So I got some news yesterday that no one in my family, besides my Dad, likes that I have a sports car and they think that I am going to die in a crash because of it. I was given an offer to sell my car and pick out an off-road truck of my choice. OF MY CHOICE. I do agree that with these cars there is a chance that anyone can get hurt from lack of maturity and responsibility. I love off-roading and being higher than 18-wheeler trucks, but I also love handling and speed... Any thoughts?
I guess if you still live at home and your parents will buy the truck... I guess you never rolled a Jeep/got stuck in the mud/broke anything muddin', huh? Who will cover the insurance? BIG question...what will make YOU happy? If it's about safety...get a Hummer.
My family doesn't so much care it's a sports car as much as how much it costs...then again, they're not the one paying the car payments and insurance costs so I really don't care. Whenever they ask me about it, I just tell them that subaru's are pretty much roll cages with some body panels attached. I've even showed them that thread that was posted a while back where the guy hit and killed the old lady doing something like 120mph. I would just try and highlight the safety features the car has as opposed to the amount of power you're putting down. Also tell them that newer cars are putting down more power on decent suspensions (i.e. altima, infiniti, even some accords and other midsize cars) than many of the older 'sports cars' (which to me are more of family sedans w/ get-up).
Tell them to go to the thread on Nasioc started by the guy who was literally sandwhiched between two 18 wheelers and walked away almost without a scratch. Also, gas prices are down this month, but come next summer, I promise you, you would be hating having a truck...
jeeps are pretty damn safe... at least the newer ones... my dad had an 03 rubicon and that thing would not flip even through the offroading we did... they have come a long ways... but get what you want just remember mud is your worst best friend!
Buy a motorcycle. They'll forget all about your "sports car." But in reality, you have a 4 door sedan that probably has higher safety ratings than the truck they want you to buy.
I have to agree here, while you are still living with your parents. Get something that will fit your driving needs, and keep them happy. Then when you move out, do what you want. My advice, get some eco friendly vehicle and save money. By the time you move out, youll be able to afford a subie of your own. thats just my 2 cents.
here it is... http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=527529&highlight=walked and the video...Luckiest Man Alive!
Honestly, here is my spill on the topic. IF someone is going to BUY you the truck of your choice, do it! Few things to think about..... 1) When you sell your car, who pockets the money? 2) Who is buying the truck? 3) Who is paying the insurance? 4) Will the truck make you happy? If the answers are 1) You, 2) Them, 3) Them, 4) Yes; then take the truck and invest that money from the WRX sale; ride the family freebie. By the time you graduate, you can buy YOUR own sports car and tell them to STFU (in a respectable manner of course, lol!) P.S> Tell your dad I said hello! Also remind him of my wreck, I'm still here baby! P.S2> You can wreck any car, doesnt matter if its a sports car or not. Respect the car, the roads, and other motorist!
Thanks for the advice guys. I am still deciding on what to do. There are some pros and cons to both. The WRX: Pros: I love the car, I like the car aspect because I used to have a truck, I like having a fast car. Cons: I'm always worried about my car ( with my old truck i didnt care what happened to it because it always ran) I like speed and I have a heavy foot. The Truck: Pros: The versatility, being able to jump curbs, park anywhere, go anywhere literally. The worry free mind a truck gives me, the versatility is the man thing. I race motocross so I can still tow my bikes and park in the mud and stuff. Cons: gas, gas, gas,.... 38 inch tires will be expensive though...:eek3: ^^^ That is my point, I can't find any cons to a truck besides gas and that is not really a con because my grandparents take care of that while I am in college. I know that mud sucks trust me. I mudded one time in my last truck and that was the last time I will ever do that. Thoughts?
Wait, your parents are afraid you will kill yourself driving around in a quick car, but not concerned about you racing motocross?
Well, I've been doing that since I was 4 or so, so thats pretty much a part of my life. I've broken god knows how many bones doing it, buts that comes with the territory. They know that I know what I am doing on a bike.
A few wrods of wisdom. I owned trucks for a lon time and I have a heavy foot. Every truck that I owned ended up being modified and fast. In addition trucks are not that safe. Many people die in truck accidents probably allot more so than Subarus. You are in one of the safest cars on the road so you may be actually be putting yoruself in more danger by buying somehting else. Truck or SUV does not eqeull safety, actually they are far more unstable if your speeding. The third and most important point is deal with your heavy foot. It will get you killed or in big trouble no matter what car or truck you are driving. You driving behavior needs to be changed not your car. Sorry about the sp errors here at work gotta sneak on!
The ring structure of the Subaru is amazing, I've seen lots of pictures of roll overs and half the time you can barely tell the car was on its roof.
Thanks. I know that I have to deal with my heavy foot, but its hard when I grew up doing 50mph plus through the air. I just think I would be less likely to drive fast in a Jeep Wrangler which is what I would get.
I'd hardly consider a bugeye a sports car, more of a sporty econobox with potential to become a sports car. Show them how safe the car is and if you're paying for it what does it matter to them.
Ok heres the deal so everyone gets it straight: If the subie is sold, the money for it will go into a Jeep Wrangler on 38 inch tires. I am not paying for my car or insurance or gas. I am responsible for maintenance and repairs though.
so... an off-road prepped vehicle will be a daily driver? and if so, your family thinks that's SAFER than a sports car on pavement? or that off-roading is safer than being on a closed-course? edit: after reading through the whole thread... it sounds as if your parents/family may want to trade some of their money for a second helping of common sense, or at least a well-read opinion. and... it sounds like you need to fix the DRIVER. not the car being driven. first you could start paying for your own gas... so you get a baseline grasp of what a heavy-foot costs then, you could start paying for your own insurance... so no matter what you drive, you will appreciate not fucking it up and having a premium hike.
why not keep the subie and have them get you your off road vehicle... your not paying gas or insurance... they can feel better cause you can drive the 4x4 most of the time and then weekends or when ever take the subie out... that way you have best of both worlds.
why not... your not paying for the vehicle they buy from what you said so you can still pay for your car and they can get you the other... i dont see a problem...lol
Trucks don't meant that you'll be safer in a crash.... http://bridger.us/2002/12/16/CrashTestingMINICooperVsFordF150/ If your parents are concerned about your safety they should research cars and trucks with good crash ratings rather jump to the assumption that your car is unsafe.
I think I'm sticking with the Subie. I don't know why I am always worrying about it though. I guess that I don't really have to worry about it if I take excellent care of it...
I can't see a truck in any way being a better decision than a sports car with great test crash ratings. The gas mileage and size of the car are both too big of down falls to give up something that fits anywhere, sticks to the road, and has decent gas mileage not to mention great emissions! Plus what is the purpose of having a truck unless you haul stuff in it? Don't let your parents talk you into being another person wasting extra gas, and driving a vehicle whose attributes are of no use to you in anyway...
Dude i just sold my 2001 f250 diesel and i loved that truck, it was lifted and all that sweetness. I bought a wrx and havent looked back. was it fun offroading and knowing that i was one of the biggest on the road. The main reason i bought the truck was to get out of my "racing" mode i was in when i was 18. Yes i was a honda guy. i think the truck help me relieze that i didnt have to race everyone on the road and having it for 2 years dropped my insurance down quite a bit. basically if you are a responsible person thats not a dumb teen racer keep it. cause every time you see a wrx go buy in your new big shinny truck, your going to kick yourself. I did.
Well, a truck does help me when it comes to hauling my trailer with Motocross bikes and gear and tools, but I can always use my mom's SUV. And I could always get a smaller trailer and put a tow-hitch on my Subie!
Don't feel bad I am sure about 99% of the folks on this board agree with you as far as worrying about their rides including me. It is actaully something that keeps me from driving too fast, (other than the Roswell PD lol). You are far less likely to wreck if you are careful and care about your car. There are plenty of guys and gals here that can recommned some basic mods and help you do track stuff. Based on your background you would probably really enjoy that and be good at it! Good choice you are actually safer in a suby!
Yeah I love SCCA races. I have only placed 2nd one time in my life. I lost to a Lotus though. And I was driving a Formula car. :rofl:
IIRC SCCA Club racing has the following classes Formula, GT, Showroom Stock, Prepared, Touring, Sports Racer, Spec Miata and American Sedan. Regionally there is Improved touring and a catch all class. However I have never heard where they would put a production car (lotus) in the same class as an open wheel formula car.
My father has always told me that power and handling are safety features if you know how to use them properly on the street. I don't know what to tell you other than that a wrangler is an absolute deathtrap. The insurance will be just as expensive if not more...plus its a Chrysler so be sure you'll be rebuilding the transmission at some point in the (probably) near future. There's 2 grand down the tubes. If you're gonna get a truck pick up a used tahoe or something. The Impreza is one of the safest smallish cars on the road. And the WRX is not exactly a Corvette. Its certainly zippy but a stock bugeye is not retardedly fast. You can die just as easily in a Wrangler.
BugRex: Your SUBARU is safer than any other 'sports' car on the road. By definition of a sports car, the WRX is BARELY that. Its a 4 door sedan built and designed for very safe road operation to get you from point A to point B in rain, snow, dirt, mud, sun, hot, cold, hurricane and more. The AWD system, safety ring, airbags and other systems mean that unless you are an idiot (even idiots are safe in this thing anyhow), you are pretty much driving the safest car on the planet. However, to by pass this, I would find a 5MT turbo Baja. MUCH more power than the WRX, much more utility, JUST AS SAFE, and it still has 4 doors. Plus it seats 4 more comfortably than the Impreza.
Yeah, whatever class I am in, there are a lot of production, purpose-built race cars, and our formula car along with Miss. St.'s. Thanks for the Advice WJM and Russ.
Ok, I dont want to sound mean, but who pays for the car? and how old are you? if you pay for the car and your over 18, why do it? I mean, its your car, your an adult. As long you dont drive the car like a mad man. If you enjoy the car, than keep it. If your parents pay for the car, and your over 25, get a job.