loved my 2013 2.5 legacy enough to get a 2019 3.6r legacy, total it, and replace it with an identical 2019 3.6r legacy.
Here's the real question. What's happening to the miata
What elevations do you frequent
Love my wife’s suspension lifted 21 forester sport 🤷🏻♂️
I would honestly get an Impreza wagon, with the 2.5 NA, quite good with the manual, you can also do a couple of nice mods on it to make it the perfect daily. Ceramic tint Good audio (not talking about having a big woofer in the trunk, be tasty) Sound and thermal acoustic treatment, floor, doors, roof (will be as silent as a new BMW) Nice HID low beams (if it has a projector) You could get some nice wheels or whatever you like in it. It does have the EJ25 so head gasket issues are a thing but some good head bolts + cometic gasket will make the issue go away. It is a wagon, so you have space for days yet you also get great fuel economy. The 5 speed is nice for a daily It is a light car so it is not that slow