No 56k: Legacy GT-B or C43 AMG?

hansvonaxion

hansvonaxion

Well-Known Member
Joined
Apr 8, 2005
Messages
2,839
Location
Tokyo
Car(s)
Legacy GT-B
So I decided to sell the motorbike and buy a car. After extensive research I decided on a Legacy, any of the gen 3 turbo models with manual that were in my price range, sedan or wagon, doesn't matter.

I found this one, which I went to see.

Negatives: It has some minor body damage, small dent in passenger door, scratches etc, some damage to rims from hitting kerbs. Remote central locking doesn't work (broken key or dead battery). No navigation.

Positives: 5 speed manuals are pretty rare. HID lights, highway toll collection system, one owner, log books, original condition. It's cheap.

Known issues: None really, the timing belt/water pump needs to be changed but that's regular maintenance. Water can leak in, getting under the carpets.

280hp
343Nm
1490kg
11.4km/L (claimed)
83,000km
2000 model

Base price - $2,500
On road price - $3,500

Will need new rego in Feb - $1,000 (approx)
Will need new timing belt/water pump before 100,000k's - $1,000 (approx)

https://pic.armedcats.net/h/ha/hansvonaxion/2010/12/31/0551535A20101207C00601.jpg

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But while looking around, I came across this C43 AMG. There were only a few hundred RHD cars made over three years, less than 2,000 total made.

Negatives: Auto (but I think it suits this kind of car and driving conditions around Tokyo and could live with it), high maintenance/insurance costs, poor fuel economy, no highway toll collection system. I haven't seen it so I don't know its real condition.

Positives: Auto (means the wife can drive it - but that's also a negative!), log books, power everything, navigation, keyless entry, exclusivity, it's an AMG V8!

Known issues: Auto tranny can fail early - AMG considered it a no-maintenance item but the oil needs to be changed, apparently. Rust around the boot lid lock and in wheel wells. Earlier C36's would fry the wiring harness which costs 000's to replace! - should be OK with this model.

306ps
410Nm
1540kg
7.8km/L (claimed)
1999 model

Base price - $8,000
On-road price - $9-10,000

Won't need rego until Dec 2012.

https://pic.armedcats.net/h/ha/hansvonaxion/2010/12/31/70095711302010121100100.jpg

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https://pic.armedcats.net/h/ha/hansvonaxion/2010/12/31/9571130A20101211W00117.jpg


Thoughts? Advice?

Of course the AMG is twice the price (the wife would contribute toward an auto Merc), and moving into that price bracket opens up other choices, but out of these 2, for these prices, which would you have?

I'm looking for something that will be fun to drive and practical but I don't need a car so it won't be a daily driver and if it breaks down the only issue will be repair cost, it won't really matter if it's out of commission.
 
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Just curious - what is this highway toll collection system that you speak of?

I would personally get the Subaru. The Mercedes is really cool and rare, but you can't justify the price difference between the two just on the basis of it being an AMG.

Also, in my view - a manual, turbocharged, station wagon is infinitely cool. It will probably be more reliable than the Merc as well.
 
This one is easy. Get the Mercedes. For one it is a Mercedes in Japan and two it is rare.
 
I agree with JCE. Get the Merc.

I love the presence of the W202 AMGs. Its pure awesome.

But then again I would choose German over Japanese maybe 95 times out of 100.

Just one thing: if you get the Subaru, please please please get rid of those awful covers on the headlights.
 
_HighVoltage_ said:
Just curious - what is this highway toll collection system that you speak of?
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Rfroot01.jpg


You probably have the same thing in EU but I don't know what you call it. Rather than pay the guy in the toll booth you have a card that you slot into a device and just drive through and the toll gets deducted from your credit card. Probably costs around $500-1000 to have one installed properly, the Subi's looks like it was installed on the cheap, though.

https://pic.armedcats.net/h/ha/hansvonaxion/2010/12/31/0551535A20101207C00611.jpg


JCE said:
This one is easy. Get the Mercedes. For one it is a Mercedes in Japan and two it is rare.
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Actually this is probably the main reason I would avoid it. I'm getting old and sensible, plus I'm relatively poor. I don't really want to pay a premium for image, but the C43 has substance.

CrazyRussian540 said:
Just one thing: if you get the Subaru, please please please get rid of those awful covers on the headlights.
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I think they were a factory option, but yeah I'd probably take them off.
 
mitchell.scott said:
Get the Merc. The Subaru sounds like it may not have been taken care of all that well.
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Well it does have log books and it's one owner so when the holidays are over I'll go through the log books thoroughly and give the car a proper inspection - if it hasn't already gone by then. Thing is, even if I had to pay a few thousand for new turbos or something, I'd probably still be ahead monetarily and it would be a good excuse to upgrade performance.
 
I'd go AMG. Just because i love V8s.
 
hansvonaxion said:
Rfroot01.jpg


You probably have the same thing in EU but I don't know what you call it. Rather than pay the guy in the toll booth you have a card that you slot into a device and just drive through and the toll gets deducted from your credit card. Probably costs around $500-1000 to have one installed properly, the Subi's looks like it was installed on the cheap, though.

https://pic.armedcats.net/h/ha/hansvonaxion/2010/12/31/0551535A20101207C00611.jpg
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Kinda looks like our E-ZPass system. I don't understand why it has to be some $500 device installed in your car. For us its a $30 transponder Velcroed to the windshield. Or if you can get an external tag that is secured to the car by the same bolts that hold the license plate on.
 
AMG
 
CrazyRussian540 said:
Kinda looks like our E-ZPass system. I don't understand why it has to be some $500 device installed in your car. For us its a $30 transponder Velcroed to the windshield. Or if you can get an external tag that is secured to the car by the same bolts that hold the license plate on.
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Yeah you can get the units for under $100 now but they rape you on installation. It is hardwired to the car and I believe there is some set-up involved - your car's details and what have you. More and more new cars can come with the thing built in.

p1.jpg


I guess it has to do with who won the bid to install the system? I don't know in detail.

Not only does one being installed make highway driving easier, it suggests the car was used for more highway driving which is easier than urban driving, obviously.


Edit: So 5-2 AMG. No-one concerned about maintenance/running costs for an old, limited production AMG? I guess you don't have to be when it's someone else's car!
 
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Legacy all the way. Being an awd wagon, it's so much more usable than the Merc and they are still very nice driving cars.
 
laxmax613 said:
dual sunroof is wicked.
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Thats the only thing I like about the Subby.

Now if it were one of these that would be a completely different story. I'd still say AMG, but it would be a much harder choice.
 
Well, this one also made it to my shortlist, in fact I'll probably check it out if it's still around.

Gen 2, RS.

280ps
338Nm
1370kg
10.4km/L (claimed)
1996
75,000k's

Base price: $3,000
On road price: $3,900

It's obviously older, lacks a little torque, interior not as nice as the gen 3 but it's lighter and has less k's, possibly better condition.

https://pic.armedcats.net/h/ha/hansvonaxion/2011/01/01/0551065A20101023W00102.jpg

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Subaru.

Reliable,Quick,Cheap to fix, Better Built.

piss on that merc. Any Merc built after 84 sucks.
 
Go and take a look at the merc, look for anything that's wrong, check the logs. Actually check everything and if you so much as find one thing that may need repair/replace go for the Subaru.

looking at it you end up with either a AMG merc or a badass turbo wagon, either way you win.
 
sedated family saloon, with 4WD, flat engine & turbo setup

V.S

Butch looking box shaped Merc, with a thumping V8 and a lazy autobox (perfect for Japan's traffic jam). Oh yes, and great interior to enjoy at when you're stuck behind traffic.


Maintenance :

Both should be slightly expensive to maintain, with the AMG being the moar expensive one. Tyres, AMG brakes & the autobox isn't cheap to repair/replace.
 
MadCow809 said:
sedated family saloon, with 4WD, flat engine & turbo setup
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Not that sedate, very similar PWR's. The 4WD and wagon would come in handy when going snowboarding but I've never owned a 4WD car before.

People say the Legacy gets poor fuel economy but the quoted figure for the C43 is scary!


MadCow809 said:
Both should be slightly expensive to maintain, with the AMG being the moar expensive one. Tyres, AMG brakes & the autobox isn't cheap to repair/replace.
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I'm only really worried about the maintenance on the AMG cos it's twice the price to start with and I'm in Japan. People with Mercs have money to burn and dealers know it.
 
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