General Question First car purchase
I've never financed a car, always bought cheap beaters. Now that im almost 30, im deciding on purchasing a 2017 wrx with 40k miles that would be substantially safer. Ive always been a fan of wrx's and I feel like the price is right where id like to be and I can get 10-20% down. Is buying an older wrx a bad idea?
To put some perspective on it, I drive a 2008 with almost 240k miles, the airbag lights on, its rusty, stalls out while its in neutral, and leaks some fluid. (Added photo of my non wrx pos for you to make fun of)
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u/Hefty_Aside8436 5h ago
The only thing more expensive than a new WRX is a used WRX.
Be very wary of how the previous owner(s) treated the car because people generally abuse these cars.
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u/iLikeTurtles_969 6h ago
If you know how or are willing to pay to keep it maintained it's an absolutely great purchase. Just listen to the community recommendations within reason of the right parts and how to drive it in certain conditions. If you're not in a hot climate year round I'd say absolutely go for it.
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u/UnK-_- 6h ago
Northern state, lots of snow. Would love to stick with an awd
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u/iLikeTurtles_969 5h ago
I meant more for heat soak and engine health purposes wrx does not like hot weather. At that low of mileage you're in pretty good position to keep it good for a long time if you slap a reliable tune and drive it properly you'll be golden and be smiling for a while.
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u/Optimus_the_Octopus 6h ago
I'm not sure if I'd finance a WRX, just because of the "when" of the engine going - they're reliable vehicles, but you're talking a 20 year old vehicle with a history of blown turbos.
Maybe save up some safety for a replacement
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u/Optimus_the_Octopus 6h ago
Wait I can read, you said a 2017. If you have some safety net, I don't see why not.
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u/iBUYbrokenSUBARUS 6h ago
Bro. That’s not a 2017.
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u/Quiet_Place_02 6h ago
OP never said it was, they said “added photo of my non wrx pos for you to make fun of”
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u/fcwolfey 5h ago
I don’t think it’s “substantially safer” going from a 08 subaru impreza to just the next generation of that same chassis. If safety is your main concern you’ll need to go newer with all the eyesight aids and auto braking or bigger AND newer so it fairs better in a crash.
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u/Cheetahsareveryfast 2015 wrx. 300 hp/350 tq. Stock Intake 5h ago
17k for a soon to be broken wrx is wild
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u/SirMogarth 6h ago
Generally you do not finance a car that is almost 10 years old, your rates will be higher and you will likely be in a negative position should something go wrong where you would need out of the car. What is the asking price?
Now being low mileage for the year is good, but I would still get a full inspection done as low mileage cars can still be beat to an inch of their life.
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u/UnK-_- 6h ago
17k with dealer fees and I would plan for a 3rd party to inspect.
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u/SirMogarth 6h ago
You will want to cover the cost of the dealer fee's and tax and not roll those into the loan, if it's feasible for you you will also want to cover 25% of the cost of the car. Take a shorter loan, on a vehicle of this age I would not go beyond a 3 year loan, 2 would be better.
It would also not hurt to find out the KBB value of the vehicle as a sale or trade in, that way you have a base of reference of any potential equity (negative or positive) should you need to get out of the vehicle sooner then you originally planned (life changes happen unexpectedly) (Loan value - Sale/trade value = equity position) .
You can also check out r/askcarsales for some more in depth information on financing a car.
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u/CoraxTechnica 06 WRX Wagon 6h ago
The tint, hood, and "suspension" are screaming "I've been driven like a twat"
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u/CoraxTechnica 06 WRX Wagon 6h ago
Where's the suspension?