Without going into too much detail... I may have the opportunity to trade my 2002 Impreza (2.5TS/AWD/Auto, 212k miles) for a 2006 Magnum (2.7/RWD/Auto, roughly 88k miles). You can skip to the last paragraph if you don't care to read the info on the car(s) or my reasoning for wanting it, and just want to see the question.
Impreza is in decent shape physically, but needs some work mechanically (struts, timing belt, head gasket... The list goes on). So far, the Magnum appears to be in excellent shape physically AND mechanically, with the exception of a minor front end collision (sellers story is it was hit in a parking lot). The collision basically destroyed the front bumper and driver headlight. The hood and driver fender may be salvageable. Fender isn't bad (it has a small crease where it collapsed from the bumper/headlight pushing into it, I almost didn't notice at first), if it can't be fixed I'd just leave it as is, if I can. If the hood can't be salvaged, it'll need to be replaced (it doesn't close as-is, but I'm not sure how much of that is due to the bumper damage). After a cursory inspection, I couldn't see any obvious frame damage, radiator appears undamaged. If I'm looking at the correct parts, the upper radiator support is destroyed (the bumper is attached to it, so I might not be referring to the correct part), the lower may be as well, it's hard to tell without seeing from under the car.
I know the 2.7 is going to be a pretty anemic, but I've loved the body style since it came out. As is, I should get roughly the same MPG I'm getting now if not better (I'm getting 16 city typical, 19 on a good day with mixed city/highway, seller claims he's getting high 20's to low 30's highway, EPA estimates 18 city for the 2.7), it's 4 years newer (interior is way nicer), and has ~170k miles less wear and tear than my current vehicle.
My question to you all is... Assuming a PPI and Carfax don't turn up anything terrible, does anyone know of anything that would make me *not* want to do this?
Impreza is in decent shape physically, but needs some work mechanically (struts, timing belt, head gasket... The list goes on). So far, the Magnum appears to be in excellent shape physically AND mechanically, with the exception of a minor front end collision (sellers story is it was hit in a parking lot). The collision basically destroyed the front bumper and driver headlight. The hood and driver fender may be salvageable. Fender isn't bad (it has a small crease where it collapsed from the bumper/headlight pushing into it, I almost didn't notice at first), if it can't be fixed I'd just leave it as is, if I can. If the hood can't be salvaged, it'll need to be replaced (it doesn't close as-is, but I'm not sure how much of that is due to the bumper damage). After a cursory inspection, I couldn't see any obvious frame damage, radiator appears undamaged. If I'm looking at the correct parts, the upper radiator support is destroyed (the bumper is attached to it, so I might not be referring to the correct part), the lower may be as well, it's hard to tell without seeing from under the car.
I know the 2.7 is going to be a pretty anemic, but I've loved the body style since it came out. As is, I should get roughly the same MPG I'm getting now if not better (I'm getting 16 city typical, 19 on a good day with mixed city/highway, seller claims he's getting high 20's to low 30's highway, EPA estimates 18 city for the 2.7), it's 4 years newer (interior is way nicer), and has ~170k miles less wear and tear than my current vehicle.
My question to you all is... Assuming a PPI and Carfax don't turn up anything terrible, does anyone know of anything that would make me *not* want to do this?