2005 Legacy 2.5GT MTX with 21k miles for $15k. Should I do it?

[Dawei213]

Hi there, short time lurker (like real short, less than 12 hours, but spend the last 10 hours reading on the forum)...anyhow, I've been thinking about getting another car. I currently drive a Mazda 6s but want something faster. I've looked into WRX and STi's but when I came across this ad, it just jumped right out at me. And after spending a few hours of reading about the COBB/PDX tuning and suspension tuning, I got hooked. I currently race in STX class in the Philly region and it hard to compete against the WRX's in the same class. But for $15k, this car would be a great start.

 

This post was original posted on the mazda6club.com forum. However I figure I post here just to get some more feedback. thanks! btw, the color of the car is Atlantic Blue. It's quite nice!

 

I have the chance to get a used 2005 Legacy 2.5GT MTX with 21k miles for around $15k to $15.5k. The reason why so low?

 

1) The person is leaving the country soon and needs to sell.

2) It was in a prior accident. Driver side front collision. Cosmetic damage. Damage to light, slight bent of the hood, bumper and driver side fender. I checked it out and seems fine now.

3) Two dings, one birdcrap etched into the clear coat, and scratch to the lower side of the front bumper.

4) No sunroof (don't care for), cloth seating, and feels a bit smaller than the 6.

 

I just test drove it. It's definitely quicker. A few things I've noticed.

 

Pro

1) The clutch uptake is much shorter than my 6 ever had been.

2) It's turbo'ed and pulled harder than my 6s.

3) Stage II tuning for around $1200 = 300hp, 350ft-lb!!!

4) Aftermarket, aftermarket, aftermarket!

5) Subbie's AWD

 

Con

1) Braking is definitely not as good as our stock 6s.

2) My 6s looks better than the 2.5GT

3) My 6s currently have less superfical (cosmetic) problem as well.

4) Feels a bit smaller than the 6.

5) I'm afraid I'll miss my 6 as well.

 

But for $15k for a 2005 2.5GT with only 21k miles, that's a bit hard to pass up.

 

Would you do it?

[stanjk3]

Let me think for a split second.... damn right I'd buy it!

But, if I were buying a car for racing a WRX would be the better choice IMO.

 

Was looking at some used Legacys, 15K gets you an '02-'04 with around 50K-60K miles, depending on which trim. They only have 165hp, and a very limited aftermarket. Not a car you'd use for racing.

 

MTX?? I'm assuming you mean 5MT.

[Dawei213]

Let me think for a split second.... damn right I'd buy it!

But, if I were buying a car for racing a WRX would be the better choice IMO.

 

Was looking at some used Legacys, 15K gets you an '02-'04 with around 50K-60K miles, depending on which trim. They only have 165hp, and a very limited aftermarket. Not a car you'd use for racing.

 

MTX?? I'm assuming you mean 5MT.

 

Well, the thing is, I don't want to spend $18k or 19k for a 03 or 04 WRX while I can get a newer car for almost the same power (though not as aggressive), for cheaper. Besides it's 80% driver 20% car when it comes to autocrossing. I just started autocrossing last summer.

 

MTX = 5MT

[Dawei213]

No.

 

The only reason it should be that cheap is if it is a salvage title.

 

He said the title is clear. The car is actually a lease so I can probably check with the leasing company right?

[CasopoliS]

If the car checks out then yes.. get it. Get out of that 6 man. Can't believe you think the 6 looks better.

 

If it is salvage... no. It will never sell for good money.

[Dawei213]

If the car checks out then yes.. get it. Get out of that 6 man. Can't believe you think the 6 looks better.

 

If it is salvage... no. It will never sell for good money.

 

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b157/AndrewAnd9/07_30_06_Boeing_AutoX/Heat2/DSC_4249.jpg

 

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b157/AndrewAnd9/07_30_06_Boeing_AutoX/Heat2/DSC_4252.jpg

 

I still love the way the 6 looks (ignore the duffous with the bright yellow helmet). This was taken at the last Philly autocross. Shoot, on the way to see the 05 LGT, I saw two cars which looked like the LGT (from the rear) but were in fact Camrys! And on the way back home, I though I wouldn't make the same mistake. Saw the rear of the car, think it's a Camry, it's a LGT

[Dawei213]

Maybe I am just suspicious, and it could be due to the damage the car has, but doesnt 15K seem low even for an LGT with damage but a clean title?

 

Which I am too. You know the saying, if it's too good to be true, it probably is. But sometimes it's not. I'm going have the car check out by a mechanic as well.

 

I have the Carfax (though it's not the most reliable source but it's something). It's a corporate lease with a clean title. The accident was not reported to Carfax, which I'm not surprised.

 

I've also requested a copy of the repairs made by the body shop so at least I know what was damaged/fixed/replaced.

[tytek]

the 6 is a good looking car. i have a soft spot for it. but it is so slow in comparison! i can't understand why you like it so much for autox; it is extremely prone to oversteer, especially if you upgrade you swaybar. i have seen too many of them end up taking tight turns backwards on the course

 

the LGT will be much better, and like others said, if it checks out fine, for that little money it is a great deal.

[Dawei213]

the 6 is a good looking car. i have a soft spot for it. but it is so slow in comparison! i can't understand why you like it so much for autox; it is extremely prone to oversteer, especially if you upgrade you swaybar. i have seen too many of them end up taking tight turns backwards on the course

 

the LGT will be much better, and like others said, if it checks out fine, for that little money it is a great deal.

 

Slower yes, but prone to oversteer???? Wha???? I wish! It's a understeering pig stock, but I've upgraded both my front and rear sways to much thicker sways. I can now get my tail to whip out when I want to (ok, some of the time). So much fun! I like it so much for autox is because it's my only car.

[rallispec]

it is much smaller than the 6 inside - and you will lose the ability to drop the back seat -- so if you need to haul large things you're screwed...

 

however you can't deny that the LGT is just a million times more fun to drive than the mazda.

 

<-- mazda 6 and LGT owner.

[CasopoliS]

yes those are great pics. I still just don't really care for the styling. to each its own

[Dawei213]

it is much smaller than the 6 inside - and you will lose the ability to drop the back seat -- so if you need to haul large things you're screwed...

 

however you can't deny that the LGT is just a million times more fun to drive than the mazda.

 

<-- mazda 6 and LGT owner.

 

You have both the 6 and LGT! Which 6 do you have? 6i or 6s? I take it you don't frequent the mazda6 boards then?

 

I've seen a lot of comparisons between the Mazdaspeed6 and Legacy GT but that's very different than trying to compare the regular 6 and LGT.

[Dawei213]

oh..."minor" update :

 

Accident#1: Hit guardrail on left side while avoiding a car in front of me - zoned out for a second and didn't have time to brake. Did some paint damage on the left hand side of the car. Also dented the rear door. The rear bumper was NOT damaged in this accident...however I suspect that they took it off to work on the paint on the rear door and did a poor job putting it back. I honestly didn't notice it wasn't flush until you pointed it out so I was genuinely surprised.

 

Accident#2: Wife rear ended someone on I-80 - had to replace front bumper/panels/hood

 

Accident#3: Wife rear ended someone - had to replace front bumper/panels/hood (this is the fax I sent you today). Almost identical work as with Accident#2.

 

....Again I apologize for not being transparent. I can offer the car to you at $14,350 if you're still interested (bottom line offer)....

 

He did send over the repairs that was perform and most were replacing of outside parts (hood, bumper, lights, fender, etc). No mention of straighten the frame or anything. I feel I can get it even lower but with so many accidents (though repaired) is it worth the risk? It still has the factory warranty but now I'm a bit more hesitant.

 

 

heightsgtltd nailed it on the head...

[Dawei213]

I figureds as much

 

I would run, not walk away from this one. Money saved now, could be in lieu of a ton of headaches, grief and money spent later on.

 

He shouldnt let his legally blind wife drive. 2 of the same accidents? WTF?

 

If by some reason you are still interested, I would have an independant mechanic go over this car with a fine tooth comb.

 

PS: the frame cant be doing so well after 2 impacts that both required replacement of all those parts. The engine mounts, etc. etc.

 

Yeah, now an independant mechanic meaning a mechanic of my choosing right? So it could be a Subaru dealer mechanic? Or better to take it else where? Like an auto body shop. Also, I'm guessing it would be better if I was present or it doesn't really matter.

 

According to the auto body estimate of record that he faxed over, they had to repair the fender, side panel, hood alignment, but replace headlight assembly, grille, reinforce bar, energy absorber, bumper cover, and fog lamps.

[tytek]

don't buy it. spend $4k more and get one that had 0 accidents. unless you plan to run in a destruction derby!!!

 

i thought that it was very obvious that mazda 6 is understeering like a mother, that is why i did not mention it. what i was referring to was the snap oversteer - have not experienced anything like it in any other modern car...

[rallispec]

You have both the 6 and LGT! Which 6 do you have? 6i or 6s? I take it you don't frequent the mazda6 boards then?

 

I've seen a lot of comparisons between the Mazdaspeed6 and Legacy GT but that's very different than trying to compare the regular 6 and LGT.

 

im RallispecLGT over at mazda6club.com -- but i'm not there often - lurk once in a while -- that's about it. (was active more often around when the MS6 was released)

 

I've got a 6i - basically stock minus a few minor things (airbox mod, etc) - Autocrossed it a few times last summer - and aside from the understeer it went really well. It's much more comfortable and roomy than the LGT, so it's what we take on our long trips.

 

pictures of it are floating around somewhere.. can't find them right now though.

[melayout]

Still has factory warranty....that's a nice one.

 

Subaru can deny warranty coverage if they feel/smell the accidents were responsible for the fault in the warranty claim.

[Dawei213]

don't buy it. spend $4k more and get one that had 0 accidents. unless you plan to run in a destruction derby!!!

 

i thought that it was very obvious that mazda 6 is understeering like a mother, that is why i did not mention it. what i was referring to was the snap oversteer - have not experienced anything like it in any other modern car...

 

Snap oversteer?? How would you induce that in a stock 6? No matter what I've tried, it just plows straight ahead (this was before the sway upgrades). Please enlighten me!

 

As for spending more, no can do. Got a spending limit (self imposed). It's either this or the 6.

[Dawei213]

Still has factory warranty....that's a nice one.

 

Subaru can deny warranty coverage if they feel/smell the accidents were responsible for the fault in the warranty claim.

 

Yes.

 

As for your second question, I'm not sure. I don't know if Subaru can even find out if the car has been in an accident. I guess a look up of the VIN number (and not through Carfax but by some other means) might bring up something?

[Boostjunkie]

Hey Dawei, just saw this post. I'm Pisadong over at Mazda6club. Just sold the 6, but I owned it, along with my LGT for 2 years. Granted, the 6 was my wife's car, but I drove it a fair amount too. Anyways, I agree with your initial assessment of the two cars. Tons more power in the LGT, with lots more easily and cheaply to be had. Brakes are not as good as those in the 6 in stock form, but nothing SS lines and pads don't fix. A bit smaller inside and a noticably smaller trunk with no fold down rear seat. Looks are subjective, I like 'em both about the same although I'd say without some of the visual enhancents I have on my LGT, the 6 might very well be a better looking car.

 

On topic about whether or not to buy the LGT. For $14K and change, and with a clean Carfax report (ie: not a salvage title and no reported major accidents) it's really too good a deal to pass up. If it drives and looks good, then there is almost no reason to pass it up. The clean Carfax report will mean decent resale, and the purchase price is so low, that even if you had some problems with it, you could turn around and trade it and likely come out ahead. If it's problem free then you got a steal. To put the price in to perspective, I just sold the 6 for $13K and it had over 76K miles (2003 6s, AT, 2AP, leather, moonroof).

[Dawei213]

Yo Pisa! PM'ed you.

 

Just a quick update: I had it checked by a mechanic and he said that the work seems quality, none of the major components (radiator support, suspension, radiator, etc) have been replaced, and seems to be running just fine. The frame is unaltered and does not appeared damaged or bented. He drove it and was pretty much straight. It was not tracking to one side or another. Without putting it on a frame rack, we can't be 100% sure but he's pretty confident it's fine. Besides, any major accident on I-80 or any interstate for that manner would result in much more damage than just what I've mentioned.