I'm not sure on the etiquette of getting the 10 posts I need to see links so I'm going to jump right in and take my lumps when I overstep.

I've been driving a WRX since August of 2001. The kids are big enough now that I can almost get away with a 2 seater. I drove an 07 Cayman last night and I'm not sure if I'll ever be the same. 1 owner, 14k miles (but no sitting for weeks and months without being driven), no scratches, it could pass for new. Today I am going to make a decision. I could be a regular here soon.

The owners have agreed to a pre-buy inspection. I just can't buy a car without seeing the friggin' engine. I will be searching the threads for advice, but if there are any weak areas I should be sure to go over, I'd sure appreciate any advice.

Actually, I'd appreciate any advice at all! I used to be pretty good with a wrench and I suspect that the cost of keeping one of these on the road will have me using the old nail brush a lot more often!

Tom

 

Congrats on the car! I just picked mine up 4 days ago. I bought it sight unseen from auction and it turned out to be a fantastic car.

Just make sure that everything is in good working order and there is nothing visibly wrong with the car. 14k 1 owner is usually a pretty good buy. Good luck with it!

 

Thanks. I really have a good feeling about this car. My biggest reservation was the owner's reaction every time I would get over 3500 RPM. I'm not a fan of flogging a car to death but I have always felt that an engine needs to be run through its entire RPM range, at least every now and then. I stopped by the local dealer today and the service department seemed fantastic. The fact that they weren't getting the sale this time didn't dampen their enthusiasm one bit. I asked about a pre-buy inspection and they let me talk to one of their technicians. He felt that about 2 hours of labor should let him gauge the health of the vehicle. He showed me the maintenance schedule and that removed a lot of my $$ fears. With me driving about 7,000 miles/yr it really might be a while before it needs a major infusion of cash.

 

The Cayman I was looking at sold between Friday night when I looked at it and Saturday afternoon when I decided to buy it! Last Wed. I went out of town and bought an 07 Cayman with 12,000 miles, over a year of basic warranty, and the 2 year extended warranty. I ended up with fewer miles, more warranty, and less money spent. I'm still learning my way around it but I really like this car. It's a blast to drive.

 

congrats and enjoy!
any pics you could share?

 

congrats on the new car, your going to love it.

 

Make sure you go well into the 5K range every single time you drive the car. It really comes alive in the upper revs.

Congrats and enjoy!!!!

 

Congratulations - it sounds like you got a good one. You won't miss that Subie one bit...until it snows, that is

 

Let me give this a try........

I'm not much of a photographer but I enjoy trying.

 

I drove the WRX for 9 years and 3 months. Now I'm having a hard time adjusting to something that doesn't just laugh at me when I call for power below 3,000 RPM!

But seriously, while I have no standing as a metalurgist, I do believe that an engine needs to be operated throughout its entire RPM range regularly.

I do have one prejudice that has treated me well over the last 18 years of turbo driving and 13 years of aircraft ownership. I keep an eye on the temperature when the engine is first started. Until it reaches its normal operating temperature I go nice and easy unless lives are at stake! Once it's warmed up I expect it to work for me all the way to red line, but until then it gets babied.

 

Beautiful car!

Obviously a good idea to get the car warm before stepping on it!

 

Looks great, congrats.

 

Congrats

 

congrats and enjoy your new car!!! Looks good.

 

welcome to the club..enjoy and be safe..