Alright, basically I am in a real dillema. The thing is that I seem to really like the xB, so much so that I think I might buy one over a WRX .

Anyways, my only concern about this car is the engine. I like fast cars that look good, and the xB has the looks I like, but I am not so sure about the "fast" part. So basically, my question is, can you swap like maybe the tC engine? or any engine with more HP to the xB? (with ease I should add)

Sorry if this question has been asked before, but this is basically what my whole decision is going to be based on. If i can get the xB to have an engine that is somewhat reasonable to work with to make it fast, I'll get it. but if not, I'll probably just save some more and buy the WRX

cheerz

 

xb is not easily swapped. if you can afford the wrx insurance ( read if your parents can afford) buy the wrx . better car all around. only thing is less room , worse gas mileage. but it handles better , is faster , can go thru snow better . so on and so forth

 

well its not the insurance thats really a problem, its more of buying the car. I mean if I had the money, I would have bought the WRX without considering the xB, but a 2004 WRX is 20k, while a new xB is 14k (which is around about where our budget is)

so like if there was an easy swap for the xB, I would buy the xB and slowly save up to get the swap. But I guess i'll just save up instead, wait a little.. make that a lot *sigh*..longer and go for the WRX

 

where does a 16 year old get 14 grand from ?


and yes the insurance is the problem. for a 16 or 17 year old the wrx will cost you about 700 or more per month.

 

its a long story but basically I just moved here from Australia like 1 month ago. but before I moved, I wanted to instead just board in Australia at my school while my family moved here. However, my parents told me that if I moved with them here, I'll get the money that would otherwise be used for the boarding for my first car. So ya, I took the "bribe" (lol) and thats how I got to be in this position.

and damn! I didn't know the insurance for a WRX was that high. My friends here kept telling me it was way lower than that. they were saying it was around the 200-400 per month region.

 

The xB is not fast, but it does well, just keep the revs high. Test drive one to get an idea of what you're working with before making your decision. The manuals a are a lot quicker as well.

 

for a 21 year old with 5 years experience wrx insurance is about 500 a month. so figure less experience and younger age more expensive. for full coverage at least.

 

bugger!.. I guess now I got another problem to worry about.. *sigh* i'll see how it goes

thnx for everything dude

 

insurance payments gonna be more than car payments yo!..

but yea, you should really think about it...get what you want cuz you dont wanna end up regretting..

 

For a 16 year old I say no. I sold my WRX to buy a xB. The WRX is an excellant car in just about every aspect. But like every car it has limitations. It handles so good it builds your confindance, but in the hands of someone inexperienced the problem is by the time you hit its limitations you are at life threatning speeds, for you and anyone else on the road. Get the B, enjoy the savings, gain some driving experience and buy a REX when you get older.

 

I wonder about parents that would put an inexperienced 16 year old behind the wheel of a WRX! Did you play with loaded guns as a baby?

 

At any age, there is satisfaction in driving something up towards its limits. The pleasure is not in the raw speed, but in the communication with the mechanicals and the road.

I sold a fast bike because i could not drive it at its iimits. Normal speeds felt awkward, and its limits were going to kill me. But I enjoy driving vintage bikes around their limits, the skill of matching the gears to the road, and being able to use all the engine's rpms and power.

I think you will have almost as much fun pressing the xB at safe speeds, as pressing the WRX at its scary limits.

 

Check the insurance rates in your area yourself. I'm sure hotbox05 is quoting California rates which are higher than other areas. I'm sure it will still be high because of your age and the type of car but it may be a lot less than 700 a month.

 

The box is lighter than a lot of cars and it is underpowered, but as has been said keep the revs up, get a nice exhaust and it will sound great and squirt through city traffic with ease. I have taken some longer road trips and have to say this is not where the box shines, but around town it is a fantastic people hauler and errand hauler. I couldn't be more pleased with it's "performance" and I got rid of my Mercedes C32 AMG for the box! So there you go!

Test one out. I think you'll like it.

 

kind of a stupid question. the two cars are in totally different leagues/categories. the xb, i believe, is for people who want to be different while saving a lot of money at the same time(price of car and gasoline). the wrx, for people who have more money and have a thirst for speed.... and of course awd, who doesnt like that?\

its all about waht YOU want and what YOU can afford. xb is more practical for everyday driving... roomy, fuel efficient, regular unleaded. while the wrx, less romy, not as fuel efficient, and takes premium if im not mistaken.

 

you have a problem on long drives? for work I put about 1000 miles a week when I work. almost all highway. speeds between 70 and 90. uphills , up mountains. no problems. keep it in fifth gear all the way to tahoe and still accellerate past 70mph


same with teh grapevine. 5th gear , a/c on going 70 accellerating to 85 no problems. then again my box ain't stock.

 

actually i was considering the same thing when i was buyin a car. i was lookin at 02-03 wrx wagons, 99-01 a4 quattro turbo avants, and the xb(this was weird to be competin w/ the others). i got the xb cause insurance was lower than both a wrx wagon and a4 avant(sorry dont remember #'s), i like the idea of having a warranty, and gas mileage is great.
i'll get my toy(01 nogaro blue/blue alcantar s4 avant manual) hopefully after i have money when i get outta college

 

I love the Subaru's. I looked at a few used and still couldn't find one afordable for me. But given the age school insurance etc etc I would say Buy the xB. Insurance is not all about age. They base mine on the value of my car and how much damage It can do to another car. I had a Wrangler 95" with liability and traded on a 01 Celica with full coverage and my insurance actually stayed the same because the Celica couldn't damage a car as easily as a Jeep.

 

My experience is quite the oposite. I love taking 600 mile plus road trips in my box. It's the best long distance vehicle I've ever owned. The cruise control helps out too! LOL

I say get the box and don't worry about fast. You can always do fast later on. JMO

 

After owning 3 Subarus I'd go with the xb
The wrx has pretty high insurance, uses premium, gets crappy gas mileage, the 5spd sucks, the paint sucks, and I think the interior looks/feels like crap for how much it costs.

Nothing beats them in the snow though and they are so fun to drive