Small wagon shootout

Duke wrote: I'm assuming you meant 0-1320 in the high 15s, not 0-60... I hope. A trap speed of 60 mph would suck! I'll look for an SW2, but within 200 miles of me here, all I've located are LW3s.

Oops, my bad!!! Yes, I meant 1/4 mile times, not 0-60. A little power goes a long way in such a light car.

They do crash well, too. For one thing, the spaceframe works well. For another, body repair is easy - remove the busted plastic panel, bolt another one on, and you're done . And that's assuming you even need to replace the dent resistant plastic body panels, which you may not unless they crack.

Nashco said: First one's free. You have to pay after that

That is precisely what my folks did for me. I crashed the car they gave me within 3 days of my 17th birthday (having the car for 362 days)

since then it hasn't been a free ride...pay all the way, and I must say, I have respected subsequent rides more than that first one. no 17 year old should have a car purchased for them.

If it were me, I would offer 0% interest on a parent loan, or offer to pay half, but not the whole thing.

if you're planning to autocross it or anything, keep in mind the P5 has very little clearance for wider tires....

For under $10k you could probably pick up an '04 or '05 Mazda3 wagon (get the "S" not the "i" model for the extra power of the 2.3 vs. the 2.0).

Better handling dynamics, more room, and better interior than the P5. Plus they're pretty competitive for autocross without anything but tires....

Mazda6 wagon

Thanks for the parenting tips. Rest assured, if I thought she had been doing anything stupid, we wouldn't be having this discussion.

On the subject of P5s and autocrossing, the autocrossing is not intended to be competitive. It's intended to be a learning tool about car control, since the Street Survival schools are so rare around here.

I've got the Mazda3 on my list, but they are commanding higher prices than I am willing to pay (for the reasons outlined by others above). Ditto the 6, which I like, but is also too large and too expensive.

pres589 wrote: I've wondered about the Outback Sport from the mid-late 90's. Someone in this thread said something about not being able to lower these cars, is there any truth to that? I really like the look of the Outback Sport and it seems like they're the most common way to get this generation of Imprezza in a wagon, but I'd want to up the handling using off the shelf parts; I assumed I could just use parts meant for, say, the 2.5RS. What's the likelihood of finding one with a manual trans?

The Outback Sport is an Impreza also so it can be lowered. The regular Outback is a Legacy

1995 Eagle Summit DL Wagon....F...T...W.

Duke said: Thanks for the parenting tips. Rest assured, if I thought she had been doing anything stupid, we wouldn't be having this discussion.

Were you ever 17? I was, so let me know when I can say I told you so.

I'd go with the Forester if you can find one locally. The '99 I had was fun to drive with the 5-speed.
Just watch those head gaskets.