[TheGear]

Road America Track Time school!

Hey Bros
I am just wondering what would be the most cost efficent thing for me to do in this case. Both cars will be new of course. I dont know alot about cars, in fact this will be my first real car, by that I mean that I paided for by myself.

I have been overseas in the military for the last 5 years and have never needed a car untill now. I have been talking to the Subie dealer in jacksonville, FL and he told me that he has several STI for sale at 33.5K. I have been trying to talk him down a little but it has not worked so far, didnt expect it to but had to try. With tax that adds up to about 36.5K which is way more then I would like to pay but still could afford.

If I get the WRX will I always be kicking myself for not getting the STI
Since I am not a car nut would I even notice the differncen? How much should I pay for a WRX. I think they go for about 25.5K, how much could I talk him down.
I will not have to be financed through the dealer as the Military Credit Union is going to give me 5.9% reguardless.

Thanks for any advice and help

The Gear

 

[4MLA1FN]

I have been overseas in the military for the last 5 years

welcome to the forum. thanks for serving.

...he told me that he has several STI for sale at 33.5K. ...With tax that adds up to about 36.5K.

if you look at this poll, i think you'll know what most of us will tell you to do. *keep looking for MSRP*!

If I get the WRX will I always be kicking myself for not getting the STI.

it depends on your priorities. you could buy a wrx, have a highly rated car, and put the extra $7000 in a good ira and be wealthy in 40yrs. alternatively, you could have exotic car performance for 1/4th the price, and the expenses that accompany such a car (gas, insurance, maintainence, *tires*, etc).

since you say you're not a car nut (and i'll extrapolate that to also mean you're not a *driving* nut; there is a difference), i would say get the wrx and have a ball.

I think they go for about 25.5K, how much could I talk him down.

unless you've signed a blood oath with that dealer, i suggest you shop around. have you checked in georgia; it's only a stone's throw north. i think it should be possible to get a wrx under msrp. (guys, what do you think? murley?)

I will not have to be financed through the dealer as the Military Credit Union is going to give me 5.9% reguardless.

hmm. my dealer gave me 5.5%. i was only financing $20k; i'm 38 old, yada yada, so maybe that is why it's lower. anyway, sounds like you've got more shopping around to do.

 

[HeyDan]

I suggest you test drive both if possible. If you are not a "car guy", the WRX may suit your performance needs/expectations without the added costs: (radio/speakers, floor mats, expensive tires, 94 octane+lousy gas mileage), or first year "bugs": (pinging and det, new 2.5 engine, 3 LSDs, DCCD) of the STi.

That being said, the STi is an amazing machine and I am in awe with it the more I drive it.

I would check around for better rates. I got 4.29% from peoplefirst.com. It took me 10 minutes online and I got approval 5 minutes later. I told my dealer I was pre-approved for 4.29, they countered with 4.1%. Not bad for non credit union or home equity.

Good luck and have fun.

 

[4MLA1FN]

I suggest you test drive both if possible.

ever since the car started appearing, i've only heard of one person who go a test drive. and the salesperson did the driving. i think it'll be difficult, for a while, to get to testdrive the sti yourself. best thing is to find someone with an sti who *might* let you drive it.

 

[rescuesmack]

I thought there was a way for military types to order a car directly through the government buyer thingy...my wife's uncle is stationed at gitmo and had his new f-250 delivered there, Never actually went to a dealer except to look at the color he chose...I belive he got it about what A-plan is...Plus you get government insurance

 

[TheGear]

I will keep shopping around, and the reason I am thinking 5.9 is a decent rate is the fact that I have little to no credit. I am working on that.
I doubt I would be able to get lower then 5.5. I think I am going to go with the WRX, since alot more dealers will have them I should be able to get a better deal. If that does not work out I might have to go with a cheaper car.

 

[amdmaxx]

5.9 is very high rate, look for something lower..
Also, if u havnt driven a car for 5 years, hving 300hp supercar under your right foot might be a bit dangerous..
good luck on your choice..

 

[TheGear]

Well Since I have no credit, and I am going through a Military credit Union I was told by several people that 5.9 "May" the best I can get. And I just found out that each time someone does a credit check you lose two points off your rating, how messed up is that. So the more I look around the lower my credit rating becomes. I will try peoplefirst.com and see what they can do.

rescuesmack: That option is only for American made cars:

amdmaxx: I have driven lots of cars since then, just not owned one. I had to drive ALL the time being a MP.

When I called the dealer in Jacksonville he said that he was one of the only dealers in FL (which is closest to me, I have tried looking in GA) to have the STI in stock. But at 33.5 and MSRP at 31K (is that right) and invoice being 29K I am not willing to dump a extra 2.5 grand into his pocket. I doubt I can talk him into selling at MSRP, since he has stopped returning my emails. I guess he did not like it when I pointed out that the www.Edmunds.com website said the True market value was only 32K ish

So I guess I can settle for a WRX since that will sute my needs but not my Ego.

Thanks for the advice

The Gear

 

[Guest]

TheGear,

Here's some info I found on credit ratings...

5. Too many inquiries hurt my score.
Once upon a time, this statement was true. But get with the times -- in this millennium, the credit agencies recognize a shopping mindset when they see one. If a batch of mortgage or car loan inquiries arrive within a 30-day period, they don't count at all, Ulzheimer assures.

"Outside that 30-day period, if we locate a mortgage or car inquiry that occurred 180 days ago, and then see more mortgage or auto-related hits in the accompanying 14-day window, we err on the consumer's side and still assume she's shopping for one item," he explains.

"We really feel like we are capturing the true consumer experience and not holding it against them for being an aggressive or smart rate shopper," he adds.

Furthermore, there's no such thing as some fixed number of points associated with these inquiries, Ulzheimer says.

"Inevitably when a consumer or a lender evaluates a credit file, they think this item must be worth 20 points, this is worth 100 points," he says. "In reality we try to evaluate credit reports so that the information is given a reasonable or statistically valid number of points."

I found it here. http://www.bankrate.com/nsc/news/credit-management/myths-reports.asp

turbs

 

[4MLA1FN]

When I called the dealer in Jacksonville he said that he was one of the only dealers in FL (which is closest to me, I have tried looking in GA) to have the STI in stock.

a guy just posted in "got mine" saying he lives in texas and bought his from north carolina. if you really want an STi and you don't have a deposit or order in with anyone, this is what you will *have* to do. you decide.

 

[TheGear]

Bros, Thanks for all the advice and help
I found a dealer that is selling the STI at MSRP but of course there is a 20 person waiting list and the next time they will roll off the lot is Aug.

So maybe I will buy a cheap car for now and get my name on that list.
We will see, I might try and get in on the O% APR before it ends and look at a WRX.

Thanks again

The Gear

 

[rescuesmack]

Good luck my friend... Belated welcome to the forums

 

[Goose]

You won't be hurting too bad if you opt for a rex....still lots of fun...

 

[TheGear]

Well fellas
I found a dealer that will give me 200 over invoice and 3.9APR. I dont know if I will be able to get this deal with my credit but I am going to try. Not a bad deal though, what do you guys think

The gear

 

[4MLA1FN]

WRX

whoa. for a wrx or sti? must be a wrx. in *either* case, it sounds like a good deal.

 

[TheGear]

Yes a 2004 WRX, I wish it was a STI then I could afford it, but I need to think realisticly and go with the WRX.

The Gear

 

[4MLA1FN]

don't sweat it. you made the *right* choice. now go enjoy that car!

 

[TerraJumper]

Here's another option. How about leasing an '04 WRX for 2 or 3 years and then getting a '06 or '07 STi at lease end? If you're happy with the WRX at that time, maybe you can pay off the remainder and keep it instead. I must point out, however, that leasing will be more costly.

Just a thought,
TerraJumper