Hey everyone, my name is Chris and I am going to be a senior in high school this year. I just picked this up and I have some plans for the car, so I figured I would share my journey with you. This is my first, very own, Subaru that I have owned for myself. My brother had a forester, but I never got to drive it because I didn't have my license then. He made it through 2 Jersey winters without any problems with it, but he had to sell it before he went to college. So I knew when I started to look for a new car it had to be a Subie.
How I came to own this car:
My first car was a Jetta MK4 5 speed. It was fun, but I was barely able to drive in the winter because it was not the best car in the snow. So after I finished school, I looked into buying a new car, I knew it had to be a subaru. Originally, I wanted a Legacy gt 5 speed sedan, preferably pre-2000. I couldn't manage to find one of those with low miles or minimal rust. So one day while car searching, I stumbled upon this car on craigslist. I was about to keep looking, but then my brother walked in my room to ask me something right before I hit back. He eventually persuaded me into calling the owner and going to take a look at it the next day. He even wanted to come with me to see the car.
When I went to take a look at it, I had cash in hand, but wasn't expecting much from the car and didn't think I was gonna buy it. When I got there, there were no surprises with the car; everything that the owner said was wrong with the car was wrong but there was nothing else bad about it. Then, when I went for the test drive, I fell in love with it. After talking it over with my brother, I decided that I was definitely leaving with this car. I ended up negotiating the owner down from his $3500 asking price to $2300, which was a great buy in my opinion. Here is the day I brought it home, July 15, 2013:
Even in the rain with near-bald tires, it handled great!
Specs and Problems:
The car is a 2001 2.5RS Black Diamond Pearl Sedan. It is a 5 speed and has 103k miles on it. It has a leaking head gasket and quarter panel rust (typical subaru problems). They are both problems that I want to get sorted out before they get worse. Also, the previous owner somehow went off the road and did some damage to the passenger side fender and door, both of which need to be replaced. The side skirt was also torn off, which needs to be replaced.
Future Pans/Mods
I don't plan on doing anything crazy with this car; I just want it to look good and drive even better. I am also on a budget, so here is the list of things I plan on doing to the car.
Engine:
How I came to own this car:
My first car was a Jetta MK4 5 speed. It was fun, but I was barely able to drive in the winter because it was not the best car in the snow. So after I finished school, I looked into buying a new car, I knew it had to be a subaru. Originally, I wanted a Legacy gt 5 speed sedan, preferably pre-2000. I couldn't manage to find one of those with low miles or minimal rust. So one day while car searching, I stumbled upon this car on craigslist. I was about to keep looking, but then my brother walked in my room to ask me something right before I hit back. He eventually persuaded me into calling the owner and going to take a look at it the next day. He even wanted to come with me to see the car.
When I went to take a look at it, I had cash in hand, but wasn't expecting much from the car and didn't think I was gonna buy it. When I got there, there were no surprises with the car; everything that the owner said was wrong with the car was wrong but there was nothing else bad about it. Then, when I went for the test drive, I fell in love with it. After talking it over with my brother, I decided that I was definitely leaving with this car. I ended up negotiating the owner down from his $3500 asking price to $2300, which was a great buy in my opinion. Here is the day I brought it home, July 15, 2013:
Even in the rain with near-bald tires, it handled great!
Specs and Problems:
The car is a 2001 2.5RS Black Diamond Pearl Sedan. It is a 5 speed and has 103k miles on it. It has a leaking head gasket and quarter panel rust (typical subaru problems). They are both problems that I want to get sorted out before they get worse. Also, the previous owner somehow went off the road and did some damage to the passenger side fender and door, both of which need to be replaced. The side skirt was also torn off, which needs to be replaced.
Future Pans/Mods
I don't plan on doing anything crazy with this car; I just want it to look good and drive even better. I am also on a budget, so here is the list of things I plan on doing to the car.
Engine:
- Injen CAI
Axle-Back Exhaust
Headers
Grimmspeed Lightweight Crank Pulley
Kartboy Short Shifter
- New Shift Knob (old one is pretty beaten up)
Nardi V. 2 JDM WRX Steering Wheel
- KYB AGX Adjustable Struts
H&R Lowering Springs
- RS OEM Coupe Spoiler
STI style Front Bumper Lip
JDM Rear Spats
Mud Flaps
Wheels and Tires (not sure yet)
STI Fog Light Covers
- Yakima Roof Rack
Light Bar w/ Rally Lights