facelift or not.

[smutty]

Hi all. This is my first post. I live in Taranaki. NZ. I've got an importer looking for a facelift 3.0r for me. Not having much luck at the moment. Plenty of pre facelift cars around. Should i just buy one of those instead. I Will miss out on si drive. Is it a big loss or not? Will be auto as manuals seem to be rare as hens teeth.
Cheers
Chris

[Crampy]

I've got SI drive in mine, and it's fantastic. Intelligent Mode (I) turns it into a respectable family sedan, and you can potter around town or up the highway smoothly and comfortably. Sport (S)mode gives you a bit of extra grunt for heading through hilly terrain, and Sport Sharp (S#) unleashes the full noise, and the shouty dragon that is the engine is released to wreak havok on the roads.

Needless to say I only ever use I and S#

[HardwareBoB]

manual/auto is more important IMHO than pre/post - with a 3.0r you're still looking at the 6 speed for both, so I wouldn't worry too much. I'd go for a pre facelift manual.

[smutty]

I would prefer a manual but autos seem to out number them at least 10 to 1 and when a manual car comes up for sale they're a good few thousand dollars more.
Chris

[chris12]

I would get the facelift.

They're just a nicer car overall. SI drive is good, but it's not the end of the world if you don't have it. I like the flappy paddles though!

[andy_mac]

Whats the price range you're looking at?, Turnover here is unbelievably quick ay, have a bit of patience and some real gems show up. Alot more GT's than 3.0r's though i must say

[McDoof]

if I was buying right now I would be all over this
http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/subaru/auction-875585066.htm

well priced too.

[andy_mac]

Beat me to it man, was just about to put that one up. Well priced, Mcintosh audio and with the very desirable front lip

[smutty]

I've seen that one on trademe. Looking for a wagon though. I should have said..

[McDoof]

Yea that is a bit like finding rocking horse poo over here. Petty much only NZ New. There is the odd Japanese import that comes up but not many. You are probably better off looking for a GT SpecB if you really are set on a wagon.
http://www.trademe.co.nz/839927388
Something like this. Lots of these around. I think anything over $15k is paying too much though.
McIntosh. check
Leather. Check
6 speed. check

[smutty]

Finally bought one. 07 3.0r b spec wagon in black. Just have to wait for it to arrive from Japan.
Chris.

[McDoof]

Nice work. Should serve you well