davidz

I'm looking for advice on choosing between an 01 Impreza 2.5RS and a 98 Maxima SE. I'm a 17 year old high school junior. I've been saving for this car for a very long time and have like 14 grand. I can get my dad's 98 5 speed Maxima SE (60 thousand miles) for that much or I might buy a 5 speed RS coupe and take out a loan for like 8 grand. Since the RSs are almost gone now due to the WRX I need to decide soon. Please give me any advice you have on this choice. I plan on keeping this car until about a year or two after college so I need a good car for school, college, and time after. I also need it to last.

Empz

Insurance for the Impreza is gonna KILL You ... 4 door or coupe won't make that much of a diff!!! Cuz U're still young!

Zam

Yep the insurance will kill you. I'm 25 and the damn insurance on my $20k GSR was more than my $30k 4Runner. Insurance companies don't like the "sporty" compact.

In order to answer your question, I'd have to say Maxima, or wait for the WRX which will be $25k. The RS is a good car but going to be overshadowed by the Turbo. I'm also interested in the WRX, especially since it will have the same engine as the true Japan spec WRX. You can't beat that.

Zam

davidz

I checked, insurance would be about 2 grand. I think that I can afford that, esp. since insurance on the Maxima will probably not be too much less than that (maybe like 5 hundred). As for the WRX, that's 5-6 grand more money and a car that I think is ugly. I'd rather have the RS because its much cheaper and better looking. Plus, the insurance will be even more on the turbo WRX. Financially I think that I can afford either car, but if I get the Maxima it would be cheaper (insurance, and no loan), so I could mod it a little. Thanks for noticing the major financial differences, but I'm also looking for some advice purely on the car. I'd like some opinions just comparing the cars as if money was not an issue either way.

Mike S.

Out of the box the Maxima will be much faster....AND the maxima engine.....without a doubt is a much smoother engine. Both can be modded.....Sport Compact car got some mixed results with the RS. They did get the hp up to like 190 from the stock 160ish but it took intake, exhaust and some tricky fuel computer. The car made power but then lost LOTS of power top end until they put on the apexi fuel controler(not cheap and not for beginers).

On the other hand a 98 Se 5sp will probably be around 7.0 to 60mph. Add and intake, y, exhaust and I'm sure you would be well under 7.

ZuMBLe

iTrader: (1)

The real advantage the 2.5RS has over the Maxima is AWD and a better suspension setup. If you want a car that can handle really well. Get the 2.5RS. It will kick butt in the dry and wet. The engine has no top end stock. I dies around 115-120. But there are mods available for the RS engine. Like cams and other things. Turbo kits are available too. The maxima has a silky smooth V6. The 5-speed is wicked fast and it doesn't attract attention. Stock for stock. On a dry straight road. The Maxima will murder the 2.5RS. Throw in some turns and some not so perfect conditions. The RS will have a much better chance. Lots of mods out there for the RS. My friend has one and he was suspension goodies up the wazoo.

ZuM

Pancor

Why do you want such a new car at 17? I'd go for something older, like maybe '94 to '96. It jsuty doesn't seem sensible to blow that much money at 17. Get an older 5 speed max with low km's, and save yourself some useful money.

Lordrandall

iTrader: (4)

If you are looking for a dependable car to take you through college I would go with the Max. Great for trips out for pizza with your buddies. Then you can save your money and get a nice WRX when you finish college.....

speednsound007

to stats and pictures of the WRX?

PJ

maximaisokay

You wouldn't regret it.

John